Patent Grant
8109672
1. Field of the Invention
Our invention relates to a pouch, and a corresponding system of pouches that can be connected together. More specifically, our invention relates to pouches that include male connectors and female connectors, wherein the male connectors and female connectors are configured to snap-fit together to connect the pouches.
2. Related Art
Nowadays, an increasing number of tasks must be completed at both home and work. The head or heads of a household are now faced with chores such as managing schedules, planning meals, and tracking active projects, all of which must be completed within a limited amount of time. Meanwhile, at work, many of these same heads of households are responsible for completing numerous tasks. Careful planning and organization are therefore required to ensure that everything is completed, and that things are not lost in the shuffle.
A variety of products are made with the goal of aiding day-to-day organization, particularly in the area of containing and grouping items. In general, there are two types of such organizational tools available to consumers: general receptacles meant to hold anything put in them, and specific tools that prescribe a solution to a narrowly defined set of materials or activities. These tools include folders, pockets, envelopes, securing systems such as binders, labels, label makers, etc. While many of these organizational tools are helpful for managing one type of item, a multi-purpose functionality is often lacking in these devices. For example, a conventional folder is designed to securely hold papers. The conventional folder, however, cannot be connected with another folder, absent a separate structure such as a binder or drawer-type filing system. Moreover, the conventional folder is not readily adaptable to hold items other than paper, and is often made from opaque materials that obscure its contents. Further, while multi-folder accessories, such as a binder, a filing cabinet, or a file folder are able to contain multiple files, there is no ability to quickly, easily, and effectively separate a particular folder of interest from such accessories, nor the ability to quickly, easily, and effectively create new folder combinations from multiple folder sets with such accessories.
Thus, there is a need for organizational tools that are easily associated with similar organizational tools. In particular, there is a need for organizational tools that can contain diverse items, with the contents of the tools being easily discernable.
The present invention is directed to a pouch and a system of pouches that can be used to contain a variety of items.
In one aspect, our invention is directed to a pouch that includes a first panel, and a second panel associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, with the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, with the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The male connector is configured to snap-fit with another female connector that has the same configuration as the female connector, and the female connector is configured to receive by snap-fit another male connector that has the same configuration as the male connector.
In another aspect, our invention is directed to a pouch that comprises a first panel, and a second panel associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. A connection structure is provided adjacent to the first and second panels. The connection structure includes a first part provided on the same side of the pouch as the first panel, and a second part provided on the same side of the pouch as the second panel. The first part is configured to couple to, with a releasable connection, a second part of another connection structure having the same configuration as the second part of the connection structure. The second part is configured to couple to, with a releasable connection, a first part of another connection structure having the same configuration as the first part of the connection structure.
In yet another aspect, our invention is directed to a system of pouches that include a first pouch with a first panel, and a second panel that is associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The first pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure of the first pouch also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The system of pouches further comprises a second pouch with a first panel, and a second panel that is associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The second pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure of the second pouch also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The male connector on the first pouch is configured to snap-fit with the female connector on the second pouch, and the male connector of the second pouch is configured to snap-fit with the female connector on the first pouch.
The present invention is directed to a pouch with a connection structure. The connection structure includes a male connector and a female connector that allow the pouch to be connected to another pouch with corresponding male and female connectors. The connection structures of the pouches are also configured to allow the pouches to pivot relative to each other such that the connected pouches can be displayed in a fan-like arrangement.
As will be apparent from the description herein, the term “pouch” encompasses a broad range of structures designed to contain items, such as envelopes bags, packets, and the like.
As will be described below, a pouch according to the invention includes a female connector and a male connector. A “female connector,” as used herein, means a connection structure that receives another connection structure. A “male connector,” as used herein, means a connection structure that is provided to another connection structure. Notably, a single connection structure could include both a female connector and a male connector, and the male and female parts could be positioned in any manner relative to each other in the connection structure.
A pouch according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in
The pouch also includes a flap 70 extending from the second panel 20. The flap 70 is movable between an extended position wherein the opening 60 to the enclosed space is accessible, and a folded position wherein the flap 30 is positioned adjacent to the first panel 10. In the folded position, the flap 30 closes the opening 60 to the enclosed space of the pouch. In an alternative configuration (not shown), the flap extends from the first panel and is folded adjacent to the second panel.
The flap 70 includes attachment structures 52 that are positioned to corresponding attachment structures 54 on the first panel 10 when the flap 70 is in the folded position. The attachment structures 52 and 54 provide a connection between the flap 70 and the first panel 10. In one embodiment, the attachment structures 52 and 54 are a hook and loop combination, such as VELCRO® by Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H. It should be noted that while the depicted pouch includes two attachment structures, one pair of attachment structures, or more than two pairs of attachment structures could be provided. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize that the attachment structures 50 and 55 could take a variety of forms equivalent to a hook and loop combination, such as buttons, zippers, or adhesive structures. Specific examples of other attachment structures are the resealable structures used in ZIPLOC® storage bags by S.C. Johnson & Inc. of Racine, Wis.
As shown in
The attachment structures 54 provided on the first panel 10 of the pouch may be sized so to accommodate the expandable nature of the pouch. For example, as shown in
The first and second panels 10 and 20, side walls 30 and 40, and the flap 70 may be constructed from materials such as paper, plastic, plastic coated paper, cloth, leather, and wood. In more particular embodiments, the pouch is formed from a thermal plastic such as polyethylene. Alternatively, the pouch may be formed from other types of plastic that are made from renewable resources or are biodegradable, such as bioplastics. Examples of bioplastics include those made from bioployesters polymers such as polyhyroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Further examples of plastics which may come from renewable resources include those that may be originated from sugarcane. Further still, the plastic or paper material forming the pouch may also include a certain amount of recycled content.
A plastic used to form the pouch may be substantially transparent so that the contents of the pouch can be seen without opening the pouch. While still being transparent, the plastic can be tinted to provided one or more colors to the pouch. In alternative embodiments, however, the plastic forming the pouch is made opaque or have an appropriate pattern printed thereon in order to conceal the contents of the pouch. Such pouches may be used to contain confidential items. Techniques for varying the transparency or color of a plastic pouch will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In one nonlimiting embodiment, a pouch may have one transparent face and an opposing opaque face. It is thought that by providing such a configuration, the user may be able to easily discern the contents of one pouch from another because, while all the pouches may be visible when the group is fanned out (which is described in greater detail below) the opacity of one side will prevent items from one pouch to appear as though they are in another pouch.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, the pouch is formed from a blown tubular sheet of polyethylene film with a thickness in the range of 2 to 8 mils. The tubular sheet is either initially formed with two gusset structures running the length of the film, or the gusset structures are created in the tubular film through a separate process step. The gusset structures become the side walls 30 and 40 between the panels 10 and 20 in the pouch. The flap 70 is formed by die cutting one end of the tubular sheet. The other end of the tubular sheet is joined together, forming the side 50 of the pouch. There are a variety of techniques known in the art for joining the end of the plastic sheet, such as heat sealing, mechanical welding, or using adhesives.
It should also be noted that while the pouch is formed from a singular sheet of tubular film in the specific embodiment described above, in alternative embodiments, the pouch can be formed from multiple sheets of material. For example, the panels 10 and 20, side walls 30 and 40, and flap 50 could all be formed from separate sheets of plastic material that are joined together to form the final pouch product.
As shown in
The connection structure 80 can be made from a variety of materials using a variety of techniques. In one specific example, the connection structure 80 is plastic and formed by injection molding. It should also be noted, however, that while the depicted connection structure 80 is a one-piece integral structure, the female connector 84 and male connector 82 that make up the connection structure 80 could alternatively be separate structures that are not integral to each other. The pouch could also include a plurality of connection structures 80, in order to allow for additional pouches to be connected to the pouch at different places. (The connection of pouches will be described below.) Moreover, the connection structure 80 could be placed at different positions on the pouch, such as in the area 90 adjacent to the side wall 30. The sides from which the female connector 82 and male connector 84 extend could also be reversed, such that the male connector 84 is positioned adjacent to the first panel 10 side of the pouch, and the female connector 82 is positioned adjacent to the second panel 20 side of the pouch. It should also be noted that while the female connector 82 and the male connector 84 in the depicted embodiment have a generally circular shape, the connectors 82 and 84 could take a variety of other, non-circular, shapes, but still possess the functionality described herein. As one example, the female connector and the male connector could take the form of a ball and socket-type connection.
While the connection structure 80 in the depicted embodiment consists of a female connector structure and a male connector structure, those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of other configurations are possible that still achieve the female and male functionality. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the connection structure attached to the pouch could consist of one of a female connector or a male connector. In this embodiment, a detachable structure is provided to the connection structure attached to the pouch in order to provide the other of the female and male connector. In yet another alternative embodiment, the connection structure on the pouch could include finger-like structures that initially do not specifically define the female and male connection structures. In this embodiment, when a male connector structure is inserted into the connection structure with the finger-like structures, some of the fingers accept the male connection structure, i.e., act as the female connector. At the same time, others of the fingers are moved to a position forming a male connection structure for the pouch.
As will be explained more fully below, the connection structure 80 is configured to allow a plurality of pouches to be connected together. To facilitate such a system of connected pouches, the female connector 82 is configured to receive with a snap-fit another male connector that has the same configuration as the male connector 84. Similarly, the male connector 84 is configured to snap-fit in another female connector that has the same configuration as the female connector 82. With this connector structure configuration, a universal connection system is provided for the system of pouches whereby any one pouch can be connected to either side of another corresponding pouch.
The connector 80 is provided in an area 90 adjacent to the end wall 50 in which the first panel 10 and the second panel 20 are connected together. As noted above, in embodiments of the invention where the paneling of the pouch is formed from plastic, the first and second panels 10 and 20 are connected together through techniques such as heat sealing or mechanical welding. Such techniques stiffen the area 90, which in turn provides a more secure platform for mounting the connector 80 to the pouch.
As shown in
As discussed above, the panels 10 and 20 of the pouch can be made from substantially transparent plastics. As such, the backing panel 25 will be visible through the panels 10 and 20. The backing panel 25 can be provided in different colors, which in turn may impart different colors to the pouch.
In the embodiment shown in
The connected pouches 1000, 2000, and 3000 can pivot relative to each other about the connection structures.
As described above, a passage is formed through the connection structures of pouches according to the invention. When a system of pouches is connected together using the connection structures as shown in
In the embodiment depicted in
A pouch 5000 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown in
A pouch structure 6000 according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in
As shown in
As will be apparent from the foregoing description, a pouch according to the invention many come in a variety of alternative configurations with different combinations of features. For example, a pouch according to the invention can be provided with two pairs of male and female connectors, with one pair of male and female connectors provided at one corner of the couch, and the other pair of male and female connectors provided at another corner of the pouch. Such an embodiment can be used, for example, to create a chain of connected pouches, or, as another example, to attach accessories that allow the pouch to be hung in a filing cabinet. As another alternative embodiment, a plurality of pouches could be attached to a common backing panel.
The pouch and system of pouches described herein have a multitude of applications, and are particularly useful in organizing items. The pouches can be used to contain numerous items, such as pens and markers, photos, coupons, bills, flash drives, cables, optical disks, business cards, etc. Moreover, the ability of the pouches to be connected together, in turn, allows for grouping of different items together. Accessories associated with the system of pouches further increase the functionality of the invention, for example, by allowing the pouches to be hung in convenient places.
To understand some of the advantages of the present invention, consider life in a modern household. The head(s) of the household often has multiple responsibilities, such as taking care of children, paying bills, updating calendars, managing family records, shopping for food and other necessities, and performing other day-to-day errands. In order to take care of all of these responsibilities, the head of a household must handle a variety of papers, such as coupons, bills, school reports, stamps, etc. The household head may also have access to several other types of small items, for example, optical disks, flash drives, specialized writing instruments such as colored pencils, batteries, etc. The end result is that papers and other items pile up, be it on tables, on counters, in drawers, or in other locations around the house. Thus, keeping related materials together for a specific activity can be very challenging for the head of a household. Multiply that by all the different activities that need to be accomplished, and the challenge might be overwhelming.
Along these lines, consider a hypothetical head of a household who has numerous responsibilities, and is constantly on the go to manage activities stemming from the responsibilities. One task for the hypothetical head of the household might be to buy groceries at the supermarket. In a rush to get to the supermarket before picking children up from school, the head of the household may think to take along coupons recently clipped from the newspaper. The supermarket coupons, however, may be buried in a pile, underneath coupons for other stores. Further, the supermarket coupons might be buried underneath other items. Thus, while the head of the household may remember the supermarket coupons, in the pinch to get to the store, she or he may not have time to find the coupons.
Previously, there were a limited number of organizational tools available to the head of a household to aid with the organization of smaller-sized items, such as coupons. Moreover, the prior art organizational tools that are available, such as standard file folders, are often optimized for standard paper sizes, and are narrowly prescriptive as to where and how they can be used. Other tools, such as larger storage envelopes, are general catch-alls that are hard to search through, and often conceal the items that they contain. With respect to the hypothetical described above, the prior art organization tools might be of little aid to the head of the household in storing and locating the supermarket coupons. For example, while the supermarket coupons could be stored in a file folder, that file folder will most likely conceal the coupons within its structure, and further, the file folder itself may be obscured when stored with other file folders.
On the other hand, the present invention provides a convenient system for storing, grouping, and locating items. As described above, the connectors on pouches according to the invention allow multiple pouches to be grouped together. Further, as also described above, the pouches according to the invention can be made at least partially transparent, and connected pouches positioned relative to each other for easy determination of their contents. Thus, the contents of pouches can be quickly located.
Returning to the hypothetical, the supermarket coupons could be stored in a pouch according to the invention. The pouch, in turn could be connected with pouches containing other coupons, and, with the holder described above, hung in a convenient place. With at least part of the pouch being made transparent, and with an arrangement of the connected pouches, the head of the household can quickly find the pouch that contains the supermarket coupons. Moreover, if desired, the pouch containing the supermarket coupons could be removed from the group, and the head of the household can use the pouch to carry the coupons on the way to the supermarket.
Of course, while the foregoing provides examples of the utility and convenience of the present invention, particularly in the context of home administration, the present invention has many other uses in other contexts and other places, such as in an office or other business. Along these lines, although this invention has been described in certain specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing description.
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/156,065, filed Jun. 8, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/489,145, filed May 23, 2011.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Child | 13185347 | US |
