Rucksack The present invention relates to items of luggage, such as rucksacks.
Rucksacks may be used to transport goods for various reasons and may contain a number of compartments for separating items for ease of location.
Storage containers can be retained in compartments of a rucksack for transportation to another location, where the storage containers and their contents can then be removed from the compartments for use.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a rucksack comprising at least one compartment and a component which is removably locatable in the compartment, the component being capable of free-standing when outside of the compartment, and capable of forming a set of shelves when free-standing.
The removable shelf component may comprise an outer member and at least one inner member which is horizontal when the component is free-standing, to define a shelf of the component.
The outer member may provide a frame around the removable shelf component. The outer member may be formed of at least an upper portion and a horizontal lower portion.
The upper portion may form a handle for removably locating the removable shelf component in the compartment.
The upper portion may be arched.
The outer member may further comprise vertical portions located between the ends of the upper portion and the ends of the horizontal lower portion.
The removable shelf component may comprise at least one inner vertical member which delimits a shelf or sh&f compartment.
The removable shelf component may further comprise a back cover to prevent access to the or at teast one shelf compartment from the rear of the removable shelf component. The back cover may be a plate, mesh or netting.
The removable shelf component may further comprise a front cover to prevent access to the or at least one shelf compartment from the front of the removable shelf component. The front cover may be rigid or flexible. The front cover may be a plate, mesh or netting. The front cover may be removable or partially removable. The front cover may be retained in a closed position by fixing means such as hook and loop fastener, zip(s), press studs, hinge(s), clasps or straps.
The shelf component may comprise a removable retaining strap across the opening of at least one shelf compartment.
The rucksack may further comprise storage containers, to be retained in the removable shelf component.
The removable shelf component may be capable of supporting the storage containers when the removable shelf component is free-standing.
The removable shelf component may be capable, in use, of retaining storage containers. Each shelf compartment may comprise at least one fiddle to help retain the storage containers. The shelf compartment may comprise a fiddle along the edge of the or at least one shelf of the compartment. The shelf compartment may comprise a fiddle on the rear portion of the or at least one shelf of the compartment.
The or at least one of the storage containers may comprise a removable insert adapted to support fragile goods.
The removable insert adapted to support fragile goods may comprise an upper and a lower portion, which may be formed of a flexible material and be positioned, in use, to enclose the fragile goods.
The or at least one of the storage containers may comprise a removable insert adapted to support cylindrical storage containers. The removable insert adapted to support cylindrical storage containers may comprise a plate adapted to fit inside a storage container, the plate comprising at least one aperture for receiving a cylindrical storage container and the plate having a further retaining member for retaining the plate in a fixed position within the storage container.
The or at least one of the storage containers may comprise a removable insert adapted to segment the internal space of a storage container.
The rucksack may comprise at least one further compartment.
The further compartment may comprise a removable insert. The removable insert may be shaped to be complementary with the internal shape of the further compartment. The removable insert may be thermally resistant. The removable insert may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene. The removable insert may be formed to provide an enclosure to receive, in use, a further storage container.
Examples of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rucksack in a closed configuration; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rucksack in an opened configuration; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a removable shelf component with a front cover in an exploded view; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a storage container; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a first storage container insert.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second storage container insert.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a cylindrical container for use with the second storage container insert of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a third storage container insert.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a rucksack 10 comprising at least one compartment 12 (Fig. 2). A component 14 is removably locatable in the compartment 12. The component 14 is capable of free-standing when outside of the compartment 12, and of forming a set of shelves when free-standing.
In this application we define a set of shelves to be a unit which provides a set of horizontal surfaces for supporting articles at different heights. We define an item as being capable of free-standing if it will stand in a stable fashion, without external support.
In an example of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the rucksack 10 is suitable for use in transporting goods, such as items for use in cookery. These may include containers of ingredients, utensils or other items. The rucksack 10 comprises a main compartment 12. Other compartments (not shown) may be provided around the rucksack 10. The rucksack 10 has shoulder straps 15 which allow the rucksack 10 to be carried on the user's back, in the manner which is conventional in itself for using rucksacks. Fig. 1 shows the rucksack 10 with the compartment 12 closed. A flap 17 of the rucksack 10 closes the compartment 12, which is opened and closed by the use of a fastening device 16, such as a zip fastener. It will of course be appreciated that compartment 12 of the present invention can be opened and closed using another type of fasteners, such as press studs, hook and loop arrangements or buttons.
Fig. 2 shows the rucksack 10 with the compartment 12 open. A removably locatable component 14 is visible, located within the compartment 12.
The removably locatable component 14 is in the form of a set of shelves.
Fig. 3 shows the form of the set of shelves 14 after removal from the compartment 12, for instance when placed on a work surface to be free-standing.
The set of shelves 14 have a horizontal base 22, vertical side members 24 and an arched upper portion 26 forming an outer frame 20. The set of shelves 14 further comprises a series of horizontal members 28, forming shelves. Vertical members 30 are provided to divide the shelf space to form various shelf compartments 32.
When the set of shelves 14 is outside the compartment 12 and is free-standing on a surface, the set of shelves 14 can be used for the display, storage and organisation of objects placed on the shelves 28 within the shelf compartments. Each shelf compartment 32 has fiddles 34 along the edges of the horizontal members 28. A fiddle 34 is a slightly raised lip which helps to prevent objects placed within the shelf compartments 32 from sliding out or being knocked from the shell compartments 32, particularly while the set of shelves 14 is being used, handled, moved or tilted from the free-standing position. The fiddles 34 are located along the edges of the horizontal members 28 on both the front and back edges of the set of shelves 14. In an alternative embodiment the fiddles 34 are located along the front side of the set of shelves 14 only. In yet another alternative embodiment one face of the set of shelves 14 may comprise a back cover (not shown) which may be in the form of a back plate, mesh or netting and which may cover the rear opening of the or each shelf compartment 32 of the set of shelves 14, which further prevents objects from sliding out or being knocked from the shelf compartments 32, particularly while the set of shelves 14 is being used, handled, moved or tilted from the free-standing position.
In a further alternative embodiment a second face of the set of shelves 14 may comprise a front cover 72, as shown in Fig. 3 which may be rigid or flexible and be in the form of a plate, mesh or netting and which, when in a closed position, further prevents objects from sliding out or being knocked from the shelf compartments 32, particularly while the set of shelves 14 is being handled, moved or tilted from the free-standing position. The front cover may be removable or partially removable in order to allow access to the set of shelves 14, during use. The cover can be held in a closed position on the set of shelves 14 by means of fixings such as hook and loop fasteners, zips, press studs, hinges, clasps or straps. When access to the set of shelves 14 is required the fixings are removed to allow the cover to be removed or partially removed from the set of shelves 14.
It can be seen by a comparison of Figs. 2 and 3, that the shape of the frame 20 is generally complementary with the internal shape of the main compartment 12 of the rucksack 10. This allows the set of shelves 14 to be received snugly within the main compartment 12, as seen in Fig. 2.
The set of shelves 14 can be placed in or removed from the compartment 12 by hand. In particular the arched upper portion 26 may conveniently be used as a handle to assist in carrying and moving the set of shelves 14.
One shelf compartment 38 is shown in Fig. 3 to be taller than the others, which allows for larger objects to be placed within the shelf compartment 38.
The shelf compartment 38 further comprises a removable retaining strap 40 such that objects may be retained even when the set of shelves 14 is moved or tilted from the free-standing position. For instance, with the removable retaining strap unfastened, a bottle of liquid may be placed within the central shelf compartment 38 shown in Fig. 3. The removable retaining strap 40 can then be fastened to restrain the bottle from falling out from the shelf compartment 38.
Fig. 4 shows a storage container 36 which may be retained in a shelf compartment 32 when the set of shelves 14 is free-standing. Fiddles 34 and removable retaining straps 40 can be used to aid in the retention of storage containers 36 in the shelf compartments 32 when the set of shelves 14 is removed from the compartment 12, to be placed on a level surface, such as a work surface, and when the set of shelves 14 is subsequently moved.
The storage container is formed as a container 42 with a lid 44 and may comprise removable inserts for various purposes. Fig. 5 shows a removable insert 48 to support fragile goods, such as eggs. Two removable inserts 48 may be used, one inverted and above the other in order to enclose the fragile goods.
The removable insert 48 may be formed of a flexible material in order to avoid damage to the fragile goods.
Fig. 6 shows a further removable insert 50 adapted to support cylindrical storage containers, such as liquid containers. The insert 50 comprises a plate 52 adapted to fit inside the storage container 36, the plate 52 comprising at least one circular aperture 54 for receiving a cylindrical storage container and the plate 52 having a further retaining member 56 for supporting the plate 52 within the storage container 36. Fig. 7 shows a cylindrical storage container 58 which can be inserted into one of the circular apertures 54 of the plate 52 in order to retain
S
the cylindrical storage container in a generally upright orientation when the base 46 of the storage container 36 is generally horizontal. The container 58 may have a lid (not shown).
Fig. 8 shows a removable insert 60 adapted to segment the internal space of a storage container 36. The removable insert comprises internal wall sections 62, 64 which are perpendicular to each other to define four internal sections in the storage container 36. Alternatively different configurations of internal walls can be envisaged to divide the internal space of the storage container 36 into two or more sections.
Fig. 9 shows a further compartment 66 of the rucksack 10 which is located at the base of the rucksack. The further compartment 66 is suitable for receiving and retaining, in use, a further storage container 68. The further storage container 68 may for example be suitable for use in the transportation of hot or cold food and also suitable for use in an oven during cooking and fridge or freezer during storage. Many materials for the construction of the further storage container 68 can be envisaged, such as aluminium, stainless steel, glass and silicone. The further storage container 68 comprises a base and a lid, the base including a lip or ridge to which a corresponding channel in the edge portion of the lid secured. In an alternative embodiment clips may be used to secure the lid of the further storage container 68 to the base of the further storage container 68.
The base of the further storage container is formed of aluminium, but could alternatively be formed of stainless steel or similar oven proof material. The lid of the further storage container may be formed aluminium, stainless steel or a plastics material. The lid may have a gasket for sealing purposes.
Further, a thermally resistant support 70, as shown in Fig. 10, is removably locatable within the further compartment 66. The thermally resistant support 70 comprises a portion of thermally resistant material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The shape of the thermally resistant support 70 is generally complementary with the internal shape of the further compartment 66 of the rucksack 10. This allows the thermally resistant support 70 to be received snugly within the further compartment 66, as seen in Fig. 9. The further storage container 68 is removably locatable in the thermally resistant support 70. The internal shape of the thermally resistant support 70 is generally complementary with the external shape of the further storage container 68. This allows the further storage container 68 to be received snugly within the thermally resistant support 70, as seen in Fig. 9. Further thermally resistant material may be used to form linngs of the further compartment 66 and may be disposed between the compartment 12 and the further compartment 66, and may be an integral lining of the rucksack or a removable lining.
In use, the set of shelves 14 can be positioned within the compartment 12 of the rucksack 10 to provide sub-division of the compartment 12. Objects can then be positioned within the shelf compartments 38, such as containers. The set of shelves 14 and any objects positioned within the shelf compartments 38, are retained in position within the compartment 12 by the closure of the flap 17 of the rucksack 10. The rucksack 10 can then be carried on a user's back with the set of shelves 14 securely retained within the compartment 12 of the rucksack 10. The rucksack 10 can be opened by unfastening the fastening device 16 in order that the set of shelves 14 can be removed from the compartment 12.
Ideally the rucksack 10 is positioned, prior to removing the set of shelves 14, such that the set of shelves 14 is positioned with the horizontal members 28 situated horizontally. The set of shelves 14 can be removed from the compartment 12 by hand, for instance by holding the arched upper portion 26 of the set of shelves 14 and lifting the set of shelves 14 from the compartment 12 of the rucksack 10. The set of shelves 14 may then be positioned on a horizontal surface in order to display and organise the retained objects to be retained free-standing on the horizontal surface.
As the set of shelves 14 is removed in this way, any objects within the shelf compartments will be removed with the set of shelves 14 and then be displayed on the shelves, for ready access.
In particular the set of shelves can be used to retain objects such as storage containers 36. The storage containers 36 can contain removable inserts for the retention of cookery ingredients, including removable inserts 48 for support of fragile goods, such as eggs, removable insert 50 for storing liquid containers and removable insert 60 for separating ingredients within a single storage container 36. The system of the rucksack 10 and removable set of shelves 14 is appropriate for use as a food transport system for food technology lessons at school. The various containers will be kept in an orderly arrangement within the rucksack 10, by the set of shelves 14, while the rucksack is being carried. The various containers can then be displayed for convenient access, when required, by removing the set of shelves and standing it on a convenient Many variations modifications can be made that the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, many different materials can be used. The set of shelves 14 could be formed of wood, metal or plastic. Shapes, sizes and relative shapes and sizes of the rucksack 10 and the set of shelves 14 can all vary, particularly according to the size and shape of the compartment 12 of the rucksack 10. Further, alternative arrangements of the horizontal members 28 and vertical members 30 of the set of shelves 14 are envisaged to give different shelf compartment 32 configurations.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.