U.S. patent application number 14/691467 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for compartmented bag for baby items.
The applicant listed for this patent is SWG Enterprises LLC. Invention is credited to Steven W. Green.
Application Number | 20150296939 14/691467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54320848 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150296939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Steven W. |
October 22, 2015 |
COMPARTMENTED BAG FOR BABY ITEMS
Abstract
A compartmented bag for infant care is provided. Preferably,
compartments that are the full height of the bag or no less than
80% of the height of the bag are provided. The compartments
together comprise the entire interior volume of the diaper bag of
the present invention and each of the compartments are permanently
labeled with a description of their intended contents.
Inventors: |
Green; Steven W.; (Short
Hills, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SWG Enterprises LLC |
Short Hills |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54320848 |
Appl. No.: |
14/691467 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61981837 |
Apr 20, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20130101; A45C
13/02 20130101; A45C 2200/05 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00 |
Claims
1. A compartmented bag comprising: (a) a bag section having sides
and a bottom and having a plurality of compartments and (b) a
closure, wherein (i) the plurality of compartments are no less than
80% of the height of the bag section and (ii) the plurality of
compartments comprise the entire interior surface area of the
bottom.
2. The compartmented bag of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder
strap.
3. The compartmented bag of claim 1 where the closure is a flap
closure.
4. The compartmented bag of claim 4 where the flap closure has an
adjustable clasp strap.
5. The compartmented bag of claim 4 where the adjustable clasp
strap extends up to 12 inches.
6. The compartmented bag of claim 1 further comprising one or more
fitted removable liners sized to fit within one of the plurality of
compartments.
7. The compartmented bag of claim 6 where the one or more fitted
removable liners is insulated.
8. A compartmented bag comprising: (a) a bag section having sides
and a bottom and having a plurality of compartments, (b) a closure,
wherein (i) the plurality of compartments are no less than 80% of
the height of the bag section, (ii) the plurality of compartments
comprise the entire interior surface area of the bottom and (iii)
the plurality of compartments are permanently labeled.
9. The compartmented bag of claim 8 where the plurality of
compartments are permanently labeled with labels selected from the
group consisting of: bottles, blankets, clothing, blankets &
clothing, diapers, changing pad, food, toys, and wipes.
10. The compartmented bag of claim 8 further comprising a shoulder
strap.
11. The compartmented bag of claim 8 where the closure is a flap
closure.
12. The compartmented bag of claim 11 where the flap closure has an
adjustable clasp strap.
13. The compartmented bag of claim 12 where the adjustable clasp
strap extends up to 12 inches.
14. The compartmented bag of claim 8 further comprising one or more
fitted removable liners sized to fit within one of the plurality of
compartments.
15. The compartmented bag of claim 14 where the one or more fitted
removable liners is insulated.
16. A compartmented bag comprising: (a) a bag section having sides
and a bottom and having a plurality of compartments, (b) one or
more stroller straps, and (c) a closure, wherein (i) the plurality
of compartments are no less than 80% of the height of the bag
section, (ii) the plurality of compartments comprise the entire
interior surface area of the bottom and (iii) the plurality of
compartments are permanently labeled.
17. The compartmented bag of claim 16 where the plurality of
compartments are permanently labeled with labels selected from the
group consisting of: bottles, blankets, clothing, blankets &
clothing, diapers, changing pad, food, toys, and wipes.
18. The compartmented bag of claim 16 further comprising a shoulder
strap.
19. The compartmented bag of claim 16 where the closure is a flap
closure.
20. The compartmented bag of claim 19 where the flap closure has an
adjustable clasp strap.
21. The compartmented bag of claim 20 where the adjustable clasp
strap extends up to 12 inches.
22. The compartmented bag of claim 16 where the one or more
stroller straps are attached to the exterior of the bag section and
allows the flap closure to open while the compartmented bag is
attached to a stroller.
23. The compartmented bag of claim 16 further comprising one or
more fitted removable liners sized to fit within one of the
plurality of compartments.
24. The compartmented bag of claim 16 where the one or more fitted
removable liners is insulated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/981,837, filed Apr. 20, 2014, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The novel inventions claimed here relate to a bag designed
for carrying items needed for an infant or small child, commonly
known as a "diaper bag" or "baby bag". Diaper bags are typically
used to carry disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, extra
clothes, cloth diapers, a changing pad, baby food or other solid
snacks, and small toys, among other things.
[0003] The typical design for a diaper bag includes a large main
area in which most of the items are kept, and many also include a
number of small exterior or interior pockets of varying sizes.
These pockets may include some of the items, but are rarely large
enough to hold more than a few disposable diapers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the present invention, there is no main compartment. The
area inside the bag is divided into smaller compartments, each
labeled with the suggested use of that compartment.
[0005] The compartments of the present invention are differentiated
from the pockets of diaper bags in the prior art in three ways.
First, the compartments are the full height of the bag or no less
than 80% of the height of the bag, while prior art pockets are no
more than 75% of the height of the bag and typically much less than
that. Second, the compartments together comprise the entire
interior volume of the diaper bag of the present invention, but
prior art pockets provide only secondary storage adjacent to a
single large main area of the bag. Third, each of the compartments
of the present invention are permanently labeled with a description
of their intended contents, while prior art pockets have either
temporary removable labels, are only partially labeled, and
typically have no labels at all.
[0006] The prior art includes a divided insert that may be used in
the main area of a typical diaper bag in order to provide divided
compartments in that area. In the present invention, however, the
compartments are built into the bag itself and do not require a
separate insert. Embodiments of the present invention include
compartments entirely of permanently sewn fabric, compartments in
which one or more walls are comprised of a moveable divider that
attaches to another interior surface of the bag with hook-and-loop
(e.g., Velcro.TM.) adhesive, waterproof compartments, insulated
compartments, compartments with a separate cover, and combinations
of the above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a compartmented bag that is an
embodiment of the present invention. This shows "messenger bag"
style with the flap open to reveal that the interior is separated
entirely into compartments which extend almost the entire vertical
height of the bag. Each compartment is labeled to show its intended
contents.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a top view diagram of the compartment layout
for the bag shown in FIG. 1. This view shows that the compartments
are intended to divide the interior area of the bag, and that there
is no "main area" of the bag without a designated purpose.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a top-down view of an open empty compartmented
bag that is an embodiment of the present invention, of similar
style to the embodiment displayed in the diagrams of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a front-view view of the same bag in FIG. 3,
showing the labeled compartments.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows a view of the bag of FIGS. 3 and 4, closed and
at an angle to show the stroller attachment straps which are
entirely external to the bag, allowing the bag cover to open and
close freely without interfering with the stroller straps.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows the bag of FIGS. 3 and 4, open and filled with
typical baby items that would be placed in each compartment.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows the filled bag of FIG. 6 from an overhead
view.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows the rear of the bag with the flap open and
clasped around the rear of the bag to keep it securely open, using
the same closure straps used to secure the bag flap closed in its
front.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows a removable liner fitting in the entire space
of one of the compartments of the bag in FIGS. 3 and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is directed, inter alia, to provision
of a compartmented bag 100. Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-9. The
compartments of embodiments of the present invention provide
several advantages over those in prior art diaper bags. First, the
full height of these compartments allow for immediate access to an
interior area reserved for the type of item stored in that
compartment. (see FIGS. 6, 7) In prior art interior pockets, the
user must generally reach around or past a main compartment filled
with mixed items to reach the desired pocket. This is more
difficult and time consuming for the user of the diaper bag. This
convenience is of particular utility to the typical diaper bag
user, as those attending to infants and small children must often
deal with emergencies. Saving even a few seconds searching for the
needed item(s) can be the difference that avoids a very messy
accident.
[0017] Second, the compartments of embodiments of the present bag
provide better and more consistent organization of items. In
embodiments of the present invention, no area is intended for
miscellaneous items. Each compartment is permanently labeled with a
label 101 for an intended item type, so the user always organizes
the diaper bag the same way. The smaller maximum size of all
compartments and the lack of a generalized main area promote
adherence to the intended usage of the bag, and maintain
organization. (see FIG. 2)
[0018] Third, permanent labeling of the compartments provides a
number of benefits. Unlike temporary labeling, these may be sewn
into the diaper bag itself, preserving the bag's intended
organizational system. In typical usage, a diaper bag is often
shared between a variety of children's caretakers, including
parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, or other family
members and friends who may be responsible for taking care of the
children at a given time. Bags in the prior art create a particular
problem in shared caretaking situations, because different people
may organize the diaper bag in different ways. This leads to
confusion and time-consuming reorganization each time the diaper
bag changes hands between parents and different caretakers.
Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by
preferably maintaining a consistent system of organization for the
bag regardless of its user, with defined compartments that are
permanently labeled. (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
[0019] The labeled compartments of embodiments of the present
invention provide additional utility, as they offer a quick and
convenient inspection of the inventory of the bag. Prior to going
outside, a child's parent or caretaker must confirm that a diaper
bag contains enough of the baby's essential items for the day, and
replenish the supply of any needed items. In prior art diaper bags,
this step entails searching through the bag and manually taking
inventory of items such as diaper bags, wipes, bottles, replacement
clothing, toys, snacks, and other items. In embodiments of the
present invention, this check can be made at a glance, by simply
looking at each labeled compartment and seeing how filled or empty
it is. (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
[0020] Embodiments of the present invention include use in a bag in
which all of the compartments can be quickly covered by a single
flap 102, a configuration commonly known as a "messenger bag".
While messenger-style diaper bags are known in the prior art,
embodiments of the present invention includes a novel combination
of this style of bag and straps 105 intended for attachment to a
stroller or other wheeled cart. Many types of stroller straps are
known in the prior art, but the novel combination here relates to
the position at which the stroller straps are attached to the bag.
Prior art stroller straps attach to the interior side panels of the
bag, or the rear of the bag, or the handle of the bag. In
embodiments of the present invention, the stroller straps 105
attach to the exterior of the side panels of the main body of the
bag, allowing the main cover flap 102 of the messenger-style bag to
be opened and closed while the bag is still attached to the
stroller. (see FIG. 5)
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention also include
advancements related to the messenger-style diaper bag that enhance
the usefulness of the compartmented bag of the primary invention.
The messenger bag cover flap 102 provides fast and easy closure of
the bag, but in some cases the user may wish to keep the bag open
while carrying it. While using the shoulder strap 106, the user may
not be concerned that items will spill from the bag, but may find
the messenger flap inconvenient to open when retrieving items from
the bag. To solve this problem, embodiments of the present
invention includes one or more adjustable clasp straps 103 for the
cover flap that may be lengthened such that the flap can be wrapped
around the rear of the bag and clasped securely behind it, using
the same clasp that closes the flap in the front-facing covered
position. In prior art messenger-style diaper bags, this clasp
strap does not exceed a length of 4 inches at its maximum
adjustment. By allowing the clasp strap to adjust a length of up to
12 inches, the strap may be wrapped underneath the bag and secure
the flap in the open position against the rear of the bag. (see
FIG. 8)
[0022] It is useful in some cases for the individual compartments
of embodiments of the present invention to have fitted removable
liners to aid in cleaning or provide additional features. For
example, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention in
which a compartment intended for baby bottles includes an
insulated, removable liner 104 made of waterproof material to aid
in keeping the bottles cold. In embodiments of the present
invention, such removable liners may only line a single compartment
and are made to fit the entire compartment, with the liner intended
to occupy the entire space of that compartment.
[0023] While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is
well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be
appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be
devised by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the
appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *