SIDE ENTRY POD STUFF SACK

Abstract

A stuff sack is provided the stuff sack having: first and second opposing panels, each panel having two first corners and two second corners, the first corners having greater radii than the second corners, such that a first side of each the opposing panel between one first corner and one second corner is shorter than a second side disposed between two first corners and a third side disposed between two second corners; an edge panel, the edge panel being disposed between and joined at a joint to the first and second opposing panels along at least three sides of the first and second panels; and a folding closure disposed on the first side of the first and second opposing panels, configured such that the folding closure is waterproof when closed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a backpack organizer, and more particularly, to waterproof backpack organizers having a single, side opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disordered contents of a backpack can result in frustration and inefficient use of limited space. Containment devices for backpacking, also known as “stuff sacks”, are typically cylinder shaped which is at odds with the internal shaping of a backpack, which is typically d-shaped (when viewed from the top of a bag as a cross section).

Weight balance, tightness of gear fix inside the backpack, and backpack shape uniformity are key to creating a gear carry system that does not put an extreme physical burden on the user. Organizing gear correctly within a backpack is key to making this a positive experience.

Until now, when a person organized gear within their backpack, they would separate items into multiple stuff sacks for easier access and organization. When the stuff sacks were inserted into the main compartment of the backpack, the stuff sack would be turned sideways and stacked vertically, stacked horizontally next to each other, or some combination of the two. This operation would lead to large voids being created in-between the stuff sacks due to the defined dimension of the stuff sacks cylinder.

These voids let contents easily shift inside the backpack when carried. The results of this are a very unbalanced and unsafe situation for the user.

Cylindrical shapes result in lacunae between sacks and bulky areas of sacking material when compressed to fit. Often these sacks lack water resistance and other attributes necessary for outdoors.

Due to the variety of stuff sack shapes that a typical hiker uses, organizing stuff sacks within a backpack is a difficult and time-consuming process. Mass/weight placement is critical to balance, safety and health when hiking. Uniformity in organizing shape to maximize the internal space of a backpack along with the ability to easily reposition weight when conditions merit, would be a safer option for the user.

What is needed, therefore, are techniques for orderly, light weight, and efficient packing of backpacks.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention provides a stuff sack, the stuff sack comprising: First and second opposing panels, each panel having two first corners and two second corners, the first corners having greater radii than the second corners, such that a first side of each the opposing panel between one first corner and one second corner is shorter than a second side disposed between two first corners and a third side disposed between two second corners; An edge panel, the edge panel being disposed between and joined at a joint to the first and second opposing panels along at least three sides of the first and second panels; and a folding closure disposed on the first side of the first and second opposing panels, configured such that the folding closure is waterproof when closed.

A further embodiment may provide first and second opposing panels and edge panel being configured from waterproof material such as a non-woven laminate.

Another embodiment provides such as stuff sack wherein radii of the first corners are configured to correspond to the interior radii of a front of a backpack and or the second corners may be configured to correspond to the interior radii of a back of a backpack.

A still further embodiment may provide such a stuff sack having a joint that is taped or otherwise waterproof.

One embodiment provides fabric container, wherein the fabric container comprises an elongate sack, the elongate sack having a rectilinear cross section along a shorter axis; a sealable aperture disposed on a shorter end of the elongate sack.

A further embodiment may provide such a fabric container wherein the elongate sack is configured to be disposed within a backpack.

Another embodiment may provide such a fabric container wherein at least one sidewall of the container is curved.

A still further embodiment may provide such a fabric container wherein the curved sidewall corresponds to the curvature of the interior of a backpack.

Yet another embodiment may provide such a fabric container wherein the sealable aperture comprises a foldable water resistant closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a closed side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an open side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and showing the opening end.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention showing its closed end.

FIG. 5 is a top view photograph of a side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view photograph of a side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view photograph of a side entry packing organizer configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 a Side Entry POD (shortened to SEP hereafter) is provided which, according to embodiments is patterned after this cross-sectional view of a backpack's interior so it can maximize all the space within the backpack.

The SEP configured according to embodiments gives the user the unique ability to quickly reposition weight inside a backpack, creating a carry system that can be customized for the terrain it is being carried across. Weight can be repositioned easily within the organization stack by moving one SEP above or below another to enhance the users balance.

The SEP configured according to embodiments is constructed from multiple panels of light weight material, joined together by stitching and then taping critical seams for weather-proofness, to form a 3D structure with an opening at the side. One skilled in the art would recognize that other joining techniques, including but not limited to ultrasonic or thermal welding, chemical adhesives may also be used provided the construction is impermeable to water and allows for flexibility, durability, and resiliency. One skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of fabrics may be used including but not limited to traditional materials, composite materials, textiles, coated textiles, and films.

The opening, according to embodiments, uses a roll-type closure application where two sides of the opening orifice are placed together and then rolled in a consistent fashion 3 times to create a seal. The outer ends of the rolled edge are then joined to each other with a connecting device which prevents the rolled material from un-rolling.

The opening's placement at the side offers two solutions for the user:

• • It maintains the d-shape profile for an ideal fit into a backpack
  • It limits the diameter of the SEP's opening which makes inserting soft items easier by reducing the chance for contents escaping when pressure is applied.

This roll-type closure allows the SEP when thus configured to hold its contents in a condensed state with a certain level of waterproofness, which is unique.

A material fold at the end opposite of the opening assists in extracting contents by giving the user a place to grasp and pull the SEP in the opposite direction while pulling contents out, in the other direction. This detail is unique in that the fold point is constructed in a fashion with a sealing bond that makes the fold waterproof.

While this design was conceived for use with a highly compressible sleeping bag, it is also very useful for containing other soft, compressible goods such as clothing and down jackets.

One embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, provides a stuff sack 10. The stuff sack 10 has first and second opposing panels 12, 14, each panel having two first corners 16 and two second corners 18, the first corners 16 having greater radii than the second corners 18, such that a first side 20 of each opposing panel 12,14 between one first corner and one second corner is shorter than a second side 22 disposed between two first corners 16 and a third side 24 disposed between two second corners 18. The sack also is provided with an edge panel 26, the edge panel 26 being disposed between and joined at a joint 28 to the first and second opposing panels 12,14 along at least three sides 20, 22, 24 of the first and second panels. A folding closure 30 disposed on the first side of the first and second opposing panels, configured such that the folding closure is waterproof when closed.

Embodiments provide such a stuff sack wherein the first and second opposing panels 12,14 and edge panel 26 are configured from waterproof material such as a non-woven laminate. Such a stuff sack may have first corners 16 configured to correspond to the interior radii of a front of a backpack and radii of the second corners 18 configured to correspond to the interior radii of a back of a backpack. The joint 28 may be sewn and or taped, and in some embodiments is waterproof.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a fabric container 10, the fabric container forming an elongate sack, the elongate sack having a rectilinear cross section along a shorter axis A and a sealable aperture 30 disposed on a shorter end of the elongate sack. The elongate sack of such embodiment is configured to be disposed within a backpack and is provided, in some with embodiment, at least one sidewall 26 of the container is curved such that it corresponds to the curvature of the interior of a backpack. Such embodiments may be provided with a sealable aperture that comprises a foldable water resistant closure 30.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A stuff sack, said stuff sack comprising: First and second opposing panels, each said panel having two first corners and two second corners, said first corners having greater radii than said second corners, such that a first side of each said opposing panel between one first corner and one second corner is shorter than a second side disposed between two first corners and a third side disposed between two second corners;an edge panel, said edge panel being disposed between and joined at a joint to said first and second opposing panels along at least three sides of said first and second panels; anda folding closure disposed on said first side of said first and second opposing panels, configured such that said folding closure is waterproof when closed.

2. The stuff sack of claim 1 wherein said first and second opposing panels and said edge panel are configured from waterproof material.

3. The stuff sack of claim 2 wherein said waterproof material is a non-woven laminate.

4. The stuff sack of claim 1 wherein said radii of said first corners are configured to correspond to the interior radii of a front of a backpack.

5. The stuff sack of claim 1 wherein said radii of said second corners are configured to correspond to the interior radii of a back of a backpack.

6. The stuff sack of claim 1 wherein said joint is taped.

7. The stuff sack of claim 1 wherein said joint is waterproof.

8. A fabric container, said fabric container comprising: an elongate sack, said elongate sack having a rectilinear cross section along a shorter axis;a sealable aperture disposed on a shorter end of said elongate sack.

9. The fabric container of claim 8, wherein said elongate sack is configured to be disposed within a backpack.

10. The fabric container of claim 8 wherein at least one sidewall of said container is curved.

11. The fabric container of claim 10 wherein said curved sidewall corresponds to the curvature of the interior of a backpack.

12. The fabric container of claim 8 wherein said sealable aperture comprises a foldable water resistant closure.