Hanger and Luggage Packing System
The luggage packing system is provided to assist travelers to ensure that they have the necessities for traveling with infants and young children. The packing system provides a series of preferably flat inserts containing pockets and pouches that makes items easier to locate and remove individually from the luggage without disturbing other pockets or pouches. The luggage packing system also includes a hanger insert system that is movable relative to the layer member and a self-contained layer member having sidewalls and a zippered front surface.
This invention relates to an insert for a piece of hanger and 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 many trips, especially trips with infants and young children. The packing system of the present invention provides a series of inserts and layers that make 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 flat in layers wherein infant items such as diapers, wipes, medications and toys are located in one layer. Another layer may include snack items such as bottles, snacks, pacifiers, and formula. Yet another layer may include items for entertaining a small childsuch as games, toys, music, or similar devices. Yet another layer may include adult clothes, chargers and adult essentials. 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 travelers, especially travelers with infants 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 diaperbags, 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 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. With the present invention, the entire layer may be hung in a closet or on a hook. The contents of the layer are visible and may be accessed by unzipping the front layer of the layer member while the layer member remains on the hook. A further feature allows the front layer to be rolled up or otherwise retained along the top of the layer member such that the user has ready access to the contents of the layer member while the layer member is retained on the hanger or integral hanger mechanism as described below. A further feature is to have an opening in the front member such that the front member may be folded over the back of the layer member with the hanger extending through the opening in the front member such that layer member may be hung from a support and the front member is out of the way to allow for access to the contents of the layer member.
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 intended to lay flat and are 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. The clear layer includes an opening therein which allows the clear layer to be pulled back and engaged with the hanger such that the clear layer is retained in a position that exposes the contents of the layer member without interfering with access to the contents of the layer member. 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. 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, a foldable toilet seat, or games. A further packing layer may include pockets or sleeves for items such as clothes, adult toiletries, jewelry, shoes, chargers, or other essential travel items.
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 pouches. 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. A security pocket may also be provided that includes a zippered pocket that is not visible through the front surface to store keys or other valuables.
In another form of the present invention, a single layer or multiple layers may include a sidewall and a front, preferably clear face. In this embodiment, the pouches or pockets are releasable connected to the back surface of the packing layer. The sidewalls protect the sides of the pockets or pouches and include a zipper along the periphery thereof. The front surface of the layer is preferably clear or opaque to allow the user to readily observe the contents of the respective layer. The zipper allows the user to open the selected layer to obtain access to the desired pocket or pouch.
In another form of the present invention, an integral hanger mechanism is also provided. As described below, the hanger system includes a preferably sewn in elongate bar member located adjacent to the along the top and back surface of the layer thereof. The bar is rotatable with respect to the top surface of the layer such that the hanger element is movable between extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, the hanger element extends above the top surface of the layer to allow the user to easily hang the entire contents of the layer in a closet or on any hook such as a car hook such that it is readily viewable and accessible. In the further preferred form, the hanger element is generally aligned with the back surface of the layer such that it hangs somewhat flat from the support surface for the hanger. The hanger element is movable to a retracted position wherein the hanger element is aligned with the back surface of the layer such that that layer may be easily placed into a conventional piece of luggage. As shown and described below, the bar member is rotatable with respect to the top surface of the layer so that the hanger element is movable into the desired position. The hanger mechanism is preferably sewn into and connected to the back surface of the layer member and is positioned such that it does not interfere with access to the contents of the layer or the front surface of the layer member when the front surface is opened.
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 are designed to preferably lie flat and may 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. If you remove a pouch when you put the layer in your suitcase or in a closet, you will readily see that the pouch is missing and therefore, it is unlikely that you will forget to pack something or leave it behind. 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 bee, 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 releasably attached thereto. 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 backsheet 12 as shown generally in
As shown in
As shown in
In a preferred form of the present invention shown in
In this embodiment, 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.
As also shown in
As shown in
The hanger element 122 may then be screwed or otherwise attached to the rotatable element 124. Attachment of the hanger element 122 to the rotatable element 124 prevents the rotatable element 124 from being removed from the sleeve 126 which is shown as a pair of flexible canvas or similar pieces of fabric that are positioned on either side of the hanger element 122.
As shown in
The sidewall 142 extends between front surface 146 and back member 156 of the layer member 140 and is formed of a flexible material such as a cloth, plastic or canvas and includes a zipper 144 that extends along substantially the entire front surface 146 of the layer member 140. The sidewall 142 forms a protective surface along the sides of the layer member 140 to protect the pockets 18 and pouches 46 of the present embodiment. The zipper 144 preferably extends along at least three of the four sides of the side wall 142 to enable the front member 154 to be securely zipped and closed as shown in
The front member 154 of the layer member 140 is preferably formed of a clear or opaque material to allow the user to view the contents of the layer member 140 without unzipping the layer member 140. The front member 154 is also sufficiently flexible to allow the front member 154 to be folded or rolled up to allow access to the contents of the layer member 140. In the rolled up configuration, the front member 154 may be positioned along the top surface 152 of the sidewall 142 without interfering with the hanger system 120 described above. In this configuration, the attachment member 155 may be used to retain the front member 154 in the rolled up or folded configuration such that the front member 154 does not interfere with access to the pouches or pockets.
As shown in
Alternately, a preferred form of the front member 154 may include the hanger slot 158 as shown in
The packing insert assembly 10 of the present invention may include multiple packing layers 20, 30, 40, 50 and 140. Each of these packing layers may include one or both of the sidewalls 140 and zipper 144 and the hanger system 120 described herein. The layer member 140 may lie flat and be used as a single piece of luggage or as part of multiple self-contained layer members that may be transported as individual components or may be placed in standard luggage containers to allow multiple layers to be conveniently transported.
It is to be realized that only preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and numerous substitutions, modifications and alterations are permitted 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 first packing insert comprising a first backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- a plurality of attachment elements provided on the first backing sheet;
- 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 first backing sheet;
- a sidewall on the first packing insert wherein the sidewall extends forwardly from the periphery of the backing sheet;
- a flexible front member attachable to the sidewalls of the first packing insert wherein the front member is movable between closed and open positions;
- a zipper extending along the majority of the front member to enclose the pocket members within the first packing insert when the zipper attaches the sidewall and front member together and allowing access to the pocket members when the zipper is unzipped to allow access to the pocket members; and
- the front member formed of a flexible material that allows visual access to observe the pocket members in the closed position thereof and allows physical access to the pocket members in the open position wherein the zipper is at least partially unzipped.
2. The packing system of claim 1, wherein the first packing insert includes the sidewall having top, side and bottom surfaces and wherein the top surface includes a hanger system thereon; and
- The hanger system including a hanger element and a rotatable element wherein the hanger system is movable with respect to the first packing insert between an extended position wherein the hanger element extends above the top surface of the sidewall and a retracted position wherein the hanger element is generally adjacent to the sidewall.
3. The packing system of claim 2 wherein the hanger element is generally aligned with the first backing sheet in the retracted position.
4. The packing system of claim 2 wherein the hanger system further includes a sleeve member and wherein the rotatable member is movable relative to the sleeve member when the hanger element is moved between the retracted and extended positions.
5. The packing system of claim 2 wherein the hanger system further includes a sleeve member and wherein the sleeve member is positioned adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall and the first backing sheet.
6. The packing system of claim 1 wherein the packing insert includes the sidewall having top, side and bottom surfaces wherein the top surface includes a hanger system thereon; and
- the hanger system includes a hanger element, a sleeve, a connector and a rotatable element wherein the hanger element is movable with respect to the first packing insert between an extended position wherein the hanger element extends above the top surface of the sidewall and a retracted position.
7. The packing system of claim 6 wherein the hanger element and rotatable element are movable relative to the sleeve between the extended and retracted positions of the hanger element.
8. The packing system of claim 6 wherein the hanger element is movable relative to the sidewall and backing sheet of the packing insert between the extended and retracted positions of the hanger element and the hanger element is generally aligned with the backing sheet in the retracted position.
9. The packing system of claim 6 wherein the sleeve and connector are positioned adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall and are aligned with the backing sheet of the packing insert.
10. The packing system of claim 1 further including a second packing insert comprising a second backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- a plurality of attachment elements provided on the second backing sheet;
- 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 second backing sheet;
- a sidewall on the first packing insert wherein the sidewall extends forwardly from the periphery of the second backing sheet;
- a flexible front member attachable to the sidewalls of the second packing insert wherein the front member is movable between closed and open positions;
- a zipper extending along the majority of the front member to enclose the pocket members within the second packing insert when the zipper attaches the sidewall and front member together and allowing access to the pocket members when the zipper is unzipped to allow access to the pocket members; and
- the front member formed of a flexible material that allows visual access to observe the pocket members in the closed position thereof and allows physical access to the pocket members in the open position wherein the zipper is at least partially unzipped.
11. A packing system comprising:
- A first packing insert comprising a first backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- a plurality of attachment elements provided on the first backing sheet;
- 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 first backing sheet;
- a sidewall on the first packing insert wherein the sidewall extends forwardly from the periphery of the backing sheet and includes top, bottom and side surfaces;
- a flexible front member attachable to the sidewalls of the first packing insert wherein the front member is movable between closed and open positions and the front member is formed of a flexible material that allows visual access to observe the pocket members in the closed position thereof and allows physical access to the pocket members in the open position; and
- a hanger system adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall wherein the hanger system includes a hanger element and a rotatable member wherein the hanger element is movable between retracted and extended positions and the hanger element extends above the top surface of the sidewall in the extended position and is generally aligned with the backing sheet in the retracted position.
12. The packing system of claim 11 wherein a zipper extends along the majority of the front member to enclose the pocket members within the first packing insert when the zipper attaches the sidewall and front member together and allowing access to the pocket members when the zipper is unzipped to allow access to the pocket members.
13. The packing system of claim 11 wherein the hanger system is aligned along the top surface of the side wall and the backing sheet.
14. The packing system of claim 13 wherein the hanger system includes a connector attached to the backing sheet.
15. The packing system of claim 14 wherein the hanger system includes a sleeve attached to the connector and wherein the rotatable member is movably retained in the sleeve.
16. The packing system of claim 11 wherein the hanger system includes the hanger element affixed to the rotatable element and a sleeve wherein the sleeve is attached to the packing system via a connector and the rotatable element is movable relative to the sleeve and the top surface of the sidewall.
17. A packing system comprising:
- A first packing insert comprising a first backing sheet formed of a flexible material;
- a plurality of attachment elements provided on the first backing sheet;
- 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 first backing sheet;
- a sidewall on the first packing insert wherein the sidewall extends forwardly from the periphery of the backing sheet and includes top, bottom and side surfaces;
- a flexible front member attachable to the sidewalls of the first packing insert wherein the front member is movable between closed and open positions and the front member is formed of a flexible material that allows visual access to observe the pocket members in the closed position thereof and allows physical access to the pocket members in the open position;
- a zipper extending along the majority of the front member to enclose the pocket members within the first packing insert when the zipper attaches the sidewall and front member together and allowing access to the pocket members when the zipper is unzipped to allow access to the pocket members; and
- a hanger system adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall wherein the hanger system includes an elongate hanger element and a rotatable member wherein the hanger element is movable between retracted and extended positions and the hanger element extends above the top surface of the sidewall in the extended position and is generally aligned with the backing sheet in the retracted position.
18. The packing system of claim 17, wherein the hanger system includes the hanger element affixed to the rotatable element and a sleeve wherein the sleeve is attached to the packing system via a connector and the rotatable element is movable relative to the sleeve and the top surface of the sidewall.
19. The packing system of claim 17, wherein the hanger system is adjacent to the top surface of the sidewall and is generally aligned with the backing sheet of the first packing insert.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 9, 2022
Publication Date: May 12, 2022
Inventor: Rosemarie Strippoli (Mt. Sanai, NY)
Application Number: 17/571,491