CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable.
FIELD The present invention relates to an athletic bag, such as a duffel bag. More particularly, the present invention relates to a duffel bag with structural components that are used to place the duffel bag in a stand-up position without the use of filling materials.
SUMMARY Stores that merchandise duffel bags generally display the duffel bags in a full state. For example, stores may display duffel bags filled with crumpled paper. When the duffel bags are full, customers are able to see the space capacity of the duffel bag. Customers are also able to clearly see designs that are presented on panels of the duffel bags when the duffel bags are full. In addition to being wasteful, filling duffel bags up with paper is also time consuming to store workers. Accordingly, providing stores with duffel bags that are able to stand up without being filled with paper or other materials benefits both the store and the environment. Additionally, providing consumers with duffel bags that are able to stand up helps to facilitate ease of packing and unpacking. Accordingly, a duffel bag is provided that has a semi-rigid structure within the duffel bag so as to allow the duffel bag to be placed in a stand-up position without requiring the duffel bag to be filled with paper or other materials. In particular, disclosure is provided of a duffel bag with semi-rigid components secured between panels and straps of the duffel bag.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag with u-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag with u-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag with u-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag with u-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag with H-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag with H-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag with H-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 16 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag with H-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 18 illustrates another bottom view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 19 illustrates a further bottom view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 20 illustrates an additional bottom view of an example duffel bag with semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 21 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 22 illustrates another bottom view of an example duffel bag with footed semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag with u-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view 100 of an example duffel bag 110 with a semi-rigid structure is shown. Duffel bag 110 comprises a first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel, and bottom panel. First panel and second panel are each adjacent second panel, third panel, and bottom panel. First panel is also opposite second panel. Similarly, third panel and fourth panel are each adjacent bottom panel. Third panel is also opposite fourth panel.
The semi-rigid structure of duffel bag 110 is composed of semi-rigid components 130. Semi-rigid components 130 are found on a front and a back panel of duffel bag 110. For ease of illustration, however, a singular semi-rigid component 130 from a panel of duffel bag 110 is discussed herein. Accordingly, duffel bag 110 has a multi-layered structure having panel 120, semi-rigid component 130, and strap 140. In particular, semi-rigid component 130 is secured between panel 120 and strap 140. Further, semi-rigid component 130 is secured to both panel 120 and strap 140. By sandwiching semi-rigid component 130 between panel 120 and strap 140, duffel bag 110 may be placed in a self-supported upright position without the addition of auxiliary filling material to duffel bag 110. As such, when the duffel bag is in a self-supported upright position, it is easier for stores to display items and for consumers to pack the duffel bag with materials.
In alternative embodiments, semi-rigid component 130 may be placed adjacent to strap 140. Semi-rigid component 130 may also be partially sandwiched between strap 140 and panel 120. Alternatively, strap 140 may be sandwiched between semi-rigid component 130 and panel 120. In these further embodiments, of a multi-layered structure, semi-rigid component 130 may also be used to hold up duffel bag 110.
A semi-rigid component, such as semi-rigid component 130, may be composed of plastic, EVA foam, a die-cut flat P.E. sheet, dense cloth, Texon board, etc., or a combination thereof. Two semi-rigid components 130 may be aligned and secured to each front and back panel 120 of duffel bag 110 such that duffel bag 110 may stand upright. The semi-rigid components 130 may be secured by adhering the components 130 to a panel 120 of duffel bag 110, such as through the use of an adhesive or stitching. The components 130 may also be secured by being placed between panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 100, either with or without the use of an adhering or stitching method. Semi-rigid components 130 may also be secured to a plurality of panels 120 of duffel bag 110.
As FIG. 1 illustrates a view 100 of the exemplary duffel bag 110 in exploded form, FIG. 2 illustrates a view 200 of the exemplary duffel bag 110 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 2, two semi-rigid components 130 are beneath and secured to straps 140. As discussed above, the semi-rigid components 130 may be secured by adhering the components 130 to a strap 140 of duffel bag 110, such as through the use of an adhesive or stitching. The components 130 may also be secured by being placed between panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 100, either with or without the use of an adhering or stitching method. Additionally, semi-rigid components 130 are positioned in the middle of straps 140 such that there is area intersecting panel 120 and strap 140 surrounding semi-rigid components 130. Although not shown in FIG. 2, two further semi-rigid components 130 may be positioned on an opposite panel 120 of duffel bag 110. In alternative embodiments, semi-rigid components 130 may extend to the top of the intersection between panels 120 and straps 140; to the bottom of the intersection between panels 120 and straps 140; or a combination thereof.
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view 300 of an example duffel bag 110 with a semi-rigid component 130 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the way in which semi-rigid component 130 is situated between panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 110. As seen in FIG. 3, semi-rigid component 130 is only on one side of duffel bag 110. However, when placed between panel 120 and strap 140, semi-rigid component 130 is able to keep its side of duffel bag 110 in an upright position. The extent to which duffel bag 110 is able to stay in an upright position is dependent upon the height of semi-rigid component 130 and the placement of semi-rigid component 130 between panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 110.
FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view 400 of duffel bag 110 with semi-rigid components 130 on front panel 120 and a back panel (not shown) in accordance with the present invention.
In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates the frontal view 400 of duffel bag 110 when it is in an upright position. Additionally, FIG. 4 illustrates a first bottom edge 105 of semi-rigid component 130. First bottom edge 105 may extend partially or fully down to a second bottom edge 107 of front panel 120.
While FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a duffel bag 110 with semi-rigid components 130 that are entirely secured to a panel 120 of duffel bag 110, FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a duffel bag 510 that has footed semi-rigid components 530 that are each secured across two panels 520 and 525 of duffel bag 510. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view 500 of an example duffel bag 510 with footed semi-rigid components 530 is shown. Duffel bag 510 has a multi-layered structure having two panels 520 and 525, footed semi-rigid components 530, and straps 540. In particular, footed semi-rigid components 530 are each between panels 520 and 525 and straps 540. Further, footed semi-rigid components 530 are secured to both panels 520 and 525 and straps 540. Additionally, a further set of footed semi-rigid components (not shown) are attached to a panel opposite panel 520. By sandwiching footed semi-rigid components 530 between panels 520 and 525 and strap 540, duffel bag 510 may be placed in an upright position without the addition of auxiliary filling material to duffel bag 510. Additionally, footed semi-rigid components, such as footed semi-rigid components 530, may be composed of a die-cut flap polyethylene (P.E.) sheet, plastic, EVA foam, dense cloth, Texon board etc., or a combination thereof. Accordingly, two footed semi-rigid components 530 may be aligned and adhered across two panels 520 and 525 of duffel bag 510 such that duffel bag 510 may stand upright.
As FIG. 5 illustrates a view 500 of the exemplary duffel bag 510 in exploded form, FIG. 6 illustrates a view 600 of the exemplary duffel bag 510 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 6, footed semi-rigid components 530 are beneath and secured to straps 540. Additionally, footed semi-rigid components 530 are positioned such that there is area intersecting panel 520 and strap 540 surrounding footed semi-rigid components 530. In particular, a portion of each footed semi-rigid component 530 comprises intersecting area of first panel 520 and strap 540. The remaining portion of the boundary of footed semi-rigid component 530 comprises intersecting area of second panel 525 and strap 540. In alternative embodiments, footed semi-rigid components 530 may extend to the top of the intersecting area comprising first panel 520 and strap 540.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view 700 of an example duffel bag 510 with footed semi-rigid component 530 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates the way in which footed semi-rigid component 530 is situated between panels 520 and 525 and straps 540 of duffel bag 510. As seen in FIG. 7, footed semi-rigid component 530 is shown on a first side of duffel bag 510. As such, when placed between panels 520 and 525 and strap 540, footed semi-rigid component 530 is able to keep the first side of duffel bag 510 in an upright position. Additionally, a second set of footed semi-rigid components (not shown) are attached to a second panel on a second side of duffel bag 510 that is opposite the first side. As such, when placed between panels and straps on the second side of duffel bag 510, the second set of footed semi-rigid components is able to keep the second side of duffel bag 510 in an upright position. Accordingly, through the use of footed semi-rigid component 530 and the second set of footed semi-rigid components (not shown) on the second side, duffel bag 510 is able to be placed in upright position without the use of filling materials. The extent to which duffel bag 510 is able to stay in an upright position is dependent upon the height of footed semi-rigid component 530, the length of the foot of footed semi-rigid component 530, and the placement of footed semi-rigid component 530 against panels 520 and 525 of duffel bag 510.
FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view 800 of duffel bag 510 with footed semi-rigid components 530 on front panel 520 and further footed semi-rigid components (not shown) on a back panel (not shown) of duffel bag 510 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates frontal view 800 of duffel bag 510 when it is in an upright position.
FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a duffel bag 910 that has u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 that are each secured across three panels 920, 925, and 927 of duffel bag 910. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9, an exploded view 900 of an example duffel bag 910 with u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 is shown. Duffel bag 910 has a multi-layered structure having three panels 920, 925, and 927, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930, and straps 940. In particular, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are each between panels 920, 925, and 927, and strap 940. Further, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are secured to both panels 920, 982, and 927, and straps 940. By sandwiching u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 between panels 920 925, and 927, and straps 940, duffel bag 910 may be placed in an upright position without the addition of auxiliary filling material to duffel bag 910. A u-shaped semi-rigid component, such as u-shaped semi-rigid component 930, may be composed of plastic, EVA foam, a die-cut flat P.E. sheet, dense cloth, Texon board, etc., or a combination thereof. Accordingly, two u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 may be aligned and adhered across three panels 920, 925, and 927 of duffel bag 910 such that duffel bag 910 may stand upright.
As FIG. 9 illustrates a view 900 of the exemplary duffel bag 910 in exploded form, FIG. 10 illustrates a view 1000 of the exemplary duffel bag 910 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 10, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are beneath and secured to straps 940. Additionally, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are positioned such that there is area intersecting panels 920, 925, and 927, and straps 940 surrounding u-shaped semi-rigid components 930. In particular, a portion of each u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 comprises intersecting area of first panel 920 and strap 940. A further portion of each u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 comprises intersecting area of second panel 925 and strap 940. The remaining portion of the boundary of u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 comprises intersecting area of third panel 927 and strap 940. In alternative embodiments, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 may extend to the top of the intersecting area comprising panel 920 and strap 940, comprising the top of the intersecting area comprising panel 927 and strap 940, or a combination of both.
FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view 1100 of an example duffel bag 910 with a u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates the way in which the u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 is situated between panels 920, 925, and 927, and strap 940 of duffel bag 910. As seen in FIG. 11, u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 is secured across three sides of duffel bag 910. Accordingly, when placed between panels 920, 925, and 927, and strap 940, u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 is able to keep the sides of duffel bag 910 in an upright position. The extent to which duffel bag 910 is able to stay in an upright position is dependent upon the height of u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 and the placement of u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 against panels 920, 925, and 927 of duffel bag 910.
FIG. 12 illustrates a frontal view 1200 of duffel bag 910 with u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 12 illustrates frontal view 1200 of duffel bag 910 when it is in an upright position.
FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a duffel bag 1310 that has an H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 that is on first panel 1320 of duffel bag 1310 and a further H-shaped semi-rigid component (not shown) that is on a second panel (not shown) of duffel bag 1310 that is opposite first panel 1320. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 13, an exploded view 1300 of an example duffel bag 1310 with H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is shown. Duffel bag 1310 has a multi-layered structure having two panels 1320, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330, and strap 1340. In particular, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is in between panel 1320 and straps 1340. Further, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is secured to both panel 1320 and straps 1340. By sandwiching H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 between panel 1320 and straps 1340, the first side of duffel bag 1310 may be placed in an upright position. Additionally, when a second H-shaped component is secured to the second side of duffel bag 1310, the second side of duffel bag 510 may be placed in an upright position. Accordingly, when both H-shaped components 1330 are secured to panels 1320 of duffel bag 1310, duffel bag 1310 may be placed in an upright position without the addition of auxiliary filling material to duffel bag 1310. An H-shaped semi-rigid component, such as H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330, may be composed of plastic, EVA foam, a die-cut flat P.E. sheet, dense cloth, Texon board, etc., or a combination thereof.
As FIG. 13 illustrates a view 1300 of the exemplary duffel bag 1310 in exploded form, FIG. 14 illustrates a view 1400 of the exemplary duffel bag 1310 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 14, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is beneath and secured to straps 1340. Additionally, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is positioned such that there is area intersecting panel 1320 and straps 1340 surrounding H-shaped semi-rigid components 1330. In particular, the boundary of H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 comprises intersecting area of a panel 1320 and straps 1340. In alternative embodiments, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 may extend to the top of the intersecting area comprising panel 1320 and straps 1340, may extend to the bottom of the intersecting area comprising panel 1320 and straps 1340, or a combination thereof.
FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view 1500 of an example duffel bag 1310 with an H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 15 illustrates the way in which H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is situated between panel 1320 and strap 1340 of duffel bag 1310. As seen in FIG. 15, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is only on a first side of duffel bag 1310. However, when placed between panel 1320 and straps 1340, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is able to keep the first side of duffel bag 1310 in an upright position. The extent to which duffel bag 1310 is able to stay in an upright position is dependent upon the height of H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 and the placement of H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 against panel 1320 of duffel bag 1310.
FIG. 16 illustrates a frontal view 1600 of duffel bag 1310 with H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 on the first side 1320 of duffel bag 1310 and a second H-shaped semi-rigid component (not shown) on a second side (not shown) of duffel bag 1310 that is opposite first side 1310 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 16 illustrates frontal view 1600 of duffel bag 1310 when it is in an upright position.
While FIGS. 1-16 illustrate front and perspective views of example duffel bags of the present invention, FIGS. 17-23 illustrate bottom views of example duffel bags of the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 17-20 illustrate bottom views of example duffel bags having semi-rigid components as described in FIGS. 1-4 and 13-16; FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate bottom views of example duffel bags having footed semi-rigid components as described in FIGS. 5-8; and FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag having u-shaped semi-rigid components as described in FIGS. 9-12.
As such, FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view 1700 of an example duffel bag 1710 with semi-rigid components (not shown) in accordance with the present invention. In particular, duffel bag 1710 has semi-rigid components that do not extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1710. As such, the semi-rigid components are not viewable from bottom view 1700. Accordingly, bottom view 1700 of duffel bag 1710 comprises bottom panel 1720 and straps 1740 extending across bottom panel 1720 of duffel bag 1710. Bottom panel 1720 may be semi-rigid. In contrast to FIG. 17, FIG. 18 illustrates another bottom view 1800 of an example duffel bag 1810 with semi-rigid components 1830 that extend to the bottom of duffel bag 1810 in accordance with the present invention. As with FIG. 17, bottom view 1800 of FIG. 18 comprises bottom panel 1820 and straps 1840 extending across bottom panel 1820 of duffel bag 1810. However, bottom view 1800 also comprises a view of semi-rigid components 1830 as they extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1810.
FIG. 19 illustrates a further bottom view 1900 of an example duffel bag 1910 with semi-rigid components (not shown) in accordance with the present invention. In particular, duffel bag 1910 has semi-rigid components that do not extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1910. As such, the semi-rigid components are not viewable from bottom view 1900. Accordingly, bottom view 1900 of duffel bag 1910 comprises bottom panel 1920 and straps 1940 extending down to, but not across, bottom panel 1920 of duffel bag 1910. As with FIG. 19, the additional bottom view 2000 of FIG. 20 comprises bottom panel 2020 and straps 2040 extending down to, but not across, bottom panel 2020 of duffel bag 2010. However, bottom view 2000 also comprises a view of semi-rigid components 2030 as they extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 2010.
FIG. 21 illustrates a bottom view 2100 of an example duffel bag 2110 with footed semi-rigid components 2130 in accordance with the present invention. As seen in bottom view 2110, straps 2140 extend across bottom panel 2120. Additionally, footed semi-rigid components 2130 may extend along the x-axis illustrated in bottom view 2100. Additionally, FIG. 22 illustrates another bottom view 2200 of an example duffel bag 2210 with footed semi-rigid components 2230 in accordance with the present invention. As seen in bottom view 2210, footed semi-rigid components 2230 and straps 2240 extends across bottom panel 2220. In particular, footed semi-rigid components 2230 and straps 2240 may extend along the y-axis illustrated in bottom view 2200.
FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view 2300 of an example duffel bag 2310 with u-shaped semi-rigid components 2330 in accordance with the present invention. As seen in bottom view 2310, u-shaped semi-rigid components 2330 and straps 2340 extend across bottom panel 2320. In particular, u-shaped semi-rigid components 2330 and straps 2340 extend completely across bottom panel 2320 illustrated in bottom view 2300.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
