Secure Storage Bag

Abstract

Storage bags for securing items at a specified location are provided. The storage bags are provided with two independent securing mechanisms, a first mechanism for securing the opening to the bag, and a second mechanism for securing the bag to a location. The securing mechanism for the bag opening may be formed of a lockable zipper or flap of material. The lock may be independent of the operation of the latch closure such that it is closable only once the closure is secure. The securing mechanism for the location may comprise a strap, cable or chain that may be secured around an anchor point at the location and locked.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/434,376, filed Dec. 14, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is directed to storage bags for secure handling of deliveries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The rise of e-commerce marketplaces spanning goods as varied as consumer electronics and books to foodstuffs and medicine has sparked a boom in home delivery services. Although home delivery has revolutionized the way in which consumers shop, purchase and obtain products from merchandisers, the system of delivering these products to consumers has not kept pace. Specifically, delivery times are generally outside the control of the customer so that packages must be left unattended at the customer's home for extended periods of time. In addition, most homes are not provided with postal boxes large enough to secure deliveries and so the packages are typically left in the open on a customer's front porch. As a result, there has been a rising problem of package theft, particularly around the holidays when people are doing a lot of on-line shopping and postal delivery shopping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure is directed storage bags for securing deliveries at a user specific location, and methods of their use.

Many embodiments are directed to a secure storage bag including:

• • a reinforced fabric enclosure defined by a plurality of sealed ends and a sealable opening at one end thereof defined by two sealable edges disposed adjacent each other;
  • a sealing mechanism disposed within the sealable opening and configured to move from one end of the sealable opening to the other to reversibly seal the two sealable edges of the opening together;
  • a securing mechanism including:
    • a first closure anchor point disposed on one end of the sealable opening,
    • a second closure anchor point disposed on the movable sealing mechanism such that when the sealable opening is sealed the first and second closure anchor points are disposed adjacent to one another, and
    • a securable element for lockingly engaging through the first and second closure anchor points such that the movable sealing mechanism is secured against movement;
  • at least one second securing mechanism comprising at least one elongated flexible element disposed through at least one portion of the reinforced fabric enclosure, and having a first and second ends lockingly engageable together; and
  • a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed along at least a portion of both sealable edges adjacent the first closure anchor point.

In various other embodiments the reinforced fabric enclosure is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon or wire mesh.

In still other embodiments the sealing mechanism is a zipper.

In yet other embodiments the first closure anchor point comprises a metal reinforce eyelet.

In still yet other embodiments the sealable opening further comprises a securable flap configured to cover the sealable opening and the moveable sealing mechanism.

In still yet other embodiments the elongated flexible element comprises a strap, a cable or a chain.

In still yet other embodiments the plurality of reinforcing elements are disposed within sealed pockets disposed along the sealable edges of the sealable opening. In some such embodiments each of the reinforcing elements extend at least ¼ of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening. In still other such embodiments each of the reinforcing elements extend at least ½ of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening. In yet other such embodiments the reinforcing elements are formed of a plurality of reinforcing element segments. In still yet other such embodiments the reinforcing elements are configured to extend along the entirety of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening. In still yet other such embodiments the reinforcing elements are formed of at least two reinforcing element segments.

In still yet other embodiments the reinforcing elements are formed of elongated rigid rods. In some such embodiments the rods are formed of a material selected from metal, wood or hard plastic. In still some such embodiments the rods have a diameter of at least 3/16 inch.

In still yet other embodiments a plurality of reinforcing elements are further disposed along each of the sealed ends. In some such embodiments the reinforcing elements are configured to extend along the entirety of the length of the sealed ends. In still some such embodiments the reinforcing elements are formed of at least two reinforcing element segments.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying data and figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 provides an image of a secure storage bag in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 2 provides a close-up image of the securing mechanism in association with the storage bag in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 3 provides a close-up image of the secure bag closure mechanism in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 4 provides an image of a secure storage bag with optional reinforcing rods in accordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 5a and 5b provide images of a secure storage bag with optional segmented reinforcing rods, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a top view in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 6 provides an image of a secure storage bag with zipper forcing reinforcing rods in accordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 7a and 7b provide images of the detailed positioning of the zipper forcing reinforcing rods, where (a) is a side view and (b) is a top view in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 8 provides a flow-chart of a method for securing delivered goods at a location using a secure storage bag in accordance with embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the drawings, the detailed disclosure provides storage bags for securing items at a specified location. In many embodiments the storage bags are provided with two independent securing mechanisms, a first mechanism for securing the opening to the bag, and a second mechanism for securing the bag to a location. In some such embodiments the closure mechanism for the bag opening is formed of a lockable zipper or flap of material. In various such embodiments the lock for such closure mechanism is independent of the operation of the closure itself such that the bag is closable only once the closure is secure. An example of such a lock may be a keyed or combination padlock. In various other such embodiments the securing mechanism for the location may comprise a strap, cable or chain that may be secured around an anchor point at the location and locked. An example of such a lock may be a keyed or combination padlock. In various embodiments the storage bags are formed from a tear and puncture resistance material, such as, for example, a nylon reinforced ballistic material. In various other embodiments the stitches on the edges of the bags may be internal to prevent tampering. In some other embodiments one or more of the edges of the bag are doubled over such that a pocket of bag material is formed into which a rod of stiffened material is inserted. Such rods may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, metal, carbon fiber, polymer, etc.

An exemplary embodiment of a securing bag is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the securing bag (10) generally comprises a pouch (12) formed of a material resistant to tearing and puncturing. In various such embodiments the material may be a ballistic reinforced polymer (such as, for example a nylon). Alternatively the material may be a fabric material reinforced with a mesh of a puncture or tear resistant material, such as, for example a wire mesh or the like. The material may be made from a single woven piece such that only the opening requires stitching, or may be made of separate pieces. Regardless, of the manner in which the material of the pouch is formed, the various seams of the material may include only internal stitches to prevent tampering therewith. At one end of the bag is disposed a sealable opening (14) having a closure mechanism (16) disposed therealong such that the opening of the bag may be closed. In various such embodiments the closure mechanism may comprise a zipper mechanism or other latch mechanism. In some such embodiments, a flap (not shown) may be included to cover the securing mechanism to provide an extra layer of protection.

Regardless of the nature of the actual closure mechanism, a closure securing mechanism (18) (e.g. a lock or the like) is provided such that the closure mechanism can be secured once disposed in a closed position. In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bag may incorporate a plurality of closure anchor points (e.g., eyelets 20 & 22) disposed in the closure mechanism (16) and the pouch (12) and configured such that a closure securing mechanism (18) (e.g., a keyed or combination lock) may pass therethrough to secure the sealable opening (14) when the closure mechanism is moved into the closed position. In some such embodiments the anchor points on the bag may be metal reinforced.

The location securing mechanism (26), as shown in FIG. 2, in many embodiments, may comprise an entirely separate mechanism from that of the closure securing mechanism. In various such embodiments, the location securing mechanism may comprise a separate location securing anchor point (28) (that may also be reinforced, such as a metal rimmed eyelet) through which a securing strap (30) may be lockingly disposed. In various embodiments, the securing strap may comprise a chain, cable or other reinforced material capable of resisting breakage that forms a loop via engagement of a separate location locking mechanism (32) (such as a keyed or combination lock for example). This loop may be secured to any suitable anchor point at the selected location, and is entirely separate from the closure/closure securing mechanism of the bag such that the location securing mechanism does not rely on or require removal or disruption of the bag closure/securing mechanisms. Alternatively, the strap may be permanently attached between the desired location and the bag, via, for example, a welded cable, etc.

Turning to the construction of the secure bag, as shown in FIG. 4, in many embodiments, in addition to the enclosure securing mechanism, the bag further comprises one or more edge or seam reinforcing members (34). In such embodiments, rods of a hard material may be incorporated into one or more of the edges of the bag to prevent cutting through the edges of the bag. The rods in such embodiments may be made of any material suitable for imparting a rigid barrier to cutting to the edge of the bag, such as, for example, metal, wood, hard plastic, etc., and may be of any size suitable for the purpose and application, such as, for example, 3/16, ¼, ½, ¾, etc. Moreover, the rods may take any shape suitable for use in said edges including rods with different cross-sections, such as, for example, circular, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. Finally, although each edge is shown bearing a single monolithic rod, it should be understood that each edge may comprise two or more segmented rods such that the bag may be folded into a more compact shape. In addition, although a bag with rods at all four edges is shown, it should be understood that the rods may be selectively placed on those most vulnerable edges, including the edges surrounding the sealable opening (14) to the bag. Specifically, while a single rod is depicted at the side of the bag that contains the sealable opening, it should be understood that in some embodiments this side actually comprises two edges one on either side of the sealable opening, and that rods may be placed at both of these edges.

Although the rods are shown as extending across all sides of the bag, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the rods (36) along the two edges (38) of the sealable opening are in various embodiments segmented such that the sealable opening (40) may be opened to allow larger packages into the bag (42). In particular, should a monolithic rod be places at the edges of the sealable opening then the rod would prevent the bag from being opened any larger than the width provided by the seam of the opening. However, segmented rods can shift relative to each other allowing for wider opening of the bag. In many embodiments the rods are segmented such that they extend no further than half-way across the length of the opening. In various other embodiments, more than two rods may be positioned along the seam this allowing even further breadth to open the bag. These segmented rods may be positioned within separately sealed pockets (44) formed along the edges of the sealable opening of the bag.

Although the rods may be positioned, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to prevent entrance to the bag through the seamed edge, in many other embodiments where a zippered closure mechanism is used to close the sealable opening, the rods are configured and specifically positioned to prevent someone from physically forcing open the zipper. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible by pulling the two edges (46) of the zipper (48) in opposite directions along the length of the zipper (see arrows) to force open a closed zipper without using the actual zipper mechanism, thereby bypassing mechanism design to secure the zipper against normal operation. To prevent this, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, rods (50) are positioned along the two edges (52) of the sealable opening (54) near the closed-end stop (56) of the zipper (i.e., the end of the zipper where the closure securing mechanism (58) is located. In such embodiments, the rods extend sufficiently far along the bag to prevent forcing the zipper. In many embodiments, the rods may extend at least ¼ of the way along the length of the bag opening. In other embodiments, at least a ⅓ of the way across the opening, and in still other embodiments at least ½ of the way along the length of the opening. As previously described, in such embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7b, the rods (60) are positioned within channels formed along the edges (52) of the opening (62) in sealed compartments (64) to prevent the rods from shifting position along the edge of the bag opening.

Finally, referring to any of FIGS. 1, 4, 5a, and 7a, although the bag is depicted as being plain and without marking, it will be understood that a label (66) may be affixed to one or more sides of the bag to provide a space for instructions to delivery personnel on the proper use of the bag.

During operation, as provided in the flow-chart in FIG. 8, the user would first secure the bag (10) to an anchor point at the location, such as, for example, a door handle, security gate, mailbox post, etc. by wrapping the location securing strap (30) around the anchor point at the location of interest and feeding it through the location securing anchor point (28) on the bag and employing the location securing locking mechanism (32) to connect the two ends of the location securing strap into a loop. Once the bag has been attached to the desired location, the user would attach but not engage the closure securing mechanism (24) to the bag along with any instructions on special handling or desired use for the deliver personnel. The delivery personnel would then deposit the delivery into the bag, (10), close the closure mechanism (16) and affix the closure securing mechanism (24) between the two closure anchor points (20 & 22) thereby preventing the closure mechanism from being moved from the closed position after delivery has been made. The user could then access the contents of the bag by unlocking the closure securing mechanism and opening the closure mechanism at their leisure.

DOCTRINE OF EQUIVALENTS

This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A secure storage bag comprising:

a reinforced fabric enclosure defined by a plurality of sealed ends and a sealable opening at one end thereof defined by two sealable edges disposed adjacent each other;

a sealing mechanism disposed within the sealable opening and configured to move from one end of the sealable opening to the other to reversibly seal the two sealable edges of the opening together;

a securing mechanism comprising:

a first closure anchor point disposed on one end of the sealable opening,

a second closure anchor point disposed on the movable sealing mechanism such that when the sealable opening is sealed the first and second closure anchor points are disposed adjacent to one another, and

a securable element for lockingly engaging through the first and second closure anchor points such that the movable sealing mechanism is secured against movement;

at least one second securing mechanism comprising at least one elongated flexible element disposed through at least one portion of the reinforced fabric enclosure, and having a first and second ends lockingly engageable together; and

a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed along at least a portion of both sealable edges adjacent the first closure anchor point.

2. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the reinforced fabric enclosure is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon or wire mesh.

3. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the sealing mechanism is a zipper.

4. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the first closure anchor point comprises a metal reinforce eyelet.

5. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the sealable opening further comprises a securable flap configured to cover the sealable opening and the moveable sealing mechanism.

6. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the elongated flexible element comprises a strap, a cable or a chain.

7. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reinforcing elements are disposed within sealed pockets disposed along the sealable edges of the sealable opening.

8. The storage bag of claim 7, wherein each of the reinforcing elements extend at least ¼ of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening.

9. The storage bag of claim 7, wherein each of the reinforcing elements extend at least ½ of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening.

10. The storage bag of claim 7, wherein the reinforcing elements are formed of a plurality of reinforcing element segments.

11. The storage bag of claim 10, wherein the reinforcing elements are configured to extend along the entirety of the length of the sealable edges of the sealable opening.

12. The storage bag of claim 11, wherein the reinforcing elements are formed of at least two reinforcing element segments.

13. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements are formed of elongated rigid rods.

14. The storage bag of claim 13, wherein the rods are formed of a material selected from metal, wood or hard plastic.

15. The storage bag of claim 13, wherein the rods have a diameter of at least 3/16 inch.

16. The storage bag of claim 1, wherein a plurality of reinforcing elements are further disposed along each of the sealed ends.

17. The storage bag of claim 16, wherein the reinforcing elements are configured to extend along the entirety of the length of the sealed ends.

18. The storage bag of claim 16, wherein the reinforcing elements are formed of at least two reinforcing element segments.