U.S. patent application number 11/150987 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for discrete organizers for a travel bag.
Invention is credited to Lori Greiner.
Application Number | 20060196744 11/150987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36917393 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greiner; Lori |
September 7, 2006 |
Discrete organizers for a travel bag
Abstract
A travel bag that is customizable to a user needs that allows a
user to display the contents of a discrete organizer located in the
bag in a simple manner. In particular, the bag has a flap and an
extendable handle to which the flap may be coupled. The discreet
organizer is fastened to an interior surface of the flap so that it
is displayed when the flap is secured to the extended handle. The
flap may be coupled to the extended handle by a fastener located on
the flap or by a fastener located on the discrete organizer.
Inventors: |
Greiner; Lori; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Suite 4000
200 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
36917393 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150987 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60658834 |
Mar 4, 2005 |
|
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60671805 |
Apr 15, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/110 ;
190/109; 190/18A |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/262 20130101;
A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 5/03 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 13/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/110 ;
190/018.00A; 190/109 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00; A45C 5/14 20060101 A45C005/14 |
Claims
1. A travel bag comprising: a bottom panel having a front edge, a
back edge and a first and second side edge coupling the front edge
to the back edge; a front panel coupled to the front edge of the
bottom panel; a back panel coupled to the back edge of the bottom
panel, the back panel having a top edge; a first side panel coupled
to the first side edge of the bottom panel; a second side panel
coupled to the second side edge of the bottom panel; a flap having
a first edge coupled to the top edge of the back panel, the flap
having side edges and a front edge that detachably couple to the
first and second side panels and front panel respectively; and a
telescoping handle coupled to the back panel wherein the
telescoping handle can be in a collapsed position or an extended
position, the flap having a hook coupled to the front edge that can
be coupled to the telescoping handle when the handle is in its
extended position so that an interior surface of the flap is
exposed and the flap is substantially parallel with the back
panel.
2. The bag of claim 1 further comprising an organizer coupled to
the interior surface of the flap.
3. The bag of claim 2 further comprising a fastening mechanism for
coupling the organizer to the interior of the flap so that the
organizer may be removed from the interior surface of the flap.
4. The bag of claim 3 wherein the fastening mechanism is a hook and
loop closure on the interior surface of the flap which cooperate
with complementary hook and look closure located on a back surface
of the removable organizer.
5. The bag of claim 3 wherein the organizer has a plurality of
compartments located on a front surface.
6. The bag of claim 3 wherein the fastening mechanism couples a
plurality of organizers to the interior of the flap.
7. The bag of claim 3 wherein the fastening mechanism is a snap
having a socket portion and a stud portion wherein the socket
position is located on the interior surface of the flap and the
stud portion is located on a back surface of the organizer.
8. The bag of claim 3 wherein the fastening mechanism is a zipper,
one half of which is located on the interior surface of the flap
and a complementary half of which is located around a periphery of
the organizer.
9. The bag of claim 3 wherein the organizer has a hook extending
therefrom so that the organizer can be hung on its own when removed
from the bag.
10. The bag of claim 2 wherein the organizer has a plurality of
compartments located on a first surface.
11. The bag of claim 10 wherein the organizer has a compartment
located on a second surface opposite the first surface.
12. A travel bag comprising: a bottom panel having a front edge, a
back edge and a first and a second side edge coupling the front
edge to the back edge. a front panel coupled to the front edge of
the bottom panel; a back panel coupled to the back edge of the
bottom panel, the back panel having a top edge; a first side panel
coupled to the first side edge of the bottom panel; a second side
panel coupled to the second side edge of the bottom panel; a flap
having a first edge coupled to the top edge of the back panel, the
flap having side edges and a front edge that detachably couple to
the first and second side panels and front panel respectively; a
telescoping handle coupled to the back panel wherein the
telescoping handle can be in a collapsed position or an extended
position; an organizer coupled to the interior surface of the flap;
and means for coupling the flap to the telescoping handle when the
handle is in its extended position so that an interior surface of
the flap is exposed and the flap is substantially parallel with the
back panel.
13. The bag of claim 12 wherein the organizer is removable from the
interior surface of the flap.
14. The bag of claim 12 further comprising a fastening mechanism
for coupling the organizer to the interior to the flap.
15. The bag of claim 14 wherein the fastening mechanism are hook
and loop pads on the interior surface of the flap which cooperate
with complementary hook and loop pads located on a back surface of
the removable organizer.
16. The bag of claim 12 wherein the organizer has a plurality of
compartments located on a front surface.
17. The bag of claim 14 wherein the fastening mechanism couples a
plurality of organizers to the interior of the flap.
18. The bag of claim 14 wherein the fastening mechanism is a snap
having a socket portion and a stud portion wherein the socket
portion is located on the interior surface of the flap and the stud
portion is located on a back surface of the organizer.
19. The bag of claim 14 wherein the fastening mechanism is a
zipper, one half of which is located on the interior surface of the
flap and a complementary half of which is located around a
periphery of the organizer.
20. The bag of claim 13 wherein the organizer has a hook extending
therefrom so that the organizer can be hung on its own when removed
from the bag.
21. The bag of claim 12 wherein the means for coupling the flap to
the handle comprises a hook located at the front edge of the
flap.
22. The bag of claim 12 wherein the means for coupling the flap to
the handle comprises a hook located on the organizer.
23. A travel bag comprising: a body defining a compartment, the
body having an opening to provide access to the compartment; a flap
coupled to the body, the flap having a free end which can be
secured to the body to cover the opening; a handle coupled to the
body and extending away from the body wherein the free end of the
flap, when not secured to the bag, can be coupled to the handle so
that an interior surface of the flap is exposed; and an organizer
coupled to the interior surface of the flap.
24. The bag of claim 23 wherein the organizer is removable.
25. The bag of claim 23 further comprising a telescoping handle
coupled to the body wherein the telescoping handle can be in an
extended position or a collapsed condition; means for coupling the
flap to the telescoping handle when the handle is in its extended
position so that the interior surface of the flap is exposed.
26. The bag of claim 25 wherein the means for coupling the flap to
the handle comprises a hook located at the front edge of the
flap.
27. The bag of claim 25 wherein the means for coupling the flap to
the handle comprises a hook located on the removable organizer.
28. The bag of claim 23 further comprising a fastening mechanism
located on the interior surface of the flap wherein the fastening
mechanism are hook and loop pads on the interior surface of the
flap which cooperate with complementary hook and loop pads located
on a back surface of the organizer.
29. The bag of claim 23 wherein the organizer has a plurality of
compartments located on a front surface.
30. The bag of claim 23 further comprising a fastening mechanism
located on the interior surface of the flap wherein the fastening
mechanism is a snap having a socket portion and a stud portion
wherein the socket portion is located on the interior surface of
the flap and the stud portion is located on a back surface of the
organizer.
31. The bag of claim 23 further comprising a fastening mechanism
located on the interior surface of the flap wherein the fastening
mechanism is a zipper, one half of which is located on the interior
surface of the flap and a complementary half of which is located
around a periphery of the organizer.
32. The bag of claim 27 wherein the organizer has a hook extending
therefrom so that the organizer can be hung on its own when removed
from the bag.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 60/658,834
entitled "Discrete Organizer for a Travel Bag," filed Mar. 24, 2005
attorney docket No. 47636.32. and Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/671,805 entitled "Discrete Organizers for a Travel Bag," filed
Apr. 15, 2005 attorney docket No. 47636.33 both of which are hereby
incorporated in their entirety by reference hereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional bags come in many varieties. It is known to
provide bags, whether they are travel bags or purses, with separate
compartments to hold items. Often, many subcompartments are formed
in a larger compartment provided by the interior of the bag itself.
Oftentimes, it is desirable to separate certain items from other
items, such as toiletries and cosmetics. It can be difficult to
pack cosmetics and toiletries within a suitcase and have those
products readily available to the user. In addition, known designs
suffer from the inability to customize the interior of the bag so
that it suits the user's needs.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a travel bag including a bottom panel, a front, back,
first and second side panels and a flap. The bottom panel has a
front edge, a back edge and a first and second side edge coupling
the front edge to the back edge. The front panel is coupled to the
front edge of the bottom panel, the back panel is coupled to the
back edge of the bottom panel, the back panel having a top edge,
the first side panel is coupled to the first side edge of the
bottom panel and the second side panel is coupled to the second
side edge of the bottom panel. The flap has a first edge coupled to
the top edge of the back panel, the flap has side edges and a front
edge that detachably couple to the first and second side panels and
front panel respectively.
[0004] A telescoping handle is coupled to the back panel wherein
the telescoping handle can be in a collapsed position or an
extended position. The flap has a hook coupled to its front edge
that can be coupled to the telescoping handle when the handle is in
its extended position so that an interior surface of the flap is
exposed and the flap is substantially parallel with the back panel.
A removable organizer may be detachable coupled to the interior
surface of the flap.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a travel bag including a body and a flap. The body defines
a compartment and has an opening to provide access to the
compartment. The flap is coupled to the body and has a free end
which can be secured to the body to cover the opening. A handle is
coupled to the body and extends away from the body wherein the free
end of the flap when not secured to the bag can be coupled to the
handle so that an interior surface of the flap is exposed. A
removable organizer is coupled to the interior surface of the
flap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a closed travel bag.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior of the suitcase.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
the organizers removed.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective of an organizer.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another preferred
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another preferred
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 open
to expose the interior of the suitcase.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a travel bag shown in an
open position.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the travel bag shown
in FIG. 11.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 14 shows a discrete organizer 108' according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] An organization system for a travel bag in which discrete
organizer components may be utilized, and configured, as a user
desires within the travel bag.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a closed travel bag 10. In a
preferred embodiment the travel bag is one that is commonly
referred to as a Pullman type suitcase that has roller wheels on
the bottom and a retractable handle at the top so that the traveler
does not have to carry the suitcase but rather rolls it along. Any
type of travel bag may be designed to accommodate the discrete
organizers disclosed herein, and none of the embodiments are
limited to the type of travel bag shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior of the suitcase. As is well known, with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the suitcase has a lid 12 which is
secured to the remainder of the suitcase by a zipper or zippers.
When unzippered, the suitcase opens like a book. Shown secured to
the interior of the suitcase and the interior surface of the lid
are discrete organizers 14, 14', 14''. The discrete organizers are
pouch-type units that have individual compartments 16 formed
therein. The compartments are diverse in size and, preferably, have
a closing mechanism so that its contents do not fall out of the
compartment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the closing
mechanism is a zipper 18 although it could also be other types of
closing mechanisms such as snaps or Velcro, for example. In
addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 one zipper is used in
some instances to close multiple compartments, alternatively, each
compartment may be provided with its own closing mechanism. The
organizers shown on the interior surface of the lid are of the same
size although they do not have to be. The organizer shown in the
interior of the suitcase is about double the size of the organizers
shown in the lid but it does not necessarily have to be. In
addition, the larger organizer could be located on the interior
surface of the lid as shown in FIG. 10 and the smaller organizers
could be located in the interior of the suitcase as will be
discussed hereinafter. Each organizer has loop or loops 20 that
allows it be hung when removed from the suitcase.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
the organizers removed. The interior surface of the lid and the
interior of the suitcase are provided with a socket portion 22 of a
snap fastener. As shown, the sockets are symmetrically arranged so
that any of the organizers can be used in the lid or interior of
the suitcase.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed. The traveler can configure the
interior of her suitcase to accommodate her needs as she sees fit.
In some instances, she may desire using only some of the organizers
or only one of the organizers.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective of an organizer 14. It can be
seen that the organizer has a flat back panel 24 on which are
located stud posts 26 of the snap fasteners that line up with the
sockets on the interior of the lid or interior of the suitcase. The
organizer is secured to either the interior surface of the lid or
suitcase by lining up the stud posts with the sockets and applying
enough pressure so that they snap together as is well known.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another preferred
embodiment. Instead of using snap fasteners, Velcro pads 28 are
used to secure the organizers in the suitcase. FIG. 7 is a rear
perspective of an organizer used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
It can be seen that the organizer has a flat back panel on which
are located one portion of the Velcro pad 30 that line up with the
other cooperating portion of the Velcro pad 28 on the interior of
the lid or interior of the suitcase.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 1 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another preferred
embodiment. Instead of using snap fasteners, a zipper 32 is used to
secure the organizers in the suitcase. FIG. 9 is a rear perspective
of an organizer used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. It can be
seen that the organizer has a flat back panel. Located around the
periphery of the back panel is one half of the zipper, the other
half of which is located on the interior of the lid or interior of
the suitcase.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a travel bag 100 shown in
an open position. The travel bag 100 has a telescoping handle 102
shown in its extended position. The travel bag 100 itself is in the
shape of a duffel bag and has a main flap 104 that unzips to
provide access to the interior of the bag 100. The flap 104 is
shown attached to the handle 102 of the bag by a hook 106. Located
on the interior of the flap 104 is a discrete organizer 108. A
traveler can open the bag 100 by unzipping the flap 104 and
attaching its end to the handle 102 by its hook 106 to expose the
items contained in the discrete organizer. Preferably the interior
surface of the flap 104 is provided with attachments such as
sockets of snap fasteners, hook and loop closures commonly known as
Velcro pads or zippers, and the discreet organizer is detachably
secured to the interior of the flap 104 in a manner already
described. FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the travel bag
shown in FIG. 11.
[0029] In particular, the bag has a bottom panel 200 that is
parallel to the plane of the floor on which the bag is placed as
shown in FIG. 11. The bottom panel has a front edge 202, a back
edge 204, and a first and second side edge 206, 208 coupling the
front edge 202 to the back edge 204. The bag 100 includes a front
panel 210 coupled to the front edge 202 of the bottom panel 20, a
back panel 212 coupled to the back edge 204 of the bottom panel
200. The back panel 212 has a top edge 214. The bag also includes a
first side panel 216 coupled to the first side 206 of the bottom
panel 200 and a second side panel 218 coupled to the second side
208 of the bottom panel 200. The flap 104 has a first edge 219
coupled to the top edge 214 of the back panel 212. The flap also
has side edges 220 and a front edge 222 that detachably couple to
the first and second side panels 216, 218 and the front panel 210,
respectively. The telescoping handle 102 is coupled to the back
panel 212 and can be in an extended position as shown or in a
collapsed position. The discrete organizer 108 may have a fastener
such as a hook 224 at one end that can be attached to the
telescoping handle as shown. Other types of fasteners may be used
instead of a hook, such as a tie, for example. Alternatively, the
flap 103 may have a fastener at its front edge that can be coupled
to the handle 102. Thus, when the handle is in its extended
position, the interior surface of the flap 104 and thus the
discrete organizer 108 is exposed and the flap 104 is substantially
parallel with the back panel 212 as coupled to the handle either by
a fastener on the flap or a fastener on the discrete organizer.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer
108 according to an embodiment of the invention. The discrete
organizer 108 has a plurality of storage pockets 110 located
thereon. It also has a back panel (not shown) on which fasteners
are located such as those shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 that allow the
discrete organizer 108 to be detachably coupled to the interior
surface of the flap. The discrete organizer 108 has a strap 120
which is shown as attached to the handle of the travel bag but
which allows the discrete organizer to be removed from the interior
surface of the flap and hung on its own such as from a shower rod,
or hook or door handle. FIG. 14 shows a discrete organizer 108'
according to an embodiment of the invention. This discrete
organizer 108' is smaller than that shown in FIG. 13. Located on
the front surface of the discrete organizer 108 are fasteners (not
shown) that allow the discreet organizer to be configured according
to a traveler's needs. In particular, the smaller discrete
organizer 108' is designed to be detachably coupled to the front of
the discrete organizer 108 as shown in FIG. 13.
[0031] In addition, the discrete organizers may have other
configurations. The travel bag 100 shown in FIG. 11 allows a
traveler to display items stored in the discrete organizer in a
useful and convenient way. In addition, the traveler can remove the
discrete organizer from the interior flap of the bag and hang it on
its own. Furthermore, the discrete organizer can be folded as shown
in FIG. 11 and placed in the bag.
[0032] Of course other ways of securing the organizers to the
interior of a travel bag are included.
[0033] The organizers may be made of a clear plastic so that the
traveler can see the items contained therein. Additionally, they
may be made of a nylon netting, for example. Preferably they are
washable and compliant. In addition, a pouch or compartment may be
located on the flat back panel of an organizer to provide
additional storage or a hidden compartment for valuables.
[0034] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it should be understood that various changes,
adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing
from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *