Portable Storage Unit
A storage bag includes an enclosed space, a first zipper and a second zipper. The enclosed space is at least partially surrounded by a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall. The first zipper is movable between the front wall and the left side wall from a top of the front wall to a bottom of the front wall and is further movable between the left side wall and the bottom wall. The second zipper is movable between the front wall and the right side wall from the top of the front wall to the bottom of the front wall and is further movable between the right side wall and the bottom wall. Each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is substantially flat.
This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority to or the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/215,576, filed on Dec. 10, 2018 and the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to or the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/596,862, filed on Dec. 10, 2017 and the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure generally relates to personal storage units with compartmentalized storage. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a personal storage unit with compartments such as a handbag or a storage bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe structure and usage of handbags, luggage and other portable personal containers for carrying articles is an established practice. Handbags are commonly constructed with one or more interior compartments configured to retain cosmetics, accessories, toiletries, and other items for ready access by the user.
In some of these handbags, however, access to the interior compartments are provided through the primary entryway of the container. In conventional handbags, for example, this primary entryway is at the top of the container and all access to the various interior compartments is through this one opening. Furthermore, interior compartments of such a known handbag may be divided into vertical pockets of varying depth, which are each accessed from the top through the primary opening of the handbag. The disadvantages of this configuration become obvious when one considers the fact that smaller items such as cosmetics, keys, change and writing implements, which are most often carried, tend to remain at the bottom of the vertical compartments or even bottom of the container itself.
Whether it is to enhance the appearance of a user's wardrobe or to securely carry personal items, bags, and in particular, handbags, of varying shapes and sizes are considered by many people to be an essential component of their wardrobe. There have been a variety of improvements made to the aesthetic as well as functional aspects of handbags over the years. One such improvement includes making different components of the handbag removable and/or interchangeable. For example, a handbag has been made with interchangeable decorative panels, removable inner bags, and interchangeable flaps. One example of an early handbag in which an expansive interior storage area is provided is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,665,728 to Hyman, which is incorporated herein by reference. In such a handbag, items are often distributed randomly throughout the interior compartment, which may make quick access to any specifically desired item or items somewhat difficult.
Handbags constructed with separated compartments are also known. In such handbags, individual items may be stored in specific areas to make all items stored equally and easily accessible. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,502 to Sylvia, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an organizer handbag having a first-half member and a second-half member that are cooperatively and hingedly, openable contenting a plurality of internal storage compartments on the inner surfaces of the first half member and the second-half member whereby quick and easy access to small items stored within the plurality of internal storage compartments may be possible. An inner pouch is contained within the primary storage compartment and is removable for convenient carrying thereof. Again, half members are openable only between first and second halves and are not interchangeable with other like half members to provide customizability. Furthermore, compartments on the inner surfaces limit themselves to affixed components.
There are many examples where aesthetics are interchangeable to satisfy a range of fashion objectives in the use of a handbag. It is already known from numerous patents that these fashion possibilities may be achieved using decorative interchangeable panels attached to the handbag primary panel or panels, some of these patents being exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,627,885 issued to S. L. Cassell for “Lady's Handbag” on Feb. 10, 1953 (which is incorporated herein by reference), U.S. Pat. No. 2,000,538 issued to M. H. Resnick for “Hand Bag and Reversible Cover therefore” on May 7, 1935 (which is incorporated herein by reference), U.S. Pat. No. 2,131,382 issued to R. Lobel for “Handbag” on Sep. 27, 1938 (which is incorporated herein by reference), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,701 issued to A. Ginsburg for “Multiple Face Handbag” on May 11, 1965 (which is incorporated herein by reference), to mention but a few. The use of decorative panels may limit the shape of handbag to one size and can be misplaced if a user stores out of sight.
In conventional art, panels of a handbag may be reversible. An example, U.S Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0202325 to Rihena (which is incorporated herein by reference), discloses a reversible handbag having a front, back, bottom, first side, and second side panels configured together to form a handbag with the bottom panel permanently joined to the bottom side of the front, back, first side, and second side panels. Panels of the handbag are limited to one shape and configuration due to the panels being permanently attached. It would be desirable to provide a handbag or other personal carrying container that provides a user with releasable panels wherein inner storage is easily accessible. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide customizability for panel interchange. For example, like panels of various shapes, panels of various sizes, panels of like models, and the like would be desirable for panel interchange, exchange, or reversal, thereby providing a user with a customizable organizer handbag. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a handbag wherein at least one of the storage areas within the handbag is concealed or hidden from persons other than the user of the handbag so that items of value may be secreted therein.
In one embodiment, a storage bag comprises an enclosed space, a first zipper, and a second zipper. The enclosed space is at least partially surrounded by a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall and the back wall face one another. The left side wall and the right side wall face one another. The first zipper is movable between the front wall and the left side wall from a top of the front wall to a bottom of the front wall and is further movable between the left side wall and the bottom wall. The second zipper is movable between the front wall and the right side wall from the top of the front wall to the bottom of the front wall and is further movable between the right side wall and the bottom wall. Each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is substantially flat when surrounding the enclosed space.
In another embodiment, a storage bag assembly comprises a space, a first zipper, a second zipper. The space is at least partially enclosed by a main panel, a first left side panel, and a first right side panel. The first left side panel and the first right side panel face one another. The first zipper is movable between the main panel and the first left side panel. The second zipper is movable between the main panel and the first right side panel. The storage bag assembly comprises a second left side panel and a second right side panel. The second left side panel and the second right side panel are differently shaped from the first left side panel and the first right side panel. The first left side panel and the first right side panel are configured to be interchangeable with the second left side panel and the second right side panel respectively.
In yet another embodiment, a storage bag comprises a space at least partially enclosed by a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall and the back wall face one another, and the left side wall and the right side wall face one another. The bottom wall is substantially rectangular and is connected by way of zipper connection to each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall and the right side wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONStated generally, a portable storage unit with selectable modular interchangeable containers that may be releasably attached to the unit is described herein. In an example embodiment, a user may select one or more containers for use with the portable storage unit. The selected containers may be arranged on the inside and/or on the outside of the example portable storage unit by the user as he or she desires, and rearranged as the occasion or need arises. The containers may vary in size, shape, color, material, transparency, closure/non-closure, and/or in other ways and/or features. For example, a user may choose an opaque, closeable container for storing valuables such as jewelry. Even if a thief gains access to see inside the unit, the valuables will not be visible to the thief unless the thief takes the extra time to open the container. As another example, a user may choose a container with a transparent front wall so the user may readily see what is stored within. As yet an additional example, the user may choose a container that is or may be marked with text and/or graphics identifying its contents so the user may readily understand what the container holds. Even though the user may choose to add or exchange a container(s) on the portable storage unit, an alternate embodiment of the storage unit may provide one or more containers for a unit with the containers being attached without the releasability feature. Supplementary containers may be made available to the user to choose from to customize his or her personal storage unit.
This example embodiment of a portable storage unit described in the previous paragraph may include one or more walls, panels, and/or bottom that may be released completely or in part from the remainder of the unit. For example, a wall may be released from other walls of an example unit so as to allow easy access to the containers inside the unit including the exchange of containers. As another example, a wall may be completely released from the remainder of the unit so the released wall with its containers may be taken away for use as a separate item. When use of the separated item is finished, advantageously, it may be reattached to the remainder of the example unit. Moreover, the walls and/or bottom of a unit may be reversible. As an example, in using his or her personal storage unit, a user may find it advantageous to have containers displayed on the outside of one of the walls even though original the same containers were contained within the unit. Alternatively, a user may find that he prefers to display the inside of a wall as the outside of that wall because the inside may have text or graphics or design elements that make for a pleasing outer display. The inner surfaces of the walls may have interiors that are treated or equipped with features so as to be waterproof. Moreover, the inner surfaces of the walls may be treated or equipped with layers such that pouches may be releasably attached via magnetic force. For example, the wall may include a magnetic element while the pouch may have a metallic element or vice versa. Alternatively, both the wall and the pouch may include a magnetic element. Further, the walls and/or bottom of a unit may be interchangeable. A user may find it to his or her advantage to change a right side wall for a left sidewall because the respective components on the walls may differ and be more conducive to use when the side walls are exchanged. The example embodiment described in the previous two paragraphs is closeable at its top to at least block easy viewing of the interior of the unit and/or for other reasons. The example embodiment includes a handle for easy carrying of the unit. The example embodiment also includes feet to raise the unit above a surface upon which it may be placed to keep the unit clear of grime on the surface and/or for other reasons.
The example embodiments are generally described and pictured herein as attaching (whether releasably or not) along outer edges of a wall or bottom or container. Attachment of the elements of an embodiment may be carried out in other manners.
The invention, however, should not be limited to the example embodiment described generally above or any other embodiments described herein. This detailed description provides various examples of embodiments of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects and features of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. This discussion should not be construed as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show detail of particular components. People skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.
In terms of nomenclature herein, the singular includes the plural, the masculine includes the feminine and/or neutral, a person includes a corporation, a partnership, any other organization of people or persons (and/or the like), and an embodiment, in whole or in part, may be an apparatus, a device, a kit, a method, and/or a system, unless otherwise noted. Generally the terms “and” and “or” may be interchangeable unless otherwise noted or understood from context. Moreover, like numerals indicate like elements throughout the figures
Nonetheless, the storage unit should not be limited to a “handbag” because a handbag is only one of the ways the portable storage unit may be implemented. The term “portable storage unit” as used herein refers to any type of device that a user may use to store items and to transport the items using the device. The transport of the portable storage unit may be made in any common manner such as by carrying the unit in one or both hands, by carrying the unit on the body, by pushing or pulling the unit such as a suitcase may be rolled, and/or in other manners.
The term “handbag” as used in reference to the example embodiment 20 may include a structured box-style portable storage unit with well-defined walls and an open top such as shown in
As previously explained, the handbag 20 shown in
Advantageously, as noted, the walls 24, 26, 28, and 30 of the example handbag 20 releasably connect to define an outer perimeter of the handbag 20. The connections or attachments of the walls 24, 26, 28, and 30 defining the outer perimeter of the handbag 20 may be “releasable” in that the attachments between walls may be undone and then redone repeatedly. The connections of the walls may be provided by means of, but not limited to, zippers, hook and loop attachments, snaps, buttons, hooks and eyes, straps, cord, ties, strings, magnets, and/or the like, in whole or in part.
The example handbag 20 includes a generally rectangular bottom 32 (not shown in
In the example embodiment 20 shown in
As shown in
Another advantage of the example embodiment 20 of the storage unit is the handbag 20 may be stood on its feet on a surface. By the use of such feet, the bottom 32 of the handbag 20 does not directly rest on or touch (at least whole or in part) the surface upon which the handbag 20 is standing by its feet. The embodiment 20 shown in
Instead of feet, or in addition thereto, the example embodiment 20 may include one or more wheels on the outside of its bottom 32 and/or in other location(s). The wheels may be used to roll the unit 20 along a surface.
Other means of releasable attachment may be used in other embodiments. Moreover, the means of releasable attachment in an embodiment need not be uniform as in the exclusive use of zippers in example embodiment 20. Other embodiments may employ a mix of means of releasable attachment, which may include buttons, cords, drawstrings, hook and eye mechanisms, magnets, snaps, tape, VELCRO® hook and eye closure, and/or the like.
Referring again to the example embodiment 20, the right side of the front wall 24 is releasably attached to the right side of right side wall 30 by zipper 40. The left side of the front wall 24 is releasably attached to the left side of the left side wall 28 by zipper 42. The bottom side of the front wall 24 is releasably attached to the front side of the bottom by zipper 44.
The arrows in
Besides the front wall 24 open configuration of the example unit 20 shown in
Now referring again to
Rather than being releasably attached, one or more containers in an embodiment of the storage unit may be simply attached to the portable storage unit. For example,
With regard to
In
One or more other types of containers may be used in other embodiments. Moreover, the containers in an embodiment need not be uniform as in the exclusive use of zippered pouches as in example embodiment 20. Other embodiments may employ a mix of containers. A container may be a pocket, as noted, which may be constructed in more or less a conventional manner having at least a front wall sewn alongside at least two marginal edges of at least one unit wall leaving an access into an enclosure space therein. Non-detachable pouches may be sewn into the portable storage unit and/or adhesive may be affixed to a pocket facing. A pocket may be divided into having more than one pocket leaving more than one enclosed space therein. The enclosed space may be used for one or multiple items for storage or to hold specific individual items like a make up brush, pen, cell phone, bottle, and the like. A pocket generally is open topped, but may be constructed in other ways and may include a fastener and or closure.
An example of the use of a relatively flat pocket in an embodiment is an envelope with a transparent area so that an identification may be slipped into the envelope container and the identification may be viewed through the transparent area.
Other types besides a pocket or a pocket include a bag, a basket, a box, an envelope, a pocket, a pouch, a sack and/or the like. A container may be open on one or more sides or area. A container may have a mechanism such as a flap or a cover to allow closure of that container. A container may be of any size or shape that works within the embodiment. A container may be made of any appropriate material or mix of materials. A container may include one or more features such as having a transparent area or window, or having a magnetic area for the attachment of items such as metal combs, or having a snap attachment for the attachment of an item to the container. A container may display text and/or graphics. A container may provide a surface where the user may mark the container with text and/or graphics. Other features for use with containers will occur to those skilled in the art.
As noted above, the containers in an embodiment of the storage unit need not be uniform in size. The containers 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 70, and 72 of the example portable unit 20 demonstrate that the containers of an embodiment need not be all of the same size. The containers 50, 52, 54 on the inside of the front panel 24 apparently are generally uniformly sized with respect to each other, but not with respect to the other containers shown in
An advantage presented by the alternative portable storage unit 80 is that its right side wall 88 and/or left side wall 90 may be partially or completely removed from the unit 80. The alternative portable storage unit 80 includes two zippers 92, 94 so the right side wall 88 and/or left side wall 90 may be partially or completely removed. Instead of one or both zippers 92, 94, an alternate means of releasably attaching the right side wall 88 and/or left side wall 90 may be used. Moreover, the elements of the embodiment 80 may exchanged, interchanged, and/or reversed. For example, right side wall 88 and left side wall 90 may be switched, or right side wall 88 may be reversed so what was formerly the inside is now the outside of the right side wall 88.
Specifically, with respect to the releasability of the right side wall 88 with respect to the alternative portable storage unit 80, one half of the zipper 92 is disposed along the respective right sides of the connected back wall 82, bottom 84, and front wall 86. A zipper pull is disposed on this half of the zipper 92, but may be disposed on the other half of the zipper 92. The other half of the zipper 92 is located around the sides and bottom of the right side wall 88. When the zipper 92 is zipped or unzipped, the zipper pull moves from a top side of either the back wall 82 or the front wall 86 (depending on how the zipper 92 is configured for operation), down to the bottom of that wall, and pivots around the corner created by the right side wall 88 and the connected bottom 84 and back wall 82 or front wall 86. The zipper pull continues its movement along the bottom of the right side wall 88 connecting it to the right side of the bottom 84 until the zipper pull reaches the other corner created by the right side wall 88 and the connected bottom 84 and back wall 82 or front wall 86. The zipper pull pivots the other corner and moves from the bottom side of either the front wall 86 or the back wall 82 (depending on how the zipper 92 is configured for operation), and up to the top of that wall. Advantageously, a user may partially or completely unzip or zip the right side wall 88 with respect to the remainder of the alternative portable storage unit 80 by operating the single zipper that connects the right side wall 88. The left side wall 90 may be releasably attached with respect to the alternative portable storage unit 80 in the same general manner as the right side wall 88 is releasably attached, but with the use of its own single zipper 94.
An alternative embodiment 100 of the storage unit is shown in
The handles 102a, 102b are disposed along the wide side of the unit 100.
In the embodiments of
The example portage storage unit may include a main panel 2302 which forms a loop and provides a shoulder strap and a handle (
In any of the aforementioned embodiments, at least one container may be releasably attached to any of the front wall, the rear wall, the bottom wall, the side walls, the main panel, and the side panels. Moreover, the inner surfaces of any of the front wall, the rear wall, the bottom wall, the side walls, the main panel, and the side panels may be treated or covered with one or more layers so as to be waterproof. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the walls/panels may be treated or equipped with layers such that pouches may be releasably attached via magnetic force. For example, the wall/panel may include a magnetic element while the pouch may have a metallic element or vice versa.
Alternatively, both the wall/panel and the pouch may include a magnetic element.
The example embodiments of the invention were chosen and described above in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions including various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated. The examples provided herein are not intended as limitations of the present invention. Uses with other types of apparatus, devices, items, methods, and/or systems may be appropriate. Other embodiments will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A storage bag comprising:
- an enclosed space at least partially surrounded by a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall, the front wall and the back wall facing one another, the left side wall and the right side wall facing one another;
- a first zipper that is movable between the front wall and the left side wall from a top of the front wall to a bottom of the front wall and that is further movable between the left side wall and the bottom wall; and
- a second zipper that is movable between the front wall and the right side wall from the top of the front wall to the bottom of the front wall and that is further movable between the right side wall and the bottom wall,
- wherein each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is substantially flat when surrounding the enclosed space.
2. The storage bag according to claim 1, wherein at least one container is releasably attached to at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall.
3. The storage bag according to claim 2, wherein the at least one container is a zippered pocket.
4. The storage bag according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall allows the at least one container to be releasably attached thereto via magnetic force.
5. The storage bag according to claim 1, wherein each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is impermeable.
6. A storage bag assembly comprising:
- a space at least partially enclosed by a main panel, a first left side panel, and a first right side panel, the first left side panel and the first right side panel facing one another;
- a first zipper that is movable between the main panel and the first left side panel;
- a second zipper that is movable between the main panel and the first right side panel; and
- a second left side panel and a second right side panel, the second left side panel and the second right side panel being differently shaped from the first left side panel and the first right side panel,
- wherein the first left side panel and the first right side panel are configured to be interchangeable with the second left side panel and the second right side panel respectively.
7. The storage bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first zipper is movable from one edge of the main panel to an opposite edge of the main panel such that the left side panel is releasable from the storage bag, and wherein the second zipper is movable from the one edge of the main panel to the opposite edge of the main panel such that the right side panel is releasable from the storage bag.
8. The storage bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first left side panel and the first right side panel have identical rectangular shapes, and the second left side panel and the second right side panel have identical triangular shapes.
9. The storage bag assembly according to claim 8, further including a third left side panel and a third right side panel having identical oval shapes, and wherein the third left side panel and the third right side panel are configured to be interchangeable with the first left side panel and the first right side panel respectively.
10. The storage bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is impermeable.
11. The storage bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein at least one container is releasably attached to at least one of the main panel, the left side panel and the right side panel.
12. The storage bag according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall allows the at least one container to be releasably attached thereto via magnetic force.
13. The storage bag assembly according to claim 6, wherein the left side panel or the right side panel is formed to include a zippered pocket.
14. A storage bag comprising:
- a space at least partially enclosed by a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, and a bottom wall, the front wall and the back wall facing one another, the left side wall and the right side wall facing one another,
- wherein the bottom wall is substantially rectangular and is connected by way of zipper connection to each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall and the right side wall.
15. The storage bag according to claim 14, wherein neighboring ones of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall and the right side wall are connected to one another by way of zipper connection.
16. The storage bag according to claim 14, wherein neighboring ones of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall and the right side wall are connected to one another by way of one or more snap closures.
17. The storage bag according to claim 14, wherein at least one container is releasably attached to at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall.
18. The storage bag according to claim 17, wherein the at least one container is a zippered pocket.
19. The storage bag according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall allows the at least one container to be releasably attached thereto via magnetic force.
20. The storage bag according to claim 14, wherein each of the front wall, the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the bottom wall is impermeable.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
Inventor: Elsada Gloria Goodison (El Dorado, AR)
Application Number: 17/201,250