U.S. patent application number 16/177410 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-03 for tire and/or wheel bag and method of making and using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Load Lugger, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel J. Dooling. Invention is credited to Daniel J. Dooling.
Application Number | 20190298019 16/177410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67999122 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190298019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dooling; Daniel J. |
October 3, 2019 |
TIRE AND/OR WHEEL BAG AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
Abstract
A tire and/or wheel bag includes a bag body configured to
enclose at least one of a vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel. The
bag body includes a first annular wall configured to surround a
first annular portion of the vehicle tire/wheel, a first sidewall
attached to the first annular wall, the first annular wall and
first sidewall comprising a first body portion; a second annular
wall configured to surround a second annular portion of the vehicle
tire/wheel; a second sidewall attached to the second annular wall,
the second annular wall and second sidewall comprising a second
body portion; a joint joining the first open end of the first body
portion to the second open end of the second body portion; a
closure configured to selectively attach and release the first and
second annular sidewalls; and a handle attached to the first body
portion and the second body portion.
Inventors: |
Dooling; Daniel J.; (Fenton,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dooling; Daniel J. |
Fenton |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Load Lugger, LLC
Fenton
MI
|
Family ID: |
67999122 |
Appl. No.: |
16/177410 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29642972 |
Apr 3, 2018 |
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16177410 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/24 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 5/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/08 20060101
A45C005/08; A45C 11/00 20060101 A45C011/00 |
Claims
1. A tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: a bag body configured to
enclose at least one of a vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel, the
bag body comprising: a first annular wall configured to surround a
first annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel
around its circumference, the first annular wall having a first
open end and an opposed first closed end; a first sidewall attached
by a first attachment to and enclosing the first closed end, the
first annular wall and first sidewall comprising a first body
portion; a second annular wall configured to surround a second
annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its
circumference, the second annular wall having a second open end and
an opposed second closed end; a second sidewall attached by a
second attachment to and enclosing the second closed end, the
second annular wall and second sidewall comprising a second body
portion; a joint joining the first open end of the first body
portion to the second open end of the second body portion; a
peripherally-extending closure configured to selectively attach and
release the first open end of the first annular sidewall to the
second open end of the second annular sidewall; and a handle
attached to the first body portion and the second body portion.
2. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, wherein the closure
comprises a zipper.
3. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 2, wherein the zipper has a
zipper stop attached to the first open end and the second open
end.
4. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 3, wherein the zipper is a
two-way head-to-head zipper comprising a first head configured to
open in a first circumferential direction toward the zipper stop
and a second head configured to open in an opposed second
circumferential direction toward the zipper stop.
5. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 4, wherein the zipper extends
around substantially all of the first open end and second open
end.
6. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, wherein the first
attachment comprises a first stitched or welded seam and the second
attachment comprises a second stitched or welded seam.
7. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, wherein handle comprises a
strap having a first end attached within the first attachment and a
second end attached within the second attachment.
8. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 7, wherein the first
attachment comprises a first stitched or welded seam and the second
attachment comprises a second stitched or welded seam.
9. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, wherein the handle
comprises a strip or strap of a natural or polymer fiber fabric,
polymer, elastomer, or a combination or composite thereof.
10. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, wherein bag body
comprises a fabric, polymer sheet, or polymer film bag
material.
11. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 10, wherein the fabric,
polymer sheet, or polymer film bag material is waterproof or
water-resistant.
12. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, further comprising a
sleeve disposed on one of the first bag body or second bag
body.
13. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is a
plastic sleeve disposed on the first annular wall or the second
annular wall.
14. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 12, wherein the sleeve
houses a tracking device comprising information about the tire
and/or wheel.
15. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 14, wherein the tracking
device comprises a printed sheet, a barcode, an RFID device, or a
bluetooth device.
16. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 1, further comprising a tire
and/or wheel disposed within the first bag body and the second bag
body.
17. The tire and/or wheel bag of claim 16, wherein the tire and/or
wheel has a diameter (d) up to 42 inches and a width (w) up to 16
inches.
18. A method of making a tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: forming
a bag body configured to enclose at least one of a vehicle tire
and/or a vehicle wheel, the bag body comprising: a first annular
wall configured to surround a first annular portion of the vehicle
tire and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the first
annular wall having a first open end and an opposed first closed
end; a first sidewall attached by a first attachment to and
enclosing the first closed end, the first annular wall and first
sidewall comprising a first body portion; a second annular wall
configured to surround a second annular portion of the vehicle tire
and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the second annular
wall having a second open end and an opposed second closed end; a
second sidewall attached by a second attachment to and enclosing
the second closed end, the second annular wall and second sidewall
comprising a second body portion; a joint joining the first open
end of the first body portion to the second open end of the second
body portion; a peripherally-extending closure configured to
selectively attach and release the first open end of the first
annular sidewall to the second open end of the second annular
sidewall; and a handle attached to the first body portion and the
second body portion.
19. A method of using a tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: forming
a tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: a bag body configured to
enclose at least one of a vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel, the
bag body comprising: a first annular wall configured to surround a
first annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel
around its circumference, the first annular wall having a first
open end and an opposed first closed end; a first sidewall attached
by a first attachment to and enclosing the first closed end, the
first annular wall and first sidewall comprising a first body
portion; a second annular wall configured to surround a second
annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its
circumference, the second annular wall having a second open end and
an opposed second closed end; a second sidewall attached by a
second attachment to and enclosing the second closed end, the
second annular wall and second sidewall comprising a second body
portion; a joint joining the first open end of the first body
portion to the second open end of the second body portion; a
peripherally-extending closure configured to selectively attach and
release the first open end of the first annular sidewall to the
second open end of the second annular sidewall; a handle attached
to the first body portion and the second body portion; and a sleeve
disposed on one of the first bag body or second bag body, wherein
the sleeve houses a tracking device comprising information about
the tire and/or wheel; inserting tire/and/or wheel into the first
body portion or the second body portion; closing the partially
peripherally-extending, selectively openable and closable closure;
and storing the tire and/or wheel bag and the tire and/or wheel in
a storage facility, or transporting the tire and/or wheel bag and
the tire and/or wheel; and accessing the information about the tire
and/or wheel while it is being stored or transported.
20. The method of using a tire and/or wheel bag of claim 19,
further comprising: using the information accessed while the tire
and/or wheel is in the storage facility or using the information
accessed while the tire and/or wheel is being transported to take
an action related thereto.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/642,972 filed on
Apr. 3, 2018, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a tire
and wheel bag, a method of making a tire and wheel bag, and a
method of using a tire and wheel bag.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In many parts of the world, particularly those with climates
that have significant seasonal climatic changes in temperature
and/or precipitation, vehicle tires, wheels, or both are frequently
changed seasonally. In these climates, users will frequently own
two or more sets of tires and/or wheels and will change them
seasonally to obtain more optimal seasonal vehicle performance. For
example, it is common in tropical climates, humid middle latitude
climates, continental climates, and cold climates to change tires
and wheels to optimize tire and/or wheel performance for
hot/warm/dry seasons versus cold/wet seasons, which may include a
rainy season, ice and snow. In such climates, one set of tires
and/or wheels are selected for dry, warm performance (e.g. summer
or all-season tires) and another set of tires and/or wheels are
selected for wet, cold performance (e.g. snow tires). The tires
and/or wheels that are removed require transportation and storage
while they are not in use. It is desirable to protect the tires and
wheels during transportation and storage by covering them with a
cover that limits exposure to the external environment, including
sunlight, moisture, dirt, dust, and the like, while also protecting
the external environment and human users from contaminants that
tend to accumulate on them, such as oxidized rubber particles,
dirt, oil, and brake dust.
[0004] In addition, high performance tires and/or wheels used in
various racing applications also require protection from the sun,
particularly infrared and UV radiation, because they have specially
formulated rubber compositions that are optimized for specific
track and racing conditions, and because they deteriorate upon
exposure to sunlight. These tires and/or wheels are also changed
frequently to maintain their high-performance characteristics and
under varying race conditions ensure vehicle performance
[0005] Because the tires and wheels removed after service are
generally dirty and covered with contaminants due to their use, and
it is undesirable to transport and store them uncovered, disposable
lightweight plastic bags are frequently used for protection of both
the tires and wheels, as well as human users and the storage
environment. However, disposable bags are generally not strong
enough to lift the tires and/or wheels because their weight exceeds
the tensile/shear strength of the bag materials, such that the bags
are easily torn or damaged. These bags also do not completely
enclose the tires and/or wheels because they do not include
closures. Furthermore, they are environmentally undesirable because
they are disposable and contribute to waste if they are not
properly recycled.
[0006] Various reusable carrying bags or cases have been proposed,
but the materials used as the outer cover or shell have generally
not been sufficiently strong to bear the weight of the tire and/or
wheel alone without failure, such as tearing and stretching of the
cover material. Thus, such bags or cases have generally required
internal or external strengthening members, such as straps that
wrap around and undergird the tire and/or wheel to bear their
weight during lifting and transportation, which also provide a
handle for lifting the tire and/or wheel. While somewhat useful,
existing bags and cases are generally commercially undesirable due
to the cost of the materials and labor necessary to make them.
[0007] Therefore, improved tire and/or wheel bags or cases and
methods of making and using them are very desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one embodiment, a tire and/or wheel bag is disclosed. The
tire and/or wheel bag comprises a bag body configured to enclose at
least one of a vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel, the bag body
comprising: a first annular wall configured to surround a first
annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its
circumference, the first annular wall having a first open end and
an opposed first closed end; a first sidewall attached by a first
attachment to and enclosing the first closed end, the first annular
wall and first sidewall comprising a first body portion; a second
annular wall configured to surround a second annular portion of the
vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the
second annular wall having a second open end and an opposed second
closed end; a second sidewall attached by a second attachment to
and enclosing the second closed end, the second annular wall and
second sidewall comprising a second body portion; a joint joining
the first open end of the first body portion to the second open end
of the second body portion; a peripherally extending closure
configured to selectively attach and release the first open end of
the first annular sidewall to the second open end of the second
annular sidewall; and a handle attached to the first body portion
and the second body portion.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method of making a tire and/or
wheel bag is disclosed. The method of making the tire and/or wheel
bag comprises: forming a tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: a bag
body configured to enclose at least one of a vehicle tire and/or a
vehicle wheel, the bag body comprising: a first annular wall
configured to surround a first annular portion of the vehicle tire
and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the first annular
wall having a first open end and an opposed first closed end; a
first sidewall attached by a first attachment to and enclosing the
first closed end, the first annular wall and first sidewall
comprising a first body portion; a second annular wall configured
to surround a second annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or
vehicle wheel around its circumference, the second annular wall
having a second open end and an opposed second closed end; a second
sidewall attached by a second attachment to and enclosing the
second closed end, the second annular wall and second sidewall
comprising a second body portion; a joint joining the first open
end of the first body portion to the second open end of the second
body portion; a peripherally-extending closure configured to
selectively attach and release the first open end of the first
annular sidewall to the second open end of the second annular
sidewall; a handle attached to the first body portion
[0010] In another embodiment, a method of making a tire and/or
wheel bag is disclosed. The method of using the tire and/or wheel
bag comprises: forming a tire and/or wheel bag, comprising: a bag
body configured to enclose at least one of a vehicle tire and/or a
vehicle wheel, the bag body comprising: a first annular wall
configured to surround a first annular portion of the vehicle tire
and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the first annular
wall having a first open end and an opposed first closed end; a
first sidewall attached by a first attachment to and enclosing the
first closed end, the first annular wall and first sidewall
comprising a first body portion; a second annular wall configured
to surround a second annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or
vehicle wheel around its circumference, the second annular wall
having a second open end and an opposed second closed end; a second
sidewall attached by a second attachment to and enclosing the
second closed end, the second annular wall and second sidewall
comprising a second body portion; a joint joining the first open
end of the first body portion to the second open end of the second
body portion; a peripherally-extending closure configured to
selectively attach and release the first open end of the first
annular sidewall to the second open end of the second annular
sidewall; a handle attached to the first body portion and the
second body portion; and a sleeve disposed on one of the first bag
body or second bag body, wherein the sleeve houses a tracking
device comprising information about the tire and/or wheel;
inserting tire/and/or wheel into the first body portion or the
second body portion; closing the partially peripherally-extending,
selectively openable and closable closure; storing the tire and/or
wheel bag and the tire and/or wheel in a storage facility; and
accessing the information about the tire and/or wheel while it is
being stored.
[0011] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of
example only, in the following detailed description of embodiments,
the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and top of an
embodiment of a tire and wheel bag as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear and bottom
thereof;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a right-side view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a left-side view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof in an open position,
and also illustrating a tire and wheel disposed therein in
phantom;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front and top of a
second embodiment of a tire and wheel bag showing our new
design;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear and bottom
thereof;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a bottom view thereof;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a right-side view thereof;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a left-side view thereof;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of
making a tire and/or wheel bag, as described herein; and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of using
a tire and/or wheel bag, as described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring to the figures, particularly FIGS. 1-14, a tire
and/or wheel bag 10 is disclosed. The tire/wheel bag 10 is
advantageously configured for the storage and/or transportation of
a vehicle tire 100 and/or vehicle wheel 110. The tire/wheel bag 10
is useful with vehicle tires 100 and/or vehicle wheels 110 any
vehicle, including all manner of automotive vehicles (e.g. cars,
and light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks), aircraft, and off-road
vehicles (e.g. all-terrain vehicles, utility-terrain vehicles). The
tire/wheel bag 10 is advantageously simple using less components
than other tire bag designs and at the same time very durable and
capable in certain embodiments of lifting tire and wheel
combinations using the handle of at least 80 lbs., and in other
embodiments at least 100 lbs., and in other embodiments at least
150 lbs., and in other embodiments up to 200 lbs. In one
embodiment, the tire and/or wheel has a diameter (d) up to 42
inches and a width (w) up to 16 inches
[0030] The tire/wheel bag 10 comprises a bag body 20 configured to
enclose at least one of a vehicle tire 100 and/or a vehicle wheel
110. The bag body 20 comprises a first annular wall 22 configured
to surround a first annular portion 24 of the vehicle tire 100
and/or vehicle wheel 110 around its circumference. The first
annular wall has a first open end 26 and an opposed first closed
end 28.
[0031] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a first sidewall 30 of
formed of the bag material 14 and attached by a first attachment 32
to and enclosing the first closed end 28. The first annular wall 22
and first sidewall 30 comprise a first body portion 34.
[0032] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a second annular wall
36 formed of the bag material 14 and configured to surround a
second annular portion 38 of the vehicle tire 100 and/or vehicle
wheel 110 around its circumference. The second annular wall 36 has
a second open end 40 and an opposed second closed end 42.
[0033] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a second sidewall 44
formed of the bag material 14 and attached by a second attachment
46 to and enclosing the second closed end 42. The second annular
wall 36 and second sidewall 44 comprising a second body portion 48.
In one embodiment, the first attachment 32 comprises a first
stitched or welded seam and the second attachment 46 comprises a
second stitched or welded seam.
[0034] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a joint 50 joining the
first open end 26 of the first body portion 34 to the second open
end 40 of the second body portion 48. In one embodiment, the joint
50 comprises a fixed portion of the peripherally-extending closure
52 that hingably joins the first body portion 34 to the second body
portion 48 and that does not open or close as shown in FIG. 1. The
joint 50 is advantageously disposed under the handle 54 as
described herein so that the first body portion 34 and the second
body portion 48 are hinged together under the handle. This
advantageously enables the handle 54 to be simply attached as
described herein in a manner that the attachment of the handle does
not interfere with the opening and closing of the first body
portion 34 and the second body portion 48.
[0035] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a
peripherally-extending closure 52 configured to selectively attach
and release (i.e. open or close) the first open end 26 of the first
annular wall 22 to the second open end 40 of the second annular
wall 36. In one embodiment, the closure 52 comprises a zipper 56.
Any suitable zipper 56 may be used including various single pull
and double pull zippers. In one embodiment, the zipper 56 has a
zipper stop 58, or a plurality of zipper stops 58, attached to the
first open end 26 and the second open end 40. In one embodiment,
the zipper stop or stops 58 and their associated zipper tapes 60
and attached by attachments 62 comprise a portion of the joint 50.
In one embodiment, the zipper 56 is a two-way head-to-head zipper
comprising a first head 64 configured to open in a first
circumferential 66 direction toward the zipper stops 58 and a
second head 68 configured to open in an opposed second
circumferential direction 70 toward the zipper stops 58 as shown in
FIG. 1, for example. In one embodiment, the zipper 56 extends
around substantially all of the first open end 26 and second open
end 40.
[0036] The tire/wheel bag 10 also comprises a handle 54 attached to
the first body portion 34 and the second body portion 48. In one
embodiment, the handle 54 comprises a strap or strip 72 having a
first end 74 attached within the first attachment 32 and a second
end 76 attached within the second attachment 46. In one embodiment,
the handle 54 comprises a strip or strap 72 of a natural or polymer
fiber fabric, polymer, elastomer, or a combination or composite
thereof.
[0037] In one embodiment, the bag material 14 of the bag body 20
comprises a fabric, polymer sheet, or polymer film. In one
embodiment, the fabric, polymer sheet, or polymer film bag material
is waterproof or water-resistant. Any suitable bag material 14 may
be used, including various water-resistant and waterproof fabrics
and polymer sheet or film materials. In one embodiment, the bag
material 14 comprises waterproof polymer-coated fabrics or polymer
sheet or film materials. In one embodiment, the waterproof
polymer-coated fabric comprises various weights of poly vinyl
chloride (PVC) coated polyester fabric, including various weights
or grades as are known in the art ranging from 18 oz. to 40 oz.,
and including one-side coated and two-side coated fabrics. In
another embodiment, the waterproof polymer-coated fabric comprises
various weights of polymer-coated nylon. In another embodiment, the
waterproof polymer sheet or film comprises various weights or
grades of polymer-coated nylon. In another embodiment, the
waterproof polymer sheet or film comprises sheets and films of
various weights and grades of polyurethane.
[0038] The tire and/or wheel bag may also include a sleeve 74
disposed on one of the first body portion 34 body or the second
body portion 48. The sleeve may include a pocket 76 or a plurality
of pockets 76. In one embodiment, the sleeve is a plastic sleeve
disposed on the first annular wall 22 or the second annular wall
36. In one embodiment, the sleeve 74 houses a tracking device 78
comprising information 80 about the tire 100 and/or wheel 110. The
information 80 may include any information related to the tire 100
and/or wheel 110, including, without limitation, a stock keeping
unit (SKU) number, universal product code (UPC) number, model and
serial number, date of manufacture or other manufacturing related
information, date of storage or transport or other storage or
transport related information, GPS location, tire or wheel wear
information, owner information, including the owners name address,
telephone, and email address, and seller or shipper information,
including the seller or shipper name address, telephone, and email
address. In one embodiment, the tracking device 78 comprises a
printed sheet, a barcode, an RFID device, or a bluetooth
device.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 15, in one embodiment, a method 200 of
making a tire and/or wheel bag is disclosed. The method 200
comprises: forming 210 a bag body configured to enclose at least
one of a vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel, the bag body
comprising: a first annular wall configured to surround a first
annular portion of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its
circumference, the first annular wall having a first open end and
an opposed first closed end; a first sidewall attached by a first
attachment to and enclosing the first closed end, the first annular
wall and first sidewall comprising a first body portion; a second
annular wall configured to surround a second annular portion of the
vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the
second annular wall having a second open end and an opposed second
closed end; a second sidewall attached by a second attachment to
and enclosing the second closed end, the second annular wall and
second sidewall comprising a second body portion; a joint joining
the first open end of the first body portion to the second open end
of the second body portion; a peripherally-extending closure
configured to selectively attach and release the first open end of
the first annular sidewall to the second open end of the second
annular sidewall; and a handle attached to the first body portion
and the second body portion.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 16, in one embodiment, a method 300 of
using a tire and/or wheel bag is disclosed. The method 300 of using
a tire and/or wheel bag comprises: forming 310 a tire and/or wheel
bag, comprising: a bag body configured to enclose at least one of a
vehicle tire and/or a vehicle wheel, the bag body comprising: a
first annular wall configured to surround a first annular portion
of the vehicle tire and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference,
the first annular wall having a first open end and an opposed first
closed end; a first sidewall attached by a first attachment to and
enclosing the first closed end, the first annular wall and first
sidewall comprising a first body portion; a second annular wall
configured to surround a second annular portion of the vehicle tire
and/or vehicle wheel around its circumference, the second annular
wall having a second open end and an opposed second closed end; a
second sidewall attached by a second attachment to and enclosing
the second closed end, the second annular wall and second sidewall
comprising a second body portion; a joint joining the first open
end of the first body portion to the second open end of the second
body portion; a peripherally-extending closure configured to
selectively attach and release the first open end of the first
annular sidewall to the second open end of the second annular
sidewall; a handle attached to the first body portion and the
second body portion; and a sleeve disposed on one of the first bag
body or second bag body, wherein the sleeve houses a tracking
device comprising information about the tire and/or wheel.
[0041] The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also
comprises inserting 320 tire/and/or wheel into the first body
portion or the second body portion;
[0042] The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also
comprises closing 330 the partially peripherally-extending,
selectively openable and closable closure.
[0043] The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also
comprises storing 340 the tire and/or wheel bag and the tire and/or
wheel in a storage facility, or transporting the tire and/or wheel
bag and the tire and/or wheel.
[0044] The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also
comprises accessing 350 the information about the tire and/or wheel
while it is being stored or transported.
[0045] The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also may
optionally comprise using 360 the information accessed while the
tire and/or wheel is in the storage facility or using the
information accessed while the tire and/or wheel is being
transported to take an action related thereto. In one embodiment,
using 360 comprises retrieving the tire and/or wheel bag and the
tire and/or wheel from the storage facility for delivery to a user
or the owner either manually or automatically. In one embodiment,
using 360 comprises providing an update to a computer system or
user about the location or shipment status of the tire and/or wheel
bag and the tire and/or wheel. In one embodiment, using 360
comprises providing an inventory or bailment report concerning the
tire and/or wheel bag and the tire and/or wheel or a plurality of
them.
[0046] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the
referenced items. The modifier "about" used in connection with a
quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning
dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
Furthermore, unless otherwise limited all ranges disclosed herein
are inclusive and combinable (e.g., ranges of "up to about 25
weight percent (wt. %), more particularly about 5 wt. % to about 20
wt. % and even more particularly about 10 wt. % to about 15 wt. %"
are inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the
ranges, e.g., "about 5 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, about 5 wt. % to
about 15 wt. %", etc.). The use of "about" in conjunction with a
listing of items is applied to all of the listed items, and in
conjunction with a range to both endpoints of the range. Finally,
unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used
herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The suffix "(s)"
as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the
plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including one or more
of that term (e.g., the metal(s) includes one or more metals).
Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment",
"another embodiment", "an embodiment", and so forth, means that a
particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or
characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or
may not be present in other embodiments.
[0047] It is to be understood that the use of "comprising" in
conjunction with the components or elements described herein
specifically discloses and includes the embodiments that "consist
essentially of" the named components (i.e., contain the named
components and no other components that significantly adversely
affect the basic and novel features disclosed), and embodiments
that "consist of" the named components (i.e., contain only the
named components).
[0048] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the invention is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may
include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *