WO2007120659A2

WO2007120659A2 - Storage bag and bag furniture formed therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2007120659A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/008837
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rebecca M. Finnell
Original assignee: Finnell Rebecca M
Priority date: 2006-04-11
Filing date: 2007-04-11
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: WO2007120659A3

Abstract

A storage bag includes a flexible wall bounding a volume. An access opening is formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, and a sheet of transparent material is attached to the flexible wall. The sheet of transparent material is movable between a first position opening the access opening and a second position closing the access opening. A fastener is provided for releasably securing the sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall when the sheet of transparent material is in the second position.

Description

STORAGE BAG AND BAG FURNITURE FORMED THEREWITH

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to storage containers and, more particularly, to storage bags and sacks.

BACKGROUND ART

As most children grow so does their collection of toys. Although children enjoy playing with toys, they normally do not like putting their toys away after they are finished playing with them. In order to provide children with the motivation to put their toys away, many parents provide their children with rewards or incentives to clean up their toys, such as promises of treats, special meals, or the dubious pledge of promising not to throw the toys out with the trash if the toys are properly put away. However, such techniques do not always work as intended and often leave both parents and children frustrated and left with the original problem of trying to find a way to provide children with the motivation to put their toys away.

Apart from the pragmatic concerns of providing motivation for children to put their toys away after they are finished playing with them, children tend to love their stuffed animals and dolls. In fact, many children and adults alike place sentimental value on their stuffed animals and dolls, and wish to find a way to store them safely and inexpensively, while allowing them to be seen and appreciated.

Parents with young children and those having regard for the art and those that place sentimental value on their old toys will readily appreciate that providing a convenient way store toys when not in use has long been a frustrating and aggravating endeavor all involved. Storage chests, bins, and baskets have long been the standard for toy storage, but these storage devices are bulky, inefficient, and have limited use beyond their primary use simply as a place to store toys. In fact, since the advent of storage chest, bins, and baskets, relatively little improvements have been made in the art to assist in the more efficient and convenient storage of toys, and that actually provide children with the motivation to put their toys away after they are done playing with them. Given these and other deficiencies in the art of toy storage, the need for improvement in the art is evident.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a storage bag including a wall bounding a volume and windows formed in ^'the wall having closures by which access openings through the wall in communication with the volume may be opened and closed which is simple in structure, which low in cost, which is safe, in which the closures are transparent allowing storage items/objects in the volume to be seen therethrough, in which the closures are breathable, and in which soft, cushiony toys for children to play with substantially filling the volume being visible through the sheets of transparent material and together with the storage bag form a piece of bag furniture, in accordance with the principle of the invention.

According to the invention, a storage bag includes a flexible wall bounding a volume, an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, and a sheet of transparent material attached to the flexible wall; whereby the sheet of transparent material is movable between a first position opening the access opening and a second position closing the access opening. At least one fastener is provided for releasably securing the sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall when the sheet of transparent material is in the second position. Preferably, the . sheet of transparent material is breathable. In one embodiment, the at least one fastener includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper. Preferably, the flexible wall is substantially opaque.

According to the invention, a storage bag includes a flexible wall bounding a volume, and first and second windows formed through the flexible wall. The first window includes an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, a first sheet of material attached to the flexible wall and movable between a first position opening the access opening in the flexible wall and a second position closing the access opening in the flexible wall, and at least one fastener for releasably securing the first sheet of material to the flexible wall when the first sheet of material is in the second position. The second window includes an opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, and a second sheet of material affixed to the flexible wall permanently closing the opening. Preferably, the first sheet of material is transparent. Preferably, the second sheet of material is transparent. The first sheet of material is also breathable. Like the first sheet, the second sheet is likewise breathable. in one embodiment, the at least one fastener includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper. Preferably, the flexible bag is substantially opaque. According to the invention, a bag furniture article consists of a storage bag including a flexible wall bounding a volume, and a window formed in the flexible wall each including an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, a sheet of transparent material attached to the flexible wall and movable between a first position opening the access opening and a second position closing the access opening, the sheet of transparent material disposed in the second position, and at least one fastener releasably securing the sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall in the second position. Soft, cushiony toys for children to play with substantially fill the volume being visible through the sheet of transparent material and together with the storage bag forming a piece of bag furniture. The access opening is sufficiently sized to allow each of the soft, cushiony toys to be removed therethrough from the volume in the open position of the sheet of transparent material. Preferably, the sheet of transparent material is each breathable. In one embodiment, the at least one fastener includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper. Preferably, the flexible wall is substantially opaque. Further to the instant embodiment is a second window formed in the flexible wall including a second opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, a second sheet of transparent material affixed to the flexible wall permanently closing the opening, and the soft, cushiony toys for children to play with substantially filling the volume being visible through the second sheet of transparent material. Preferably, the second sheet of transparent material is breathable. Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage bag constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention, the storage bag including a flexible wall bounding a volume filled with toys and windows formed in the flexible wall each having a closure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the storage bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the storage bag of FIG. 1 showing a window as it would appear open; and

FIGS. 4-9 are perspective views of alternate embodiments of storage bags each constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 in which there is seen a storage bag 10 including a wall 11 bounding, namely, completely defining and enclosing, a volume 12 into which selected storage items may be placed, such as toys, blankets, etc. Wall 11 is fashioned of flexible material, and is thus flexible and thereby capable of readily yielding to influence. Preferably, wall 11 is fashioned of wear-resistant and stain-resistant fabric or cloth, vinyl, leather, soft plastic, or other similarly flexible/pliant material or combination of materials. Wall 11 can be fashioned of a single piece of material, but is more practically generally fashioned of a plurality of pieces/panels of flexible material, such as two or more, which are stitched (single-stitched or multiple-stitched) , sewn, and/or glued together thereby forming wall 11. If desired, the outer surface of wall 11 can be formed with fur, faux fur, selected surface texturing resembling or suggesting carpet, or other form of desired surface texturing, coating, and/or layering, and indicia, including sensible indicia, namely, coloring, scenes, cartoon characters, logos, advertisements, etc. Wall 11 is preferably opaque, but it can be totally or partially transparent, if. desired.

Wall 11 is formed with a plurality of windows each of which is denoted with the reference character 15. Windows 15 are positioned at spaced-apart locations along the extent of wall 11, and are each substantially identical to one another in structure and function. Accordingly, only one window 15 will be discussed in detail, with the understanding that the ensuing discussion applies equally to each window 15.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, and additional regard to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of storage bag 11, window 15 includes an access opening 20 in communication with volume 12 formed in wall 11. Access opening 20 is bound and defined by a parametric rim 21 formed in wall 11. A corresponding closure 22 for access opening 20 is affixed to wall 11, and is movable between a first or open position opening access opening 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a second or closed position closing access opening 20 as shown in FIG. 2, much like a door closes a doorway when the door is closed.

As best seen in FIG. 3, closure 22 consists of a sheet 23 of transparent material. Sheet 23 is broad and flat, and has an outer parametric edge 24. In the preferred embodiment, sheet 23 is a flexible screen, namely, a meshed wire, rope, soft plastic, or cloth fabric forming interstices therethrough, in which parametric edge 24 is formed with a hem 25. The interstices formed by the screen that forms sheet 23 provides sheet 23 with its transparent character such that it can be seen through. Parametric edge 24 is formed with a hem 25, which in this embodiment, consists of an elongate strand of flexible material, such as cloth, leather, vinyl, etc., which is folded upon itself forming a pocket into which extends the free edge of the screen, and is currently attached to itself and the free edge of the screen, such as by stitching, thereby forming hem 25. Hem 25 characterizes and defines parametric edge 24.

A short length of parametric edge 24 is affixed to parametric rim 21 forming access opening 20. In this embodiment, a pair of opposed connectors 30 are concurrently affixed to parametric rim 21 and parametric edge 24 thereby securing closure 22 to parametric rim 21. Connectors 30 are pieces of cloth, vinyl, leather, or other similar flexible material or combination of materials, which are concurrently stitched, sewn, and/or glued to parametric rim 21 and parametric edge 24. The flexible character of connectors 30 provides a hinged or pivotal attachment of closure 22 'to parametric rim 21 of wall 11 thereby allowing closure 22 to be pivoted between its open position as shown in FIG. 3 away from access opening 20, opening access opening 20, and its closed position as shown in FIG. 2 toward access opening 20 (not referenced in FIG. 2), closing access opening 20.

Although two connectors 30 are provided coupling closure 22 to wall 11 as herein described, less or more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, although connectors 30 together constitute the preferred arrangement for coupling closure 22 to wall 11, other conventional forms of hinged or pivotal connections can be used without departing from the invention.

Closure 22 is a swinging door by which access opening 20 is closed and opened- Closure 22 and access opening 20 are of comparable size and comparable shape. Accordingly, when closure 22 is closed it completely occupies and closes access opening 20, in which parametric edge 24 meets parametric rim 21. Preferably, access opening 20 and closure 22 are each approximately 10-36 inches in diameter. In this embodiment access opening 20 and closure 22 are generally circular in shape. Different corresponding shapes and sizes may be used for access opening 20 and closure 22, if desired, such as ovoid, square, rectangular, rectangular, etc.

When closure 22 is open thereby opening access opening 20, storage items/objects may be placed into volume 12 through access opening 20 for storage in volume 12, after which closure 22 may be moved into its closed position to close access opening 20. Because sheet 23 of closure 22 is transparent, storage items/objects in volume 12 can be seen through closure 22 when closure 22 is in its closed position closing access opening 20, in accordance with the principle of the invention, and this aspect is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows closure 22 as it would appear closed with storage items/objects in volume 12 (not referenced in JJ'IG. 2) visualized through closure 22.

Window 15 incorporates a fastener, which is used to releasably secure closure 22 in its closed position to close volume 12. In the present embodiment, the fastener used to releasably secure closure 22 in its closed position is a zipper. As best seen in FIG. 3, the zipper consists of a row of teeth 40 affixed to parametric rim 21, a row of complementing teeth 41 affixed to parametric edge 24 of closure 22, and a sliding piece 42 concurrently attached to rows of teeth 40 and 41. Teeth 40 extend along generally the entire length of parametric rim 21 from one connector 30 to the other connector, and complementing teeth 41 extend along generally the entire length of parametric edge 24 from one connector 30 to the other connector 30. When closure 22 is in its closed position, sliding piece 42 may be used to secure closure 22 in its closed position to close access opening 22 by drawing the rows of teeth 40 and 41 together. Reversing this operation releases closure 22 from its closed position, thereby allowing it to be moved to its open position opening access opening 20 in order to gain access to stored items/objects in volume and/or to place additional storage items/objects into volume 12.

The zipper herein described is a conventional and well-known form of slide fastener. Other suitable and well-known forms of slide fasteners can be used to releasably secure closure 22 in- its closed position. Also, although one fastener is disclosed for releasably securing closure 22 in its closed position, more can be used, if desired. Furthermore, although a slide fastener is disclosed as a preferred releasable fastener for closure 22, other forms of releasable fasteners can be used without departing from the invention/ such as mutual snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, button fasteners, draw-string fasteners, etc.

Access opening 20 may be sufficiently sized to allow a small child to crawl therethrough into volume 12 when closure 22 is open. Once in volume 12, it is envisioned that the child, or another child, may close closure 22 and secure it in place in its closed position with the fastener thereby trapping the child in volume 12. Because sheet 23 of transparent material forming closure 22 is a flexible screen, namely, a meshed wire or cloth fabric forming interstices therethrough, air can easily pass through sheet 23. Because air can easily pass through sheet 23, sheet 23 is breathable, in that a child trapped in volume 12 may easily breath through sheet 23 and not suffocate in volume 12, in accordance with the principle of the invention.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, windows 15 may each be opened to access volume 12 for placing and removing storage items/objects to and from volume 12, and closed for closing volume 12 to store and contain storage items/objects therein. Windows 15 can be equally sized, or differently sized. In this embodiment, volume 12 bound by wall 11 is approximately 15-25 cubic feet in size, in which storage bag 10 is approximately the size of a conventional beanbag chair. Based on this preferred size of volume 12 bound and defined by wall 11, storage bag 10 preferably includes approximately seven windows, although it can be fashioned with less or more windows 15.

Again, because the closures for windows 15 are transparent, storage items/objects disposed in volume 12 can be seen through the closures of windows 15 when they are closed. In FIGS. 1 and 2, volume 12 is illustrated as it would appear substantially filled with toys 50 for children to play with- When volume 12 is substantially filled with toys 50, or other storage items/objects, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, storage bag 10 takes on its specified shape, which shape is determined by the shape of wall 11. In this specific embodiment, wall 11 takes on a kidney shape when volume 11 is filled, although it can be formed to take on other shapes .

According to the principle of the invention, toys 50 in this preferred embodiment consist of soft, cushiony toys, namely, stuffed animals, dolls, balls, and the like. When volume 12 is substantially filled' with toys 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, storage bag 10 not only takes on its specified shape as shown, but is also filled with soft, cushiony toys. With windows 15 closed and secured with their corresponding fasteners closing volume 12 and toys 50 contained in volume 12 as shown in FIG. 2, storage bag 10 provides a convenient storage for toys 50, toys 50 are visible through the sheets of transparent material of the closures of windows 15, and toys 50 together with storage bag 10 form a piece of bag furniture forming an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which may be sat or laid upon like that of conventional bean bag furniture.

The soft, cushiony characteristic of toys 50 is important in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, as they form the filling of storage bag 10 making it soft and comfortable to sit and/or lay upon. In this regard, storage bag 10 not only is useful for storing toys 50, it also allows toys 50 to be seen through the closures of windows 15 providing a pleasing and aesthetically interesting appearance and allowing children to see their toys therethrough, and together with toys 15 functions as a piece of bag furniture that may be sat and/or laid upon, in accordance with the principle of the invention. The ability of children to see their toys through the closures of windows 15 promotes children to use storage bag 10 to contain their soft, cushiony toys because it has been noticed that children have fun not only seeing their toys through the windows, but also using the filled storage bag as a piece of bag furniture to sit and/or lay upon.

The size of volume 12 as defined by wall 11 can be any size in which when filled forms an article that can be used as a piece of bag furniture, namely, an object that can be sat upon and/or laid upon like a chair, loveseat, small couch, etc. In the present embodiment, wall 11 takes on a generally kidney shape as shown when volume 12 is filled. Wall 11 can be constructed and arranged to take on a vast array of different shapes when the volume it bounds and defines is filled with storage items/objects, such as round, oval, triangular, L-shaped, disc-shaped, star-shaped, tubular-shaped, etc. As a matter of example, FIGS. 4-9 illustrate storage bags constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention and shown as they would appear with their volumes filled with storage items/articles, in which each of the storage bags exhibits a different shape when its interior volume is filled. With the exception of their shapes and one notable structural difference in conjunction with the embodiment set forth in FIG. 6, the storage bags set forth in FIGS. 4-9 are identical to storage bag 10, are therefore referred to with the reference characters lOA-lOF, respectively, and it is to be understood that the foregoing discussion of storage bag 10 applies equally to the storage bags set forth in FIGS. 4-9. As a matter of disclosure, storage bag IOA in FIG. 4 is generally pear-shaped. Storage bag 1OB in FIG. 5 is generally disc-shaped. Storage bag IOC in FIG. 6 exhibits a generally elongated kidney shape. Storage bag 1OD in FIG. 7 exhibits the general shape of a star having three triangulated appendages. FIG. 8 illustrates a generally heart-shaped storage bag 1OE, and FIG. 9 illustrates a generally circular storage bag 1OF. It is to be understood that a storage bag constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention may be constructed and arranged to take on any desired shape when its interior volume is filled, including any geometric shape, in addition to other shapes, such as irregular shapes, the generalized shape of a fire truck, a car, a plane, a train, a house, an animal, etc.

As previously mentioned in conjunction with storage bag 10, windows 15 may each be opened to access volume 12 for placing and removing storage items/objects to and from volume 12, and closed for closing volume 12 to store and contain storage items/objects therein. Like storage bag 10, storage bag 1OC shares wall 11 bounding a volume (not referenced in FIG. 6) and windows 15. However, unlike storage bag 10, storage bag 1OC incorporates fixed or unopenable windows 60 each including an opening 61 formed in wall 12 in communication with the volume (not referenced in FIG. 6) bound and defined by wall 11, and a closure 62 affixed to wall 11 permanently closing opening 61.

Each opening 61 is bound and defined by a parametric rim 65 formed in wall 11. Closure 62 consists of a sheet 66 of transparent material. Sheet 66 is broad, flat, and thin, and has an outer parametric edge 66 affixed to parametric rim 65, thereby forming fixed windows 60. Parametric edge 61 is stitched, sewn, and/or glued to parametric rim 65, although parametric edge 67 can be affixed to parametric rim 65 in other ways. Fixed windows 60 do not incorporate fasteners allowing them to be selectively opened and closed as discussed in conjunction with windows 15. However, like windows 15, sheets 66 each consist of a flexible screen, namely, a meshed wire, rope, soft plastic, or cloth fabric forming interstices therethrough. Like sheets 23, sheets 66 are "breathable" as previously defined and explained in conjunction with sheets 23 of windows 15.

Storage bag 1OC incorporates two fixed windows 60, although it can incorporate less or more. Further, storage bags 10, 1OB, and 10D-10F may each incorporate one or more fixed windows 60, if desired.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. For instance, the sheets of transparent material used to construct the closures of windows 15 and fixed windows 60 may, if desired, be fashioned not from screen material but from sheets of transparent, soft plastic or other similar material or combination of material. Furthermore, although the breathability of the sheets of transparent material is provided by .fashioning the sheets of transparent material each from screen material as disclosed, sheets of flexible material or flexible transparent plastic or other selected material may be used having one or more holes formed therethrough for providing the desired breathability as herein disclosed. Furthermore, volume 12 may, if desired be divided into compartments each of which may be associated with one window, or two or more windows. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations . do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is :

Claims

1. A storage bag, comprising: a flexible wall bounding a volume; an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume; a sheet of transparent material attached to the flexible wall, the sheet of transparent material movable between a first position opening the access opening and a second position closing the access opening; and means for releasably securing the sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall when the sheet of transparent material is in the second position.

2. The storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of transparent material is breathable.

3. The storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the means comprises at least one fastener.

4. The storage bag according to claim 3, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a slide fastener.

5. The storage bag according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wall is substantially opaque.

6. A storage bag, comprising: a flexible wall bounding a volume; first and second windows formed through the flexible wall; the first window comprising: an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, a first sheet of material attached to the flexible wall, the first sheet of transparent material movable between a first position opening the access opening in the flexible wall and a second position closing the access opening in the flexible wall, and means for releasably securing the first sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall when the first sheet of transparent material is in the second position; and the second window comprising: an opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, and a second sheet of material affixed to the flexible wall permanently closing the opening; wherein one of the first and second sheets of material is transparent.

7. The storage bag according to claim 6, wherein the first sheet of material is breathable.

8. The storage bag according to claim 6, wherein the second sheet of material is breathable.

9. The storage bag according to claim 6, wherein the other one of the first and second sheets of material is transparent.

10. The storage bag according to claim 6, wherein the means comprises at least one fastener.

11. The storage bag according to claim 10, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a slide fastener.

12. The storage bag according to claim 6, wherein the flexible bag is substantially opaque.

13. Apparatus, comprising: a storage bag, comprising: a flexible wall bounding a volume; a window formed in the flexible wall comprising: an access opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume, a sheet of transparent material attached to the flexible wall, the sheet of transparent material movable between a first position opening the access opening and a second position closing the access opening, the sheet of transparent material disposed in the second position, means releasably securing the sheet of transparent material to the flexible wall in the second position of the sheet of transparent material; and soft, cushiony toys for children to play with substantially filling the volume being visible through the sheet of transparent material and together with the storage bag forming a piece of bag furniture.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the access opening is sufficiently sized to allow each of the soft, cushiony toys to be removed therethrough from the volume in the open position of the sheet of transparent material .

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sheet of transparent material is breathable.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the means comprises at least one fastener.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one fastener comprises a slide fastener.

18. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flexible wall is substantially opaque.

19. Apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a second window formed in the flexible wall comprising: a second opening formed in the flexible wall in communication with the volume; a second sheet of transparent material affixed to the flexible wall permanently closing the opening; and the soft, cushiony toys for children to play with substantially filling the volume being visible through the second sheet of transparent material .

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the second sheet of transparent material is breathable.