BACKPACK PICNIC BAG

Abstract

A backpack picnic bag assembly including a tablecloth having a substantially rectangular main body foldable to form utensil storage compartments. Storage compartments may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of stitching running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In other embodiments, storage compartments may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of hook and loop fastener strips running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. A storage bag with one or more straps holds the tablecloth and any items held within the compartments when folded.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for carrying picnic supplies, such as cutlery, dishes, and a tablecloth, more particularly the present invention relates to a bag for holding and transporting picnic supplies that may unfold to form a tablecloth or picnic blanket.

Background of the Invention

Picnic baskets and bags are known in the prior art. Picnic baskets typically have hard sides comprising wood, plastic or other woven or solid material, and one or two hinged top covers. Picnic bags typically have soft and often insulated sides with a zippered top flap. Both baskets and bags can occupy considerable space when not in use and organizing items to be carried such as tablecloths, napkins, utensils, plates and implements can be difficult, and items easily forgotten. Notably, no portion of the picnic baskets or bags of the prior art typically serve any purpose during the picnic itself other than to transport and store picnic items. In addition, picnic baskets can be unwieldy and difficult to carry for long distances. Picnic bags may be easier to carry if provided with a shoulder strap, but it would be advantageous to balance the weight of a bag and contents evenly across both shoulders and the back.

Cloth items in the prior art for carrying implements include roll-up tool carriers that comprise a strip of fabric with pockets for holding wrenches and the like.

Therefore, there exists a need for a picnic bag assembly that provides a solution to these deficiencies in the prior art by including structures for more optimal weight distribution, and that include portions of the assembly that may serve dual purposes to both aid in transport and storage as well as serve a primary function, such as a tablecloth or picnic blanket, during a picnic event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise a backpack picnic bag assembly including a tablecloth having a substantially rectangular main body, the main body including utensil storage compartments in a portion thereof. The storage compartments typically occupy from 10% to 50% of the surface area of the main body and more typically about 20% to 25% of the surface area of the main body. Storage compartments are formed by folding over a portion (a first flap) of the main body upon itself along a first fold line (first transverse fold) transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main body. The compartments may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of stitching running (e.g. disposed) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In such an embodiment, the outer edges of the compartment portion of the main body may also be closed by stitching. Alternatively, and advantageously, the compartments may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of hook and loop fastener strips running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In such an embodiment, cooperating and substantially equal lengths of hook and loop fastener strips are attached to inwardly facing portions of the first flap and the underlying portions of the main body thereto. In this embodiment, the outer edges of the compartment portion of the main body may also be closed by cooperating hook and loop fastener strips. Because this embodiment uses cooperating hook and loop fastener strips to define and separate the compartments from one another, the first flap may be detached from the underlying portion of the main body to open the compartments fully. This provides various advantages, including the ability to more easily load the compartments with utensils, plates, napkins, and other items to be carried by the backpack picnic bag. It also provides a more ready means of positioning the items within the compartments prior to closure and of cleaning the interior of each compartment after use.

The present invention also comprises a bag for holding and carrying the tablecloth when folded, whether or not the compartments are loaded with items. The bag is sized for convenient carrying by an individual and includes one or more straps. Typically, the straps are arranged for backpack style carrying but in some embodiments a bag may comprise a single strap for shoulder carrying (as with a typical purse or laptop bag). In certain embodiments, the strap may be positioned for either shoulder or backpack style carrying. Portions of the strap or straps are typically moveably held within a rolled, hollow, tubular upper seam of the bag that is located around and defines the open end of the bag. The strap(s) may therefore be pulled to extract significant portions of the strap(s) from the tubular seam to compress the tubular seam by forming axial folds of the tubular seam material and to thereby substantially or partially close the open end of the bag to better retain a tablecloth held within the bag. In certain embodiments, two tubular seams are provided instead of one so that two portions or loops of the strap may be pulled out of the two gaps between the seams.

In order to prepare the main body for insertion into the bag, the compartments are closed, if open, and a first longitudinal fold is made along a first longitudinal fold line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body and approximately half the transverse distance from the longitudinal axis of the main body to a first longitudinal edge (e.g. right edge) of the main body (the right edge also being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis). A second longitudinal fold is made along a second longitudinal fold line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body and approximately half the transverse distance from the longitudinal axis of the main body to a second longitudinal edge (e.g. left edge) of the main body (the left edge also being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis). A third longitudinal fold is made along a third longitudinal fold line that is substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis of the main body.

A second transverse fold is made along a second transverse fold line located approximately half the distance between a first transverse edge (e.g. bottom edge) of the main body and the transverse axis of the main body. A third transverse fold is made along a third transverse fold line located approximately half the distance between a second transverse edge (e.g. top edge) of the main body and the transverse axis of the main body. A fourth transverse fold is made to the main body along a fourth transverse fold line that is substantially colinear with the transverse axis of the main body to complete the folding of the main body and to size it appropriately for full insertion into the bag. In use, the strap is positioned for either shoulder or backup carrying by the user.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example several embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, front, perspective view of a tablecloth of the present invention with the storage compartments shown in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view of a tablecloth of the present invention with the storage compartments shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of a tablecloth of the present invention with the storage compartments shown in a closed position via a first transverse fold.

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of a tablecloth of the present invention showing a first longitudinal fold.

FIG. 5 is a top, plan view of a tablecloth of the present invention showing a second longitudinal fold.

FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of a tablecloth of the present invention showing a third longitudinal fold.

FIG. 7 is a top, plan of a tablecloth of the present invention showing a second transverse fold.

FIG. 8 is a top, plan of a tablecloth of the present invention showing a third transverse fold.

FIG. 9 is top, plan of a tablecloth and bag of the present invention showing a fourth transverse fold made to the tablecloth to size it appropriately for full insertion into the bag.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bag of the present invention showing a tablecloth fully inserted and held within the bag, and further showing the strap of the bag pulled and extended through only one gap between the tubular seams and thereby deployed in a shoulder-carry disposition.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial top plan view of the lower portion of a tablecloth of the present invention with the storage compartments shown in a closed position via a first transverse fold, as also shown in FIG. 3, and also showing various implements held within the compartments.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a bag of the present invention showing a tablecloth fully inserted and held within the bag, and further showing a strap held within the rolled, tubular upper seams of the bag.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a bag of the present invention showing the strap of the bag pulled and extended through both gaps between the tubular seams and thereby deployed in a backpack-carry disposition.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a backpack picnic bag, the rear view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the bag of FIG. 14 turned inside out to show a first inside panel thereof bearing a first pocket thereon.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the bag of FIG. 14 turned inside out to show a second inside panel thereof bearing a second pocket thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise a backpack picnic bag assembly 10 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) including a tablecloth (or picnic blanket) 100 having a substantially rectangular main body 105, the main body including utensil storage compartments in a portion thereof. The storage compartments typically occupy from 10% to 50% of the surface area of the main body and more typically about 20% to 25% of the surface are of the main body. Storage compartments (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d) are formed by folding over a portion (a first flap) 110 of the main body 105 upon itself along a first fold line (first transverse fold) 115 transverse to the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105. FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of tablecloth 100 of the present invention with the storage compartments (102a-120d) shown in a closed position via the first transverse fold 115.

The storage compartments may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of stitching (not shown) running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105. In such an embodiment, the outer edges of the compartment portion 125 of the main body 105 may also be closed by stitching. Alternatively, and advantageously, the compartments (102a-120d) may be defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of hook and loop fastener strips 130 running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105. In such an embodiment, cooperating and substantially equal lengths of hook and loop fastener strips 130 are attached to inwardly facing portions of the first flap 110 and the underlying portions of the main body 105 thereto. In this embodiment, the outer edges of the compartment portion 125 of the main body may also be closed by cooperating hook and loop fastener strips 130. Certain embodiments may optimally use approximately ¾ inch width hook and loop strips 130 to define partitions.

Because this embodiment uses cooperating hook and loop fastener strips 130 to define and separate the compartments (102a-120d) from one another, the first flap 110 may be detached from the underlying portion of the main body 105 to open the compartments fully as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This provides various advantages, including the ability to more easily load the compartments with utensils 12, plates 14, napkins, and other items (see FIG. 11) to be carried by the backpack picnic bag assembly 10. It also provides a more ready means of positioning the items within the compartments prior to closure and of cleaning the interior of each compartment after use. FIGS. 1 and 2 are front, perspective views of a tablecloth 100 of the present invention with the storage compartments (102a-120d) shown in an open position. FIG. 11 is a front, enlarged, partial perspective view of the lower portion of a tablecloth 100 of the present invention with the storage compartments (102a-120d) shown in a closed position via a first transverse fold 115, as also shown in FIG. 3, and also showing various items (implements 16, utensils 12 and plates 14) held within the compartments.

The present invention also comprises a bag 135 for holding and carrying the tablecloth 100 when folded, whether or not the compartments are loaded with items. The bag 135 is sized for convenient carrying by an individual and includes one or more straps 140. Typically, the straps 140 are arranged for backpack style carrying (see FIG. 13) but in some embodiments a bag 135 may comprise a single strap 140 for shoulder carrying (as with a typical purse or laptop bag), see FIG. 10. In certain embodiments, the strap 140 may be positioned for either shoulder or backpack style carrying. Portions of the strap or straps 140 are typically moveably held within a rolled, hollow, tubular upper seam 145 of the bag that is located around and defines the open end of the bag 135. The strap(s) 140 may therefore be pulled to extract significant portions of the strap(s) from the tubular seam 145 to compress the tubular seam by forming axial folds of the seam material and to thereby substantially or partially close the open end of the bag 135 to better retain a tablecloth 100 held within the bag 135. This may be described as a draw string type closure. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a bag 135 of the present invention showing a tablecloth 100 fully inserted and held within the bag 135, and further showing a strap 140 held within the rolled, tubular upper seam 145 of the bag 135.

In order to prepare the tablecloth 100 for insertion into the bag 135, the compartments are closed, if open, and a first longitudinal fold is made along a first longitudinal fold line 150 parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105 and approximately half the transverse distance from the longitudinal axis 120 to a right edge 155 of the main body 105 (the right edge 155 also being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis). FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of tablecloth 100 of the present invention showing a first longitudinal fold. A second longitudinal fold is made along a second longitudinal fold line 160 parallel to the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105 and approximately half the transverse distance from the longitudinal axis 120 to a left edge 165 of the main body 105 (the left edge 165 also being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis). FIG. 5 is a front, perspective view of tablecloth 100 of the present invention showing a second longitudinal fold. A third longitudinal fold is made along a third longitudinal fold line 170 that is substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis 120 of the main body 105. FIG. 6 is a front, perspective view of tablecloth 100 of the present invention showing a third longitudinal fold.

Next, a second transverse fold is made along a second transverse fold line (see FIG. 7). A third transverse fold is made along a third transverse fold line (see FIG. 8). A fourth transverse fold is made to the tablecloth 100 along a fourth transverse fold line to complete the folding of the tablecloth and to size it appropriately for full insertion into the bag 135 (see FIG. 9). In use, the strap 140 is positioned for either shoulder or backup carrying by the user.

Materials used for the construction of backpack picnic bag assembly 10 may include poplin or cotton for the tablecloth 100. Use of poplin may yield a tablecloth 100 that hangs nicer upon a table but, given the somewhat more rigorous picnic use of the present invention, a heavier weight cotton material may be a preferable, especially for constructing the bag 135. Polyester thread is typically used to sew the seams, due to its ready availability and durability.

Backpack picnic bag assemblies 10 of the present invention typically include relatively large pockets (compartments) for carrying large items, such as plates, and relatively small or medium-sized pockets for carrying utensils 12. Certain embodiments of backpack bags could also be used for carrying other items such as supplies for work: pads of paper, tape, markers, a cell phone, etc. FIG. 10 is a front view of a bag 135 of the present invention showing a tablecloth 100 fully inserted and held within to form a backpack picnic bag assembly 10, and further showing the strap 140 of the bag 135 deployed in a shoulder-carry disposition.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a backpack picnic bag 200, the rear view being a mirror image thereof. The strap 205 of this backpack bag 200 may use a polypropylene cord. A cord with an approximately ¼″ diameter may be optimal for certain embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the bag 200 of FIG. 14 turned inside out to show a first inside panel 210 thereof bearing a first pocket 215 thereon. FIG. 16 is a rear view of the bag of FIG. 14 turned inside out to show a second inside panel 220 thereof bearing a second pocket 225 thereon.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. A backpack picnic bag assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular main body, the main body including utensil storage compartments in a portion thereof, said storage compartments formed by folding over a first flap of the main body along a first fold line substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main body and attaching said first flap to the underlying portion of the main body along lines of attachment substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body; anda bag for holding and carrying the main body when folded, said bag including a strap partially held within a tubular seam of the bag located at, and at least partially defining, the open end of the bag.

2. The backpack picnic bag assembly of claim 1 wherein said compartments are defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of stitching running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body and attaching the first flap to a portion of the main body underlying said first flap.

3. The backpack picnic bag assembly of claim 1 wherein said compartments are defined and separated from one another by spaced apart lines of hook and loop fastener strips running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

4. The backpack picnic bag assembly of claim 2 wherein cooperating and substantially equal lengths of hook and loop fastener strips are attached to inwardly facing portions of the first flap, and to the portions of the main body underlying said first flap, so that when the first flap is folded upon the main body the fastener strips attached to the first flap contact the cooperating fastener strips of the underlying main body and become removably attached thereto.