CHILLER SPORT BAG SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A compartmental bag system includes an outer containment surface, a cargo pocket, an insulated compartment, and a plurality of sport equipment pockets. The compartmental bag system is useful for storing of food and beverages cold in a sports bag, while keeping sports equipment stored in the same bag dry and safe. This design keeps food and beverages cool or warm depending on the packets used to chill or heat, the outer pockets are used to store towels, equipment, shoes, and the like. Due to the insulated nature of the inner insulated cooler pouch all items stored in the outer pockets are kept dry and safe from condensation chilling packets and liquid kept in the insulated cooler pouch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/304,805, filed Mar. 7, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sport bags and more specifically relates to multiple pocket sport bags.

2. Description of Related Art

Many individuals love to play sports. Often an abundance of equipment is needed to participate in a sporting event such as baseball. For instance, a player must have a change of clothes, a glove, a bat, cleats, etc. To carry all these items a player may sometimes carry a bag to hold all these items. Often players will also need to carry a lunch or meal to eat during the duration of play. This often includes carrying a separate bag just for their meal. If a player decides, they may place their drinks and meal in the same bag with their equipment. There is often a chance of damage to the equipment used to play the game. The damage may be the result of liquid getting into, or on, their wooden bat or leather glove, or even the metal in cleats that are carried in the bag. Liquids contained in the bag often perspire causing condensation to form which allows liquid to contaminate sporting equipment. A suitable solution is therefore desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 20030042157 to Joe Mays relates to a baseball bat and a sensory bag. The described baseball bat and sensory bag includes a baseball bat and sensory bag with a hollow, open topped, semi-rigid rectangular case having a lower level that can retain a plurality of baseball bats and an upper level that can retain items such as baseball gloves and the like, the case having longitudinal partitions in the lower level to separate one bat from another, the case having a pair of wheels, each the wheel located at the bottom corner, the open topped case having a semi-rigid lid that is hinged at one end, said lid having a semi-rigid reinforcing lip about three sides of the perimeter, a locking mechanism that penetrates through said reinforcing lip and through the wall of said rectangular case thereby capable of locking the two together when said lock is in place, a heating device comprised of a series of resistive elements fastened to an aluminum heat dissipating plate, said plate positioned at the barrel end of one of said bat retaining sections, said heating element powered by a removably replaceable rechargeable battery, said battery providing current through an on-off switch located on the outside of said rectangular case, a motion sensing alarm mounted inside said case, said alarm having a disarm switch located on a portion of said case that is not easily accessible to a potential thief, a plurality of accessory bags removably retained on the outside walls of said rectangular case, and one said accessory bag having a waterproof insulated lining for the carrying of cold beverages or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sports bag art, the present disclosure provides a novel chiller sports bag system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a chiller sports bag system.

A compartmental bag system is disclosed herein. The compartmental bag system includes an outer containment surface defining an inner cargo area and having a plurality of carrying strap attachments, a carry strap configured to attach the outer containment surface via one of the plurality of carrying strap attachments, a cargo pocket at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface including an inner fastener configured to secure the cargo pocket close, an insulated compartment at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface, and a plurality of sports equipment pockets attached externally to the outer containment surface, the plurality of sports equipment pockets having a volume at least sufficient to hold a pair of cleats, or alternatively a pair of shoes, each of the plurality of sports equipment pockets includes an outer fastener, respectively, each outer fastener configured to secure its respective sports equipment pocket closed.

According to one embodiment, a method of using a compartmental bag system is also disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of: opening the compartmental bag system, placing a cold item in an insulated compartment of the compartmental bag system, carrying the compartmental bag system by at least one carrying strap, and removing the cold item from the insulated compartment of the compartmental bag system.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the disclosure which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a chiller sports bag system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compartmental bag system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exterior view of the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1 in isolation, in a “closed” state, and illustrating certain types of internally carried items, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an interior view of the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1, in an “open” state, and illustrating different types of internal areas, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1, in an “open” state, and illustrating the support of various types of items, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use/for storing food and beverages in a sports bag, while keeping sports equipment stored in the same bag dry and safe, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sporting equipment bag and more particularly to a chiller sport bag system as used to improve the storing of food and beverages cold in a sports bag, while keeping sports equipment stored in the same bag dry and safe.

Generally, many people play sports. Softball and baseball is one such sport that is played. The present disclosure combines a softball baseball bag with an inner insulated cooler pouch, this design keeps food and beverages cool or warm, depending on the packets used to chill or heat. Further, the outer pockets may be used to store towels, equipment, shoes, and the like. Due to the insulated nature of the inner insulated cooler pouch, all items stored in the outer pockets are kept dry and safe from condensation chilling packets and liquid kept in the insulated cooler pouch.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a compartmental bag system 100. FIG. 1 shows a compartmental bag system during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the compartmental bag system may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to keep food and drink chilled while also protecting against condensation and accidental damage to sports equipment stored in the same bag. As illustrated, the compartmental bag system 100 may include an outer containment surface 110, at least one carrying strap 120, a cargo pocket 130, an insulated compartment 132 (FIG. 3), and plurality of sports equipment pockets 134.

According to one embodiment, the compartmental bag system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the compartmental bag system 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the compartmental bag system 100 (such that the compartmental bag system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2 shows the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the compartmental bag system 100 may include an outer containment surface 110 defining an inner cargo area 112 (FIG. 3), at least one carrying strap 120 configured to attach to the outer containment surface 110, and a cargo pocket 130 at least partially contained in the inner cargo area 112 of the outer containment surface 110. According to one embodiment, at least one equipment pocket 130 may be configured to have a volume at least sufficient to hold a pair of cleats 15, or alternatively a pair of shoes.

The compartmental bag system 100 may further include a plurality of sports equipment pockets 134 attached externally to the outer containment surface 110. Each sport equipment pocket 134 may include a fastener 115 configured to secure the respective sport equipment pocket 134 closed.

FIG. 3 is an open view of the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The compartmental bag system 100 may also include at least one sports equipment securing strap 122 configured to removably couple a handle of a bat 05 or like equipment to the outer containment surface 110, a sports ball pouch 136 configured to carry a plurality of baseballs as shown in FIG. 2. The compartmental bag system 100 may include zipping, loop, snapping, or the like fasteners 115 and a hanging loop (not shown) located on the back surface of the outer containment surface 110 configured to hang compartmental bag system 100 on a planar surface.

An insulated compartment 132 (FIG. 3) partially contained in the inner cargo area 112 of the outer containment surface 110 is configured to hold chilled ice packs 20, drink bottles 25, and food inside the compartmental bag system 110 without condensation bleeding out onto sporting equipment stored in other adjacent compartmental pockets.

FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the compartmental bag system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The compartmental bag system 100 in an alternate embodiment may include at least one messenger style carry strap 124 configured to carry across the body the user 140, and at least two retractable wheels 145 configured to allow the compartmental bag system to be pulled behind the user 140.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for using the compartmental bag system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using a compartmental bag system 500 may include one or more components or features of the compartmental bag system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using a compartmental bag system 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, opening; step two 502, placing; step three 503, carrying; step four 504, removing; step five 505, consuming; and step six 506, hanging.

It should be noted that steps 505, and 506 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for storing of food and beverages cold in a sports bag, while keeping sports equipment stored in the same bag dry and safe. (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A compartmental bag system comprising:

an outer containment surface defining an inner cargo area, and having a plurality of carrying strap attachments;

at least one carrying strap configured to attach to the outer containment surface via at least one of the plurality of carrying strap attachments;

a cargo pocket at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface, the cargo pocket including an inner fastener configured to secure the cargo pocket closed;

an insulated compartment at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface; and

a plurality of sport equipment pockets attached externally to the outer containment surface, plurality of sport equipment pockets having a volume at least sufficient to hold a pair of cleats, each of the plurality of sport equipment pockets including an outer fastener, respectively, each outer fastener configured to secure its respective sport equipment pocket closed.

2. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein the compartmental bag system further comprises at least one sports equipment securing strap configured to removably couple a handle of a piece of sports equipment to the outer containment surface.

3. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein the insulated compartment includes 30C Polyvinyl Chloride with eight-millimeter foam, and 210 denier Polyethylene with polyurethane backing.

4. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, further comprising a sport-ball pouch configured to carry a plurality of baseballs.

5. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein the insulated compartment includes a pack pocket configured to thermally expose an icepack to the insulated compartment, and the insulated compartment is configured to limit warming of items placed in the insulated compartment.

6. The compartmental bag system of claim 5, wherein pack pocket is further configured to thermally expose a heat-pack to the insulated compartment, and the insulated compartment is further configured to limit cooling of items placed in the insulated compartment.

7. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner fastener and the outer fasteners includes zipping fasteners.

8. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner fastener and the outer fasteners includes hook and loop fasteners

9. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner fastener and the outer fasteners includes snapping fasteners.

10. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, wherein the at least one carrying strap is further configured to adjust between a first and a second strap length.

11. The compartmental bag system of claim 10, wherein the at least one messenger style carrying strap is configured in conjunction with the plurality of carrying strap attachments as a cross body strap.

12. The compartmental bag system of claim 11, further comprising a pair of carrying handle straps.

13. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, further comprising a hanging loop strap.

14. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, further comprising at least two towing wheels configured to rollingly support the compartmental bag over a ground surface when towed.

15. The compartmental bag system of claim 14, further comprising a least two storage recesses; and

wherein the least two towing wheels are retractable into the at least two storage recesses.

16. The compartmental bag system of claim 1, further comprising a custom indicia tag.

17. A compartmental bag system, comprising:

an outer containment surface including an inner cargo area and a plurality of carrying strap attachments,

wherein at least one carrying strap is further configured to adjust between a first and second strap length;

wherein at least one carry strap is further configured in conjunction with a plurality of carry strap attachments as a cross body strap;

at least one carrying strap configured to attach to the outer containment surface via at least one of the plurality of carrying strap attachments;

at least one sport equipment securing strap configured to removably couple a handle of a piece of sports equipment to the outer containment surface;

a cargo pocket at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface, the cargo pocket including an inner fastener configured to secure the cargo pocket closed;

wherein at least one of the inner fasteners in the outer fasteners includes zipping fasteners;

an insulated compartment at least partially contained in the inner cargo area of the outer containment surface;

wherein the insulated compartment includes 30C polyvinyl chloride with eight-millimeter foam, and 210 denier polyethylene with polyurethane backing;

wherein the insulated compartment also includes a pack pocket configured to thermally expose an icepack to the insulated compartment, and the insulated compartment is configured to limit warming of items placed in the insulated compartment;

a plurality of sports equipment pockets attached externally to the outer containment surface, plurality of sport equipment pockets having a volume of at least sufficient to hold a pair of cleats, respectively, each outer fastener is configured to secure its representatives sports equipment pocket closed;

wherein the compartmental bag system further comprises a sport-ball pouch configured to carry a plurality of baseballs;

a hanging loop strap attached externally to the outer containment surface configured to secure the compartmental bag while hanging on a wall;

wherein the compartmental bag system further comprises at least two towing wheels configured to rollingly support the compartmental bag over a ground surface when towed;

wherein the compartmental bag system even further comprises at least two storage recesses; and

wherein the at least two towing wheels are retractable into the at least two storage recesses; and

wherein the compartmental bag system further comprises a custom indicia tag.

18. The compartmental bag system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the compartmental bag system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of using a compartmental bag system, the method comprising the steps of:

opening the compartmental bag system;

placing a cold item in an insulated compartment of the compartmental bag system;

carrying the compartmental bag system by at least one carrying strap; and

removing the cold item from the insulated compartment of the compartmental bag system.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

consuming the cold item removed from the insulated compartment of the compartmental bag system; and

hanging the compartmental bag system on a wall.