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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Therefore, improved tire and/or wheel bags or cases and methods of making and using them are very desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

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

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.

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

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:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and top of an embodiment of a tire and wheel bag as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear and bottom thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a right-side view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a left-side view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof in an open position, and also illustrating a tire and wheel disposed therein in phantom;

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;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rear and bottom thereof;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a right-side view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a left-side view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of making a tire and/or wheel bag, as described herein; and

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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;

The method 300 of using a tire and/or wheel bag also comprises closing 330 the partially peripherally-extending, selectively openable and closable closure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.