U.S. patent number 3,726,329 [Application Number 05/163,147] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-10 for multi-unit bag construction.
Invention is credited to Jesse W. Dean.
United States Patent |
3,726,329 |
Dean |
April 10, 1973 |
MULTI-UNIT BAG CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A multi-unit bag construction made up of a plurality of
separable units; each unit being capable of functioning as a single
bag; together with combination closure and connector means for
selectively interconnecting the units to form a single bag of
relatively large size and capacity or for separating the individual
units to form bags of smaller size.
Inventors: |
Dean; Jesse W. (Bronx, NY) |
Family
ID: |
22588690 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/163,147 |
Filed: |
July 16, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
150/111; 150/118;
24/382; 383/37; 383/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C
7/0086 (20130101); Y10T 24/2502 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A45C
7/00 (20060101); A45c 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;150/28R,30,42,1.7,3,11,1 ;190/21,22,44,45,46,51,52,41Z,42 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Norton; Donald F.
Claims
I claim:
1. A bag construction comprising a pair of bag units, means for
separably interconnecting the peripheral mouth portion of one bag
unit to the peripheral mouth portion of the other bag unit to
provide for communication between the interior portions of said bag
units, said interconnecting means including means for closing the
mouth portion of one bag unit and means for closing the mouth
portion of the other bag unit.
2. A bag construction as in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting
means comprises slide fastener elements mounted on the peripheral
mouth portion of each of said bag units and slide fastener closure
means for engagement with said fastener elements.
3. A bag construction as in claim 2, wherein tape means carrying
said fastener elements is mounted on opposed peripheral mouth
portions of one bag unit and tape means carrying said fastener
elements is mounted on opposed peripheral portions of the other bag
unit, said slide fastener closure means comprising one slide
fastener closure member interconnecting slide fastener elements on
both of said tape means and a second slide fastener closure member
interconnecting slide fastener elements on both of said tape
means.
4. A bag construction as in claim 1 wherein said interconnecting
means comprises laterally related openings along the mouth edge
portion of each bag unit, said bag units being arranged with their
mouth edge portions in telescoped relation and the openings on one
bag unit being in registry with the openings on the other bag unit,
and lacing means threadable through said registering openings for
interconnecting the peripheral mouth portions of said bag units,
said lacing means being removable to separate said bag units and
then threadable through openings in one of said bag units to form a
closure therefor.
5. A bag construction as in claim 4 wherein each bag unit has
outermost transverse edge portions in separated relation, and means
for separably connecting said outermost transverse edge portions of
each bag unit.
6. A bag construction comprising a pair of bag units, each unit
having side edges and at least one set of transversely extending
opposed edge portions for gaining access to the interior thereof,
means for separably interconnecting the transverse edge portions of
one bag unit to the transverse edge portions of the other bag unit
about the periphery of said edge portions to provide for
communication between the interiors of said bag units, and means
for closing at least one set of transverse edge portions of each
bag unit to provide a closed bottom edge for each of said separated
bag units.
7. A bag construction as in claim 6 wherein one bag unit has one
set of opposed transverse edge portions, and the other bag unit has
two sets of opposed transverse edge portions at the opposite ends
thereof respectively, said interconnecting means connecting the one
set of opposed transverse edge portions of said one bag unit with
one of the two sets of respectively opposed transverse edge
portions of the other bag unit; said other bag unit including a
movable flap member for disposition with the peripheral edge
thereof adjacent the opposed edge portions of said one of the two
sets of transverse edge portions, and means on the peripheral edge
of said flap member and the opposed edge portions of the one of the
two sets of transverse edge portions for separable connection by
said interconnecting means.
8. A bag construction as in claim 6, wherein said interconnecting
means comprises a pair of slide fastener tapes secured to the
transverse opposed edge portions of each bag unit, and a pair of
slide fastener members for respectively interconnecting the slide
fastener tapes of one bag unit with the corresponding and adjacent
slide fastener tapes of the other bag unit, one of said pair of
slide fastener members being operable upon separation of said bag
units from each other, to interconnect the pair of slide fastener
tapes of one bag unit to provide closure means therefor; the other
of said pair of slide fastener members being operable to
interconnect the pair of slide fastener tapes of the other bag unit
to provide closure means therefor.
9. A bag construction as in claim 6, wherein said bag units are
arranged with one set of transverse opposed edges of one bag unit
in telescoped relation to one set of transverse opposed edges of
the other bag unit, said bag units having a series of laterally
spaced openings along the transverse edge portions of each bag
unit, said interconnecting means comprising lacing means
selectively threadable through successive sets of registering
openings in the telescoped edge portions of said bags or threadable
through opposed registering openings in the opposed transverse edge
portions of each of the separated bag units to form closure means
therefor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With conventional bag constructions, one must select a bag of
either large or small size. In such known constructions a smaller
size bag can not be converted to one of larger size, or vice
versa.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved
bag construction constituted of a plurality of units together with
means for separably interconnecting the units to form a bag of a
given size and capacity; such interconnecting means being operable
to allow for separation of the units and to provide closure means
for each unit of relatively smaller size.
Another object of this invention is to provide in a bag
construction of the character described, wherein a pair of units
are arranged for interconnection in a manner to allow
intercommunication of the interior portions of the units; yet being
separable to provide individual bag units.
A further object of this invention is to provide a bag construction
of the character described, wherein a pair of individual bag units
are separably interconnected; the interconnecting means providing
access to the interior of the interconnected units; such
interconnecting means further providing closure means for each of
the separated bag units.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a bag
construction of the character described, wherein a pair of bag
units are arranged with their mouth portions in telescoped relation
to allow for communication between the bag units, together with
means for interconnecting the mouth portions of the bags yet
allowing separation thereof; each bag unit having separable closure
means at the opposite ends thereof, whereby said bag units in
interconnected or separated form may be used in a variety of
fashions.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a bag
construction of the character described, wherein a pair of bag
units are arranged for separable interconnection with their
interior portions in communication, one of the bag units being
closed at one end and open at the other end, the other bag unit
being open at opposite ends and being provided with flap means for
closing off one end of said other bag unit when the bag unit is to
be used separately; the flap means being movable to a position when
the bag units are interconnected which allows for communication
between the interior portions of the interconnected units.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a multi-unit
bag construction which is readily and economically fabricated; and
which is easily manipulated by the user to convert the same into
larger or smaller bag sizes, as desired.
Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part
hereinafter pointed out.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-unit bag construction
embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a corner portion of one of
the separated bag units;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one of the separated bag units
thereof;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 8 is perspective view of one of the separated bag units
thereof; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the other separated bag units
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-4,
10 designates a multi-unit bag construction embodying the
invention. The same comprises a pair of similar bag units generally
indicated at 11, 12, which may be formed of suitable flexible
material such as textile fabric, plastic sheeting or the like.
The units 11, 12 are of similar construction. Thus, unit 11
comprises opposed panels 13, 14 secured together at bottom edges 15
and end edges 16. Similarly, unit 12 comprises opposed panels 13A,
14A secured together at bottom edges 15A and end edges 16A.
The bag units 11, 12 may be used separately or may be separably
interconnected to form the single large bag 10. To this end, the
bag units 11, 12 are disposed to locate their mouth portions
adjacent each other. A pair of combined connecting and closure
means generally indicated at 17 and 18 are provided for
interconnecting opposed mouth edges 19 and 20 of panels 13, 13A;
and opposed mouth edges 19A, 20A of panels 14, 14A; each means 17,
18 being independently operable.
Accordingly, closure means 17, which is of the slide fastener type,
comprises tapes 21, 22 carrying closure elements 23 are secured to
mouth edges 19, 19A of panels 13, 13A as at 24, 24A. Similarly,
closure means 18 comprising tapes 21A, 22A carrying closure
elements 23A, are secured to mouth edges 19A, 20A of panels 14,
14A. Slide fastener closure members 25, 26 of closure means 17, 18
interengage the opposed closure elements 23, 23A respectively. The
usual terminal stop means 27, 27A are mounted on tapes 21, 21A
respectively. It is understood that the construction of tapes 21,
22; 21A, 22A is such as to allow complete separation of the tape
pairs 21, 22; 21A, 22A.
It will be apparent that slide closure members 25, 26 may be
operated to interconnect the bag units 11, 12 so as to provide
communication between the interior of units 11, 12. Further, either
or both closure members 25, 26 may be operated in a manner to
partially open bag 10 to the extent desired so as to allow for the
insertion or removal of objects into or from bag 10.
Further means for access to the interior of bag 10 is provided, as
shown in FIGS. 3, 4. Thus, split top edges 28, 28A of units 11, 12,
respectively are provided with opposed fastener element carrying
tapes 29, 29A with slide fastener closure means C, C' slidably
interconnecting the same. Thus, with units 11, 12 fully
interconnected by closure members 25, 26, members C, C' may be
operated together or independently to provide an access opening of
suitable size to allow for insertion or withdrawal of objects in
respect to bag 10.
Also, closure members 25, 26 may be operated to effect complete
separation of bag units 11, 12 from each other, to provide small
size bags 11, 12. Then, closure member 25 may be used to slidably
interconnect the fastener elements 23, 23A on tapes 21, 21A to
provide closure means for bag 11; while closure member 26 may be
used to slidably interconnect fastener elements 23, 23A on tapes
22, 22A to provide closure means for bag 12.
In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 5, 6; bag
10A comprises a pair of similar bag units 30, 31 which may be
formed of textile fabric, plastic sheeting or the like.
Unit 30 comprises a pair of opposed panels 32, 33 which are
stitched together along their side edges 34, 35 and have unattached
edges 36, 37; 38, 39 at the opposite ends thereof. Panels 32, 33
are separably secured together along a line spaced inwardly of
edges 36, 37 by slide fastener tapes 40 respectively stitched to
panels 32, 33. Tapes 40 carry the usual fastener elements 42 which
are interengaged by slide closure member 43.
Laterally spaced grommeted openings 47 are formed adjacent edges
36, 37 of panels 32, 33 for receiving a lacing strand 48, for the
purpose later described.
Bag unit 31 is similar to bag unit 30, being made up of panels 32A,
33 stitched along their side edges 34A, 35A and having unattached
end edges 36A, 37A; and 38A, 39A, at the opposite ends thereof. The
panels 32A, 33A are separably interconnected by slide fastener
tapes 40A respectively stitched to the panels inwardly of edges
36A, 37A and carry fastener elements 42A which are interconnected
by slide closure member 43A.
Bag unit 31 also has laterally spaced grommeted openings 47A
adjacent edges 36A, 37A of panels 32A, 33A. Bag units 30, 31 are
adapted to be separably interconnected so that their interiors are
in communication. Accordingly, the mouth portion of bag unit 30 is
telescoped within the mouth portion of bag unit 31; with the
respective grommetted openings 47, 47A in registry. The lacing
strand 48 may then be passed peripherally through the registering
openings 47, 47A to interconnect the bag units 30, 31. Upon
separating bag units 30, 31 by removing lacing 48; the individual
bag units may be separately closed by threading lacing 48 through
oppoesd openings 47 and 47A.
Each of the bag units 30, 31 may be provided with slide fastener
closure means adjacent the edges 38, 39; 38A, 39A thereof. Thus,
opposed slide fastener tapes 50 carrying fastener elements 52 are
stitched to panels 32, 33 adjacent edges 38, 39 thereof and are
interconnected by slide closure member 53. Similarly, tapes 50A
carrying fastener elements 52A are stitched to panels 32, 32A and
are interconnected by slide closure member 53A.
It will be apparent that bag 10A may be used in a variety of ways.
With bag units 30, 31 interconnected by lacing strand 48; closure
members 43, 43A may be operated to provide communication between
bag units 30, 31. The closure member 53A is then operated to close
the bottom of bag unit 31, thus allowing closure member 53 to be in
its open position. The bag 10A now has units 30, 31 in
communication.
Alternatively, with units 30, 31 interconnected, both of the
closure members 43, 43A may be operated to their closure positions,
providing a pair of separated bag units 30, 31 having respective
access by way of closure members 53, 53A for independent usage.
Also, the bag units 30, 31 may be separated from each other by
withdrawing lacing strand 48 from openings 47, 47A in the
respective units. Thus, the bags 40, 31 may be used independently
and with appropriate usage of the closure members 43, 53; and 43A,
53A.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9, wherein
bag 10B comprises a pair of bag units 60, 61 arranged for separable
interconnection. Bag unit 60 comprises a pair of opposed panels 62,
63 of flexible material such as plastic sheeting, fabric or the
like; which are stitched together along bottom edge 64 and side
edges 65, 66. A single slide fastener tape 67 is stitched about the
opposed edges 68, 69 of panels 62, 63, said tape carrying fastener
elements 70.
Bag unit 61 comprises a pair of opposed panels 71, 72 secured
together along their side edges 73, 74 by stitching or the like.
The bag unit 61 is open at opposite ends having transverse pairs of
edges 75, 76; 77, 78. A single slide fastener tape 79 is stitched
about edges 75, 76 and carries fastener elements 80 with a slide
fastener closure member 81 for interengaging elements 80. With
elements 70 of unit 60, thereby interconnecting bag units 60, 61,
to form the single bag 10B.
Closure member 81 also may be operated to separate bag units 60, 61
for independent usage. In the case of bag unit 60, closure means
for the same may be provided in the form of coacting snaps 82, 83
located on inner surface portions of panels 62, 63 adjacent edges
68, 69 thereof.
With separated bag unit 61, a flexible flap member 85 is provided
for connection about its periphery to edges 75, 76 of unit 61.
Member 85 has a single fastener tape 86 carrying fastener elements
87, stitched about the periphery thereof. With flap member 85
juxtaposed to panel edges 75, 76; fastener elements 87 are
interconnected to fastener elements 80 by closure member 81, to
complete unit 61.
Flap member 85 is secured to unit 61 by stitching at a single point
88 at the lower portion of side edge 74. When bag unit 61 is
connected to bag unit 60; the flap member 85, being disconnected
from panels 71, 72 by operation of closure member 81 except at
stitch point 88, may be displaced to a position within bag unit
wherein the same lies flat against the inner surface of one of the
panels 71, 72, to thereby allow free communication between bag
units 61, 60.
Bag unit 61 may be provided with suitable closure means at edges
77, 78 thereof by a flap 90 stitched to panel 72 and extending over
panel 71 for connection thereto by a turnable latch type fastener
91 received in grommetted opening 92 formed in the free end of flap
90.
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