Article-Carrying device

Abstract

Described is an article-carrying device including a body, a semi-permeable retainer and a base. The body has a first opening and a second opening. The semi-permeable retainer covers the second opening. The base which, when in a first position, is attached to the body and covers the retainer. When in a second position, the base is at least partially detached from the body and uncovers the retainer.

Description

BACKGROUND

Conventional article-carrying devices are used for travel, work and recreation. For example, an individual may store one or more articles in a conventional beachbag for a temporary trip to a beach. The articles may include, for example, a radio, a cooler, a bottle of suntan lotion, one or more towels, etc. Typically, when the individual leaves the beach, sand and/or water may have accumulated in the beachbag. This condition has at least three disadvantages: (1) the beachbag is heavier to carry, (2) the beachbag may take longer to clean and (3) the sand and/or water may cause damage to the articles. Furthermore, the sand and/or water in the beachbag may spill/leak while the beachbag is transported in a vehicle or while at a destination (e.g., while in a home). Thus, there is a need for a device which would overcome the disadvantages of the conventional article-carrying devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article-carrying device including a body, a semi-permeable retainer and a base. The body has a first opening and a second opening. The semi-permeable retainer covers the second opening. The base which, when in a first position, is attached to the body and covers the retainer. When in a second position, the base is at least partially detached from the body and uncovers the retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows an exemplary embodiment of an article-carrying device according to the present invention;

FIG. 1b shows a further exemplary embodiment of the device of FIG. 1a according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inner surface of the device of FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 3a shows an exemplary embodiment of an attachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 3b shows another exemplary embodiment of the attachment arrangement according to the present invention;

FIG. 4a shows a rear view of another exemplary embodiment of an article-carrying pack according to the present invention;

FIG. 4b shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the pack of FIG. 4a according to the present invention;

FIG. 4c shows a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the pack of FIG. 4a in a first open configuration according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4d shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the pack of FIG. 4a in a second open configuration according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention describes an article-carrying device which may allow a user thereof to release undesirable contents from the device while retaining the articles therein.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show the article-carrying device 10 according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the device 10 is a bag 15 which may be transported in any manner by a user thereof. For example, the bag 15 may be hand-carried (e.g., a beachbag, a handbag), worn (e.g., a backpack, a waistpack) and/or slung (e.g., a messenger bag, a shoulder bag). Those of skill in the art will understand that the bag 15 may allow for transportation in each of or any combination of the manners described herein or conventionally known. For example, the bag 15 may be capable of being both hand-carried and slung. While the present invention will be described with reference to the hand-carried, worn and slung embodiments, those of skill in the art will understand that a further embodiment of the bag 15 may include a portability arrangement such as, for example, one or more wheels, a sled, etc.

The bag 15 includes a first portion (e.g., a body 20) and a second portion (e.g., a base 25). In one embodiment, the body 20 has a predefined shape having a first opening 30 at a top portion and a second opening 35 at a bottom portion. As understood by those of skill in the art, the body 20 may be composed of a first material including, but not limited to, canvas, mesh, cloth, plastic or any combination thereof. The first opening 30 provides the user of the bag 15 with access to an inner portion thereof (e.g., between the first and second openings 30, 35). For example, when the user wishes to add/remove articles (e.g., a towel, a radio, a cooler, etc.) from the bag 15, the user reaches through the first opening 30 into the inner portion. In another embodiment, the first opening 30 may be provided with a sealing arrangement (e.g., a zipper, a button, a hook, a clasp, etc.) which would close at least a portion of the first opening 30. The sealing arrangement may prevent articles from becoming dislodged during transport of the bag 20. In one embodiment, the first opening 30 is larger (e.g., larger diameter, area, etc.) than the second opening 35. In this embodiment, the first opening 30 may be have a 24-inch diameter while the second opening 35 may have a 16-inch diameter.

The predefined shape of the body 20 may be, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, square, etc. The body 20 may maintain the predefined shape by utilizing one or more frame members (e.g., a band 40, an internal and/or external skeleton, etc.) which may be composed of a more rigid material than the body 20. For example, the band 40 and/or the skeleton may be attached to an inner or outer surface of the body 20. In one embodiment, the band 40 is placed along the outer surface of the body 20 a predetermined spacing (e.g., 4-inches) from the first opening 30. Thus, when the bag 20 is not being transported, it may remain in the predefined shape. In another embodiment, the body 20 may be deformable, lacking the predefined shape. That is, the body 20 may be loose and capable of conforming to the articles placed therein.

One or more handles 45 may be attached to the body 20. As shown in FIG. 1a, the handle 45 may extend along the outer surface of the body 20 and a predetermined distance (e.g., 12-inches) past the first opening 30 allowing the user to grasp/hold and/or wear the handle 45. In a further embodiment, the handle 45 may be adjustable using, for example, a buckle. As noted above, the handle 45 may allow the user to hand-carry, wear or shoulder-carry the bag 20. The handle 45 or a portion thereof may be manufactured from a same material as the body 20 and/or the band 40. Thus, the handle 45 may provide additional stability to the predefined shape of the body 20. In another embodiment, the handle 45 may be formed integrally with the body 20. That is, the handle 45 may be a hole cut out of a portion of the body 20 which is preferably adjacent to the first opening 30.

The bag 20 may further include one or more external pockets 50 disposed on the outer surface of the body 20. The external pocket 50 may be disposed anywhere on the body 20 and may have a predetermined size for holding a specific article (e.g., a cell phone, a wallet, a keychain, a notebook, etc.). Alternatively, the external pocket 50 may be large enough for holding many articles therein. In another embodiment, the external pocket 50 may be disposed on the band 40 or the handle 45. In this embodiment, the band 40 and/or the handle 45 may have a predetermined width (e.g., 3-inches to 6.5-inches) for supporting the external pocket 50 thereon. As understood by those of skill in the art, the external pocket 50 may be composed of the same material as the body 20 or any other material referred to herein.

In another embodiment, the bag 20 may include one or more internal pockets 60 disposed on the inner surface of the body 20, shown in FIG. 2. Similar to the external pocket 50, the internal pocket 60 may have a further predetermined size for holding a further specific article (e.g., a water bottle, a lotion bottle, a sunscreen bottle/tube, etc.). As understood by those of skill in the art, the internal pocket 60 may be composed of the same material as the body 20 or any other material referred to herein. Those of skill in the art will further understand that the internal pocket 60 and/or the external pocket 50 may be equipped with the sealing arrangement as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1b, the second opening 35 of the body 20 may be covered by a retainer 65 attached thereto. The retainer 65 may be attached to the body 20 by, for example, stitching or adhesive, or made integrally therewith. In one embodiment, the retainer 65 is composed of a second material (e.g., mesh, netting, etc.) which may retain the articles within the body 20 while being permeable to other substances (e.g., liquids, sand, dirt, etc.). That is, if sand or dirt were to gather within the bag 15, or water was to spill therein, the retainer 65 would allow those substances to passthrough, while retaining the articles therein. Although, the body 20 has been described with respect to the first material and the retainer 65 with respect to the second material, those of skill in the art will understand that the entire body 20 or any portion thereof may be composed of the second material. That is, the entire body 20 or any portion thereof may be permeable to the other substances while retaining the articles therein.

According to the present invention, the second opening 35 and the retainer 65 may be covered by the base 25. In one embodiment, the base 25 is manufactured from the first material, similar to the body 20. It is preferred that the base 25 does not allow any of the substances which pass through the retainer 65 to pass therethrough. For example, if a liquid spills inside the body 20, it may pass through the retainer 65, but may be prevented from reaching an external environment by the base 25 when closed, as will be described below. In another embodiment, the base 25 may be made from a rigid plastic to provide stability to the bag 15 along with the frame member(s). In yet a further embodiment, the base 25 may be manufactured from an elastic material. In this manner, the base 25 may be any shape and size, but is preferably sized to fit tightly around the second opening 35.

As shown in FIG. 1a, the base 25 is in a first position (e.g., a closed position) in which it is attached to the body 20. The base 25 may be attached to the body 20 using an attachment arrangement (e.g., one or more zippers 70). In one embodiment, the zippers 70 travel along a predefined path on the body 20. Using a single zipper 70, the predefined path may be a perimeter of the body 20, whereas using two zippers 70 may create two paths of equal distance around the body 20. For example, if the second opening 35 is substantially cylindrical, the predefined path may be the entire circumferential distance therearound. Thus, in one embodiment, the base 25 may be completely detached from the body 20, whereas in another embodiment, the base 25 may maintain attachment thereto even when placed in a second position (e.g., an open position) as shown in FIG. 1b.

In the second position, the base 25 may be partially or entirely detached from the body 20, and thus, the retainer 65 may be exposed to the external environment allowing the substances (e.g., sand, dirt, liquids) to pass therethrough. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b, the base 25 has maintained attachment to the body 20 while in the second position. However, as stated above, the base 25 may be completely detached when in the second position, which may facilitate activities such as, for example, washing the bag 15 after use.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show further exemplary embodiments of the attachment arrangement according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3a, the attachment arrangement may be a plurality of hooks 100 which are attached to the base 25 and received by a plurality of holes 105 in the body 20. In one embodiment, the hook 105 and/or the base 25 may be manufactured from an elastic material (e.g., rubber), such that when the base 25 is in the first position, it is stretched tightly over the second opening 35 (e.g., stretched state). When in the second position, the base 25 may return to a rest state. This embodiment may be useful if, for example, the articles carried within the bag 15 are heavy and would cause other embodiments of the attachment arrangement to fail (e.g., inadvertently release from the first position into the second position).

In FIG. 3b, the attachment arrangement may be a plurality of buttons 200 including a male member 205 disposed on the base 25 and a female member 210 disposed on the body 20, or vice-versa. Those of skill in the art will understand that further embodiments of the attachment arrangement may be utilized by the present invention. For example, the attachment arrangement may be double-sided tape, Velcro®, magnets, etc.

In an exemplary use of the present invention, the user may place the base 25 in the first position and fill the body 20 with the articles prior to transport. If the user is transporting the bag 15 in a vehicle, the bag 15 may be placed in a trunk or on a cabin floor thereof. In this manner, the base 25 may prevent leaking/spilling of liquids, foods, lotions, etc. in the body 20 through the second opening 35 thereof. At a destination (e.g., a beach), the user may place the bag 15 on a ground or any other surface. When the base 25 is in the first position, the user may not have to be concerned that any substance on the ground will penetrate through the base 25 ruining/spoiling/staining the articles in the bag 15.

When the user intends to leave the destination, he/she may lift the bag 15 from the surface and place the base 25 into the second position using the attachment arrangement 70. If any substance (e.g., liquid, sand, dirt) has been inadvertently retained within the body 20, detaching the base 25 from the body 20 may release the substance into the external environment. The base 25 may be returned to the first position for transport.

A further exemplary embodiment of the article-carrying device 10 may include a wearable pack 300 having one or more straps 305 for wearing on shoulders, around a waist, etc., as shown in FIGS. 4a-4d. In FIG. 4a, the pack 300 includes a top portion 310 and a pair of side portions 315, 320 which meet when the pack 300 is in a closed configuration. In this manner, the side portions 315, 320 may temporarily attach to each other along a first edge of each via a first closure 325 (e.g., a zipper, Velcro®, buttons, hooks, clasps, etc.) and permanently attach to a back portion 330 of the pack 300 along a second edge of each opposite the first edge. The top portion 310 may temporarily attach to each of the side portion 315, 320 via a second closure 335 (e.g., Velcro®, buttons, hooks, clasps, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4c, the pack 300 may have a first open configuration in which the side portions 315, 320 are detached from each other at the first closure 325, and the top portion 310 remains closed. The first open configuration may expose an inner space of the pack 300 which may be used to store articles (e.g., books, towels, radios, etc.). The side portions 315, 320 may be equipped with one or more pockets 340 for storing the articles, as well. Also shown in FIG. 4c is the retainer 65 and the base 25 which perform a similar function as described above with respect to the bag 15. FIG. 4b shows the base 25 attached to the back portion 330 of the pack 300 using any of the above-described attachment arrangements.

In a second open configuration, as shown in FIG. 4d, the side portions 315, 320 remain attached at the first closure 325, and the top portion 310 is detached therefrom via the second closure 335. The second open configuration may expose the inner space of the pack 300 and the articles contained therein. Alternatively, the first open configuration may expose the inner space which is enclosed by the side portions 315, 320, while the second open configuration exposes a further inner space enclosed by the top portion 310. In this embodiment, the pack 300 may have two or more separate inner spaces. As understood by those of skill in the art, either or both of the side portions 315, 320 and/or the top portion 310 may wholly or partially detach from the pack 300.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An article-carrying device, comprising:

a body having a first opening and a second opening;

a semi-permeable retainer covering the second opening; and

a base which, when in a first position, is attached to the body covering the retainer, and when in a second position, the base is at least partially detached from the body uncovering the retainer.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is one of a beachbag, a handbag, a backpack, a waistpack, a messenger bag and a shoulder bag.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a first material and the retainer is composed of a second material, the second material one of the same as and different from the first material.

4. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first material is one of a canvas, a mesh, a cloth and a plastic, and the second material is one of a mesh and a netting.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sealing arrangement for at least partially sealing the first opening.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the sealing arrangement is one of a zipper, a button, a hook and a clasp.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first opening has a first diameter and the second opening has a second diameter, the second diameter one of the same as and different from the first diameter.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one handle attached to the body.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body further includes a handle made integrally therewith.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one pocket on the body.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the retainer is permeable to a first substance and impermeable to a second substance.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the base is impermeable to the first substance.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment arrangement for coupling the base to the body.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment arrangement is one of a zipper, a hook, a button, a double-sided tape, a Velcro and a magnet.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the attachment arrangement is disposed along a predetermined portion of the body.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein, when in the second position, the base is completely detached from the body.

17. An article-carrying device, comprising:

a back portion;

a top portion attached to the back portion;

a pair of side portions attached to the back portion;

a first sealing arrangement for detachably coupling the top portion to the side portions; and

a second sealing arrangement for detachably coupling the side portions to each other;

wherein, in a first configuration, the top portion is detached from the side portions and the side portions are coupled to each other, and

wherein, in a second configuration, the side portions are coupled to the top portion and detached from each other.

18. The device according to claim 17, further comprising:

one or more straps attached to the back portion.

19. The device according to claim 17, further comprising:

a bottom portion including an opening;

a semi-permeable retainer covering the opening; and

a base which, when in a first position, is attached to the bottom portion covering the retainer, and when in a second position, the base is at least partially detached from the bottom portion uncovering the retainer.

20. A device, comprising:

a body having a first opening and a second opening;

a mesh retainer covering the second opening; and

a base detachably coupled to the body covering the retainer, the base, when detached from the body, exposing the retainer.