WO2003015564A1

WO2003015564A1 - Foldable carrying devices

Info

Publication number: WO2003015564A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/003671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paulette Anne Appleby
Original assignee: Paulette Anne Appleby
Priority date: 2001-08-18
Filing date: 2002-08-09
Publication date: 2003-02-27
Also published as: GB0120214D0

Abstract

A carrying device comprises a generally rectangular planar sheet foldable firstly along generally parallel lengthwise extending lines to define a central panel bordered by two side panels each of which overlaps the central panel with the side edges of the two side panels meeting substantially halfway across the width of the central panel. The already folded sheet is then folded along a width-wise extending line generally midway along the length of the sheet to define a bag-like structure. A zip or the like is provided to releasably connect the side panels together. An open-ended pocket is secured to the innermost surface of the sheet when folded with the pocket open end lying alongside one width-wise extending side edge of the sheet. The pocket extends to a depth no greater than the width-wise extending fold-line. A handle and/or shoulder strap is attached to each of the width-wise extending sheet side edges.

Description

FOLDABLE CARRYING DEVICES

This invention relates to a foldable carrying device and more especially to such a device which can readily be converted from a sheet form where it can act as a blanket, cloth or changing mat into a bag capable of carrying securely a variety of items including, for example, plates, cutlery, feeding bottles, nappies and other such items.

Foldable carrying devices convertible from, for example, a changing mat to a baglike structure for carrying accessories are known, a typical one being disclosed in US Patent 4,886, 150. The foldable carrying device disclosed in this document is for carrying accessories required for feeding and changing babies. The device includes an elongate, rectangular panel with a central, transversely extending change area covered by a releasable impermeable pad and bordered by a pair of pocket-containing ends, which are folded into overlapping relationship with each other and with the change area to form a small, rectangular package. The package is folded double to form a compact, purse-like article. Handles at each end of the change are provided to facilitate carrying of the device.

Other examples of similar devices are disclosed in US Patents 4917505, 4566130 and 6176356. US Patent 4917505 discloses a combination mat, carrying bag and visor which includes a substantially rectangular pad having an outer layer of liquid-impervious material and an inner cushioning layer of plastic foam or the like. The pad has a plurality of sections interconnected by fold lines so that the pad in the planar condition serves as an infant changing pad, with releasable fastening strips being provided in a selected arrangement on the various sections of the pad to permit the pad sections to be folded into overlying relationship forming a bag having a closure flap or, into a U-shaped configuration to serve as a sun visor on an infant carrier such as a stroller or the like, with fastening strips being provided which may be attached to the carrier and inter-engage with the fastener strips on the pad to hold the pad in the visor position. US Patent 4566130 discloses a baby changing station which is formed of a single piece of material and is divided by fold lines into three successive sections to cushion an infant on a support surface and store infant accessories for nappy changing. The changing station is converted into a carrying bag for infant accessories by folding the two end sections inwardly, one over the other along the fold lines, onto the middle section, enabling the bag to be conveniently carried by a combination handle and back pack strap.

US Patent 6176356 discloses a circular tote bag for carrying baby items, having an inner liner that contains a number of pockets for receiving a plurality of items needed to change an infant. The pockets are situated about a relatively large central portion that contains a resting space for safely depositing a baby.

One major disadvantage of each of these carrying devices is an inability to gain access to internal pockets of the device when folded without unfolding the device in its entirety. When folded the devices do not enable items to be speedily inserted into or withdrawn from the pockets. This inability readily to access the pockets is a significant disadvantage to the user. An additional disadvantage is that, when folded, the devices tend to be bulky and therefore cumbersome to carry. This is principally because of the presence of accessory items in the pockets.

An object of this invention is to eliminate or at least alleviate many of the disadvantages to be found in foldable carriers including those discussed above.

In one aspect, the invention provides a carrying device which comprises a generally rectangular planar sheet foldable firstly along generally parallel lengthwise extending lines to define a central panel bordered by two side panels each of which overlaps the central panel with the side edges of the two side panels meeting substantially halfway across the width of the central panel; and then folding the already folded sheet along a width- wise extending line generally midway along the length of the sheet to define a bag-like structure, the device including means secured along each lengthwise extending side edge of each side panel to releasably connect the side panels together, an open-ended pocket secured to the innermost surface of the sheet when folded with the pocket open end lying alongside one width-wise extending side edge of the sheet and the pocket extending to a depth no greater than the width-wise extending fold-line, and a handle and/or shoulder strap attached to each of the width-wise extending sheet side edges.

The connection means typically comprises a zip; other connection means may, however, be employed, these including buttons and eyes or strips of Velcro (RTM) material.

More than one pocket may be secured to the innermost sheet surface. The open end of each such pocket will, however, lie alongside the same width-wise extending side edge of the sheet and extend to a depth no greater than the width-wise extending fold line of the sheet. The width and depth of the pockets may, however, vary. The open end of the or each pocket may be releasably closed by means of, for example, suitably positioned complementary pieces of Velcro. One or more of the pockets may be coated or lined with a waterproof material.

The innermost sheet surface may also be coated or lined with a waterproof material.

The sheet itself may be padded or quilted either entirely or in part.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device when unfolded;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device partially folded; and

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the device when fully folded.

In its unfolded form as shown in Figure 1, the device comprises a generally rectangular sheet of cloth, fabric or other planar material one surface of which may be coated or lined with water-resistant or water-proofing material. The sheet may be internally padded and may be quilted. The size of the sheet will depend on its intended use. One typical size is 42cm x 30cm.

Secured to each side edge 1, 2 of the sheet are zip sections 3, 4 respectively. Handles or shoulder straps 5 are secured by stitching to the other side edges 6, 7 of the sheet. Preferably, the handles are long enough to act as shoulder straps and may be releasably attached to the sheet. They may be sufficiently long for them to act as a tie for attaching the carrier to a pram, shopping trolley or the handle-bars of a bicycle. The handles are positioned centrally to provide balance when the carrier is carried.

Open-ended pockets 8 are secured by stitching to the surface of the sheet with their open ends lying alongside the side edge 6. As shown, the pockets are of generally rectangular shape. Other sizes and configurations of pockets can, of course, be adopted. Other known means for securing the pockets and the handles or straps 5 to the sheet may be employed. The depth of each of these pockets 8 is no greater than one-half of the distance between the side edges 6, 7. It will be seen, therefore, that the lower half 9 of the sheet carries no pockets, all pockets being present in the upper sheet half 10. Also, the pockets are secured only to the surface of the sheet which lies innermost when the sheet is folded.

When the sheet is to be folded to produce a carrier, the two sides 11, 12 bordered by the edges 1, 2 respectively are firstly folded about generally parallel fold-lines 14 shown in broken line in Figure 1. These lie generally parallel to the side edges 1, 2. When so folded the side edges 1, 2 abut to enable the zip sections 3, 4 to be secured one to the other. The shape of the device is now as shown in Figure 2. The sheet is then folded about a width-wise folding line shown in broken line 15 which lies generally half-way along the length of each side edge 1, 2 to the shape shown in Figure 3. In this form, the zip defined by the zip sections 3, 4 is positioned centrally within the carrier to avoid excessive pressure being imposed on the zip by items present in the pockets. This positioning also reduces the possibility of scratching when the carrier is in its planar form.

When folded, the sheet itself creates extra pockets bordered by the pockets 8 into which items can be located.

Because the open ends of the pockets 8 lie alongside the side edge 6, access to the interior of each pocket is possible without the need to unfold the device to its planar form shown in Figure 1. This enables the user readily to put items into or withdraw items from the pockets. The device when folded can therefor be used in much the same way as a holdall or bag. Also, because the pocket openings are uppermost, articles stored in the bag are securely retained within the pockets. Furthermore, positioning of the pockets is this way ensures that the contents are inaccessible to a baby or infant being changed, lying or playing on the sheet.

The lack of pockets on one half of the sheet ensures that when folded the structure is not overly bulky even when the pockets are filled with items to be carried. This enables the folded device to be easily carried, easy to store and to be relatively flat when folded to enable it to lie, for example, on a pram tray or under a car seat or cot bed.

Furthermore, this arrangement enables at least one half of the sheet be used as, for example, a changing mat for babies and infants, articles needed during changing being carried by the pockets 8 and readily accessible to their user.

Alternatively, the sheet half may be used as a picnic cloth, the pockets being employed to carry cutlery, plates and items of food and drink. If necessary, all items can be removed from the pockets to enable the entire sheet to be used for this purpose.

Other uses of the device include a beach towel, camping mat, ground sheet, picnic blanket, child's play mat and sleep mat. Thus the device in its planar form has a multiplicity of different functions which may vary from time to time.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is produced entirely from a padded washable flexible fabric on which a child can sleep or play. Also, the carrier can readily be folded to form a pillow or head rest. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of foldable carrying devices in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A carrying device which comprises a generally rectangular planar sheet foldable firstly along generally parallel lengthwise extending lines to define a central panel bordered by two side panels each of which overlaps the central panel with the side edges of the two side panels meeting substantially halfway across the width of the central panel; and then folding the already folded sheet along a width-wise extending line generally midway along the length of the sheet to define a bag-like structure, the device including means secured along each lengthwise extending side edge of each side panel to releasably connect the side panels together, an open- ended pocket secured to the innermost surface of the sheet when folded with the pocket open end lying alongside one width-wise extending side edge of the sheet and the pocket extending to a depth no greater than the width-wise extending fold- line, and a handle and/or shoulder strap attached to each of the width-wise extending sheet side edges.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection means typically comprises a zip, buttons or strips of Velcro (RTM).

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein more than one pocket is secured to the innermost sheet surface.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the open end of each pocket lies alongside the same width-wise extending side edge of the sheets and extends to a depth no greater than the width-wise extending fold line of the sheet.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the width and depth of the pockets varies.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the open end of the or each pocket is releasably closed.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the pockets is coated or line with a waterproof material.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the innermost sheet surface is coated or lined with a waterproof material.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sheet is padded or quilted either entirely or in part.