Multi-Use Carrying Bag With An Insulated Compartment
A collapsible, multi-use carrying bag having enclosed compartments suitable for transporting articles. The carrying bag includes a discrete upper collapsible compartment combined with a discrete lower collapsible compartment, separated and divided by a common wall, where each respectively has an opening for access thereto. The lower compartment is securely connected to the upper compartment to form a configurable carrying bag. The carrying bag includes at least one compartment having thermal insulative properties. A multitude of carrying arrangements are also provided.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/021,814 filed on Jan. 17, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe following disclosure relates to a carrying bag having enclosed compartments suitable for transporting articles. The carrying bag, which may be formed of flexible weatherproof material, includes a discrete upper collapsible compartment combined with a discrete lower collapsible compartment, separated and divided by a common wall, where each compartment has an opening for access thereto. The lower compartment, being generally aligned with the upper compartment, is also securely connected to the upper compartment to form a carrying bag configurable in various shapes and sizes to accommodate multiple uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment of the bag, each compartment can be used independently from the other, and either one or both of the compartment may be in an expanded state at any one time. At least one compartment may include a moisture resilient pouch for isolating damp articles, or in the alternative for keeping articles dry. Also, one of the compartments may incorporate thermal insulated panels joined together to form an insulated compartment for storing thermally sensitive items such as foodstuffs, or other consumables therein. A watertight pouch is provided and inserted within the insulated compartment as a thermal source, be it hot or cold, and an additional airtight pouch may be included to hold food, both of the pouches are removable and insertable within the insulated compartment.
Either or both compartments includes a pocket for storing carrying straps, which may be deployed as a single strap for use as a shoulder bag, or placed about the waist to convert the carrying bag to a waist pack and an additional shoulder strap to provide a backpack arrangement. The bag further includes a plurality of internal and external pockets and fasteners for holding a variety of useful objects.
In accordance with the following disclosure, a portable ergometrically designed tote like bag, having handles and straps, for carrying articles within, is disclosed. This disclosure is further directed to a method for use of a multi-use carrying bag that may be taken ashore by a cruise passenger or taken to the store to bring home groceries and the like. In one embodiment the versatile bag can be pre-packed with strategic items conveniently integrated within the carrying bag to support and enhance activities that are, by and large, isolated from the home setting. Furthermore, one or more of the compartments may be thermally insulated to control and manage the temperature of consumables, for example drinks, food, film, etc. The bag is designed for convenience, security and optimal use of space and to that end can be configured as a waist pack, backpack, shoulder bag or hand-carried bag. Lastly, the bag may include a generally unobstructed outer surface for advertising and identification purposes.
Support for the convenience and optimal use of space, is found in the capability of the bag to be transformed into one of four mutually exclusive formats, dependent on the nature of the articles to be transported and the needs of a user. The possible configurations include (i) a fully expanded configuration wherein each of the at least two upper and lower compartments are expanded to permit the storage of items therein, (ii) a first partially collapsed configuration wherein the upper compartment is collapsed and the lower compartment is expanded, (iii) a second partially collapsed configuration wherein the lower compartment is collapsed and the upper compartment is expanded, and (iv) a completely collapsed configuration wherein the upper and lower compartments are both collapsed, thereby compacting the carrying bag so as it may be readily stored or carried within a minimal space.
Daytrips of various types are among the most common leisure time activities today, be it by bike, car, boat, etc. These excursion can range from a mountain climb to simply a day on the beach, an evening concert, a game, or possibly a shopping trip. Interestingly, the one element that such trips have in common is the fact that you are momentarily separated from the comforts and convenience of the home setting and accordingly must anticipate, pack and transport certain items during such times. Consequently, carrying or tote bags are extensively utilized by travelers as the design, construction and versatility of such bags are especially well suited for this purpose. However, an added element of complexity on some trips, albeit not all, is the necessity to keep consumables either above or below the ambient temperature. In this situation the traditional solution is to take along a cooler as well as a carrying bag, and while this solves the immediate problem, it also limits mobility, especially where the terrain might be difficult to transport a bag and cooler. Accordingly, the instant application describes a carrying bag that is adaptable to the requirements of the activity by having both a collapsible cooler compartment and collapsible article compartment integrated within the same carrying bag.
These objects, along with the various combinations of features that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific convenience attained by user, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
The various embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONWith reference to
The versatile design of the bag provides for the containment of a plurality of items to accommodate the various needs of the traveler. The contents of such a “support kit” is predicated on the physical needs of the traveler, as well as the intended activities, as related to the nature of the environment. Therefore the gear contained within the carrying bag can logically be delineated into one of three categories; consumables, safety/security devices and articles of convenience. It is, accordingly, a general object of the present disclosure to provide a collapsible carrying bag to enable the user to interface and adapt to their surroundings by having necessary commodities readily available.
In today's environment traveler's have become increasingly anxious relative to security when they are away from their home or has left the cruise ship. Therefore, in one embodiment of the bag the safety and comfort of travelers is the objective, and more specifically cruise passengers, when they elect to disembark at a port of call. Accordingly, the carrying bag can be pre-packed to include, but not limited to, one or all of the following security items; air whistle, pepper or similar repellant spray, flashlight, disinfectant, communication device, concealed watertight wallet compartment, as well as a tether for valuables. Furthermore, the multi-use bag would conceivably include provisions that add value and enjoyment to the on-shore excursion, such as an MP-3 player containing a tour dialogue or just simply music. Additionally, in contemplation of specific activities, the bag may also include towels, toiletries, blanket, first aid kit, umbrella, navigational aids, temperature/humidity meter, over-the-counter medicine, hat, poncho, binoculars, local currency, guide books and the like.
In regard to consumables, travelers are often apprehensive about the health hazards associated with the native food and drinking water. Accordingly, the hotel or a ship's galley may prepare a “box lunch”, that contains either hot or cold entries, and place them into the bag. Additionally, mesh pockets for bottled water are strategically positioned on the outside of the bag for easy access so as to be used for drinking and/or washing.
Understanding that storage space is a precious commodity, particularly aboard a ship, the bag may be collapsed down to less than 20% of its fully expanded volume. In the collapsed state, if a thermal source is included, such as a gel pack, it may be removed to further reduce the size—placed in a freezer for subsequent use. Likewise the food storage pouch may be constructed from anti-bacterial cloth and can be removed for cleaning and storing. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the pouch might be sanitized to limit microbial contamination and stowed under hygienic conditions in close proximity to the ship galley and the bag, along with the various articles, could possibly be stored separately on a lower deck.
Another object of the embodiments depicted in
Turning now to
Now, referring to both
As illustrated in
From a versatility standpoint multi-use bag 100 provides a carrying means, for most any article in a range of situations and events, independent of the prevailing weather conditions due to the water and temperature proof attributes of the materials used to produce the bag. An additional feature of carrying bag 100 is the variety of ways in which the weight of bag 100 is supported by the traveler. In the case of a cooler configuration 103 depicted in
Additional advantageous features enhance the utility of the bag 100. Such features may include a series of external pockets for ready access to traveling incidentals. For example, as best shown in
The embodiment illustrated in the figures and subsequently described herein are exemplary only. Those skilled of the art will recognize that numerous modifications may be made to the embodiment, without departing from the inventive concept and intent. For example, different materials may be used for some or all of the compartments. In particular, certain portions of the bag 100 may be formed of rigid plastic or other materials. In addition, various types of clasps and folding geometry may be found to be preferred. Furthermore, different sizes and shapes for the compartments comprising bag 100 may be employed.
It will be appreciated that various of the disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different configurations for alternative applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Claims
1. A collapsible carrying bag comprising;
- an upper collapsible compartment;
- a lower collapsible compartment, said lower compartment being longitudinally aligned and connected to said upper compartment, said upper and lower compartments each defining an enclosure having a common side;
- said upper and lower compartments are each individually collapsible or expandable to provide a plurality of configurations, including (i) a fully expanded configuration wherein each of said upper and lower compartments are expanded to permit the storage of an item therein, (ii) a first partially collapsed configuration wherein the upper compartment is collapsed and the lower compartment is expanded, (iii) a second partially collapsed configuration wherein the lower compartment is collapsed and the upper compartment is expanded, and (iv) a completely collapsed configuration wherein the upper and lower compartments are both collapsed.
2. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including a means to gain entry into said enclosures.
3. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including a means to thermally insulate at least one of said compartments.
4. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including at least one connector, having first and second engaging members, attached to each of said compartments, wherein each compartment may be independently retained in a collapsed and folded configuration by connecting the first and second engaging members of said connector.
5. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including at least one internal pocket and at least one external pocket
6. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including a shoulder strap for use as a shoulder bag.
7. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including an adjustable strap for use as a waist pack.
8. The carrying bag of claim 3 further including a second strap to enable the bag to be carried on a person's back.
9. The carrying bag of claim 1 further including at least one sealable pocket for storage within at least one of said compartments, that is impervious to moisture.
10. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein said upper compartment has at least twice the volume of the lower compartment.
11. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein at least one of said compartments is insulated and further including an insertable cold pack sized to fit within said insulated compartment.
12. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein a visible external planar surface is provided for advertising purposes.
13. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein at least one of said compartments is insulated and further including an insertable food pouch to fit within said insulated compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 21, 2009
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2009
Inventors: Janice J. V. Witt (Rochester, NY), Bruce A. Witt (Rochester, NY)
Application Number: 12/356,960
International Classification: A45F 4/02 (20060101); A45F 3/14 (20060101);