U.S. patent application number 12/329732 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for insect protecting cover and insect shielded bag and container.
Invention is credited to Adam Greenberg.
Application Number | 20090154844 12/329732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40753390 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090154844 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenberg; Adam |
June 18, 2009 |
INSECT PROTECTING COVER AND INSECT SHIELDED BAG AND CONTAINER
Abstract
A bug proof bag for containing luggage or other items has a
plurality of sides such that the sides are non-porous so as to
prevent ingress of bugs into the bag and are smooth so as to offer
substantially no harborages to bugs. A zipper in a closed state
prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, and the zipper in an opened
state permits access to an interior of the bag. The zipper, for
example, has a slider and first and second locking strips. The bug
proof bag may, if desired, also include a seal that seals ends of
the first and second locking strips to the bag.
Inventors: |
Greenberg; Adam;
(Northbrook, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHIFF HARDIN, LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
6600 SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6473
US
|
Family ID: |
40753390 |
Appl. No.: |
12/329732 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61013160 |
Dec 12, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/64 ;
383/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/52 20130101; A47G
25/54 20130101; A45C 13/103 20130101; A45C 13/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/64 ;
383/106 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16; B65D 33/04 20060101 B65D033/04 |
Claims
1. A bug proof bag comprising: a plurality of sides, wherein the
sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag,
and wherein the sides are smooth so as to offer substantially no
harborages to bugs; a closure having a slider and first and second
locking strips, wherein the closure in a closed state prevents
ingress of bugs into the bag, and wherein the closure in an opened
state permits access to an interior of the bag; and, a seal,
wherein the seal seals ends of the first and second locking strips
to the bag.
2. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sides
is substantially transparent.
3. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein all of the sides is
substantially transparent.
4. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises first
and second seal members, wherein the first member is attached to at
least one of the sides, and wherein the second member is attached
to the first member so that the ends of the first and second
locking strips are captured and retained by the first and second
members.
5. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise a
plastic sides.
6. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise sides
selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides,
Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
7. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the sides comprise first,
second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth sides, wherein the first,
second, and third sides comprise a first continuous sheet of
material, wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth sides comprise a
first continuous sheet of material, wherein an edge of the second
side is attached to an edge of the fourth side so as to form a
first seal, wherein an edge of the third side is attached to an
edge of the fourth side so as to form a second seal, wherein an
edge of the fifth side is attached to an edge of the third side so
as to form a third seal, wherein an edge of the sixth side is
attached to an edge of the third side so as to form a fourth seal,
wherein an edge of the second side is attached to an edge of the
sixth side so as to form a first seal, wherein a first length of
the first locking strip is attached to an edge of the fourth side,
wherein a second length of the first locking strip is attached to
an edge of the fifth side, wherein a third length of the first
locking strip is attached to an edge of the sixth side, wherein a
first length of the second locking strip is attached to an edge of
the first side corresponding to the edge of the fourth side to
which the first length of the first locking strip is attached,
wherein a second length of the second locking strip is attached to
an edge of the first side corresponding to the edge of the fifth
side to which the second length of the first locking strip is
attached, and wherein a third length of the second locking strip is
attached to an edge of the first side corresponding to the edge of
the sixth side to which the third length of the first locking strip
is attached.
8. The bug proof bag of claim 7 wherein the bag forms a generally
box like structure have first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth corners,
wherein the first seal forms the first corner, wherein a fold
between the fourth and fifth sides forms the second corner, wherein
a fold between the fifth and sixth sides forms the third corner,
wherein the fifth seal forms the fourth corner, wherein the second
seal forms the fifth corner, wherein the third seal forms the sixth
corner, wherein the fourth seal forms the seventh corner, wherein a
fold between the second and third sides forms the eighth corner,
wherein a fold between the first and second sides forms the ninth
corner, wherein the first lengths of the first and second locking
strips when joined form the tenth corner, wherein the second
lengths of the first and second locking strips when joined form the
eleventh corner, and wherein the third lengths of the first and
second locking strips when joined form the twelfth corner.
9. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises the
only closure of the bag.
10. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a
first closure, wherein the seal comprises a first seal, wherein the
bag comprises a second closure and a second seal, wherein the
second closure has a slider and third and fourth locking strips,
wherein the second closure in a closed state prevents ingress of
bugs into the bag, wherein the second closure in an opened state
permits access to an interior of the bag, and wherein the second
seal seals ends of the third and fourth locking strips to the
bag.
11. The bug proof bag of claim 10 wherein the bag comprises a third
closure and a third seal, wherein the third closure has a slider
and fifth and sixth locking strips, wherein the third closure in a
closed state prevents ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the
third closure in an opened state permits access to an interior of
the bag, wherein the third seal seals ends of the fifth and sixth
locking strips to the bag, and wherein the second and third
closures are at opposite ends of the bag.
12. The bug proof bag of claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a
zipper.
13. A bug proof bag comprising: a plurality of sides, wherein the
plurality of sides includes at least four sides, wherein at least
one of the sides is substantially transparent, and wherein the
sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs into the bag;
and, a closure having a slider and first and second locking strips,
wherein the closure in a closed state prevents ingress of bugs into
the bag, wherein the closure in an opened state permits access to
an interior of the bag, and wherein all of the sides, except for
corners and the closure, are smooth so as to offer substantially no
harborages to bugs.
14. The bug proof bag of claim 13 further comprising a seal,
wherein the seal seals ends of the first and second locking strips
to the bag.
15. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the closure comprises a
first closure, wherein the bug proof bag comprises a second
closure, and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the
first and second closures, are smooth so as to offer substantially
no harborages to bugs.
16. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the sides comprise sides
selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides,
Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
17. The bug proof bag of claim 13 wherein the closure comprises a
zipper.
18. A bug proof luggage bag comprising: a plurality of sides,
wherein the sides are non-porous so as to prevent ingress of bugs
into the bag, and wherein the sides are configured to encase a
piece of luggage; a zipper having a slider and first and second
locking strips, wherein the zipper in a closed state prevents
ingress of bugs into the bag, wherein the zipper in an opened state
permits access to an interior of the bag, and wherein all of the
sides, except for corners and the zipper, are smooth so as to offer
substantially no harborages to bugs; and, a seal, wherein the seal
seals ends of the first and second locking strips to the bag.
19. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein the zipper comprises a
first zipper, wherein the bug proof bag comprises a second zipper,
and wherein all of the sides, except for corners and the first and
second zippers, are smooth so as to offer substantially no
harborages to bugs.
20. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein the sides comprise sides
selected from the group consisting of nylon sides, polyester sides,
Tyvek sides, and vinyl sides.
21. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein all of the sides are
plastic or vinyl, and wherein at least one of the sides is
substantially transparent.
22. The bug proof bag of claim 18 wherein all of the sides are
plastic or vinyl, and wherein all of the sides are substantially
transparent.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/013,160 filed on Dec. 12, 2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technical field of the present disclosure relates to a
cover and/or bag that shields items such as luggage and clothing
against bugs such as bedbugs.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bugs, such as bedbugs, are an increasing problem for
travelers. If travelers stay at an establishment, such as a hotel,
motel, inn, etc., that has a bug infestation, the travelers'
luggage and clothes can become infested with bugs. The infested
luggage and clothes, if then brought into other establishments or
into the travelers, homes or into contact of the luggage of other
travelers, will spread the infestation. Once an area has been
infested, the removal of the infestation can be extremely
difficult, particularly in the case of bedbugs.
[0004] It is desirable to protect items from bug infestation and/or
to prevent the spread of bug infestation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The features and advantages of the present invention claimed
herein will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of
the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with the drawings
in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a bug
protecting bag;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a view showing details of the bag of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a
bug protecting bag; and,
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another
embodiment of a bug protecting bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] A bag 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and is arranged to substantially
prevent bugs, such as bedbugs, from accessing its interior.
Therefore, clothing, luggage, and/or other items stored in the bag
10 by a person visiting or occupying an establishment, such as a
home, hospital, hotel, motel, inn, etc., is substantially safe from
bug infestation.
[0011] A user can carry the bag 10 in a folded state to the
establishment. Prior to entering the establishment or immediately
upon entering the establishment or the user's room in the
establishment, the user unfolds the bag 10 from its folded state to
the unfolded state shown in FIG. 1. The luggage, clothes, or other
items can then be inserted into the bag 10. Alternatively, luggage,
clothes, or the like can be inserted into the bag 10 at any other
time.
[0012] In its unfolded state, the bag 10 as viewed in FIG. 1 has
six sides, i.e., a top side 12, a back side 14, a bottom side 16, a
front side 18, a right side 20, and a left side 22. Thus, the top
side 12 and the bottom side 16 are opposite to one another, the
back side 14 and the front side 18 are opposite to one another, and
the right side 20 and the left side 22 are opposite to one
another.
[0013] The bag 10, according to one embodiment, has one or more
advantageous features. For example, the bag 10 has a substantially
bug-proof exterior with little or no bug harborages, e.g.,
crevices, seams, openings, or pores, in or through which bugs can
hide or lay eggs. The sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag
10, for example, may be fabricated from a suitable wipe-down and/or
non-porous material such as Nylon, Polyester, Plastic, Tyvek, or
Vinyl, and are, for the most part, smooth, offering few seams or
crevices.
[0014] In order to minimize seams and crevices, the top side 12,
the back side 14, and the bottom side 16 can be made from a first
single continuous sheet of material. Similarly, the front side 18,
the right side 20, and the left side 22 can be made from a second
single continuous sheet of material. These first and second
continuous sheets of material are suitably joined so that a first
seam 24 is formed between the back side 14 and the right side 20, a
second seam 26 is formed between the right side 20 and the bottom
side 16, a third seam 28 is formed between the front side 18 and
the bottom side 16, a fourth seam (not shown) is formed between the
left side 22 and the bottom side 16, and a fifth seam (not shown)
is formed between the back side 14 and the left side 22. These
first and second continuous sheets of material are joined in any
suitable manner so as to form the seams and so as to minimize
ingress of bugs. For example, in the case where the sides 12, 14,
16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10 are plastic or the like, the above
mentioned seams, including the seams 24, 26, and 28, are formed by
heat sealing so as to join the first and second continuous sheets
of material together to form the bag 10.
[0015] However, the bag 10 may be formed by joining any number of
pieces together in any suitable manner.
[0016] Also, in the case where the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22
of the bag 10 are fabricated from a suitable wipe-down material,
the bag 10 can be wiped down with a damp cloth that may, if
desired, contain a cleanser.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIG. 2, the bag 10
includes a zipper 30 to permit access to the contents of the bag
10. The zipper 30 includes a first locking strip 32 having the
usual interlocking teeth and being suitably attached, such as by
heat sealing, to edges 34, 36, and 38 of the top side 12. The
zipper 30 also includes a second locking strip 40 having
interlocking teeth and being suitably attached, such as by heat
sealing, to an edge 42 of the right side 20, to an edge 44 of the
front side 18, and to an edge (not shown) of the left side 22. The
edges 34 and 42 correspond to one another, the edges 36 and 44
correspond to one another, and the edge 38 and the not shown edge
of the left side 22 correspond to one another. The zipper 30
further includes a slider 46 that, when slid, causes the
interlocking teeth of the first and second locking strips 32 and 40
to mesh and unmesh in known fashion so as to close and open the
zipper 30.
[0018] The zipper 30, for example, may be an off-the-shelf zipper
that clasps and shuts the bag 10 so as to prevent entry/exit of
bugs and first stage bug nymph which is smaller than a drop of
water. The zipper 30 provides easy access for large objects such as
suitcases to be stored and contained with the bag 10.
[0019] All of the sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 may be
transparent or opaque. Alternatively, some of the sides 12, 14, 16,
18, 20, and 22 may be transparent while others of the sides 12, 14,
16, 18, 20, and 22 may be opaque. Transparency of at some of the
sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the bag 10 permits the contents
of the bag 10 to be more easily identified without having to open
the bag 10.
[0020] As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, at one end of the zipper
30, a lower dust guard or seal member 50 (partially seen through a
breakaway 51 in FIG. 2) is suitably attached (such as by heat
sealing) to the exteriors of the top side 12 and the right side 20
of the bag 10 near the first seam 24. An upper dust guard or seal
member 52 is provided over the lower dust guard 50 so that ends 54
and 56 of the corresponding first and second locking strips 32 and
40 are between the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52. The lower
and upper dust guards 50 and 52 are heat sealed so as to capture
and fix the ends 54 and 56 of the corresponding first and second
locking strips 32 and 40 between the lower and upper dust guards 50
and 52. In this manner, the ends 54 and 56 of the corresponding
first and second locking strips 32 and 40 of the zipper 30 are
fixedly attached to the bag 10.
[0021] As seen through the breakaway 51, the lower dust guard 50
has a first end 50a and a second end (not shown) near the first
seam 24. Accordingly, the lower dust guard 50 is longer than the
upper dust guard 52 to form an overlapping area 60 and a
non-overlapping area 62. Moreover, during heat sealing of the lower
and upper dust guards 50 and 52, a short pocket 64 is formed
between the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 and receives the
slider 46. Accordingly, as the slider 46 nears the end of the
zipper 30 at which the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 are
located, the slider 46 moves over the portion of the lower dust
guard 50 in the non-overlapping area 62 and, at the end of
movement, slides into the pocket 64.
[0022] Lower and upper dust guards may be similarly provided at the
other end of the zipper 30 near the seam between the left side 22
and the back side 14 of the bag 10. Moreover, although only one
slider 46 is shown in connection with the zipper 30, a second
slider can also be provided for the zipper 30.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the bag 10 may be used to cover a
suitcase 66 having a pull out handle 68 at one end and wheels (not
shown) at the other. The bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 does not permit
access to the pull out handle 68 or to the wheels of the suitcase
66. To permit access to the pull out handle 68 and the wheels of
the suitcase 66 while the suitcase 66 is covered by a bag, a bag
10' shown in FIG. 3 can be provided. The bag 10' is substantially
similar to the bag 10, differing only in that a zippered handle
access panel 70 is provided in a right side 20' of the bag 10' to
permit access to the pull out handle 68. A zippered wheel access
panel 74 is provided in a left side 22' of the bag 10' to permit
access to the wheels of the suitcase 66.
[0024] The zippered handle access panel 70 includes a zipper 72
similar to the zipper 30 of the bag 10. Lower and upper dust guards
similar to the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be
provided at one or the other end or at both ends of the zipper 72.
Similarly, the zippered wheel access panel 74 includes a zipper 76
similar to the zipper 30 of the bag 10. Lower and upper dust guards
similar to the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be
provided at one or the other end or at both ends of the zipper 76
of the zippered wheel access panel 74.
[0025] Thus, during transit of the suitcase 66 contained within the
bag 10', the zipper 72 is unzipped, the zippered handle access
panel 70 is open, and the pull out handle 68 of the suitcase 66
extends through the open zippered handle access panel 70 to the
exterior of the bag 10'. Similarly, the zipper 76 is unzipped, the
zippered wheel access panel 74 is open, and the wheels of the
suitcase 66 extend through the open zippered wheel access panel 74
to the exterior of the bag 10'. Accordingly, the suitcase 66 can be
moved by use of its pull out handle 68 and its wheels. Once the
suitcase 66 arrives at its destination, the pull out handle 68 of
the suitcase 66 is pushed into the suitcase 66, the zipper 72 is
operated to close the zippered handle access panel 70, and the
zipper 76 is operated to close the zippered wheel access panel 74.
As a result, the suitcase 66 is now sealed within the bag 10'
against bugs.
[0026] Shown in FIG. 4 is a bag 10'' that is configured to store
articles within drawers of furniture, under beds, etc. The bag 10''
is likewise arranged to substantially prevent bugs, such as
bedbugs, from accessing its interior. In its unfolded state, the
bag 10'' has a top side 12'', a back side 14'', a bottom side 16'',
a front side 18'', a right side 20'', and a left side 22''. Thus,
the top side 12'' and the bottom side 16'' are opposite to one
another, the back side 14'' and the front side 18'' are opposite to
one another, and the right side 20'' and the left side 22'' are
opposite to one another.
[0027] The sides of the bag 10'', like the sides of the bags 10 and
10', provide a substantially bug-proof exterior. The top side 12'',
the back side 14'', and the bottom side 16'' can be made from a
first single continuous sheet of material, and the front side 18'',
the right side 20'', and the left side 22'' can be made from a
second single continuous sheet of material. These first and second
continuous sheets of material are suitably joined at a first seam
24'', a second seam 26'', a third seam 28'', a fourth seam (not
shown) between the left side 22'' and the bottom side 16'', and a
fifth seam (not shown) between the back side 14'' and the left side
22''. However, the bag 10'' may be formed by joining any number of
pieces together in any suitable manner.
[0028] The bag 10'' includes a zipper 30'' to permit access to the
contents of the bag 10. The zipper 30'' includes locking stripes
similar to the locking strips 32 and 40 of the zipper 30. The
zipper 30'' also includes a slider 46'' that, when slid, causes the
interlocking teeth of the locking strips of the zipper 30'' to mesh
and unmesh in known fashion. Lower and upper dust guards similar to
the lower and upper dust guards 50 and 52 may be provided at one or
the other end or at both ends of the zipper 30''.
[0029] As in the case of the bags 10 and 10', all of the sides of
the bag 10'' may be transparent or opaque, or some of the sides of
the bag 10'' may be transparent while others of the sides of the
bag 10'' may be opaque. Transparency of at some of the sides of the
bag 10'' permits the contents of the bag 10'' to be more easily
identified without having to open the bag 10''.
[0030] If desired, a cardboard or plastic 3-sided support or
possibly spring corner supports can be provided to add rigidity to
any of the bags 10, 10', and 10'' in order to create a
corresponding box-like (6-sided) structure for easy insertion of
items needing bug-protection.
[0031] The bags 10, 10', and 10'' may be provided in different
sizes depending upon the type and size of luggage or other items to
be protected or, in the case of the bag 10'', the type and size of
the drawer in which the bag 10'' is to be used. The bags 10, 10',
and 10'' may be arranged to contain large, medium, or small
suitcases, duffle bags, backpacks, briefcases, purses, clothing,
laptop computers, briefcases, etc.
[0032] The zippers of the bags 10, 10', and 10'' may be locking
zippers so that not even baby bugs can penetrate. In an embodiment,
the bags 10, 10', and 10'' have no exterior mounted handles or
emblems that create harborages. In another embodiment, the zippers
are easy-access three-sided zippers for easy access to and
placement of items. The bags 10, 10', and 10'' are durable and can
be non-load bearing and tear-resistant.
[0033] The bags 10, 10', and 10'' can provide travel-rated,
bug-proof luggage encasements for end-to-end use to prevent travel
luggage/bags from bug infestation throughout the whole travel
process (i.e., taxi, bus, airplane, train, hotel, cruise) since
bugs can enter luggage at an infested building or also by transfer
from close proximity to infested luggage or an infested travel
vehicle. The bags 10, 10', and 10'' may be designed to provide
single-use or multi-use durability. The user can encase and store
any and all items and travel bags at home.
[0034] Multiple smaller versions of the bags 10, 10', and 10'' can
be put into a single larger version of the bags 10, 10', and 10''.
The bags 10, 10', and 10'' can be used to stored items in
closets.
[0035] The bags 10, 10', and 10'' substantially prevent the spread
of bugs and protects luggage and other items from bedbug
infestation. The bags 10, 101, and 10'' can be washed and/or wiped
down prior to, during, or following transport.
[0036] Modifications of the present invention have been discussed
above. Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the
art of the present invention. For example, in addition to the bags
described above, a garment bag may be provided with a zipper down
the front to permit garments to be inserted into and removed from
the garment bag. A second zipper can be provided at the top to
permit one or more hangers that hold garments within the garment
bag to extend from the interior to the exterior of the garment bag
so that the garment bag can be hung in a closet by use of the
hangers. Alternatively, a hanger can be heat sealed to the top of
the garment bag so that the garment bag can be hung in a closet
without opening the garment bag and using the hangers inside.
[0037] Also, closures other than the zippers described above can be
used to open and close the bags. For example, a zip lock type
closure could instead or in addition be used. As in the in case of
a zipper closure, a zip lock closure has a slider and third and
fourth locking strips.
[0038] Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to
be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the
invention. The details may be varied substantially without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use
of all modifications which are within the scope of the appended
claims is reserved.
* * * * *