ADAPTABLE FOOD POUCH FOR POCKET

Abstract

A food-safe container, for unpackaged food, can be inserted into a pocket of a garment and fastened there by a clip that passes over an elasticated top edge of the pocket. The container has a naturally open mouth that is closed by the elastic in the top edge of the pocket. A crevice formed by the closed mouth allows a user to easily locate the opening of the pocket by touch, and retrieve its contents. The pouch expands in volume to store food or accommodate a human hand, and relaxes back to a flatter form when the food or hand is removed. The pouch makes it easier for cyclists to store and retrieve unpackaged food from back jersey pockets while they are cycling.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a novel device in the general field of containers for food, and more specifically to a liner pouch for a pocket in a cycling jersey.

BACKGROUND

When riding a bicycle long distances, the cyclist must consume food at regular intervals in order to sustain energy. Typically, cyclists put packages of food in the pocket(s) on the back of their cycling jerseys. While riding, cyclists will then reach into their jersey pockets, take out a package of food, then use one hand or both hands to open the package, put the food into their mouth for consumption, then return the empty package back into the pocket.

Much focus and skill is required by cyclists in order to safely unpackage their food while riding. Cyclists must have one or both hands off the handlebars, which increases the danger of crashing. Cyclists lose concentration on pedaling so they end up losing speed. Cyclists sometimes drop the packaging, causing litter on the roadway and a possible hazard to other cyclists. If cyclists instead place unwrapped food in their jersey pockets, the food can be affected by the cyclist's perspiration and body heat, and the food can stain the fabric of their valued jerseys.

Another concern for the cyclist is the structure of the container used to store the food. A fully rigid food container takes up much unneeded space when it contains no food, which creates turbulence in the airflow around the streamlined body of the rider, which in turn causes drag and thereby reduces speed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,153 to Diamond relates to a pouch dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article, the pouch being formed of a material which is flexible and resistant to abrasion and perforation and may be provided with attachment means which may comprise clasps or belt loops or stiffening means in the vicinity of the pouch opening. The pocket liner is detachable and affords protection to a pocket from heavy usage and sharp edged objects.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,471 to Busker discloses a waterproof pocket that can hold articles therein while keeping the articles dry. The pocket is formed of a water-impervious material. A seal, such as a slide fastener or interlocking ridges, is formed to prevent water from entering the pocket. The pocket can be attached to clothing, particularly to a swimsuit. Alternately, the pocket may be held in a slot or other similar opening in the clothing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,336 to Cooper discloses a flexible pouch comprising a container portion and a neck portion. The container portion may be constructed of flexible, elastic material with a water-impermeable layer, which is expandable to accommodate the insertion and storage of cleaning articles therein. Closure means are employed for narrowing the opening in the neck portion and retaining the contents therein. The flexible pouch may be attached to the interior of a flexible shroud or bib at a longitudinally extending horizontal opening made in the shroud or bib.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,797 to Gough discloses a pocket suitable for incorporation in garments, luggage items, personal accessories or the like which is provided with an active mechanism and control apparatus to close the pocket. Such closing action may be triggered manually but can also be triggered automatically when the pocket is moved away from an upright orientation or experiences a jolting action. In one embodiment the closing action is performed by a length of shape memory material which contracts when heated to pull the pocket front panel top portion against the rear panel top portion and close the pocket opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,205 to Croxton discloses a pocket guard and liner for the vertically open side pockets of a pair of trousers, including a guard with forwardly and rearwardly extending wear resistant elements, each element being adapted to fold over and lie against a garment surface adjacent the pocket opening.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0259296 to Asnin discloses an athletic garment with a pocket secured to the rear portion of the garment. The pocket comprises a secured portion and a hanging portion wherein the secured portion is secured to the garment and the hanging portion is not secured to the garment.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0074871 to Emich discloses athletic shorts/pants having at least one pocket configured to receive and secure an item that remains in place within the pocket during exercise.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The adaptable food pouch for a cycling jersey is a flexible yet rigid food-safe liner which readily slides into and secures to a cyclist's jersey pocket, and which allows a cyclist to store and protect unpackaged food for consumption during a ride. The pouch can be readily secured inside the jersey pocket. The pouch allows the cyclist to retrieve and consume the food directly without the hassle and safety concerns of opening food packaging, while at the same time maintaining cycling cadence and situational awareness, A locating crevice is formed at the closed mouth of the pouch, which helps the cyclist locate the mouth without looking.

The pouch is rigid enough to be easy to access and secure to the jersey pocket, but also flexible enough to collapse to a flatter state when not filled with food. The pouch may employ billows, bellows or gussets at its sides, or use other means of expansion and contraction that work with the elasticity of the cycling jersey pocket to adapt to the pouch's contents. The pouch is thereby able to expand to accommodate a full volume of unpackaged food contents as well as the cyclist's hand reaching into the pouch to retrieve the food. It is also able to collapse to a more streamlined profile when there are little or no contents.

The pouch may use clip(s), hook(s), spring(s), button(s) or magnet(s), or other means of attachment, to temporarily fasten to the top edge of and/or interior of the cycling jersey pocket. By this means, the pouch is sufficiently secured inside the pocket so that it remains in place even when the cyclist inserts or removes his hand from the pouch mouth when retrieving food.

Disclosed wherein is an adaptable pouch for a pocket comprising: a front wall; two side walls each connected to the front wall; a backplate connected to the two side walls, wherein the backplate is more rigid than the side walls; a bottom connected to the backplate, front wall and side walls; a fastener attached to the front wall and configured to pass over an elasticated top edge of an outer wall of a pocket of a garment that is being worn, when the pouch is inserted into the pocket of said garment, and fasten the pouch into the pocket of said garment; and a mouth defined between the backplate and a top edge of the front wall, wherein the mouth is open when the pouch is out of the pocket of said garment, and closed by the elasticated top edge when the pouch is fastened into the pocket of said garment; wherein a crevice is defined between the backplate and the top edge of the front wall when the mouth is closed.

In some embodiments, the pouch has a flatter state when it is empty than when it has contents, and relaxes back to its flatter state after the contents have been removed from it. In some embodiments, the backplate is deformed less than the side walls when the pouch is filled with contents, or when the pouch is empty and in the pocket. In some embodiments, the front wall is deformed less than the side walls when the pouch is filled with contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any way.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pouch and a food bar about to be inserted into the rear pocket of a cycling jersey, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the filled pouch of FIG. 1 secured into the pocket of the jersey.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the pouch with rounded bottom.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pouch with both a narrower clip, billowed sides, and taller backplate, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a side cutaway view of the pouch of FIG. 4 with its mouth held closed by the elastic in the top edge of a pocket.

FIG. 6 shows a side cutaway view of the pouch of FIG. 4 with billowed sides, secured into the pocket of a cycle jersey, symbolically demonstrating how it is opened.

FIG. 7 shows a side cutaway view of a pouch with gusseted sides and bottom, secured into the pocket of a cycle jersey, symbolically demonstrating how it is opened, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic top cutaway view of an unfilled closed pouch with billowed sides, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a partly opened view of the pouch of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic top cutaway view of an unfilled closed pouch with side and bottom gussets, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a fully opened view of the pouch of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a pouch with a bellowed side and rounded bottom.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a pouch with bottom and side gussets and a rigid U-clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of a rectangular pouch with bottom and side gussets, and two narrow securement clips, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows the pouch of FIG. 14 with a single, wide clip.

FIG. 16 shows the pouch of FIG. 14 with narrow clips covered by an overflap.

DESCRIPTION

A. Glossary

The term “bellows” refers to an accordion-like structure that allows a generally planar object to contract in size by folding in alternate directions along multiple parallel edges, and then to increase back to its original size by unfolding. Alternate bellows may be made with ripples rather than creases.

The term “billows” refers to generally smooth curved surfaces that can smoothly deform inwards and outwards, for example by bulging, flattening or stretching and then relaxing into their original shape.

The term “cadence” relates to the rate of pedaling of a cyclist.

B. Exemplary Embodiments

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pouch 10 behind a cycling jersey 12, the cycling jersey having one or more pockets 14 each having elastic 16 at its top, outer edge 17. The elastic 16 may be stitched to the top, outer edge 17 or may be enclosed in a seam at the top edge. A bar of unpackaged food 18 is shown about to be inserted into the pouch 10 in the direction of the dotted arrow. The pouch 10 has a securement clip 22, which is intended to clip over the top, outer edge 17 and elastic 16 of the pocket 14. The pouch is to be inserted into the pocket 14 in the direction of the solid arrow.

The securement clip 22 or other fixture mechanism is quick and simple to use, and is able to be done while wearing the jersey 12. The cyclist is able to fill the pouch, reach around his back and insert the pouch into the cycling jersey pocket 14, and then apply the securement clip. Insertion and fastening of the pouch may be completed in a single action of the cyclist.

FIG. 2 shows the filled pouch 10 secured into the pocket 14 of the jersey 12, by means of its securement clip 22 in conjunction with the elastic 16. The pouch 10 can be dimensioned so that it is a snug fit in the pocket 14.

FIG. 3 shows the pouch 10 with its securement clip 22 closer up, in a somewhat expanded state. The pouch 10 has a rigid backplate 20, a front wall 21, side walls 24, and rounded bottom 28. The backplate 20 is delineated from the right side 24 by broken line 23. The pouch front 21 is delineated from the left side 24 by a broken line 29. The position and shapes of the broken lines 23 and 29 are approximate and may be different in other embodiments. The sides 24 are shown expanded (i.e. the pouch 10 is expanded); and will lie flatter when the pouch is empty. It is important that the sides 24 have enough material to allow the pouch to open up into a useful cavity; this can be accomplished by use of billows, bellows, or gussets.

The rigidity of the backplate 20 is provided for by the backplate being made from thicker material than the side walls 24 and the front wall 21, in pouches where the same material is used for the backplate, side walls and front wall. In other embodiments, the backplate 20 is stiffened with an insert, for example, or it may incorporate other structural stiffening features. The main requirement is that the backplate retains its shape more so than the side walls 24 and the front wall 21 when the pouch 10 is deformed, for example when it is filled with food or when it is inserted into the pocket 14. By describing the backplate 20 as rigid, it is meant that it is more rigid than at least the side walls 24. In some embodiments the front wall 21 is rigid, i.e. more rigid than the side walls 24. In these embodiments, the front wall 21 and the backplate 22 both retain their shapes more so than the side walls 24 when the pouch 10 is deformed. In some embodiments, the front wall 21 is semi-rigid, i.e. it is more rigid than the side walls 24 but less rigid than the backplate 20.

The overall shape of the pouch 10 is smooth or rounded, without sharp corners or edges, so that it is comfortable for the cyclist. The smoothed construction eliminates sharp corners or small areas where food could get stuck, which makes it easier for washing. The pouch 10 is to be cleaned and used repeatedly, and so the material used for its construction should be safe against all common cleaning products such as dishwasher, soap and brushes, and should also not absorb the odor of food held previously in the pouch.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a pouch 10A with a taller and narrower backplate 20A and a narrower securement clip 22A. The taller back 20A helps to prevent the cyclist's hand from passing behind the pouch 10 when trying to retrieve food, by making it easier for the cyclist to locate the mouth 30 of the pouch. The pouch 10A has billowed sides 24, which are delineated from the front 21 and backplate 20A by dotted lines 29 and 23 respectively. In this figure, the pouch 10A is shown in a more flattened form than the pouch 10 of FIG. 3, as evidenced by the more pronounced outward curvature in the billowed sides 24. The billows 24 are more flexible than the front wall 21 and backplate 20A of the pouch 10A, for example by making them from thinner material. In some embodiments, the billowed side walls 24 are inherently more flexible than the front wall 21, for example, due simply to the more pronounced curvature in the billows than in the front wall. Side walls 24, which are more flexible than the front wall 21 and the backplate 20A, allow the pouch 10 to expand and contract in a direction from front to back (i.e. to change in depth) more readily than in a sideways direction.

FIG. 5 shows a side cutaway view of a pouch 10B with billowed sides 24, taller backplate 20A and front wall 21. The pouch 10B is secured into the inside of the pocket 14 of a cycle jersey 12, by means of a clip 22B around the pocket elastic 16 at the top outer edge of the pocket. The pouch 10B is in a flattened state due to the force of the elastic 16, with its mouth 30 closed, and with the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20A in contact with the inner surface 35 of the front wall 21. At the position of the closed mouth, a crevice 31 is formed between the top front edge 32 of the pouch 10B and the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20A. The crevice 31 is easily locatable by touch, and requires minimal fumbling to find it without looking. The pouch 10B is opened as the finger or fingers of cyclist's of hand forces the front wall 21 of the pouch away from the backplate 20A. In this embodiment, the top edge 32 of the front wall 21 of the pouch 10B is the same as the top edge of the securing clip 22B. In other embodiments, the top edge of the pouch is different from the top edge of the securing clip.

FIG. 6 shows a side cutaway view of a pouch 10B with billowed sides 24, taller backplate 20A, front wall 21 and rounded bottom 28. The pouch 10B is secured into the inside of the pocket 14 of a cycle jersey 12, by means of a clip 22B around the pocket elastic 16 at the top outer edge of the pocket. The pocket 14 is formed between a front wall 14A of the pocket and the rear wall 37, which is part of the cycling jersey 12. The pouch 10B is in a somewhat flattened state as it is slightly open. A cyclist's hand 26 shows how a finger or fingers of the hand has located the crevice 31 and slightly opened the mouth 30 between the top front edge 32 of the pouch 10B and the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20A, ready to open the pouch. The pouch 10B is opened as the finger or fingers of cyclist's of hand 26 move the front wall 21 of the pouch relative to the backplate 20A in the direction of the dotted arrow 36. Alternately, the pouch 10B may be opened by simply inserting one's hand into it.

The inner surface 34 of the backplate 20A and the inner surface 35 of the front wall 21 of the pouch 10B are smooth, so that minimal friction is provided to the cyclist's hand as it is slid in and out of the pouch.

FIG. 7 shows a side cutaway view of a pouch 10C with gusseted sides 40, taller backplate 20A, front wall 21 and gusseted bottom 42. The pouch 10C is secured, by means of a clip 22B around the pocket elastic 16, inside the pocket 14 of a cycle jersey 12. The pouch 10C is in a somewhat flattened state as it is slightly open. A cyclist's hand 26 shows how a finger or fingers of the hand has located the crevice 31 and slightly opened the mouth 30 between the top front edge 32 of the pouch 10C and the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20A, as if to open the pouch. The pouch 10C is opened as the finger or fingers of the cyclist's 26 move the front wall 21 of the pouch in the direction of the dotted arrow 36 relative to the backplate 20A.

FIG. 8 shows a top cutaway view of an unfilled, closed or flattened pouch 10A with flexible billowed sides 24, about to be opened by a user pulling the clip 22A and semi-rigid front wall 21 away from the rigid backplate 20A in the direction indicated by the broken arrows 36. The mouth 30 (shown as a slightly opened mouth rather than a crevice 31, for clarity) for locating a cyclist's finger or fingers is shown between the top front edge 32 of the pouch 10A and the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20 of the pouch.

FIG. 9 shows a top cutaway view of the partly opened pouch 10A with billowed sides 24, ready to be filled with food.

FIG. 10 shows a top cutaway view of an unfilled closed pouch 10C with side gussets 40 and bottom gussets 42 about to be opened by a user pulling the clip 22B and semi-rigid front wall 21 away from the rigid backplate 20 in the direction indicated by the broken arrows 36. The mouth 30 (shown as a slightly opened mouth rather than a crevice 31, for clarity) for locating a cyclist's finger or fingers is shown between the top front edge 32 of the pouch 10C and the inner surface 34 of the backplate 20 of the pouch.

FIG. 11 shows a top cutaway view of the fully opened pouch 10C with gusseted sides 40 and gusseted bottom 42, ready to be filled with food.

FIG. 12 shows a pouch 10D with bellows 50 formed in bellowed sides 52, a rigid backplate 20, front wall 21, securement clip 22, and rounded bottom 28. The backplate 20 is delineated from the bellowed sides 52 by broken lines 23. The pouch front 21 is delineated from the right bellowed side 52 by broken line 29. The position and shapes of the broken lines 23 and 29 are approximate and may be different in other embodiments.

Bellows 50 are accordion-like undulations embedded or constructed in the bellowed sides 52 of the pouch 10D that enable the deepening and shallowing of the side walls 24, thereby enabling expansion and contraction of the inner volume of the pouch in order to store and remove unpackaged food 18. While bellows 50 allow expansion, when they are relaxed or compressed, they may not lie as flat as the billowed side 24 in other embodiments. However, they also may not exert as much force on fragile food contents as billows 24, because they provide a pouch with a cross-section that is more rectangular in the natural, relaxed state.

FIG. 13 shows a pouch 10C with a taller backplate 20A, bottom gusset 42 and side gussets 40, semi-rigid front 21 and a rigid U-clip 53. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, gussets may be used to allow pouch expansion and contraction and have the advantage of creating a more rectangular container shape so as to allow the storage of sandwiches and multiple food bars, yet still ensuring sufficient closure for retention of the food, and sufficient collapsibility for when the pouch 10 is empty.

FIG. 14 shows a rectangular pouch 10E with backplate 20, front wall 21, bottom gusset 42 and side gussets 40, and two narrow securement clips 54.

FIG. 15 shows the pouch 10E with a wide, single spring clip 55.

FIG. 16 shows the pouch 10E with the narrow clips 54 covered by an overflap 56. The overflap 56 functions to prevent the cyclist's fingers from being inserted into a potential gap between the front surface 21 of the pouch 10E and the front side 14A of the pocket 14. The flap has sufficient weight or sufficient rigidity of shape to stay in the flopped-down position when the pouch 10E is in use, so that the cyclist can still locate his fingers in the mouth 30 of the pouch. The overflap 56 may be used as a surface for displaying a logo or advertising. In other embodiments, the overflap 56 may be deliberately foldable so that it can be hidden inside the pouch 10E, in cases where the cyclists do not want to display the logo.

Adaptability—The pouch becomes slimmer when empty due to it reverting to its natural shape. When food contents are added to the pouch, the pouch expands to accommodate the contents and/or a hand. Most of the expansion is a result of changes in the form of the sides, while the backplate and front of the pouch remain relatively flat.

So that the cyclist can easily insert unpackaged food 18 into the pouch 10-10E and ensure that food 18 will be undamaged and easily accessible on a ride, certain structural features are present. The pouch 10-10E both expands and contracts depending on the size of its contents, but also allows the cyclist to access and remove some or all of the food contents without difficulty. The expansion is made possible by the slight stretchiness or flexibility of the plastic or silicone pouch 10-10E material and/or by employing the following structural features, namely, the use of billowed sides 24, or bellows 50 embedded in bellowed sides 52, or bottom gussets 42 and side gussets 40. Adaptable sides allow the semi-rigid front wall 21 to move away from the rigid backplate 20, 20A to make room for storing food 18, as well as to collapse readily when the pouch is empty. The front wall can further collapse in their upper portion, particularly at their top edges, due to the pressure from the elasticated top edge of the front wall of the pocket.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9, billowed sides 24 are made of flexible material that flattens out to the sides when the pouch 10A is empty. When the user pulls the pouch open by means of the securement clip 22A, the billowed sides 24 move inwards so that the front wall 21 of the pouch can open outwards away from the backplate 20A, and thereby create a cavity for food 18. One of the functions of the rigid backplate 20A is to maintain the shape of the pouch 10A so that the back of the pouch does not deform and create unwanted damaging pressure on its food 18 contents. However, a little deformation is acceptable. The rigid backplate 20A allows the cyclist to insert his hand 26 into the pouch 10A to retrieve food, without the back wall of the pouch bending too much when he pulls on the securement clip 22A or forces his hand into the mouth 30 between the clip and the backplate 20A.

Securement—As shown in FIG. 6, for example, a securement clip 22B slides over the elastic 16 at the top edge 17 of the jersey pocket 14, thereby ensuring that the pouch 10B remains in place when the user's hand 26 opens and is inserted into the pouch 10B to retrieve the inserted food 18 contents, and when the user's hand is removed. The size, structure and stiffness of the clip 22B are chosen so as to ensure that the mouth of the pouch 10B can be opened by the user's hand 26 readily when needed. The stiffness and extent of the front wall 21 works in conjunction with the clip 22B to allow the pouch 10B to expand and collapse as needed. The width and rigidity of the securement clip 22B ensures that the pouch 10B is not able to pop out of the jersey pocket 14 inadvertently due to the rider pulling their hand out of the pouch or the movement of the rider while cycling up a steep hill, a situation which causes the cyclist to bob up and down in order to use their body weight to assist pedaling. In order to ensure these aims, the front wall 21 of the pouch 10B is appropriately stiffened so that the securement clip 22B ensures that the pouch 10B remains in the jersey pocket 14.

In some embodiments, it is also possible that both the outside surfaces of the rigid backplate 20A and the front wall of the pouch 10B may employ ridges, ribbing, hook-side Velcro™ or other means of ensuring that the pouch 10B does not leave the jersey pocket 14 inadvertently.

Utilization—As shown in FIG. 5, when the pouch 10B is inserted into the jersey pocket 14, the elastic band 16 of said pocket 14 is able to exert enough inward force on the top edge of the pouch that its mouth 30 squeezed closed, regardless of whether it has contents or not. When the user puts his hand 26 inside the pouch 10B, it is the force of inserting the hand that overcomes the elastic band 16 to open the pouch and gain access to the food 18 inside (see FIGS. 6-11). When a taller backplate 20A is extended above the mouth of the pouch 10A-C (e.g. FIGS. 4-7), and, due to the necessary rigidity and width of the securement clip 22 and the semi-rigid front wall 21, it is easier for the cyclist to locate the crevice 31 or mouth 30. This locating feature ensures the user does not mistakenly insert their fingers between separate narrow clips 54 and the front wall 14A of the jersey pocket 14, thereby inadvertently pulling the front of the jersey pocket away from the narrow clips. In the embodiment with a wide clip 22 and billowed 24 sides, when the user opens the pouch 10B using said locating mechanism, the outer wall 14A of the pocket 14 and the elastic 16 are pressed onto the outer surface of the front wall 21 of the pouch more firmly, thereby securing the pouch 10B even more while food 18 is being retrieved.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, narrow clips 54 may be used, and an overflap 56 may also be employed so as to prevent the user's hand 26 from accidentally pulling the front of the jersey pocket 14 away from these clips 54, by acting in a similar fashion to the securement clip 22 used in other embodiments. Narrow clips 54 may be made from rigid plastic, but also from spring steel.

Other methods of securement may include the use of clips with embedded spring steel (see narrow clips 54 in FIGS. 14 and 16, or U-clip 53 in FIG. 13). Or the use of a metal plate embedded in the front of the pouch 21 and a magnet embedded in the clip 22. Another method of pouch securement may include the use of a flap with a hole, bending over from the top, outer edge 32 of the pouch. The hole fits snugly over a protruding silicone cap on the front wall of the pouch (i.e. a mushroom cap clasp). The flap may also be secured by Velcro™, magnet/plate, snaps, button and button hole, or equivalent means. Note that when using the cap/hole securement system, the jersey material is laid over the cap and then secured by the flap.

In one embodiment, the body of the pouch 10 is made of silicone material of constant or varying thicknesses that meet the structural and utility functions as described above. It is conceivable that if thicker or denser silicone is not rigid enough to enable the objectives outlined above (e.g. to form a thicker backplate), then rigid plastic or spring steel inserts may be used to meet the required structural and utility functions.

In some embodiments, the pouch is made from food-safe plastic, and is of unitary (one-piece) construction. In other embodiments, the pouch is made from food-safe silicone, and is of unitary construction.

The pouch can be made available in different sizes to accommodate differently sized cycling jersey pockets. For example only, in one embodiment the height, excluding the portion of the backplate above the mouth, is about 14 cm (5.5″). The backplate extends upwards a further 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2″). The depth (front to back) of the pouch is 4-5 cm (1.6-2″) when empty and 8-9 cm (3.1-3.5″) when full, i.e. approximately double. The pouch measures 12 cm (4.6″) at its widest point, i.e. across the mouth. In this embodiment, the back plate is 3-4 mm (0.12-0.16″) thick and the side walls and front of the pouch are 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08″) thick. The transition from thicker material to thinner material may be gradual or abrupt. For example, the dotted lines 23 marking the boundary between backplate 20 and side walls 24 are an approximate indication only, and the actual boundary may be a transition over a finite distance.

In some embodiments, or in the use of the pouch in some jerseys, the mouth 30 may not close completely when the pouch is inserted into the pocket. This may be because the elastic in the jersey is too weak, or has aged, for example, or it may be due to the different designs of some jerseys.

Embodiments of the adaptable food pouch as described and claimed herein provide one or more of the following advantages over other methods or devices. The adaptable food pouch fits securely inside a cycling jersey pocket and allows a cyclist on the road to access stored, unpackaged food easily without staining their jersey, fiddling with wrappers, or endangering their safety. The adaptable food pouch is easy to get one's hand into, retrieve food, and ensure closure. The adaptable food pouch is hygienic when made from food-safe plastic, washable, made of flexible material which will not irritate a rider's back, and able to expand and contract according to the volume of its contents. When the adaptable food pouch is empty it will lie flat or substantially flat in the jersey pocket to reduce aerodynamic drag on the cyclist, in comparison to when it has contents and is bulkier. The silicone material used to construct the pouch is impermeable and thereby is able to protect the food from moisture, sweat, rain, etc., yet is dishwasher safe. The adaptable food pouch can lead to better performance and nutrition throughout the ride, less slowing down and getting dropped from groups, fewer crashes, less litter on roads, and more enjoyment of cycling.

E. Variations

While the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein has been described, other embodiments are not ruled out that lead to the same result.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may be used with equal effectiveness in other embodiments.

Some methods of allowing the pouch to adapt its volume to its contents have been described, including the use of bellows, billows and gussets, and it is envisaged that other techniques for construction of the side walls may be employed. Vertical ribs and/or grooves may be used as an alternative structure for the side walls, for example. Other materials and construction should be utilized without introducing seams that may trap food particles.

Other forming techniques and other materials may be employed towards similar ends, including the provision of a securement component, the provision of a backplate, and the provision of differential rigidity in the structure of the pouch.

It is important for the pouch to use material that is impermeable, in order to protect the food from moisture, sweat, outside water, etc., and at the same time be sufficiently rigid to keep its shape, while still behaving in a way that matches the expansion and contraction properties of the jersey pocket, which is made of Lycra™ or other spandex-type textiles.

Although the present invention has been illustrated principally in relation to pouches for cycling jerseys, it will have applicability for other garments. It will also have applicability to pockets in the back, sides or front of garments.

In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. The use of the masculine can refer to masculine, feminine or both.

Throughout the description, specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail and repetitions of features have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

It will be clear to one having skill in the art that further variations to the specific details disclosed herein can be made, resulting in other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention disclosed. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An adaptable pouch for a pocket comprising:

a front wall;

two side walls each connected to the front wall;

a backplate connected to the two side walls, wherein the backplate is more rigid than the side walls;

a bottom connected to the backplate, front wall and side walls; and

a fastener attached to the front wall and configured to: pass over an elasticated top edge of an outer wall of a pocket of a garment that is being worn, when the pouch is inserted into the pocket of said garment; and fasten the pouch into the pocket of said garment;

wherein the backplate and a top edge of the front wall define a mouth therebetween, wherein: the mouth is open when the pouch is out of the pocket of said garment; and closed by the elasticated top edge when the pouch is fastened into the pocket of said garment; and

wherein a crevice is defined between the backplate and the top edge of the front wall when the mouth is closed.

2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch has a flatter state when it is empty than when it has contents, and relaxes back to its flatter state after the contents have been removed from it.

3. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the mouth remains closed when the pouch has contents and is fastened into the pocket.

4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the backplate is deformed less than the side walls when the pouch is filled with contents.

5. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the backplate is deformed less than the side walls when the pouch is empty and in the pocket.

6. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the front wall is deformed less than the side walls when the pouch is filled with contents.

7. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the bottom is rounded, the pouch further comprising a smooth inner surface.

8. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the backplate extends above a height of the front wall.

9. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the side walls are billowed.

10. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the side walls comprise bellows.

11. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the bottom and side walls are gusseted.

12. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the fastener extends from a top of the front wall.

13. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises one or more of:

a single clip;

two clips;

a U-clip;

a hook;

a spring;

a button;

a magnet; and

a mushroom clasp.

14. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the side walls are of thinner material than the front wall and backplate.

15. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the backplate is thicker than the side walls and the front wall.

16. The pouch of claim 1, made from food-safe and dishwasher-safe plastic, wherein the front wall, side walls, backplate and bottom are of unitary construction.

17. The pouch of claim 1, made from food-safe and dishwasher-safe silicone, wherein the front wall, side walls, backplate and bottom are of unitary construction.

18. The pouch of claim 1, further comprising a flap extending from a top edge of the front wall and over the fastener.

19. The pouch of claim 17, wherein the flap is foldable into the pouch.

20. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the garment is a cycling jersey.