U.S. patent application number 12/329226 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for stowage pouch.
Invention is credited to Susan D. Skyler.
Application Number | 20090148078 12/329226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40721765 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090148078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skyler; Susan D. |
June 11, 2009 |
STOWAGE POUCH
Abstract
A compact, two-sided, lightweight, stretchable, tri-fold pouch
for outdoor use. The fabric is waterproof on one side and soft on
the other side. The pouch protects items placed inside the pouch as
well as items packed adjacent the pouch. The waterproof fabric may
be on the inside or the outside of the pouch. The pouch elasticity
permits tight encapsulation of stowed items and the accommodation
of large, rigid items. The pouch may be carried in pockets, worn
with belts or straps through loops on the pouch, attached to other
objects, or placed inside other containers.
Inventors: |
Skyler; Susan D.; (Austin,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David Allen Hall
P.O Box 1540
Blanco
TX
78606
US
|
Family ID: |
40721765 |
Appl. No.: |
12/329226 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60992744 |
Dec 6, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/42 ; 383/106;
383/108; 383/113; 383/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/02 20130101;
B65D 33/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/42 ; 383/127;
383/106; 383/108; 383/113 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/10 20060101
B65D030/10; B65D 30/02 20060101 B65D030/02 |
Claims
1. A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face
substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is
absorbent; said material being a rectangle having a hem at one
short side, a substantially symmetrical flare at the opposite short
side, a hem at said opposite short side, and a strip of elastic
embedded in said flared-side hem; said flare being temporarily
gathered along said embedded elastic strip while said material is
folded into three overlapping substantially equal layers about two
substantially equally-spaced axes perpendicular to the long axis of
said rectangle; said three layers being stitched together near the
short sides of said folded rectangle so as to close the openings on
said short sides of said folded rectangle and create said pouch
having three closed edges and an opening; and said pouch being
turned completely inside-out.
2. A pouch as in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
material is transparent.
3. A pouch as in claim 1 further comprising pouch closure means
incorporated near the perimeter of said pouch opening.
4. A pouch as in claim 1 further comprising a means of attachment
to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch.
5. A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face
substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is
absorbent; said material being a rectangle having a hem at both
short sides; one said hem being held in a stretched position by
collinear opposing forces while said rectangle is folded into three
overlapping substantially equal layers about two substantially
equally-spaced axes perpendicular to the long axis of said
rectangle; said three layers being stitched together near the short
sides of said folded rectangle so as to close the openings on said
short sides of said folded rectangle and create said pouch having
three closed edges and an opening; and said pouch being turned
completely inside-out.
6. A pouch as in claim 5 further comprising an elastic strip
embedded in at least one said hem.
7. A pouch as in claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said
material is transparent.
8. A pouch as in claim 5 further comprising pouch closure means
incorporated on the perimeter of said pouch opening.
9. A pouch as in claim 5 further comprising a means of attachment
to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch.
10. A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face
substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is
absorbent; said material being a rectangle having a hem at both
short sides; one said hem being held in a stretched position by
collinear opposing forces while said rectangle is folded into three
overlapping layers about two substantially equally-spaced axes
perpendicular to the long axis of said rectangle, a portion of the
top layer extending a predetermined distance beyond the two
substantially equal bottom layers; said three layers being stitched
together near the short sides of said folded rectangle so as to
close the openings on said short sides of said folded rectangle and
create said pouch having three closed edges and two openings; and
said pouch being turned completely inside-out.
11. A pouch as in claim 10 further comprising an elastic strip
embedded in at least one said hem.
12. A pouch as in claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said
material is transparent.
13. A pouch as in claim 10 further comprising pouch closure means
incorporated near the perimeter of a said pouch opening.
14. A pouch as in claim 10 further comprising a means of attachment
to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application No. 60/992,744 filed Dec. 6, 2007 by the same
inventor.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of bags,
pouches, and wraps that can be used for carrying and protecting any
transportable device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is an inexpensive apparatus that
offers features not available in the prior art, specifically a
light-weight, water-resistant, flexible means of protecting tools,
parts, accessories, personal items, paper currency, credit cards,
and electronic or other types of devices during transport. For
example, the claimed pouch can protect a cell phone carried by a
hiker or inner tubes and tools inside the bag typically attached to
the seat of a bicycle. Any device, part, or accessory requiring
protection from sweat, the elements, abrasion, or impact while
being carried by a runner, hiker, bicyclist, equestrian, skier,
policeman, or soldier, or otherwise being transported in a less
than benign environment can benefit from the present invention.
[0004] On a bicycle, unnecessary bulk increases wind resistance,
prolonged storage of a spare inner tube promotes dessication of the
tube resulting in dry rot, and abrasion on a spare inner tube can
result in a puncture, thus rendering the tube incapable of holding
air. Therefore, for compactness and protection, a tire inner tube
must be kept tightly folded or rolled while being carried by a
cyclist during a race or ride. Current art consists of bags having
a vacuum seal or zipper closure. The present invention satisfies
the needs described above by providing a means of compactly
containing a folded or rolled inner tube and/or small tools and/or
personal items in a small soft-sided pouch that fits comfortably in
the bag typically used by cyclists for carrying gear on rides and
races. The present invention pouch requires no vacuum seal or
zipper.
[0005] Participants in outdoor athletics and activities frequently
need to carry equipment, clothing, and personal items. For this
purpose there is a variety of disposable or reusable plastic,
nylon, or other fabric bags and containers. Such stowed items
include, but are not limited to, clothing, footwear, tools,
electronic devices, medical supplies, camping supplies, ammunition,
cameras, cash, and personal items. Many items either need to be
inside a container offering protection from damage and ambient
moisture, or they need to be protected from the spread of moisture
from other items in their proximity such as wet clothing or a wet
tent. There are few if any lightweight containers available for
carrying wet, dirty, or sharp objects in a manner that protects
adjacent gear.
[0006] Carried items are often stowed in a fanny pack by runners,
or in a backpack by hikers. For individuals including runners,
walkers, and hikers, devices such as mp3 players, iPods, keys,
cameras, cell phones, glucometers, and inhalers may be carried
unprotected in pockets, hands, the manufacturer's case, a
disposable plastic bag, or a variety of packs attached by
waistbands, armbands, or wristbands. These carried devices have
various shapes and sizes, and manufacturers do not routinely
provide water-resistant, puncture-resistant, washable containers.
These items are often exposed to sweat, rain, and dirt.
[0007] Backpackers use a variety of fixed-size stuff sacks with
drawcords and dust flaps and compression sacks made of ripstop
nylon, silicon-impregnated nylon, or other waterproof fabrics for
carrying clothing, bedding, and tents. The sacks for tents, tent
poles, and stakes are generally not highly water resistant. There
are also ditty bags with drawstrings made of various nylon mesh or
silicon-coated ripstop fabrics to carry smaller articles. While
these sacks can be somewhat protective, they can be penetrated by
sharp objects, and stowed items can be abraded by rough objects
rubbing against the sack exterior. Care of these existing sacks
includes washing in low temperatures with a mild detergent and
drying in air or with low heat. Dirt removal generally requires a
spray cleaner.
[0008] Bicyclists carry an assortment of supplies either in a
jacket or jersey pocket, a seat wedge mounted underneath the
bicycle seat, other packs attached to the bicycle, or in trailers
pulled behind the bicycle. Inner tubes, tools needed for bicycle
repair, and personal items such as identification, money, cell
phones, mp3 players, iPods, and medical supplies are often carried
in this manner. It is often important to protect these items from
moisture, punctures, abrasion, and dirt in a minimum volume.
Bicycle tubes are often carried in the manufacturer's cardboard
box, a plastic bag, or totally unprotected in a loose coil in a
seat wedge or jersey pocket. Bicycle tools are carried wrapped with
an elastomeric band, as a set packed in a non-water-resistant
fabric container, or loosely in a seat wedge.
[0009] Bicyclists currently have no lightweight, reusable means of
compactly storing and transporting bicycle inner tubes while
protecting them from the two primary causes of inner tube failure,
dry rot and punctures. Gabriel (U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,313) offers a
vacuum sealed bag for inner tube stowage. For dirty, wet, or sharp
gear, hikers and backpackers currently have no water-resistant,
lightweight, reusable, compact, elastic storage means that can be
machine washed and dried multiple times with no diminution of the
fabric characteristics. The current art also lacks soft,
lightweight, water-resistant bags or pouches for carrying of
electronic devices, medical devices, or tools that vary greatly in
size and shape. Current art includes utility pockets sewn into
jackets and shirts, but few, if any, are water resistant. Berry
(U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,792) offers a convenience carrier for cable
ties, but it has none of the present invention features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a stowage pouch lacking the
deficiencies of the prior art. It permits outdoor use and is
durable, reusable, flexible, lightweight, and adaptable for a
variety of uses. It provides protection from moisture, scratches,
punctures, and dirt while minimizing volume and permitting the
stowage of multiple items. It also provides easy retrieval of
stowed items. The pouch can be washed and dried multiple times with
no special care and no degradation of its elastic and waterproof
features.
[0011] The invention is a tri-fold protective pouch that is a
durable, washable, water resistant, lightweight, puncture resistant
and abrasion-resistant stowage device. In each case the top flap of
the tri-fold pouch extends at least one-half or more of the way
over the inner flap of the pouch. The pouch may be carried in
pockets, worn with belts or straps through loops on the pouch,
attached to other objects, or placed inside other containers.
[0012] The tri-fold pouch with a single opening is fabricated from
a stretchable, washable, single piece of material that has a
waterproof side and a soft synthetic fabric side. The pouch
construction and stretch of the fabric allow the opening and pouch
inner pocket to accept compressible objects that are larger than
the un-stretched pouch. When the pouch is closed these items are
compressed to a more compact size. The size of each pouch, the
orientation of the waterproof and soft synthetic fabric as either
interior or exterior, and the location of the opening will vary
depending of the preferential use of the pouch.
[0013] The fabric elasticity, and in some cases the addition of
elastic bands in the pouch seams makes it possible to stretch the
pouch opening to accommodate an item that is larger than the
unstretched pouch. The pouch design and fabric elasticity allow a
top flap to be folded over the pouch contents and to wrap tightly
around the item in the pouch, holding it securely in place. The top
flap may be secured to the inner flap with a hook and loop fabric,
snaps, buttons, or similar fasteners. The tightly fitting top flap
often makes additional closure unnecessary.
[0014] The tri-fold design of the pouch offers enhanced protection
on the side featuring two layers. This will be especially valuable
when items are tightly packed and when metal tools or other items
with sharp edges are packed. The elastic pouch fabric permits
stowage of items of many different sizes, and the
puncture-resistant fabric permits stowage of items with rough or
pointed features.
[0015] Using a fabric that is waterproof on one side and soft on
the other side permits user discretion regarding the orientation of
the waterproof and soft sides. For usage where it is desirable to
keep moisture within the pouch, the pouch can be manufactured so
that its interior surface is waterproof. For usage where it is
desirable to keep moisture out of the pouch, the pouch can be
manufactured so that its exterior surface is waterproof. The pouch
can also be manufactured with decorative piping in a version that
is reversible at the user's discretion.
[0016] The preferred embodiment of the pouch offers cyclists
currently unavailable stowage capability as an inner tube and tool
pouch. There are two major problems with the stowage of inner
tubes. The first is the development of dry rot due to moisture loss
over time. The present invention pouch is made with the waterproof
fabric on the inside to prevent moisture loss, thus preventing
inner tube dry rot. Second, the abrasion and puncture resistant
pouch material alleviates the common problem of abrasions and
punctures resulting from inner tube stowage in a seat wedge tightly
packed with tools.
[0017] Another problem with bicycle inner tubes is their wide
variety of sizes and thicknesses. Due to the stretch of the fabric
and the method of construction, the pouch can easily accommodate
many different varieties of inner tubes.
[0018] When a bicyclist changes an inner tube, the discarded tube
needs to be carried on the person or bicycle until it can be
repaired or properly disposed. The present invention pouch provides
a means to carry the often dirty tube in a compact, clean, and
reusable manner.
[0019] A larger version of the same pouch that works well for
cyclists serves the backpacker's and camper's need for stowage of
sharp, wet, or dirty gear. Such items include but are not limited
to tarps, tents, rainflies, clothing, footwear, shovels, saws, tent
poles, and stakes. Pouches constructed with the waterproof fabric
on the inside can be used to stow such articles, thus protecting
other adjacently-packed gear.
[0020] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pouch
in which the outer fabric is waterproof and the inner fabric is
soft. It can be used for electronic or otherwise sensitive
equipment such as cell phones, PDAs, mp3 players, iPods,
glucometers, or inhalers. This pouch embodiment can also stow
medications, tools, and personal items such as identification,
keys, money, contact information, and credit cards.
[0021] Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is a
pouch in which the top flap has a wide mouth opening lined with an
elastic band. The band permits the top flap to stretch even more
widely than the limit of the elastic pouch fabric, thereby
permitting accommodation of a large object and subsequent tight
closure.
[0022] Another alternate pouch embodiment includes belt loops
attached to the pouch. The loops make possible the attachment of
the pouch to a belt or strap, a feature particularly useful for
electronic and personal items that need protection from moisture,
easy access, and hands-free carrying.
[0023] Another pouch embodiment uses a hook and loop fastening
fabric or webbing and buckles to secure the leading edge of the top
flap.
[0024] Another pouch embodiment incorporates an extension of the
fabric extending down from the inside flap. This extension of
fabric can be rolled up over the leading edge of the top flap so
that it leaves the leading edge of the top flap flat and unfolded.
With hook and loop fabric located on the extension and on the
outside of the top flap near the leading edge and parallel to the
pouch opening, the pouch can be securely sealed. The pouch can also
be held in this shape by sewing either hook and loop fabric or
webbing and buckles to the extension and then wrapping them around
the body of the pouch perpendicular to the pouch opening.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention pouch can be made in a
variety of sizes and shapes. The pouches can all be constructed
with the waterproof fabric facing the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a planar view of the exterior (visible) side of an
unassembled preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate intermediate steps in the assembly of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows the completed preferred embodiment of the
present invention in its expanded configuration.
[0029] FIGS. 7-9 illustrate intermediate steps in the assembly of
one alternate embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIGS. 10-13 show alternate embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] The present invention is made of any elastic planar
material, such as cloth, plastic, or leather, having at least one
of its two sides fluid-resistant, which includes fluid-proof
material. The preferred material is a fluid-proof medical fabric
(Tek Stretch) available from Eastex Products, Inc. of Holbrook,
Mass. Tek Stretch is comprised of one layer each of polyurethane
and polyester.
[0032] Terms used in the application claims and description are
intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the
requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the
broadest meaning is intended. All words and phrases are to be
interpreted as they are preferentially defined in commonly accepted
English language dictionaries, handbooks, textbooks, and treatises
except where defined herein. All words used in the claims are
intended to be used in the customary usage of grammar and the
English language, except for "a" and "an" which can mean "at least
one."
[0033] In the application claims and description any reference to
sewing or stitching will be construed to mean any means of joining
two or more layers of material including, but not limited to,
needle and thread, adhesive, heat bonding, and ultrasonic bonding.
"Stitching" can mean "piping."
[0034] In the application claims and description "carrier"
includes, but is not limited to, a person, animal, boat, airplane,
motor vehicle, bicycle, or motorcycle.
[0035] In the application claims and description the surface of the
material that is to constitute the exterior, or visible, part of
the pouch will be referred to as the Right side, and the opposite
surface will be referred to as the Wrong side. In all accompanying
drawings, the Right side will be designated with cross-hatching,
and the Wrong side will be plain. For a material with one side
water-resistant or water-proof and the opposite side not
water-resistant or water-proof, determination of which side is the
Right side is a matter of marketing preference; the pouch can be
made in either configuration. Construction of the preferred
embodiment is accomplished as follows:
[0036] Considering the desired finished pouch to be substantially
rectangular with its width dimension being greater than its height
dimension, cut a flared rectangle 100 (see FIG. 1) of pouch
material so that edge 10 is approximately one inch longer than the
desired pouch width to allow for subsequent trimming. The overall
length of flared rectangle 100 equals three times the desired pouch
height plus twice the desired hem width of 1/2 to 5/8 inch. The
flared portion of flared rectangle 100 constitutes approximately
1/3 the overall length of flared rectangle 100.
[0037] Lay flared rectangle 100 on a flat work surface so that its
Right side (cross-hatched) is visible as in FIG. 1. Fold edges 10
and 12 under 1/2 to 5/8 inches and hem with stitching 11 and 13,
including an elastic band inside hemmed edge 12.
[0038] Using pins or other temporary fastening means, gather
(compress into accordion folds) the two flared portions of flared
rectangle 100 along both ends of the elastic in edge 12 so that 100
assumes a substantially rectangular shape. Fold gathered edge 12
inward about fold 15 so that part of the Wrong side is exposed as
in FIG. 2. The ultimate pouch depth is determined by the amount of
the Wrong side that is turned over and exposed. Fold edge 10 inward
about fold 16 toward the rectangle center so that it covers all or
part of the first fold as shown in FIG. 3.
[0039] Close both side openings with stitching 14 as shown in FIG.
4. With excess material trimmed from the pouch ends outside of
stitches 14, the pouch is complete except that its Wrong side is on
the exterior and its Right side is on the interior. The final step
in pouch construction is to turn it inside-out. Turning the pouch
completely inside-out so that the pouch exterior is comprised only
of Right-side material requires two inside-out procedures. Turn the
pouch as configured in FIG. 4 inside-out, resulting in the pouch of
FIG. 5 with edge 12 and fold 16 adjacent each other, and edge 10
and fold 15 adjacent each other. Turn the pouch as configured in
FIG. 5 inside-out, resulting in the pouch of FIG. 6 having only
Right-side material showing on the pouch exterior. Right-side
material is also visible on the portion of the pouch extending
inward from edge 16. Hemmed edge 12 (containing the elastic band)
and fold 16 now form the pouch opening. Hemmed edge 10, inside and
at or near the bottom of the pouch, is not visible in FIG. 6. The
fabric elasticity, combined with the stretch of the elastic band in
edge 12, permits the pouch opening to accommodate rigid articles
that are larger than the unstretched opening.
[0040] An alternate embodiment of the pouch shown in FIG. 6 further
comprises attachment means (not shown) incorporated on and along
the pouch opening perimeter (edge 12 and fold 16). Such means
include, but are not limited to, hook and loop, button and button
holes, snaps, drawstring, and zipper. Such means also includes a
flap or strap extending from edge 12 and/or fold 16.
[0041] An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 7-9. Considering the desired finished pouch to be
substantially rectangular with its width dimension being greater
than its height dimension, cut a non-flared rectangle 200 (see FIG.
7) of pouch material so that edges 20 and 22 are approximately one
inch longer than the desired pouch width to allow for subsequent
trimming. The overall length of rectangle 200 equals three times
the desired pouch height plus twice the desired hem width of 1/2 to
5/8 inch.
[0042] Lay rectangle 200 on a flat work surface so that its Right
side (cross-hatched) is visible as in FIG. 7. Fold edges 20 and 22
under 1/2 to 5/8 inches and hem with stitching 21 and 23.
[0043] Fold edge 20 inward about fold 15 toward the center of
rectangle 200 so that part of the Wrong side is exposed as in FIG.
7. The ultimate pouch depth is determined by the amount of the
Wrong side that is turned over and exposed. Fold edge 22 inward so
that it covers all or part of the first fold as shown in FIG.
8.
[0044] Stretch the ends of edge 20 parallel to its length as in
FIG. 8. While stretching edge 20, close both side openings with
stitches 24 as shown in FIG. 8. With excess material trimmed from
the pouch ends outside of stitches 24, the pouch is complete except
that its Wrong side is on the exterior and its Right side is on the
interior. The final step in pouch construction is to turn it
completely inside-out twice, as described with respect to pouch
100, so that Right-side material is exposed and hemmed edge 20
forms one side of the pouch opening. The pre-stretched condition of
edge 20 facilitates its snug capture of stowed articles.
[0045] Alternate embodiments of the present invention are shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11. Loop 30, attached at both of its ends to pouch
300, is used with a belt or strap for hands-free transport on a
carrier. If loop 30 is constructed of a rigid material and attached
to the pouch by only one end, it can be hooked over a belt for
quick attachment and detachment. For similar hands-free transport,
strap 40 can be attached to pouch 400 with stitching 41 or other
attachment means. Strap 40 can be fitted with hook and loop, snap,
buckle, or similar fasteners 42.
[0046] Other alternate embodiments of the present invention are
shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Pouches 500 and 600 are constructed in
the same manner as pouch 100 or 300 (FIG. 6 or FIG. 10) with or
without gathering or pre-stretching. Additional material in the top
layer of material folded about fold 16 (as in FIG. 3) results in
the creation of central flap 50 terminated with hemmed edge 10
that, depending on its length, can be wrapped around pouch 500 or
fastened with any number of available fastening means. The Wrong
side of flap 50 faces the Wrong side of the pouch topped with edge
12. The Right side of flap 50 faces the Right side of the part of
the pouch hidden from view in FIG. 12.
[0047] Therefore, the embodiment of FIG. 12 provides a dual pouch.
On one side of flap 50 is a pocket of Right-side material, and on
the other side of the flap is a pocket of Wrong-side material. The
flap may be used to close either pocket at the user's discretion.
Flap 50 can also be a narrow strip of material that can be wrapped
around pouch 500 for closure.
[0048] FIG. 13 shows pouch 600 that is slightly different from
pouch 500. Flap 50 is folded and hemmed with stitching 25 so that
both of its exposed faces are Right side material. If the pouch
construction process began with a different orientation of the
material, both faces of flap 50 would be Wrong side material.
[0049] It will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the
relevant art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present
invention provides a means of protecting tools, parts, accessories,
personal items, paper currency, credit cards, and electronic or
other types of devices during transport inside, for example, the
bag typically attached to the seat or some other part of a bicycle.
It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described
in the detailed description and the drawings is to be taken merely
as the currently preferred embodiment, and that the invention is
limited only by the language of the claims. The drawings and
detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the
invention to the particular embodiment disclosed or any particular
use. While the present invention has been described in terms of one
preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that form and detail modifications can be made to the described
embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. For example, one embodiment could be a pouch constructed
completely or partially of a transparent material for easy viewing
of the contents that may or may not pertain to cycling.
* * * * *