Shoe Bag

Abstract

Two embodiments of shoe bags are disclosed, each bag having a chamber with two compartments, both compartments being accessible only via a single main opening. In one embodiment the second compartment is further only accessible via the first compartment. The bags are designed such that shoes may be transported without the shoes abrading each other. The bags are substantially rectangular and the compartments are separated from each other on a diagonal.

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe bag.

The transportation of multiple pairs of shoes is a frequent need, particularly when different types of events are being attended. For example a person may wish to have on their person a pair of formal shoes, such as high-heeled shoes, for a particular occasion but would prefer to travel in a pair of more comfortable shoes, or shoes more suited for particular weather conditions.

The transportation of shoes, particularly expensive shoes or shoes that are easily damaged can be fraught with the possibility of damage to the shoes by contact between the shoes or with other objects.

Various bags have been proposed to solve this problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,765 ‘Shoe Bag’ discloses a shoe bag that has two compartments, each having a separate opening. The bag has significant drawbacks in that two fastenings must be operated in order to access the shoe compartments, which each have separate openings at opposite ends of the bag. Further, when being transported at least one of the openings to the compartments will not be uppermost, thus it is possible that if a fastening were to come undone a shoe could fall out and be damaged or lost.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to the present invention there is provided a shoe bag comprising a main chamber that is divided into first and second compartments, the bag having a main opening through which a pair of shoes are to be inserted, characterized in that the bag comprises means to alter the bag between first and second configurations such that when the bag is in use and in the first configuration when a shoe is inserted into the opening the shoe will fall to rest in the first compartment and when the bag is in use and in the second configuration when a shoe is inserted into the opening the shoe will fall to rest in the second compartment.

In a first embodiment the shoe bag comprises a main chamber that is divided into first and second compartments, the bag having a first opening through which a pair of shoes are to be inserted, the first compartment being accessed directly through the first opening and the second compartment being accessed through a second opening located in the first compartment.

The provision of two compartments prevents shoes from abrading each other when the bag is in use.

The provision of a single main opening through which a pair of shoes may be inserted allows for ease of operation as in contrast to the prior art the bag need not be rotated in order to access each shoe. Further, as the opening of the bag may be maintained uppermost when the bag is being transported it is not possible for a shoe to fallout of the bag, again in contrast to the prior art.

Preferably the bag comprises means to seal and unseal the second opening.

Preferably the bag comprises a zip to seal and unseal the second opening.

Provision of a zip to seal and unseal the opening to the second compartment allows the second compartment to be rapidly opened and closed.

Preferably the bag is substantially rectangular in shape and the first and second compartments are separated from each other on a diagonal. In this embodiment the second opening is provided on the diagonal.

Provision of a rectangular bag with a diagonal division results in each of the shoe-holding compartments being relatively shoe-shaped so as to hold the shoes in place.

Preferably the first and second compartments are substantially triangular in shape.

Preferably the bag is provided with a carrying handle and/or a shoulder strap.

Provision of a handle or shoulder strap allows for the bag to be easily transported.

Preferably the bag is provided with a flap to cover the first opening. Preferably the bag is provided with means to releasably secure the flap in a position such that the first opening is substantially covered.

Provision of a securable flap allows for the chamber to be securely sealed.

Preferably the first opening is provided with means to urge the first opening into a closed configuration. Preferably the means is an elastic material.

Provision of means to urge the first opening into a closed position additionally secures the contents of the bag even if a flap is not used.

Preferably the bag is substantially formed from a pliable material such as a textile material or leather.

Formation of the bag from a pliable material allows for the bag to be easily stored when not in use or transported in larger luggage. It further permits for the bag to be lightweight, and cheap to manufacture. When transported in larger luggage and in use, the bag protects both the shoes and other items being transported from damage.

In a second embodiment the shoe bag comprises an opening through which a pair of shoes are to be inserted, a main chamber that is divided into first and second compartments each having an entrance that makes up part of the opening, characterised in that the opening is alterable between:

• • i) a first configuration wherein the entrance to the first compartment is open and the entrance to the second compartment is substantially closed;
  • ii) a second configuration wherein the entrance to the second compartment is open and the entrance to the first compartment is substantially closed;
  • iii) a third configuration wherein the entrances to both first and second compartments are at least partially closed.

The provision of two compartments prevents the shoes from abrading each other when the bag is in use.

Provision of a bag with an opening that is alterable between the first and second configurations as described above is beneficial as it permits for access to both compartments through a single opening, but also permits for the compartments to be substantially shoe-shaped.

Preferably the bag is provided with means to urge the opening into the third configuration.

Preferably the means to urge the opening into the third configuration is an elastic means.

Provision of an elastic means allows for the access to the first and second compartments to be restricted automatically through contraction of the elastic.

Preferably the bag is substantially rectangular in shape and the first and second compartments are separated from each other on what is substantially a diagonal.

Preferably the first and second compartments are at least partly triangular in shape.

Preferably the bag is provided with a carrying handle and/or a shoulder strap.

Provision of a handle or shoulder strap allows for the bag to be easily transported.

Preferably the bag is provided with a flap to cover the opening. Preferably the bag is provided with means to releasably secure the flap in a position such that the opening is substantially covered.

Provision of a securable flap allows for the chamber to be securely sealed.

Preferably the bag is substantially formed from a pliable material such as a textile material or leather.

Formation of the bag from a pliable material allows for the bag to be easily stored when not in use or transported in larger luggage. It further permits for the bag to be lightweight, and cheap to manufacture. When transported in larger luggage and in use, the bag protects both the shoes and other items being transported from damage.

Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bag made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention with its flap closed;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bag of FIG. 1 with its flap open;

FIG. 3 is a view of the top of the bag of FIG. 2 with the opening to the second compartment closed;

FIG. 4 is a view of the top of the bag of FIG. 3 with the opening to the second compartment open;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the front of the bag of FIG. 4 with a shoe inserted into the second compartment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the front of the bag of FIG. 1 with shoes in both the first and second compartments;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a bag made in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention with its flap closed;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the bag of FIG. 7 with its flap open and the opening to its first and second compartments substantially closed;

FIG. 9 is a view of the top of the bag of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the front of the bag of FIG. 7 with the opening to its second compartment open;

FIG. 11 is a view of the top of the bag of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view of the bag of FIG. 7 with a shoe inserted into the second compartment and the opening to its first and second compartments substantially closed;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the front of the bag of FIG. 7 with the opening to its first compartment open;

FIG. 14 is a view of the top of the bag of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of the bag of FIG. 7 containing two shoes.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a bag 1, having a main chamber 2.

Bag 1 is made from a flexible textile or fabric such as cotton, nylon, woven polypropylene or any other suitable material or combination thereof.

Bag 1 is substantially rectangular in shape, and is divided into a first compartment 3 and a second compartment 4 by an internal partition 9 along a diagonal of the bag. Partition 9 comprises zip 10, which may be opened and closed so as to allow second compartment 4 to be open to or sealed from first compartment 3.

As internal partition 9 is located on a diagonal of substantially rectangular bag 1 both first compartment 3 and second compartment 4 are substantially triangular in shape.

The second shoe-holding compartment 4 is only accessible through the first shoe-holding compartment 3, and both compartments are only accessible through opening 8.

Bag 1 comprises opening 8 that allows access to first compartment 3 of chamber 2. The circumference of opening 8 is provided with a band of elastic material 11 that urges opening 8 into a closed configuration. Elastic material 11 may be stretched by a user of bag 1 so as to increase the size of opening 8.

Bag 1 is provided with a carrying handle 5 (and/or longer shoulder strap) and a flap 6 that can be optionally secured by button 7 to cover opening 8.

Turning to the bag in use, and referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a user desiring to transport shoes in the bag may open flap 6 to allow access to opening 8. By stretching elastic material 11 opening 8 may be readily deformed so as to allow greater access to the first compartment 3 of chamber 2.

The user may access second compartment 4 by undoing zip 10 as comparatively shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The user may place a first shoe 12 into second compartment 4 as shown in FIG. 5.

The user may then seal second compartment 4 by closing zip 10 resulting in shoe 12 being isolated in second compartment 4.

The user may then place a second shoe 13 into first compartment 3. When released by the user, elastic material 11 urges opening 8 into a closed configuration, although it will be apparent that elastic material 11 need not fully close opening 8.

Flap 6 may then be folded down over opening 8 and secured with button 7 thus sealing opening 8 and first compartment 3. Thus shoe 13 is isolated in first compartment 3.

The user may then transport bag 1 and shoes 12, 13 contained therein without fear of the shoes being damaged by abrasion from either each other or separate objects. Further, by maintaining opening 8 uppermost during travel it is not possible for a shoe to fallout of the bag.

It will be apparent that means other than an elastic material 11 to urge opening 8 to a closed configuration other means such as a drawstring might be employed.

It will be apparent that closure means other than zip 10 such as hook & loop fastening, buttons or press-studs may be employed, however, it is believed that a zip provides the optimum speed and ease of use.

Bag need not have an elastic material 11 in order to operate, but provision of elastic means is believed to be beneficial. Provision of means to urge the opening into a closed position additionally secures the contents of the bag even if a flap is not used.

Various shapes of bag other than rectangles could be employed, for example in some circumstances square or circular bags may be preferable from either a functional or aesthetic perspective.

Turning to a second embodiment of the invention, and referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, there is provided a bag 14 having a main chamber 15. Bag 14 is made from a flexible textile or fabric such as cotton, nylon, woven polypropylene or any other suitable material or combination thereof.

Bag 14 is substantially rectangular in shape, and is divided into a first compartment 16 and a second compartment 17 by an internal partition 18.

Bag 14 comprises opening 19 that allows access to first and second compartments 16, 17 of chamber 15. The circumference of opening 19 is provided with a band of elastic material 20 that urges opening 19 into a closed configuration. Elastic material 20 may be stretched by a user of bag 14 so as to increase the size of opening 19.

Compartments 16 and 17 are only accessible through opening 19.

Partition 18 may be formed from internal stitching and runs from a lower corner of substantially rectangular bag 14 to a point adjacent to elastic material 20. Use of an additional piece of material to form an internal partition is preferable. The configuration of partition 18 is such that compartments 16 and 17 are at least partly triangular in shape and are substantially triangular in shape when the bag is in use and elastic material 20 is at rest as discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, partition 18 is configured in such a way that when elastic material 20 is at rest, having urged opening 19 to a closed configuration the entrance 21 to second compartment 17 and entrance 22 to first compartment 16 are partially closed. In this configuration access to the compartments is restricted and a shoe may not be inserted into or removed from either first compartment 16 or second compartment 17 without stretching elastic material 20 to widen opening 19 and thus widen entrance 21 or 22.

Bag 14 is provided with a carrying handle 23 (and/or longer shoulder strap) and a flap 24 that can be optionally secured by button 25 to cover opening 19.

Turning to the bag in use, and referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, a user desiring to transport shoes in the bag may open flap 24 to allow access to opening 19. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by stretching elastic material 20 opening 19 may be readily deformed so as to enlarge and open entrance 21 and allow greater access to the second compartment 17 of chamber 15.

The user may then insert a first shoe 26 into second compartment 17. By releasing elastic material 20 entrance 21 is reduced in size and partially closed such that shoe 26 may not be removed without stretching elastic material 20 and deformation of opening 19. Thus shoe 26 is isolated in a second compartment 17.

Then by stretching elastic material 20 opening 19 may be readily deformed so as to enlarge entrance 22 and allow greater access to the first compartment 16 of chamber 15.

The user may then place a second shoe 27 into first compartment 16.

When the user releases the elastic material 20, opening 19 reverts to its resting configuration wherein the entrances to the first and second compartments are partially closed. Flap 24 may then be folded down over openings 19 and secured with button 25 thus sealing opening 19 and first compartment 16 and second compartment 17. Thus shoe 27 is isolated in first compartment 16 and shoe 26 is isolated in second compartment 17 as shown in FIG. 15.

The user may then transport bag 14 and shoes 26, 27 contained therein without fear of the shoes being damaged by abrasion from either each other or separate objects. Further, by maintaining opening 19 uppermost during travel it is not possible for a shoe to fallout of the bag. This is the case even if flap 24 is not secured as entrances 21 and 22 are at least partially closed.

It will be apparent that means other than an elastic material 20 to urge entrances 21 and 22 to a partially closed or substantially closed configuration other means such as a drawstring might be employed.

In respect of both embodiments it will be apparent that means to secure flaps 6, 24 need not be a button. Any suitable fastening such as a magnet, press-studs or hook & loop fastenings might be employed.

In respect of both embodiments it will be apparent that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shoe bag comprising a main chamber that is divided into first and second compartments, the bag having a main opening through which a pair of shoes are to be inserted, characterized in that the bag comprises means to alter the bag between first and second configurations such that when the bag is in use and in the first configuration when a shoe is inserted into the opening the shoe will fall to rest in the first compartment and when the bag is in use and in the second configuration when a shoe is inserted into the opening the shoe will fall to rest in the second compartment.

2. The shoe bag of claim 1 wherein the first compartment is accessed directly through the main opening and the second compartment is accessed through a second opening located in the first compartment.

3. The shoe bag of claim 2 comprising means to seal and unseal the second opening.

4. The shoe bag of claim 3 wherein the means to seal and unseal the second opening is a zip.

5. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the bag is substantially rectangular in shape and the first and second compartments are separated from each other on a diagonal.

6. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the first and second compartments are substantially triangular in shape.

7. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the main opening is provided with an elastic means to urge the first opening into a closed configuration.

8. The shoe bag of claim wherein first and second compartments each have an entrance making up part of the opening, characterised in that the opening is alterable between:

a) a first configuration wherein the entrance to the first compartment is open and the entrance to the second compartment is substantially closed;

b) a second configuration wherein the entrance to the second compartment is open and the entrance to the first compartment is substantially closed;

c) a third configuration wherein the entrances to both first and second compartments are at least partially closed.

9. The shoe bag of claim 8 wherein the first and second compartments are at least partly triangular in shape.

10. The shoe bag of claim 8 or 9 wherein the main opening is provided with means to urge the opening into the third configuration.

11. The shoe bag of claim 10 wherein the means to urge the opening into the third configuration is an elastic material.

12. The shoe bag of any of claims 8 to 11 wherein in the third configuration the entrances to both first and second compartments are substantially closed.

13. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the bag is provided with a flap to cover the main opening.

14. The shoe bag of claim 13 wherein the bag is provided with means to releasably secure the flap in a position such that the main opening is substantially covered.

15. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the bag is provided with a carrying handle and/or a shoulder strap.

16. The shoe bag of any preceding claim wherein the bag is substantially formed from a pliable material.

17. A shoe bag substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.