Baggage with retractable beverage container pocket

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6328146
  • Patent Number
    6,328,146
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, March 9, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 11, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A piece of baggage is provided with a retractable pocket that is configured to support a beverage container on the exterior of the piece of baggage. The pocket is constructed of a mesh material and has an elastic strap along an upper edge that allows the pocket to expand to support various size containers, such as bottled water. When not in use, the pocket can be held collapsed against or inside the piece of baggage by a closure mechanism such as a zipper. This conceals the pocket to improve the aesthetic appearance of the piece of baggage and reduces the risk of snagging the mesh pocket as the piece of baggage is transported.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




(1) Field of the Invention




This invention pertains to the field of baggage. More particularly, this invention pertains to a pocket fashioned as part of a piece of baggage. The pocket is capable of holding a beverage container on the exterior of the piece of baggage and can be retracted so as to be substantially hidden when not being used. The retractable feature of the pocket provides the piece of baggage with a convenient place for holding a beverage container when desired without detracting from the styling or aesthetic appearance of the piece of baggage when retracted.




(2) Description of the Related Art




It has become increasingly more common for persons to carry beverages while traveling. However, holding a beverage container while also transporting a piece of baggage can become burdensome. Therefore it would be convenient for such persons to have a place for holding the beverage container so as to free one or both of their hands.




Some baggage, such as backpacks and belt pouches, address the above mentioned need by providing pockets conventionally configured to carry various beverage containers. Since it is common for persons to frequently retrieve and return beverage containers from such pockets, the pockets are typically placed on the outside of the baggage. Typically, these pockets are merely a single piece of material sewn or otherwise attached to the baggage and are often configured with an unobstructed opening to facilitate the placement and retrieval of a beverage container therefrom. Some pockets are constructed of mesh or net type material and have an elastic member adjacent their opening. The mesh material allows the pockets to more easily expand to hold various size beverage containers, while the elastic member resiliently returns the pocket to a given opening size and reduces the risk of spillage by elastically retaining a beverage container upright in the pocket. Additionally, the use of mesh material on beverage pockets has the advantage of being breathable, which facilitates evaporation of condensation formed on the exterior of chilled beverage containers. Pockets formed of a material which doesn't breathe as well as mesh can retain moisture and promote mildew and mold.




While the above mentioned pockets are convenient places for travels to hold their beverages, such pockets also have several disadvantages. Because the beverage container pockets are often positioned where they can be easily accessed as described above, the pockets are also exposed where they can easily snag or become hooked on furniture, clothing, or other fixtures. This is especially true since many such pockets hang open for ready access and are often made of mesh material. Another disadvantage of prior art beverage pockets is that many people feel that having such a pocket on a piece of baggage gives the piece of baggage a rustic or outdoorsy appearance. Such an appearance is often undesirable in professional settings. These disadvantages limit the usefulness of beverage pockets as more professional baggage is thought to require a more formal styling.




Despite a lack of specially designed pockets for beverage containers on a given piece of baggage, most traditional pieces of baggage have some form of pocket or compartment where at least a closed beverage container can be stored. However, the use of traditional pockets or compartments to hold beverage containers compromises the benefits associated with easily accessible specialized pockets as described above. Traditional pockets are often less accessible and clumsy for use as beverage holders. Additionally, condensation and spillage can cause damage to the contents of the compartment used to hold the container or even to the piece of baggage itself. This risk of damage is amplified by the fact that a traditional pocket usually doesn't include an elastic strap or other elastic retainer to help support a beverage container in an upright position.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The invention herein disclosed overcomes the disadvantages of prior art pieces of baggage by providing a collapsible pocket on the exterior of a piece of baggage that can be retracted and hidden from view when not being used. When in use, the pocket provides an easily accessible location that is specifically configured for holding a beverage container. However, unlike prior art beverage pockets, the retractable pocket of this invention can also be stored out of the way, thereby lessening the chances of the pocket becoming snagged. Furthermore, when the pocket is retracted, the pocket is concealed behind what may be a zippered closure which is streamlined and stylistic enough for professional settings.




In general, the beverage container pocket of the present invention comprises a collapsible mesh pocket and a closure mechanism, preferably a zippered closure. When expanded, the mesh pocket is flexible enough to at least partially extend outward from the exterior surface of the piece of baggage to readily receive a beverage container. When desired, the mesh pocket can be manually collapsed and the closure mechanism can be closed to hide the pocket and conform the surface of the pocket to the exterior surface of the piece of baggage.




In a first embodiment of the invention, a retractable pocket is attached to an existing piece of baggage without modification of the piece of baggage. When retracted, the pocket is held collapsed against the exterior of the piece of baggage by a shroud that also partially conceals the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the piece of baggage itself is specifically configured for use with the invention by having an internal cavity in which the pocket can be stored when not being used. Regardless of the particular embodiment, the use of the invention is not limited to any particular type of baggage and various types of baggage such as briefcases, luggage, backpacks, and purses can benefit therefrom.




While the principal advantages and features of the present invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and detailed description of the embodiments which follow.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a partial isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the pocket in the operable position.





FIG. 2

is a partial isometric view of the first embodiment showing the pocket in the collapsed position and hidden from view by the closure.





FIG. 3

is a partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing the pocket in the operable position.





FIG. 4

is a partial isometric view of the embodiment shown in

FIG. 3

with the pocket retracted within an envelope of the piece of baggage and hidden from view by the closure mechanism.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




A first embodiment of a retractable pocket in accordance with this invention is shown in an expanded/operable position in FIG.


1


and in a retracted/hidden position in FIG.


2


. The first embodiment


10


of the retractable pocket is preferably positioned on an end


12


of a piece of baggage


14


where it will not interfere with other compartments


16


of the piece of baggage


14


. The retractable pocket


10


comprises a pocket


18


and a closure mechanism


20


that can be used to hold the pocket


18


in a retracted position.




The pocket


18


of the first embodiment


10


is itself comprised of a shroud portion


22


and a mesh portion


24


. The shroud portion


22


of the pocket


18


is preferably made from the same material that is used to fashion the exterior of the piece of baggage


14


. The shroud


22


is preferably rectangular in shape with a slit


26


extending downward from the approximate center of its upper edge


28


. Except for the upper edge


28


of the shroud


22


, the perimeter of the shroud is sewn or otherwise fastened to the exterior surface


30


of the piece of baggage


14


such that the shroud will lie substantially flat against the exterior of the piece of baggage


14


when the opposite edges


32


of the slit


26


are brought together.




The mesh portion


24


of this embodiment


10


is preferably a trapezoidal piece of mesh material having two equal length side edges


34


and opposite upper


36


and lower(not shown) edges. The side edges


34


of the mesh portion


24


are preferably slightly longer than the length of the slit


26


in the shroud


22


such that, with the upper edge


36


of the mesh portion aligned with the upper edge


28


of the shroud, the side edges of the mesh portion can be sewn or otherwise attached to the opposite edges


32


of the slit on the backside of the shroud and the lower edge of the mesh can be attached beneath the slit on the backside of the shroud. The mesh portion


24


may also preferably have an elastic member


38


sewn or otherwise attached to its upper edge


36


.




The closure mechanism


20


of this embodiment


10


is preferably a zipper


40


that is attached along the opposite edges


32


of the slit


26


where it can be operated to hold the opposite edges


32


together when the slider


42


of the zipper


40


is raised. With the slider


42


of the zipper


40


lowered, the opposite edges


32


of the slit


26


naturally separate to expose the mesh portion


24


for use. In this position as shown in

FIG. 1

, the upper edge


28


of the shroud


22


on each side of the slit


26


and the upper edge


36


of the mesh


24


help form an opening


44


into the pocket


18


. The elasticity of the elastic member


38


and the flexibility of the mesh


24


allow the opening


44


of the pocket to be resiliently expanded from its relaxed configuration to accommodate various sizes and shapes of beverage containers. Furthermore, this resiliency helps center such beverage containers and hold them upright against the exterior surface


30


of the piece of baggage


14


, thereby reducing the risk of spillage. The use of mesh material also facilitates evaporation if any condensation is formed or if spillage occurs, and helps prevent any unintended accumulation of moisture within the pocket


18


. Additionally, the portion of the exterior surface


30


of the piece of baggage


14


underlying the pocket


18


can be made water repellent to prevent any moisture from damaging the exterior surface or unintentionally seeping through the exterior surface to damage the contents of the piece of baggage.




When not using the pocket


18


to hold a beverage container, the mesh portion


24


of the pocket can be collapsed behind the shroud


22


against the exterior surface


30


of the piece of baggage


14


and the slider


42


of the zipper


40


can then be raised. In this raised or closed position of the closure mechanism as shown in

FIG. 2

, the shroud lies substantially flat over the mesh and adjacent the exterior surface


30


of the piece of baggage


14


, thereby reducing the risk of snagging the pocket while also concealing the mesh portion


24


of the pocket and thereby streamlining the appearance of the baggage


14


.




An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. In this alternative embodiment, the pocket


50


is attached to an interior cavity


52


of the piece of baggage


54


, rather than to the exterior surface


55


. The pocket


50


is preferably formed of a single trapezoidal piece of material having equal length side edges


56


and a larger top edge


57


than bottom edge (not shown). The side edges


56


of the pocket


50


are preferably sewn to the back side of the opposite edges


58


of a vertical slit


60


that extends through the exterior surface


55


of the piece of baggage


54


. An elastic strap


62


is preferably attached to the top edge


57


of the pocket


50


and the bottom edge of the pocket


50


is preferably sewn to the back side of the exterior surface


55


of the baggage


54


below the vertical slit


60


. In this embodiment, the pocket


50


is preferably made of mesh as described above. The mesh material allows the pocket


50


to be collapsed into a very small volume which, in this embodiment, is merely the cavity space between the exterior surface


55


of the piece of baggage


54


and backing material inside the piece of baggage behind the slit


60


.




Like the first embodiment, the closure mechanism of the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

is a zipper


64


that is positioned along the opposite edges


58


of the vertical slit


60


where it can operate to hold the opposite edges


58


of the vertical slit


60


together when closed. With the slider


66


of the zipper


64


lowered, the vertical slit


60


is open and the pocket


50


expands outward or can be pulled outward through the slit


60


as shown in FIG.


3


. When in this position, the pocket functions as described above to support a beverage container therein. When not in use, the pocket can be collapsed into the interior cavity


52


and the slider


66


of the zipper


64


can be raised to close the vertical slit


60


and hide the pocket


50


in the interior cavity


52


as shown in FIG.


4


. In this position the pocket is concealed and is not exposed to be snagged on other items or fixtures.




It is convenient to perhaps think of these two embodiments as being surface mounted as in the first embodiment and flush mounted as in the second embodiment. This perhaps best describes the relationship between the pocket and the exterior surface of the piece of baggage in that, in the first embodiment the pocket extends beyond the silhouette of the exterior surface of the piece of baggage while in the second embodiment the pocket is hidden beneath the exterior surface of the piece of baggage.




It should be understood that, although the invention has been described above in reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments and numerous alternative embodiments or changes to these embodiments could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. As an example, the embodiments herein disclosed could be modified by utilizing various suitable materials in place of the materials described above and the shapes of the various components could be altered. Additionally, the zipper could easily be replaced in the above described embodiments by other closure mechanisms suchs as VELCRO™, buttons, snaps, latches, and magnetic clasps.




In other embodiments, the closure mechanism need not necessarily be a device for attaching things together. For example, an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

could utilize a resilient slit that can resiliently expand to open and close without the need of a closure mechanism to secure the opposite edges of the vertical slit together when closed. Likewise, the shroud may be made of a material which has sufficient resiliency that it closes itself to hide the pocket.




In yet another embodiment, a retractable pocket similar to that of the first embodiment could have the mesh portion attached to the exterior surface of the piece of baggage behind a shroud, rather than being attached to the shroud itself. In such an embodiment, the shroud, although no longer forming a portion of the pocket, would still operate to retract and conceal the pocket. Such an embodiment could also be modified such that the shroud is made without a slit and has only one side edge attached to the piece of baggage such that it can be selectively hinged about the attached edge to reveal a pocket therebehind.




Thus it should be clear that modifications and variations of the invention could be made without departing from the scope of the invention which should be considered as being limited only by the scope of the claims and their equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. A beverage container holder for a baggage, comprising:a collapsible pocket attached adjacent an exterior surface of the baggage, the pocket being re-configurable between an expanded and a collapsed position, the pocket being adapted to receive and support a beverage container when the pocket is in the expanded position; a closure mechanism operatively connected to the baggage, the closure mechanism being selectively adjustable between an open and a closed position, the closure mechanism being configured to allow the pocket to be re-configured between the expanded and collapsed positions when the closure mechanism is in the open position and the closure mechanism being configured to restrain the pocket in the collapsed position when the closure mechanism is in the closed position; and a shroud attached to the exterior surface of the baggage, the shroud being configured to conceal a portion of the pocket when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
  • 2. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein:the shroud also forms a portion of the pocket.
  • 3. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein:a portion of the pocket comprises a mesh material and an elastic member attached to the mesh material so as to allow the pocket to resiliently expand.
  • 4. The beverage container holder of claim 3, wherein:the shroud is configured to conceal the mesh material when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
  • 5. The beverage container holder of claim 4, wherein:the shroud comprises a generally rectangular sheet having opposite side edges and opposite top and bottom edges, the shroud portion having a slit therethrough extending perpendicularly from the center of the top edge towards the bottom edge, the mesh portion having opposite edges attached to the shroud portion adjacent opposite edges of the slit, the opposite edges of the slit being configured to separate and the mesh portion extend therebetween when the pocket is in the expanded position, and the closure being configured to hold the opposite edges of the slit together when the closure is in the closed position to thereby hold the pocket in the collapsed position.
  • 6. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein:the closure mechanism is a zipper.
  • 7. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein:the shroud has a slit with opposite edges and a portion of the pocket is formed by a piece of material having opposite side edges, one of the opposite side edges of the piece of material is attached adjacent one of the slit edges and the other of the opposite side edges of the piece of material is attached to the other of the slit edges.
  • 8. The beverage container holder of claim 1, wherein:the pocket has an opening edge defining an opening into an interior of the pocket and the pocket has two, opposite side edges at opposite ends of the opening edge; and the shroud has a slit that defines two portions of the shroud on opposite sides of the slit, the two side edges of the pocket are secured to the two portions of the shroud with the pocket extending across the slit, the pocket is extendable through the slit where the pocket is suspended from the baggage by the two portions of the shroud to support a beverage container inserted through the pocket opening into the pocket interior and the pocket is collapsible through the slit where the pocket is held within the two portions of the shroud when not in use.
  • 9. The beverage container holder of claim 8, wherein:the closure mechanism is attached to the two portions of the shroud and is operable to open and close the slit.
  • 10. The beverage container holder of claim 9, wherein:the closure mechanism is a zipper.
  • 11. The beverage container holder of claim 8, wherein:the two portions of the shroud have edges on opposite sides of the slit and the two side edges of the pocket are secured to the edges of the two portions of the shroud.
  • 12. The beverage container holder of claim 11, wherein:the opposite ends of the pocket opening edge are secured to the edges of the two portions of the shroud.
  • 13. The beverage container holder of claim 8, wherein:the opposite ends of the pocket opening edge are secured to the two portions of the shroud on opposite sides of the slit.
  • 14. A piece of baggage comprising:a retractable flexible pocket fashioned as part of the baggage, and a receptacle for the pocket, the receptacle having a closure mechanism for concealing the pocket within the receptacle, the receptacle comprising a shroud mounted to an exterior surface of the piece of baggage, the shroud having a slit extending along a length thereof, the closure mechanism comprising a device for closing the slit.
  • 15. The piece of baggage of claim 14, wherein:the shroud also forms a portion of the pocket.
  • 16. The piece of baggage of claim 14, wherein:the closure mechanism is a zipper.
  • 17. The piece of baggage of claim 14, wherein:the shroud slit has opposite edges and a portion of the pocket is formed by a piece of material having opposite side edges, one of the opposite side edges of the piece of material is attached adjacent one of the slit edges and the other of the opposite side edges of the piece of material is attached to the other of the slit edges.
  • 18. The piece of baggage of claim 14, wherein:the pocket has an opening edge defining an opening into an interior of the pocket and the pocket has two, opposite side edges at opposite ends of the opening edge; and the shroud slit defines two portions of the shroud on opposite sides of the slit, the two side edges of the pocket are secured to the two portions of the shroud with the pocket extending across the slit, the pocket is extended through the slit where the pocket is suspended from the piece of baggage by the two portions of the shroud to support a beverage container inserted through the pocket opening into the pocket interior and the pocket is collapsible through the slit where the pocket is held within the two portions of the shroud when not in use.
  • 19. The piece of baggage of claim 18, wherein:the closure mechanism is attached to the two portions of the shroud and is operable to open and close the slit.
  • 20. The piece of baggage of claim 19, wherein:the closure mechanism is a zipper.
  • 21. The piece of baggage of claim 18, wherein:the two portions of the shroud have edges on opposite sides of the slit and the two side edges of the pocket are secured to the edges of the two portions of the shroud.
  • 22. The piece of baggage of claim 21, wherein:the opposite ends of the pocket opening edge are secured to the edges of the two portions of the shroud.
  • 23. The piece of baggage of claim 18, wherein:the opposite ends of the pocket opening edge are secured to the two portions of the shroud on opposite sides of the slit.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Number Name Date Kind
2533850 Syracuse Dec 1950
2717015 Berry Sep 1955
4153146 Patton et al. May 1979
4236615 Ginat Dec 1980
4354542 Gerch Oct 1982
4805748 Gerch Feb 1989
4825985 Kim May 1989
5324115 Weinreb Jun 1994
5868227 Garcia Feb 1999
5890809 Nelson Apr 1999
6123239 Lovitt Sep 2000
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
1479879 May 1967 FR