A Bag

Abstract

This invention relates to a bag. More particularly, the invention relates to a sling-type wearable bag having a waterproof pocket (12) for receiving a heat source, (i.e. a hot water bottle) therein, and a hand-warming pocket (30) located therein between the waterproof pocket and a layer (20, 22) of heat reflecting and/or insulating material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a bag. More particularly, the invention relates to a sling-type wearable bag having a waterproof pocket for receiving a heat source, (i.e. a hot water bottle) therein, and a hand-warming pocket located therein between the waterproof pocket and a layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material.

Bags or holders for containing hot water bottles or heat pads are well known. Many such holders are nothing more than a soft-touch covering that are neither waterproof nor insulated. As a result, these holders are incapable of retaining heat for extended periods, generally have no means of securing them in contact with the body of a user other than by clutching and dangerous where the hot water bottle leaks or ruptures.

Patent document no. U.S. Pat. No. 1,927,751 discloses a hot water bottle holder that includes a strap for holding the holder against the body of a user and, has certain waterproof characteristics. This patent does not however disclose a hand-warming pocket.

Patent document no. CN 2413668 discloses a hot water bottle constructed in a tubular form, having openings at either end for receiving a user's hands therein, as well as a strap for retaining the hot water bottle on the body of the user. With this device being purpose built, it is not suited for use with existing hot water bottles that people may have already pre-purchased.

It is an object of the present invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a bag including:

• • a primary pocket for receiving a heat source therein, the primary pocket being formed by first and second layers of water impermeable material connected to one another along at least a portion of their respective edges thereby to define, along an unconnected portion of the edges, a primary access opening for accessing an interior of the primary pocket;
  • at least a first layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material lying substantially over the first water impermeable layer of the primary pocket for: (i) operatively reflecting heat radiating from the primary pocket back towards it; and (ii) operatively slowing heat loss from the primary pocket; and
  • a secondary pocket for receiving a user's hands or other object therein, the secondary pocket being located between the first water impermeable layer and the first heat reflecting and/or insulting layer.

The bag may also include a second layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material lying substantially over the second water impermeable layer of the primary pocket such that the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers jointly envelope the primary pocket therein.

Furthermore, the bag generally includes a first outer layer lying substantially over the first heat reflecting and/or insulting layers, and a second outer layer lying substantially over the second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers such that the first and second outer layers jointly envelope the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers.

Typically, the edges of the first and second water impermeable layers are connected to one another along a fold line, and/or by welding such edges to one another. Preferably, the weld is effected using an impulse heat welder, more preferably a constant heat-sealing machine. Most preferably, the width of the weld is between about 12 millimetres and 19 millimetres.

Generally, the connected edges of the first and second water impermeable layers are stitched prior to being welded.

Typically, edges of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers are connected to one another along at least a portion of their respective edges thereby to form a heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch for receiving the primary pocket therein.

Furthermore, the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch may define along unconnected edges of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers a secondary access opening substantially coinciding with the primary access opening of the primary pocket.

Preferably, the primary pocket and the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch are connected to one another at least near their respective primary and secondary access openings such that the primary and secondary access openings jointly form a single common access opening into the primary pocket.

The edges of the first and second outer layers are generally connected along the connected edges of the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch.

Typically, the connected edges of the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch, and the connected edges of the first and second outer layers, are connected along a fold line and/or by stitching such edges to one another.

Preferably, fastener(s) extend along, or are spaced along, each of the unconnected edges of the common access opening for enabling the common access opening to be opened and closed.

More preferably, the fasteners are a water-resistant zip, and further wherein the common access opening is located near a first end of the bag, with the second pocket being located nearer an opposing second end of the bag than to the first end thereof. Most preferably, the zip comprises a pair of zip sliders operable across its length.

The bag may comprise first and second opposing sides extending between the opposing first and second ends, and further wherein the first and/or the second opposing sides define a tertiary access openings into the one or more second pockets.

Generally, the second pocket is made up of a sleeve extending between each of pair of the tertiary access openings defined on each of the first and the second opposing sides of the bag.

Typically, the bag comprises an adjustable strap for securing the bag to the body of a user such that the first or the second outer layer operatively lies in contact with the body of the user.

Preferably, the adjustable strap comprises opposing first and second ends, the first end of the strap extending from the first end of the bag, with the second end of the strap extending from one of the first or the second opposing sides of the bag at a location there along nearer the second end of the bag such that the bag is wearable by the user as a sling bag.

Generally, the bag includes a tertiary pocket located on the strap near a first end thereof, the strap defining a quaternary access opening into the tertiary pocket, with quaternary access opening having zip fasteners located unconnected edges thereof for opening and closing the quaternary access opening.

Preferably, the tertiary pocket is made from water impermeable material and the zip thereof is water-resistant. More preferably, an adjustment buckle on the adjustable strap overlies a portion of such adjustable strap such that the bag is comfortable to wear without the buckle pressing into the body of the user.

The bag may also include a secondary strap for further securing the bag to the body of the user, the secondary strap having: (i) a first end extending from the side of the bag from which the second end of the adjustable strap extends; and (ii) a second end extending from the side of the bag opposite the side from which the second end of the adjustable strap extends.

Typically, the heat source is from a group of heat sources including chemically or electromagnetically activated heat pads or packs, chemically or electromagnetically activated heat bags and hot water bottles.

Preferably, the first and second water impermeable layers are made from a waterproof, breathable polyurethane laminated fabric with a thickness of about 2 millimetres. Accordingly, in the event of a water bottle rupture, water is incapable of escaping from the primary pocket.

More preferably, the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers are made from a breathable polyester based fabric, the polyester fibres thereof being needle punched through a non-woven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film.

Most preferably, the polyester based fabric is laminated on both sides with a material restricting migration of polyester fibres outwardly towards the first and the second outer layers.

Generally, the first and the second outer layers are made from a soft touch, pliable material. The first and the second outer layers may further be made from a water-resistant and/or windproof material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The container will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective side view of the bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 with a primary pocket thereof exploded from the bag;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1, illustrated in an open condition with a hot water bottle being inserted into the primary pocket thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bag of FIG. 1 illustrated in an operative condition on the body of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A bag according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated generally in the accompanying figures by reference numeral 10. With specific reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 10 includes a primary pocket 12 for receiving a heat source such as a hot water bottle 100 therein, at least a first layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material 20 and a second pocket 30 (single or two or more individual pockets) for receiving a user's hands 200 therein.

Although the primary function of the second pocket 30 is for keeping the hands 200 of a user warm, it will be appreciated that other objects such as an infant's nursing bottle may be located therein to be kept warm.

With reference specifically to FIG. 2 the primary pocket 12 is formed by first and second layers 14, 16 of water impermeable material, connected to one another along certain portions of their respective connected edges 14A, 16A and unconnected from one another along certain portions of their respective unconnected edges 14B, 16B. It will be appreciated that the unconnected edges 14B, 16B define a primary access opening 18 for accessing an interior of the primary pocket 12.

The edges of the first and second water impermeable layers 14A, 16A may be connected in many different ways, but typically by a welding or heat-sealing process, and preferably post stitching such edges 14A, 16A to one another. During testing, it was found that the needle holes arising from the stitching process are sealed during the welding process and that a weld of between 12 and 19 millimetres provides a sufficiently strong and waterproof seam.

Although the bag 10 may be constructed with the first heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 20 on a first side of the primary pocket 12, it is preferably that the bag 10 further includes a second heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 22 located on a second side of the primary pocket 12.

On construction of the bag 10, the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulating layers 20,22 lie substantially over the respective first and second water impermeable layers 14, 16 thereby to sandwich the second pocket 30, typically in the form of a hand-warming sleeve, between the primary pocket 12 and the first heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 20.

It will be appreciated that although the second pocket 30 has been illustrated as lying between the primary pocket 12 and the first heat reflecting and/or insulating layers 20, it may alternatively lie between the primary pocket 12 and the second heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 22.

In the constructed bag 10, the first and the second heat reflecting and/or insulating layers 20, 22 jointly envelope the primary pocket 12 so as to operatively insulate the bag 10 from rapid heat loss and operatively reflect heat radiating outwardly from the primary pocket 12 back towards it.

With reference now also to FIG. 3, and during construction of the bag 10, the edges 20A, 22A of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22 are connected to one another along at least portions thereof, preferably via stitching, to form a heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch 24 for receiving the primary pocket 12 therein.

Unconnected edges 20B, 22B of the heat reflecting and/or insulating layers define a secondary access opening 26 which, on insertion of the primary pocket 12 into the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch 24, substantially coincides with the primary access opening 18 of the primary pocket 12 thereby to form a single common access opening. With the primary pocket 12 inserted into the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch 24, the unconnected edges 14B of the first water impermeable layer 14 are connected to the unconnected edges 20B of the first heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 20. Similarly, the unconnected edges 16B of the second water impermeable layer 16 are connected to the unconnected edges 22B of the second heat reflecting and/or insulating layer 22.

The bag 10 also includes first and second outer layers 40, 42 lying, in a constructed form, over the respective first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22 such that the edges 40A, 40B; 42A, 42B of the first and second outer layers 40, 42 are connected (preferably by stitching) to the respective edges 20A, 20B; 22A, 22B of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22.

In this manner, the first and second outer layers 40, 42 jointly envelope the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22, and consequentially envelope primary pocket 12 received within the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch 24 formed by the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22.

A fastener 44 in the form of a zip is stitched into the bag 10, preferably along the edges 40B, 42B of the first and second outer layers 40, 42, such that the common access opening (formed jointly by the primary and the secondary access openings 18, 26) may be opened and/or closed as required.

Although the fastener 44 may be of many different configurations (such as clips, press-studs, hook and loop fastenings, etc.) it is preferably that the fastener is a water-resistant zip. In this manner, and in the event of a rupturing of the hot water bottle 100, the hot water is containable within the waterproof primary pocket 12 thereby preventing the water from escaping and burning the user.

Practically, the access openings 18, 26 and the zip 44 are positioned nearer a first operatively top end 10A of the bag 10, while the second pocket 30 is positioned nearer a second operatively bottom end 10B thereof.

The bag 10 further comprises first and second opposing sides 10C, 10D, extending between the respective opposing first and second ends 10A, 10B, each defining tertiary access openings 32 providing access into the second pocket 30.

The bag 10 includes an adjustable strap 34 for securing the bag 10 to the body 300 of the user in a sling-type fashion, with the adjustable strap 34 passing over one shoulder and returning to the bag 10 via the opposite hip. It will be appreciated that sling system is easy to both put on and take off, especially in an emergency where, for example, the hot water bottle ruptures.

The adjustable strap 34 comprises opposing first and second ends 36, 38. The first end 36 of the adjustable strap 34 extends from the first end 10A of the bag 10, with the second end 38 of the strap extending from one of the first or the second opposing sides 10C, 10D of the bag 10, preferably at a location there along nearer the second end 10D thereof.

A tertiary pocket located on the adjustable strap 34 is accessible via another zip 50. It will be appreciated that the tertiary pocket is placed on the adjustable strap 34 such that it is positioned remotely from the heat radiating from the heat source 100, thereby to prevent damage to objects (such as a cell phone) that may be stored therein.

With reference to FIG. 5, the bag 10 further includes a secondary strap 52 for further securing the bag to the body 300 of the user, particularly in the event of the user bending over or rotating rapidly. The secondary strap 52 has a first end, extending from near the side 10C of the bag 10 from which the second end 38 of the adjustable strap 34 extends, and a second end, extending from the side 10D of the bag 10 opposite the side 10C from which the second end 38 of the adjustable strap 34 extends.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

For example, the first and second water impermeable layers 14, 16 may be made from a waterproof, breathable polyurethane laminated fabric with a thickness of about 2 millimetres.

The first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers 20, 22 may be made from a breathable polyester based fabric, the polyester fibres thereof being needle punched through a non-woven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film. Preferably, the polyester based fabric 22C is laminated on both sides with a material 22D, 22E restricting migration of polyester fibres outwardly towards the first and the second outer layers 40, 42.

Generally, the first and the second outer layers 40, 42 may be made from a soft touch, pliable material.

It will also be appreciated that although the layers have been described and/or illustrated herein as being connected by welding and/or stitching, it will be appreciated that the layers might be made form a sheet folded over itself such that at least one edge of the connected layers are connected across a fold line.

Claims

1. A bag including:

a primary pocket for receiving a heat source therein, the primary pocket being formed by first and second layers of water impermeable material connected to one another along at least a portion of their respective edges thereby to define, along an unconnected portion of the edges, a primary access opening for accessing an interior of the primary pocket;

at least a first layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material lying substantially over the first water impermeable layer of the primary pocket for: (i) operatively reflecting heat radiating from the primary pocket back towards it; and (ii) operatively slowing heat loss from the primary pocket; and

a secondary pocket for receiving a user's hands or other object therein, the secondary pocket being located between the first water impermeable layer and the first heat reflecting and/or insulting layer.

2. A bag according to claim 1 including a second layer of heat reflecting and/or insulating material lying substantially over the second water impermeable layer of the primary pocket such that the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers jointly envelope the primary pocket therein.

3. A bag according to claim 2 including a first outer layer lying substantially over the first heat reflecting and/or insulting layers, and a second outer layer lying substantially over the second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers such that the first and second outer layers jointly envelope the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers.

4. A bag according to claim 3, wherein the edges of the first and second water impermeable layers are connected to one another along a fold line, or by one of at least welding or stitching such edges to one another.

5. (canceled)

6. A bag according to claim 4, wherein edges of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers are connected to one another along at least a portion of their respective edges thereby to form a heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch for receiving the primary pocket therein, the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch defining along unconnected edges of the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers a secondary access opening substantially coinciding with the primary access opening of the primary pocket, and further wherein the primary pocket and the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch are connected to one another at least near their respective primary and secondary access openings such that the primary and secondary access openings jointly form a single common access opening into the primary pocket.

7. A bag according to claim 6, wherein edges of the first and second outer layers are connected along the connected edges of the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch.

8. A bag according to claim 7, wherein the connected edges of the heat reflecting and/or insulating pouch, and the connected edges of the first and second outer layers, are connected along a fold line or by stitching such edges to one another.

9. A bag according to claim 8, wherein fastener(s) extend along, or are spaced along, each of the unconnected edges of the common access opening for enabling the common access opening to be opened and closed.

10. A bag according to claim 9, wherein the fasteners are a water-resistant zip, and further wherein the common access opening is located near a first end of the bag, with the second pocket being located nearer an opposing second end of the bag than to the first end thereof.

11. A bag according to claim 10, wherein the bag comprises first and second opposing sides extending between the opposing first and second ends, and further wherein at least one of the first and/or the second opposing sides define a tertiary access opening into the one or more second pockets.

12. A bag according to claim 11, wherein the second pocket is made up of a sleeve extending between each of the tertiary access openings defined on each of the first and the second opposing sides of the bag.

13. A bag according to claim 12, wherein the bag comprises an adjustable strap for securing the bag to the body of a user such that the first or the second outer layer operatively lies in contact with the body of the user.

14. A bag according to claim 13, wherein the adjustable strap comprises opposing first and second ends, the first end of the strap extending from the first end of the bag, with the second end of the strap extending from one of the first or the second opposing sides of the bag at a location there along nearer the second end of the bag such that the bag is wearable by the user as a sling bag.

15. A bag according to claim 14 including a tertiary pocket located on the strap near a first end thereof, the strap defining a quaternary access opening into the tertiary pocket, with quaternary access opening having zip fasteners located along unconnected edges thereof for opening and closing the quaternary access opening.

16. A bag according to claim 15 including a secondary strap for further securing the bag to the body of the user, the secondary strap having: (i) a first end extending from the side of the bag from which the second end of the adjustable strap extends; and (ii) a second end extending from the side of the bag opposite the side from which the second end of the adjustable strap extends.

17. A bag according to claim 16, wherein the heat source is from a group of heat sources including chemically or electromagnetically activated heat pads or packs, chemically or electromagnetically activated heat bags and hot water bottles.

18. A bag according to claim 17, wherein the first and second water impermeable layers are made from a waterproof, breathable polyurethane laminated fabric with a thickness of about 2 millimetres.

19. A bag according to claim 18, wherein the first and second heat reflecting and/or insulting layers are made from a breathable polyester based fabric, the polyester fibres thereof being needle punched through a non-woven substrate and through a reflective metalized poly film.

20. A bag according to claim 19, wherein the polyester based fabric is laminated on both sides with a material restricting migration of polyester fibres outwardly towards the first and the second outer layers.

21. A bag according to claim 20, wherein the first and the second outer layers are made from a soft-touch, pliable material, and further wherein the connected edges of the first and second water impermeable layers are stitched prior to being welded.