Luggage Packing System
A luggage packing system is provided to assist parents to ensure that they have the necessities for travelling with infants and young children. The packing system of the present invention provides a series of inserts and layers that makes items easier to locate and remove one-at-a-time without disturbing the rest of the contents of the luggage. The inserts may have varied pouch configurations adapted to store a wide variety of medications, clothing, accessories, and items. One or more elements can be particularly arranged to provide a separable, packing and organization system for clothing and accessories to be packed in a suitcase. By using the layers to pack small items of clothing and personal care items, entertainment and food, the luggage may provide a versatile suitcase for travel with an infant or young child.
This invention relates to an insert for a piece of luggage such as a suitcase and a packing system. In one form of the invention, a system is provided to assist parents to ensure that they have the necessities for travelling with infants and young children. The packing system of the present invention provides a series of inserts and layers that makes items easier to locate and remove one-at-a-time without disturbing the rest of the contents of the luggage. The inserts may have varied pouch configurations adapted to store a wide variety of medications, clothing, accessories, and items. One or more elements can be particularly arranged to provide a separable, packing and organization system for clothing and accessories to be packed in a suitcase. The luggage may be arranged in layers wherein infant items such as diapers, wipes, medications and toys in one layer. Another layer may include snack items such as bottles, snacks, pacifier and formula. Yet another layer may include items for entertaining a small child such as games, toys, music or similar devices. Yet another layer may include clothes. By using the layers to pack small items of clothing and personal care items, entertainment and food, the luggage may provide a versatile suitcase for travel with an infant or young child.
Suitcases and purses provide pockets or sleeves for holding items. Otherwise, they provide one or more large compartments in which all other things are to be folded and stored. Similarly, diaper bags have a few pockets to allow certain items to be placed therein while the majority of items remain loose in a large center area. In many of these suitcases, purses or diaper bags, it is difficult to see what has been packed and oftentimes, an essential item such as a medication is left at home.
When a traveler arrives in their hotel room or when children arrive at a relatives' home, they have the option of leaving the packed elements in their luggage, placing them intact in drawers in furniture or unpacked, carried and stored, all mixed together. It is difficult to find individual items within the jumble of other items in the suitcase. Sometimes the entire compartment must be emptied to locate a single item. Unpacking a typical suitcase is a chore especially during a airport inspections or during a trip where you are constantly changing location every few days. It is difficult to maintain clothing in a neat, pressed condition in the open, loose environment of a suitcase compartment.
The problem with disorganized packing has been recognized and certain devices have been developed to alleviate this burden, especially with purses. The Herwood reference (U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,667) discloses an insert for luggage or purses consisting of a packing element in the form of a page which is constructed as a thin-wall member having upwardly facing pockets and sleeves. Each page contains a plurality of attachment means along the bottom edge thereof for releasably hinging the bottom edges of the pages into a loose-leaf assembly of pages such that any page can be accessed by flipping the pages similar to the pages of a book. The pages may also be provided with fastening means on the top edges which can be joined to the hinges to form a vertical assembly. The top page in a vertical assembly or any of the pages can be provided with a hanger and stiffener, if required, for hanging the assembly in a closet or a garment bag. Conwiser (U.S. Pat. No. 2,529,724) discloses a pleated, multiple compartment kit for carrying purse contents so that they can be readily moved from purse to purse. The purse kit shown by McNary (U.S. Pat. No. 2,183,428) has straps stitched at various locations to provide sleeves for holding cosmetics and grooming aids such as combs, brushes, etc. Some overnight bags also provide separation and specific compartments for packing clothing.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe packing system of the present invention is based on a packing element in the form of multiple packing layers each of which is constructed as a thin-wall member having upwardly facing pockets, pouches and/or sleeves. The layers are retained in a shell-type outer layer that serves as the outside of the luggage. The outer layer may enclose one or more packing layers. In one form of the present invention, the outer layer may also include a zippable clear layer that allows the outer layer to be hung on a hanger while allowing each pocket or sleeve to be visible through the clear layer. Each packing layer contains a plurality of pockets or sleeves of varying sizes depending on the intended use of each packing layer. The pockets or sleeves may also be provided with zippers or loop and hook members along the top edges or areas of each individual pocket. The top surface of a packing layer can be provided with a grommet for use with a hanger and/or stiffener, if required, for hanging the assembly in a closet or a garment bag. In one form of the packing system, a packing first layer includes multiple smaller pockets or sleeves for storing small personal items for an infant or small child such as medications, bibs, wipes, diapers, ointments, combs. A second packing layer may include pockets or sleeves for containing snacks, bottles, formula, spoons or pacifiers. Another packing layer may include entertainment items for a child or infant such as plush toys, books or games. A further packing layer may include pockets or sleeves for items such as clothes.
In one form of the present invention, the packing layers include a plurality of snaps or other fasteners thereon. Each pocket or pouch includes complementary snaps or fasteners therein. This allows the user to remove individual pockets or pouches to remove items therefrom or to restock the items contained therein or even to refrigerate medications or similar items without having to remove the items from the pouch or pocket. Additionally, the use of multiple snaps or fasteners allows the user to adjust the pockets or pouches located on each individual layer or to adjust the orientation of the pockets or ouches. Similarly, if a hook and loop fastener system is used, the pockets or pouches may be readily rearranged by the user as desired.
The pockets or pouches of the present invention preferably include a rear attachment system for attachment to the packing layer or outer layer. The front of the pockets or pouches include a zipper or overlapping layer to provide a convenient closure for the pouch or pocket. Each pocket or pouch also includes at least a strip of opaque or transparent material to allow the contents of the pouch or pocket to be observed without having to open the pouch or pocket or remove the pouch or pocket from the packing layer. Finally, the pouches or pockets may be made of a canvas or waterproof material to ensure that crumbs or liquids from the contents of the pouches or pockets do not spill into the luggage.
These and many other features and attendant advantages of the invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in con-junction with the accompanying drawings.
A versatile packing system is provided in accordance with this invention. The system is based on plurality of thin-wall packing layers that can be separate layers or releasably hinged along their lower edges into an overall packing assembly. Thus, the layers can be separately packed or interconnected to be removed from a piece of luggage as a single unit. The packing layers may be lifted and removed to allow for the visualization of the items in each layer. The use of the packing layers having the separate pouches or pockets allow the user to remove a single item without disturbing anything else packed in the luggage or in any other layer. A single packing layer can be utilized for an overnight trip or a plurality of packing layers may be used for multiple evening trips. Additionally, the use of multiple packing layers facilitates the need of the user to quickly view the items that have been packed and/or need to be replenished. In a preferred form of the present invention each sleeve, pouch or pocket preferably includes a zipper or hook and loop system to close the pocket. Each pocket is also preferably at least partially transparent or translucent to allow the user to view the contents without opening the zipper member. As shown, the pocket may include a portion of the front surface 22 that is formed as a clear surface 19 and a further portion that is formed of an opaque or fabric surface 21 that obstructs the view of the contents of the pocket 18. As described below, at least one of the pockets may be formed of an insulated material to maintain the contents at a reduced temperature. As part of this pocket, a sleeve may be used for a frozen pack to assist in maintaining the reduced temperature of the contents of the pocket. Other pockets may be waterproof to ensure that the contents of the pockets do not spill into the luggage. Other pockets may be formed of a mesh material to allow for the visualization of the contents while also allowing for air to contact the contents of the pocket.
Referring now to the drawings, the packing insert assembly 10 of the present invention may include multiple packing layers 20, 30, 40 and 50. As described herein, more or fewer packing layers may be used depending on the length of the stay or the number of items needed for travel with a small child or infant. In the most basic form, the packing layers 20, 30, 40 or 50 are formed of a thin, flexible backing material such as a plastic, mesh or similar durable material. The packing layers are formed of a back sheet 12 that is sized to fit flat into most pieces of luggage. The back sheet 12 includes a plurality of shapes and sizes of pockets 18 thereon. The pockets 18 may be arranged and fixed to the back sheet 12 or may be removable and arrangeable to optimize the storage for the respective layer. In one form of the present invention described in more detail below, the pockets 18 may be fixed to the back sheet with snaps or other fasteners to allow the user to remove the desired pockets. Additionally, in another form of the present invention, an array of snaps 16 or other fasteners may be located on the front surface of the back sheet 12 as shown generally in
As shown in
As shown in
In a preferred form of the present invention shown in
The back sheets can also be attached to hangers by threading the hook portions of the hangers through a grommet 62 or similar type of opening in the top of one or more layers. Similarly, a clip member such as a carabiner may be used to allow the layer to be hung from an available rod or knob. Other suggested attachment and hinging devices may be used with a slip-lock tightener such as used on various straps. The hanging structure can also be a simple central loop slipped over the shaft of a hanger or hung on a hook. Another embodiment of providing a method for carrying the layers, include snap closure rings, plastic or fabric belt strips having snap closures, hook and loop ends, buckle ends, turn-buckle ends or D-rings.
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It is to be realized that only preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and that numerous substitutions, modifications and alterations are permission without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For example, although pockets are shown and described in the present disclosure, it is anticipated that a variety of pockets, pouches or other storage components may be used without departing from the present invention.
Claims
1. A packing system comprising:
- (a) A thin wall packing insert comprising a flexible backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- (b) a plurality of attachment elements provided on the backing sheet;
- (c) a plurality of pocket members each having a front surface and a back surface and at least one attachment element adapted for the removable attachment to a corresponding attachment element on the backing sheet; and
- (d) the plurality of the pocket members each having the front surface with an access member and transparent window thereon, the plurality of pocket members are removably attached to the backing sheet by engaging or disengaging the attachment on the back surface of the pocket member with corresponding attachment elements from the backing sheet.
2. The packing system of claim 1 in which the backing sheet includes a top opening adjusted to receive a conventional clothes hanger for hanging the packing system.
3. The packing system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pocket members consist of pockets in a variety of different sizes and which are attachable in various configurations along the backing sheet.
4. The packing system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of pocket members include a plurality of snap members thereon which are attachable to complementary snap members on the backing sheet and the plurality of pocket members include zippers thereon.
5. The packing system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of backing sheets are provided and the plurality of backing sheets include a plurality of fastening members thereon that are oriented to engage complementary fastening members located on the plurality of pocket members.
6. The packing system of claim 1 wherein the backing sheet includes a sidewall having a zippered portion thereon.
7. A packing system comprising:
- (a) A plurality of thin wall packing inserts comprising a flexible backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- (b) a plurality of attachment elements provided on the backing sheets;
- (c) a plurality of pocket members each having a front surface and a back surface and at least one attachment element adapted for the removable attachment to a corresponding attachment element on the backing sheets and wherein the plurality of pocket members consist of pockets in a variety of different sizes and which are attachable in various configurations along the backing sheets; and
- (d) the plurality of the pocket members further having the front surface with an access member and transparent window thereon and the plurality of pocket members are removably attached to the backing sheet by engaging or disengaging the attachment on the back surface of the pocket member with corresponding attachment elements from the backing sheet.
8. The packing system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of pocket members include a plurality of snap members thereon which are attachable to complementary snap members on the backing sheet and the plurality of pocket members include zippers thereon.
9. The packing system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of pocket members include a plurality of hook and loop members thereon which are attachable to complementary hook and loop members on the backing sheet.
10. The packing system of claim 7 wherein backing sheets further include a top opening adjusted to receive a conventional clothes hanger for hanging one or more backing sheets of the packing system on a hanger.
11. The packing system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of pocket members include zippers thereon that extend along the periphery of the plurality of pocket members.
12. The packing system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of pocket members include a pair of storage areas thereon.
13. The packing system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the backing sheet includes a sidewall having a zippered portion thereon.
14. A packing system comprising:
- (a) A plurality of thin wall packing inserts comprising a flexible backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- (b) a plurality of attachment elements provided on the backing sheets;
- (c) a plurality of pocket members each having a front surface and a back surface and at least one attachment element adapted for the removable attachment to a corresponding attachment element on the backing sheets and wherein the plurality of pocket members consist of pockets in a variety of different sizes and which are attachable in various configurations along the backing sheets;
- (d) the plurality of the pocket members further having the front surface with a window thereon for the visual observation of the contents therein and the plurality of pocket members are removably attached to the backing sheet by engaging or disengaging the attachment on the back surface of the pocket member with corresponding attachment elements from the backing sheet; and
- (e) The plurality of pockets further including a peripheral surface having a zipper thereon to allow for access to the contents of the individual pocket.
15. The packing system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of pocket members include a plurality of snap members thereon which are attachable to complementary snap members on the backing sheet and the plurality of pocket members include zippers thereon.
16. The packing system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of pocket members include a plurality of hook and loop members thereon which are attachable to complementary hook and loop members on the backing sheet.
17. The packing system of claim 14 wherein backing sheets further include a top opening adjusted to receive a conventional clothes hanger for hanging one or more backing sheets of the packing system on a hanger.
18. The packing system of claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of pockets include a window on at least a portion thereof and a zipper extending along the entire periphery thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2019
Publication Date: Feb 20, 2020
Inventor: Strippoli Rosemarie (Mt. Sanai, NY)
Application Number: 16/503,760