US20190053594A1

US20190053594A1 - Customizable Storage Bag

Info

Publication number: US20190053594A1
Application number: US15/681,413
Authority: US
Inventors: Hollie Steele
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-08-20
Filing date: 2017-08-20
Publication date: 2019-02-21

Abstract

A storage bag comprising a bottom, a back wall, two side walls, two door panels, and a top panel that combine to form an interior space. A plurality of compartments are included, and may be removably inserted into tracks that extend vertically along the interior of one of the walls. The storage bag thus can have a flexible configuration for storage of different items. Additional accessories such as a cup may be secured to tracks that extend along the outside surfaces of the walls of the storage bag.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to portable storage bags with removable compartments, and in particular to portable, customizable storage bags with a plurality of removable compartments, the storage bag having a flexible configuration for the compartments, and wherein the storage bag includes vertical tracks for securing and moving the removable compartments.

BACKGROUND

Bags are a common accessory, and are used for a variety of purposes. Some bags are designed as diaper bags, and have compartments and accessories for carrying many of the needs of parents of young children, such as diapers, toys, pacifiers, snacks, changing pads, diaper wipes, and bottles. Travel and cosmetic bags are designed for transporting cosmetics or toiletries that may be needed when traveling, such as make-up, dental care accessories, cleansers, shampoo, soap, and other hygiene items. Backpacks are ubiquitous, and may have few or many compartments, some designed for carrying computers, books and notebooks, writing utensils, phones, snacks, and water bottles. However, these bags may be less than ideal for many users, or are suited for only a single purpose. In general, they may have a plurality of compartments for carrying different types of items, but over time, many items being transported in the bags may find their way to the wrong compartment. They then become mixed in with all the other items in the compartment, and are difficult to locate when needed. It may become increasingly difficult for users to pack, unpack, and inventory what they wish to carry. A bag that would facilitate organization and ease of use is needed.

SUMMARY

A storage bag with a plurality of vertical tracks that permit the slotting of a variety of compartments and optional accessories provides a multi-purpose modular storage bag that permits customizable storage, and identification and preservation of the user's belongings and other items. The storage bag comprises a bottom wall having a generally square or rectangular shape, a back wall, two side walls, and two door panels that extend along the front of the bag. At least one track may extend vertically along the interior surface of at least one of the side walls. The tracks allow a vertically arranged stacking storage system with modular compartments that can be added or removed based on the user's preferences and needs. The compartments may be configured to fit inside the storage bags, and may comprise a bottom wall, at least three side walls, and at least one roller or bracket on at least one of the side walls. The at least one roller or bracket may be configured to fit in the at least one track, thereby securing the compartments in place within the storage bag.
The storage bag may also have an upper flap with a first section that covers at least the top portion of the bag. The upper flap may have a second section that extends downward to cover at least a portion of the doors. The second section may even extend beyond the doors to be secured to the bottom of the bag. This may allow for secure closure of the top flap, while also ensuring that the door panels remain securely closed when the top flap is in the closed, downward position.
Each of the door panels may have a closure mechanism that allows the door panels to be fastened to each other when closed. The door panels may be fastened to one another with hook-and-loop fabric, snaps, buttons, hooks, latches, or any other closure means.
In an embodiment, air-filled or foam pouches may be removably secured to the inner surface of the first section of the upper flap, The air-filled or foam pouches may provide cushioning for the contents of the hag, or may provide flotation if the bag were to he dropped in a body of water.
In an embodiment, pouches holding ice packs or cooling materials may be removably secured to the inner surface of the first section of the upper flap. The ice packs or cooling materials may keep the contents of the storage bag cool.
In an embodiment, a shoulder strap is secured to the two side walls, allowing the user to carry the storage bag. The shoulder strap may have a padded portion that would cover the user's shoulder for comfort. The strap may further comprise a pocket for storage. The pocket may have a zipper, buttons, hook, snap, hook and loop fabric, or other means to fasten the pocket closed.
In an embodiment, a track may extend along an outer surface of one of the walls of the storage bag. A cup or other accessory may be included, and the cup may have at least one roller that is configured to interface with the track that extends along the outer surface of one of the walls. The at least one roller may allow the cup to be slid into and along the track, thereby securing the cup to the outer wall of the storage bag. A latch in the track may hold the cup in place
In an embodiment, a track may extend along the inside surface of a door panel. A mirror may be included, and may have at least one roller on the back surface of the mirror. The at least one roller may be configured to fit into the track on the inside surface of the door panel, allowing the mirror to be secured inside the door of the storage bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage bag with all doors and flaps closed, and with the top flap closed and covering a portion of the door panels.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage bag with both the doors and the upper flap open and the compartments inside the storage bag partially visible.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage bag including the plurality of compartments, with some of the compartments opened and the top flap in an open position.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the assembly in FIG. 3, with no compartments showing

FIG. 5 is a top sectional view of the storage bag showing possible locations for a plurality of tracks on the wall surfaces of the storage bag.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the storage bag showing portions of the rear track behind a plurality of compartments.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the storage bag showing the bag with the doors in a mostly open position and the storage compartments removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing a cup that is releasably attached to the storage bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-7, a storage bag 10 with modular, removable storage compartments 20, 22 is shown. Referring to FIG. 1, the storage bag includes a bottom wall 24, a top flap 26, a back wall 28 and a plurality of side walls 30. The bottom wall 24 may be substantially square or rectangular. A first and a second door 32 allow easy access to the interior storage compartments 20, 22, The storage compartments 20, 22 may be secured to the storage bag on a track 34. A shoulder strap 36 may be secured to the side walls of the storage bag 10, thereby allowing users to easily carry the storage bag hands-free. A cup 38 may be releasably attached to the exterior surface of a side wall 30 of the storage bag 10.
in an embodiment, the storage bag 10 is generally a rectangular prism. In an embodiment, the storage bag 10 is generally shaped like a cube. The storage bag 10 may have a single vertical track 34 or a plurality of vertical tracks (not shown) extending vertically along the exterior of at least one of the side walls. The track or tracks may extend from the base of the wall to the top of the wall. In an embodiment, a cup 38 may be configured to slide into the track 40, thereby being releasably attached to the storage bag 10. Storage compartments or other accessories may alternatively secured to the vertical track 40. The track 40 may have a latch (not shown) at the top to prevent a cup or other accessory that may he held in the track from sliding upward and out from the track unintentionally. The track 40 may also have a loading port or wider portion of track (not shown) at the top entrance to the track to facilitate the positioning of a cup or an accessory in the track.
In an embodiment, at least one track 34 extends vertically along the interior surface of the back wall 28. In an embodiment, at least one track 34 extends vertically along the interior surface of at least one of the side walls 30. In an embodiment, at least one track 34 extends vertically along the interior surface of the back wall 28, and at least one track extends vertically along the interior surface of at least one of the side walls 30.
The top flap 26 may have a first section 42 that covers the top portion of the storage bag when the top flap is in the closed position. In an embodiment, the top flap 26 may have a second section 43 that extends down, completely covering the doors 32. Second section 43 may be configured to extend past the bottom of the doors and fold under the storage hag to cover a portion of the bottom wall 24 when the top flap 26 is in the closed position. There may be a portion of hook and loop fabric 41 on the inner surface of the end of the second portion 43. There may be a portion of hook and loop fabric on the exterior of the bottom wall 24 positioned to mate with the hook and loop fabric (not shown) on the underside of the portion, thereby securing the top flap in a closed position.
First and second doors 32 may each have a first vertical edge 44 and a second vertical edge 46. The first edges 44 may extend from or be attached to the front edges of side walls 30. The second edges 46 of the doors 32 are the edges furthest from the side walls 30. First and second doors 32 may swing open like barn doors to allow access to the interior compartments 20, 22.
In an embodiment, the doors 32 may be hinged to allow them to open, with hinges 49 positioned at the junction of the first edges 44 of the doors and side walls 30.
In an embodiment, the doors may simply fold open and closed. The first edges 44 of the doors ay be secured to the front sides of the side walls 30 and swing from that point.
In an embodiment, the second edges of the doors 32 abut one another when the doors are in a closed position. The hook and loop fabric may be on the exterior surface of the first door, and may be disposed near the second edge of the first door. There may be a portion of hook and loop fabric on the exterior surface of the second door near the second edge of the door. The hook and loop fabric on the second door may extend beyond the second edge of the door, allowing the hook and loop fabric to cover the hook and loop fabric on the first door, securing the doors in a closed position.
In an embodiment, the second edges of the doors may slightly overlap one another, with a portion of the first door covering a portion of the second door. The first door may have portions of hook and loop fabric 48 on the interior surface of the door near the second edge. The second door may have portions of hook and loop fabric 48 on the exterior of the door near the second edge of the door and disposed so that when the first door is in a closed position with a portion of the first door covering a portion of the second door, the hook and loop fabric portions on the first door align with the hook and loop fabric on the second door, thereby holding the doors in place.
In an embodiment, there may be portions of hook and loop fabric 48 on the second edge of the first door 32, and strips of the hook and loop fabric may extend beyond the door. D-rings 51 may be secured to the second edge of the first door. When the doors are in a closed position, the strips of hook and loop fabric 48 may be positioned through the D-rings 51 and folded back on themselves, thereby holding the doors in a closed position.
In an embodiment, a shoulder strap 36 is secured to the storage bag, Each end of the shoulder strap may be secured to one of the side walls 30 of the storage bag. The shoulder strap 36 may be wide enough to allow a user to carry the bag without discomfort. The shoulder strap 37 may have a cushioned portion or an attachable padded portion that may be positioned over the user's shoulder to further prevent discomfort when carrying the storage bag. The shoulder strap 36 may have a pocket (not shown) extending for some portion of the length of the strap. The pocket within the strap may have a waterproof or water resistant lining to reduce or eliminate damage from fluids that may spill within the pocket. In an embodiment, the pocket on the strap may include a zipper to allow the secure closure of the pocket. In an embodiment, the pocket may have a flap that can fold over the opening of the pocket. The flap may have a button, snap, hook-and-loop closure, or other means of securing the flap to the outer surface of the pocket to keep the pocket closed.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the top flap 26 can he lifted and the doors 32 opened to access the compartments 20, 22 within the storage bag 10. At least one track 34 extends vertically along at least one of the side walls or the back wall in the interior portion of the storage bag 10. Compartments 20, 22 may be generally in the shape of rectangular prisms, and configured to fit within the storage bag. Compartments 20, 22 may have at least one roller (not shown) along a side or back surface, and the rollers may be configured to fit within the at least one track 34. The at least one roller may be positioned to coincide with the positions of the tracks, so that the rollers line up with the tracks when the compartments 20, 22 are in position to be placed within the storage bag 10. When compartments 20, 22 are inserted into the storage bag, the at least one roller may line up with and slide into the at least one track 34 on the interior of the storage bag to secure compartments 20, 22 into the storage bag. Track 34 may have a latch to lock compartments 20, 22 into place on the track and prevent them from falling out.
A track loading port (not shown) may allow for easy access of the roller to the track 34 to facilitate installing the compartments 20, 22 in the track. In an embodiment, the track loading port may be a rounded square located at the top of the track. In an embodiment, the track loading port may be a circular, elliptical, or other shape, and is intended to receive the at roller or rollers located on the side of the compartments. A latch at the top of the track may be configured to prevent the rollers from exiting the track when the latch is in the closed position.
The track or tracks may be positioned vertically along the center of the side and/or back walls. If there is more than one track on a wall, the tracks may be positioned equidistant from one another and equidistant from the edges of the walls, if there is more than one track on a wall, the tracks may be positioned to accept compartments that extend only a portion of the distance between the side walls to allow a plurality of compartments to be placed side-by-side next to one another within the storage bag.
In an embodiment, a track 50 extends vertically along the inside of at least one of the doors. An optional mirror (not shown) may be configured with a roller on the back, and the mirror may be releasably attached to the track on the inside of at least one of the doors in the same manner that compartments 20, 22 are attached to the track
Compartments may be of a variety of sizes, so that users may choose Which sizes of compartments are most appropriate for the intended purpose. Since the compartment configuration within the storage bag is customizable, different numbers and different sizes of compartments 20, 22 may be used. Compartments 20, 22 may be washable and dishwasher safe to allow for carrying food, muddy or dirty toys or clothing, or other things that may soil the inside of the compartments.
A plurality of snaps 52 or other securing devices may be disposed on the interior surface of the top flap 26. In an embodiment, optional air or foam packets 54 may be configured to attach to snaps 52. The air or foam packets may provide cushioning for the contents of the storage bag. The air or foam packets are removable and may optionally be used only when cushioning is desired. The air or foam packets may additionally provide flotation if the bag were to be dropped into a body of water.
In an embodiment, optional ice packs 54 or cooling gel packets 56 may be configured to attach to snaps 52. The ice packs 54 or cooling gel packets 56 may keep the contents of the storage bag cool. The ice or cooling packets may be removable and reusable.
In an embodiment, compartments 20, 22 have a bottom wall and at least three side walls. Compartments may additionally have at least one of a fourth side wall and a top wall.
As shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the compartments 20 open at the top, with a top side 57 configured to lift open while remaining attached to the compartment on a side wall. In an embodiment, the compartments 22 open at the front, with the front side 59 opening. The side of the compartment that opens may be securable in a closed position with a closing means such as hook and loop fabric, snaps, buttons or other closing means. In an embodiment, the compartments are open on the top or the side, with either no top wall or only three side walls.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the compartments 20, 22 may be removed from the storage bag. The compartments may be removed by lifting them along the tracks until they are free of the tracks. If a latch is disposed on the track and in a closed position locking the compartments in place, the latch may need to be opened to release the compartment 20, 22 from the track 34.
A plurality of feet 58 may be disposed on the exterior of the bottom of the storage bag. The feet 58 may be positioned near each of the corners of the bottom of the storage bag.
FIG. 5 shows a top view of the storage bag 10. As shown, one track runs vertically along the back wall, although other track configurations are possible.
As shown in FIG. 6, upper compartments may be moved upward along the track 34 to allow access to lower compartments. In FIG. 7, all the compartments have been removed, leaving a storage bag with a track 34 running vertically up the inside of the back wall. In this configuration, large items can he stowed inside the storage. Ice packs 54 or air or foam packets 56 can be used in this configuration, to either cool or cushion the contents of the storage bag. In an embodiment, a mixture of ice packs and air or foam packets may be used to both cool and cushion the contents of the storage bag.
As shown in FIG. 8, a cup 38 or other attachable accessory may be secured to the storage bag at the track 40 on the exterior of one of the side walls 30. The cup 38 or accessory that secures to the track may have at least one roller on one side. The at least one roller may be configured to fit slidably within the track, thereby allowing the cup or accessory to be removably secured to the side of the storage bag. In an embodiment, the cup 38 may have a removable lid to facilitate filling the cup. In an embodiment, the cup may have a spout.
In an embodiment, the storage bag may have a single vertical rod or a plurality of vertical rods extending vertically along at least one of the side walls or the back wall in the interior portion of the storage bag 10. Compartments 20, 22 may have brackets on at least one side. The brackets may be configured to fit around the rod or rods, and may slide up and down along the rod or rods. Similar, cup 38 and mirror may have brackets configured to fit around the rod or rods, and may be secured to the storage bag via the brackets.
The top, bottom, and sides of the storage bag 10 may be of a sturdy material so that they will remain firm and straight even when carrying heavy loads. The sides may be manufactured of a material that will not deform under the weight of the compartments 20, 22. The bottom may be of a material that will allow the bag to be placed on the ground without deforming. Similarly, the top of the bag may be of a material that will be sturdy and hold up under repeated applications and removals of air or foam packets or ice packs without deforming or cracking,

Claims

1. A storage bag, comprising:

a bottom wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a first door panel, that partially define an interior space;

at least one track disposed on one of the walls in the interior space;

a plurality of compartments with sides, each compartment having at least one roller on one of the sides of the compartment; and

a top flap to extend from the back wall of the storage bag, such that the top flap includes two sections, the two sections comprising:

a first section that covers the top portion of the storage bag,

a second portion that covers the front of the storage bag, and

at least one of an ice pack, a cooling gel pack, a foam packet, and an air packet, removably attached to an interior surface of the first section;

wherein the at least one track extends vertically along one of the walls within the interior space; and

wherein the rollers are configured to fit within the track to hold the compartments in place within the storage bag.

2. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a second door panel wherein the first and second door panels are opposite the back wall of the storage bag, and wherein the doors extend from the side walls.

3. The storage bag of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the top flap that covers the front of the storage bag includes covering the doors when the door panels and the top flap are in a closed position.

4. The storage bag of claim 3, wherein the top flap, in the closed position, overlaps at least a portion of the bottom wall; and wherein the top flap is configured to be releasably secured to the bottom wall.

5. The storage bag of claim 2, wherein the doors each have a first side adjacent the side wall and a second side away from the side wall; wherein the first door panel has strips of hook and loop fabric extending from the second side of the door; wherein the second door panel has D-rings on the second side of the door, and wherein the strips of hook and loop fabric can be threaded through the D-rings and secured to themselves to secure the door panels in a closed position.

6. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional track; wherein the tracks both extend vertically along the back wall; wherein the compartments are configured to allow at least two compartments to fit side-by-side within the storage bag; and wherein the rollers of the compartments line up with the tracks when the compartments are aligned side-by-side, thereby allowing the compartments to be installed side-by-side with the rollers of the compartments in a track within the storage bag.

7. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising snaps disposed on the interior surface of the first section of a top flap.

8. The storage bag of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the ice pack, the cooling gel pack, the foam packet, and the air packet, includes snaps on a side portion thereof, wherein the snaps are configured to secure the at least one of the ice pack, the cooling gel pack, the foam packet, and the air packet to the snaps on the interior surface of the first section of the top flap.

9. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a track disposed on an exterior surface of one of the side walls.

10. The storage bag of claim 9, further comprising a cup with a roller on one side;

wherein the roller is configured to fit in the track to secure the cup to the storage bag.

11. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a loading port on the track.

12. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap secured to the side walls.

13. The storage bag of claim 12, wherein the shoulder strap has a pocket in it; and wherein the pocket has a zip closure.

14. The storage bag of claim 13, further comprising a waterproof liner within the pocket in the shoulder strap.

15. The storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a mirror and a track on an inside surface of the first door panel wherein the mirror has a roller configured to fit in the track on the inside surface of the first door panel.