WO1997018727A1 - Day pack with debris compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a pack with a receptacle portion and a belt portion connected to the receptacle portion, wherein the receptacle portion is formed by a generally continuous exterior wall defining an internal cavity including a debris compartment for receiving and containing items which might damage or contaminate the main compartment if placed in the main compartment.

Description

DAY PACK WITH DEBRIS COMPARTMENT

Technical Field The present invention relates generally to special purpose receptacles and, more specifically, to a day pack with a debris compartment for receiving and containing items to be discarded which would contaminate the day pack and its contents if not isolated.

Background of the Invention People have long been using carrying devices or receptacles which leave the hands free. Such devices range from single compartment duffle bags or bundles with a strap for placement about the head, neck or shoulders to sophisticated, special purpose backpacks for mountaineering. Such receptacles are usually, though not

exclusively, made from a fabric-like material. Canvas and the like and, more recently, synthetic fabrics such as nylon are generally used to form one or more soft- walled compartments or cavities for receiving items to be carried.

Small, special purpose packs are fairly recent adaptations of the pack concept.

This is, in part, due to a resurgent interest in walking, jogging, in-line skating and bicycling for fitness and enjoyment. "Fanny" packs, in the form of a small fabric receptacle attached to a belt for wearing around the waist, are known, as are small

over-the-shoulder back packs. Such packs are used to carry an amount of food, clothing or equipment sufficient for a short period of time, such as during a day hike, at an outdoor event such as a concert or during a recreational or exercise walk

or jog.

Parks, so-called "green spaces" in cities and suburbs, dedicated nature and walking trails or picnic areas are places suitable for day hikes, recreational or exercise

walks or jogs, concerts, in-line skating, picnicking and like activities. Wherever such activities are undertaken by people, litter and debris from human activity must be handled. In addition to eating picnic meals in a park, or consuming snacks or chewing gum while walking or simply enjoying a green space or park, people enjoy

using tobacco products such as cigarettes after eating or during rest periods in such

settings. Obviously, remnants of food or snack items, chewed gum and tobacco products, most notably cigarette butts, present a problem if simply thrown to the ground, particularly where there is heavy use of an area or where a large number of people are concentrated. Such items also require special handling to be disposed of safely. Burning or hot cigarette butts, for example, can start fires and are at least

messy and smelly. Used chewing gum is sticky. It would be advantageous if there were a way to effectively and safely contain remnants of food or snack items, chewed gum and used or partially used tobacco products, as well as conveniently carry such items to a proper disposal location, both without interfering with regular activities. U.S. Patent 5,060,835 (Payne) discloses a carrier apparatus including a storage

receptacle mounted on a belt. The receptacle is made from a synthetic material. Although the Payne carrier apparatus might be useful for carrying some items, it is not suitable for receiving a hot or burning item, nor could used chewing gum or

other sticky debris be put into the receptacle without first wrapping it to keep it from

sticking to the receptacle walls.

U.S. Patents 4,252,237 (Baclit), 3,147,788 (Pinnola), 2,953,137 (Simril), 2,225,623

(Crawford), 2,583,240 (Thompson) and 2,843,134 (Bass) disclose portable ash

receptacles or ashtrays, some of which are connectable to a person's limb or belt.

However, none is an integral part of a convenient waist belt system, and none are partially filed with an inflammable, absorbent material. Some have only limited

capacity or may be awkward or uncomfortable for a user.

Clearly, it would be advantageous if there were a pack or carrier for effectively

and safely containing and carrying items to be discarded, along with other items,

without contaminating or damaging the pack and the other items, and without

interfering with normal activity.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a pack comprising a receptacle portion and a belt portion connected to the receptacle portion for adjustably connecting the pack to

a person, the receptacle portion being formed by a generally continuous exterior wall defining an internal cavity divided into at least a main compartment and a debris compartment, the debris compartment for receiving and containing items

which might damage or contaminate the main compartment if placed therein. The debris compartment is formed by an internal wall made from a moisture and heat resistant material, and is partially filled with an inflammable medium, preferably

dry and in granular or particulate form.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a day pack wherein items to be discarded, such as used tobacco products or chewing gum, may be segregated or

isolated conveniently and safely from the general contents of the day pack. It is an advantage of the present invention that sticky items can be segregated and

neutralized by placing them in a separate compartment at least partially filled with a dry, absorbent particulate medium, whereupon the sticky item becomes coated with

the medium and can be disposed of conveniently.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce pollution by providing

a convenient, safe way for people to transport debris, particularly debris which is difficult to handle, e.g., burning or hot cigarette or cigars or used chewing gum, to a

suitable place for disposal.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more

fully apparent and understood with reference to the following description and to the appended drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the day pack of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the day pack of the present

invention depicting its integral, special purpose debris compartment.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment As used herein, the term "pack" is intended to mean generally soft-walled, bag-like carrying containers with integral features for attaching them to a person or object whereby they are used to contain and carry items without using the hands. Examples include, but are not limited to day packs, back-packs, fanny packs, panniers

or handlebar packs for use on bicycles and duffle bags. Some packs include internal

or external frames and, along with a main compartment, many have additional

internal or external compartments of various sizes. Generally, closures such as zippers, snaps or drawstrings may be used to releasably close the pack and its

compartments, if present.

Referring then to Figs. 1 and 2, the day pack 4 of the present invention has a main body 6 formed by a substantially continuous exterior fabric-like wall 8. A water-resistant synthetic material (e.g., a Gortex® type material) is preferred. A belt

or strap 10 is connected to the rear of the main body 6 by appropriate means such as sewing. Preferably, the belt 10 is permanently connected to the body 6, but it may be semi-permanently connected so it can be removed for cleaning. The belt 10 has a

releasable buckle 12 and an adjustment slide 14. It may be made from any suitable material, nylon webbing being preferred. The main body 6 of the day pack 4 provides a main internal compartment 16 for receiving items to be carried. Unobstructed access to the main compartment 16

is provided through an opening 18, extending across the top of the body 6 and closeable by a zipper 20.

A separate debris compartment 22 is permanently connected to the exterior

wall 8 at the front of the main body 6. The debris compartment 22 is defined by a

substantially continuous wall 24 sewn to the wall 8 forming the main body 6. The debris compartment 22 is closed by a cover section 26 attached to the upper edge of the main body 6, closeable by a zipper 28. The debris compartment 22 is at least

partially filed with a dry, particulate or granular material such as sand 30. As shown in Fig. 2, in another embodiment of the present invention, the debris compartment 22 is at least partially a double wall compartment. The two thickness, overlaid wall portion 23 is at the front of the day pack 4, being formed by the wall 24 and an internal wall 25 connected to the main body wall 8 and wall 24 at

its upper, peripheral edges 32. In this embodiment, the debris compartment 22 is

inside, and "floating" inside, the internal compartment 16. In either embodiment, the cover section 26, the wall 24 and /or the internal wall 25 are formed of or fully

lined with a fire resistant fabric-like material such as AtEase™ 450 made by Southern Mills, Inc., of Union City, Georgia. Comparable, commercially available material may be substituted, as long as sufficient fire and heat resistance is provided. While a single, special purpose debris compartment 22 is depicted, the day pack 4 of the present invention could include more than one such compartment. The main compartment 16 could be divided into additional subcompartments, with

or without dedicated access openings. While zippers 20, 28 are depicted as the

compartment closure mechanism, other means such as snaps or drawstrings may be substituted. Only the front exterior wall portion of the debris compartment 22 is depicted as double-walled (Fig. 2), but the entire compartment 22 or the entire day

pack 4 could be formed with a double wall. Reinforcing or rigidifying panels may be integrated with the day pack 4, for example, a panel (shown in Fig. 2 in phantom at

31) could be used to divide and strengthen the main compartment 16 or a panel may

be used to rigidify the cover section 26, as shown in phantom at 33.

This description and the appended drawings are provided to illustrate and describe the preferred embodiment of the day pack of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the day pack will fall

within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

ClaimsI claim:

1. A pack comprising a receptacle portion and a belt portion connected to the receptacle portion for adjustably connecting the pack to a person, the receptacle portion being formed by a generally continuous exterior wall defining an internal

cavity including a debris compartment, the debris compartment for receiving and

containing items which might damage or contaminate the main compartment if placed in the main compartment.

2. The pack according to claim 1, wherein the debris compartment is formed by an internal wall made from a moisture and heat resistant material.

3. The pack according to claim 2, wherein the debris compartment is at least partially filled with an inflammable medium, preferably dry and in granular or

particulate form.

4. The pack according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle portion has an

openable cover.

5. The pack according to claim 2, wherein the main compartment and debris compartment each have a openable cover.

6. The pack according to claim 5, including means for keeping the openable covers closed.

7. The pack according to claim 6, wherein the means for keeping the openable covers closed comprises a zipper.

8. A pack comprising a receptacle portion and a belt portion fixedly connected to the receptacle portion for adjustably connecting the pack to a person so the person can conveniently carry items, the receptacle portion being formed by a substantially continuous exterior wall defining an internal cavity including at least a main compartment and a debris compartment for receiving and containing items which might damage or contaminate the main compartment, said debris compartment formed by an internal wall made from a moisture and heat resistant material and at least partially filled with an inflammable medium, preferably dry and in particulate form.

9. The pack according to claim 8, wherein said debris compartment is closeable, said pack including means for keeping the debris compartment closed.

10. The pack according to claim 6, wherein the means for keeping the debris compartment closed comprises a zipper.