U.S. patent application number 12/974058 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for sealed compartment bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOLIDAY GROUP, INC.. Invention is credited to Martin Bedard.
Application Number | 20110174584 12/974058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44276729 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110174584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bedard; Martin |
July 21, 2011 |
SEALED COMPARTMENT BAG
Abstract
A bag comprising at least one foldable secondary compartment
structure providing a useful article-carrying bag which is capable
of being placed by a user in multiple article-carrying
configurations which accommodate different circumstances. Multiple
article-carrying configurations into which the bag may be placed
include, a two compartment configuration and a three compartment
configuration. A main compartment and two side compartments can be
configured with multiple article-carrying configurations.
Inventors: |
Bedard; Martin; (Montreal,
CA) |
Assignee: |
HOLIDAY GROUP, INC.
Montreal
CA
|
Family ID: |
44276729 |
Appl. No.: |
12/974058 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61288621 |
Dec 21, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20130101; A45C
13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/109 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20060101
A45C013/02 |
Claims
1. A bag, comprising: a main compartment structure defining a first
interior space for carrying articles; at least one side compartment
structure attached to an end of said main compartment structure
defining a second interior space for carrying articles, said second
interior space smaller than said first interior space; and a
secondary compartment structure that is concealed between said main
compartment structure and said side compartment structure, said
secondary compartment structure including a carrying member
adjustable between (a) a collapsed position in which said carrying
member is stowed in a chamber at least partially defined by a first
sidewall of said main compartment structure and a second sidewall
of said side compartment structure, and (b) an extended position in
which said carrying member extends into said first interior space
so as to define a third interior space for carrying articles.
2. The bag of claim 1 further comprising at least a third
compartment structure.
3. The bag of claim 2 wherein said third compartment structure is
concealed between said main compartment structure and said side
compartment structure.
4. The bag of claim 2 wherein said third compartment structure
includes a carrying member adjustable between a collapsed position
in which said carrying member is stowed in a chamber at least
partially defined by a first sidewall of said main compartment
structure and a second sidewall of said side compartment structure,
and an extended position in which said carrying member extends into
said first interior space so as to define a third interior space
for carrying articles.
5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the main compartment structure has a
top defining a first bag opening.
6. The bag of claim 5 wherein the first bag opening includes at
least one closure element.
7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the main compartment structure has a
bottom formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material.
8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the at least one side compartment
includes, side walls defining a second bag opening.
9. The bag of claim 8 wherein the second bag opening includes a
mechanism for selectively opening and closing the second bag
opening.
10. The bag of claim 1 wherein the secondary compartment structure
includes a carrying member configured to be transitioned from a
collapsed position to an extended position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Statement of the Technical Field
[0002] The inventive arrangements relate to article-carrying bags,
and more particularly to article-carrying bags comprising at least
one foldable sealed compartment.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are various conventional bags known for carrying
articles. These conventional bags come in many shapes and sizes.
Such conventional bags include, but are not limited to. hand
carried bags. A significant problem with these conventional bags is
that articles which are carried in the bags may commingle with one
another. Therefore, if an individual wanted to keep such articles
separate from one another, he would be unable to do so. For
example, an individual may have soiled sports articles (e.g., shoes
and clothes) that he wants to transport from one place to another.
In such cases, the individual may wish to prevent other items
contained in his bag from becoming soiled by commingling with the
soiled sport articles. Conventional bags do not have a means
integrated therein to ensure that the soiled sports articles will
not commingle with other articles contained in the bag. Therefore,
these conventional bags are limited in utility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Embodiments will be described with reference to the
following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like
items throughout the figures, and in which:
[0006] FIGS. 1A-1D are schematic illustrations of a hand carried
bag comprising at least one foldable sealed compartment that is
useful for understanding the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] The invention concerns bag assemblies configured for
carrying articles. Such bag assemblies include. but are not limited
to, travel bags, duffle bags and carry-on bags. The invention will
now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to one or
more accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of
the invention are shown. This invention, may however, be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to
the embodiments set forth herein.
[0008] Before describing the bag assemblies of the present
invention, it will be helpful in understanding an exemplary
environment in which the invention can be utilized. In this regard,
it should he understood that the bag assemblies of the present
invention can be utilized in a variety of different applications
where articles are to be carried. Such applications include, but
are not limited to, traveling applications, sports applications,
camping applications and hiking applications.
[0009] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, there is provided schematic
illustrations of a bag 100 comprising at least one foldable
secondary compartment structure 112 that is useful for
understanding the present invention. The bag 100 provides a useful
article-carrying bag which is capable of being placed by a user in
multiple article-carrying configurations which accommodate
different circumstances. FIGS. 1A-1D show the multiple
article-carrying configurations into which the bag 100 may be
placed. The multiple article-carrying configurations include, but
are not limited to, a two compartment configuration 102 and a three
compartment configuration 104. Embodiments of the present invention
are not limited in this regard. For example, if the bag 100
includes a main compartment and two side compartments, then the
multiple article-carrying configurations would include a four
compartment configuration (not shown), rather than a two
compartment configuration 102. This multi-compartment configuration
will become more evident as the discussion progresses.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the bag 100 includes a main
compartment structure 110, a side compartment structure 112 and a
foldable secondary compartment structure 114. Embodiments of the
present invention are not limited in this regard. In this regard,
the bag 100 can include more compartment structures than that
shown. For example, the bag 100 can include various compartment
structures disposed on the outer surfaces of a front panel, a back
panel and side panels of the bag 100. Various compartment
structures can also be disposed in the bag 100 so as to be coupled
to inner surfaces of the front panel, a back panel and side panels
thereof.
[0011] The compartment structures 110, 112, 114 can be formed from
any suitable material. Such materials include, but are not limited
to, non-woven materials, woven materials, mesh materials,
water-resistant materials, leather, canvas and collapsible fabric
materials. Notably, each of the compartment structures 110, 112,
114 can be formed from the same material or different
material(s).
[0012] The main compartment structure 110 may be considered the
primary article-carrying compartment structure because it provides
the largest unrestricted volume for carrying articles. The term
"unrestricted", as used here, means that the entire volume of the
main compartment structure 110 can be made available for defining a
single, primary carrying compartment. If only the main compartment
structure 110 is desired to be used, then one would only need to
open the main compartment structure 110 via a closure element 116.
This configuration is ideal for carrying articles which are
elongate and require the entire volume of the main compartment
structure 110. Such articles can include, but are not limited to,
sports equipment, retractable umbrellas, thermoses and portable
computers.
[0013] The main compartment structure 110 has a top 114 defining a
first bag opening which is selectively closable via a zipper 116.
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this
regard. For example, the main compartment structure 110 may have
closure elements other than a zipper 116. Such closure elements can
include, but are not limited to, Velcro, loop-and-pile fasteners,
snaps, button/hole pairs and latches.
[0014] The main compartment structure 110 also includes a closed
bottom 118 and a central body 120 which extends between the top 114
and the bottom 118. At least the bottom 118 can he formed of a
rigid or semi-rigid material suitable to maintain its shape and
structural integrity during use of the bag 100. Alternatively, the
bottom 118 can include a rigid or semi-rigid insert or floor
panel.
[0015] As shown, the top 114, bottom 118 and a central body 120
define a first interior space 122 sized and shaped to carry various
articles. Although the top 114 and central body 120 are shown to be
separate structures, embodiments of the present invention are not
limited in this regard. For example, the top 114 and central body
120 can be a single continuous structure. A plurality of joinder
lines 130a, 130b, 130c directly connect the top 114, bottom 118
and/or central body 120 together. Each of the joinder lines 130a,
130b, 130c can be formed from a sewn stitching, adhesive bonding
and/or heat bonding. If the joinder lines 130a, 130b. 130c include
sewn stitching, then the seams (not shown) formed from coupling the
components 114. 118, 120 together can be water-tight and/or
air-tight.
[0016] Although only one side compartment structure 112 is shown,
embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this
regard. For example, the bag 100 can include a side compartment
structures 112 disposed on each end of two opposing ends
thereof.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the side compartment structure 112
includes side walls 124, 132 defining a second bag opening 128. At
least a portion of the side wall 124 is attached to the hang 100
via a U-shaped zipper 126. The U-shaped zipper 126 provide means
for selectively opening and closing the second bag opening 128.
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this
regard. For example, the side wall 124 can be at least partially
attached to the hag 100 via closure elements other than a zipper
126. Such closure elements can include, but are not limited to,
Velcro, loop-and-pile fasteners, snaps, button/hole pairs and
latches. The side wall 132 is joined to the main compartment
structure 110 via at least one joinder line 134. The joinder line
134 can be formed from a sewn stitching, adhesive bonding and/or
heat bonding. If the joinder line 134 includes sewn stitching, then
the seams (not shown) formed from coupling the side wall 132 to the
main compartment structure 110 can be water-tight and/or
air-tight.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the side wall 132 has a flap 158
and a closure element 136 coupled thereto. The closure element 136
can include, but is not limited to, Velcro, a U-shaped zipper (as
shown in FIG. 1B), loop-and-pile fasteners (not shown), snaps (not
shown), button/hole pairs (not shown) and/or latches (not shown).
The flap 158 and closure element 136 collectively facilitate access
to the foldable secondary compartment structure 114. The closure
element 136 also facilitates the selective opening and closing of
the secondary compartment structure 114. Consequently, the
secondary compartment structure 114 is concealed in the bag 100 at
least partially by the side compartment structure 112.
[0019] Although a single secondary compartment structure 114 is
shown, embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this
regard. For example, the bag 100 can include a secondary
compartment structure 114 disposed on each end of two opposing ends
thereof.
[0020] The secondary compartment structure 114 may be considered
the secondary article-carrying compartment structure because it
provides a smaller volume for carrying articles as compared to the
main compartment structure 110. If secondary compartment structure
114 is desired to he used, then one would need to open it via a
closure element 136 of the side compartment structure 112 and a
closure element 156 of the main compartment structure 110. This
configuration is useful for carrying articles which are not to be
commingled with articles disposed in the main compartment structure
110, or vice versa. Such articles include, but are not limited to,
sports cloths, sport shoes, towels, wet cloths, beverage
containers, lotions, liquid bathing products and other fluid/liquid
products.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1A-1D, the secondary compartment structure
114 includes a carrying member 138 that can he transitioned from a
collapsed position to an extended position 150. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, the carrying member 138 has a
generally bag-like shape. However, embodiments of the present
invention are not limited in this regard. For example, the carrying
member 138 can have any shape that is suitable for carrying items.
Such shapes include, but are not limited to, cylindrical shapes,
rectangular shapes, accordion shapes and cone shapes.
[0022] The transition between the positions of the carrying member
138 is facilitated by the closure elements 136 coupled to the side
wall 132 of the side compartment structure 112 and closure elements
156 coupled to a side wall 140 disposed in the interior of the hag
100. The closure elements 156 can include, but are not limited to,
Velcro, a U-shaped zipper, loop-and-pile fasteners (not shown),
snaps (not shown), button/hole pairs (not shown) and/or latches
(not shown).
[0023] In the collapsed position, the carrying member 138 is folded
and housed in a chamber at least partially defined by the sidewall
132 of the side compartment structure 112 and the side wall 140
disposed in the interior of the bag 100. The size and shape of the
chamber can vary based on the type of material(s) employed for the
carrying member 138. In the extended position 150, the carrying
member 138 is unfolded so as to extend into the first interior
space 122 of the main compartment structure 110. In this regard, it
should be understood that the unfolded carrying member 138 has a
size and shape that fits within the first interior space 122 of the
main compartment structure 110. The size and shape of the unfolded
carrying member 138 can be selected to permit articles to be
carried in the first interior space 122 of the main compartment
structure 110 and a second interior space 152 of the secondary
compartment structure 114.
[0024] The carrying member 138 can be formed from any suitable
material. Such materials include. but are not limited to, non-woven
materials, woven materials, mesh materials, water-resistant
materials, leather, canvas and collapsible fabric materials.
However, it should be understood that water-resistant materials
provide certain advantages over other materials. For example, a
carrying member 138 formed of a water-resistant material can
prevent dry/clean articles disposed in the main compartment
structure 110 from becoming wet/soiled by articles disposed in the
secondary compartment structure 114.
[0025] The carrying member 138 can be coupled to the main
compartment structure 110 and/or the secondary compartment
structure 114 via one or more joinder lines. The joinder lines can
be formed from a sewn stitching adhesive bonding and/or heat
bonding. If the joinder lines include sewn stitching, then the
seams (not shown) formed from coupling the carrying member 138 to
the structures 110, 114 can be water-tight and/or air-tight.
Alternatively, the carrying member 138 can be coupled to the main
compartment structure 110 and/or the secondary compartment
structure 114 via Velcro or other coupling means that allows the
carrying member 138 to be coupled and decoupled from the bag 100.
In this scenario, the carrying member 138 can be removed from the
bag 100 so that it can be cleaned.
[0026] Although not shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the bag 100 can include
at least one handle and/or at least one carrying strap. The handle
can be formed from any suitable material. Such materials include,
but are not limited to, leather, plastic. wood. metal, fabric or a
combination thereof. The handle is attached to the bag 100 via sewn
stitching, an adhesive bond or a mechanical connector (e.g., a clip
or hook/loop fastener).
[0027] The carrying strap(s) (not shown) can be formed from any
suitable material. Such materials include, but are not limited to,
non-woven materials, woven materials, mesh materials,
water-resistant materials, leather, canvas and collapsible fabric
materials. For example, the carrying strap(s) (not shown) can be
formed of a flat rope. The flat rope can include, but is not
limited to, a durable polyester braided flat rope and a durable
nylon flat rope. The carrying strap(s) (not shown) can be attached
to the bag 100 by sewing or the like. The seams (not shown) formed
from coupling the carrying strap(s) to the bag 100 can be
water-tight and/or air-tight. The carrying strap(s) (not shown) can
be formed into carrying loops (not shown). The carrying loops (not
shown) provide a means for carrying the bag 100 by hand or
over-the-shoulder.
[0028] The carrying strap(s) can have adjustable retaining
structures (not shown) disposed thereon. The adjustable retaining
structures are configured for facilitating the adjustment of the
length of the carrying strap(s). For example, the adjustable
retaining structures can include, but is not limited to, clips,
buckles and other securing, means.
[0029] All of the apparatus, methods and algorithms disclosed and
claimed herein can be made and executed without undue
experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the
invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it
will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may
be applied to the apparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the
method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the
invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain
components may be added to, combined with, or substituted for the
components described herein while the same or similar results would
be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications
apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the
spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined.
* * * * *