ORGANIZER TRANSFORMABLE INTO A PORTABLE BAG

Abstract

An organizer transformable into a portable bag is provided. The organizer includes a rectangular fabric piece having a front piece and a back piece defining opposing, laterally extending upper and lower end edges and opposing, longitudinally extending side edges; and removable storage compartments attached to the front piece by a plurality of attachment members. The removable storage compartments include a first flexible panel having a first pair of side peripheral edges, a first top edge and a first bottom edge; and a second flexible panel superimposed on the first flexible panel, the second flexible panel having a second pair of side peripheral edges, a second top edge and a second bottom edge; where the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel are sealed together along the first and second pair of side peripheral edges and the first and second pair of bottom edges creating an interior storage area.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §119

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/900,926 entitled “ORGANIZER TRANSFORMABLE INTO A PORTABLE BAG”, filed Nov. 6, 2013 and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

Various features relate to organizers and more specifically to an organizer transformable into a portable bag.

BACKGROUND

Organizers, such as hanging organizers, are designed to provide an efficient organizational system intended to maximize the available space. Hanging organizers provide users with an aesthetically pleasing means for holding and displaying items such craft supplies, jewelry and clothing as well as providing a tidy and clutter free space. Generally hanging organizers are comprised of a body portion suspended from at least one hook that is designed to hang the organizer from an object such as a rod in a closet or a door. The hanging organizer generally includes pockets or other storage means fixedly attached to the body portion.

One problem associated with typical hanging organizers is that the type of items that can be stored in the organizer is limited by the arrangement of the pockets or other storing means. Although some organizers are comprised of storage means of varying sizes that can accommodate items of varying sizes, the arrangement of the storage means is not adjustable. That is, for example, the user cannot easily add or remove storage means to accommodate for reusing the organizer for different projects.

Another problem associated with typical hanging organizers is that they must remain hanging and cannot be transformed into a bag that is portable and be carried from location to location.

In view of the foregoing, what is needed is an organizer that can be easily changed to accommodate for different projects as well as be transformed into a portable grab and go bag. For example, so that professionals, such as hair dressers, can travel to multiple locations with their tools.

SUMMARY

One feature is directed a hanging organizer which may be adapted to be formed into a portable bag. The organizer may comprise an elongate rectangular fabric piece having a front piece and a back piece, the fabric piece defining opposing, laterally extending upper and lower end edges and opposing, longitudinally extending side edges; and one or more removable storage compartments attached to the front piece by a plurality of attachment members.

The one or more removable storage compartments may comprise a first flexible panel having a first pair of side peripheral edges, a first top edge and a first bottom edge; and a second flexible panel superimposed on the first flexible panel, the second flexible panel having a second pair of side peripheral edges, a second top edge and a second bottom edge; where the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel are sealed together along the first and second pair of side peripheral edges and the first and second pair of bottom edges creating an interior storage area.

According to one aspect, each of the removable storage compartments is the same size. According to another aspect, the sizes of the removable storage compartments may vary.

According to yet another aspect, the organizer may further comprise a plurality of holes located on the upper end edge of the fabric piece and adapted for receiving a plurality of hooks for attaching to an object.

According to yet another aspect, the elongate rectangular fabric piece of the organizer may comprise a center section integrally connected between a top section and a bottom section. The bottom section, the center section and the top section may be equal in size and adapted to be folded onto each other to form the portable bag. Alternatively, the bottom section, the center section and the top section may be of varying sizes.

According to yet another aspect, the elongate rectangular fabric piece may further include a front flap attached to and extending outwardly in a horizontal plane from at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section. The front flap may have a generally rectangular shape having a flap vertical length and a flap horizontal length where the horizontal length is less than the vertical length.

According to yet another aspect, the flap vertical length equals a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

According to yet another aspect, the flap vertical length is less than a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

According to yet another aspect, the flap vertical length is greater than a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

According to yet another aspect, the flap horizontal length is a fourth the flap vertical length.

According to yet another aspect, the flap horizontal length is a third the flap vertical length.

According to yet another aspect, the flap horizontal length is a half the flap vertical length.

According to yet another aspect, the organizer may further include one or more strap attachment members attached at the joinder or intersection of the front flap and the at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section and adapted to receive a detachable strap.

According to yet another aspect, the organizer may further include one or more pockets attached to the back piece.

According to another feature, a method of transforming an organizer, having a center section integrally connected to between a top section and a bottom section, into a portable bag is provided. The method includes folding the bottom section onto the center section forming a combined bottom section and center section; folding the combined bottom section and center section onto the top section forming a combined bottom section, center section and top section; and folding the combined bottom section, center section and top section in half forming the bag.

According to another aspect, the method further includes folding over a front flap closing the bag; and attaching an adjustable strap to the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features, nature and advantages may become apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an organizer in an unfolded configuration having a plurality of detachable storage compartments, according to one embodiment

FIG. 2 illustrates the organizer of FIG. 1 with the plurality of detachable storage compartments removed.

FIG. 3 illustrates the organizer of FIG. 1 in a first partially folded configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates the organizer of FIG. 1 in a second partially folded configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the organizer of FIG. 1 folded into a portable bag.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of the organizer of FIG. 1 folded into a portable bag having an adjustable detachable carrying strap.

FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of the organizer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates the organizer of FIG. 1 in a partially folded configuration.

FIG. 9 illustrates a detachable storage compartment in an open configuration.

FIG. 10 illustrates a detachable storage compartment in a closed configuration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a detachable storage compartment in a closed configuration, having a label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. Furthermore, in the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term “items” may refer to craft supplies, art supplies, toys, office supplies, toiletries, cosmetics, documents, medicine, equipment, tool, components or any other type of compact object that may be stored.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front perspective view of an organizer 100 in an unfolded configuration, according to one embodiment. The organizer 100 generally comprises an elongate, flexible fabric piece 102 having a front piece 102a and a back piece 102b (See FIG. 3). As is also shown in FIG. 1, the fabric piece 102 defines opposing, laterally extending upper and lower end edges 104 and 106, respectively, and opposing, longitudinally extending side edges 108 and 110. Although the fabric piece 102 shown is substantially rectangular, this is by way of example only and may square, round or any other polygonal shape.

According to one embodiment, the front piece 102a may include one or more detachable storage compartments 112. Although six (6) storage compartments 112 are shown, this is by way of example only and the front piece 102 may accommodate more than six (6) storage compartments or less than six (6) storage compartments. Additionally, although each storage compartment 112 is shown having the same approximate size, this is by way of example only and the storage compartments may be of varying size.

As shown, the front piece 102a may include a plurality of attachment members 114 for detachably securing each of the storage compartments 112. Although the attachment members 114 are shown as snaps, this is by example only and the attachment members may be any type of fasteners that allows for the detachment and reattachment of the storage compartments, such as a hook and loop fastener.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of attachment members 114 may be removably attached to the front piece 102a allowing for the attachment members to be placed to accommodate varying number and/or sizes of storage compartments 112 based on the needs of the user.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 8-11, each storage compartment 112 may be comprised of a first flexible panel 116 (See FIG. 9) having a first pair of side peripheral edges 116a, a first top edge 116b and a first bottom edge 116c, superimposed on a second flexible panel 118, having a second pair of side peripheral edges 118a, a second top edge 118b and a second bottom edge 118c, and sealed together along the first and second side peripheral edges 116a, 118a and the first and second bottom edges 116c, 118c creating an interior storage area. The interior storage area may be used to store various items including, but not limited to, tools, craft supplies, art supplies, toys, office supplies, toiletries, cosmetics, and documents.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the first flexible panel 116 has a vertical length of L1 and the second flexible panel 118 has a vertical length of L2, where L2 is greater than L1. The portion of the second flexible panel 118 extending past the first flexible panel 116 may create a flap 119 that can be folder over and secured to the first flexible panel by one or more fasteners 120. (See FIG. 1, for example) According to one embodiment, each of the flexible panels may be comprised of a clear flexible plastic allowing the user to easily see the contents of the storage compartments 112. Alternatively, the panels may be comprised of any flexible or non-flexible material that is clear, opaque or any other color whether or not it allows the contents to be seen. A color coded label may be included on the flap 119 allowing the user to easily identify each storage compartment 112. In alternative embodiments, the labels may be located on other portions of the storage compartments 112. For example, as seen in FIG. 11, a label 131 may be fixedly or removably attached to the first first flexible panel 116 or the second flexible panel 118 of the storage compartment 112. The labels 131 for each storage compartment 112 may or may not be of the same color. Although the label 131 is shown having a generally rectangular configuration, this is by way of example only and the label may be of any shape.

The upper end edge 104 of the fabric piece 102 may include one or more holes 122 adapted to receive removable attachment members 124 for hanging the organizer 100 over doors, cabinets or other objects. The removable attachment members may be hooks as shown in FIGS. 1-4.

According to one embodiment, the back piece 102b may include one or more pockets 103 such when the organizer 100 has been transformed into a bag, the pockets 103 are on the outside of the bag for the user to place items. (See FIG. 7)

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a method of transforming the organizer of FIG. 1 into a portable or grab and go bag configuration. The organizer may be folded while hanging from a door or other object or while lying flat on a surface. According to one embodiment, the organizer 100 may include a bottom section 126, a center section 128 and a top section 130. The bottom section 126, center section 128 and top section 130 may be the same size (i.e. having the same length, width and corresponding surface area) or one or more of the bottom section 126, center section 128 and top section 130 may vary in length, width and/or surface area. Furthermore, although three sections are shown, this is by way of example only and the organizer may have less than three sections or more than three sections.

According to one embodiment, a front flap 132 may be sewn, or attached, (either fixedly or removably) to the side edge 108 of the top section 130 of the fabric piece 102. Alternatively, the front flap 132 may be sewn, or attached to a side edge of the center section 128 or the bottom section 126. (See FIG. 8) That is, the front flap 132 may extend outwardly in a horizontal plane from at least one of the bottom section 126, the center section 128 or the top section 130. As described below, the front flap 132 may be used to close the bag formed from the organizer 100.

According to one embodiment, the front flap 132 may have a generally rectangular shape having a vertical length L3 and a horizontal length of W1. The vertical length L3 may be the same as, smaller than, or larger than the vertical length L4 of the bottom section 126, the vertical length L5 of the center section 128 and the vertical length L6 of the top section 130. That is, L3 may be equal to or less than the vertical lengths L4, the vertical length L5 and the vertical length L6. The horizontal length W1 of the front flap may be approximately a fourth the length of the vertical length L3, a third the length of the vertical length L3, half the length of vertical length L3 or more than half the length of the vertical length L3. According to one embodiment, L4, L5, and L6 may be of the same length. Alternatively, L4, L5, and L6 may each be of different lengths.

In a first step, the bottom section 126 of the organizer 100 may be folded onto the center section 128. FIG. 3 shows the bottom section 126 folded upward onto the center section 128. In a second step, the combined bottom section 126 and center section 128 are folded onto the top section 130. FIG. 4 show the combined bottom section 126 and center section 128 folded upward onto the top section 130.

In a third step, the combined bottom section 126, center section 128 and top section 130 is folded in half onto itself. FIG. 5 shows the combined bottom section 126, center section 128 and top section 130 folded in half.

In a fourth step, the front flap 132 may be folded over closing the now formed bag. As shown in FIG. 5, a hook and loop fastener 134 may be used to securely close the bag. Additionally, a snap 136 may be used to securely close the bag. FIG. 6 shows the securely closed bag.

In a fifth step, an adjustable strap 138 may be attached to fasteners 140 secured to the fabric piece 102 at the intersection 143 of the front flap 132 and side edge 108 of the top section 130 of the fabric piece 102. (See FIG. 6) As described above, the front flap 132 is used to close the bag formed from the organizer 100. FIG. 6 shows the adjustable strap 138 attached to the bag. According to one embodiment, the strap 138 is detachable.

According to one embodiment, one or more loops 141 may be fixedly or detachably secured at the intersection (or joinder) 143 of the front flap 132 and one of the longitudinally extending side edges 108 and 110 of the fabric piece 102. As described above, fabric piece may comprise the bottom section 126, center section 128 or top section 130. The one or more loops 141 may pass through an opening in the fastener 140 and then may be reversed folded or doubled-back on itself such that the fastener 140 may be securely attached to the loops 141.

Advantageously, the organizer 100 according to embodiments of the invention as described previously is perfect for crafters, professionals and travelers, for example. Crafters can organize their sewing, knitting and scrap book supplies, such as crayons, markers, paper, scissors, tape, paint, and paint brushes. Professionals, such as hair stylists, manicurists and music & art instructors, who have to travel to multiple locations, may use the organizer to organize their tools. Travelers can organize travel documents, medications, presentation materials, notes, toiletries and cosmetics, for example. Additional uses could include organizing toys, home office materials (e.g., check book, stamps, stationary, bills to be paid, tax receipts), and personal documents (e.g. social security card, passports, birth certificates, insurance documents, medical documents, home ownership documents, retirement/investment documents, estate planning documents and tax documents). Additionally, the organizer can be used for added storage for recreational vehicles that have limited space such as RVs and boats.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An organizer, comprising:

an elongate rectangular fabric piece having a front piece and a back piece, the fabric piece defining opposing, laterally extending upper and lower end edges and opposing, longitudinally extending side edges; and

one or more removable storage compartments attached to the front piece by a plurality of attachment members, the one or more removable storage compartments comprising: a first flexible panel having a first pair of side peripheral edges, a first top edge and a first bottom edge; and a second flexible panel superimposed on the first flexible panel, the second flexible panel having a second pair of side peripheral edges, a second top edge and a second bottom edge; where the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel are sealed together along the first and second pair of side peripheral edges and the first and second pair of bottom edges creating an interior storage area; and

wherein the organizer is transformable into a portable bag.

2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein each of the removable storage compartments is the same size.

3. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the size of each of the removable storage compartment varies.

4. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holes located on the upper end edge of the fabric piece adapted for receiving a plurality of hooks for attaching to an object.

5. The organizer of claim 1, wherein elongate rectangular fabric piece comprising a center section integrally connected between a top section and a bottom section.

6. The organizer of claim 5, wherein the bottom section, the center section and the top section are equal in size and adapted to be folded onto each other to form the portable bag.

7. The organizer of claim 5, further comprising a front flap attached to and extending outwardly in a horizontal plane from at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

8. The organizer of claim 7, wherein the front flap has a generally rectangular shape having a flap vertical length and a flap horizontal length where the horizontal length is less than the vertical length.

9. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap vertical length equals a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

10. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap vertical length is less than a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

11. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap vertical length is greater than a section vertical length of at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section.

12. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap horizontal length is a fourth the flap vertical length.

13. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap horizontal length is a third the flap vertical length.

14. The organizer of claim 8, wherein the flap horizontal length is a half the flap vertical length.

15. The organizer of claim 7, further comprising one or more strap attachment members attached at the joinder of the front flap and the at least one of the bottom section, the center section or the top section and adapted to receive a detachable strap.

16. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising one or more pockets attached to the back piece.

17. A method of transformation an organizer, having a center section integrally connected to between a top section and a bottom section, into a portable bag, comprising:

folding the bottom section onto the center section forming a combined bottom section and center section;

folding the combined bottom section and center section onto the top section forming a combined bottom section, center section and top section; and

folding the combined bottom section, center section and top section in half forming the bag.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising folding over a front flap closing the bag.

19. The method of claim 5, further comprising attaching an adjustable strap to the bag.