Patent Application
20150181994
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to receptacles, and particularly to a beach/pool bag with a hidden compartment located therein.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Spending fun time at the swimming pool or beach often requires the need for a plethora of ancillary items. Sunblock, comb, brush, extra pool/beach apparel, towels, first aid kit, etc. are just some of the items that are usually transported to the selected venue. The ubiquitous beach bag is the popular receptacle of choice to transport and house the array of above-mentioned items. Aside from the usual items, the beach bag may also be employed to transport refreshing beverages and house valuables, such as cash, jewelry and personal identification items (driver's license, medical insurance cards, etc.). However, keeping the beverages hot or cold and the valuables hidden from sight presents a problem for the beach bag user. A beach bag that could serve as a repository for the usual beach/pool paraphernalia and also provide a hidden insulated compartment for housing beverages and/or valuables would certainly be a welcome asset to a user. Thus, a beach/pool bag with a hidden compartment solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The beach/pool bag with hidden compartment is a beach or pool bag having a compartment positioned at the bottom of the bag, the compartment having a zipper-closable access. A flap is provided to cover and conceal the zipper, thereby presenting a false bottom and disguising the existence of a compartment underneath. A hidden zipper-closable access to the compartment is also provided on the exterior surface of the bag.
Accordingly, the invention presents a beach bag having a conventional appearance, but incorporating a hidden compartment therein. The compartment is insulated and can be utilized to conceal personal valuables therein and to also house beverage containers. The bag also includes a cable for attaching the bag to a stationary object. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
Referring to
A second compartment 30 is positioned at the bottom of bag 10. The second compartment 30 is fabricated from thermal insulation material or incorporates thermal insulation into the walls and is of a size to house several conventional beverage containers B therein. The second compartment 30 has a top surface 30a fashioned with an opening that is closed with a zipper 32. A movable flap 34 is designed to overlie the top surface 30a of the compartment 30 for reasons explained below. One side of the flap 34 is permanently attached to the top surface 30a. Hook and loop fasteners 36 are employed to removably attach the other side of the flap 34 to the top surface 30a of the compartment 30. With the flap 34 in place, anyone unfamiliar with the bag 10 would assume that the flap 34 is the inside bottom wall of the bag 10, and thus be unaware that a compartment exists beneath the flap 34. The compartment 30 may also be accessed from the exterior of bag 10. This is accomplished by providing an opening on at least one exterior, side surface of the bag to access the compartment 30. A zipper 35 is operable to open and close the opening. The zipper 35 is covered by a movable flap 37, similar to flap 34, which hides the zipper from view. Stiffener or reinforcement members 38 (shown in phantom lines and preferably fabricated from hard plastic) are removably inserted in the compartment 30 along the walls and bottom thereof for extra support, and to allow the bag 10 to stand upright when the compartment 30 is not filled with beverage containers, thereby maintaining the illusion of a bag 10 having no additional compartment at its bottom.
In use, the compartment 30 is unzipped and the desired items are inserted therein. As indicated above, the items may be beverage containers that are to be kept at a temperature range or personal valuables. The zipper 32 (or 35) is manipulated to close the compartment 30. The flaps 34 and/or 37 are arranged over the compartment and attached thereto, thereby concealing the compartment 30 from view.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
