US20030155268A1

US20030155268A1 - Shock-absorbing bag

Info

Publication number: US20030155268A1
Application number: US10/078,426
Authority: US
Inventors: Lo-Pin Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-21
Filing date: 2002-02-21
Publication date: 2003-08-21

Abstract

A shock-absorbing bag is formed of a single piece of sheet member folded up and sealed into a predetermined shape defining a holding space for holding an object. The sheet member has a first sheet layer, a second sheet layer sealed to the first sheet layer, at least one air chamber defined in between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer, and an air valve provided at one of the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer through which air is driven into or forced out of the at least one air chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bags, and more particularly to a shock-absorbing bag having air chambers for protecting the storage item against impact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Regular bags for holding notebook computers or precision instrument commonly have a shock absorbing or impact proof function to absorb shocks and protect the storage item against impact. According to conventional designs, foamed material, for example, sponge is commonly used and installed in the secret compartments of the gags to absorb shocks. The installation of the foamed material complicates the fabrication of the bags. Furthermore, the foamed material becomes aged quickly with use, lowering the shock absorbing functioning of the bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing bag, which has air chambers therein to provide a sock-absorbing function and is easy to manufacture.

To achieve the object of the present invention, the shock-absorbing bag is formed of a single piece of sheet member that is folded up and sealed into a predetermined shape defining a holding space for holding an object. The sheet member comprises a first sheet layer, a second sheet layer sealed to the first sheet layer, at least one air chamber defined in between the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer, and an air valve provided at one of the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer through which air is driven into or forced out of the at least one air chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an extended out view of a single piece of sheet member for a shock-absorbing bag according to the present invention. [0005]
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line [0006] 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates the outer appearance of a shock-absorbing bag constructed according to the present invention. [0007]
FIG. 4 is a side view in section of the shock-absorbing bag shown in FIG. 3. [0008]
FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing an alternate form of the air chamber for the shock-absorbing bag according to the present invention.[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shock-absorbing [0010] bag 1 is comprised of a single piece of sheet member 10. The single piece of sheet member 10 is comprised of a first sheet layer 11 and a second sheet layer 12. In actual fabrication, the first sheet layer 11 and the second sheet layer 12 are respectively made of plastics, and peripherally sealed together by a heat press. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection area between the first sheet layer 11 and the second sheet layer 12 forms a sealing part 13, and the other part of the first sheet layer 11 and the second sheet layer 12 defines with the sealing part 13 six air chambers 14 in air communication with one another. A narrow air passage 141 is respectively provided between each two adjacent air chambers 14 so that the air chambers 14 are in air communication with one another and, maintained in an airtight status isolated from the atmosphere. An air valve 15 is installed in the first sheet layer 11 through which air is driven into the air chambers 14.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 2 again, the [0011] sheet member 10, as shown in FIG. 1, includes two side panels 101 and 102, a front panel 103, a bottom panel 104, a back panel 105, and a top cover panel 106. The panels 101-106 are folded up and fastened together, forming the shock-absorbing bag 1 as shown on FIG. 3. When set into shape, the panels 101-106 form the six sides of the shock-absorbing bag 1 defining a holding space 107, and the air valve 15 is disposed inside the holding space 107. The periphery of the panels 101-106, namely, the sealing part 13 of the single piece sheet member 10 can be fastened up by stitches or a bonding agent.
Referring to FIG. 3 again, [0012] pockets 16 of different sizes are respectively provided at the side panels 101 and 102 and the front panel 103. A snap 17 is provided for enabling the top cover panel 106 to be detachably fastened to the front panel 103 to close the holding space 107. Connectors 18 are fixedly provided at the side panels 101 and 102 to hold a shoulder strap 19. The pockets 16, the snap 17, and the connectors 18 can be fixedly fastened to the second sheet layer 12 at an outer side by injection molding, EVA heat press, or stitches before folding up the sheet member 10 into shape. After the sheet member 10 was folded up and sealed to form the shock-absorbing bag 1, the pockets 16, the snap 17, and the connectors 18 are disposed on the outside of the shock-absorbing bag 1.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 3 again, before the use of the shock-absorbing [0013] bag 1, air is driven through the air valve 15 into the air chambers 14. The user can adjust the inside air pressure of the air chambers 14 as desired. When the user putted an object, for example, a notebook computer NB in the holding space 107 of the shock-absorbing bag 1 and closed the top cover panel 106, the notebook computer NB is surrounded by the air chambers 14, i.e., the air chambers 14 support the notebook computer NB in place against vibration and, protect the notebook computer NB against impact. When not in use, the inside air is forced out of the air chambers 14 through the air valve 15 to compact the shock-absorbing bag 1, reducing space occupation.
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate form of the air chambers. According to this alternate form, a continuously curved [0014] sealing line 13′ is sealed to the air chamber 14′ by a heat sealing apparatus, separating the air chamber 14′ into two independent subsidiary air chambers 14 a and 14 b. Therefore, when one subsidiary air chamber 14 a or 14 b damaged, the other subsidiary air chamber 14 b is still maintained in function. In the same way, each air chamber may be separated into three or more subsidiary air chambers.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shock-absorbing bag formed of a single piece of sheet member folded up and sealed into a predetermined shape defining a holding space for holding an object, said sheet member comprising a first sheet layer, a second sheet layer sealed to said first sheet layer, at least one air chamber defined in between said first sheet layer and said second sheet layer, and an air valve provided at one of said first sheet layer and said second sheet layer through which air is driven into or forced out of said at least one air chamber.

2. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet member includes two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, and a top cover panel adapted for forming six sides of the shock-absorbing bag.

3. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one air chamber includes a plurality of air chambers respectively formed in said side panels, said front panel, said bottom panel, said back panel, and said top cover panel.

4. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein said air chambers are disposed in air communication with one another.

5. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 2, further comprising connector means provided at said side panels, and a shoulder strap fastened to said connector means.

6. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 2, further comprising fastener means adapted for fastening said top cover panel to said front panel to close said holding space.

7. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air valve is disposed inside said holding space.

8. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket formed at one side of said sheet member.

9. The shock-absorbing bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one air chamber comprises at least two separated subsidiary air chambers.