EP2644051A1

EP2644051A1 - Bag

Info

Publication number: EP2644051A1
Application number: EP12162627.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Lofthagen; Sofia Lundberg; Magnus Ulvsbäck; Leif Petersson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2012-03-30
Publication date: 2013-10-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bag (10; 20; 30; 40) for storing and washing wet/dirty items, a storage compartment (11; 21; 31; 41) formed by a fluid permeable compartment wall and comprising at least a first opening (15; 25; 35; 45) closable by first closing means (13; 23; 33; 43), and a shielding compartment (12; 22; 32; 42) comprising at least a second opening (16; 26; 36; 46) closable by second closing means (14; 24; 34; 44), wherein said first and second compartment are secured to each other, and the shielding compartment in one configuration of the bag is enclosing said storage compartment, and in a second configuration removed from said storage compartment to reveal said storage compartment and make washing/drying of the items within the bag possible without removing them from the storage compartment..

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a bag for storing and washing of items.

Background of the invention

Sometimes it is desirably to be able to store dirty/wet items in a sealed bag or casing separately from surrounding articles in order to prevent surrounding articles from being wet, dirty or damages due to the condition of the stored items. Sometimes it is also desirable to be able to wash the stored dirty/wet items without having to handle them after they have been stored. This is for example the case for used sanitary articles like diapers and wet clothes used during physical activities that preferably are kept separated from surrounding articles and not handled in between storage and washing.
There are some bags/containers already disclosed in the prior art that aims to provide a solution to the problem described above. For example, in US2012029458 , different embodiments of bags/containers that make it possible to store used diapers in a sealed compartment until it is time for washing the stored diapers. The bag/container is then reconfigured by unfolding/releasing a section of the bag/container comprising a water permeable section of the bag/container. The diapers are then transferred manually to the water permeable section in order to be washable without being removed from the bag/container. However, even though the disclosed embodiments of bags/containers provide the desired sealed storing of the used diapers, it still requires that the dirty/used items are manually transferred to the second compartment before they are washed.
There is consequently a need for an improved bag/container that makes it possible to achieve the desired sealed storing of dirty/wet items and facilitate the washing of the items within the bag/container without removing or transferring them from their initial storage position within the bag/container.

Summary of the invention

The present invention, defined in the appended claims, provides a bag that fulfils the needs defined above, and a method for using said bag.
The claimed bag for storing and washing items comprises: a storage compartment formed by a fluid permeable compartment wall and comprising at least a first opening closable by first closing means, and a shielding compartment comprising at least a second opening closable by second closing means, wherein said first and second compartment are secured to each other, and the shielding compartment in one configuration of the bag is enclosing said storage compartment, and in a second configuration removed from said storage compartment to reveal said storage compartment and make washing/drying of the items within the bag possible without removing them from the storage compartment.
The claimed bag fulfils the needs by providing a bag that in one configuration provides a sealed enclosing of the items stored in the bag, and that after reconfiguration to the second configuration makes it possible to wash and dry the items arranged in the revealed fluid permeable storage compartment without removing the items from the storage compartment of the bag.
The invention is advantageous since almost the entire storage compartment will be revealed once the bag is reconfigured.. This is a considerable advantage compared to existing bags for similar purpose since the items are permanently stored in the storage compartment and no transfer of the items from one position within the bag to another prior to washing is required. Furthermore, the fluid permeable storage compartment is completely exposed during washing and drying which ensures the required washing result and drying of the items within the storage compartment. After the washed items have dried, the bag preferably is reconfigured back to the first configuration in order to provide a sealed storage of the items during transport to the next occasion for use of the items.
In one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, the fluid permeable compartment wall is made of a material with a number of small openings, a net or a mesh, alternatively combinations of these materials in order to ensure the best possible washing and drying properties of the bag and the items within the bag.
In one embodiment of the bag, the entire first storage compartment wall is formed by the fluid permeable material. The storage compartment entirely formed by water permeable material ensures that the items within the compartment are washed thoroughly and the drying time kept as short as possible.
In one embodiment of the bag, the shielding compartment is formed by a fluid resistant compartment wall in order to provide a sealed enclosure of the items within the storage compartment.
In one embodiment of the device, the fluid resistant compartment wall is made of a fluid tight material such as a coated woven material, a rubber or plastic material. These materials ensure a tight enclosure of dirty/wet items and provide a second compartment that could be easily removed or turned inside out during reconfiguration of the bag. The specific material is selected from the intended use of the bag, i.e. the desired sealing level of the shielding compartment and the articles that will be stored in the bag.
In one embodiment of the device, the storage and shielding compartment have substantially the same shape and the storage compartment is larger than the shielding compartment. The fact that the storage and shielding compartment has substantially the same shape facilitates both the packing and unpacking of the bag since the space defined within the storage compartment corresponds to the space of the shielding compartment.
Furthermore, a larger storage compartment than the shielding compartment is favourable since the larger size of the storage compartment after the reconfiguration of the bag improves the washing result and speeds up the drying of the items.
The storage and shielding compartments of the bag could have a substantially cuboidal, envelope or semi-cylindrical shape. These shapes provide a bag that is easy to pack/unpack as well as to reconfigure between the first and second configuration.
In one embodiment of the device, the first and second closing means are arranged on corresponding sides of the storage and shielding compartment, alternatively on opposite sides of the storage and shielding compartment. These embodiments of the bag provide bags that are both easy for the user of the bag to both pack and reconfigure between the different configurations of the bag.
In one embodiment of the device, the shielding compartment comprises a third opening, said third opening is arranged together with said first opening of the storage compartment in order to be opened and closed simultaneously as the first opening by the first closing means. This embodiment is particularly advantageous since the items are arranged in the storage compartment, in the first configuration, by opening and closing of the first closing means. When it is time for washing of the items in the bag, the second closing means are opened and the shielding compartment removed to fully reveal and expose the storage compartment.
In one embodiment of the device, at least one gripping means, secured in the storage compartment wall, is reachable via said second opening to facilitate the removal of the shielding compartment. The gripping means makes it easier for the user to remove the shielding compartment since the gripping means provides a good grip for the user during the reconfiguration of the bag.
In one embodiment of the device, the closing means are zippers, velcros or buttons in order to make is easy for the user to open and close the first and second opening a number of times.
In one embodiment of the device, the storage compartment is divided into two or more pockets. The pockets make it possible to store different items separated from each other to avoid that different types of items are mixed up.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for using the bag according to the definition above. The method comprises the steps:

arrange the dirty or wet item or items within the storage compartment;
close the storage compartment;
open the second closing means of the shielding compartment;
remove the shielding compartment from the storage compartment to reveal the first compartment completely;
wash the item, or items, within the bag together with the bag;
dry the item, or items, within the bag together with the bag;
reconfigure the shielding compartment to enclose the storage compartment.

The different embodiments of the device and the method could of course be combined in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Different embodiments of the bag according to the invention are schematically illustrated in the figures. The figures disclose:

Figure 1: illustrates a perspective side view of a first embodiment of the bag.
Figure 1a to 1d: illustrates cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of the bag in different configurations.
Figure 2: illustrates perspective side view of a second embodiment of the bag.
Figure 2a to 2 e: illustrates cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of the bag in different configurations.
Figure 3: illustrates perspective side view of a third embodiment of the bag.
Figure 3a to 3e: illustrates cross-sectional views of a third embodiment of the bag in different configurations.
Figure 4: illustrates a perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of the bag.

Detailed description of embodiments

The first embodiment of the bag 10 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 1 and 1a - 1d, comprises a storage compartment 11 with a first opening 15 that could be opened and closed by first closing means 13 and a shielding compartment 12 with a second opening 16 closable by second closing means 14.
The illustrated first embodiment of the bag 10, as well as the storage 11 and shielding compartment 12, has a substantially cuboidal shape with four sides, a bottom side and a top side. The illustrated bag has a limited width which results in an envelope-shaped bag 10. The design and size of the different sides of the bag and compartments are adapted to the desired appearance and volume within the bag and could be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the bag is made of flexible material and deviations from the cuboidal shape will take place depending on the amount of items arranged within the bag and the specific use of the bag.
The storage compartment 11 is formed by a compartment wall 17 of a fluid permeable material, illustrated by dotted lines, in order to allow one or more fluids such as for example water and detergent to enter the storage compartment 11 during washing, and leave the storage compartment to dry the items within the compartment 11. The first opening 15 is substantially straight and extend along the top side of the storage compartment 11. The length of the first opening 15 is preferably extended as much as possible to facilitate the introduction as well as the removal of items from the storage compartment 11. As first closing means 13 is in the illustrated embodiment a zipper is used.
The shielding compartment 12 is formed by a compartment wall 18 of a fluid tight material to prevent fluid, like for example water or sweat, from used wet and/or dirty items arranged in the storage compartment 11 to exit the bag 10 and affect, or in worst case damage, articles adjacent to the bag 10. The second opening 16 is substantially straight and extend along the top side of the shielding compartment 12 parallel to the zipper in the first opening 15 in order to provide good access to the storage compartment 11. The length of the second opening 16 is preferably at least as long as the first opening 15 to facilitate the introduction and the removal of items from the storage compartment 11. As second closing means 14 is in the illustrated embodiment a zipper used. Different types of closing means could be used in order to close the first and second opening of the compartments.
As an alternative to zippers, a magnetic closing mechanism, different folding arrangements, different types of mechanical interlocking mechanisms, a velcro band and/or a number of buttons could be used for closing both the first and second opening depending on the desired level of fluid resistance of the closing means
Furthermore the storage 11 and shielding compartment 12 are secured together by securing means19 to ensure that the two compartments 11, 12 of the bag 10 are kept together in the intended position in relation to each other in the different configurations of the bag. In this embodiment the bottom of the storage compartment is secured in the corresponding position of the bottom of the shielding compartment. The two compartments could however also be secured together in other positions like for example along one of side corresponding sides of the compartments
In the first configuration of the bag 10, the shielding compartment 12 encloses the storage compartment 11 and items are introduced into the first compartment 11 by opening the second 14 and first 13 closing means. Once all items are in the intended position within the storage compartment 11 the first and second opening are closed.
Prior to washing, the second closing means 14 are opened and the shielding compartment is pressed downwards and turned inside out to reconfigure the bag to the second configuration and completely reveal the storage compartment 11. The entire bag, with the items arranged in the storage compartment 11, is then washed either by hand or in a washing machine and afterwards dried. When the items are dried and ready for use, the bag is one again reconfigured and the shielding compartment arranged enclosing the storage compartment.
In figure 2, and 2a to 2e, a second embodiment of a bag 20 according to the invention is illustrated. In this bag, the storage compartment 21 has a similar design as in the previous embodiment. The shielding compartment 22 however has the second opening 26, and second closing means 24, arranged in the bottom of the shielding compartment 22, i.e. on the opposite side compared to the first opening 25. The shielding compartment 22 furthermore comprises a third opening 29 positioned in the top side of the shielding compartment 22. The third opening 29 has a shape and size corresponding to the first opening 25 and is arranged together with the first opening 25 to be opened and closed simultaneously as the first opening 25 by the first closing means 23. The commonly used first closing means 23 also work as the necessary securing of the storage compartment 21 to the shielding compartment 22.
This embodiment is favourable since the user only has to open the first closing means 23 to enter the items into the storage compartment 21 and the enclosing shielding compartment 22 since the storage and shielding compartment are opened simultaneously by the first closing means 23. Prior to washing, the second closing means 24, arranged in the bottom of the bag 20, are opened and the shielding compartment 22 is drawn upwards and turned inside out to reconfigure the bag 20 to the second configuration in which the storage compartment 21 is completely revealed from the shielding compartment 22. After the reconfiguration of the bag to the second configuration, the bag is washed in similar way as described above.
In both embodiments described above the bag has a substantially cuboidal design. The design of the bag could however be modified to a semi-cylindrical shape and in figure 3 and 3a to 3e, a third embodiment of a bag 30 according to the invention is illustrated. This embodiment of the bag 30 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. The bag 30 comprises a storage compartment 31 and a shielding compartment 32, both having a corresponding semi-cylindrical design. The semi-cylindrically shaped compartments 31, 32 have a flat circular bottom, an annular side wall and a flat circular top surface. The storage compartment 31 has a circular first opening 25 extending close to the outer periphery of the circular top surface to increase the area of the first opening 25 and facilitate introduction and removal of items from the bag 30. The storage compartment 31 is enclosed by the shielding compartment 32 in a similar way as described above. The shielding compartment 32 has a circular second opening 26 and second closing means 24 arranged in the circular bottom side of the compartment, i.e. on the opposite side compared to the first opening 25. The shielding compartment 32 furthermore comprises a third opening 39positioned in the top side of the shielding compartment 32. The third opening 39 has a shape and size corresponding to the first opening 35 and is arranged together with the first opening 25 to be opened and closed simultaneously as the first opening by 25 the first closing 23 means as in previous described embodiments. This embodiment is reconfigured for washing in the same way as the second embodiment of the bag.
In figure 4, a fourth embodiment of a bag 40 according to the invention is illustrated. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the second opening 46 and second closing means 44 are extended further to continue along almost the entire vertical side surfaces of the bag 40. This embodiment is favourable since the increased length of the second opening 46 facilitates the removal of the shielding compartment 42 from the storage compartment 41.
The different embodiments described above could all be combined in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Bag (10; 20; 30; 40) for storing and washing items, said bag comprising:
a storage compartment (11; 21; 31; 41) formed by a fluid permeable compartment wall and comprising at least a first opening (15; 25; 35; 45) closable by first closing means (13; 23; 33; 43), and

a shielding compartment (12; 22; 32; 42) comprising at least a second opening (16; 26; 36; 46) closable by second closing means (14; 24; 34; 44),

wherein said first and second compartment are secured to each other, and the shielding compartment in one configuration of the bag is enclosing said storage compartment, and in a second configuration removed from said storage compartment to reveal said storage compartment and make washing/drying of the items within the bag possible without removing them from the storage compartment.
Bag according to claim 1, wherein the water permeable compartment wall is made of a material with a number of small openings, a net or a mesh, alternatively combinations of these materials.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the entire storage compartment wall is formed by the fluid permeable material.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the shielding compartment is formed by a fluid resistant compartment wall.
Bag according to claim 4, wherein the fluid resistant compartment wall is made of a fluid tight material such as a coated woven material, a rubber or plastic material.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the storage and shielding compartment have substantially the same shape and the storage compartment is larger than the shielding compartment.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the storage and shielding compartment of the bag have a substantially cuboidal, envelope or semi-cylindrical shape.
Bag according to claim 6, wherein the first and second closing means are arranged on corresponding sides of the storage and shielding compartment, alternatively on opposite sides of the storage and shielding compartment
Bag according to anyone claims 1 to 5, wherein the shielding compartment comprises a third opening, said third opening is arranged together with said first opening of the storage compartment in order to be opened and closed simultaneously as the first opening by the first closing means.
Bag according to claim 8, wherein at least one gripping means, secured in the storage compartment wall, is reachable via said second opening to facilitate the removal of the shielding compartment from the storage compartment.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the first and second closing means are zippers, velcros or buttons.
Bag according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the storage compartment is divided into two or more pockets.
Method for using the bag (10; 20; 30; 40) according to claim 1, said method comprising the steps:
a) arrange the dirty or wet item or items within the storage compartment(11; 21; 31; 41);

b) close the storage compartment (11; 21; 31; 41);

c) open the second closing means (14; 24; 34; 44)of the shielding compartment (12; 22; 32; 42);

d) remove the shielding compartment from the storage compartment to reveal the first compartment completely;

e) wash the item, or items, within the bag together with the bag;

f) dry the item, or items, within the bag together with the bag;

g) reconfigure the shielding compartment to enclose the storage compartment.