An Apparatus for Storing Objects and a System for Engaging Objects

Abstract

An apparatus for storing objects and a system for engaging objects comprising a storage chamber defined by at least a first wall member and a second wall member, wherein the storage chamber includes an engagement member arranged to engage with one or more objects disposed within or adjacent to the storage chamber.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing objects and a system for engaging objects. The invention also relates to particularly, although not exclusively, to an apparatus for storing objects which uses a magnetic system to engage the one or more objects.

BACKGROUND

With advances in computing and mobile technology, it is not uncommon for many users to have an array of items and tools which they must carry with them at all times. A typical consumer in middle class Asia or America may carry with them numerous items including their wallet, mobile phone and tablet computer as part of their everyday routine.

Although the number of items carried by these consumers has increased, apparatuses such as carriers, bags or folders which are used by consumers to carry their everyday items have not yet evolved to accommodate these increasing numbers of objects carried by a typical user. This has resulted in users having to carry a plurality of carriers to carry their items or as is the case in many situations, with many users mixing all of their items into a single carrier. This results in an inconvenient and messy arrangement whereby users have to take a significant amount of time to sort through their bag each time to retrieve a particular item.

In addition to this problem, many of today's modern day electronic items may be delicate in nature. Items such as mobile phones and tablet computers have delicate touch screens which may be damaged when it is placed in contact with a sharp or hard metallic object such as keys or jewelry. Accordingly, should a user store these items in a bag freely with other items in a mixed arrangement, it is highly likely that these delicate items will be damaged during transit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing objects comprising: a storage chamber defined by at least a first wall member and a second wall member, wherein the storage chamber includes an engagement member arranged to engage with one or more objects disposed within or adjacent to the storage chamber.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement member is arranged to engage with the one or more objects by use of magnetic interaction.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement member is substantially planar
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement member is integrated within the first wall member or the second wall member.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the one or more objects engaged to the engagement member have a metallic tag arranged to magnetic interact with the engagement member.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement member includes a flexible plate having a plurality of magnets.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the magnets are distributed in a matrix on the flexible plate.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the flexible plate is made with plastic.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises a sleeve for housing electric cables.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus further comprises a wireless charging module.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the wireless charging device is arranged to electrically interact with the one or more objects engaged to the engagement member.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the wireless charging module includes a planar induction coil arranged to be disposed on the engagement member such that the objects engaged to the engagement member can electrically interact with the wireless charging device.
• In one embodiment of the first aspect, the planar induction coil is layered onto the engagement member.
• In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for engaging an object comprising: a flexible engagement plate arranged to be substantially planar, wherein the engagement plate includes a plurality of magnetic members arranged to magnetically engage with the object.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the magnetic members are distributed evenly on the flexible plate.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the magnetic members are distributed in a matrix formation.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the flexible plate is arranged to be integrated into an article.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the flexible plate is arranged to be sewn into a wall of the article.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the article is a carrier, bag or clothing.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the system further comprises a wireless charging apparatus.
• In one embodiment of the second aspect, the wireless charging apparatus has an induction plate arranged to be layered with the flexible plate.
• In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing objects comprising: a first wall member arranged to substantially cover a second wall member to define a storage chamber arranged to store one or more objects, the storage chamber further includes a tablet carrying pouch, a cable slot arranged to house one or more cables and a magnetic engagement plate integrally formed within the first wall member or second wall member to magnetically engage with one or more objects disposed within the storage chamber, wherein the magnetic engagement plate further includes a planar induction coil member arranged to be layered on the magnetic engagement plate to wirelessly transmit electric flux energy perpendicularly away from the planar induction coil member to the one or more objects engaged to the magnetic engagement plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for storing objects in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front, side and top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is top view of an embodiment of the engagement member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a top view of an engagement tag arranged to be engaged to the engagement member of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a top view of another embodiment of the engagement member of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1 engages with an object in use;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for storing objects;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an another embodiment of an apparatus for storing objects;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of an engagement member of the apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another embodiment of an apparatus for storing objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated embodiments of an apparatus 100 for storing objects comprising: a storage chamber 102 defined by at least a first wall member 104 and a second wall member 106, wherein the storage chamber 102 includes an engagement member 108 arranged to engage with one or more objects 110 disposed within or adjacent to the storage chamber 102.

In these embodiments, the apparatus 100 is in the form of a bag which is formed by bonding a first wall member 104 with a second wall member 106 so as to form a storage chamber 102 arranged to store items or objects 110. The apparatus 100 has an opening 112 which provides the user with access to the chamber 102 to store or access their items. The opening 112, in this example embodiment, is sealed by a zipper arrangement 114 although as a person skilled in the art would appreciate, any other arrangement such as by a sleeve, button or Velcro is also possible.

In this example embodiment, the apparatus 100 also has a handle 116 or strap disposed on one end to allow a user to carry the apparatus 100. Within the storage chamber 102 of the apparatus 100, there is an engagement member 108 which is arranged to engage with one or more items or objects 110 stored within the chamber 102. By engaging the items or objects 110 within the storage chamber 102, the items or objects 110 would not be freely tossed around within the chamber 102 and thus minimise their risk of being damaged during transit. Additionally, when a user accesses the storage chamber 102 to retrieve a particular object 110, there will no longer be a need to sort though the different objects as they are all individually engaged to the engagement member 108 and thus the items or objects would be laid out individually within the storage chamber 102.

Preferably, the engagement member 108 uses magnetic interaction to removably engage with the objects 110 stored within the chamber 102 although other forms of engagement means such as by velco™ or other fasteners are also possible. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 4C and 5, the engagement member 108 includes a plurality of magnets 118 laid out in an array or matrix formation so as to provide a magnetic attraction to metallic or magnetic objects. In this way, objects 110 which are disposed within the chamber 102 can either be metallic in which case these would be magnetically attracted to the engagement member 108 without further manipulation, whilst non metallic objects, or objects 110 which do not magnetically interact with the engagement member 108 can be bonded with a metallic engagement plate or engagement tag 120 so that the object 110 would be magnetically attracted to the engagement member 108. Embodiments of the tag 120 or metallic plate are shown in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C.

As illustrated in further detail in the exploded view of FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 includes a first cover member 104 which is arranged to substantial fold onto a second cover member 106 so as to form a chamber 102 between the two cover members. The two covers 104, 106 in this example are also arranged to provide an exterior and interior wall to the apparatus 100. In this example, this first layer 104 is arranged to be bonded (not shown) to a second layer 106 along an edge so as to form two side walls of the apparatus 100. In turn, in between these two side walls is a cavity or chamber 102 which can be used to store objects 110. This cavity or chamber 102 can be accessed via the opening 112 which can be opened or closed for access by a zipper 114 that is arranged to run along the front and side edges of the apparatus 100 and thus allowing the first layer 104 and the second layer 106 to be opened about the bonded edge so as to form a folder with the first and second layer being a cover portion of the folder which is arranged to be folded substantially over each other.

This chamber 102 in turn provides space for the storage of objects 110 such as wallets, mobile phones, laptop computers, tablet computers, books, notepads, stationary, cosmetics or any other item or object which the user desires to store within the chamber 102. Preferably, the cover 122 is made from a slightly flexible material such as leather, nylon, canvas or any other suitable materials so as to resiliently deform temporarily to expand the space of the storage chamber when an object with a non planar or a larger volume is stored within. Although it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other materials such as cloth, plastics or metal may be used also to form a hard and protective cover capable of withstanding external forces.

In this example, the engagement member is a planar magnetic board 108 and is placed within the apparatus 100. Preferably, the magnetic board 108 is integrated within a cover member 122 of the apparatus 100 such that it provides an engagement surface through out the walls of the storage chamber 102. As shown in this example embodiment, the magnetic board 108 includes a plurality of magnets 118 which would provide a magnetic attraction to a plurality of other metallic or magnetic members and thus objects 110 which are metallic or magnetic can in turn be engaged to the magnetic board 108 and thus engaged within a position of the apparatus 100 once the objects are on, near or adjacent to the magnetic board 108.

By integrated the magnetic board 108 into one of the cover layers 104, 106 and covering the board 108 with a layer of fabric 230, which could be nylon, leather or any other suitable fabric layer, the magnetic board 108 can be protected from items or objects 110 stored within the chamber 102. This is advantageous in that the magnetic board 108 would be protected from collisions that could increase the wear and tear of the board 108, whilst also enhancing the aesthetics of the apparatus 100 by hiding the plastics and individual magnets 118 of the magnetic board 108 behind a layer of fabric 230 which could be coloured as desired.

These embodiments of the apparatus 100 are advantageous in that objects can engage with the engagement members 108 of the apparatus 100 when the objects 110 are disposed adjacent, on or within the apparatus 100. Such an engagement to the apparatus 100 allows individual objects 110 to be engaged within the apparatus 100. This in turn would ensure the objects 110 are not subjected to damage as their engagement to the engagement members 108 would prevent or at least minimize the objects 110 from contacting each other during transportation. Furthermore, as an area of the engagement surface of the engagement member 108 would engage to one object 110 at a time, all of the objects 110 engaged to the engagement member 108 would automatically be sorted and laid out on the engagement member 108 when objects 110 are disposed into the storage chamber 102. Thus allowing the objects 110 to be sorted out and laid out for easy access by the user.

The chamber 102 may also have a cable housing member 232 which is disposed, in this example, near the middle of the chamber 102. The cable housing member 232 may be a foam or plastic sleeve, collar or bag which includes a slot 234 or opening in the middle so that cables can be secured within the slot 234 and thus ensure the cables are properly secured without it tangling with other objects 110 within the chamber.

In this embodiment, the magnetic board 108 is disposed only on one half portions of the apparatus 110 whilst the opposing side has a tablet carrying pouch 236. In other embodiments and as can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the magnetic board 108 can also be placed on the opposing portion of the apparatus 100.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4C, there is illustrated an embodiment of the engagement member 108 which in this example is in the form of a magnetic board 108. In this example, the magnetic board 108 is formed in a generally planar shape and has a plurality of magnets 118 disposed on the board 108 which are arranged to be magnetically attracted to an engagement tag 120 as shown in FIG. 4B. The engagement tag 120, as shown in this embodiment, has a metallic plate or other metallic members which is arranged to be bonded to an object by glue, Velcro or other bonding medium so that when the object 110 with the engagement tag 120 is placed near, on or adjacent to the engagement member 108, the engagement tag 120 is magnetically engaged to the engagement member 108 and with it, the object 110 to which is bonded to the engagement tag 120.

Preferably, the plurality of magnets 118 is distributed evenly on the board 108 such that the magnetic attraction is evenly spread throughout the board 108 and as a person skilled in the art would appreciate, there are various dimensions on which the magnets 118 may be distributed. As shown in FIG. 4C, in one example embodiment of a 11 inch×9 inch magnetic board 108 which would optimally fit within an apparatus 100 in the form of a A4 sized folder/holder, the magnets 118 are distributed on an 11 inch×9 inch board 108 in an array of 1.5 inches, 1.5 inches, 1 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.5 inches apart on one row, whilst on a follow row, the magnets 118 are distributed 1.5 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.5 inches and 1.5 inches apart. By using this example embodiment layout, the magnets 118 are evenly distributed on a magnetic board 108 of this size.

In this embodiment, the board 108 may be made from a flexible plastic material which allows the board itself to be integrated within a flexible usage environment such as those found in the apparatus 100. In some alternative embodiments, the magnetic strength of the board 108 may also be deliberately varied such that one side of the board 108 may attract and engage lighter items with a weaker magnetic attraction whilst an opposing side can have a stronger magnetic attraction to engage heavier items.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, once an object is placed within the apparatus 100, the object, which in this example is a smart phone 110, has a metallic member 120 disposed on the phone itself. This metallic member 120 is then attracted to the magnetic board 108 integrated within the cover 122 of the apparatus 110 and in turn, causes the phone 110 to be engaged to the cover 122. Due to the magnetic attraction between the metallic member 120 and the magnetic board 108, subsequent movement of the apparatus 100 would not affect the engagement of the smart phone 110 until a user decides to remove the smart phone 110 from the magnetic board 108 by overcoming the magnetic attraction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement member 108 can be a metallic board whilst the metallic member 120 disposed on an object 110 to be engaged to the engagement member 108 is a magnetic member 120. In this arrangement, the magnetic properties between the object 110 and the engagement member 108 are reversed from the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5 and may be advantageous in certain usage environments. In examples whereby the apparatus 100 may carry magnetic sensitive items, such as magnetic tapes or disks, by moving the magnetic source to the object 110 itself will reduce the risk of magnetic interference with these magnetic sensitive items.

With reference to FIG. 7, there is illustrated another embodiment of an apparatus 700 for storing objects 110. In this embodiment, the apparatus 700 is similar to the apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1 but further includes a wireless charging arrangement 740 disposed arranged to wirelessly charge electronic objects stored within or adjacent to the apparatus 700.

In this embodiment, a wireless charging module 740 in the form of an inductive charging system may be disposed as a layer with the engagement member 108 as shown in FIG. 8. This wireless charging module 740 may include a plurality of coil arrangements which when energized allow magnetic flux to penetrate into a secondary coil arrangement in connection with the power source of the electronic device. Preferably, the wireless charging module 740 is in the form of a planar plate which can be bonded as a layer to the engagement member 108. This is advantageous in that electronic objects 110 directly engaged to the engagement member 108 whilst in the apparatus 700, is in the direct path of any magnetic flux distributed by the wireless charging module 740. This in turns increases the efficiency of the wireless charging of the electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 9, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the storage chamber 900 is a pocket on an item of clothing such as, but not limited to shirts, coats, pants for adults or children. In these embodiments, a pocket 900, which is defined by a cavity formed from bonded pieces of fabric can be integrated with a magnetic board 108 similar to the embodiments of FIG. 4. These magnetic boards 108 can be cut into an appropriate size and in turn sewn into the pockets 900 of these clothing so as to form an engagement member on the clothing. Alternatively, the magnetic board 108 need not be integrated within a pocket 900 but to an inner or outer surface of the clothing itself which would allow items and objects to be engaged to the clothing whether in the pocket 900 or on an exterior of the clothing.

In another embodiment, an article such as a belt 902 has a magnetic board sewn on one side of the belt 902 so as to form an engagement member, allowed to magnetically engage with objects 110 to the belt 902.

These embodiments are advantageous in that users can also engage various items to their clothing by use of the engagement member. By integrating these engagement members 108 to their clothing, users can simply bring an object or item near or on an engagement surface having the engagement members 108 so as to see that the object is engaged to their clothing.

In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 100, 700 includes a magnetic proof pouch or portion within the storage chamber 102 which can shield a portion of the magnetic field from the magnets 118 of the engagement members 108. This is advantageous in that magnetically sensitive object such as magnetic tapes, disks or cards can be stored within this pouch or portion without the data on the magnetic tapes, disks or cards from being erased or corrupted.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing objects comprising:

a storage chamber defined by at least a first wall member and a second wall member, wherein the storage chamber includes an engagement member arranged to engage with one or more objects disposed within or adjacent to the storage chamber.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engagement member is arranged to engage with the one or more objects by use of magnetic interaction.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engagement member is substantially planar

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engagement member is integrated within the first wall member or the second wall member.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more objects engaged to the engagement member have a metallic tag arranged to magnetic interact with the engagement member.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engagement member includes a flexible plate having a plurality of magnets.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the magnets are distributed in a matrix on the flexible plate.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the flexible plate is made with plastic.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a sleeve for housing electric cables.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a wireless charging module.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the wireless charging device is arranged to electrically interact with the one or more objects engaged to the engagement member.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the wireless charging module includes a planar induction coil arranged to be disposed on the engagement member such that the objects engaged to the engagement member can electrically interact with the wireless charging device.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the planar induction coil is layered onto the engagement member.

14. A system for engaging an object comprising:

a flexible engagement plate arranged to be substantially planar, wherein the engagement plate includes a plurality of magnetic members arranged to magnetically engage with the object.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the magnetic members are distributed evenly on the flexible plate.

16. A system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the magnetic members are distributed in a matrix formation.

17. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the flexible plate is arranged to be integrated into an article.

18. A system in accordance with 17, wherein the flexible plate is arranged to be sewn into a wall of the article.

19. A system in accordance with 17, wherein the article is a carrier, bag or clothing

20. A system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a wireless charging apparatus.

21. A system in accordance with claim 20, wherein the wireless charging apparatus has an induction plate arranged to be layered with the flexible plate.

22. An apparatus for storing objects comprising:

a first wall member arranged to substantially cover a second wall member to define a storage chamber arranged to store one or more objects, the storage chamber further includes a tablet carrying pouch, a cable slot arranged to house one or more cables and a magnetic engagement plate integrally formed within the first wall member or second wall member to magnetically engage with one or more objects disposed within the storage chamber, wherein the magnetic engagement plate further includes a planar induction coil member arranged to be layered on the magnetic engagement plate to wirelessly transmit electric flux energy perpendicularly away from the planar induction coil member to the one or more objects engaged to the magnetic engagement plate.