LAPTOP BAG WITH WINDOW AND POCKET INSERT TRAYS WITH WINDOW COVER
A laptop computer bag includes a multi-fold body with a first portion having a storage compartment and a second portion, and a fastener for securing the first and second portions together in a folded configuration, the multi-fold body also having an external surface that is exposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration and an internal surface that remains substantially unexposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration; and a substantially transparent window forming at least a part of the internal surface, whereby when the multi-fold body is in an unfolded configuration the interior of the storage compartment can be viewed through the window. Also disclosed are windowed storage trays designed for insertion into one or more pockets of the laptop computer bag.
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This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 61/055,786, filed May 23, 2008, and 61/075,207, filed Jun. 24, 2008, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to luggage, particularly bags, sleeves, or cases that are designed for carrying a laptop computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt would be desirable to develop a laptop computer back that would allow the laptop to be screened via security, for example, during air travel, without the need for removing the laptop from the laptop bag itself. The present invention overcomes this deficiency of currently available laptop computer bags by providing a construction for the bag that allows the bag to be configured for (i) unobstructed X-ray viewing of the laptop computer while the computer resides in its compartment (i.e., without its removal from the bag) and (ii) unobstructed visual inspection of the laptop computer or the contents of the laptop computer compartment by security personnel.
In addition, it would also be desirable to provide a storage container or tray that may be used by travelers to store various materials, cellular phone, PDA's, change, MP3 players, etc. in a personal storage tray that is adapted to be stored in the laptop computer bag and is readily accessible for removal and separate inspection during security clearance. The present invention overcomes this deficiency by providing a storage container that includes a cover that allows for (i) unobstructed X-ray viewing of the tray contents and (ii) unobstructed visual inspection of the tray contents by security personnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA first aspect of the present invention relates to a laptop computer bag that includes a multi-fold body including a first portion having a storage compartment, a second portion, and a fastener for securing the first and second portions together in a folded configuration, the multi-fold body also having an external surface that is exposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration and an internal surface that remains substantially unexposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration; and a substantially transparent window forming at least a part of the internal surface, whereby when the multi-fold body is in an unfolded configuration the interior of the storage compartment can be viewed through the window.
According to one preferred embodiment, the laptop computer bag has a second portion that includes at least one pocket and at least one removable insert tray that is sized and configured to be received within the at least one pocket, where the removable insert tray has a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion, the cover portion having a substantially transparent window.
A second aspect of the present invention includes a bag that includes a main body having at least one pocket and at least one removable insert tray that is sized and configured to be received within the at least one pocket, wherein the removable insert tray has a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion, where the cover portion includes a substantially transparent window.
A third aspect of the present invention relates to a removable insert tray that is intended for storage in a larger bag or pocket thereof. The removable insert tray includes a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion, where the cover portion includes a substantially transparent window.
A fourth aspect of the present invention includes a laptop sleeve that includes a body that defines a compartment sized and configured to receive a laptop computer, wherein the body includes at least a portion thereof that is formed by a substantially transparent window, whereby the interior of the compartment can be viewed through the window.
These and other aspect of the present invention will become apparent upon description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims.
In particular, the advantages of the various laptop computer bag are many, particularly for travelers who are required to remove their computers from the laptop computer bags during security screening procedures employed at all U.S. airports. These security procedures, while effective, are not necessary in that effective screening can be achieved when using appropriately designed laptop storage bags.
The laptop storage bags of the present invention, whether in the form of a sleeve or a larger bag adapted to hold additional items, allow for full screening by X-ray as well as visual inspection without removal of the laptop from the bag. The laptop storage bags of the present invention were designed to meet U.S. Transportation Security Administration guidelines for a bag that will be permitted for this kind of inspection. Use of the laptop bags of the present invention will substantially reduce security clearance delays caused by individuals who are forced to unpack and then re-pack their laptop computers from their computer bags. Additional benefit will also be realized through the use of “windowed” accessory trays that allow accessories collectively to be removed from a bag, screened, and then returned collectively to the bag via the removable storage trays.
The laptop computer bags, whether multi-fold bags with or without pockets, or pocketless sleeves, are all characterized by the presence of a window feature. In the multi-fold bags, the window is preferably on an internal surface (i.e., which should prevent damage to the window), although windows formed of durable, though substantially transparent, materials can also be employed on external surfaces. The window preferably forms a sufficiently large portion of the surface on which it resides such that substantially the entire contents of the “windowed” compartment can be visually inspected. The window preferably forms at least 50 or 60% of the surface, more preferably at least about 70 or 80% of the surface, most preferably at least about 90% of the surface on which is resides.
The laptop computer bags can be formed of any suitable combination of materials. The bags are preferably characterized by the presence of a durable outer layer, an inner lining, and a suitable layer of padding. The bag can be formed of any suitable material, the selection of which will largely depend upon non-functional aspects, such as style and fashion. For example, outer layer is preferably formed of synthetic or natural products such as ballistic nylon, leather, canvas, or suede. The padding and lining materials can be selected from known materials. One preferred inner lining material is a light-weight nylon, such as 420 Denier pack cloth. The padding is preferably an open or closed cell foam material, such as ETHAFOAM® (Dow Chemical Co.) or sponge foam. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that these materials are exemplary are not intended to be limiting in any way. These materials are typically assembled together by stitching or adhesives. The materials should be penetrable by X-ray; thus, metal fiber reinforced materials should largely be avoided.
The windows can be formed into different portions of the bag by either stitching or adhesives that secure the window to the surrounding materials. Edges of the windows can be fabric reinforced to prevent stitching from weakening the window material.
According to one embodiment, the window is semi-transparent (i.e., for visual inspection). By semi-transparent, it is intended that the window includes de minimis obstruction to viewing by a security screening agent. Examples of suitable semi-transparent materials include, without limitation, a window formed of a woven (or nonwoven) mesh material only, or a laminar combination of a layer of a mesh material and a layer of polymer material. The latter can be formed, for example, by impregnating or adhering the mesh to the polymer material.
According to another embodiment, the window is transparent, allowing completely unobstructed visual inspection of the compartment that includes the window. The transparent window is preferably formed of a clear polymer material, a number of which are known in the art. A preferred clear polymer material is vinyl (PVC).
Because the laptop computer bags are intended for X-ray screening, zipper connections preferably contain fastener elements that include an all-nylon zipper coil. Any fasteners utilized on the bag should be placed to avoid interfering with X-ray screening of the laptop storage compartment. Suitable fasteners include, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, zipper fasteners as described above, and snap fasteners that are preferably formed of plastic materials rather than metal (although metal fasteners can be used as long as they are not positioned to interfere with screening of the laptop computer).
Referring now to
The storage compartment 14 of the first portion 12 is intended to store only a laptop computer, as shown in
When the zipper fastener 20 is mated together and the first and second portions 12, 16 are in a folded configuration, only the external surfaces of the case 10 are exposed. The internal surface of the case remains substantially unexposed in this configuration. However, when the zipper fastener 20 is opened and the first and second portions 12, 16 are unfolded relative to one another, i.e., into an unfolded position, an internal surface of the case is exposed.
The internal surface 28 of the first portion 12 includes a substantially transparent window 30 forming at least a part of the internal surface. The window 30 can be formed in the internal surface as described above. The window 30 allows security personnel to view the contents of compartment 14 (and any computer stored therein) when the computer case is in the unfolded configuration. This configuration is shown in
Referring again to
Referring now to
Each tray is characterized by a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion by any means, including, without limitation, snap fastener, zipper, and hook and loop fasteners. The body portion is formed of a material that is deformable yet resilient to retain its configuration. Exemplary materials include, without limitation, neoprene, nylon, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polystyrene, or poly(acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene) (ABS). The cover portion includes a substantially transparent window of the type described above for the case windows.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Unique to this embodiment, one sidewall of the body 260 includes a deformable opening 270. This can be formed of rubber or other pliant thermoplastic material, and the deformable material that defines the opening can be attached to the body portion of the tray by stitching or adhesives, or other suitable means. As shown in the drawings, the deformable material can be constructed in a manner such that a plurality of flaps 272 are formed about a central passage 274. The flaps can be deformed substantially independently of one another to accommodate virtually any object that the tray is sized and dimensioned to contain. Moreover, the flaps can be constructed to be resilient and have sufficient memory that allows the flaps to return to their original configuration. As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
As in the embodiment of
It should be appreciated that the laptop storage compartment (and corresponding window) could also be associated with the body portions 414 or 416 instead of body portion 414 without departing from the scope of this invention. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the accordion fold of the embodiment of
As in the embodiment of
The laptop cases of the present invention afford a number of advantages. First, in a normal folded configuration the laptop cases are the size of a typical laptop case and will fit into most overhead storage or underseat storage. In the unfolded configuration, the laptop cases will vary by length, but are suitably dimensioned to fit on the conveyor belt of a standard X-ray machine. Second, the laptop cases can be constructed of appropriate fibers and materials of the type described above, which are radio-transparent and therefore will not obstruct viewing of the contents during X-ray screening. Third, the compartment intended to contain the laptop is completely isolated (when in the open configuration) such that all hardware and fittings, including zipper fasteners, will not obstruct the imaging of a laptop computer residing in the compartment bearing the window. The laptop compartment is discrete and contains no provision for insertion of accessories. Fourth, the provision of the window—when in the open configuration—provides a clear indication to security personnel that the laptop computer does not need to be removed from the laptop case for security screening. Fifth, the basic construction of the first, second, and fourth embodiments provides a secure compartment that is adequately padded to protect laptop computers when in a folded configuration, but in the open configuration the exposed internal window (facing up during security screening) is free of padding or any material thickness. This affords security personnel the ability to visually inspect the contents of the compartment without removing the laptop computer.
In use, the laptop cases of the present invention allow the user to place all metal objects into front pockets, check the allowable liquid storage compartment, and unzip or unclip fasteners that retain the body portions in a folded configuration. This will allow the user to place the laptop case onto a conveyor belt with the window facing up. Security personnel, seeing the window, will allow the laptop to be screened without its removal from the laptop case. Any trays can be removed, scanned, and easily returned to their pockets without having to individually remove each item. The user can reclaim the bag following the screening procedure, insert trays into pockets, secure the bag in the closed configuration, and exit the security area without the need to stop and re-pack the laptop computer or other individual items. This will reduce security delays for all, and simplify travel for users of the bag.
The various embodiments of the trays are not limited to use with laptop computer bags of the type described herein (i.e., having windows). While these trays can certainly be used in combination with the “window” laptop computer bags, and in some embodiments are preferred, it is contemplated that these trays can be used in any type of storage bag that an individual may use for travel.
Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A laptop bag comprising:
- a multi-fold body comprising a first portion having a storage compartment and a second portion, and a fastener for securing the first and second portions together in a folded configuration, the multi-fold body also comprising an external surface that is exposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration and an internal surface that remains substantially unexposed when the first and second portions are in the folded configuration; and
- a substantially transparent window forming at least a part of the internal surface, whereby when the multi-fold body is in an unfolded configuration the interior of the storage compartment can be viewed through the window.
2. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein the multi-fold body is a bi-fold body consisting of the first and second portions.
3. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein the multi-fold body is a tri-fold body consisting of first, second, and third portions.
4. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein substantially the entire contents of the storage compartment of the first portion can be viewed through the window.
5. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein the window is semi-transparent.
6. The laptop bag according to claim 5, wherein the window is formed of layer of a mesh material only, or a laminar combination of a layer of a mesh material and a layer of polymer material.
7. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein the window is transparent.
8. The laptop bag according to claim 7, wherein the window is formed of a clear polymer material.
9. The laptop bag according to claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises at least one pocket and at least one removable insert tray that is sized and configured to be received within the at least one pocket.
10. The laptop bag according to claim 9, wherein the removable insert tray comprises a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion, the cover portion comprising a substantially transparent window.
11. The laptop bag according to claim 10, wherein the body portion comprises a bottom and an integral sidewall construction, the sidewall comprising a deformable opening formed therein.
12. The laptop bag according to claim 10, wherein substantially the entire contents of the at least one tray can be viewed through the substantially transparent window while the tray is removed from the at least one pocket.
13. A bag comprising:
- a main body comprising at least one pocket and
- at least one removable insert tray that is sized and configured to be received within the at least one pocket, wherein the removable insert tray comprises a body portion and a cover portion that can be secured over the body portion, the cover portion comprising a substantially transparent window.
14. The bag according to claim 13, wherein the body portion is formed of a material that is deformable yet resilient to retain its configuration.
15. The bag according to claim 13, wherein the substantially transparent window is semi-transparent.
16. The bag according to claim 15, wherein the window is formed of layer of a mesh material only, or a laminar combination of a layer of a mesh material and a layer of polymer material.
17. The bag according to claim 13, wherein the window is transparent.
18. The bag according to claim 17, wherein the window is formed of a clear polymer material.
19. The bag according to claim 13, wherein the body portion comprises a bottom and an integral sidewall construction, the sidewall comprising a deformable opening formed therein.
20. The bag according to claim 13, wherein substantially the entire contents of the at least one tray can be viewed through the window while the tray is removed from the at least one pocket.
Type: Application
Filed: May 23, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 26, 2009
Applicant: THREE POINT VENTURES LLC (Rochester, NY)
Inventors: Michael Hess (Pittsford, NY), Bryan Hammer (Rochester, NY)
Application Number: 12/471,376
International Classification: A45C 7/00 (20060101); A45C 13/00 (20060101);