Carrying case with J-shaped side access zipper

Abstract

Carrying cases, particularly backpacks, having a J-shaped zipper disposed on a side aspect thereof, as well as methods of manufacture and use thereof, are provided. The carrying cases are constructed of front, back, and side panels, which are preferably made of a durable, lightweight, puncture-resistant material. The J-shaped zipper disposed on the side aspect of the backpack allows a user of the backpack to access a primary storage compartment of the backpack, and particularly to insert larger items into the backpack or remove larger items therefrom, via a side panel of the backpack. Among other advantages, the J-shaped side-access zipper allows the user to access an interior volume of the backpack during wear, i.e. without removing the backpack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U. S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/064,830, filed 12 Aug. 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to carrying cases such as backpacks, and particularly to backpacks having a J-shaped zipper disposed on a side panel thereof to allow a user to access a primary storage compartment of the backpack via the side panel.

BACKGROUND

There are many situations in which it may be desirable to access a primary storage compartment of a backpack via a side panel, i.e. a left or right panel (as opposed to a front or back panel) from the wearer's perspective. Some such situations include, but are not limited to, hiking, camping, or trail running, where a user of a backpack may require the use of an item (e.g. a food or beverage item, a navigational aid such as a map or GPS device, etc.) stored in the backpack while on the move and therefore desires the ability to retrieve the item while wearing the backpack. However, conventional backpacks generally suffer from an important drawback: zippers or other fasteners disposed on side panels of the backpack adapted to be quickly and easily fastened or unfastened by the user usually provide access only to a small side or auxiliary pocket of the backpack and can be difficult to open in a way that provides unimpeded access to the pocket and/or to securely close. Particularly, side zippers on conventional backpacks may be positioned such that they are difficult to open or close by reaching behind the user (as is needed when the user is wearing the backpack) and include flaps, panels, or other portions of material that do not readily permit the user to reach into the pocket.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for backpacks with a zipper disposed on the side panel thereof that are easy to open and close and permit the user of the backpack to access a primary storage compartment during use of the backpack, while also allowing the user to access a primary storage compartment of the backpack. Particularly, it would be advantageous for the zipper to permit access to a storage volume large enough to store items too large for the side or auxiliary pockets of conventional backpacks.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a backpack comprises a front panel; a back panel; two side panels, consisting of a left side panel and a right side panel; and a J-shaped zipper, disposed on a selected one of the two side panels, wherein at least a portion of the zipper coincides with a portion of an edge between the selected side panel and the front panel or the back panel, wherein the zipper defines a boundary between a foldable flap of the selected side panel and an adjoining portion of the selected side panel, wherein, when the zipper is fully fastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are joined to thereby maintain the foldable flap in an unfolded position, wherein, when the zipper is fully unfastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are disjoined to thereby allow a user to fold back the foldable flap and create a side-access opening of the backpack, and wherein, when the foldable flap is folded back, a user may access a primary storage compartment of the backpack via the side-access opening.

In embodiments, an interior volume of the primary storage compartment may be at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or substantially all of an interior volume of the backpack defined by the front, back, and side panels, and may, but need not, be devoid of interior barriers or partitions. The interior volume of the primary storage compartment may, but need not, be substantially equal to the interior volume of the backpack.

In embodiments, the backpack may further comprise a secondary storage compartment, wherein the primary storage compartment and the secondary storage compartment are separated by an interior barrier or partition.

In embodiments, a total volume of the primary storage compartment may be at least about 4.5 liters, or at least about 9 liters.

In embodiments, a depth of the primary storage compartment, along an axis orthogonal to the selected side panel, may be at least about 5.75 inches.

In embodiments, a width of the foldable flap may be about 5 inches.

In embodiments, a width of the foldable flap may extend across at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or substantially all of a width of the selected side panel.

In embodiments, at least one of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel may comprise a substantially puncture-resistant material. The substantially puncture-resistant material may, but need not, be a polymeric material. The polymeric material may, but need not, comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of nylons and polyesters.

In embodiments, at least one panel selected from the group consisting of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel may comprise a multi-layer or composite portion. An outer surface of the at least one panel may, but need not, comprise a substantially puncture-resistant material and an inner surface of the at least one panel may, but need not, comprise a durable cushioning material.

In embodiments, the J-shaped zipper may be selected from the group consisting of a coil zipper, an invisible zipper, a reverse coil zipper, a metal zipper, a plastic-molded zipper, an open-ended zipper, a two-way open-ended zipper, a two-way closed-ended zipper, and a magnetic zipper.

In embodiments, the primary storage compartment may be at least one of cushioned, insulated, puncture-resistant, waterproof, and water-resistant.

In embodiments, the backpack may further comprise a gusset and a zipper associated with the gusset, and the zipper associated with the gusset may be operable by the user to selectively expand or collapse an interior volume of the backpack.

In embodiments, the J-shaped zipper may be configured such that, when the J-shaped zipper is unfastened or partially unfastened, the foldable flap is biased to remain in the unfolded position, adjacent to the joining edge of the adjoining portion of the side panel, and to be folded away only when manipulated by the user.

In embodiments, the backpack may further comprise an anti-slide lock, operable by the user to lock a zipper pull of the J-shaped zipper in a desired position.

While specific embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, the present disclosure is not limited to the precise configuration and components described herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the overall disclosure.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms “about,” “approximately,” etc., when used in relation to numerical limitations or ranges, means that the recited limitation or range may vary by up to 10%. By way of non-limiting example, “about 750” can mean as little as 675 or as much as 825, or any value therebetween. When used in relation to ratios or relationships between two or more numerical limitations or ranges, the terms “about,” “approximately,” etc. mean that each of the limitations or ranges may vary by up to about 10%; by way of non-limiting example, a statement that two quantities are “approximately equal” can mean that a ratio between the two quantities is as little as 0.9:1.1 or as much as 1.1:0.9 (or any value therebetween), and a statement that a four-way ratio is “about 5:3:1:1” can mean that the first number in the ratio can be any value of at least 4.5 and no more than 5.5, the second number in the ratio can be any value of at least 2.7 and no more than 3.3, and so on.

The embodiments and configurations described herein are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a backpack having a J-shaped side-access zipper, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a backpack having a J-shaped side-access zipper in which the side-access zipper has been unzipped or opened to allow access to the interior backpack volume, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are close-up perspective and side views, respectively, of the backpack of FIG. 2 with the J-shaped side-access zipper in a zipped or closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “J-shaped” refers to any curve or other shape having a relatively long and straight section along a first axis, giving way to a portion curving toward a second axis approximately perpendicular to the first axis, similar to the capital letter J or its mirror image.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term “primary storage compartment” refers to any pocket or storage compartment of a backpack that lies substantially within an interior volume defined by front, back, and side panels of the backpack, and whose volumetric storage capacity is at least about one-sixth of the total volumetric storage capacity of the backpack. It is to be expressly understood that reference to a “primary storage compartment” as used herein need not imply that the primary storage compartment is the only, or even the largest, storage compartment of the backpack. In some embodiments, the backpack may comprise a single primary storage compartment, accessible at least via a side access zipper, that occupies at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or substantially all of the interior volume of the backpack, and/or may be free of internal barriers or partitions, while in other embodiments a primary storage compartment may be separated from other storage compartments, e.g. one or more secondary storage compartments by one or more barriers or partitions.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a carrying case, and particularly a backpack, having a J-shaped access zipper disposed on a side aspect and/or panel thereof, enabling a user to access a primary storage compartment of the backpack, and thus insert items into such compartment or remove items from such compartment, without requiring the user to access or manipulate features on the front or back aspects and/or panels of the backpack. This functionality allows the user of the backpack to easily use or store items when accessing or manipulating the front or back aspects and/or panels of the backpack (or features thereon) would be impractical or inconvenient, e.g. while wearing the backpack and walking, climbing, tending to children, etc. Unlike conventional backpacks, whose side-accessible compartments and pockets are generally small and of limited use for holding larger items of interest (e.g. food items, beverages, books, maps, etc.), the J-shaped side access zipper of backpacks of the present disclosure permits the user to utilize a primary storage compartment (which may, in some embodiments, include all or a majority of the interior storage space of the backpack) and thus to store and/or retrieve such larger items without needing to remove the backpack. Moreover, where side-access zippers or other fasteners of conventional backpacks generally provide only a small opening or are otherwise cumbersome (e.g. due to obstructive flaps or sidewalls of material) for placing items within or removing items from a pocket or compartment of the backpack, the J-shaped side access zipper of backpacks of the present disclosure defines a foldable flap that can be folded away from a remainder of the side panel to maximize the area of the opening for storing or retrieving larger items.

In embodiments, carrying cases of the present disclosure take the general form of and may be used as backpacks, i.e. are adapted to be worn and carried on the back of a user using one or more shoulder straps. In these and other embodiments, the primary storage compartment accessible via the J-shaped side access zipper may provide one or more features that improve the suitability of the backpack for carrying fragile or perishable items or for using the backpack in challenging environments; by way of non-limiting example, the primary storage compartment may be any one or more of cushioned, insulated, puncture-resistant, waterproof, water-resistant, etc.

Backpacks of the present disclosure generally comprise a front panel, a back panel, and two side panels (i.e. a left side panel and a right side panel). Generally, the front panel takes the shape of a rounded rectangle, as is typical of backpacks and other similar carrying cases, but it is expressly contemplated that front panels according to the present disclosure may have any suitable shape. The construction of the front panel generally includes at least one layer or piece of a puncture-resistant, and preferably flexible and relatively lightweight, material, which may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a polymer and/or a composite material; in many embodiments, the panel may have a multi-layer or multi-piece construction in which at least one, and optionally all, layers or pieces are constructed of a puncture-resistant material. The front panel defines an anterior surface of the backpack, which may be of any thickness (uniform or spatially varying) suitable to provide puncture resistance and to cushion and protect items inside the backpack against impact, vibration, etc. Preferably, the front panel is constructed primarily of a flexible, resilient material that is resistant to puncture and tearing, and in many embodiments, it may be preferable for a bottom portion of the front panel to be constructed of a material that combines some or all of these features. The front panel may have additional features and/or materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side panel, in this case a left side panel, of a backpack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the side panels generally have substantially vertical anterior and posterior edges that meet a substantially horizontal bottom edge at rounded right angles, while a top edge of the side faces is sloped such that the posterior edge is slightly longer than the anterior edge, as is typical of backpacks; it is expressly contemplated, however, that side panels according to the present disclosure may have any suitable shape. The construction of each side panel generally includes at least one layer or piece of a puncture-resistant, and preferably flexible and relatively lightweight, material, which may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a polymer and/or a composite material; in many embodiments, each panel may have a multi-layer or multi-piece construction in which at least one, and optionally all, layers are constructed of a puncture-resistant material. The side panels define lateral surfaces of the carrying case, which may be of any thickness (uniform or spatially varying) suitable to provide puncture resistance and to cushion and protect items inside the backpack against impact, vibration, etc. Preferably, the side panels are constructed of a flexible, resilient material that is resistant to puncture and tearing, and in many embodiments, it may be preferable for a bottom portion of the side panel(s) to be constructed of a material that combines some or all of these features with a waterproof characteristic (e.g. a heavy-duty waterproof nylon or polyester).

The front panel and side panels, together with a back panel (not shown or described herein), collectively define walls of the backpack, which may be of any thickness (uniform or spatially varying) suitable to provide puncture resistance and to cushion and protect items inside the backpack against impact, vibration, etc. The walls of the backpack surround and define an interior volume, which may, but need not, be separated into multiple compartments or pockets by internal barriers or partitions. Although not strictly necessary, backpacks of the present disclosure generally comprise a door, aperture, zipper, etc. on the front panel that allows the items inside the interior volume of the backpack to be selectively inserted or removed and to otherwise prevent access to and shifting, impact, etc. of the items, as conventional backpacks do. The interior volume surrounded and defined by the body panels may have any suitable volume to accommodate various types and sizes of item, and may be selected by those of skill in the art to provide a carrying case of any appropriate size; in some embodiments, it may be possible for a user to selectively expand or collapse the interior volume of the backpack, or a portion thereof, by means, e.g., of a gusset in association with a zipper.

In embodiments, any of the body panels may be molded or otherwise constructed of a single piece of material, which may be a multi-layer or composite material, or may be composed of multiple pieces of material. In all cases, however, the body panels are constructed to form a snug fit with each other when affixed to each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the side panel includes a J-shaped side access zipper 1 (in this case, the J shape appears as a mirror image of the capital letter J). The J-shaped side access zipper 1 includes a longitudinal portion 1a, extending along at least a portion of an edge between the side panel and the front panel, although it is to be expressly understood that the zipper can be “flipped” such that this portion of the zipper extends along at least a portion of the edge between the side panel and the back panel. The longitudinal portion 1a then gives way to a transverse portion 1b, which curves away from this edge toward the opposing back panel of the backpack, thereby forming a J shape (or, in this embodiment, a mirror image thereof). While the transverse portion 1b of J-shaped side access zipper 1 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 extends across an entirety of the width of the side panel, it is to be expressly understood that in some embodiments the transverse portion 1b may terminate short of the panel (in this case, the back panel) opposing the edge on which the longitudinal portion 1a lies; particularly, a length of the transverse portion 1b of the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or substantially all of a width of the side panel. Disposed immediately behind the J-shaped side access zipper 1 (i.e. within the interior volume of the backpack, adjacent to the side panel) is a primary storage compartment of the backpack, which the user may access by unzipping (i.e. unfastening) the J-shaped side access zipper 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the J-shaped side access zipper 1 and an associated foldable flap or door 2 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, in an open and folded-away configuration. As FIG. 2 illustrates, when the J-shaped side access zipper 1 is unzipped, the foldable flap 2—which is otherwise joined to an adjoining portion of the side panel by the J-shaped side access zipper 1 when the J-shaped side access zipper 1 is zipped—may be folded away from the adjoining portion of the side panel to provide a wide opening or aperture through which items may be passed into or out of the primary storage compartment. In embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, in which the transverse portion 1b of the J-shaped side access zipper 1 extends across substantially all of a width of the side panel, the foldable flap 2 may likewise have a width substantially equal to the entire width of the side panel. The provision of such a wide opening or aperture represents a substantial improvement over the side access features of conventional backpacks, which are generally narrow and thus difficult to use to insert items into the backpack or remove items therefrom. Notably, however, the backpack may, in embodiments, be constructed such that even when the J-shaped side access zipper 1 is unzipped or partially unzipped, the foldable flap 2 may naturally remain, or be biased to remain, unfolded and adjacent to the joining edge of the adjoining portion of the side panel, and fold away only when manipulated by the user. In this way, items held within the primary storage compartment may still be securely held within the backpack even when, for example, a user may inadvertently leave the J-shaped side access zipper 1 unzipped. As FIG. 2 further illustrates, the foldable flap 2 may advantageously be operable to fold away from the adjoining portion of the side panel with only one hand.

It is to be expressly understood that any suitable type and form of zipper and/or zipper pull may be provided for the J-shaped side access zipper 1. In particular, the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be a coil zipper, an invisible zipper, a reverse coil zipper, a metal zipper, a plastic-molded zipper, an open-ended zipper, a two-way open-ended zipper, a two-way closed-ended zipper, a magnetic zipper, or any other suitable type of zipper. In embodiments in which the primary storage compartment is intended to be insulated and/or waterproof, the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be water-tight and/or provided with a portion of an insulating material extending along at least a portion of the length of an inner surface of the J-shaped side access zipper 1. Optionally, the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be provided with an anti-slide lock that may allow the user to lock the zipper pull in a desired position, thus preventing the zipper from opening or closing (and thus the foldable flap 2 from being separated from or joined with the adjoining portion of the side panel) unexpectedly or inadvertently.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the backpack of FIG. 2 is shown with the J-shaped side access zipper 1 in a zipped, or closed, position. As FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate, one advantageous feature of the J-shaped side access zipper 1, and particularly of the placement of the longitudinal portion 1a, is that the presence of the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may not be readily visible to an observer until and unless and until the J-shaped side access zipper 1, thereby providing an improved aesthetic appearance to the backpack whereby the edge between the front panel (or back panel) and side panel on which the J-shaped side access zipper 1 is disposed appears to be “seamless,” particularly from the side (as illustrated in FIG. 3B).

Although in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3B the J-shaped side access zipper is shown on a left side panel of the backpack, it is to be expressly understood that the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may suitably be provided, mutatis mutandis, on the right side panel of the backpack. In some embodiments, both the left side panel and the right side panel may be provided with a J-shaped side access zipper 1.

The primary storage compartment of the backpack that may be accessed via the J-shaped side access zipper 1 need not be the only, or even the largest, storage compartment provided within the interior volume of the backpack; in some embodiments, the primary storage compartment that may be accessed via the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be one of two, three, four, or more than four storage compartments within the interior volume of the backpack. Typically, however, the primary storage compartment that may be accessed via the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may have a depth—that is, a dimension along the axis orthogonal to the foldable flap 2 running toward the opposing side panel—suitable to accommodate an item several inches in length. Combined with the wide opening provided by the foldable flap 2, the primary storage compartment may thus accommodate an item several inches in both length and width, such as a food item (e.g. a granola or energy bar), a beverage can or bottle, a map, a GPS device, a pair of socks, and so on. In some embodiments, the foldable flap 2 and the primary storage compartment that may be accessed via the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may be sized to accommodate even larger items, such as a camera or other photographic equipment. By way of first non-limiting example, a depth of the primary storage compartment may be at least about 5.75 inches, or (additionally or alternatively) at least about half of a width of the interior volume of the backpack. By way of second non-limiting example, a volume of the primary storage compartment may be at least about 1,500 milliliters, at least about 3,000 milliliters, at least about 4,500 milliliters, at least about 6,000 milliliters, at least about 7,500 milliliters, or at least about 9,000 milliliters, or (additionally or alternatively) at least about one-sixth of the total interior volume and/or storage capacity of the backpack.

It is to be expressly understood that the primary storage compartment that may be accessed via the J-shaped side access zipper 1 may, in some embodiments, also be accessible by other doors, openings, fasteners, etc. disposed on other panels or aspects of the backpack. By way of non-limiting example, the backpack may optionally be provided with a door, zipper, or similar feature on either or both of the front and back panels that, when opened, provides access to the same primary storage compartment.

The concepts illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications of the disclosure are possible, and changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by the disclosure.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments may be combined in alternate embodiments other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable, and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to those claimed, regardless of whether such alternate, interchangeable, and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

1. A backpack, comprising:

a front panel;

a back panel;

two side panels, consisting of a left side panel and a right side panel; and

a J-shaped zipper, disposed on a selected one of the two side panels, wherein at least a portion of the zipper coincides with a portion of an edge between the selected side panel and the front panel or the back panel,

wherein the zipper defines a boundary between a foldable flap of the selected side panel and an adjoining portion of the selected side panel,

wherein, when the zipper is fully fastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are joined to thereby maintain the foldable flap in an unfolded position,

wherein, when the zipper is fully unfastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are disjoined to thereby allow a user to fold back the foldable flap and create a side-access opening of the backpack, and

wherein, when the foldable flap is folded back, a user may access a primary storage compartment of the backpack via the side-access opening.

2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein an interior volume of the primary storage compartment is at least about 50% of an interior volume of the backpack defined by the front, back, and side panels.

3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the interior volume of the primary storage compartment is substantially equal to the interior volume of the backpack.

4. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the interior volume of the backpack is devoid of interior barriers or partitions.

5. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a secondary storage compartment, wherein the primary storage compartment and the secondary storage compartment are separated by an interior barrier or partition.

6. The backpack of claim 1, wherein a total volume of the primary storage compartment is at least about 4.5 liters.

7. The backpack of claim 1, wherein a depth of the primary storage compartment, along an axis orthogonal to the selected side panel, is at least about 5.75 inches.

8. The backpack of claim 1, wherein a width of the foldable flap is about 5 inches.

9. The backpack of claim 1, wherein a width of the foldable flap extends across at least about 50% of a width of the selected side panel.

10. The backpack of claim 9, wherein the width of the foldable flap extends across substantially all of the width of the selected side panel.

11. The backpack of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel comprises a substantially puncture-resistant material.

12. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the substantially puncture-resistant material is a polymeric material.

13. The backpack of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of nylons and polyesters.

14. The backpack of claim 1, wherein at least one panel selected from the group consisting of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel comprises a multi-layer or composite portion.

15. The backpack of claim 14, wherein an outer surface of the at least one panel comprises a substantially puncture-resistant material and an inner surface of the at least one panel comprises a durable cushioning material.

16. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the J-shaped zipper is selected from the group consisting of a coil zipper, an invisible zipper, a reverse coil zipper, a metal zipper, a plastic-molded zipper, an open-ended zipper, a two-way open-ended zipper, a two-way closed-ended zipper, and a magnetic zipper.

17. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the primary storage compartment is at least one of cushioned, insulated, puncture-resistant, waterproof, and water-resistant.

18. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a gusset and a zipper associated with the gusset, wherein the zipper associated with the gusset is operable by the user to selectively expand or collapse an interior volume of the backpack.

19. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the J-shaped zipper is configured such that, when the J-shaped zipper is unfastened or partially unfastened, the foldable flap is biased to remain in the unfolded position, adjacent to the joining edge of the adjoining portion of the side panel, and to be folded away only when manipulated by the user.

20. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising an anti-slide lock, operable by the user to lock a zipper pull of the J-shaped zipper in a desired position.