US20140124107A1

US20140124107A1 - Bag Protector

Info

Publication number: US20140124107A1
Application number: US13/854,780
Authority: US
Inventors: Melissa Archer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-01
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

A disposable, protective covering to be easily applied over the bottom of purses and other bags to provide consumers a simple means of protecting their purse, tote bag, lunch box, backpack, or other bag from being sullied with dirt, grime, germs and bacteria that are easily transferred onto its surface when placed on the ground while using the restroom, attending public events or traveling.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application listed below is the only application related to this application. This application claims benefit of the earlier filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application number 61/618,934 filed on Apr. 2, 2012

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No invention claimed in this application was made under Federally sponsored research or development.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of coverings and more specifically relates to a disposable, protective covering to be easily applied over the bottom of purses and other bags to provide consumers a simple means of protecting their purse, tote bag, lunch box, backpack, or other bag from being sullied with dirt, grime, germs and bacteria that are easily transferred onto its surface when placed on the ground while using the restroom, attending public events or traveling.
2. Description of Related Art
An indispensable accessory carried by millions of women is a purse. A purse, also known as a pocket book or handbag, can be manufactured from a variety of materials such as leather, straw, canvas, or silk and is designed to efficiently store a woman's personal belongings. Manufactured in a variety of sizes, colors and materials handbags are used for everything from storing wallets, cellular telephones, important papers and even extra clothing. In addition to purses, women and men alike also carry attaché cases, book bags, backpacks and similar carriers as a means of transporting personal goods. Perhaps the only drawback associated with carrying purses and similar carryalls has to do the dilemma of where to place these items when not carried in hand. Whether a student attending a class, a business executive riding the train into the city, or a young woman enjoying an evening movie with friends; finding a dry and clean space to place one's purse or carryall is not always possible, thus the most common option is to place one's bag directly on the floor.
As can be imagined, even seemingly clean flooring can be covered in a film of dust, dirt or other debris deposited by other inhabitants. Further, the flooring on buses, trains and other public transportation is not only dirty, but often is wet and covered in a grimy residue of gum, particles of food, dirty tissue and other unsightly and unsanitary refuse. As can be imagined, arriving at one's destination, only to realize that the bottom of one's expensive, designer purse is covered in dirt and grime is not only frustrating, but can result in exorbitant cleaning bills and replacement costs.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in coverings art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,948 to Jacqueline Amante; U.S. Pat. No.D647305 to Leslie Hermanson; U.S. Pat. No. 2010/0032065 to William P. Kelly et al., and published U.S. Pat. Application No. 2006/0144487 to Michelle Elizabeth Bockey. These are representative of coverings.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable bag Protector to be easily applied over the bottom of purses and other bags to provide consumers a simple means of protecting their purse, tote bag, lunch box, backpack, or other bag from being sullied with dirt, grime, germs and bacteria that are easily transferred onto its surface when placed on the ground while using the restroom, attending public events or traveling and to avoid the above mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known covering device art, the present invention provides a novel bag Protector. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a disposable, protective covering to be easily applied over the bottom of purses and other bags to provide consumers a simple means of protecting their purse, tote bag, lunch box, backpack, or other bag from being sullied with dirt, grime, germs and bacteria that are easily transferred onto its surface when placed on the ground while using the restroom, attending public events or traveling. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims section of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Bag Protector in use with Purse.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the Bag Protector in use with a Backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a disposable covering device and more particularly to a Bag Protector 1 to be easily applied over the bottom of purses 5 and other bags 5 to provide consumers a simple means of protecting their purse 5, tote bag 5, lunch box 5, backpack , or other bag 5 from being sullied with dirt, grime, germs and bacteria that are easily transferred onto its surface when placed on the ground while using the restroom, attending public events or traveling.
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1, the bag Protector 1 comprising a novel product offering consumers a practical solution to the aforementioned challenges. As the name implies, the bag Protector 1 comprises a specially designed protective covering 2 that would be easily applied over the bottom of a purse 5 or carryall 5 prior to storing the device 5 on the floor or ground. As such, use of the bag Protector 1 would ensure that the purse 5 contained within remained clean, dry and sanitary at all times. The bag Protector 1 would be manufactured primarily of lightweight and flexible waterproof plastic materials and would be a bag-like covering featuring a sealed bottom and expandable side walls, while the top of the unit would be open.
The protective covering 2 may include a bottom panel 4 to reinforce the bottom of the protective covering 2, or lend stiffness to the bottom of the Bag Protector 1. The bottom panel may be attached to the inside or outside of the protective covering 2, be an integral part of the protective covering 2, or may be a stiffened portion of the protective covering 2.
Notably, encompassing the mouth of the bag Protector 1 preferably comprises a stretchy elastic banding 3 which facilitates a custom-like fit around the purse 5 or bag 5 on which it is applied. Standard versions of the bag Protector 1 would measure approximately 8 inches in depth, with the diameter of the bag measuring approximately 10 inches. Larger and smaller version of the bag Protector 1 could also be made available to accommodate different needs. The bag Protector 1 could be offered in an array of versions including but not limited to: standard clear plastic, or colored versions of this protective covering 2 could also be offered.
Use of the bag Protector 1 would be very simple and straight forward. Prior to heading out for one's day, the user would simply tuck a folded or compacted Bag Protector 1 in their purse 5 or briefcase 5 for use when needed. When taking one's seat on a bus, sitting down for class, or even upon being seated at a restaurant for dinner, the user would simply remove the bag Protector 1 from their purse 5, opening the Bag Protector 1 and applying it directly over the bottom of their purse 5. Thus applied, the bag Protector 1 would encompass the bottom of the purse 5 completely, extending several inches up the sides of the purse 5 and held securely in place via the stretchy banding 2 that expands the mouth of the unit. The user would then simply place their purse 5 directly on the ground, confident that the bag Protector 1 would provide an impenetrable barrier between the purse 5 and any dirt, grime, germs, bacteria or other harmful agents which may be lingering on the floor's surface. The bag Protector 1 would then be left in place as long as necessary and after use would simply be removed and discarded in the nearest trash receptacle or recycle bin.
There are many significant benefits and advantages associated with the bag Protector 1. Foremost, this cleverly designed product would offer a simple and effective means of safely placing one's purse directly on the ground for storage purposes. A lightweight, yet durable covering to be easily applied over the bottom of any purse 5, the bag Protector 1 would provide an impenetrable barrier between the purse 5 and the ground below. Protecting the delicate leather, suede or fabric material of the purse from the dirt, grime, refuse, germs and bacteria that may be sullying the flooring surface, the bag Protector 1 would ensure that one's bag 5 remained clean and dry at all times. A practical alternative to placing one's uncovered purse 5 directly on the ground, the bag Protector 1 would effectively eliminate the frustrating scenario of picking one's purse 5 up off the ground, only to find that it is covered in a grimy, wet residue. As such, use of this product would protect the wearer's clothing and person from being exposed to this harmful debris, while also sparing them the hassle of manually cleaning their purse 5 after use.
The bag Protector 1 would also eliminate expensive repair and replacement costs associated with having a purse 5 professionally cleaned or replacing a purse 5 entirely that has been permanently ruined by dirt and grime. Although designed primarily for use with purses 5, the bag Protector 1 would also be well suited for use with briefcases 5, backpacks 5, book bags 5 and other carryalls 5, enabling the user to protect personal belongings on daily commutes, when traveling, or even when attending sporting events or movies. Lightweight and portable, this protective sheathe would take up little space in a purse 5, backpack 5 or even coat pocket, providing instant access whenever needed. Completely disposable, this hygienic covering could be easily discarded following use.
The bag Protector 1 is a practical product invention which would provide a simple means of protecting a purse 5 from exposure to dirt, refuse, germs and bacteria commonly associated with storing a purse 5 directly on the floor. Ensuring one's purse 5 or carryall remained clean and dry at all times, the bag protector 1 could prove an invaluable commodity for anyone who patronizes public transportation or establishments. Affordably priced, the bag Protector 1 should be well received by the general consumer populace, an extremely sizable market potential. The bag Protector 1 is cost-effective to produce in the embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

Claims

I claim:

1) A Bag Protector comprising:

a) a protective container with an opening at a first end; and

b) an elastic banding attached to said opening.

2) The Bag Protector of claim 1 further comprising a bottom panel attached to a second end of said protective container.