RECEPTACLE FOR HOLDING OBJECTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a receptacle (10) for accommodation of objects, comprising a wall (12) made of a flexible material, said wall enclosing an inner space (14). The wall (12) has an opening (16) which is accessible by way of the inner space (14). The wall (12) can be inverted through the opening (16) between a first state and a second state. Fastened to the wall (12) is a textile surface structure (22), which in a first state is arranged outside the inner space (14), and in a second state is arranged inside the inner space (14).

Description

The present invention related to a receptacle for holding objects.

Such receptacles allow carrying with oneself numerous objects in a single receptacle. Receptacles of this kind are often implemented, among others, as carry bags or backpacks. In particular when carrying out a sporting activity or sunning on a beach, one generally brings along a hand towel that one stows in a receptacle. Usually the hand towel is taken out of the receptacle during the sporting activity or the stay at the beach and is put back into the receptacle after the sporting activity has been completed or when leaving the beach. In such cases there is always the risk of forgetting the hand towel. A further special case is a visit to a fitness center, where the visitor generally moves from one exercise machine to the next while carrying out various exercises; if the visitor want to take along both the hand towel and the receptacle, doing so will result in a loss of time. Transporting both the hand towel and the receptacle can be inconvenient and there is always the risk of forgetting the one other the other at one of the exercise stations.

The document DE 20 2006 007 357 U1 discloses a hand towel that can be folded along a fold edge and converted into a carry bag. This hand towel, however, can only be used to hold objects when it has been converted into the carry bag. When being used as a hand towel, which is essentially a flat object, it is incapable of holding any objects and thus offers no solution for the aforementioned problem.

Further hand towels are known from the documents DE 296 08 559 U1, DE 20 2007 005 922 U1, DE 20 2015 103 338 U1 and EP 0 694 267 A1, but neither do these hand towels offer any solution to the described problem. This is also true by analogy for blankets, mats and sleeping bags.

The objective of one embodiment of the present invention is to create a receptacle for holding objects that makes it possible to also use the receptacle as a hand towel using simple and inexpensive means without the need to remove objects contained in the receptacle.

This objective is achieved by the features disclosed in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

One embodiment of the invention refers to a receptacle for holding objects that

• • comprises a walling made of a flexible material, the walling encompassing an inner chamber, wherein
  • the walling has an opening through which the inner chamber can be accessed,
  • the walling can be turned inside out through the opening from a first state into a second state,
  • a textile fabric is attached to the walling which
  • is outside of the inner chamber in the first state and
  • is inside of the inner chamber in the second state.

The receptacle encompasses an inner chamber that is accessible through the opening. Objects can be carried in this inner chamber. The textile fabric is disposed outside of the inner chamber in a first state and can be used, for example, as a hand towel, a mat or a blanket. The textile fabric may exhibit, for example, absorbent qualities, may be waterproof, stain and/or abrasion resistant and/or padded.

By turning it inside out, the receptacle can be converted into the second state. It is turned inside out by moving the flexible material and the textile fabric through the opening from the inside to the outside. As a result of this the textile fabric is disposed in the inner chamber in the second state and is encompassed by the walling. In the second state the receptacle is used to carry objects and not as a hand towel, blanket or mat. The walling can be designed to be particularly suitable for transport. Thus the walling may be stain resistant and waterproof and/or abrasion resistant in order to protect the textile fabric from environmental influences in the second state. Further it may have a pleasing design that is openly apparent in the second state.

In accordance with a further embodiment the textile fabric is attached to the walling such that an intermediate space is created between the walling and the textile fabric. In this embodiment, for example, the textile fabric can be attached to the walling along a U-shaped attachment line, giving the intermediate space a hood-like form. In the first state, the receptacle can be slipped over an object such as a exercise machine in order to prevent the receptacle from falling to the ground.

Characteristic of a further embodiment is that

• • the walling has a first surface and a second surface,
  • the first surface faces away from the inner chamber in the first state and faces the inner chamber in the second state, and
  • the textile fabric is attached to the first surface.

In this embodiment the textile fabric is attached over a large area of the first surface and without creating an intermediate space. With the receptacle in accordance with this suggestion, the surfaces can be optimally adapted to the respective usage. Thus the first surface can be implemented to be used as either a hand towel or a blanket while the second surface can be implemented to protect the receptacle from environmental influences.

In a further embodiment the opening can be opened and closed by means of a first closing device. The first closing device may be implemented, for example, as a zipper or Velcro fastener, or it may comprise numerous buttons. The inner chamber can be closed using the first closing device in order to prevent, on the one hand, the textile fabric from slipping out of the inner chamber and, on the other hand, to prevent objects from falling out of the inner chamber. Furthermore, the receptacle is more suitable for use as a hand towel when the closing device is closed, as this helps to avoid the risk of the user becoming entangled in the opening.

In accordance with a further embodiment the textile fabric is made of an absorbent textile cloth. This allows for the absorption of water, which is of particular advantage when the receptacle is to be used as a hand towel in the first state. An uncontrolled accumulation of moisture, in particular in the inner chamber, is prevented.

In a further developed embodiment, one or more anti-slip areas possessing slip-reducing qualities may be disposed on the textile fabric. In particular when the receptacle is intended for use as a hand towel during a sporting activity, it may be hung over a exercise machine or placed on the floor as for padding or as a mat, in particular when carrying out floor exercises. With this embodiment the receptacle can be prevented from slipping off the exercise machine or from unintentionally sliding on the floor.

In a further developed embodiment, numerous pockets for holding objects can be arranged on the walling. As mentioned, objects can be put into the inner chamber. When the receptacle is turned inside out from the first state to the second state, however, the objects are moved to the outside and are no longer encompassed in the receptacle. As a result, the objects must be placed back into the inner chamber after the receptacle had been converted from the first to the second state. In this embodiment, pockets are arranged on the walling into which the objects can be inserted both in the first state and in the second state. The pockets are similar to the outer pockets found on backpacks and carry bags.

Thus it is not necessary to once again put the objects into the inner chamber when the receptacle is converted from one state to the other. Keeping the objects in pockets also makes it possible to limit the displacement of the objects on the inside of the receptacle, making it easier to find each individual object. Further, the pockets can be arranged such that the objects are not damaged or cause annoyance when the receptacle is used as a hand towel, a blanket, a mat or a sleeping bag.

In a further embodiment, the pockets can be opened and closed by means of a second closing device. This second closing device may also be implemented as a zipper, a Velcro fastener or using buttons. When the pockets are closed using the second closing device the objects are prevented from uncontrollably falling out of the pockets. This feature is particularly advantageous when the receptacle is converted from the one state into the other.

A further embodiment has the distinguishing feature that one or more attachment flaps for securing objects are disposed on the walling and/or in at least one of the pockets. With this embodiment, for example, keys can be hung onto the attachment flaps, for example, by means of a snap hook. A shoulder cord can also be attached to the attachment flap, for example, by means of a snap hook. This allows the receptacle to be comfortably carried using the shoulder cord when it is used to transport objects. The shoulder cord may also be implemented as an expander cord and may thus be used for stretching exercises when warming up before sport. When the receptacle is being used as a hand towel, the shoulder cord is in the inner chamber and causes no annoyance.

In accordance with a further embodiment, at least one of the pockets is implemented as a cell phone pocket for holding a mobile telephone. Mobile telephones are being equipped with an increasing number of functions and are therefore almost continuously carried with a person. This embodiment provides a cell phone pocket, making it possible to comfortably carry the mobile telephone in a fitness center or at the beach.

A further embodiment features a cell phone pocket that has a mesh fabric, making it possible to operate the mobile telephone while it is in the cell phone pocket. The mesh fabric can be made, for example, transparent, so that the display of the mobile telephone is visible when the mobile telephone is in the cell phone pocket. The mesh fabric can be designed to enable the user to operate the touch display despite the mesh fabric being arranged between the display and the user's fingers. Thus the mobile telephone can still be operated without removing it from the receptacle. This embodiment is particularly suited for the use of wireless headphones, which may also be worn when carrying out a sporting activity. Operating a music replay application installed in the mobile telephone is thus easily possible.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the receptacle comprises numerous attachment sections for attaching the receptacle to a neighboring object. Attachment sections may be implemented, for example, as loops.

In particular in a fitness center it may be desirable to hang the receptacle on to an exercise machine, which is made possible by the attachment sections. Placing the receptacle on the floor, which is often dirty, is thus no longer needed.

In a further embodiment, the attachment section may include one or more magnets. Most of the exercise machines used today in fitness centers have one or more magnetic parts, allowing the receptacle to be freely attached to the exercise machines in a desired position. Attaching and removing the receptacle is very easy.

In accordance with a further developed embodiment, a carrier strap is attached to the walling. The carrier strap allows the user to easily grab and transport the receptacle.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached figures. These show:

FIG. 1A is a basic view from above of a first embodiment of the receptacle in accordance with the invention in a first state.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1A along the sectional plane defined in FIG. 1A as A-A.

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1A along the sectional plane defined in FIG. 1A as A-A in a second state.

FIG. 1D is a basic view from above of the receptacle illustrated in FIG. 1A, which is in a second state.

FIG. 2A is a basic view from above of a second embodiment of the receptacle in accordance with the invention, which is in a second state.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A along the sectional plane defined in FIG. 2A as B-B.

FIG. 2C is a basic view from above of the second embodiment of the receptacle in accordance with the invention, which is in a second state.

FIG. 2D is a sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C along the sectional plane defined in FIG. 2C as C-C.

In FIG. 1A a first embodiment of the receptacle 10₁ in accordance with the invention is shown in a basic view from above and in FIG. 1B it is shown along the sectional plane designated in FIG. 1A as A-A. As is particularly evident from FIG. 1B, the receptacle 10₁ has a walling 12 made of a flexible material, for example, a textile fabric. The walling 12 encompasses an inner chamber 14, which is accessible through an opening 16 in the walling 12. The opening 16 can be opened and closed with a first closing device 19, which is implemented as a first zipper 17 in the first embodiment 10₁. The walling comprises a first surface 18 and a second surface 20. A textile fabric 22, for example, an absorbent textile cloth 24, is attached over a large area of the first surface 18, without forming an intermediate space.

In the embodiment shown here, the receptacle 10₁ includes two attachment sections 26, each of which has a magnet. In addition, two anti-slip sections 30 are disposed on the textile fabric 22 and may be implemented here as a silicone print.

The receptacle 10₁ further comprises a total of three pockets 32 that are arranged on the second surface 20 and which can be opened and closed with a second closing device 33. The second closing device 33 is implemented in the first embodiment as a second zipper 34. One of the pockets 32, in this case the middle pocket 32, is implemented as a cell phone pocket 36 that is dimensioned to accommodate the most commonly sold mobile phones. One of the remaining pockets 32 has an attachment flap 38 on which, in the embodiment illustrated here, a key ring 39 is attached, thus enabling a key to be attached on the inside of this pocket 32.

Further, a shoulder strap 40 is provided on the second surface 20, allowing the receptacle 10₁ to be easily carried.

In the FIGS. 1A and 1B the receptacle 10₁ is shown in a first state in which the first surface 18 faces away from the inner chamber 14 and the second surface 20 faces the inner chamber 14. In the FIGS. 1C and 1D the receptacle 10₁ is shown in a second state in which the first surface 18 faces the inner chamber 14 and the second surface 20 faces away from the inner chamber 14.

The receptacle 10₁ can be used in the following manner: If the user of the receptacle 10₁ wants to go to the beach or fitness center, they convert the receptacle 10₁ into the second state (FIGS. 1C and 1D), provided it is not yet already in the second state. In the second state, the second zipper 34 and the pockets 32 are accessible, so that the user, for example, can put their cell phone into the mobile phone pocket 36 and can attach one or more keys to the attachment flap 38 or the key ring 39. Afterwards the user closes the pockets 32 with the second zipper 34. In the second state, the shoulder strap 40 is accessible, allowing the user to easily grab the receptacle 10₁ and hang it over their shoulder in order to transport the receptacle 10₁, together with the objects located in the pockets 32, to the desired destination.

After having warmed up and being now ready to carry out more strenuous exercises, the user turns the receptacle 10₁ inside out into the first state (FIGS. 1A and 1B). If they have not already done so, the user opens the opening 16 by moving a slider 42 of the first zipper 17. They then turn the receptacle10₁ inside out by moving the walling 12 through the opening 16 from the inside to the outside. Afterwards they once again close the opening 16 with a corresponding movement of the slider 42 of the first zipper 17.

In the first state the first surface 18 faces away from the inner chamber 14. As previously mentioned, if the textile fabric 22, for example, an absorbent textile cloth 24, is attached to the first surface 18, the user may use the receptacle 10₁ as a hand towel.

Due to being turned inside out, the pockets 32 and, consequently, the objects located in them, are now in the inner chamber 14 and can thus cause no annoyance when the receptacle 10₁ is to be used as a hand towel.

The receptacle 10₁ can be attached to the exercise machines by means of the attachment sections 26. Most of the exercise machines used today in fitness centers have one or more magnetic parts, allowing the receptacle 10₁ to be freely attached to the exercise machines in a desired position using the magnets 28. It is not necessary to put it onto the floor. The anti-slip section 30 also prevents the receptacle 10₁ from slipping off the exercise machines. When the receptacle is to be placed on the floor like a gym mat in order to carry out floor exercises, the anti-slip section 30 prevents the receptacle 10₁ from unintentionally sliding on the floor.

Here it should be pointed out that the cell phone pocket 36 is designed to allow the mobile telephone to be operated in the first state of the receptacle 10₁. For example, the cell phone pocket 36 comprises a mesh fabric 46, due to which the display is visible. Further, the mesh fabric 46 is implemented such that the mobile telephone can still be operated via a touch screen despite the mesh fabric disposed between the display and the user's fingers.

When the visit to the beach or fitness center is over, the user once again opens the opening 16 by moving the slider 42 of the zipper 17 in order to convert the receptacle 10₁ into the second state. Using the shoulder strap 40, the user can carry the receptacle 10₁ home or into the changing room.

The pockets 32 and the second zipper 34 are now accessible, allowing the user to take the objects stored there out of the pockets 32. The opening 16 can then once again be closed with the zipper 17 which, however, is not necessarily needed.

Various illustrations of a second embodiment in accordance with the invention in the first state and in the second state are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D. Analogous components are designated with the same reference signs as in the first embodiment of the receptacle 10₁. In addition, only the differences are discussed in the following.

In accordance with the second embodiment of the receptacle 10₁, the textile fabric is not attached to the first surface 18, but rather directly to the walling along an approximately U-shaped attachment line, forming an intermediate space. In the first state the textile fabric 22 extends significantly over the walling 12, as is readily visible in FIG. 2A. In the first state the textile fabric 22 is located outside of the inner chamber 14, which can be seen in FIG. 2B. The intermediate space 44, as is particularly easy to recognize in FIG. 2B, in implemented in a hood-like form, allowing the receptacle in accordance with the second embodiment, for example, to be hung over an exercise machine and held in place when in the first state.

In order to convert the receptacle 10₁ to the second state, the textile fabric 22 is folded into a surface area that approximately corresponds to that of the walling 12. If it is not already open, the first opening 16 is opened using the first closing device 19 and the folded fabric 22 is fed through the opening 16, turning the walling 12 inside out.

As can be particularly easily seen in FIG. 2D, the textile fabric 22 is now located in the inner chamber 14 of the walling. the opening 16 can now be closed by means of the closing device 19.

In the second embodiment of the receptacle 10₁ the first closing device 19 and the second closing device 33 extend parallel to each other. In other that the pockets 32 remain accessible in both states, the first closing device 19 and the second closing device 33 are disposed as close to each other as possible. In FIGS. 2A and 2C, the first closing device 19 and the second closing device 33 are, due to illustration requirements, depicted as spaced apart in order to distinguish between the two.

Here it should once again be pointed out that both the walling 12, as well as the textile fabric 22, are made of a flexible material such as synthetic fibers or natural fibers. The forms of the walling 12 and of the textile fabric 22 are thus only schematically illustrated and should not be thought of as being rigid.

As can be seen in FIG. 2C, the attachment sections 26 are implemented as hoops, into which, for example, an expander cord (not shown) can be hooked. Thus in a fitness center, for example, the user can carry out a few stretching exercises with the expander cord to warm up and can hang the receptacle 10₁ over the shoulder for transport, keeping their hands free.

REFERENCE SIGNS

• 10, 10₁, 10₂ receptacle
• 12 walling
• 14 inner chamber
• 16 opening
• 17 first zipper
• 18 first surface
• 19 first closing device
• 20 second surface
• 22 textile fabric
• 24 absorbent fabric
• 26 attachment section
• 28 magnet
• 30 anti-slip region
• 32 pocket
• 33 second zipper
• 38 cell phone pocket
• 39 attachment flap
• 40 key ring
• 42 shoulder strap
• 42 slider
• 45 intermediate space
• 46 mesh fabric

Claims

1. Receptacle (10) for holding objects which comprises a walling (12) made of a flexible material, wherein the walling (12) encompasses an inner chamber (14), whereinthe walling (12) has an opening (16) through which the inner chamber (14) is accessible,the walling (12) can be turned inside out through the opening (16) from a first state into a second state,a textile fabric (22) is attached to the walling (12) whichin outside of the inner chamber (14) in a first state andis disposed inside of the inner chamber (14) in the second state.

2. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the textile fabric (22) is arranged on the walling (12) such that anintermediate space (44) between the walling (12) and the textile fabric (22).

3. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the walling (12) comprises a first surface (18) and a second surface (20),the first surface (18) faces away from the inner chamber (14) in a first state and faces the inner chamber (14) in a second state,the second surface (20) faces the inner chamber (14) in the first state and faces away from the inner chamber (14) in the second state, andthe textile fabric (22) is attached to the first surface (18).

4. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the opening (16) can be opened and closed by means of a first closing device (19).

5. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the textile fabric (22) is implemented as an absorbent textile cloth (24).

6. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that one or more anti-slip regions (30) with slip-reducing qualities are disposed on the textile fabric (22).

7. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that numerous pockets (32) for carrying objects are arranged on the walling (12).

8. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the pockets (32) can be opened and closed by means of a closing device (33).

9. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that an attachment flap (38) for attaching objects is disposed on the walling (12) and/or in at least one of the pockets (32).

10. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the pockets (32) is implemented as a cell phone pocket (36) for holding a mobile telephone.

11. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the cell phone pocket (36) comprises a mesh fabric the allows the mobile telephone to be operated.

12. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (10) has numerous attachment sections (26) for attaching the receptacle (10) to locally disposed objects.

13. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the attachment sections (26) include one or more magnets (28).

14. Receptacle (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that a shoulder strap (40) is attached to the walling (12).