US2625695A

US2625695A - Sleeping bag made of paper

Info

Publication number: US2625695A
Application number: US167524A
Authority: US
Inventors: James W Nicholson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-06-12
Filing date: 1950-06-12
Publication date: 1953-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-20

Description

Jan. 20, 1953 J. w. NICHOLSON SLEEPING BAG MADE OF PAPER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed June 12, 1950 FIG 4 N IOHOLSON 3m entor l4 JAMES W.

(Ittornegs Jan. 20, 1953 J. w. NICHOLSON SLEEPING BAG MADE QF' PAPER 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed June 12, 1950 NICHOLSON Ihwentor JAMES w.

(lttomegs Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLEEPING BAG MADE'OF PAPER James W. Nicholson, Bellingham, Wash.

Application June 12, 1950, Serial No. 167,524

6 Claims. 1

This present invention contemplates the construction of a sleeping bag made wholly of paper, or paper-like products, to the end that a sleeping bag for occasional use can be provided which will be so inexpensive that for many purposes it can be disposed of after having been used once or a relatively few times. This present bag makes use of the more recent development in the construction of paper, or paper-like insulating materials, so that bags may be made after the teachings of this invention which will bereadily adaptable in accordance with their construction, for use under the full range of outdoor sleeping conditions which are now served by expensive insulated bag structures.

For the most part, sleeping'bags are. used where transportation facilities are at a minimum. The camper who must carry his sleeping equipment, as well as food for an extended period on his back, is properly responsible for the high degree of development found in sleeping bag construction today, as it has been proven that for a given weight of materials, a bag-like structure will provide the maximum warmth .for the user. Sleeping bags are now quite generally used in many other fields. They are used where transportation bulk or weight must be kept to a minimum, as in horse-packing trips, or motor trips, and during the recent war were used in great numbers by the members of the various armedservices. The various designs of sleeping bags in general use today well serve their intended purpose. However, when .real protection is needed against cold weather, the .most suitable insulating materials that have been found are thosehaving the general characteristics of down. Originally, the down of the eider duck was used because "of its natural cold habitat. During therecent war with insufficient supplies of the most desirable downs, down of domestic ducks and geese was used, and sometimes, where weather conditions were not too severe, these were mixed with specially prepared chicken feathers. The. use of down made it necessary to employ a very fine cloth covering inorder that. the down could be retained and then, in order tomake the'bag durable and have a reasonably useful life, protective coverings were required inside and outside of the bag. Such constructions add to the weight of the bag but they particularly add to the cost of manufacture. Consequently, bags of this order are many times not available to persons who could well use a sleeping bag because of the cost involved.

In the construction illustrated and described in the applicationfull advantage has been taken 2 of technological developmentsin the paper -in dustry and a sleeping bag is thus ,producedwhich is very inexpensive in first cost, and in which the insulating material, which is also paper, "can be built up to any thicknessrequired to give adequate protection for the human body throughoutthe full range of temperatures encountered. With a bag constructed of thismaterial, it is now'possible for a'family of moderate means tosupply-sleeping bags to all the members of the-family at "an overall cost many times "greatlyred'uced from the cost of a single adequate sleeping bag of the prior type. There is another ifield, however, in which this bag is particularly adaptable, and'that is in rescue work, or in expeditions wherethe expedition travelling on foot can here-suppliedat intervals from aeroplanes which will drop the necessary sup-plies. Under such conditions, the paper bags may be left at the last camping point and others economically supplied for the next camp ground. There are many conditions where emergency sleeping accommodations'ne'ed be provided. This occurs particularly in construction work, logging operations, forest fire fighting operations and the like, where the bag may only 'be' used by an individual a few times, and in thecas of the paper bag it would then be disposed of. This is a great improvement over the present handling of sleeping bags in which either the second or third user must sleep in a bag that hasbeen used by others, or the bags must be thoroughly'renovated. This'is -a matter of considerable expense and many timesequipment of this order is used in localities where such cleaning services are not available. It is under such conditions that the disposable paper sleeping bag is of great worth.

The principal object of this present invention is to provide 'a, sleeping bag made of paper, or paper-like material, in which the cost of manufacture is so reduced that the bag'canbe economical-ly disposed of after limited use by an individual.

A further object of this invention is toprovide apaper sleeping bag havinga'plurality of paper layers, each selected for their particularsuitability for the service that the various parts can 'be expected to encounter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sleeping bag construction wherein the amount of the paper, or paper-like insulating material, can be likened quite definitely to the thermo requirements.

A further object of this present invention is to use papers so treated for the outer and inner envelopes of the bag that a. soft fabric-like tex ture is presented to the feel of the human body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a paper sleeping bag in which the papers used are so configured that they are yieldable and pliable to the extent that they will drape themselves about a persons body in the same manner as do the more expensive materials used in sleeping bags.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sleeping bag which in time of national emergency could be made in immense quantities without at all taxing the production facilities of this country.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or are inherent in the device.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a typical longitudinal sectional view of the sleeping bag of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a typical cross-sectional View of Figure 1, taken transversely to the same body portions thereof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view similar to a portion of Figure 3 but illustrating a modified form of joining the sheets making the inner and outer envelope of the bag;

Figure 5 is a perspective view, in fragmentary form, as though a section were cut out of either the bottom or top portion of the sleeping bag envelope and showing the layers of insulating material rolled back in part to more fully illustrate the construction thereof;

. Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view through one portion of the bag covering with the same shown on a considerably enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary face view of one layer of the insulating paper used in this bag, the same being shown as though magnified possibly one hundred times, in order to show the voids in the paper which greatly assists in filling up a great number of small air faces for insulation purposes; and

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the head covering end of the sleeping bag, showing this portion as it may be adjusted around the head of the user.

, Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, the numeral l0 designates in general the outer envelope. This is in the form of a paper bag having the top portion 12 and the lower portion M which has the head covering extension 15 formed as part thereof. Disposed within the outer envelope is the inner envelope 2!]. This has, similarly to the outer envelope, the upper portion 22, the lower portion 24, and the head covering extension 26. The two envelopes are joined together at the front end and preferably the juncture is covered by a piece of reinforcing tape 30. The upper ends of the two envelopes are similarly joined together as at 32, and the two head covering extensions l6 and 26 are preferably joined entirely around the three exposed margins as at 34. The best manner of joining the inner and outer envelopes should be determined after checking fully into the characteristics of the particular papers forming the envelopes. Throughout the figures this has been indicated by means of stitching. However, it will be apparent, it is believed, that certain types of paper could be glued together very satisfactorily, and in some cases a clinching staple very similar to a paper staple used in stapling letter sheets together, but on an enlarged size, would be very satisfactory.

The preferred material for forming the inner and outer envelopes is a type of crinkled or crepe paper. Paper of this order is quite generally used for making sacks for the handling of various sacked commodities, especially where it is desirable to have a bag that will be able to stretch somewhat if it is dropped, and thus prevent the splitting of the sack. Such papers are usually good grade of Kraft paper that are given the crepe or crinkled effect during their manufacture while they are wet. Normally, they hold their shape quite well, but if unusual strain is imposed upon them, instead of tearing the crinkled portions will straighten out and thus relieve the paper of dangerous tension. Another desirable characteristic of the creped papers is that they do not present a large smooth surface when touched by the hand or body, but rather, give the impression of a fabric in that, like a fabric, the hand touching the paper actually only hits the high spots and is effected very similarly to a woven fabric. This effect makes the paper much more acceptable for this particular use. It follows, further, that the paper may be pervious by construction, or may be water-proofed, as the use indicates desirable. Except for use in wet weather, the pervious type is a much more healthful bag. On the other hand, if the bag is to be used under wet conditions, it is essential that it be provided, to a degree, of the water-proof paper.

A preferred form of the bag is shown in Figure 1. In this instance both the outer and inner envelopes go clear around the bag when considered in transverse sections, and have a single seam as at 38. This seam may take the form shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a more ideal form where heavy inner lining is used, whereas, that form shown in Figure 4 which employs a binding tape as 40, is the stronger construction and more easily achieved. It will further be apparent, it is believed, that if it is necessary, in order to effect a saving in materials, a seam could be provided on each side of the bag. In any event, it is desirable to provide the fold as indicated at seam 38 and on the opposite side at 42. This insures that the bag will fold or roll nicely without disarrangement or damage to itself, and at all times the upper surface as l2, with the layer secured to it, will tend to settle down onto the user and give that wrapping efiect so much desired and present particularly with the heavier blankets.

Disposed in a space between the inner and outer envelopes is the heat confining insulating material 44. For this use, the most satisfactory material is the crepe or crinkled multi-layer insulating papers or blankets that are so commonly used in insulating buildings. Normally, from 12 to 50 sheets of this thin paper are used as a blanket and to insure that they stay in position, it is common to secure them by gluing or fusin the same together at spaced intervals indicated at 46 in Figures 5 and 6. As these individual sheets 48 have very little strength it is a preferred construction to use a backing sheet as 50 to which the various sheets are secured by means of the stop anchors 46. The preferred placement of this backing strip, from a thermoconductivity standpoint, is toward the outside of the bag, considering in Figure 6, the outer wall shown at M and the inner wall shown at 24. If on the other hand, the bag is to be used by persons partially or fully clothed where considerable stretching might occur, it might, in that case, be more desirable to have the backing strip 50 toward the inside of the bag.

In Figure 7 a view is shown as though the face of a single sheet 48 were viewed under a low power microscope of possibly 50 or 100 diameters and it will be noted that a large number of actual openings exist as at 54. These vary considerably in size, none of them large, most of them practically microscopic. This furthers the insulating value of a pad of such sheets-and asused in this bag. The openings are irregular in size and placement and when successive layers are piled one on the other, a vary large number of air cells are provided, even where the sheets bear on each other; Further, the creping effect, or crinkling of the envelope sheets l2, I4, 22 and 24, and which is done to a lesser degree on the sheets 48 use-d between the inner and outer envelopes, gives the general effect of Figure 6, which must be considered to be enlarged to 20 times normal size. It will be noted that a large number of relatively large air spaces 56 are thus provided. The construction in Figure 6 shows 16 sheets of paper. This is a good average weight for ordinary use, then as more severe conditions are to be encountered the number of sheets is merely increased but the result of the construction above remains the same. A draw-string is provided at 66 so that the user can pucker the open end of the bag more closely around the shoulders, and similar draw strings 62 are provided along the sides of the head covering. Draw string 60 may be tightened and secured after the user is in the bag to prevent air getting in around the neck and shoulders.

The head covering extension formed of members l6 and 26 may be formed around the head as shown in Figure 8 by wrapping the outermost edge around the face so the corners meet under the chin of the user and then draw strings 62 are pulled to tighten the bag around the neck and shoulders. For use in severe climatic conditions, sheets l6 and 26 may include between them, the same insulating sheets 48 used in the body of the bag.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a sleeping bag made of paper.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of durable, waterproof, crinkled paper having a bottom portion, a top portion, a closed end, an open end, a head covering portion extending from the bottom portion at the open end, and side portions on either side joining the top and bottom portions, each side portion having a longitudinal fold centered between the top and bottom portions, whereby when the sleeping bag is folded the side portions will collapse between the top and bottom portions; an inner envelope formed of durable crinkled paper positioned within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion and said envelopes being joined together by binding tape at the closed end and at one of said side portions; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler being composed of many layers of thin crinkled paper; and a backing sheet positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said nner being secured to said backing sheet at spaced intervals.

2. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of crinkled paper having a bag shape with a top portion, a bottom portion, a closed 'end and an open end and having a head covering portion extending from the bottom portion at the open end; an inner envelope formed of crinkled'paper positioned within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler being -composed of many layers of thin crinkled paper; a backing sheet positioned between said inner and outer envelopes on the outside or said filler, said filler being secured to said backing she'et'at spaced intervals; there being a plurality of openings through said envelopes near the free edgeof said open end and near the free edge on either side of said head covering portion; and draw strings in said openings providing means for closing said sleeping bag about an occupant.

3. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of crinkled paper having a bottom portion, a top portion, side portions on either side joining the top and bottom portions, a closed end, an open end, and a head covering portion extending from the bottom portion at the open end; an inner envelope formed of crinkled paper positioned within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler being composed of many layers of thin crinkled paper; and a backing sheet positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler being secured to said backing sheet at spaced intervals.

4. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of durable, Waterproof, crinkled paper having a bottom portion, a top portion, a closed end, and an open end, a head covering portion extending from said bottom portion at said open end, and side portions on either side joining said top and bottom portions, each side portion having a longitudinal fold centered between said top and bottom portions, whereby when the sleeping bag is folded said side portions will collapse between said top and bottom portions; an inner envelope formed of durable crinkled paper positioned within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion and said envelopes being joined together at the closed end and at one of said side portions; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler having many layers of thin paper; and positioning means fastened to said filler at many spaced intervals and securing said filler from movement relative to said envelopes.

5. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of durable, crinkled paper having a bag shape with a top portion, a bottom portion, a closed end and an open end and having a head covering portion extending from said bottom portion at said open end; an inner envelope formed of crinkled paper positioned within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler having many layers of thin paper; positioning means fastened to said filler at many spaced intervals and securing said filler from movement relative to said envelopes; said envelopes having a series of openings extending therethrough near the free edge of said open end and near the free edge on either side of said head covering portion; and drawstrings in said openings providing means for closing said sleeping bag about an occupant.

6. A paper sleeping bag, comprising: an outer envelope formed of durable crinkled paper having a, bottom portion, a top portion, side portions on either side joining said top and bottom portions, a closed end, an open end, and a head covering portion extending from said bottom portion at said open end; an inner envelope formed of crinkled paper positioned Within said outer envelope having a shape similar to said outer envelope, said envelopes being joined together at the free edges of said open end and said head covering portion; a filler positioned between said inner and outer envelopes, said filler having many layers of thin paper; and positioning means fastened to said filler at many spaced intervals and securing said filler from movement relative to said envelopes.

JAMES W. NICHOLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS