US20210321734A1

US20210321734A1 - Pest-proof bag

Info

Publication number: US20210321734A1
Application number: US17/365,665
Authority: US
Inventors: Alphonzo Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-14
Filing date: 2021-07-01
Publication date: 2021-10-21

Abstract

A pest-proof bag that includes a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall at edges to form an enclosure. A traversing elongated slot in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall can be provided for gaining access into the enclosure. A fastener can be sealably coupled along a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot. The fastener can be a laminated zipper that prevents penetration of pests.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/188,656, filed on May 14, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a bag that prevents ingress of pests.

BACKGROUND

Pest infestation is one of the major problems that people are facing for ages. Despite taking all the hygienic measures, the pest can enter homes and personal space through hitchhiking process that occurs in shared spaces. According to several pest experts, hitchhiking is one of the major ways for pest infestation. People carry bags to shared spaces, such as gyms, schools, airports, offices, where the pest can find their way into bags and from there to homes and other private spaces. Hitchhiking has been estimated to happen over a thousand times a day on average in all the shared spaces generally visited by people. Most people may not be aware of how the pest entered their homes and have to pay huge amounts for pesticide treatments. Small pests such as Roches and bedbugs find their way into bags through holes in the zipper or pockets and hitchhike to personal spaces, such as homes, cars, and the like.
Thus, a desire is there for a bag that can prevent aforesaid hitchhiking of pests and the pests making their way to personal spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a pest-proof bag that prevents ingress of pests, insects, and infestations.
It is another object of the present invention that the pest-proof bag protects wearable and personal property from hitchhiking bugs.
It is still another object of the present invention that the pest-proof bag is easy to maintain.
It is yet another object of the present invention that the pest-proof bag can be economical to manufacture.
It is a further object of the present invention that the pest-proof bag can be quickly and easily sanitized.
It is still a further object of the present invention that the pest-proof bag is waterproof and dustproof.
It is yet a further object of the present invention that the bag can be manufactured in a range of sizes and designs.
It is an additional object of the present invention that the bag can have an aesthetic appearance.
In one aspect, disclosed is a pest-proof bag that includes a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall at edges forming an enclosure. A traversing elongated slot can be provided in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall for gaining access into the enclosure. A fastener can be sealably coupled along a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot.
In one implementation of the pest-proof bag, the fastener can be a laminated zipper. The laminated zipper can prevent penetration of the pests. Also, in one case, the inner and outer surfaces of the enclosure can be laminated. In one case, the front wall and the rear wall of the enclosure can be stitched and sealed at the edges. The front wall can be sealably coupled to the rear wall to form a continuous seam, wherein the continuous seam is configured to prevent penetration of pests. In one case, the pest-proof bag may not have any pocket on the outer surface of the enclosure and the outer surface of the enclosure can be plain.
In one implementation of the pest-proof bag, the pest-proof bag can also include a flexible handle coupled to the rear wall and adjacent to the elongated slot. An elongated strap can also be provided coupled to the front wall. The elongated strap can have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the elongated strap can be coupled to the front wall just below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has an outer surface and an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surface of the elongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first member of mating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of the elongated strap has a layer of a second member of mating members of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the strap is configured to wrap around rolled pest-proof bag and the first member coupled to the second member.
These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and the summary will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pest-proof bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the pest-proof bag as in FIG. 1 rolled and secured by hook and loop fastener, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment of the pest-proof bag 100 that can be used to carry personal belongings to shared spaces, such as gyms, airports, schools, offices, and like. The pest-proof bag 100 can include a front wall 110 and a rear wall (opposite the front wall, not shown), wherein the front wall 110 and the rear wall can be sealably coupled at the edges to form an enclosure 120. The pest-proof bag 100 can be closed at all sides and a seam between the front wall and the rear wall can be sealed as water, air, dust, and pest cannot enter the bag through the seam. In one case, the front wall 110 and the rear wall can be stitched at the edges, and then the seam can be laminated using polymeric material. The lamination can provide a seal against the pests, such as the pest cannot penetrate the seam. The pest-proof bag 100 can be made of cloth, or any other material that is known to a skilled person for making the bags, and any such material is within the scope of the present invention. The inside and outside of the enclosure 120 can be laminated to form a smoother surface that is resistant to the pest. Besides being smooth, the outer surface of the enclosure can be plain with no pockets or crevices that prevent the clinging of dust and pests. Moreover, lamination can make the pest-proof bag waterproof and dustproof.
The disclosed pest-proof bag can be easily sanitized by spraying a disinfectant on the outer surface of the pest-proof bag and optionally wiping it out.
A traversing elongated slot can be provided on the front wall 110 of the enclosure just below a periphery of the pest-proof bag. The elongated slot can provide access into an interior of the enclosure 120 for both placing articles inside the bag and removing the articles from the bag. The elongated slot can be closed by a fastener, such as a zipper or a hook and loop fastener. Both zipper and the hook and loop fastener should be sealable to prevent penetration of pests into the bag from the elongated slot. For example, the zippers can be laminated to plug the holes, such as not even the smallest known pest can penetrate the pest-proof bag. FIG. 1 shows a laminated zipper 130 coupled around a periphery of the elongated slot for closing the elongated slot. The zipper 130 can be unzipped for gaining access into the interior of the enclosure 120.
The pest-proof bag 100 can also be provided with a handle for handing the bag, such as to carry the bag in hand. FIG. 1 shows a handle 140 coupled to a periphery of the enclosure 120. FIG. 1 shows the handle 140 coupled to the rear wall of the enclosure opposite to the laminated zipper 130. The handle 140 can be flexible and of a dimension that allows the handle to be comfortably grasped.
FIG. 1 also shows an elongated strap 150 that extends from the front wall 110 of the enclosure 120. The elongated strap 150 can have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the elongated strap 150 can be coupled to the front wall 110 of the enclosure 120. The distal end of the elongated strap 150 can be free. The elongated strap 150 can have an inner surface and an outer surface. FIG. 1 shows the inner surface 160 of the elongated strap 150 and FIG. 2 shows the outer surface 170 of the elongated strap 150. The elongated strap 150 can have the two mating members of a hook and loop fastener. FIG. 1 shows a first member of the mating members of the hook and loop fastener coupled as a layer on a tip 180 of the inner surface 160 of the elongated strap 150. The tip 180 is adjacent to the distal end of the elongated strap 150. The second member of the mating members of the hook and loop fastener can be provided as a continuous layer on the outer surface 170 of the elongated strap 150. The first member of the hook and loop fastener can be coupled to the second member at different positions. The elongated strap 150 can be used to secure the rolled pest-proof bag 100. FIG. 2 shows the pest-proof bag 100 as rolled. The pest-proof bag 100 can be rolled empty or with articles such as wearable to further compact the size or volume for easier handling. When rolled, the elongated strap 150 can be wrapped around the rolled pest-proof bag 100 can the first member can be coupled to the second member for securing the pest-proof bag 100 in the rolled state.
The disclosed pest-proof bag can be manufactured in a range of sizes and shapes. Moreover, designs can be printed on either or both the front wall and the rear wall for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the pest-proof bag. Besides the printed designs, the pest-proof bag can be manufactured in a range of colors or color combinations. In one case, the front wall, the rear wall, threads, and the zipper can be of the same color.
The disclosed pest-proof bag can be used to carry a range of articles, such as wearables to public and shared spaces. A user can carry wearables to the gym in the disclosed pest-proof bag which can be easily sanitized and prevents pest infestation by hitchhiking. To clean the pest-proof bag from both dirt and microbes, the pest-proof bag can be quickly wiped using a soap solution.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pest-proof bag comprises:

a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall at edges forming an enclosure;

a traversing elongated slot in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall for gaining access into the enclosure; and

a fastener sealably coupled along a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot.

2. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is a laminated zipper.

3. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein an inner and an outer surface of the enclosure are laminated.

4. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the front wall and the rear wall are stitched and sealed at the edges.

5. The pest-proof bag according to claim 3, wherein the pest-proof bag does not have any pocket on the outer surface of the enclosure.

6. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the front wall is sealably coupled to the rear wall to form a continuous seam, wherein the continuous seam is configured to prevent penetration of pests.

7. The pest-proof bag according to claim 2, wherein the laminated zipper prevents penetration of pests.

8. The pest-proof bag according to claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the enclosure is plain.

9. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the pest-proof bag further comprises a flexible handle coupled to the rear wall and adjacent to the elongated slot.

10. The pest-proof bag according to claim 1, wherein the pest-proof bag further comprises an elongated strap that has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the elongated strap is coupled to the front wall just below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has an outer surface and an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surface of the elongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first member of mating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of the elongated strap has a layer of a second member of the mating members of the hook and loop fastener, wherein the elongated strap is configured to wrap around rolled pest-proof bag and the first member of the mating members coupled to the second member of the mating members.

11. A pest-proof bag consisting essentially of:

a traversing elongated slot in the front wall just below a periphery of the front wall for gaining access into the enclosure;

a laminated zipper sealably coupled along a periphery of the elongated slot and configured to sealably close the elongated slot;

a flexible handle coupled to the rear wall and adjacent to the elongated slot; and

an elongated strap that has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the elongated strap is coupled to the front wall just below the elongated slot, the elongated strap has an outer surface and an inner surface, a tip portion of the inner surface of the elongated strap at the distal end has a layer of a first member of mating members of a hook and loop fastener, the outer surface of the elongated strap has a layer of a second member of the mating members of the hook and loop fastener,

wherein the elongated strap configured to wrap around rolled pest-proof bag and the first member of the mating members coupled to the second member of the mating member,

wherein an inner and an outer surface of the enclosure are laminated and plain.