U.S. patent application number 11/617367 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for baby supply tote.
Invention is credited to Dorothy D. Patterson.
Application Number | 20070151895 11/617367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38223266 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151895 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patterson; Dorothy D. |
July 5, 2007 |
BABY SUPPLY TOTE
Abstract
A baby supply tote comprises an enclosure formed from pliable
material. The enclosure includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a
rear panel and a pair of side panels, and further includes a top
panel removably fastenable to each of the front panel, rear panel
and side panels. The panels when assembled define an interior
surface and an exterior surface. The panel exterior and interior
surfaces have compartments formed thereon. A removable
baby-changing board, formed from substantially nonpliable material,
has an upper surface and a lower surface. The removable
baby-changing lower surface is disposed substantially adjacent and
substantially coextensive with the bottom panel. The removable
baby-changing board upper surface has a pliable covering disposed
thereon. The baby-changing board provides structural support to the
bottom panel when installed within the enclosure in a position
adjacent the bottom panel.
Inventors: |
Patterson; Dorothy D.;
(Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
38223266 |
Appl. No.: |
11/617367 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60754727 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/581 ;
206/223; 383/121.1; 383/38; 383/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2011/007 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/581 ;
206/223; 383/038; 383/040; 383/121.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22; B65D 30/00 20060101 B65D030/00; B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00; B65D 69/00 20060101 B65D069/00 |
Claims
1. A baby supply tote comprising: (a) an enclosure formed from
pliable material, said enclosure comprising a bottom panel and,
extending upwardly therefrom, a front panel, a rear panel and a
pair of side panels, and further comprising a top panel at least
partially removably fastenable to each of said front panel, rear
panel and side panels, said panels when assembled defining an
interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one of said
panel exterior surfaces having at least one compartment formed
thereon, and at least one of said panel interior surfaces having at
least one compartment formed thereon; (b) a removable baby-changing
board formed from substantially nonpliable material, said removable
baby-changing board having an upper surface and a lower surface,
said removable baby-changing lower surface disposed substantially
adjacent and substantially coextensive with said bottom panel, said
removable baby-changing board upper surface having a pliable
covering disposed thereon, whereby said baby-changing board
provides structural support to said bottom panel when installed
within said enclosure in a position adjacent said bottom panel.
2. The baby supply tote of claim 1, wherein said top panel is
removably fastened to each of said front panel and side panels.
3. The baby supply tote of claim 2, wherein said top panel is
removably fastened to each of said front panel and side panels by a
fastener, said fastener comprising at least one of a zipper, a
detachable hook-and-loop fastener, a plurality of snaps, and a
plurality of buttons attached to one of said front panel, rear
panel and side panels, each of said plurality of buttons insertable
into a corresponding opening formed in said top panel.
4. The baby supply tote of claim 1, wherein said pliable covering
is formed from a water-resistant material.
5. The baby supply tote of claim 4, wherein said water-resistant
material is polymeric.
6. The baby supply tote of claim 5, wherein said water-resistant
material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
7. The baby supply tote of claim 1, wherein pliable covering is
removable and washable.
8. The baby supply tote of claim 1, wherein one of said front
panel, rear panel and side panels has an opening formed therein in
a position adjacent said bottom panel when said enclosure is
assembled, said opening adapted to accommodate the insertion of
said removable baby-changing board into said enclosure.
9. The baby supply tote of claim 8, wherein said opening has a
fastener associate therewith for securing said opening in a closed
position.
10. The baby supply tote of claim 9, wherein said fastener is one
of a zipper, a detachable hook-and-loop fastener, a plurality of
snaps, and at least one button attached to one of said front panel,
rear panel and side panels, said at least one button insertable
into a corresponding opening formed in said top panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/754,727, filed
Dec. 29, 2005, entitled "Baby Supply Tote". The '727 provisional
application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a baby supply
tote bag having a plurality of pockets for carrying and storing
baby supplies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to
a baby supply tote bag that accommodates baby supplies and items
for the caregiver, such as a caregiver could store in a separate
purse. The present disclosure also relates to a baby supply tote
that has a plank member disposed at its interior bottom portion,
which provides structural support to the tote and can be used as a
diaper-changing surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of baby supply bags are known in the field of the
disclosure. Prior baby supply bags generally attempt to address the
issue of carrying the supplies that are useful for traveling with a
baby or small child, such as diapers, toys, snacks, or clothing.
Indeed, the overwhelming amount of things that a baby can need
during even the shortest of journeys outside of the home makes a
baby supply bag useful.
[0004] Just as the baby requires numerous supplies for his comfort
on a trip, the mother also requires supplies for her own comfort
and convenience, such as her wallet, checkbook, sunglasses,
cosmetics, hair brush, and mobile phone. The mother's effects are
often relegated to a separate purse, requiring her to juggle yet
another item in addition to handling the baby. Alternatively, the
mother can attempt to store her effects in a conventional baby bag,
but due to deficient consideration for non-baby supplies found in
such bags, this results in an inefficient mixture of baby supplies
with the mother's supplies.
[0005] In addition to the multitude of diapers and other supplies
that are useful to carry along with a child, it is often desirable
find an area to change the child on very short notice. Often times,
the need to change a baby occurs suddenly and when a restroom is
not convenient. Furthermore, even if a restroom is nearby, many do
not provide sufficient counter space, let alone a sanitary surface,
on which to change a baby. The ability to provide a ready, stable
and sanitary surface upon which to change a baby is greatly desired
by tote users.
[0006] The structural design of these bags is also a concern of the
mother or caregiver. A stiff or rigid structure of a tote can make
the tote heavier and more cumbersome to carry. Furthermore, when
the sides of the tote are stiff or rigid, the volume of the tote
can be larger than needed, making the tote cumbersome. When the
sides of a tote are not rigid this allows the bag to take up less
volume when the bag is not full. However, at the other end of the
spectrum, some rigidity can help to maintain the organization of
the materials inside the tote. A tote with a rigid or semi rigid
bottom, and sides that are not rigid has a desirable weight and can
be less cumbersome to carry. Furthermore, the rigid or semi rigid
component at the bottom of the tote can help to maintain the
organization of the materials in the tote.
[0007] Examples of prior disclosed baby bags include: Kalozdi U.S.
Pat. No. 6,298,993, Gonzalez U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,649, Delligatti
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,154, Lim U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,277, Titus U.S.
Pat. No. 4,685,559, and Coates U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,130, which
disclose diaper bags with compartments for baby supplies.
[0008] Kalozdi U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,993, Delligatti U.S. Pat. No.
5,439,154, Lim U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,277, Coates U.S. Pat. No.
4,566,130, and Taniguchi U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,786 disclose a
changing surface. While these designs do provide a changing
surface, they are cumbersome to fold and carry, inconvenient to
use, and do not provide a sufficiently rigid surface.
[0009] To overcome the aforementioned problems with baby supply
bags, it would be desirable to have a bag that accommodates the
needs of the baby and the caregiver alike, as well as for a bag
that provides a ready, stable, and sanitary surface upon which to
change the baby. This bag should also have sufficient structural
rigidity to maintain its shape and organization of its contents
without being overly bulky and cumbersome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] At least some of above-cited shortcomings of prior
conventional baby supply bags are overcome by a baby supply tote
comprising:
[0011] (a) an enclosure formed from pliable material, the enclosure
comprising a bottom panel and, extending upwardly therefrom, a
front panel, a rear panel and a pair of side panels, and further
comprising a top panel at least partially removably fastenable to
each of the front panel, rear panel and side panels, the panels
when assembled defining an interior surface and an exterior
surface, at least one of the panel exterior surfaces having at
least one compartment formed thereon, and at least one of the panel
interior surfaces having at least one compartment formed
thereon;
[0012] (b) a removable baby-changing board formed from
substantially nonpliable material, the removable baby-changing
board having an upper surface and a lower surface, the removable
baby-changing lower surface disposed substantially adjacent and
substantially coextensive with the bottom panel, the removable
baby-changing board upper surface having a pliable covering
disposed thereon.
In operation, the baby changing board provides structural support
to the bottom panel when installed within the enclosure in a
position adjacent the bottom panel.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the top panel of the baby supply
tote is removably fastened to each of the front panel and side
panels. The top panel is preferably removably fastened to each of
the front panel and side panels by a fastener, the fastener
comprising at least one of a zipper, a detachable hook-and-loop
fastener, a plurality of snaps, and a plurality of buttons attached
to one of the front panel, rear panel and side panels, each of the
plurality of buttons insertable into a corresponding opening formed
in the top panel.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the pliable covering of the baby
supply tote is formed from a water-resistant material. The
water-resistant material is preferably polymeric and comprises
polytetrafluoroethylene. The pliable covering is also preferably
removable and washable.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present baby supply tote,
one of the front panel, rear panel and side panels has an opening
formed therein in a position adjacent the bottom panel when the
enclosure is assembled. The opening is adapted to accommodate the
insertion of the removable baby-changing board into the enclosure.
The opening preferably has a fastener associate therewith for
securing the opening in a closed position. The fastener is
preferably one of a zipper, a detachable hook-and-loop fastener, a
plurality of snaps, and at least one button attached to one of the
front panel, rear panel and side panels. The at least one button is
insertable into a corresponding opening formed in the top
panel.
[0016] The present baby supply tote has compartments for the
caregiver's supplies and the baby's supplies. The tote has exterior
compartments, providing ready access for the caregiver to items
such as a wallet, keys, cosmetics, and water bottle. The interior
of the tote also has a plurality of compartments for baby supplies,
such as baby bottles, baby food jars, snacks, clothes and toys.
[0017] The preferred baby supply tote has a shoulder strap,
attached to the sides of the tote, which allows the tote to be
carried as a shoulder bag.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the present baby supply tote also
has back straps attached to the rear of the tote such that the tote
can optionally be worn as a backpack. When the tote is worn as a
backpack, the shoulder strap can be stored inside the tote and
secured by a shoulder strap retention device. When the tote is
carried like a shoulder bag, draw buckles on the back straps can be
tightened such that the back straps are held in tension against the
tote and out of the way.
[0019] A purse compartment can also be attached to the exterior of
the tote. The inside of the purse compartment preferably has one or
more interior compartments to hold small items and an open volume
large enough to accommodate a wallet and checkbook.
[0020] The exterior of the tote can also include a cosmetics
compartment for holding items such as lipstick, mascara, eyeliner
and the like. The purse compartment and the cosmetics compartment
can be accessed without opening the tote and entering the tote's
interior.
[0021] The interior of the tote preferably contains several
compartments specifically adapted to accommodate baby supplies.
These compartments can include, but are not limited to: baby bottle
holders, baby food compartments, diaper compartments, and toy
compartments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baby supply tote in
accordance with the disclosure
[0023] FIG. 2 is front view of a baby tote.
[0024] FIG. 3 is rear view of a baby tote.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view of the left and right sides of a baby
tote.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an inside view of the rear and side panels of a
baby tote.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an inside view of the front panel of a baby
tote.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0028] Referring now to the appended drawing figures and initially
to FIGS. 1-3, a baby supply tote in accordance with the disclosure
is designated generally by reference numeral 100. This embodiment
includes a front panel 101, a rear panel 102, a top panel 103, a
bottom panel 104, and side panels 105. Preferably, the panels are
constructed of waxed canvas, vinyl, polyester, uncoated nylon,
polyurethane coated nylon, urethane coated nylon, CORDURA.RTM. or
some other similarly water-resistant textile. The panels can also
be constructed of leather or synthetic leather. Although the
preferred dimensions of the tote 100 are: 17 inches tall, 19 inches
wide, and 6 inches deep (approximately 43 centimeters by 48
centimeters by 15 centimeters), variations in these dimensions can
be made as part of the disclosed baby tote. The side panels 105 can
be constructed of an elastic material or have expansion panels to
allow the depth of tote 100 to be expanded or contracted as
desired.
[0029] A fastener 106 allows the top panel 103 to be detached from
the front 101 and side panels 105. Preferably, the fastener 106 is
a snap or cooperating hook-and-loop fastening material
(commercially available under the trade name VELCRO.RTM.), although
it can be a button, zipper, clasp, or other similar closure. A
shoulder strap 107 can be attached to the side panels 105 to allow
the tote 100 to be carried like a shoulder bag. The shoulder strap
107 can optionally include a shoulder harness 108.
[0030] As presented in FIG. 3, the tote 100 preferably has back
straps 109 attached to the rear panel 102 such that tote 100 can
optionally be worn as a backpack. When the tote 100 is worn as a
backpack, the shoulder strap 107 can be stored inside the tote 100
and optionally secured by a shoulder strap retention device 110
attached to the interior side of the top panel 103. The shoulder
strap retention device 110 is preferably a loop formed from
cooperating hook-and-loop fastening material (VELCRO.RTM.),
although it can be a button strap or tie-strap. When the tote 100
is carried like a shoulder bag, draw buckles 111 on the back straps
109 can be tightened such that the back straps 109 are held in
tension against the tote 100 and out of the way.
[0031] The exterior of the front panel 101 carries a purse
compartment 112 as demonstrated by FIGS. 1 and 2. Although the
preferred location of the purse compartment 112 is the front panel
101, other panels can carry the purse compartment 112. The inside
of the purse compartment 112 preferably has one or more interior
compartments to hold small items and an open volume large enough to
accommodate a wallet and checkbook. In a preferred embodiment, the
purse compartment 112 is approximately 8 inches wide and 7 inches
high (approximately 20 centimeters by 18 centimeters).
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the exterior of the front panel
101 also has a cosmetics compartment 113 for holding items such as
lipstick, mascara, eyeliner and the like. Although the preferred
location of the cosmetics compartment 113 is the front panel 101,
any of the other panels can carry the cosmetics compartment 113. In
a further embodiment, the cosmetics compartment 113 is
approximately 6 inches high and 6 inches wide (approximately 15
centimeters by 15 centimeters).
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, other features preferably disposed on
the exterior of tote 100 include: water/baby bottle holder(s) 114,
an ID tag 115, a mobile phone compartment 116, and a time piece
117.
[0034] The tote 100 can include a diaper-changing surface 118. In a
preferred embodiment, the diaper changing surface 118 is a rigid or
semi-rigid plank constructed of plastic, although cardboard, wood,
metal, or other material can also be used. The diaper-changing
surface 118 is preferably covered with a soft material for the
baby's comfort. Preferably, the diaper changing surface 118 is
stored at or near the bottom of the tote 100 and is removed and
replaced through a plank portal 119 located on a side panel 105.
Alternatively, the plank portal 119 can be located on the front
panel 101, on the bottom panel 104, or on the rear panel 102. The
plank portal 119 is preferably secured by a flap 120 and the flap
120 can be secured by snaps, buttons, zippers, drawstring, elastic,
VELCRO.RTM., or other similar closure mechanism. Alternatively, the
diaper changing surface 118 can be removed and replaced through the
main opening of the tote 100, without use of a plank portal 119.
When the diaper-changing surface 118 is stored, it can provide
additional structural support to the bottom of the tote 100 by
reducing the bending of the bottom panel.
[0035] The tote 100 can also have the mobile phone compartment 116
alternatively located inside the tote 100 on the interior side of
the top panel 103 or any other panel. An earpiece wire orifice 121
is provided to allow an earpiece to be used with a mobile phone
stored inside the tote 100.
[0036] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the interior of the tote 100
contains a plurality of compartments. Preferably, bottle
compartment(s) 122 can be disposed on the inside of the side panels
105. Similarly, baby food compartment(s) 123 can also be disposed
on the inside of the side panels 105. The preferred dimensions of
the bottle compartment(s) 122 and the baby food compartment(s) 123
are approximately 7 inches by 3 inches (approximately 18
centimeters by 8 centimeters) and approximately 5 inches by 3
inches (approximately 13 centimeters by 8 centimeters),
respectively.
[0037] In FIG. 5, a first diaper pocket 124 is preferably disposed
on the inside of the rear panel 102. The preferred dimensions of
the first diaper pocket 124 are 12 inches by 12 inches
(approximately 30 centimeters by 30 centimeters). Additional
compartments, such as a rattle compartment 125, teething ring
compartment 126, and other miscellaneous compartment(s) 127, can be
disposed upon the first diaper pocket 124.
[0038] In FIG. 6, the inside of the front panel 101 preferably
carries a second diaper pocket 128. Additional compartment(s), such
as a brush and comb compartment 129, can be disposed upon the
second diaper pocket 128.
[0039] The various compartments of the tote 100 can be constructed
of nylon, fabric, opaque fabric, see-through mesh or any other
similar material. Items can be secured in the compartments by
snaps, buttons, zippers, drawstring, elastic, cooperating
hook-and-loop fastening material (VELCRO.RTM.), or other closure
mechanism.
[0040] While particular steps, elements, embodiments and
applications of the present invention have been shown and
described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is
not limited thereto since modifications can be made by persons
skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing
teachings. It is therefore contemplated by the claims to cover such
modifications as incorporate those steps or elements that come
within the scope of the present apparatus.
* * * * *