The present disclosure relates generally to a bag. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a bag having a magnetic connection mechanism.
Bags are often used for containing and transporting items. For example, bags may be used to contain items purchased at a store and to transport those items in a trunk of a car or on a bed of a truck. Bags placed in a trunk of a car or on a bed of truck sometimes slide around and/or spill their contents during transport, which may be distracting to a driver or create an undesirable mess.
Some embodiments described herein are directed to a bag including a main body defining a storage compartment and a first magnet unit disposed on the main body. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit is configured to connect by magnetic force to another magnet unit disposed on a second bag, a base, or the main body. In some embodiments, the magnet unit of the bag is configured to disconnect from the first magnet unit disposed on the second bag, the base, or the main body by applying a force exceeding the magnetic force between the first magnet unit of the bag and the magnet unit disposed on the second bag, the base, or the main body.
In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the bag includes a plurality of magnets. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit is disposed longitudinally along the main body. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit extends at least half a height of the main body. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit is disposed on an exterior of the main body. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit is disposed between a lining and an outer shell of the main body.
In some embodiments, the bag further includes a second magnet unit disposed on the main body.
In some embodiments, the main body includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel. In some embodiment, the first magnet unit is disposed at a first edge disposed between the first side panel and the second side panel. In some embodiments, a second magnet unit is disposed at a second edge disposed between the second side panel and the third side panel. In some embodiments, a third magnet unit is disposed at a third edge disposed between the third side panel and the fourth side panel. In some embodiments, a fourth magnet unit is disposed at a fourth edge disposed between the fourth side panel and the first side panel. In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth magnet units is configured to connect by magnetic force to a magnet unit disposed on a second bag or a base. In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth magnet units is configured to connect by magnetic force to adjacent magnet units disposed on the main body.
In some embodiments, the bag is convertible between a flattened configuration and an expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the bag is held in the flattened configuration when the first magnet unit of the bag is connected to a second magnet unit disposed on the main body. In some embodiments, the bag is expandable to the expanded configuration when the first magnet unit of the bag is disconnected from the second magnet unit disposed on the main body.
Some embodiments described herein are directed to a storage system including a first bag and a second bag. In some embodiments, the first bag includes a main body defining a storage compartment, and a first magnet unit disposed on the main body. In some embodiments, the second bag includes a main body defining a storage compartment, and a magnet unit disposed on the main body of the second bag. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the first bag is configured to connect by magnetic force to the magnet unit of the second bag. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the first bag is configured to disconnect from the magnet unit of the second bag by applying a force exceeding the magnetic force between the first magnet unit of the first bag and the magnet unit of the second bag. In some embodiments, the first bag and the second bag are held upright when the first magnet unit of the first bag is connected to the magnet unit of the second bag.
In some embodiments, the main body of the first bag includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the first bag is disposed at a first edge disposed between the first side panel and the second side panel. In some embodiments, a second magnet unit of the first bag is disposed at a second edge disposed between the second side panel and the third side panel. In some embodiments, a third magnet unit of the first bag is disposed at a third edge disposed between the third side panel and the fourth side panel. In some embodiments, a fourth magnet unit of the first bag is disposed at a fourth edge disposed between the fourth side panel and the first side panel. In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth magnet units of the first bag is configured to connect by magnetic force to the magnet unit of the second bag.
Some embodiments described herein are directed to a storage system including a bag and a base. In some embodiments, the bag includes a main body defining a storage compartment, and a first magnet unit disposed on the main body. In some embodiments, the base includes a base body, and a magnet unit disposed on the base body. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the bag is configured to connect by magnetic force to the magnet unit of the base. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the bag is configured to disconnect from the magnet unit of the base by applying a force exceeding the magnetic force between the first magnet unit of the bag and the magnet unit of the base. In some embodiments, the bag is held upright when the magnet unit of the bag is connected to the magnet unit of the base.
In some embodiments, the main body of the bag includes a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the bag is disposed at a first edge disposed between the first side panel and the second side panel. In some embodiments, a second magnet unit of the bag is disposed at a second edge disposed between the second side panel and the third side panel. In some embodiments, a third magnet unit of the bag is disposed at a third edge disposed between the third side panel and the fourth side panel. In some embodiments, a fourth magnet unit of the bag is disposed at a fourth edge disposed between the fourth side panel and the first side panel. In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth magnet units of the bag is configured to connect by magnetic force to the magnet unit of the second bag.
In some embodiments, the base is configured to be attached to an interior of a vehicle.
In some embodiments, the interior of the vehicle is the trunk of a car of a bed of a truck.
In some embodiments, the bag is convertible between a flattened configuration and an expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the first magnet unit of the bag is connectable to the magnet unit of the base when the bag is in the flattened configuration.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the embodiments. Objects and advantages of illustrative, non-limiting embodiments will become more apparent by describing them in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
The features and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present embodiments. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Bags are often used for containing and transporting items. For example, bags may be used to contain items purchased at a store and to transport those items in a trunk of a car or on a bed of a truck. However, bags placed in a trunk or on a truck bed sometimes slide around and/or spill their contents during transport, which may be distracting to a driver or create a mess. It may therefore be desirable to more securely place a bag in a trunk or on a truck bed in order to reduce the likelihood of the bag sliding around and/or spilling its contents during transport. It may also be desirable to store bags when they are not being used so that the bags do not needlessly take up space in a user's car, truck, home or other location and/or so that a user can easily find the bags when needed.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bag that can be magnetically attached to another bag via magnet units located on each bag. When two or more bags are magnetically attached, the bags may help hold each other upright. The bags may be configured such that magnet units on the bags can be attached when the bags are arranged in a line, a row, or a matrix. The magnet units on the bags may also be configured to disconnect from each other so that the bags can be rearranged and/or used independently of each other.
In some embodiments, a base is provided. The base may be attachable to a trunk of a car or a bed of a truck. The base may include a magnet unit such that a bag with a magnet unit can be magnetically attached to the base. When the bag is attached to the base, the bag may be more securely attached to the trunk or truck bed, thereby reducing the likelihood that the bag will slide. When the bag is attached to the base, the base may also help hold the bag upright. In some embodiments, the base may not include a magnet unit but may comprise metal or other magnetic material such that the bag may be magnetically attached to the base. In some embodiments, the base may comprise a pre-existing component of vehicle, such as a door, side panel, floor board, floor, metal fixture, or other component.
In some embodiments, the bag may include multiple magnetic units that can be magnetically attached to each other. In some embodiments, the bag may also be convertible between a flattened configuration and an expanded configuration. When multiple magnet units are connected to each other, the connected magnet units may help hold the bag in the flattened configuration.
These and other embodiments are discussed below in more detail with reference to the figures.
Bag handle 300 may be attached to main body 200 such that bag 100 can be carried by bag handle 300. Bag 100 may be used to transport an object therein. For example, the object may be contained within storage compartment 210 of main body 200, and transported along with bag 100 by a user carrying bag 100 by bag handle 300.
Magnet units 400 may be attached to main body 200 and configured to connect by magnetic force to: one or more magnet units disposed on a second bag (e.g., as shown in
In some embodiments, bag 100 is intended to be reusable. However, in other embodiments, bag 100 may be intended to be disposable or include disposable portions.
In some embodiments, bag 100 may comprise luggage or a gym bag.
Main body 200 of bag 100 may have any shape sufficient to transport an item. For example, main body 200 may be shaped as a rectangular prism, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, main body 200 may be formed of a bottom panel 220 and one or more side panels 230. In the illustrated embodiments, bottom panel 220 is rectangular. However, bottom panel 220 may have any suitable shape including, for example, a triangular, circular, square, or hexagonal shape. Side panels 230 may be connected to other side panels 230 at side edges 240, and side panels 230 may be connected to bottom panel 220 at bottom edges 250. Side edges 240 and bottom edges 250 may be formed by folds 260, and thus side panels 230 and bottom panel 220 may be at least partially continuous with each other across side edges 240 and bottom edges 250.
Main body 200 may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, paper, woven or non-woven fabric (including, for example, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, cotton, hemp, burlap), plastic, or other suitable material.
Main body 200 may be open at one end or may be closeable with use of a fastener (e.g., a zipper).
In some embodiments, main body 200 may include a lining 270 (not shown) for reinforcement, insulation, or aesthetic purposes, and an exterior shell 280 (not shown). Lining 270 and exterior shell 280 may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, paper, woven or non-woven fabric (including, for example, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, cotton, hemp, burlap) or plastic. In some embodiments, lining 270 and exterior shell 280 may be formed of the same material. In other embodiments, lining 270 and exterior shell 280 may be formed of different materials. For example, exterior shell 280 may be formed of 600 D polyester and lining 270 may be formed of 150 D polyester. As another example, exterior shell 280 may be formed of 600 D polyester and lining 270 may be formed of a reflective film laminated with 4 mm PE foam.
In some embodiments, a pattern, logo, text, or other embellishment 290 may be applied to main body 200 (e.g., via a silk-screening process).
Main body 200 may be convertible between an expanded configuration (e.g., as shown in
To facilitate conversion between an expanded configuration and the flattened configuration, main body 200 may include expansion folds 260. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, main body 200 includes gusset folds 262 on side panels 230. When gusset folds 262 are unfolded, main body 200 is in the expanded configuration, and when gusset folds 262 are folded, main body 200 is in the flattened configuration.
In some embodiments, main body 200 may include one or more areas of webbing. For example, webbing may form exterior and/or interior pockets on main body 200 for additional storage.
One or more magnet units 400 may be fixed to main body 200.
Magnet unit 400 may be configured to connect by magnetic force to: one or more magnet units disposed on a second bag (e.g., as shown in
When magnet unit 400 is connected by magnetic force to one or more magnet units disposed on a second bag (e.g., as shown in
Magnet unit 400 may be a single magnet or may include multiple magnets. In embodiments where magnet unit 400 includes multiple magnets, the multiple magnets may be arranged, for example, as a chain of magnets. In some embodiments, the magnets of the chains of magnets can be disposed end-to-end. In some embodiments, the magnets of the chains of magnets can be spaced apart.
In some embodiments, magnet unit 400 is or includes a permanent magnet. Magnet unit 400 may be or include, for example, a rare-earth magnet, such as a neodymium magnet.
In the illustrated embodiment, magnet unit 400 is cylindrical shaped. However, magnet unit 400 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, magnet unit 400 may be shaped as a cube, rectangular cuboid, sphere, arc, wedge, or other shape.
In some embodiments, for example, as shown in
In some embodiments, for example, as shown in
In some embodiments, magnet unit 400 may be flexible or bendable. Magnet unit 400 may be flexible or bendable, for example, when magnet unit 400 is composed of a plurality of magnets.
In some embodiments, for example, as shown in
In some embodiments, magnet unit 400 may be secured to main body 200 by adhesive, sewing, stitching, gluing, heat sealing, or other suitable attachment mechanism.
In some embodiments, magnet unit 400 may be enclosed in sleeve 450 and sleeve 450 may be attached to main body 200 to secure magnet unit 400 to main body 200. For example, sleeve 450 may be attached to main body by sewing, stitching, gluing, heat sealing, or other appropriate manufacturing techniques. Sleeve 450 may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, paper, woven or non-woven fabric (including, for example, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, cotton, hemp, burlap) or plastic. In some embodiments, sleeve 450 and main body 200 may be formed of the same material. In other embodiments, sleeve 450 and main body 200 may be formed of different materials.
In some embodiments, bag 100 includes four magnet units 400, each one fixed at a side edge 240. For example, as shown in
Handle 300 may be fixed to main body 200.
In some embodiments, bag 100 includes two handles 300, each one fixed to an opposing side panel 230 of main body 200. As shown, for example, in
Handle 300 may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, paper, woven or non-woven fabric (including, for example, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, cotton, hemp, burlap) or plastic. In some embodiments, handle 300 is formed of the same material as main body 200. In some embodiment, handle 300 and main body 200 may be formed of different materials.
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, bag 100 is attachable to base 500 and/or additional bags 1100, 2100, and 3100. In this way, multiple bags may be attached to each other for stability as well as to a trunk or truck bed via base 500 for added stability. In some embodiments, bag 100 may be attachable to base 500 but not to additional bags 1100, 2100, and 3100. In some embodiments, bag 100 may be attachable to additional bags 1100, 2100, and 3100, but not to base 500.
Bag 100 may be attachable to base 500 while bag 100 is in the expanded configuration. Alternatively or additionally, bag 100 may be attachable to base 500 while bag 100 is in the flattened configuration in order to store bag 100. In some embodiments, additional bags 1100, 2100, and 3100, each in a flattened configuration, may be attached to bag 100. In this way, multiple bags may be conveniently stored.
As mentioned, bag 100 may be convertible between a flattened configuration and an expanded configuration. As shown in
It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Brief Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the automatic hydration tube return system and apparatus, and thus, are not intended to limit the present embodiments and the appended claims.
The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/109,296, filed Nov. 3, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63109296 | Nov 2020 | US |