Patent Grant
10602821
The present application makes no reference to any other related filed patent applications.
No part of this invention was a result of any federally sponsored research.
The present invention relates in general to utility bags, and more specifically to soft-sided carry-all bags containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments for extensive storage of such various items needed for everyday use including, among other things, food, footwear, laptop computers, cellular phones, books and notebooks, writing or eating utensils, water and drinks bottles, eyeglasses, coins, wallets, credit cards, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.
Individuals who work or attend school are often confronted with the dilemma of narrowing down what necessary items to carry with them for the full day. This dilemma frequently results in the individual user carrying multiple bags to satisfy such a need, which causes the inconvenience of cumbersome commutes or limitations on items carried caused by the excessive baggage. The present invention is directed to a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments for extensive storage of various items needed for everyday use, meant to provide the individual with a means for consolidating such various items of everyday use without sacrificing aesthetic features.
It is known to have 2-in-1 handbags with an outer bag housing providing a foundation handbag and an insulated secondary inner handbag with an adjustable compartment system to create separate compartments for storage and organization of items such as wallets, cosmetics, baby items, clothing, shoes, toiletries, and/or food within the handbag system. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various items needed for everyday use in the various compartments, though the expanded use of the insulated inner adjustable compartment infringes on the usable space of the uninsulated outer nonadjustable compartment. Also, such a design does not permit access to the inner container without disturbing the contents of the inner container or the outer container. Such handbags are commonly termed “Utility Handbags,” “Insulated Bags,” or “Insulated Totes.”
It is known to have a carry-all bag having a single compartment with internal separators for a drinks bottle and a microwaveable dish. The main compartment may have additional compartments for magazines, a mobile phone, eyeglasses, coins, or an umbrella. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various items needed for everyday use in the various compartments, though the absence of separate, closed compartments may allow such items to fall from their locations if the bag were to fall on its side, and the lack of a separate insulated compartment fails to provide for reliable temperature retention of the food container. Also, such a design does not permit access to the various compartments without simultaneously accessing the main compartment. Such handbags are commonly termed “Carry-All Bags,” or “Carry All Totes.”
It is known to have a utility bag for carrying small and minute items and larger items such as medium-sized tools and the like from place to place in safety. The bag may have a generally rectangular first compartment which has an opening therein and contains at least one removable tray and a plurality of external and internal compartments for additional storage. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various tools and hardware items and permit access to smaller items in the removable tray without disturbing the contents of the remaining compartments, though the design may fail to retain its shape when the removable tray is removed from its compartment and the design does not provide an insulated component for reliable temperature retention of food or a food container. Also, such a design may allow the removable tray to become misplaced or broken, thus negating the benefit of the utility bag's removable tray compartment. Such utility bags are commonly termed “Tool Bags with Pull-Out Tray” or “Fabric Tool Boxes.”
It is known to have a tote bag for carrying athletic clothing and equipment fitted with a flexible cooling chamber, the cooling chamber being comprised of a cooling compartment secured to an uninsulated portion of the tote bag. The cooling chamber may be equipped with means for removing the insulating liner from the housing member and also for detachably removing the housing member from the uninsulated portions of the tote bag. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various items needed for athletic use, though the flexible cooling chamber does not provide crush protection of food or food containers contained within and such a design may allow the removable cooling chamber to become misplaced, thus negating the benefit of the tote bag's removable cooling chamber. Finally, such a design does not lend itself generally to the aesthetic of a school or work environment. Such tote bags are commonly termed “Cooler Gym Bags” or “Cooler Duffle Bags.”
It is known to have a backpack having enclosed compartments suitable for storing and transporting articles requiring thermally insulated and waterproof protection. The backpack being comprised of two sections, one of which is thermally insulated for carrying articles that need to be kept cold or warm and sandwiched between an inner and an outer flexible material. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various items needing reliable temperature retention of food or a food container, though the flexible insulated compartment does not provide crush protection of food or food containers contained within. Such backpacks are commonly termed “Insulated Backpacks.”
It is known to have a bag having enclosed compartments suitable for storing and transporting various items needed for everyday use, having a single flap and a single shoulder strap or similar carrying method. Such a design can facilitate the carrying of various items needed for everyday use, though does not provide an insulated component for reliable temperature retention of food or a food container and the flexible compartments do not provide crush protection of food or food containers contained within. Such bags are commonly termed “Messenger Bags.”
There is a need in the art for a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments for extensive storage of various items needed for everyday use. Such a bag should permit access to the various compartments without disturbing the contents of the remaining compartments, while also preventing infringement of any one compartment into the space of another. The bag should also prevent the displacement of items from their containers within each compartment, and the fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments should retain their shape when empty. The fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments should provide adequate crush protection for the contents therein, and the fixed insulated compartment should provide reliable temperature retention of food or a food container. Finally, the various compartments should remain attached to the carry-all bag so that no individual component can be misplaced or broken, thus negating the benefit of the bag's design use.
It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments for extensive storage of such various items needed for everyday use including, among other things, food, footwear, laptop computers, cellular phones, books and notebooks, writing or eating utensils, water and drinks bottles, eyeglasses, coins, wallets, credit cards, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments with a flexible, top-opening main compartment for the general storage of large or small items, and containing additional pockets or slots for the specific storage of various items needed for everyday use such as laptop computers, cellular phones, books and notebooks, writing or eating utensils, water and drinks bottles, eyeglasses, coins, wallets, credit cards, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments with a side-opening, rigid, and insulated compartment partially comprising the base of the bag for the temperature-maintained storage of perishable food items.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments with a side-opening, rigid, and non-insulated compartment partially comprising the base of the bag for the protected storage of small, breakable items.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments with a front pocket for the general storage of large flat items or small items of any shape.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments that may have attached carry handles to provide for ease of transport by the individual user.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments that may have attached shoulder straps to provide for ease of transport by the individual user.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments that may have a detachable shoulder strap to provide for ease of transport by the individual user.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments with various means of closure, such as zippers or locks, by which the various compartments or pockets may be sealed.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for reference only and is not limiting. The words “front,” “rear,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lateral,” “medial,” “upper,” “lower,” “outer,” “inner,” and “interior” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the invention, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Referring to the drawings included herewith, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout,
The various embodiments of the invention have advantageous features not present in conventional carry-all bags or utility bags. The soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments disclosed herein can provide an individual with a means for consolidating various items of everyday use without sacrificing aesthetic features, and generally includes a flexible main compartment for the storage of larger items, a rigid insulated compartment for the protected storage of perishable items, and a rigid non-insulated compartment for the protected storage of smaller items, each with separate access. The rigid insulated and non-insulated compartments comprise the base of the bag, and function to both provide support for the flexible main compartment and prevent crush damage to the contents within each lower compartment. Additionally, the flexible main compartment may comprise additional pockets or slots for the specific storage of various items needed for everyday use such as laptop computers, cellular phones, books and notebooks, writing or eating utensils, water and drinks bottles, eyeglasses, coins, wallets, credit cards, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing.
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
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The plurality of insulated surfaces may be rigid such that they give structure and support to a lower edge 113 of the flexible main body 100 and prevent crush damage to the contents within the fixed insulated compartment 200, the insulated lower surface 202 combined with a non-insulated lower surface 302 of a fixed non-insulated compartment 300 may comprise the entirety of an upper surface of a base 500, and the insulated upper surface 201 combined with a non-insulated upper surface 301 of a fixed non-insulated compartment 300 may comprise the entirety of a bottom of a main compartment within the flexible main body 100.
The plurality of insulated surfaces may be lined with an insulative material such that they provide reliable temperature retention of food or a food container contain within. The insulative material may be substantially constructed of any suitable insulation or combination of insulations, but typically is constructed of a resilient insulation or combination of insulations such that the combination provides reliable temperature retention of food or a food container contained within. As an example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments of the insulative material may be substantially constructed of polystyrene, polyethylene, polyurethane, cellulose, or combinations thereof. The thickness of the material used in each component may vary as desired.
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The plurality of non-insulated surfaces may be rigid such that they give structure and support to a lower edge 113 of the flexible main body 100 and prevent crush damage to the contents within the fixed non-insulated compartment 300, the non-insulated lower surface 302 combined with an insulated lower surface 202 of a fixed insulated compartment 200 may comprise the entirety of an upper surface of a base 500, and the non-insulated upper surface 301 combined with an insulated upper surface 201 of a fixed insulated compartment 200 may comprise the entirety of a bottom of a main compartment within the flexible main body 100.
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The soft-sided carry-all bag containing a fixed insulated compartment and a fixed non-insulated compartment may be substantially constructed of any suitable fabric or combination of fabrics, but typically is constructed of a resilient fabric or combination of fabrics such that the combination is resistant to wear and damage as a result of everyday use. As an example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments of the soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments may be substantially constructed of one or more materials of leather, denim, cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, silk, cashmere, acrylic, or combinations thereof. The thickness of the material used in each component may vary as desired. Additionally, one or more additional materials may be added to impart the desired amount of resiliency or elasticity, such as elastane, rubber, or latex.
The plurality of rigid components of the soft-sided carry-all bag containing a fixed insulated compartment and a fixed non-insulated compartment may be substantially constructed of any suitable solid or semi-solid materials, but typically is constructed of a resilient material or combination of materials such that the combination is resistant to compression, flexing, and crush damage as a result of everyday use. As an example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments of the rigid components may be substantially constructed of one or more materials of plastic, wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, or combinations thereof. The thickness of the material used in each component may vary as desired.
Note with respect to the materials of construction, it is not desired nor intended to thereby unnecessarily limit the present invention by reason of such disclosure.
A soft-sided carry-all bag containing fixed insulated and non-insulated compartments for extensive storage of various items needed for everyday use has been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present application is a non-provisional utility application and makes a claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to prior provisional application 62/480,034 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 31, 2017.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180279733 A1 | Oct 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62480034 | Mar 2017 | US |
