CA2246185A1 - Travel bag - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a bag (10) for holding items. The bag includes a primary compartment (12) and supplemental compartments (14, 16) separate from and external to the primary compartment. The primary compartment is defined by a bottom wall (28), at least one side wall (20, 22, 24, 26) and a top wall (18). The side wall is connected to the bottom wall, and the top wall is connected to the side wall. The primary compartment has an opening (34) formed thereon for providing access thereinto so one or more items can he placed in the compartment. The supplemental compartments are connected to an external surface of the side wall (20) of the primary compartment, and each is defined by at least one side wall (54, 56, 82, 84), a bottom wall (52, 85), and an external surface of a front portion (32) of the side wall of the primary compartment. The side walls of the supplemental compartments are connected to the front portion and to the external surface of the side wall of the primary compartment. The bottom wall of each supplemental compartment is generally connected at least proximate to the front portion of the side wall of the primary compartment and to the side wall of each of the supplemental compartments. At least one of the bottom wall and side wall of each of the supplemental compartments includes an opening (60, 88) for providing access therein.

Description

A~omey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada TRAVF,I, BAG
Inventors Douglas J. Golenz 13684 W. Arnherst Place Lakewood, Colorado 80228 Thomas J. Melk 860 West Evergreen Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60622 A citizen of the United States of America Barl~round The present invention relates generally to travel bags, and relates more specifically to a novel travel bag having a pluralit:y of compartments.

31996-l Page I
TReXLeR, BUSHNeLI" GIANGIORGI & 13LA( KSTONe, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attomey Docket No.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada Some travel bags provide only a single compartment. While this arrangement provides that all the items placed in the travel bag can be located by searching in the only compartment, this arrangement does not readily provide that certain items can be kept separate from others. For example, a travel bag havingonly one compartment typically does not readily provide that food, for example, can be kept separate from other items carried by the travel bag. It is often advantageous to keep certain articles such as food articles isolated from other articles.

While some travel bags provide more than one compartment for placing items therein, and therefore provide that certain items may be kept separate from certain other items. Some of the travel bags which provide as such provide a main compartment and one or more sub-compartments therein. Such an arrangement provides that one must enter the main compartment to access a sub-compartment. Hence, one may have to move items in the main compartment out of the way of an opening into a sub-compartment in order to have access into thesub-compartment. Additionally, it is possible that if an item is dropped as it is being removed from a sub compartment, the item will drop into the main compartment. In this man ner, items in the sub-compartment may contact items in the main compartment.

T~EXLER BUSHNELL, GlANalORGI & BLACRSTONE, I,TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attorney Docket No.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada The present invention is directed to solving, among others, the problems described above.

Objects and Summary A general object of the present invention is to provide a bag having a plurality of separate compartments for holding items therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bag having a plurality of separate compartments for holding items where the bag is easy to use.

Briefly, and in accordance with the above, the present invention envisions a bag for holding items. The bag includes a primary compartment and first and second supplemental compartments separate from and external to the primary compartment. The primary compartment is defined by a bottom wall, at least one side wall and a top wall. The side wall is connected to the bottom wall, andthe top wall is connected to the side wall. The top wall, side wall and bottom wall define the primary compartment. The primary compartment has an opening formed thereon for providing access thereinto and providing that one or more items can be placed in the compartment. The supplemental compartments are connected to an external surface of the side wall of the primary compartment.

T~EXLER, BUSHNELL. GIANGIORGI & BLACilSTOl'JE, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attorney Docket No.
767/35780 Case63-Canada Each of the supplemental c ompartments is defined by at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and an external surface of a front portion of the side wall of the primary compartment. The side walls of the supplemental compartments are connected to the front portion and to the external surface of the side wall of the primary compartment. The bottom wall of each supplemental compartment is generally connected at least proximate to the front portion of the side wall of the primary compartment and to the side wall of each of the supplemental compartments. At least one of the bottom wall and side wall of each of the supplemental compartments includes an opening for providing access therein.

TREXLER, LUS~ELL, GIANGIORGI & 13LACRSTONE I TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attomey Docket No.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada Brief Description of the I)raw;n~

The org~ni~tion and manner ofthe structure and function ofthe invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top, left side, perspective view of' a bag in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top, right side, perspective view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a left side elevational view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a right side elevational view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1; and 31996-1 PageS
TREXLER, 13USHNE~LL, GIANGIORGI ~ BLACR STONE, I TD

Attorney Docket No~
767/35780 Case 63-Canada Fig. 9 is a top, left side, persepctive view of the bag illustrated in Fig. 1 showing a front flap displaced to reveal two supplemental compartments thereof.

TREXLER, 13USllMELL, GIANGIORGI & 131,AC~ STONE, L,TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attorney Docket No.
76~/35780 Case63-Canada De~cription While the present invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, an embodiment with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplifical:ion of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

Shown in the drawings is a bag l O in accordance with the present invention. The bag 1() is specifically designed for holding one or more items therein. The bag 10 includes a primary compartment 12 and a first and supplemental compartment 14, 16 connected to, but separate from and external to, the primary compartment 12. This configuration provides that one may access one compartment without having to enter another and provides that items placed in one compartment can be easily kept separate from those contained in another.
The primary compartment 12 ofthe bag 10 is defined by a top wall 18 connected to side walls 20. 22, 24 and 26 (side walls 20 and 22 can be seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 9 while side walls 24 and 26 can be seen in Figs. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8), where the side walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 are connected to a bottom wall 28 (bottomwall 28 can be seen in Fig. 8). Side wall 20 is gellerally parallel to and is TREXLER, BUS~INELL, GIA.NGIORGI & BLAC~ STONE, I,TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case63-Canada opposite side wall 24. and side wall 22 is general~y parallel to and opposite side wall 26. Side wall 24 defines a rear portion 30 oJ the bag 10 as well as the rear of the primary compartnlent 12. Side wall 20 defines a front portion 32 ofthe bag 10 as well as the front of the primary compartment. Preferably, carrying straps 33 S (only a portion of which is shown in the Figures) are provided attached to the side walls 22 and 26 of the prinnary compartment 12 for facilitating transport of thebag 10. Additionally, preferably the shape and size ofthe side walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 provide that the primary compartment 12 is shaped generally as a rectanguloid which provides ample space for storlng items therein.
It is also preferred that the primary compartment 12 of the bag 10 be generally thermally insulated. To this end, it is preferable that the internal surface of each of the walls defining the primary compartment 12 is formed of a generally thermal insulating material. It is also preferred that the primary compartment 12 ofthe bag 10 protect any items placed therein. Therefore, it is preferred that the internal surfaces of the walls defining the primary compartment are also shock absorbing to at least some extent. However, it is also preferred that the bag 10 be compressible such that it can be fit into tight places such as into a loaded trunk of a car. Therefore, the walls forming the primary compartment are preferably flexible to allow for the general compression of the 31 9g6- I Page g TRE~ER BUSHNELL GIANGIORGI ~ BLACI~ STONE, I TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case63-Canada bag 10. An external surface of the walls defining the primary compartment 12 are preferably formed of a durable material such as a nylon material.

Notwithstanding the preferred structure of the walls defing the primary compartment 12, the specif1c structure of each of the walls is not imperative tothe present invention. For example, a single wall structure can define the top and sides of the primary compartment 12. Additionally, the side walls 20, 22, 24 and26 of the primary compartment 12 may be formed of a single wall structure. Of course, other alternatives are possible, and these would be readily understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

Items can be placed into the primary comp;3rtment 12 of the bag 10 via an opening 34 formed in the top wall 18 and partially down the side walls 22 and 26of the primary compartment 12. Preferably, a zipper 36 or some other means is provided in association with the opening 34 so that the opening 34 can be closedor sealed, and so accidental re-opening or unsealing of the opening 34 is prevented.

The external surface of side wall 24, as mentioned above, defines the rear portion 30 of the bag l O. As shown most clearly ln Fig. 4, preferably on the TR~XLER, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI ~ ElLAChSTOI'IE, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case63-C~ada external surface of the side wall 24 is a pocket 38 defined by a panel 40 attached to the wall 24. Specifically, side edges 42 of the panel 40 are attached to the intersection of the wall 24 with each of the adjacent walls 22 and 26. A bottom edge 44 of the panel 40 is attached to the intersection of wall 24 with the bottom wall 28. A top edge 46 of the panel 40 is unattached to the wall 24 thereby providing an opening 47 into the pocket 38. Preferably, the panel 40 is formed of a durable material such as nylon and is attached via stitching or some other suitable means to the external surface of wall 24.

As mentioned, and as is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, attached to the front portion 32 of the bag 10 are two supplemental compartments 14 and 16.
More specifically, each supplemental compartment is attached to an external surfàce of wall 20 of the primary compartment 12. Supplemental compartment 14 is formed of a front wall 48, a top wall 50, a bottom wall 52 and two opposing side walls 54 and 56. Side wall 54 is attached to the external surface of wall 20 and to the front wall 48. Side wall 56 is also attached to the external surface of wall 20 and to the front wall 48. Both side walls 54 and 56 as well as the frontwall 48 are attached to the bottom wall 52. The front wall 48 and the side walls54 and 56 are attached to the top wall 50, and the top wall 50 is attached to the external surface of wall 20.

31996-1 Page IU
TIREXLER, HUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI & HLACK STONE, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case63-Canada As shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 9, an opening 60 is provided into the supplemental compartment 14 l'or providing access therein. Items may be placed through the opening 60 into the supplemental compartment 14. Preferably, a zipper 62 or some other means is provided in association with the opening 60 so that the opening 60 can be closed or sealed, and so accidental re-opening or unsealing of the opening 60 is prevented. Preferably, the opening 60 extends along the intersection of the top wall 50 and the fi ont wall 48 and extends at an angle down each side wall 54 and 56. This shape of opening 60 provides that the zipper 60 is easy to open and close from the front of the bag 10 and that items can be easily placed in and removed from the supplemental compartment 14.

As shown in Fig. 9, attached to the front wall 48 of the supplemental compartment 14 is a panel 70 defining a pocket 7~ One edge 74 of the panel 70 is attached to the intersection of the external surfaces of the front wall 48 and side wall 54 ofthe supplemental compartment 14. Another edge 76 ofthe panel 70 is attached to the intersection of the external surfaces of the front wall 48 and side wall 56 of the supplemental compartment 14. A h: ottom edge 78 of the panel 70 is attached to the intersection of the external surfaces of the front wall 48 and bottom wall 52 of the supplemental compartment 14. A top edge 80 of the panel 70 is not attached and defines an opening 81 into the pocket 72. Preferably, the 31996-1 Page I I
TRLXLeR, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI & BLACI(STONE, LTD

~, , CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 Attomey Docket No.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada panel 40 is formed of a mesh material thereby providing that one can view the contents of the pocket 72 through the panel 70. Of course, the panel 70 need not be provided at all, or some other item retaining means may be provided on the front wall 48 of the supplemental compartment 14 instead of the panel 70.

s The other supplemental compartment 16 is also attched to the external surface of the wall 20 of the primary compartment 12. Supplemental compartment 16 is formed of opposing side walls 82 and 84, each of which is attached to the external surface of wall 20. Also attached to the external surface ofthe wall 20 is a bottom wall 85 ofthe supplemental compartment 16. The bottom wall 85 is also attached to the side walls 82 and 84 and a front wall 86 of the supplemental compartment 16. The front wall 86 is also attached to the side walls 82 and 84.

The side walls 82 and 84, bottom wall 85~ front wall 86 and the external surface of wall 20 define a cavity 88. Preferably, no top wall or other obstruction is provided over the cavity 88. As a result, an item such as a water bottle (notshown) can be readily and easily inserted into and removed from the cavity 88 formed in the supplemental compartment 16. To this end, preferably the walls 82, 84, 85 and 86 provide that the cavity 88 is generally cylindrical or can at least 31996-1 Pag~ 12 TR~ XLER BUSHNELL, GlANGlOR(il h BLACKSTOI~E, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 Case63-Canada generally conform to a cylindrically shaped item placed in the cavity 88. A
restrainer 90 may be privided along the top of the side walls 82 and 84 and the front wall 86 to provide for the retention of the item placed in the cavity 88, such as a water bottle as mentioned. Preferably, the restrainer 90 is a drawstring with S a barrel clip or some other structure which can generally conform to the item placed in the cavity 88 such as the neck of the water bottle.

Like the primary compartment 12, the first and second supplemental compartments 14 and 16 also generally provide thermal insulation to the contentsthereof and absorb external shock. Therefore, preferably the internal surfaces of each supplemental compartment 14 and 16 is formed of a generlaly thermally insulating material, and the external surfaces are ~ormed of a durable material such as a nylon material.

Much like the structure of the primary compartment 12, the specific structure of the supplemental compartments 14, 1 ~ is not imperative to the present invention. For example, side walls 54 and 56, top wall 50 and bottom wall 52 of supplemental compartment 14 may be essentially formed of a single wall which extends around the perimeter of the front wall 48. Likewise, side TREXLER LUSI~NELL, GIANGIORGI ~ I~LACKSTONE, LTD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 C~e63-C~ada walls 82 and 84 and the front wall 86 of supplemental compartment 16 may be essentially formed of a single wall. One having ordinary skill in the art would be able to devise still other va~riations.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, also attached to the external surface of wall 20 is a flexible flap 92 such as a flap formed of a nylon material. The flap 92 can be lowered into a position covering the front walls 48 and 86 of the supplemental compartments 14, 16, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Preferably, securement means 93 is provided between at least one of the supplemental compartments 14, 16 and the flap 92. For example, a Velcro~ strip 95 can provided on the external surface of front w all 48 and 86 of each supplemental compartment 14, 16, respectively, for mating with a corresponding Velcro~ strip 97 on the inside surface 98 ofthe flap 92.

As shown most clea~rly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, on the outside surface 99 of the flap 92 is preferably an opening 100 such that the inside of the flap 92 can be accessed therethrough and items placed therein. Preferably, a zipper 102 or someother closure means is provided in association with the opening 100 so that the opening 100 can be sealed closed. Preferably, the flap 92 is at least partially formed of a material which generally provides thermal insulation to the items TREXLER, 13USHNELL, GIANGIORGl & BLAC~ STONE, I,TD

CA 0224618~ 1998-09-01 A~o~ey DocketNo.
767/35780 C~e63-Canada placed inside the flap 92 and to the supplemental eompartments 14 and 16 when the flap is positioned in the down position as shown in Figs. 1-3 and S-8.

When the flap 92 is displaced upward and outward from the supplemental compartments 14, 16 as shown in Fig. 9, the supplemental compartments 14, 16 and the openings 60 and 8X there into, respectively, can be readily accessed.

The bag 10 described provides a primary cvmpartment 12 and two supplemental compartmenl;s 14, 16 connected to, but separate from and external to, the primary compartment 12. This configuration provides that one may access one compartment without having to enter another. and provides that items placed in one compartment can be easily kept separate from those contained in another.
One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize still other advantages.

While a preferred ernbodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing disclosure.

TRI,XLER BUSHNELL, GIANGIOI~GI & BLACK STONE, LTD

Attorney Docket No.
767/35780 Case 63-Canada 31996-1 Yagel6 TRexLEJ~., BUSIINLLL, GIANGIORGI ~ EILACI~ STONe, LTD

Claims (13)

1. A bag (10) for holding items, said bag CHARACTERIZED BY:
a primary compartment (12) defined by a bottom wall (28), at least one side wall (20, 22, 24, 26) and a top wall (18), said side wall connected to said bottom wall, said top wall connected to said side wall, said primary compartment having an opening (34) for providing access into said primary compartment and providing that one or more items can be placed therein; and first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) separate from and external to said primary compartment and connected to an external surface of said side wall (20), each of said supplemental compartments defined by at least one side wall (54, 56, 82, 84), a bottom wall (52, 85), and an external surface of a front portion (32) of said side wall (20) of said primary compartment, wherein corresponding said side walls of said first and second supplemental compartments are connected to said external surface of said front portion of said side wall of said primary compartment said bottom wall generally being connected at least proximate to said front portion and to said side wall of each of said first and second supplemental compartments, at least one of said bottom wall and said side wall of each of said first and second supplemental compartments having an opening (60, 88) for providing access therein.

2. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY a flexible flap (92) connected to an external surface of one of said top wall (18), bottom wall (28) and side walls (20, 22, 24, 26) defining said primary compartment (12), said flexible flap displaceable from a covering position to an uncovering position, wherein when said flexible flap is positioned in said covering position, said flexible flap substantially covers at least one of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16), and wherein when said flexible flap is displaced said at least one of said first and second supplemental compartments is exposed.

3. A bag (10) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT
when said flexible flap (92) is displaced to said uncovering position, access into said openings (60, 88) into said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) is obtained.

4. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT
the internal surfaces of all of said walls (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) forming said primary compartment (12) comprise a generally thermal insulating material.

5. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY at least one of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) having a generally, at least partially cylindrical configuration.

6. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT
said walls (52, 54, 56, 82, 84, 85) of each of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) comprise a generally thermal insulating material.

7. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY said top wall (18) of said primary compartment (12) having said opening (34) thereon oriented for providing access into the primary compartment, and each of said supplemental compartments (14, 16) having corresponding openings (60, 88) therein for providing access into corresponding said first and second supplemental compartments.

8. A bag (10) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BY said opening (60, 88) in at least one of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) comprising an elastic opening (90) retainable against an article inserted into said supplemental compartment through said opening.

9. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY a pocket (72) on an external surface of at least one of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16).

10. A bag (10) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED BY a flap pocket (100) on said flexible flap (92) defining a cavity therein, said flap pocket generally being accessible when said flexible flap is in said covered position.

11. A bag (10) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED BY
securement means (93) positioned between said flexible flap (92) and the external surface of at least one of said front walls (48, 86) of said first and second supplemental compartments (14, 16) for retaining said flexible flap in said covered position.

12. A bag (10) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY bag carrying means (33) attached to an external surface of two of said side walls (22, 26) of said primary compartment (12).

13. A bag (10) according to claim 12, CHARACTERIZED BY said bag carrying means (33) comprising an adjustable strap.