FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to bags and cases. More specifically, the odor-blocking bag relates to bags using odor absorbing and/or blocking technology to reduce or prevent odors from objects contained within the bag from permeating out.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Whether it be a trip to the gym or while on vacation, travelers oftentimes need to transport objects of a pungent nature. Bags such as backpacks, suitcases, duffle bags, and more often have multiple pockets and compartments to organize various carry-ons. Such pockets may contain foodstuffs, perfumes, dirty laundry, and a variety of other items that may produce varying smells and odors.
Unfortunately, such compartments are not enough to contain the smell, and sometimes debris, coming from the odorous objects. Plastic bags are a common method of separating smelly and sometimes dirty objects from their neutral smelling counterparts. However, the material making up the plastic bag as well as the methods of tying up the plastic bag are generally ineffective in blocking smells from permeating to the rest of the bag, as well as to the outside environment. As such, a system is needed for transporting odorous objects in a way that is ergonomic and stylish while also being able to block and/or neutralize smells.
The present invention addresses these issues. An objective of the odor-neutralizing bag is to provide a system that can extend the functionality of bags into one that can trap and/or neutralize smells from within the bag emanating to outside the bag. An outer enclosure houses an inner enclosure with a roll-top type seal that serves as a physical odor barrier. The roll-top seal utilizes two bands on each side of the inner enclosure's opening. The bands are rolled over in one direction then buckled together at the ends to secure the rolled bands in an air-right seal. The inner surface of the outer enclosure may extend to the outer surface of the inner enclosure to form a bag lining. The bag lining may comprise odor absorbing and/or blocking components such as activated carbon. Furthermore, odor pads made of similar odor absorbing and/or blocking materials may be inserted into the outer enclosure, bag lining, and inner enclosure. The versatility of the odor lining and odor pads presents an opportunity to functionalize a variety of bags for purposes of blocking and/or neutralizing smells.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram representing a front perspective view of the present invention with the sleeve revealed.
FIG. 2 is a diagram representing a front perspective view of the present invention with the sleeve in the closed configuration.
FIG. 3 is a diagram representing a front perspective view of the present invention with the sleeve in the opened configuration.
FIG. 4 is a diagram representing a front perspective view of the present invention with the sleeve in the opened configuration showing an odor-neutralizing lining.
FIG. 5 is a diagram representing a back view of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram representing a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is an odor-blocking bag that is used to prevent various smells of contained items from escaping. The present invention is also configured with a roll-sealed opening that prevents the entrance of water into the bag. The present invention may comprise an outer enclosure 1, at least one inner enclosure 6, and an odor-reducing lining 16, as represented in FIG. 1. The outer enclosure 1 is the generally flexible receptacle capable of retaining a variety of external items and objects. The at least one inner enclosure 6 denotes a flexible receptacle or set of flexible receptacles capable of separating different retained item types. The odor-reducing lining 16 is a generally flexible layer of odor-neutralizing material that reduces or eliminates the potency of various contained smells or odors from the items stored within the present invention.
The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to efficiently and effectively retain items without allowing for the escape of smells or odors. The outer enclosure 1 may comprise a closed enclosure end 2, an openable enclosure end 3, an interior enclosure surface 4, and an exterior enclosure surface 5, as represented in FIG. 2. The closed enclosure end 2 relates to the segment of the outer enclosure 1 which generally supports deposited items. The openable enclosure end 3 relates to the segment of the outer enclosure 1 through which items may be deposited into the outer enclosure 1. The interior enclosure surface 4 denotes the portion of the outer enclosure 1 which, in the preferred usage of the present invention, contacts or faces generally towards contained items. The exterior enclosure surface 5 denotes the portion of the outer enclosure 1 which, in the preferred usage of the present invention, faces generally away from contained items. The at least one inner enclosure 6 may comprise an odor-reducing sleeve 7, a sealing fastener 10, and a holding buckle 13. The odor-reducing sleeve 7 is a generally tubular segment that reduces the potency of adjacent smells. The sealing fastener 10 is a closure that may secure the openable enclosure end 3 closed. The holding buckle 13 is a fastener capable of locking the openable enclosure end 3 into a rolled, folded, or otherwise sealed configuration. The odor-reducing sleeve 7 may comprise a first open sleeve end 8 and a second open sleeve end 9. The first open sleeve end 8 is the portion of the odor-reducing sleeve 7 generally proximal to the openable enclosure end 3. The second open sleeve end 9 is the portion of the odor-reducing sleeve 7 generally proximal to the closed enclosure end 2. The holding buckle 13 may comprise a first buckle piece 14 and a second buckle piece 15. The first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 are opposing portions of the holding buckle 13 that interlock to clasp the holding buckle 13 closed. The sealing fastener 10 may comprise at least one first interlocking piece 11 and at least one second interlocking piece 12. The at least one first interlocking piece 11 is a strip or row of strips of fastening material that may engage with the at least one second interlocking piece 12 to secure the sealing fastener 10 closed. Similarly, the at least one second interlocking piece 12 is a strip or row of strips of fastening material that may engage with the at least one first interlocking piece 11 to secure the sealing fastener 10 closed.
The aforementioned components and subcomponents may combine to form a protective closure that prevents items from exiting the present invention while simultaneously preventing odors from exiting the present invention. The odor-reducing lining 16 may be mounted across the interior enclosure surface 4. This arrangement ensures that items positioned within the interior enclosure surface 4 may have odors neutralized while such items are contained. The at least one inner enclosure 6 may be positioned within the outer enclosure 1, as represented in FIG. 3. In this way, both the outer enclosure 1 and the at least one inner enclosure 6 may protect the contents of the at least one inner enclosure 6. The second open sleeve end 9 may be connected onto the closed enclosure end 2. Thus, the closed enclosure end 2 is in contact with the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 may be laterally connected to the odor-reducing sleeve 7, adjacent to the first open sleeve end 8. This arrangement allows the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 to affect the opened or closed status of the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 may be positioned opposite to each other about the first open sleeve end 8. In this way, the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 may reinforce the closure of the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The at least one first interlocking piece 11 may be connected along the first open sleeve end 8 in between the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15. Thus, the at least one first interlocking piece 11 enables subsequent attachment of the first open sleeve end 8 to the at least one second interlocking piece 12. Similarly, the at least one second interlocking piece 12 may be connected along the first open sleeve end 8 in between the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15. This arrangement enables subsequent attachment of the first open sleeve end 8 to the at least one first interlocking piece 11. The at least one first interlocking piece 11 and the at least one second interlocking piece 12 may be positioned opposite to each other about the first open sleeve end 8. In this way, the first open sleeve end 8 may be sealed shut by the at least one first interlocking piece 11 and the at least one second interlocking piece 12.
The odor-reducing lining 16 may be made specifically of materials capable of both absorbing odors and enabling flexibility of the surrounding material. To this end, the odor-reducing lining 16 may be made of a fabric retaining activated charcoal. This arrangement prevents smells from exiting the present invention undiluted.
Similarly, the odor-reducing sleeve 7 itself may benefit from the inclusion of materials capable of absorbing odors without restricting the physical properties of the surrounding material. To this end, the odor-reducing sleeve 7 may be made of a fabric retaining activated charcoal. In this way, odors are prevented from exiting the present invention undiluted.
The odor-reducing sleeve 7 must be capable of opening in order to accept new items for retention. To provide for this, the odor-reducing sleeve 7, the holding buckle 13, and the sealing fastener 10 may be arranged in an open configuration, as represented in FIG. 4. The open configuration is the arrangement of components which allows items to be added to the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 may be positioned offset from each other. In this way, the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 are separated, thereby not preventing the addition of items to the odor-reducing sleeve 7. Further, the at least one first interlocking piece 11 and the at least one second interlocking piece 12 may be positioned offset from each other. This arrangement positions the sealing fastener 10 in such a way as to allow objects to enter the odor-reducing sleeve 7.
It is also common for the user to wish to retain added items in a smell-proof storage environment. To allow this, the odor-reducing sleeve 7, the holding buckle 13, and the sealing fastener 10 may be arranged in a storage configuration, as represented in FIG. 2. The storage configuration prevents both items and un-neutralized odors from exiting the present invention. The at least one first interlocking piece 11 and the at least one second interlocking piece 12 may be engaged to each other. This arrangement provides a first intuitive line of defense against items exiting the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The odor-reducing sleeve 7 may be rolled about the first open sleeve end 8 towards the second open sleeve end 9. Rolling in this way generates an airtight seal, thus preventing items from exiting the odor-reducing sleeve 7. Further, the first buckle piece 14 and the second buckle piece 15 may be engaged to each other. Thus, the odor-reducing sleeve 7 is secured in the rolled arrangement, preventing items and smells from exiting the present invention.
In many cases, it may be advantageous for the odor-reducing sleeve 7 to be integrated into an existing bag or other such container. To this end, the second open sleeve end 9 may be hemmed onto the closed enclosure end 2. This arrangement allows the odor-reducing sleeve 7 to benefit from the physical protection of an existing external bag or support.
A user of the present invention may wish to separate different items based on use, smell, or a variety of other factors. To allow for this, the present invention may further comprise at least one ancillary compartment 17, as represented in FIG. 6. The at least one ancillary compartment 17 is an opening capable of retaining items. The at least one ancillary compartment 17 may be hemmed onto the exterior enclosure surface 5. In this way, the at least one ancillary compartment 17 may be available for storage of items adjacent to the odor-reducing sleeve 7. The at least one ancillary compartment 17 may be positioned in between the openable enclosure end 3 and the closed enclosure end 2. Thus, the at least one ancillary compartment 17 may be easily and intuitively accessible to a user of the present invention.
The user may wish for a convenient mechanism by which to grasp and manipulate the present invention. To this end, the present invention may further comprise a handle 18, as represented in FIG. 3. The handle 18 is a generally curved protrusion that allows users to hold and move the present invention at will. The handle 18 may be hemmed onto the exterior enclosure surface 5. This arrangement provides intuitive availability of the handle 18 for the user. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be optimal to retain items during transportation of the present invention. To allow for this, the handle 18 may be positioned adjacent to the openable enclosure end 3. Thus, retained items may be gravitationally pressed into the odor-reducing sleeve 7.
It may further be desirable for a user to transport the present invention upon the user's shoulders. To allow for this, the present invention may further comprise a pair of shoulder straps 19, as represented in FIG. 5. The pair of shoulder straps 19 is a set of preferably padded units that allow a user to conveniently shift the weight of the present invention and retained items onto the user's shoulders and back for convenience. Each of the pair of shoulder straps 19 may comprise a first shoulder strap end 20 and a second shoulder strap end 21. The first shoulder strap end 20 is the segment of the pair of shoulder straps 19 preferably near the openable enclosure end 3. The second shoulder strap end 21 is the segment of the pair of shoulder straps 19 preferably near the closed enclosure end 2. The pair of shoulder straps 19 may be positioned parallel and offset from each other. This arrangement allows space for the user's back during the preferred usage of the pair of shoulder straps 19. The first shoulder strap end 20 may be hemmed onto the exterior enclosure surface 5, adjacent to the openable enclosure end 3. In this way, the first shoulder strap end 20 must move in accordance with the exterior enclosure surface 5. Similarly, the second shoulder strap end 21 may be hemmed onto the exterior enclosure surface 5, adjacent to the closed enclosure end 2. In this way, the second shoulder strap end 21 must move in accordance with the exterior enclosure surface 5.
The holding buckle 13 must prevent undesirable unrolling of the present invention while the present invention is in the storage configuration. To enable this, the first buckle piece 14 may be a buckle clip, and the second buckle piece 15 may be a buckle holster, as represented in FIG. 1. This arrangement ensures secure connection of the first buckle piece 14 with the second buckle piece 15.
When closed, the sealing fastener 10 must be capable of preventing items from exiting the present invention, regardless of whether the odor-reducing sleeve 7 is rolled or not. To this end, the sealing fastener 10 may be a hook-and-loop fastener, wherein the at least one first interlocking piece 11 may be a hooks portion of the hook-and-loop fastener, and wherein the at least one second interlocking piece 12 may be a loops portion of the hook-and-loop fastener, as represented in FIG. 3. In this way, the at least one first interlocking piece 11 may secure to the at least one second interlocking piece 12 in an intuitively removable fashion.
The present invention may benefit from the addition of an intuitive opening and closing mechanism. To this end, the present invention may further comprise an aeratable fastener 22. The aeratable fastener 22 is preferably a standard zipper, which has been found to be less fragile than current water-proof or odor-proof zippers over extended use. The aeratable fastener 22 may be operatively integrated into the openable enclosure end 3, wherein the aeratable fastener 22 is used to selectively open or selectively close the openable enclosure end 3. Thus, the user may selectively toggle the open or closed status of the openable enclosure end 3.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20220125171
