U.S. patent application number 13/722861 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for bottle pocket.
This patent application is currently assigned to FAIRHAVEN GROUP, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Fairhaven Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gary Ashley.
Application Number | 20130182976 13/722861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48780021 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130182976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ashley; Gary |
July 18, 2013 |
BOTTLE POCKET
Abstract
A pocket on a bag is operable between a collapsed configuration,
in which the pocket overlies the bag, and an expanded
configuration, in which the pocket opens to form a cavity for
holding a water bottle or other items. The pocket and the bag each
comprise a pair of attachment devices that are automatically or
magnetically attached to each other when the pocket is in the
collapsed configuration. The pocket includes a collapsible panel
secured to the bag and that is adapted to collapse when the pocket
is moved to the collapsed configuration.
Inventors: |
Ashley; Gary; (Seattle,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fairhaven Group, Inc.; |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FAIRHAVEN GROUP, INC.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
48780021 |
Appl. No.: |
13/722861 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61586422 |
Jan 13, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2003/002 20130101;
B65D 33/00 20130101; A45C 13/001 20130101; A45C 13/1069 20130101;
A45C 7/0077 20130101; A45C 13/123 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/40 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A system for holding items to the outside of a bag having a bag
panel enclosing at least a portion of a bag cavity, the system
comprising: at least one first attachment device coupled to the bag
panel; a pocket attached to an external side of the bag panel,
opposite the bag cavity, and operable between a collapsed
configuration against the bag panel and an expanded configuration
spaced at least partially apart from the bag panel, the pocket
comprising: a pocket panel having a first edge and a second edge,
the first edge secured to the bag panel; a collapsible panel
secured between at least the second edge of the pocket panel and
the bag panel; and at least one second attachment device coupled
proximate the second edge of the pocket panel, the second
attachment device being removably attached to the at least one
first attachment device when the pocket is in the collapsed
configuration.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the first and
second attachment devices is magnetic and is attracted to the other
when the pocket is moved from the expanded configuration to the
collapsed configuration.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second
attachment devices comprises at least one magnet, and the other one
of the first and second attachment devices comprises at least one
magnetically attractive element.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the pocket panel, the collapsible
panel, and the bag panel collectively define a pocket cavity that
is formed when the pocket is in the expanded configuration, and
wherein the pocket cavity is separate from the bag cavity.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the pocket further comprises a
supplemental collapsible panel secured between the pocket panel and
the bag panel, wherein the supplemental collapsible panel assists
to contain contents in the pocket.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the collapsible panel is adapted
to collapse and lie between the bag panel and the pocket panel when
the pocket is in the collapsed configuration so that the
collapsible panel is hidden between the pocket panel and the bag
panel.
7. A pocket coupled to a bag for holding items separate from other
contents in the bag, the pocket comprising: a pocket panel having a
first edge and a second edge, the first edge secured to the bag; at
least one attachment device secured to the pocket panel and
removably attachable to the bag when the pocket is in a collapsed
configuration; and a collapsible panel secured between the second
edge of the pocket panel and the bag, wherein the collapsible panel
and the pocket panel are adapted to move between the collapsed
configuration and an expanded configuration.
8. The pocket of claim 7 wherein the bag comprises a complementary
attachment device and the attachment device in the pocket panel is
automatically attached to the complementary attachment device in
the bag when the pocket is moved from the expanded configuration to
the collapsed configuration.
9. The pocket of claim 7 wherein the at least one attachment device
comprises at least one of a magnet and a magnetically attractive
element.
10. The pocket of claim 7 further comprising a pocket cavity formed
when the pocket is in the expanded configuration, wherein the
pocket is adapted to hold the items separate from the other
contents in the bag.
11. The pocket of claim 7 further comprising a supplemental
collapsible panel secured between the pocket panel and the bag,
wherein the supplemental collapsible panel assists to contain items
in the pocket.
12. A bag comprising: a bag body defining a bag cavity to hold
contents therein; at least one attachment device coupled to the bag
body; and a pocket coupled to the bag body and adapted to move
between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration,
the pocket comprising: a pocket panel secured to the bag body; a
collapsible panel secured to the pocket panel and the bag body; at
least one corresponding attachment device coupled to the pocket
panel and removably attachable to the at least one attachment
device when the pocket is in the collapsed configuration; and a
pocket cavity defined by the bag body, the pocket panel and the
collapsible panel when the pocket is in the expanded configuration,
wherein the pocket cavity is separate from the bag cavity.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure is directed towards pockets attached
to a bag for holding items.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Bags, backpacks, suitcases, and other articles used to hold
and carry items typically contain a cavity for containing such
items. It can be difficult or cumbersome to access such cavity for
a single item, such as a water bottle or other item that may be
needed more frequently than other items in the bag.
[0005] Moreover, when carrying water bottles and other bottles
containing liquids in the cavity, condensation or leakage from the
bottle may expel onto other items in the bag, thereby damaging or
destroying such items. Some bags have pockets on the outside of a
bag for easy access to a water bottle, for example. However, such
pockets add to the size of the bag when the holders are not in use
and may have devices (such as a draw string) that are susceptible
to getting caught or hung-up on external items or structures,
thereby damaging the bag and/or causing injury to the wearer.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is directed towards pockets for
holding items on the outside of a bag, backpack, suitcase, and the
like (collectively a "bag"). Generally, a bag may comprise a bag
body that defines a bag cavity for holding contents therein. The
bag body may comprise a side panel and a plurality of other panels,
or it may simply comprise one panel or piece of material, such as
with traditional shoulder bags, for example.
[0007] In some embodiments, a pocket is attached to the side panel
of the bag body, or it may be attached to any surface of the bag
body. The pocket may be adapted to move between a collapsed
configuration and an expanded configuration when a wearer desires
to use the pocket. In the collapsed configuration, the pocket
overlies the side panel of the bag body such that the side panel is
uniformly or substantially uniformly flat against the bag body. In
the expanded configuration, the pocket is opened by the wearer and
defines a pocket cavity which is capable of holding contents
therein, such as a water bottle, separate from items that may be in
the bag cavity.
[0008] In some embodiments, the pocket may include a pocket panel
having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth
edge, and the first edge may be the only edge of the pocket panel
that is directly secured to the bag. A collapsible panel, comprised
of mesh material, may be secured to the second edge of the pocket
panel and to the side panel of the bag at a second edge of the
collapsible panel. Thus, the collapsible panel may be positioned
between the side panel of the bag and the pocket panel. In some
embodiments, a supplemental collapsible panel is secured to lower
regions of the pocket panel and the collapsible panel to assist in
holding contents in the pocket when in the expanded configuration.
Thus, the pocket panel, the collapsible panel, and the supplemental
collapsible panel may be collectively adapted to move between the
collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration such that
the collapsible panel and the supplemental collapsible panel may be
hidden when in the collapsed configuration. The pocket panel, the
side panel, the collapsible panel, and the supplemental collapsible
panel may collectively define the pocket cavity that is formed when
in the expanded configuration to contain items therein.
[0009] In some embodiments, the side panel of the bag may include
at least one attachment device that is removably attached to a
corresponding attachment device on the pocket when in the collapsed
configuration. In some embodiments, one of the at least one
attachment device and the at least one corresponding attachment
device comprises a magnet, while the other one comprises a
magnetically attractive element to be attracted by the magnet when
the pocket is moved to the collapsed configuration. In other
embodiments, each or both of the at least one attachment device and
the at least one corresponding attachment device may be at least
one or a combination of snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners,
magnets, and other suitable structures.
[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one attachment device on
the pocket may be automatically detached from the at least one
corresponding attachment device on the bag when the pocket panel is
moved from the collapsed configuration to the expanded
configuration. Likewise, the at least one attachment device of the
pocket may be automatically attached to the at least one
corresponding device of the bag when the pocket panel is moved from
the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration. Such
functionality may allow the wearer to open and close the pocket
without being required to physically and directly attach or detach
the attachment devices from each other, thereby allowing the wearer
quickly open and close the pocket with one hand, for example. In
some embodiments, a tab may be coupled to the pocket to facilitate
movement of the pocket between the collapsed and expanded
configurations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a bag having a
pocket in a collapsed configuration according to one
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the bag and the
pocket of FIG. 1 in an expanded configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a portion of a bag 10, according to one
embodiment. The bag 10 comprises a plurality of panels, including a
front panel 12, a rear panel 14, a side panel 16, and a bottom
panel 18. The plurality of panels collectively defines a bag cavity
20 for holding contents therein, as with traditional bags. A side
pocket 22 is secured to the bag 10 and is shown in a collapsed
configuration C in FIG. 1 and an expanded configuration E in FIG.
2. In the collapsed configuration C, the side pocket 22 overlies or
lies flat against the side panel 16 and is adapted to be moved to
the expanded configuration E in a direction depicted by arrow
A.
[0014] In some embodiments, the side pocket 22 includes a side
pocket panel 24 having a first edge 26, a second edge 27, a third
edge 28, and a fourth edge 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first edge 26 is secured to the side panel 16 and the second edge
27 is secured to a collapsible panel 30, as shown best in FIG. 2.
The third edge 28 and the fourth edge 29 may not be secured
directly to the bag 10. In some embodiments, the collapsible panel
30 has a first edge 32 secured to the side pocket panel 24 and a
second edge 34 secured to the side panel 16. In some embodiments, a
supplemental collapsible panel 36 may be secured to the side pocket
panel 24 and to the side panel 16 of the bag 10 to help contain
contents within the side pocket 22 when in use. Thus, the side
pocket panel 24, the collapsible panel 30, and the supplemental
collapsible panel 36 are adapted to collectively move between the
collapsed configuration C and the expanded configuration E such
that the collapsible panel 30 and the supplemental collapsible
panel 36 may be hidden when in the collapsed configuration C. In
some embodiments and when in the expanded configuration E, the side
pocket panel 24, the collapsible panel 30, the supplemental
collapsible panel 36, and the side panel 16 may collectively define
a side pocket cavity 38 that is formed to contain items therein,
such as a water bottle.
[0015] In some embodiments, the collapsible panel 30 may be secured
to an upper strip 40, which may be comprised of an elastic band or
other suitable material. The collapsible panel 30, the supplemental
collapsible panel 36, and the upper strip 40 may each be comprised
of one or a combination of a stiff or elastic material, and may
each be sized and shaped to collectively receive and hold water
bottles of various shapes and sizes, for example.
[0016] In some embodiments, the side pocket panel 24 includes a
pair of attachment devices 42a, 42b positioned at upper and lower
areas of the side pocket panel 24. The pair of attachment devices
42a, 42b may be attached onto or within fabric layers the side
pocket panel 24. Similarly, the side panel 16 includes a pair of
corresponding attachment devices 44a, 44b positioned at
corresponding upper and lower areas of the side panel 16. The pair
of corresponding attachment devices 44a, 44b may be attached onto
or within fabric layers of the side panel 16. The pair of
attachment devices 42a, 42b may be automatically attached to the
pair of corresponding attachment devices 44a, 44b, respectively,
when the side pocket 22 is moved to the collapsed configuration C.
Conversely, the pair of attachment devices 42a, 42b may be detached
from the pair of corresponding attachment devices 44a, 44b,
respectively, when the side pocket 22 is moved to the expanded
configuration E. The pair of attachment devices 42a, 42b and the
pair of corresponding attachment devices 44a, 44b may assist to
retain the side pocket 22 flush against the side panel 16 of the
bag 10 when in the collapsed configuration C.
[0017] In some embodiments, a tab 46 may be coupled to the side
pocket panel 24 to help a wearer move the side pocket 22 between
the collapsed configuration C and the expanded configuration E in
one fluid motion without the need to manually couple the pairs of
attachment devices 42a, 42b to and from the pair of corresponding
attachment devices 44a, 44b. In some embodiments, a strap 48 may be
attached to the bag 10 to facilitate handling and carrying the bag
10 and the side pocket 22.
[0018] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent
application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign
patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications
referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application
Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ
concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to
provide yet further embodiments.
[0019] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents
to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not
limited by the disclosure.
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