WATERTIGHT BAG

Abstract

A watertight bag includes a bag body, a closure retainer and a fastener. The bag body has an opening facing upward at a top edge thereof. The top edge of the bag body is to be folded over to turn the opening upside-down. The closure retainer is disposed at the top edge of the bag body and includes first and second strip members that are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the bag body for sealing the opening of the bag body. The fastener is disposed on the bag body for fastening the closure retainer in position when the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is folded over and turn the opening of the bag body upside-down.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a watertight bag, and more especially to a watertight bag that can be well sealed by plastic strip members.

2. Related Prior Art

Generally speaking, it is a big concern for people that their personal belongings often get wet when they participate in water sports activities, and thus a various kinds of bags with watertight functions are developed. However, for those doing surfing activities, they pay more attention to the watertight bags with much higher sealing quality and portable functions than those regular watertight bags. Take an example of the magnetic tape disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,261, the magnetic tape includes a pair of strip members covering the magnet that are welded together, which is applied to two opening sides of the a watertight bag by using high frequency welding whereby the magnet is encapsulated in hermetically sealed capsules to replace the conventional technique using zipper seals.

Nevertheless, the shortcomings of this kind of the magnetic tape are high cost with poor sealing effects. In practical uses, the fact that this kind of bags having magnetic tape barely resist the sudden severe impact of incoming waves just by the magnetic attraction, which therefore limits the watertight functions. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a high-quality water resistance of the watertight bags that can resist tremendous forces of waves without affecting watertight function.

Another type of a watertight bag is disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2006/0034551. This design is directed to an air-tight closure for a container for allowing reclosing of the container after it is initially opened and for enhancing accessibility to the container contents when opened. The closure can be used with a container fabricated from a single layer or multi-layer sheet of a flexible material such as plastic. The closure comprises male and female units configured to snap fit into each other such as to form male-female pairs. With reference to FIG. 1A of the prior art, bag 20 comprises two opposite walls, a front wall 22 and a rear wall 24 connected at lateral sides 18 and sealed at their bottom and top by seals 34 and 36, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 1D of the prior art, male units 12a and 12b each comprises two flat elongated wings 11 and a middle elongated rounded projection 13 positioned there between. Male units 12 are attached to the external surface of the front wall 22 of the flexible bag 20 by adhesive layer 19. Female units 14a and 14b comprise a middle rounded recess portion 15 having an outer surface 15a and an inner surface 15b positioned between two flat wings 16. Female units 14a and 14b are attached to the external surface of the rear wall 24 of bag 20 by adhesive layer 19. When closure 10 is secured to bag 20, units 12 and 14 are pressed against walls 22 and 24 such that the two walls 22 and 24 of bag 20 are folded or distorted to conform with the inner surface of units 12 and 14, respectively.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

To solve aforementioned problems, a new watertight bag of the present invention is therefore provided. The watertight bag generally includes a bag body, a closure retainer and a fastener.

Specifically, the bag body is formed by connecting first and second flexible sheets, and has an opening defined in a top edge thereof. The top edge of the bag body includes upper edges of the first and second flexible sheets. The upper edge of the first flexible sheet has an inner planar surface essentially attached evenly to that of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet to close the opening of the bag body, and the top edge of the bag body is to be folded over to turn the opening of the bag body upside-down. The closure retainer is disposed at the top edge of the bag body to retain the upper edges of the first and second flexible sheets abutting evenly against each other so as to retaining the closing of the opening of the bag body. The closure retainer includes a first strip member securely attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge of the first flexible sheet, and a second strip member securely attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet. The fastener is disposed on the bag body for fastening the closure retainer in position when the top edge of the bag body together with the closure retainer thereon is folded over and turn the closed opening of the bag body upside-down.

More specifically, the first strip member includes a first retaining body and a first engaging portion. The first retaining body has a lower planar portion attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge of the first flexible sheet, and an upper planar portion extending upward and outside the upper edge of the first flexible sheet. The first engaging portion is disposed on the upper planar portion of the first retaining body. On the other hand, the second strip member includes a second retaining body and a second engaging portion. The second retaining body has a lower planar portion attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet, and an upper planar portion extending upward and outside the upper edge of the second flexible sheet. The second engaging portion is disposed on the upper planar portion of the second retaining body to be engaged with the first engaging portion of the first strip member. When the first and second engaging portions are engaged, the upper edges of the first and second flexible sheets of the bag body are pressed evenly against each other and tightly sandwiched by the lower planar portions of the first and second retaining bodies of the first and second strip members so as to ensuring the closing of the opening of the bag body.

Preferably, the first engaging portion of the first strip member and the second engaging portion of the second strip member are together configured to form an interlocking rib and groove closure.

Preferably, the first engaging portion of the first strip member is directed to a rib, and the second engaging portion of the second strip member has a base slightly protruding toward the first engaging portion, and a groove defined at least in the base to receive the first engaging portion. As such, when the first and second engaging portions are engaged to form the interlocking rib and groove closure, a clearance is formed in between the lower planar portions of the first and second strip members for accommodation of the top edge of the bag body.

Preferably, each of the first and second strip members includes a lip portion extending upward and outward therefrom so that a clearance is defined between the lip portions when the first engaging portion of the first strip member is engaged with the second engaging portion of the second strip member.

Preferably, the lip portions of the first and second strip members are formed with a plurality of ribs on opposite inner sides thereof.

Preferably, the first and second flexible sheets of the bag body comprise a material of thermoplastic polyurethane.

Preferably, the watertight bag further includes a pair of lugs respectively disposed at opposite side edges of the bag body.

Preferably, the bag body is formed with a fold line about which the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is folded over to a position where the closure retainer is ready to be fastened by the fastener.

Preferably, the first strip member includes a jutting section extending downward from a bottom thereof, and the jutting section has a bottom edge that is tapered in thickness toward an inner side thereof and joined to the fold line.

Preferably, the first strip member and the fastener are arranged on the same side of the bag body and are together configured to form an interlocking rib and groove closure when the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is folded over.

Preferably, the second strip member is formed at opposite ends thereof with a pair of projections. The fastener has a pair of folding sections at opposite ends thereof and laterally extending outside the bag body. Each of the folding sections defines an engaging hole for reception of a respective one of the projections of the second strip member.

Preferably, the fastener is attached to a front side surface of the bag body and located at on the same side of the bag body with the first flexible sheet, and the fastener and the first flexible sheet are configured to together form an interlocking rib and groove closure therebetween in order to fasten the closure retainer when the top edge of the bag body together with the closure retainer thereon is folded over and turn the opening of the bag body upside-down.

Preferably, the first strip member defines a locking groove, and the fastener is formed with a ridge to be engaged in the locking groove of the first strip member.

Preferably, the second strip member is formed at opposite ends thereof with a pair of projections, the fastener further has a pair of folding sections at opposite ends thereof and laterally extending outside the bag body, and each of the folding sections of the fastener defines an engaging hole for reception of a respective one of the projections of the second strip member when the folding sections are folded over back to the bag body.

Compared with the conventional bags, the water proof bag of the present invention has the bag body with a material having a characteristic of high friction, which naturally closing the opening of the bag body by itself. Moreover, the opening of the bag body is retained closed by the interlocking rib and groove elements of the first and second strip members of the closure retainer. But not just yet, the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is further folded over to have the bottom edge of the first strip member press against the fold line of the interlocking rib and groove elements, creating a further sealing effect. This allows the two flexible sheets of the bag body to be firmly bond to each other and therefore the opening of the bag body is well sealed. The first and second strip members are finally fastened in position by the fastener to complete the great watertight effects.

Other features, objects, aspects and advantages will be identified and described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a watertight bag in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front exploded perspective view of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear exploded perspective view of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of first and second strip members of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the watertight bag shown in FIG. 6, partially broken to show detail in section;

FIG. 8 illustrates that the watertight bag of FIG. 1 is completely sealed;

FIG. 9 illustrates that a top edge of the water proof bag is folded over to be completely sealed; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of the watertight bag of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-10, there is shown a watertight bag 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The watertight bag 100 comprises a bag body 1, a closure retainer 2, a fastener 3 and two lugs 41, 42.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag body 1 is formed by connecting two soft and thin flexible sheets 10, 11, with an opening 14 defined in a top edge 13 thereof. The first and second flexible sheets 10, 11 have opposite upper edges 13a, 13b (FIG. 5) which together serve as the top edge 12 of the bag body 1. The top edge 13 of the bag body 1 can be folded over to turn the opening 14 of the bag body 1 upside-down for further sealing of the opening 14.

More specifically, the two flexible sheets 10, 11 are made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and joined together at seams 12 by a known thermal melting pressing process. In particular, as a result of the material, the first and second flexible sheets 10, 11 are essentially attached evenly to each other by nature. As best seen in FIG. 7, an inner planar surface of the upper edge 13a of the first flexible sheet 10 is essentially attached evenly to an opposite, inner planar surface 13b of the upper edge 13b of the second flexible sheet 11 so as to close the opening 14. In other words, the opening 14 is normally closed by the upper edges 13a, 13b of the first and second flexible sheets 10, 11 and is intended to be opened to allow access to the bag contents. As shown in FIG. 2, when the opening 14 of the bag body 1 is opened, it allows personal belongings to be placed into the bag body 1.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the closure retainer 2 is disposed at the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 to retain the upper edges 13a, 13b of the first and second flexible sheets 10, 11 abutting evenly against each other so as to retaining the closing of the opening 14 of the bag body 1. Specifically, the closure retainer 2 includes first and second strip members 21, 22 that are in form of rigid, elongated pieces, such as clip-chain zippers, magnetic tapes, pressing-fit bars or any other articles that offer watertight functions. As shown in FIG. 7, the first strip member 21 is securely attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge 13a of the first flexible sheet 10, and the second strip member 22 is securely attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge 13b of the second flexible sheet 11. In this embodiment, the first and second strip members 21, 22 are secured at positions adjacent to the opening 14 of the bag body 1, by ultrasonic technique for example.

More specifically, as shown in the left side of FIG. 5, the first strip member 21 includes a first retaining body 214 and a first engaging portion 215. The first retaining body 214 has a lower planar portion 214b attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge 13a of the first flexible sheet 10, and an upper planar portion 214a extending upward and outside the upper edge 13a of the first flexible sheet 10. The first engaging portion 215 is disposed on the upper planar portion 214a of the first retaining body 214.

Similarly, as shown in the right side of FIG. 5, the second strip member 22 includes a second retaining body 224 and a second engaging portion 225. The second retaining body 224 has a lower planar portion 224b attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge 13b of the second flexible sheet 11, and an upper planar portion 224a extending upward and outside the upper edge 13b of the second flexible sheet 11. The second engaging portion 225 is disposed on the upper planar portion 224a of the second retaining body 224 to be engaged with the first engaging portion 215 of the first strip member 21. It will be appreciated that when the first and second engaging portions 224, 225 are engaged, the upper edges 13a, 13b of the first and second flexible sheets 10, 11 of the bag body 1 are pressed evenly against each other and therefore tightly sandwiched by the lower planar portions 214b, 224b of the first and second retaining bodies 214, 224 of the first and second strip members 21, 22 so as to ensuring the closing of the opening 14 of the bag body 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first engaging portion 215 of the first strip member 21 is directed to a rib. On the other hand, the second engaging portion 225 of the second strip member 22 has a base 225a slightly protruding toward the first engaging portion 215, and a groove 225b defined at least in the base 225a to receive the first engaging portion 215. In this manner, when the first and second engaging portions 215, 225 are engaged to form the interlocking rib and groove closure, as depicted in FIG. 7, a clearance (not numbered) is formed in between the lower planar portions 214b, 224b of the first and second strip members 21, 22 for accommodation of the top edge 13 of the bag body 1, namely the upper edges 13a, 13b of the first and second flexible sheets 10, 11.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the first strip member 21 has a locking groove 210 defined in an outer surface thereof, as shown in FIG. 1 or 7. The fastener 3 is securely attached to a front side surface 16 of the bag body 1 and located at the same side of the bag body 1 with the first flexible sheet 10. Moreover, the fastener 3 is formed with an elongated ridge 31 at its outer surface corresponding to the locking groove 210 of the first strip member 21. The ridge 31 and the locking groove 210 have complementary profiles such that they can snap fit into each other when the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 together with the closure retainer 2 thereon is folded over. In other examples, the outer surface of the fastener 3 may include a locking groove instead of the ridge so as to be engage with a ridge formed on the first strip member 21. In either way, the fastener 3 and the first strip member 21 together form an interlocking rib and groove closure therebetween, as shown in FIG. 9.

The two lugs 41, 42 are secured to two lateral sides of the bag body 1 and configured for coupling to an external device. In this embodiment, the lugs 41, 42 are located closer to a top edge 13 of the bag body 1, and provided to enable the watertight bag 100 to be well tied onto a surfboard (not shown), thereby avoiding the watertight bag 100 from coming off the surfboard while being used in water sports activities.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bag body 1 is formed with a fold line 15 at the front side surface 16 thereof to facilitate folding of the bag body 1 over onto a rest part of the bag body 1. When the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 together with the closure retainer 2 thereon is folded over and turn the closed opening 14 of the bag body 1 upside-down, the fastener 3 which is disposed on the front side surface of the bag body 1 can be used to fasten the closure retainer 2 in position from movement, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 illustrate a rear side of the watertight bag 100. As shown, the second strip member 22 is attached to a rear side surface 17 of the bag body 1. The second strip member 22 is formed with a pair of projections 221, 222 on two opposite ends thereof. On the other hand, the fastener 3 further has a pair of folding sections 33, 34 at opposite ends thereof and laterally extending outside the bag body 1. Each of the folding sections 33, 34 of the fastener 3 defines an engaging hole 311 or 312 for reception of a respective one of the projections 221, 222 of the second strip member 22 when the folding sections 33, 34 are folded over back to the bag body 1.

As described above, when the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 with the closure retainer 2 thereon is folded over and turn the opening 14 of the bag body 1 upside-down, the closure retainer 2 can be pressed such that the first strip member 21 and the fastener 3 can snap fit into each other. Later, the two folding sections 33, 34 of the fastener 3 can then be folded over, as shown in FIG. 8, to contact with the second strip member 22, thereby locking the projections 221 and 222 of the second strip member 22 in the engaging holes 311 and 312 in the folding sections 33, 34. As such, the closure retainer 2 along with the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 is firmly secured onto the fastener 3.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the first strip member 21 further includes a lip portion 216 extending upward and outward from the upper planar portion 214a of the first retaining body 214. Likewise, the second strip member 22 further includes a lip portion 226 extending upward and outward from the upper planar portion 224a of the second retaining body 224. Preferably, the left-side lip portion 216 has a plurality of ribs 217 and 218 formed at an inner surface thereof. Similarly, the right-side lip portion 226 has a plurality of ribs 227 and 228 formed at an inner surface thereof, facing the ribs 217, 218 of the lip portions 216. The lip portions 216 and 226 are in a form of bending shape, which naturally define a clearance 23 therebetween. The clearance 23 allows a user to easily open the opening 14 of the bag body 1 with the user's fingers. In other examples, the ribs 217, 227, 218 and 228 may be arranged offset. Referring still to FIG. 7, the first strip member 21 is formed with a jutting section 219 extending downward from a bottom thereof. The jutting section 219 has a bottom edge 219a tapered in thickness toward the inner side surface of the first strip member 21 and is joined to the fold line 15 on the flexible sheet 10 of the bag body 1. It should be noted that the bottom edge 219a of the jutting section 219 abuts against the fold line 15 to firmly press the two flexible sheets 10 and 11 of the bag body 1 when the top edge 13 of the bag body 1 with the closure retainer 2 thereon is folded over, and therefore allows the ridge 31 of the fastener 3 to engage with the locking groove 210 of the first strip member 21. As such, the watertight bag 100 can be firmly sealed not only by the adhesive force generated between the two flexible sheets 10, 11 of the bag body 1 but also by the pressing force exerted by the bottom edge 219a of the jutting section 219 that bears against the fold line 15 to achieve excellent watertight effects, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fastener 3 is engaged with the closure retainer 2 in a first manner. More specifically, the locking groove 210 of the first strip member 21 is engaged with the ridge 31 of the fastener 3, which makes the bottom edge 219a of the jutting section 219 firmly bearing against the fold line 15 on the flexible sheets 10 and 11 of the bag body 1. As such, the opening 14 of the bag body 1 is further sealed, which makes the watertight bag 100 with higher watertight effects.

As shown in FIG. 10, the fastener 3 is further engaged with the closure retainer 2 in a second manner. The folding sections 33, 34 of the fastener 3 are folded over to have the projections 221, 222 of the second strip member 22 locked into the engaging holes 311, 312 in the folding sections 33 and 34 of the fastener 3. As such, the opening 14 of the bag body 1 is further secured and sealed.

As described above, the watertight bag 100 of the present invention has the bag body with a material having a characteristic of high friction, which naturally closing the opening of the bag body by itself. Moreover, the opening of the bag body is retained closed by the interlocking rib and groove elements of the first and second strip members of the closure retainer. But not just yet, the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is further folded over to have the bottom edge of the first strip member press against the fold line of the interlocking rib and groove elements, creating a further sealing effect. This allows the two flexible sheets of the bag body to be firmly bond to each other and therefore the opening of the bag body is well sealed. The first and second strip members are finally fastened in position by the fastener to complete the great watertight effects.

It will be appreciated that although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the claims to cover such modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A watertight bag, comprising: a bag body formed by connecting first and second flexible sheets with an opening in a top edge thereof, the first and second flexible sheets having opposite upper edges which together serve as the top edge of the bag body, wherein the upper edge of the first flexible sheet has an inner planar surface essentially attached evenly to that of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet to close the opening of the bag body, and the top edge of the bag body is to be folded over to turn the opening of the bag body upside-down;a closure retainer disposed at the top edge of the bag body to retain the upper edges of the first and second flexible sheets abutting evenly against each other so as to retaining the closing of the opening of the bag body, wherein the closure retainer includes a first strip member attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge of the first flexible sheet, and a second strip member attached to an outer planar surface of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet; anda fastener disposed on the bag body for fastening the closure retainer in position when the top edge of the bag body together with the closure retainer thereon is folded over and turn the closed opening of the bag body upside-down,wherein the first strip member includes a first retaining body and a first engaging portion, the first retaining body has a lower planar portion attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge of the first flexible sheet, and an upper planar portion extending upward and outside the upper edge of the first flexible sheet, and the first engaging portion is disposed on the upper planar portion of the first retaining body;wherein the second strip member includes a second retaining body and a second engaging portion, the second retaining body has a lower planar portion attached to the outer planar surface of the upper edge of the second flexible sheet, and an upper planar portion extending upward and outside the upper edge of the second flexible sheet, and the second engaging portion is disposed on the upper planar portion of the second retaining body to be engaged with the first engaging portion of the first strip member; andwherein when the first and second engaging portions are engaged, the upper edges of the first and second flexible sheets of the bag body are pressed evenly against each other and tightly sandwiched by the lower planar portions of the first and second retaining bodies of the first and second strip members so as to ensuring the closing of the opening of the bag body.

2. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion of the first strip member and the second engaging portion of the second strip member are together configured to form an interlocking rib and groove closure.

3. The watertight bag as recited in claim 2, wherein the first engaging portion of the first strip member is directed to a rib, and the second engaging portion of the second strip member has a base slightly protruding toward the first engaging portion, and a groove defined at least in the base to receive the first engaging portion so that when the first and second engaging portions are engaged to form the interlocking rib and groove closure, a clearance is formed in between the lower planar portions of the first and second strip members for accommodation of the top edge of the bag body.

4. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second strip members includes a lip portion extending upward and outward therefrom so that a clearance is defined between the lip portions when the first engaging portion of the first strip member is engaged with the second engaging portion of the second strip member.

5. The watertight bag as recited in claim 4, wherein the lip portions of the first and second strip members are formed with a plurality of ribs on opposite inner sides thereof.

6. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible sheets of the bag body comprise a material of thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of lugs respectively disposed at opposite side edges of the bag body for coupling to an external device.

8. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the bag body is formed with a fold line about which the top edge of the bag body with the closure retainer thereon is folded over to a position where the closure retainer is ready to be fastened by the fastener.

9. The watertight bag as recited in claim 8, wherein the first strip member includes a jutting section extending downward from a bottom thereof, and the jutting section has a bottom edge that is tapered in thickness toward an inner side thereof and joined to the fold line.

10. The watertight bag as recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener is attached to a front side surface of the bag body and located at on the same side of the bag body with the first flexible sheet, and the fastener and the first flexible sheet are configured to together form an interlocking rib and groove closure therebetween in order to fasten the closure retainer when the top edge of the bag body together with the closure retainer thereon is folded over and turn the opening of the bag body upside-down.

11. The watertight bag as recited in claim 10, wherein the first strip member defines a locking groove in an outer surface thereof, and the fastener is formed with a ridge to be engaged in the locking groove of the first strip member.

12. The watertight bag as recited in claim 11, wherein the second strip member is formed at opposite ends thereof with a pair of projections, the fastener further has a pair of folding sections at opposite ends thereof and laterally extending outside the bag body, and each of the folding sections of the fastener defines an engaging hole for reception of a respective one of the projections of the second strip member when the folding sections are folded over back to the bag body.