AU2012202271A1 - A storage bag for rugs and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A storage bag 10 for fine rugs is provided which is comprised of elongated tubular body 11 with a first end 12 and second end 13. The elongated tubular body is comprised of a waterproof material. Entry to the bag is provided by way of a zipper 14 which is covered by a cover 16 secured in place by Velcro strip 15. A plurality of handles are provided in the form of main handles 20, and end handles 17 and 17a and carry straps 18 and 18a. Vents 22 are provided in the first and second ends which are insect proof by way of the inclusion of a mesh (preferably water repellent mesh).

Description

Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98 AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT NAME OF APPLICANT: Rug Cleaning King Pty Ltd (ACN 146 132 087) ACTUAL INVENTOR: KOUROUCHE, Jamal ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 60 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 INVENTION TITLE: A STORAGE BAG FOR RUGS AND THE LIKE DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: 2011 901 665 - 19 April 2011 - AU The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us: m:\docs\20121005\248527.doc 2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to storage bags for protecting articles such as rugs from insects and moisture damage. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 5 For the sake of convenience, the invention will be described in relation to the storage of fine rugs but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Fine rugs are an expensive asset that are difficult to handle or carry. Further incorrect storage can result in permanent damage to them. Many rug 10 storage bags also are deficient in that they allow water and other liquids that stain to penetrate the bag and cause damage despite being "water resistant", as well as having openings that allow insects to enter the bag. Further, many are difficult to use in practice, particularly when inserting a rolled rug into the rug bag. 15 There is, therefore, a need for a rug storage bag which is easily used, carried and can prevent insects and moisture entering the bag. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided, a storage bag for fine rugs and the like comprising: a. an elongated tubular body comprised of a waterproof material 20 and where the elongated tubular body has first and second ends; b. means to allow the ingress of air; c. carry straps located inward of the first and second ends of the elongated tubular body d. a main set of handles located at a central position; and 25 e. a water proof and insect proof resealable opening means.

3 Preferably the waterproof and insect proof resealable means comprises a waterproof marine zipper. More preferably the waterproof marine zipper is located under a cover or flap which is secured over the waterproof marine zipper by way of velcro 5 fasteners. Still more preferably the waterproof material is a multilayer fabric that is comprised of an external polyester fabric and an inner waterproof barrier. Preferably the inner waterproof barrier is provided by the provision of a polyolefin film. 10 More preferably the waterproof material is permeable to air so as to allow air to ingress into the storage bag. Alternatively, the waterproof material is Tyvek or similar which is waterproof yet is also breathable. Preferably there are vents provided in the elongate tubular body that 15 communicate air from the outside of the storage bag to the interior of the storage bag and wherein the vents have incorporated into them mesh to prevent the ingress of insects. More preferably the mesh is comprised of a water repellent mesh. Still more preferably wherein the waterproof marine zipper is applied 20 circumferentially. Alternatively, the waterproof marine zipper is applied along substantially the length of the elongated tubular body buy terminate before the first and second ends. Preferably the storage bag further comprises handles located at the first 25 and second ends. Still more preferably the first and second ends of the elongated tubular body are provided with cushioning foam.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In other that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a storage bag according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the bag shown in Fig. 1 with the zipper cover open; Fig. 3 is the top plan view of the bag shown in Figs 1 and 2. 10 Fig. 4 is a rear view of the bag shown in Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 is the front view of the bag shown in Figs. 1 to 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a storage bag according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of the bag shown in 15 Fig. 6 with the zipper cover open; and Fig. 8 is the top plan view of the bag shown in Fig. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The rug storage bag 10 shown in Figs 1 to 5 includes an elongated tubular bag body 11 formed of a waterproof material, having a first end 12 20 and a second end 13. Suitable waterproof materials include waterproof polyester and polyurethane fabrics. Preferably the waterproof material that is used to construct the bag body 11 is impermeable to water or liquids that could stain or damage the contents, insect proof, mould and mildew proof. 25 It is preferred that the waterproof material is comprised of a multilayer construction consisting of an external layer of a strong waterproof or water resistant fabric with high strength, and an interior waterproof layer such as polyolefilm which does not need to be as strong as the external layer. The ends 12 and 13 of the bag body 11 are comprised of the same material, 5 however, in order to provide protection and cushioning, a 10mm layer of polyurethane foam is bonded between the external an inner layers of the material. It has been discovered that the external and inner layers described 5 above can be replaced with a single layer of Tyvek@ produced by DuPont@. Tyvek@ is a spun polyolefin fabric that is strong and waterproof, yet is permeable to air which assists in keeping the contents of the rug storage bag 10 dry and free from mould and mildew. Tyvek@ is also impermeable to mildew and moulds, is insect proof and stain proof. In bag bodies 11 manufactured with 10 Tyvek@, the ends 12 and 13 have foam bonded to the inside surface of the Tyvek@ material and can optionally be covered with further Tyvek@ material (or indeed other material) so as to not directly expose the foam to the interior of the bag body 11. In addition to preferably providing a waterproof but breathable material 15 from which to make the bag body 11, the bag body 11 is provided with vents 22 formed through material at each end 12, 13. As shown in the figures, five 4cm vents 22 are provided for the air to enter the bag body 11 with each vent 22 being covered by a mesh insert 23 for the prevention of entry of insects. The mesh is preferably a water repellent mesh such as those manufactured 20 with special coatings, such as nano-glass coatings available from Nanoland South Africa that are capable of causing rain sized water droplets to run off the surface of the mesh and not penetrate the mesh. An 8cm wide circumferential zipper 14 provides access to the interior of the bag. A circumferential zipper is preferred as it creates a rounded 25 opening when opened, through which a rolled rug can be inserted easily. A 4cm Velcro@ (hoop and loop fastening) strip 15 is stitched adjacent the zipper 14 and an 8cm wide cover 16 with a 4cm Velcro strip is secured over the zipper to prevent moisture and/or insects entering the interior of the bag body 11. It is preferred that the zipper be waterproof and air tight such as what is 6 commercially known as a marine zipper. Further, it is preferred that the zipper is an interlocking zipper, one with two ends and eyelets that allow the contents of the rug bag 10 to be locked by padlock or similar device. Adjacent each end of the bag body 11 there are short 4cm wide carry 5 handles 17 and 17a, which are secured to the bag body 11 by strong stitching. Carry straps 18 and 18a, including strap end releaseable connectors are stitched to the bag body 11 at a positions inset from the first and second ends by approximately 15%-30% the length of the bag body 11, or preferably by 20% of the length of the bag body and in any case, inwardly of the handles 17 and 10 17a. Carry straps 18 and 18a are used to maintain the rigidity of the enclosed rug and further, can be used to carry the rug bag 10. Adjustable main handles 19 and 20 are stitched to the central portion of the bag body 11. The provision of the plurality of handles and straps allows for the rugs to be handled more easily. An advertisement pocket 21 is secured to the side of the bag adjacent to the end 13 15 for customer information. The bag of the first embodiment may be provided in two lengths - 250cm and 310cm. The bag 30 comprising the second embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is substantially similar to the bag 10 of the first embodiment and includes most of the features of the first embodiment except that the circumferential zipper 14 is 20 replaced by a long zipper 31 which terminates short of each end 12, 13 by 6cm. 25 By terminating short of the first end 12 and second end 13 the ends maintain their circular form when the zipper is opened which makes it easier to load a rolled rug into the storage bag 30. The zipper 31 is protected by an elongated cover 32 attached by Velcro strips 33 and 34. This bag may be 25 provided in two lengths - 170cm and 220cm - each of 22cm diameter. Further, whilst it is not shown in the Figs 6 to 8, the rug bag 30 of the second embodiment can also be provided with carry handles adjacent the ends 12 and 13 which are equivalent to carry handles 17 and 17a of rug bag 10. If they are provided they would be attached at a position slightly offset from the top of the 7 rug bag 30 where zipper 31 and cover 32 are located. Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention including the dimensions of the rug bags. 5

Claims (13)

1. A storage bag for fine rugs and the like comprising: a. an elongated tubular body comprised of a waterproof material and where the elongated tubular body has first and second ends; b. means to allow the ingress of air; c. carry straps located inward of the first and second ends of the elongated tubular body d. a main set of handles located at a central position; and e. a water proof and insect proof resealable opening means.

2. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein the waterproof and insect proof resealable means comprises a waterproof marine zipper.

3. The storage bag of claim 2 wherein the waterproof marine zipper is located under a cover or flap which is secured over the waterproof marine zipper by way of velcro fasteners.

4. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the waterproof material is a multilayer fabric that is comprised of an external polyester fabric and an inner waterproof barrier.

5. The storage bag of claim 4 wherein the inner waterproof barrier is provided by the provision of a polyolefin film.

6. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the waterproof material is permeable to air so as to allow air to ingress into the storage bag.

7. The storage bag of claim 6 wherein the waterproof material is Tyvek. 9

8. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein there are vents provided in the elongate tubular body that communicate air from the outside of the storage bag to the interior of the storage bag and wherein the vents have incorporated into them mesh to prevent the ingress of insects.

9. The storage bag of claim 8 wherein the mesh is comprised of a water repellent mesh.

10. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the waterproof marine zipper is applied circumferentially.

11. The storage bag of any of the claims 1 to 10 wherein the waterproof marine zipper is applied along substantially the length of the enlongated tubular body but terminate before the first and second ends.

12. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the storage bag further comprises handles located at the first and second ends of the storage bag.

13. The storage bag of any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the first and second ends are provided with cushioning foam. Dated this 19 day of April 2012 Rug Cleaning King Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL AND SSOCIATES