GB2314258A

GB2314258A - Utility bag

Info

Publication number: GB2314258A
Application number: GB9712495A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lloyd Furneaux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-17
Filing date: 1997-06-17
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-17
Also published as: GB9712495D0; AU2494697A; CA2207819A1; GB2314258B

Abstract

A utility bag 10 comprises an elongate, flexible sleeve 12 defining a first cavity having an access opening closable by a first releasably securable flap 12c, and at least one flexible, expandable pocket 14 mounted externally of the sleeve, and defining a second cavity with a second opening closable by a second releasably securable flap 16. The first and second cavities are adapted for storing articles therein, the sleeve 12 being firmly cylindrical when the first cavity is filled with such articles. Mounting means 15a, I5b at the ends of the sleeve 12 are also provided for releasable mounting of the bag 10 to an elongate member, such as a dog leash (19, Fig 4).

Description

PET LEASH MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY BAG Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of portable flexible receptacles, namely, small flexible bags which may be conveniently carried by a pet owner when walking a pet.

Background of the Invention Many cilies have by-laws requiring dog owners to clean up after their pets. Thus.

in order to avoid possible fines, it is advantageous that a dog owner keep plastic bags to hand.

In the prior art addressing this problem, applicant is aware of United States patent No. 5,441,017 which issued to Lindsay on August 15, 1995. Lindsay discloses a cylindrical dispenser for dispensing plastic bags from a roll, the cylinder mountable to a pet leash. The cylinder may be rigid or may be flexible. Lindsay teaches that the dispenser is flexible, it is likely that the dispenser would be sewn integrally with the line portion of the leash, apparently to overcome the stated disadvantage that the bags from the roll of bags held in the dispenser would not dispense quite as easily from a flexible cylinder and would not provide as good a handle as a rigid cylinder. The structure of Lindsay is dictated by the cylindrical roll of bags he teaches vending from the bag dispenser. Thus, the dispenser, if flexible, is integral with the leash in an attempt to make the dispensing structure semi-rigid.

Summary of the Invention The multi-purpose utility bag of the present invention, for carrying items advantageously carried while walking a pet, releasably attaches to all types of dog leashes, plus other pet related objects one would commonly use when walking a dog, such as a pet collar. The utility bag has a primary carrying compartment and at least one external separate expandable ppcket, for example, expandable by pleating. Thus the utility bag can carry useful items when walking a pet, for example, medications, bee sting kits, dog treats, a dog training collar, plastic bags (preferably biodegradable), a plastic water bottle, a small dog toy for use in tracking, first aid supplies, car keys, money, etc. It is an object of the invention that recycled bags, such as plastic grocery store bags be carried in the primary compartment, rather than having to buy rolls of bags as contemplated by the Lindsay reference.

The expandable pocket allows carrying of additional small items even when the utility bag primary compartment is stuffed full. The utility bag attaches to standard inelastic dog leashes, retractable dog leashes, pet collars, belts, belt loops, purses, other bags, etc. It may be attached to a leash handgrip. It does not form part of the handgrip, but rather, an unobtrusive loosely mounted, convenient accessory.

The fact that the utility bag is flexible, preferably of nylon-like material or the like, means that the utility bag may be folded and carried in ajacket or pants pocket when not in use.

It also means that the bag will interfere less than a rigid container would with the use of a leash or be more easily clipped to a collar or belt because the utility bag, even when full, such as full of plastic bags, may conform or bend as required. The expandable pocket, were it not expandable by pleating or the like, would not be useful when the primary compartment was full. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable pocket that may be usefully employed when the primary compartment is full of plastic bags.

In summary, the utility bag of the present invention is an elongate flexible sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, and front and back sides extending between the upper and lower ends. The upper end has a first aperture therein for access to a first cavity defined by the front and back sides and the lower end whereby articles may be placed through the first aperture into and removed from the first cavity. A flexible releasably securable flap is provided at the first end of the sleeve for releasable closure of the first aperture. At least one flexible expandable pocket is mounted externally to the front side of the sleeve. The expandable pocket is expandable by pleating or other pocket expansion means, whereby access may be had to a second cavity within the expandable pocket when the first cavity is full of material being carried and the sleeve is thereby firmly cylindrical. The first and second cavities provide for storing small articles therein. The expandable pocket has associated with it a second releasably securable flap for releasably closing a second aperture for access to the second cavity.

Mounting straps or other mounting means are provided at the upper and lower ends of the sleeve for releasable mounting of the utility bag to an elongate member, such as a pet leash.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is, in perspective view, the multi-purpose utility bag of the present invention.

Figure 2 is, in plan view, the multi-purpose utility bag of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is, in bottom plan view, the multi-purpose utility bag of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is, in perspective view, the multi-purpose utility bag of Figure 1 mounted to a leash.

Figure 5 is, in perspective view, the multi-purpose utility bag of Figure 1 mounted to a pet collar.

Figure 6 is, in perspective view, the multi-purpose utility bag of Figure 1 mounted to a handle of a retractable leash.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment As illustrated in the accompanying Figures and, in particular, in Figures 1-4. the multi-purpose utility bag 10 of the present invention has a primary compartment within flexible sleeve 12. Sleeve 12 forms a large pocket running the full longitudinal length of utility bag 10 and which is generally cylindrical in shape when full. Sleeve 12 may be constructed by sewing opposed rectangular sheets 1 2a and 1 2b together around their edges. Sheet 1 2a may be longer than sheet 1 2b so as to form a flap 1 2c at an open end of sleeve 12, the opposite end sewn closed to complete the pocket. Flap 1 2c provides for releasable closing of the opening to sleeve 12.

Releasable closure of flap 1 2c may be accomplished by releasable fasteners 13 such as VelcroTM fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like.

At least one smaller expandable pocket 14 having pleats 14a along its longitudinal sides, is mounted, as by sewing, over sheet 12b. Pleats 14a may along one edge thereof be secured by sewing between or into the seam between sheets 12a and 12b. Pleats 14a allow pocket 14 to be expandable outwards from sheet 12b on sleeve 12, even when sleeve 12 is full, that is, is cylindrical in shape. A smaller closure flap 16 is provided for releasable closure of pocket 14 and, again, may be releasably fastened by VelcroTM fasteners or the like.

Flexible loops 15 are fastened to sleeve 12, for example, by means of sewing the ends of the loops into the seams between sheets 12a and 12b, at the uppermost end of sleeve 12.

A nylon snap ring 1 Sa is mounted to the free end of one of loops 15 for releasable fastening of snap ring 1 Sa onto nylon ring 1 Sb mounted on the free end of the opposite loop 15, that is, the loop 15 on the opposite side of the uppermost end of sleeve 12.

Nylon snap ring I Sa and corresponding nylon ring 1 Sb are provided foryeleasable fastening of the uppermost end of sleeve 12 to, for example, the handle of a dog leash 19 such as illustrated in Figure 4. Releasable fastening is accomplished by passing nylon snap ring 15 through the looped handle 18 ofthe dog leash 19, and nylon snap ring iso then clipped onto nylon ring 15b. Releasable fastening of the upper end of sleeve 12 in this fashion also operates to releasably fasten the upper end of sleeve 12 to pet collars 20 as seen in Figure 5, to the handle 21 of retractable pet leashes as seen in Figure 6, and to belt loops, belts, handbags, etc. (not shown).

Nylon strap 22 is provided at the lower end of sleeve 12, and is mounted across sheet 12a, for example, by sewing the ends of the nylon strap into the seams between sheets 1 2a and 12b, so as to be disposed laterally across the back of utility bag 10. Strap 22 provides a loop through which dog leash 19, collar 20, a belt, or the like, may be passed to thereby releasably secure both upper and corner ends of sleeve 12 of utility bag 10 to a carrying medium.

In one preferred embodiment, sleeve 12, that is, sheets 1 2a and 12b, and flap 1 2c are formed from one elongate strip of material. Sheets 12a and 12b formed by folding the elongate over onto itself, leaving enough material protruding from the fold at one free end of the elongate strip so as to form flap 12c.

Although the preferred embodiments illustrated and described are of a rectangular shape, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a sleeve 12 or pocket 14 having other than a rectangular shape. Sleeve 12 could be of any aesthetically pleasing shape, although preferably elongate, so long as items such as plastic bags may be stored therein.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A utility bag comprising an elongate flexible sleeve having an upper end and a lower end and front and back sides extending between said upper and lower ends, said upper end having a first aperture therein for access to a first cavity defined by said front and back sides and said lower end whereby articles may be placed through said first aperture into and removed from said first cavity, a flexible releasably securable flap provided at said first end of said sleeve for releasable closure of said first aperture, at least one flexible expandable pocket mounted externally to said front side of said sleeve and expandable by pocket expansion means, whereby access may be had to a second cavity within said expandable pocket when said first cavity is full of material being carried and said sleeve is thereby firmly cylindrical, said first and second cavities for storing small articles therein, said expandable pocket having thereon a second releasably securable flap for releasably closing a second aperture for access to said second cavity7 mounting means at said upper and lower ends of said sleeve for releasable mounting of said utility bag to an elongate member.