Patent Application
20050000992
This invention relates generally to the field of bags, and in particular to bags that are used to hold baby items, among others. More specifically, the invention relates to so-called diaper bags that may be used to carry various items used in caring for babies.
Diaper bags have been in widespread use for a number of years. Modern diaper bags often have various compartments for holding items. For example, some have lined compartments for holding diapers, baby wipes and the like. Other compartments may be used for storing books, toys, snacks and the like.
Many such diaper bags are rectangular in shape. While acceptable for some uses, such a configuration can make the diaper bag unsuitable for carrying other types of items.
Hence, this invention relates generally to bags that may be used to carry a wide variety of items. Such bags may be constructed of a bag body having a top end, a bottom end, a front side and a back side. The bag body further includes a main compartment that extends from the bottom end to the top end. The top end has an opening leading into the main compartment. Further, the top end of the bag body is curved. In this way, a curved pillow having a curved medial region and two curved arms may be placed into the main compartment, with the medial region conforming to the shape of the top end. Of course, the pillow could be inserted into the main compartment in other orientations as well. For example, the two curved arms could be adjacent the top end. The bag may further include one or more carrying straps or handles to carry the bag.
In one aspect, the bag body may further include a pair of connecting sides that extend between the front side and the back side. The connecting sides may also be curved to conform to the shape of the curved arms of the pillow body. In another aspect, the carrying straps may be coupled to the bag body near where the top end meets the connecting sides.
The bag body may also include a fastener, such as a sipper, clasp, or the like to close the opening. If one or more handles are used, they may extend above the curved top end.
The bag may also include a variety of pockets, such as a pocket on the front side, on the back side, on the connecting sides and/or within the main compartment. One or more of the pockets may also include one ore more sub-pockets. These may be fashioned to hold specific types of items. For example, the main compartment or pockets may be configured to hold items such as a baby changing pad, storage devices, bottles, toys, food, diapers, wipes, clothing and the like.
When specifically designed for holding a curved pillow, the bag may have a height in the range from about 10 inches to about 20 inches, and may curved downward to the connecting sides that have a height in the range from about 5 inches to about 11 inches. The top end may also have a radius of curvature of about 7 inches to about 13 inches. Also, the bottom end may have a length in the range from about 15 inches to about 25 inches.
The invention provides bags that may be used to hold a variety of items. The bags may be particularly useful in carrying baby related items, although other items may be held as well. Examples of items that may be held include diapers, wipes, napkins, bibs, toys, snacks, drinks, books, clothing, pacifiers, and the like. One particular item that may be carried is a support pillow. Examples of support pillows that may be carried are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,134, 5,661,861, 6,038,720, 6,055,687, 6,434,770, 6,532,612, 6,321,403, 6,279,185, 6,453,493, and 6,523,200, and copending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/046,377 filed Oct. 26, 2001; 09/884,742 filed Jun. 18, 2001; 09/802097 filed Mar. 8, 2001; 10,426,067, filed Apr. 28, 2003 (Atty. Dkt. No. 17242-010700), ______, filed on the same date as the present application (entitled “Multi-use Pillow and Methods”, attorney docket no. 017242-010900), and ______, filed on the same date as the present application (entitled “Support Pillow for Small Infants”, attorney docket no. 017242-011000), the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. However, it will be appreciated that other pillows may be stored as well. In one embodiment, the bag may be configured to have a shape that generally conforms to the pillow so that the bag is somewhat form fitting. This serves to accommodate the shape of the pillow without using excess space.
The bag may also include a variety of internal and external pockets for storing various items. These pockets may be subdivided or include sub-pockets to facilitate holding specific types of items. For example, pockets may be used to hold bottles, food, drinks, pacifiers, wet or damp items, toys, and the like.
Referring now to
Bag body 12 also includes an opening 26 that provides access into an interior 28. Opening is formed in top end 16 and conveniently includes a zipper 30 that may be used to close opening 26. Other types of fasteners that may be used include snaps, buttons, hooks, straps, buckles, a hook and loop fastener material, a magnetic snap and the like.
Interior 28 may be used to hold a wide variety of items. By way of example, shown in
When placed into interior 28 in the orientation shown in
Pillow 32 may be placed into interior 28 in essentially any orientation. For example, medial region 40 may be placed adjacent bottom end 14 or against one of sides 22 or 24. If needed, pillow 32 may be squeezed or manipulated to help position it within interior 28. By having a bag body 12 closely confirm to the shape of pillow 32, the overall dimensions of bag body 12 may be minimized while also providing significant storage space for other items. Also, various pockets may also be included to provide additional storage space.
Changing pad 34 may comprise a padded member or may be a piece of fabric upon which a baby may be placed when changing a diaper or clothing. Pad 34 may conveniently be folded to help it fit within interior 28. Pad 34 may also be constructed of fabrics used to construct bag body 12.
Purse 36 defines an interior that may be accessible from its top end. Purse 36 may be used to hold a variety of items that may be used in taking care of a baby, such as wipes napkins, diapers and the like. Purse 36 may also be constructed of a transparent material.
To carry bag 10, it may include a carrying strap 50 that may conveniently be worn over a user's shoulder as shown in
Bag 10 may also include a pair of handles 60 and 62 (see
Front side 18 includes a front pocket 64 that may optionally include a flap 66. As best shown in
Included within interior 70 is a key attachment device that permits a key ring to be held within interior 70. Interior 70 also includes a set of sub-pockets 74, 76 and 78. These may be used to hold a variety of items as selected by the user. Sub-pocket 74 may include a flap 80 that may be lifted to provide access into the interior of sub-pocket 74. A fastening material may be used to hold flap 80 closed.
Sub-pocket 76 may be constructed of a mesh, string or other breathable material. An elastic band 82 may be used to help hold items in sub-pocket 76. Sub-pocket 78 may be constructed of essentially any material and permits items to be slipped into its top end.
Bag 10 also includes side pockets 84 and 86 that may be constructed of a mesh or other material similar to sub-pocket 76. An elastic material 88 may also be placed at the top end of pockets 84 and 86 to help hold items in pockets 84 and 86. Side pockets 84 and 86 are especially useful in holding items such as bottles, glasses, sipper cups and the like.
As best shown in
The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
