U.S. patent application number 11/216998 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for configurable travel accessory.
Invention is credited to Lori Greiner.
Application Number | 20060207697 11/216998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56290726 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greiner; Lori |
September 21, 2006 |
Configurable travel accessory
Abstract
A configurable travel bag that accommodates various types of
removable discrete organizers. The discrete organizers have
different storage configurations that allow a user to customize the
interior of the bag based on her desired use of the bag.
Inventors: |
Greiner; Lori; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP;FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.
200 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
SUITE 4000
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
56290726 |
Appl. No.: |
11/216998 |
Filed: |
August 31, 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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60664889 |
Mar 24, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/113 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0095 20130101;
A45C 2003/008 20130101; A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 2007/0013
20130101; A45C 2007/0004 20130101; A45C 13/14 20130101; A45C 5/14
20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/113 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/06 20060101
A45C003/06 |
Claims
1. A configurable travel accessory comprising: a bag having an
exterior and an interior; a removable first discrete organizer that
can be coupled to the interior of the bag in a first location, the
first discrete organizer having storage compartments arranged in a
first configuration; and a removable second discrete organizer that
can be coupled to the interior of the bag in the first location,
the second discrete organizer having storage compartments arranged
in a second configuration different from the first configuration,
wherein a user can decide depending on her desired use of the bag
whether to couple the first or the second discrete organizer to the
interior of the bag in the first location.
2. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the first
discrete organizer has a plurality of clear storage compartments so
that the user can see what items are stored in the
compartments.
3. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the bag has
a plurality of locations on its interior surface for coupling
either the first or the second discrete organizer.
4. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the bag has
a third discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior
surface of the bag in a second location.
5. The configurable travel accessory of claim 2 wherein the second
discrete organizer has a plurality of non-transparent storage
compartments.
6. The configurable travel accessory of claim 5 wherein the
plurality of storage compartments include a mobile phone
holder.
7. The configurable travel accessory of claim 5 wherein the
plurality of storage compartments include credit card holders.
8. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the first
discrete organizer can be worn by the user on its own.
9. The configurable travel accessory of claim 8 wherein the
discrete organizer has a strap so that the user can wear the
organizer as a purse.
10. The configurable travel accessory of claim 8 wherein the
discrete organizer has a fastening mechanism for coupling the
discrete organizer to a fanny pack.
11. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 further comprising
a fastening mechanism for coupling the removable first and second
discrete organizers to the interior surface of the bag.
12. The configurable travel accessory of claim 11 wherein the
fastening mechanism are hook and loop pads on the interior surface
of the bag that cooperate with complementary hook and loop pads
located in a back surface of the first and second discrete
organizers.
13. The configurable travel accessory of claim 11 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 bag and the stud portion is located on a back
surface of the first and second discrete organizers.
14. The configurable travel accessory of claim 11 wherein the
fastening mechanism is a zipper, one half of which is located on
the interior surface of the bag and a complementary half of which
is located in a back surface of the first and second discrete
organizers.
15. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the bag
includes 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 wherein the first
location is located on an interior surface of the flap; 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.
16. The configurable travel accessory of claim 1 wherein the bag
includes 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 wherein the first location is on an interior
surface of the flap; and 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.
17. A configurable travel accessory comprising: a bag body
comprising: a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold
piece comprises first, second and third folds, the first, second,
and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second
outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of
the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and
the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of
the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled
to a respective outer edge of the second fold; the outer edges of
the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer
edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper
such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the
symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form
a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the
third fold forming the rear of the pouch; a closing mechanism at
the top edge of the first and third folds; a first removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of
the first fold; and a second removable discrete organizer that can
be coupled to an interior surface of the third fold.
18. The accessory of claim 17 further comprising: a third removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior surface of
the first fold in place of the first removable discrete organizer
wherein the first and third removable discrete organizers have
storage compartments arranged in different configurations from one
another.
19. The accessory of claim 18 wherein the first removable discrete
organizer has storage compartments formed of clear plastic and the
third removable discrete organizer has storage compartments made of
an opaque material.
20. The accessory of claim 17 further comprising a third removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of
the second fold.
21. The accessory of claim 17 wherein the third and fourth
removable discrete organizer can be coupled to the interior surface
of the first and third fold in place of the first and second
removable discrete organizer wherein the third and fourth removable
discrete organizers are different from the first and second
removable discrete organizers.
22. The accessory of claim 21 wherein the first, second, third and
fourth removable discrete organizers have storage compartments and
wherein the difference resides in the configuration of the storage
compartments.
23. The accessory of claim 22 wherein the storage compartments of
the first and second removable discrete organizers are clear
plastic so that a user can see the contents therein and the storage
compartments of the third and fourth removable discrete organizers
are made of an opaque material
24. The accessory of claim 22 wherein the storage compartments of
the first and second removable discrete organizers are configured
to hold toiletry items and the storage compartments of the third
and fourth removable discrete organizers are configured to hold
items for a purse.
25. The accessory of claim 24 wherein the third removable discrete
organizer storage compartments hold credit cards and the fourth
removable discrete organizer storage compartments hold at least a
cellular phone.
26. The accessory of claim 17 wherein the closing mechanism is a
rotatable key and socket.
27. A configurable travel accessory comprising: a bag body
comprising: a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold
piece comprises first, second and third folds, the first, second,
and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second
outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of
the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and
the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of
the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled
to a respective outer edge of the second fold; the outer edges of
the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer
edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper
such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the
symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form
a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the
third fold forming the rear of the pouch a closing mechanism at the
top edge of the first and third folds; a first removable discrete
organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of the first
fold; and a second removable discrete organizer that can be coupled
to the interior surface of the first fold in place of the first
discrete organizer.
28. The accessory of claim 27 further comprising: a third removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior surface of
the first fold in place of the first or second removable discrete
organizer wherein the first, second and third removable discrete
organizers have storage e compartments arranged in different
configurations from one another.
29. The accessory of claim 27 wherein the first removable discrete
organizer has storage compartments formed of clear plastic and the
second removable discrete organizer has storage compartments made
of an opaque material.
30. The accessory of claim 27 further comprising a third removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of
the second fold.
31. The accessory of claim 29 wherein the storage compartments of
the first removable discrete organizer is configured to hold
toiletry items and the storage compartments of the second removable
discrete organizer is configured to hold items for a purse.
32. The accessory of claim 34 wherein the second removable discrete
organizer storage compartments hold credit cards.
33. The accessory of claim 34 wherein the second removable discrete
organizer storage compartments hold at least a cellular phone.
34. The accessory of claim 27 wherein the closing mechanism is a
rotatable key and socket.
35. A configurable travel bag system comprising: a first travel bag
having an exterior and an interior; a second travel bag having an
exterior and an interior wherein the interior of the second bag is
different than the interior of the first bag; and a removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior of the first
bag and can be coupled to the interior of the second bag.
36. The system of claim 38 wherein the first travel bag is a duffle
bag.
37. The system of claim 39 wherein the second travel bag is a
Pullman-type bag.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/658,834
entitled "Discrete Organizer for a Travel Bag," filed Mar. 4, 2005,
Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.1 (which was filed as U.S. Ser. No.
11,150,987 entitled "Discrete Organizers for a Travel Bag" filed
Jun. 13, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.3); Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/671,805 entitled "Discrete Organizers for a
Travel Bag," filed Apr. 15, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.2;
and to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/664,889 entitled
"Discrete Organizers for a Purse or Small Travel Bag," filed Mar.
24, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.33.1 which is hereby
incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.
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. For example, a user may want to
customize the bag so that it can carry toiletry items and, at other
times, the user may want to customize the bag so that it can be
used as a purse. In addition, it is desirable to provide organizers
that offer a clear view of items stored therein and neatly
organized.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag and a
first and second removable discrete organizer. The bag has an
exterior and an interior. The removable first discrete organizer
can be coupled to the interior of the bag in a first location and
has storage compartments arranged in a first configuration. The
removable second discrete organizer can be coupled to the interior
of the bag in the first location and has storage compartments
arranged in a second configuration different from the first
configuration. A user can decide, depending on her desired use of
the bag, whether to couple the first or the second discrete
organizer to the interior of the bag in the first location.
[0004] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag body
and a first and second removable discrete organizer. The bag body
includes a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold
piece includes first, second and third folds, the first, second,
and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second
outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of
the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and
the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of
the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled
to a respective outer edge of the second fold. The outer edges of
the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer
edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper
such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the
symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form
a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the
third fold forming the rear of the pouch; a closing mechanism at
the top edge of the first and third folds. The first removable
discrete organizer can be coupled to an interior surface of the
first fold and the second removable discrete organizer can be
coupled to an interior surface of the third fold.
[0005] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag body
and first and second removable discrete organizers. The bag body
includes a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold
piece comprises first, second and third folds, the first, second,
and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second
outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of
the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and
the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of
the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled
to a respective outer edge of the second fold; the outer edges of
the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer
edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper
such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the
symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form
a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the
third fold forming the rear of the pouch; a closing mechanism at
the top edge of the first and third folds; a first removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of
the first fold; and a second removable discrete organizer that can
be coupled to the interior surface of the first fold in place of
the first discrete organizer.
[0006] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a configurable travel bag system including a first travel
bag having an exterior and an interior, a second travel bag having
an exterior and an interior wherein the interior of the second bag
is different than the interior of the first bag, and a removable
discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior of the first
bag and can be coupled to the interior of the second bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a closed bag according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the bag shown in FIG.
1 in its closed state.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the bag shown in FIG. 1
in its closed state.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bag shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior of the bag according to a first
configuration.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the bag shown in FIG. 4 with the
organizers removed.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective of an organizer according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the bag shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior of the bag according to another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective of a closed travel bag according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top view of the travel bag shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the bag.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top view of the travel bag shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the bag with the organizers removed.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a top view of the travel bag shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the bag with only one of the organizers
removed.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective of an organizer according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 8 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 13.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the suitcase according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of an organizer used on
the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a travel bag shown in an
open position according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a travel bag according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the travel bag shown
in FIG. 18.
[0027] FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a closed bag 10 according to an
embodiment of the invention. The term bag can refer to a purse or a
travel bag such as a toiletry bag, suitcase or duffle bag for
example. 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.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the bag 10 shown in
FIG. 1 in its closed state.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the bag 10 shown in
FIG. 1 in its closed state.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior 12 of the bag according to a first
configuration. The bag body includes a three-fold piece, and two
side pieces 20. The three-fold piece includes a first 16, second 22
and third 18 fold. Where the first 16, second 22, third 18 and side
20 folds each has a first and second outer edge 21, 23 and a top
and bottom edge 25, 27, respectively. The bottom edge 27 of the
first fold 16 is coupled to the top edge 27 of the second fold 22
and the bottom edge 25 of the third fold 18 is coupled to the
bottom edge 25 of the second fold 22. The bottom edges 27 of each
side piece 20 is coupled to a respective outer edge 21, 23 of the
second fold 22.
[0032] The outer edges 21, 23 of the first and third folds 16, 18
each has a first zipper 14 and the outer edges 21, 23 of the side
pieces 20 are provided with a symmetrical zipper 14 such that by
the interactive drawing of the first zipper 14 with the symmetrical
zipper 14, the first and third folds 16, 18 and side pieces 20 form
a pouch with the first fold 16 forming the front of the pouch and
the third fold 18 forming the rear of the pouch. A closing
mechanism at the top edges 25 of the first and second folds 16, 18
allow the pouch to be securely closed. The closing mechanism is
preferably a rotatable key and socket assembly as shown.
[0033] The bag has zippers 14 running up its sides that when
unzipped as shown in FIG. 4, expose each panel of the bag, i.e.,
the front panel 16, back panel 18 and side panels 20 as well as a
bottom panel 22. Shown secured to the interior of the bag, in
particular, its front, rear, and bottom panels are discrete
organizers 24, 24', 24''. The discrete organizers are pouch-type
units that have individual compartments 26 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. 4 the closing mechanism is a zipper
28 although it could also be other types of closing mechanisms such
as snaps or Velcro, for example. As will be described hereinafter,
the organizers 24, 24', 24'' are detachable, i.e., removable. The
organizers shown on the front and rear panel of the bag are of the
same size although they do not have to be and are about double the
size of the organizer shown on the bottom panel but it does not
necessarily have to be. The side panels 14 of the bag each has a
pocket 30 formed thereon although it could also be provided with a
detachable discrete organizer appropriately sized.
[0034] The discrete organizers 24 on the first and second folds 16,
18 preferably have different storage configurations.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a top view of the bag 10 shown in FIG. 4 with the
organizers removed. The interior surface of the bag is provided
with fasteners, in this particular embodiment socket portions 40 of
a snap fasteners, although other types of fasteners described
herein may be used in any of the embodiments disclosed.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective of an organizer 24 according to
an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the organizer
has a flat back panel 42 on which are located stud posts 46 of the
snap fasteners that line up with the sockets 40 on the panels of
the bag. The organizer 24 is secured to either the front, rear or
bottom panel of the bag by lining up the stud posts 46 with the
sockets 40 and applying enough pressure so that they snap together,
as is well known.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a top view of the bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 open to
expose the interior of the bag according to another embodiment. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the organizers 24 were preferably
made of clear plastic so as to be particularly useful for a
toiletry bag. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, organizers 48 are
preferably made of a colored nylon, for example, black. When used
with such organizers 48, the bag 10 can be configured to be
particularly useful as a purse. In addition, as can be seen from
the organizers 48 secured to the front and rear panels of the purse
10, the configuration of the organizers 48 are altered. For
example, the organizer secured to the rear panel has a plurality of
slots 50 for credit cards, a holder 52 for a mobile phone and a
holder 54 for a writing implement, for example. Of course other
configurations may be provided dependent on the use to which the
bag is to be put. A user can thus take the same bag and configure
it as a toiletry bag, for example, and then change the organizers
to configure the bag as a purse. A user can use some or all of the
organizers depending on her needs thereby making the bag very
adaptable. The traveler can configure the interior of her bag 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. In addition, each discrete organizer may be provided
with a strap so that a user can wear the discrete organizer on its
own, as a purse, for example. Also, the discrete organizer may be
provided with fastening mechanisms that allow it to be secured to a
fanny pack, for example. For example, the discrete organizer may
have a couple of loops at each end to which a handle may be
fastened or to which corresponding clips on a fanny pack may be
secured.
[0038] Other fastening devices may be used. For example, instead of
using snap fasteners, hook and loop pads can be used to secure the
organizers in the bag. The organizer would have a flat back panel
on which are located one portion of the hook and loop pad that line
up with the other cooperating portion of the hook and loop pad on a
panel of the bag. In addition, instead of using snap fasteners, a
zipper may be used to secure the organizers in the suitcase. The
organizer would have located around the periphery of the back panel
one half of the zipper, the other half of which is located on a
panel of the bag.
[0039] Of course other ways of securing the organizers to the
interior of the bag are included.
[0040] While FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 show the bag 10 with all of the
zippers unzipped, the user can still access the interior of the bag
by only unzipping one side of the bag. For example the user can
unzip the zippers connecting the front panel to the side panels.
Alternatively, the user can unzip the zipper coupling the back
panel to the side panels.
[0041] 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 non-transparent material such as black nylon, for
example. Preferably the organizers 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.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective of a closed travel bag 10 according
to an embodiment of the invention. In an 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.
8.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a top view of the travel bag shown in FIG. 1 open
to expose the interior of the travel bag. As is well known, with
reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the bag has a lid 12 which is secured
to the remainder of the suitcase by a zipper or zippers. When
unzippered, the bag opens like a book. Shown secured to the
interior surface of the bag 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. 9 the closing
mechanism is a zipper 18 although it could also be other types of
closing mechanisms such as snaps or hook and loop pads, for
example. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 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.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a top view of the travel bag shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the bag with the organizers removed. The
interior surface of the lid and the interior of the bag 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.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a top view of the bag shown in FIG. 8 open to
expose the interior of the bag 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.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective of an organizer 14 according
to an embodiment of the invention. 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.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 8 with
only one of the organizers removed according to another embodiment.
Instead of using snap fasteners, hook and loop pads 28 are used to
secure the organizers in the suitcase. FIG. 14 is a rear
perspective of an organizer used in the embodiment shown in FIG.
13. It can be seen that the organizer has a flat back panel on
which are located one portion of the hook and loop pad 30 that line
up with the other cooperating portion of the hook and loop pad 28
on the interior of the lid or interior of the suitcase.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a top view of the suitcase shown in FIG. 8 open
to expose the interior of the suitcase with only one of the
organizers removed according to another embodiment. Instead of
using snap fasteners, a zipper 32 is used to secure the organizers
in the suitcase. FIG. 16 is a rear perspective of an organizer used
in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. 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.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a travel bag 100 shown in
an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. 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 the sockets for snap fasteners,
hook and loop pads or zippers and the discrete organizer is
detachably secured to the interior of the flap 104 in a manner
already described. FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the
travel bag shown in FIG. 18.
[0050] 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. 18. 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 although other fasteners may be used such as
ties, for example, at one end that can be attached to the
telescoping handle as shown. 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.
[0051] FIG. 19 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. 12, 14 and 16 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 form a shower rod,
or hook or door handle. FIG. 21 shows a discrete organizer 108'
according to an embodiment of the invention. This discrete
organizer 108' is larger than that shown in FIG. 19. Located on the
front surface of the discrete organizer 108 are fasteners (not
shown) that allow the discrete 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. 19.
[0052] In addition, the discrete organizers may have other
configurations. The travel bag 100 shown in FIG. 18 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. 18 and placed in the bag.
[0053] Of course other ways of securing the organizers to the
interior of a travel bag are included.
[0054] 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. The user can this
configure the travel bag to her needs by replacing one type of
discrete organizer with another. 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.
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