U.S. patent application number 11/235054 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for collapsible and featherweight travel bag.
Invention is credited to Angela Herrig.
Application Number | 20060065500 11/235054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36097754 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060065500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herrig; Angela |
March 30, 2006 |
Collapsible and featherweight travel bag
Abstract
A collapsible, featherweight travel bag and method of using the
same, wherein said travel bag collapses into a pocket that is
preferably embedded into the bag or that is embodied in a separate
carry case.
Inventors: |
Herrig; Angela; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN K. BUCHE, BUCHE & ASSOCIATES, PC
2nd FLOOR
4445 EASTGATE MALL BLVD
SAN DIEGO
CA
92121
US
|
Family ID: |
36097754 |
Appl. No.: |
11/235054 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60613367 |
Sep 27, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/107 ;
383/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20130101; A45C
2003/008 20130101; A45C 7/0077 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/107 ;
383/004 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/00 20060101
B65D030/00; A45C 7/00 20060101 A45C007/00 |
Claims
1. I claim a featherweight travel bag.
2. A featherweight travel bag unit comprising: (a) A plurality of
surfaces fixedly connected to one another forming a featherweight
travel bag; (b) a handle means fixedly connected to a top side of
said featherweight travel bag; (c) a fastening means featured on
said featherweight travel bag for opening and closing said travel
bag.
3. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2, further comprising
a carry case adapted to hold said featherweight travel bag.
4. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 3 wherein said carry
case has a volume in the range of 4.5 to 300 cubic inches.
5. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said travel
bag is in the range of 1.0 and 11.5 ounces in weight.
6. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 3 wherein the
combined weight of said travel bag and carry case is in the range
of 2.0 to 12 ounces in weight.
7. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said travel
bag has an expanded volume in the range of 270 to 25,920 cubic
inches.
8. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said travel
bag is not more than 3.0 ounces.
9. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said travel
bag is in the range of 1.0 and 11.0 ounces in weight.
10. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said
travel bag is in the range of 1/4 to 1 inch in thickness when
collapsed.
11. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 2 wherein said
travel bag is formed from any of the groups of material consisting
of nylon, cotton, high-density polyethylene fibers marketed under
TYVEK.RTM., KENSEL.RTM., TYPE 14 TYVEK.RTM., TYPE 16 TYVEK.RTM.,
DuPont 1460.RTM., Reflektra.RTM. and Supra.RTM. trademarks.
12. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 3, wherein said
carry case has a fastener.
13. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 3, wherein said
carry case is embedded on a side of said travel bag in the form of
a pocket into which said travel bag may be compressed, whereby said
travel bag may unfold out of said embedded pocket.
14. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 13 wherein said
pocket is in the range of 3 to 10 inches in length by 4 to 11
inches in width.
15. A featherweight travel bag unit and carrying case wherein: (a)
a featherweight travel bag and carrying case are in the range of 2
to 12 ounces in weight; and, (b) an expanded volume of said
featherweight travel bag is in the range of 270 cubic inches to
25,920 cubic inches.
16. The featherweight travel bag unit and carrying case of claim 15
wherein said travel bag is formed from any of the groups of
material consisting of nylon, cotton, high-density polyethylene
fibers marketed under TYVEK.RTM., KENSEL.RTM., TYPE 14 TYVEK.RTM.,
TYPE 16 TYVEK.RTM., DuPont 1460.RTM., Reflektra.RTM. and Supra.RTM.
trademarks.
17. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 15, further
comprising a carry case wherein said carry case has a fastener.
18. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 15 wherein said
travel bag is not more than 3.0 ounces.
19. The featherweight travel bag unit of claim 15 wherein said
travel bag is in the range of 1.0 and 11.0 ounces in weight.
20. A method of preparing a featherweight travel bag and carrying
case for storage comprising the steps of: (a) Flattening a travel
bag so that respective top edges of a first end and a second end
fold toward one another; (b) Folding said travel bag along a first
midline; (c) Folding said travel bag along a second midline; (d)
Folding said travel bag along a third midline; (e) Folding said
travel bag along a fourth midline; and, (f) Inserting said folded
travel bag into a carry case.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional patent
application No. 60/613,367.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] This application claims priority from provisional patent
application No. 60/613,367. The present invention relates to the
field of collapsible travel bags.
[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0006] There are a variety of luggage and travel bags on the
market. In the realm of luggage and travel, the consuming public is
constantly looking for a product that is strong, lightweight,
collapsible and easy to use. In the industry of travel bags,
convenience and ease of use are of paramount importance. Many
improvements have been made, and are commonly seen in airports, for
instance, the numerous models of overnight suitcases carried by
travelers, bearing wheels and telescoping handles. While numerous
improvements such as these have been made in the luggage industry,
a constant dilemma of travelers is how to transport the greatest
possible weight of luggage, while staying within the carry-on and
baggage limits of most commercial carriers.
[0007] Every traveler's nightmare is the situation when a flight
desk check-in clerk or flight attendant tells a traveler that a
given bag is too full or bulky, or that constraints of a particular
cabin will require repacking, checking, or leaving behind a
particular travel bag. Given the infinitely confusing array of
travel restrictions on dimensions, weight and the number of bags
that can be carried on to a plane, this nightmare all too
frequently comes true. The traveler, who is frequently already at
the airport, bus or ferry terminal is faced with the dilemma of
what to do with the extra three pounds of socks, sweaters, gifts,
etc. Should the excess be mailed home? Should a new suitcase be
purchased? Is a different flight required? Does the traveler check
the carry-on as an extra check-in luggage, thus depriving him or
herself of personal items typically placed in carry-on during the
voyage? These problems are all too common.
[0008] There is also a constant problem of how to negotiate a
return trip with gifts and treasures acquired on a trip,
particularly if the suitcases were already full on the original
flight. Most consumers loathe the idea of traveling with an empty
suitcase in hand, much less the prospect of buying a new overpriced
suitcase at the destination or the airport, but there are very few
alternatives for today's traveler. Short of walking around with an
unsightly garbage bag (that tears), purchasing a new suitcase, or
mailing home expensive packages, there are no readily available
solutions.
[0009] Additionally, with present luggage technology, there is a
problem with collapsibility. An extra suitcase is not only
irritating to carry while traveling, but it also means that a
consumer is forced to find a place to store the extra suitcase when
not in use, thus depriving the owner of valuable closet or attic
space.
[0010] The present invention offers an alternative to traveling
consumers--a collapsible travel bag that is elegant in style and
function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, it is the objective of the present invention to
provide a featherweight collapsible travel bag that is easy to
store and yet strong enough to carry an appreciable amount of
luggage.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
featherweight travel bag that may be stored in a traveler's
existing luggage in case the need arises for an extra suitcase.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
featherweight travel bag that may be stored in the user's home,
office or apartment with minimal use of space.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
featherweight travel bag that is resistant to tearing and the
stresses of commercial travel.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a featherweight travel bag that is made of material without excess
metal or materials that would cause unnecessary security concerns
at travel checkpoints.
[0016] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a featherweight travel bag that is relatively inexpensive,
and while durable, not so precious that the user would be concerned
of disposing of the travel bag.
[0017] It is still a further object of the present invention to
employ fabric materials in construction of the featherweight travel
bag that are both strong and light.
[0018] Other objectives of the invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and
described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0019] The manner in which these objectives and other desirable
characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following
description and attached drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
featherweight travel bag as it would appear when filled with
luggage.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carry case for the
featherweight travel bag with a fastener in the form of a
drawstring.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carry case for the
featherweight travel bag with a fastener in the form of a synthetic
material having both a layer of tiny hooks and a complementary
layer of clinging pile.
[0023] FIG. 4A is a perspective sequence depicting a preferable
method of preparing the featherweight travel bag for storing in a
carry case.
[0024] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the featherweight travel bag
1 as it typically appears in fully expanded position when it is
filled with luggage. This embodiment of the present invention takes
the form of a duffel bag, although other embodiments are
contemplated. While the featherweight travel bag 1 could also have
a more cylindrical shape, FIG. 1 depicts a duffel shape of a
rectangular box configuration defined by six planar sides fixedly
connect to one another. First side 5 and second side 6 form the
duffel bag sides. First end 3 and second end 4 preferably form the
duffel bag ends. Top side 7 and bottom side 2 preferably form the
top and bottom surfaces of the featherweight travel bag 1 with
duffel bag shape. More specifically, the featherweight travel bag 1
is preferably defined by a first end 1 and a second end 4, with
each of the foregoing ends forming a four-edged polygon. The
respective top edges of the first end 3 and second end 4 are
preferably fixedly connected to one another by top side 7, which
forms a rectangular plane between first end 3 and second end 4.
Directly opposite top side 7 is bottom side 2, which preferably
forms the bottom of the featherweight travel bag 1. This bottom
side 2 preferably forms a planar surface fixedly connecting the
lower edges of said first end 3 and second end 4. First side 5 and
second side 6 are opposite surfaces of the featherweight travel bag
1 that form the duffel bag side surfaces. First side 5 is a planar
surface with two of four edges (those edges perpendicular to the
ground in FIG. 1) fixedly connected at opposite ends to first end 3
and second end 4. First side 5 has the two remaining edges (those
horizontal to the ground on FIG. 1) preferably fixedly connected to
top side 7 and bottom side 2. Second side 6 is a planar surface
with two of four edges (those edges perpendicular to the ground in
FIG. 1) fixedly connected at opposite ends to first end 3 and
second end 4. Second side 6 has its two remaining edges (those
horizontal to the ground on FIG. 1) preferably fixedly connected to
top side 7 and bottom side 2.
[0026] The featherweight travel bag 1 also is shown with handle
means 9 which are fixedly connected to the top side 7. Typically,
the handle means 9 are sewn to top side 7, and forming looping
handles typical of many commercially available duffel bags,
including but not limited to those made from nylon. The handle
means 7 depicted in FIG. 1 are two looping handles appearing on
opposite sides of fastening means 8, which extends along the
central length of top side 7. The fastening means 8 is a zipper,
how other mechanisms could be employed, for instance snaps,
Velcro.RTM., hooks or buttons, so long as the primary function is
to open and close the featherweight travel bag 1.
[0027] The featherweight travel bag 1 and a plurality of its side
surfaces are preferably fixedly connected to one another by sewing.
The travel bag 1 is made from exceptionally light fabrics that are
adapted to this type of connection. However, it should be noted
that multiple surfaces could be formed from a single congruous
piece of fabric. For instance, it is contemplated that the top side
7, second side 6, bottom 2 and first side 5 depicted could be
formed from one piece of fabric, with the respective surfaces
defined by sewing on edges of the first end 3 and second end 4.
While FIG. 1 depicts a primarily rectangular container shaped
travel bag 1, it is to be noted that the bag is not rigid in form
as its construction is fabric. FIG. 1 is one preferable shape for
featherweight travel bag 1, but other shapes and sizes are also
contemplated. Also noted in FIG. 1 are center bands 10, which
preferably extend from the handle means 9 down and around the
featherweight travel bag 1 to provide additional strength and
support for the bag. Reinforced ends 11 are also preferable
improvements shown that provide additional support where the first
end 3 and second end 4 meet with the remaining surfaces (sides) of
the featherweight travel bag 1.
[0028] A primary functionality of the featherweight travel bag 1 is
its collapsibility, therefore, exceptionally lightweight, strong
materials must be used in its construction. While nylon, cotton and
polyester blend fabrics can work, featherweight travel bag 1 is
preferably made of fabric that is high-density polyethylene fiber.
One such group of suitable fabrics are those made by DuPont
corporation and sold under the trademarks TYVEK.RTM. and
KENSEL.RTM.. Particularly suitable for the present invention are
TYVEK.RTM. products sold under the TYPE 14 TYVEK.RTM. and TYPE 16
TYVEK.RTM. trademarks. These fabrics offer particularly well-suited
characteristics for water resistance, tear resistance, softness,
low weight, breathability and mildew resistance. Other such fabrics
would include those sold by DuPont under the 1460.RTM.,
Reflektra.RTM. and Supra.RTM. trademarks.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a preferable carry case 12 with fastener 13,
which fastener is in the form of a drawstring. The carry case 12 is
adapted to hold the collapsed featherweight travel bag 1 and is
preferably made from the same material forming the featherweight
travel bag 1. FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the carry case
12, however, with fastener 13 formed of a fastener in the form of a
synthetic material having both a layer of tiny hooks and a
complementary layer of clinging pile, such as that certain fastener
sold under the trademark Velcro@. Alternately, in another
preferable embodiment, the carry case 12 is not a separate bag, but
rather embedded on the side of featherweight travel bag 1 in the
form of a pocket into which the entire expandable travel bag 1 may
be compressed. Such a pocket is in the range of preferably 3'' to
10'' in length by 4'' to 11'' in width, with a 6'' width by 7''
length being preferable. In other words, the entire travel bag 1
will unfold out of the embedded pocket. When collapsed the entire
featherweight travel bag is in the range of % to 1 inch in
thickness and weighing in the range of between 1.5 to 5.0 ounces in
weight.
[0030] An important feature of the present invention is the small
size of the carry case 12, which paradoxically contains a
featherweight travel bag 1 that expands to a large size. The
featherweight travel bag 1 shown expands to 20 inches long, 18
inches wide and 9 inches tall. The present carry case 12 depicted
is seven inches in width by 8 inches in length. When filled with
the folded featherweight travel bag 1 shown it is still less than
1.5 inches in height, thus making the travel bag 1 extremely
versatile and easy to store in suitcases, closets, etc.
Furthermore, the featherweight travel bag 1 and carry case 12
depicted together weigh only 3.3 ounces. The featherweight travel
bag 1 depicted is only 3.0 ounces. While these are the specific
dimensions of the Figures depicted, it is contemplated that the
combined featherweight travel bag 1 and carry case 12 will fall in
the range of 2.0 to 12 ounces in weight. The featherweight travel
bag 1 by itself may be in the range of between 1.0 and 11.5 ounces
in weight. It is further contemplated that the carry case 12
component of the invention could have a range of volumes
(L.times.W.times.H) in the range of 4.5 cubic inches to 300 cubic
inches. It is further contemplated that the expanded volume of the
featherweight travel bag 1 may be in the range of 270 cubic inches
to 25,920 cubic inches (based on L.times.W.times.H in expanded
form).
[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective sequence depicting a preferable
method of preparing the featherweight travel bag 1 for storing in a
carry case 12. As shown the featherweight travel bag 1 shown is a
primarily rectangular configuration, however with the six sides
deflated. FIG. 4 is a deflated version of the travel bag 1 of FIG.
1. The method embodies a series of half-folds until the travel bag
1 is small enough to fit in the carry case 12. Therefore, the first
step in the method of preparing the travel bag 1 for storing would
involve flattening the travel bag 1 so that as shown in the
uppermost figure of FIG. 4, the respective top edges of first end 3
and second end 4 fold toward one another. Secondly, the travel bag
1 is folded along first midline 13 so that the travel bag 1 appears
in the flattened condition shown on the second drawing in the
sequence, which is then folded in half along a second midline 14 to
arrive at the appearance of the third depiction in the sequence.
The travel bag 1 is then folded along third midline 15 so it
appears as the fourth depiction in the sequence, and then again
folded in half along the fourth midline, at which point the travel
bag 1 is manually inserted by the user into the carry case 12.
Thus, the user is able to manually fold this preferable embodiment
of the invention in four folds for storage. It is contemplated that
the travel bag 1 could be folded between 3 and 6 times along
midlines to achieve a size capable of being inserted into a carry
case 12.
[0032] It is understood that each of the elements described above,
or two or more together may also find a useful application in other
types of methods differing from the type described above. While
certain novel features of this invention have been shown and
described, it is not intended to be limited to the details above,
since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device
illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in
the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *