RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/658,834 entitled “Discrete Organizer for a Travel Bag,” filed Mar. 4, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.1 (which was filed as U.S. Ser. No. 11,150,987 entitled “Discrete Organizers for a Travel Bag” filed Jun. 13, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.3); Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/671,805 entitled “Discrete Organizers for a Travel Bag,” filed Apr. 15, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.32.2; and to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/664,889 entitled “Discrete Organizers for a Purse or Small Travel Bag,” filed Mar. 24, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 47636.33.1 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND Conventional bags come in many varieties. It is known to provide bags, whether they are travel bags or purses, with separate compartments to hold items. Often, many subcompartments are formed in a larger compartment provided by the interior of the bag itself. Oftentimes, it is desirable to separate certain items from other items, such as toiletries and cosmetics. It can be difficult to pack cosmetics and toiletries within a suitcase and have those products readily available to the user. In addition, known designs suffer from the inability to customize the interior of the bag so that it suits the user's needs. For example, a user may want to customize the bag so that it can carry toiletry items and, at other times, the user may want to customize the bag so that it can be used as a purse. In addition, it is desirable to provide organizers that offer a clear view of items stored therein and neatly organized.
SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag and a first and second removable discrete organizer. The bag has an exterior and an interior. The removable first discrete organizer can be coupled to the interior of the bag in a first location and has storage compartments arranged in a first configuration. The removable second discrete organizer can be coupled to the interior of the bag in the first location and has storage compartments arranged in a second configuration different from the first configuration. A user can decide, depending on her desired use of the bag, whether to couple the first or the second discrete organizer to the interior of the bag in the first location.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag body and a first and second removable discrete organizer. The bag body includes a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold piece includes first, second and third folds, the first, second, and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled to a respective outer edge of the second fold. The outer edges of the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the third fold forming the rear of the pouch; a closing mechanism at the top edge of the first and third folds. The first removable discrete organizer can be coupled to an interior surface of the first fold and the second removable discrete organizer can be coupled to an interior surface of the third fold.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a configurable travel accessory that includes a bag body and first and second removable discrete organizers. The bag body includes a three-fold piece and two side pieces, the three-fold piece comprises first, second and third folds, the first, second, and third folds and two side pieces each has a first and second outer edge and a top and bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge of the first fold is coupled to the top edge of the second fold and the bottom edge of the third fold is coupled to the bottom edge of the second fold and the bottom edges of each side piece is coupled to a respective outer edge of the second fold; the outer edges of the first and third folds each has a first zipper and the outer edges of the side pieces are provided with a symmetrical zipper such that by the interactive drawing of the first zipper with the symmetrical zipper, the first and third folds and side pieces form a pouch with the first fold forming the front of the pouch and the third fold forming the rear of the pouch; a closing mechanism at the top edge of the first and third folds; a first removable discrete organizer that can be coupled to an interior surface of the first fold; and a second removable discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior surface of the first fold in place of the first discrete organizer.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a configurable travel bag system including a first travel bag having an exterior and an interior, a second travel bag having an exterior and an interior wherein the interior of the second bag is different than the interior of the first bag, and a removable discrete organizer that can be coupled to the interior of the first bag and can be coupled to the interior of the second bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a perspective of a closed bag according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the bag shown inFIG. 1 in its closed state.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the bag shown inFIG. 1 in its closed state.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the bag shown inFIG. 1 open to expose the interior of the bag according to a first configuration.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the bag shown inFIG. 4 with the organizers removed.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective of an organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the bag shown inFIG. 1 open to expose the interior of the bag according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective of a closed travel bag according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the bag.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the bag with the organizers removed.
FIG. 11 is a top view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the bag with only one of the organizers removed.
FIG. 12 is a rear perspective of an organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 is a top view of the suitcase shown inFIG. 8 with only one of the organizers removed according to another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the embodiment shown inFIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a top view of the suitcase shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the suitcase according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of an organizer used on the embodiment shown inFIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a travel bag shown in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a travel bag according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 18.
FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a discrete organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 is a perspective of a closedbag10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The term bag can refer to a purse or a travel bag such as a toiletry bag, suitcase or duffle bag for example. Any type of travel bag may be designed to accommodate the discrete organizers disclosed herein, and none of the embodiments are limited to the type of travel bag shown inFIG. 1.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of thebag10 shown inFIG. 1 in its closed state.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of thebag10 shown inFIG. 1 in its closed state.
FIG. 4 is a top view of thebag10 shown inFIG. 1 open to expose theinterior12 of the bag according to a first configuration. The bag body includes a three-fold piece, and twoside pieces20. The three-fold piece includes a first16, second22 and third18 fold. Where the first16, second22, third18 andside20 folds each has a first and secondouter edge21,23 and a top andbottom edge25,27, respectively. Thebottom edge27 of thefirst fold16 is coupled to thetop edge27 of thesecond fold22 and thebottom edge25 of thethird fold18 is coupled to thebottom edge25 of thesecond fold22. Thebottom edges27 of eachside piece20 is coupled to a respectiveouter edge21,23 of thesecond fold22.
The outer edges21,23 of the first andthird folds16,18 each has afirst zipper14 and theouter edges21,23 of theside pieces20 are provided with asymmetrical zipper14 such that by the interactive drawing of thefirst zipper14 with thesymmetrical zipper14, the first andthird folds16,18 andside pieces20 form a pouch with thefirst fold16 forming the front of the pouch and thethird fold18 forming the rear of the pouch. A closing mechanism at thetop edges25 of the first andsecond folds16,18 allow the pouch to be securely closed. The closing mechanism is preferably a rotatable key and socket assembly as shown.
The bag haszippers14 running up its sides that when unzipped as shown inFIG. 4, expose each panel of the bag, i.e., thefront panel16, backpanel18 andside panels20 as well as abottom panel22. Shown secured to the interior of the bag, in particular, its front, rear, and bottom panels arediscrete organizers24,24′,24″. The discrete organizers are pouch-type units that haveindividual compartments26 formed therein. The compartments are diverse in size and, preferably, have a closing mechanism so that its contents do not fall out of the compartment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4 the closing mechanism is azipper28 although it could also be other types of closing mechanisms such as snaps or Velcro, for example. As will be described hereinafter, theorganizers24,24′,24″ are detachable, i.e., removable. The organizers shown on the front and rear panel of the bag are of the same size although they do not have to be and are about double the size of the organizer shown on the bottom panel but it does not necessarily have to be. Theside panels14 of the bag each has apocket30 formed thereon although it could also be provided with a detachable discrete organizer appropriately sized.
Thediscrete organizers24 on the first andsecond folds16,18 preferably have different storage configurations.
FIG. 5 is a top view of thebag10 shown inFIG. 4 with the organizers removed. The interior surface of the bag is provided with fasteners, in this particularembodiment socket portions40 of a snap fasteners, although other types of fasteners described herein may be used in any of the embodiments disclosed.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective of anorganizer24 according to an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the organizer has aflat back panel42 on which are located stud posts46 of the snap fasteners that line up with thesockets40 on the panels of the bag. Theorganizer24 is secured to either the front, rear or bottom panel of the bag by lining up the stud posts46 with thesockets40 and applying enough pressure so that they snap together, as is well known.
FIG. 7 is a top view of thebag10 shown inFIG. 1 open to expose the interior of the bag according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, theorganizers24 were preferably made of clear plastic so as to be particularly useful for a toiletry bag. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7,organizers48 are preferably made of a colored nylon, for example, black. When used withsuch organizers48, thebag10 can be configured to be particularly useful as a purse. In addition, as can be seen from theorganizers48 secured to the front and rear panels of thepurse10, the configuration of theorganizers48 are altered. For example, the organizer secured to the rear panel has a plurality ofslots50 for credit cards, aholder52 for a mobile phone and aholder54 for a writing implement, for example. Of course other configurations may be provided dependent on the use to which the bag is to be put. A user can thus take the same bag and configure it as a toiletry bag, for example, and then change the organizers to configure the bag as a purse. A user can use some or all of the organizers depending on her needs thereby making the bag very adaptable. The traveler can configure the interior of her bag to accommodate her needs as she sees fit. In some instances, she may desire using only some of the organizers or only one of the organizers. In addition, each discrete organizer may be provided with a strap so that a user can wear the discrete organizer on its own, as a purse, for example. Also, the discrete organizer may be provided with fastening mechanisms that allow it to be secured to a fanny pack, for example. For example, the discrete organizer may have a couple of loops at each end to which a handle may be fastened or to which corresponding clips on a fanny pack may be secured.
Other fastening devices may be used. For example, instead of using snap fasteners, hook and loop pads can be used to secure the organizers in the bag. The organizer would have a flat back panel on which are located one portion of the hook and loop pad that line up with the other cooperating portion of the hook and loop pad on a panel of the bag. In addition, instead of using snap fasteners, a zipper may be used to secure the organizers in the suitcase. The organizer would have located around the periphery of the back panel one half of the zipper, the other half of which is located on a panel of the bag.
Of course other ways of securing the organizers to the interior of the bag are included.
WhileFIGS. 4, 5 and7 show thebag10 with all of the zippers unzipped, the user can still access the interior of the bag by only unzipping one side of the bag. For example the user can unzip the zippers connecting the front panel to the side panels. Alternatively, the user can unzip the zipper coupling the back panel to the side panels.
The organizers may be made of a clear plastic so that the traveler can see the items contained therein. Additionally, they may be made of a non-transparent material such as black nylon, for example. Preferably the organizers are washable and compliant. In addition, a pouch or compartment may be located on the flat back panel of an organizer to provide additional storage or a hidden compartment for valuables.
FIG. 8 is a perspective of aclosed travel bag10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the travel bag is one that is commonly referred to as a Pullman type suitcase that has roller wheels on the bottom and a retractable handle at the top so that the traveler does not have to carry the suitcase but rather rolls it along. Any type of travel bag may be designed to accommodate the discrete organizers disclosed herein, and none of the embodiments are limited to the type of travel bag shown inFIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 1 open to expose the interior of the travel bag. As is well known, with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, the bag has alid12 which is secured to the remainder of the suitcase by a zipper or zippers. When unzippered, the bag opens like a book. Shown secured to the interior surface of the bag and the interior surface of the lid arediscrete organizers14,14′,14″. The discrete organizers are pouch-type units that haveindividual compartments16 formed therein. The compartments are diverse in size and, preferably, have a closing mechanism so that its contents do not fall out of the compartment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9 the closing mechanism is azipper18 although it could also be other types of closing mechanisms such as snaps or hook and loop pads, for example. In addition, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 9 one zipper is used in some instances to close multiple compartments, alternatively, each compartment may be provided with its own closing mechanism. The organizers shown on the interior surface of the lid are of the same size although they do not have to be. The organizer shown in the interior of the suitcase is about double the size of the organizers shown in the lid but it does not necessarily have to be. In addition, the larger organizer could be located on the interior surface of the lid as shown inFIG. 10 and the smaller organizers could be located in the interior of the suitcase as will be discussed hereinafter. Each organizer has loop orloops20 that allows it be hung when removed from the suitcase.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the bag with the organizers removed. The interior surface of the lid and the interior of the bag are provided with asocket portion22 of a snap fastener. As shown, the sockets are symmetrically arranged so that any of the organizers can be used in the lid or interior of the suitcase.
FIG. 11 is a top view of the bag shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the bag with only one of the organizers removed. The traveler can configure the interior of her suitcase to accommodate her needs as she sees fit. In some instances, she may desire using only some of the organizers or only one of the organizers.
FIG. 12 is a rear perspective of anorganizer14 according to an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the organizer has aflat back panel24 on which are located stud posts26 of the snap fasteners that line up with the sockets on the interior of the lid or interior of the suitcase. The organizer is secured to either the interior surface of the lid or suitcase by lining up the stud posts with the sockets and applying enough pressure so that they snap together as is well known.
FIG. 13 is a top view of the suitcase shown inFIG. 8 with only one of the organizers removed according to another embodiment. Instead of using snap fasteners, hook andloop pads28 are used to secure the organizers in the suitcase.FIG. 14 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the embodiment shown inFIG. 13. It can be seen that the organizer has a flat back panel on which are located one portion of the hook andloop pad30 that line up with the other cooperating portion of the hook andloop pad28 on the interior of the lid or interior of the suitcase.
FIG. 15 is a top view of the suitcase shown inFIG. 8 open to expose the interior of the suitcase with only one of the organizers removed according to another embodiment. Instead of using snap fasteners, azipper32 is used to secure the organizers in the suitcase.FIG. 16 is a rear perspective of an organizer used in the embodiment shown inFIG. 15. It can be seen that the organizer has a flat back panel. Located around the periphery of the back panel is one half of the zipper, the other half of which is located on the interior of the lid or interior of the suitcase.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of atravel bag100 shown in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention. Thetravel bag100 has atelescoping handle102 shown in its extended position. Thetravel bag100 itself is in the shape of a duffel bag and has amain flap104 that unzips to provide access to the interior of thebag100. Theflap104 is shown attached to thehandle102 of the bag by ahook106. Located on the interior of theflap104 is adiscrete organizer108. A traveler can open thebag100 by unzipping theflap104 and attaching its end to thehandle102 by itshook106 to expose the items contained in the discrete organizer. Preferably the interior surface of theflap104 is provided with attachments such as the sockets for snap fasteners, hook and loop pads or zippers and the discrete organizer is detachably secured to the interior of theflap104 in a manner already described.FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the travel bag shown inFIG. 18.
In particular, the bag has a bottom panel200 that is parallel to the plane of the floor on which the bag is placed as shown inFIG. 18. The bottom panel has afront edge202, aback edge204, and a first andsecond side edge206,208 coupling thefront edge202 to theback edge204. Thebag100 includes afront panel210 coupled to thefront edge202 of thebottom panel20, aback panel212 coupled to theback edge204 of the bottom panel200. Theback panel212 has atop edge214. The bag also includes afirst side panel216 coupled to thefirst side206 of the bottom panel200 and asecond side panel218 coupled to thesecond side208 of the bottom panel200. Theflap104 has afirst edge219 coupled to thetop edge214 of theback panel212. The flap also hasside edges220 and afront edge222 that detachably couple to the first andsecond side panels216,218 and thefront panel210, respectively. The telescoping handle102 is coupled to theback panel212 and can be in an extended position as shown or in a collapsed position. Thediscrete organizer108 may have a fastener such as ahook224 although other fasteners may be used such as ties, for example, at one end that can be attached to the telescoping handle as shown. Alternatively, the flap103 may have a fastener at its front edge that can be coupled to thehandle102. Thus, when the handle is in its extended position, the interior surface of theflap104 and thus thediscrete organizer108 is exposed and theflap104 is substantially parallel with theback panel212.
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of adiscrete organizer108 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thediscrete organizer108 has a plurality of storage pockets110 located thereon. It also has a back panel (not shown) on which fasteners are located such as those shown inFIGS. 12, 14 and16 that allow thediscrete organizer108 to be detachably coupled to the interior surface of the flap. Thediscrete organizer108 has astrap120 which is shown as attached to the handle of the travel bag but which allows the discrete organizer to be removed from the interior surface of the flap and hung on its own such as form a shower rod, or hook or door handle.FIG. 21 shows adiscrete organizer108′ according to an embodiment of the invention. Thisdiscrete organizer108′ is larger than that shown inFIG. 19. Located on the front surface of thediscrete organizer108 are fasteners (not shown) that allow the discrete organizer to be configured according to a traveler's needs. In particular, the smallerdiscrete organizer108′ is designed to be detachably coupled to the front of thediscrete organizer108 as shown inFIG. 19.
In addition, the discrete organizers may have other configurations. Thetravel bag100 shown inFIG. 18 allows a traveler to display items stored in the discrete organizer in a useful and convenient way. In addition, the traveler can remove the discrete organizer from the interior flap of the bag and hang it on its own. Furthermore, the discrete organizer can be folded as shown inFIG. 18 and placed in the bag.
Of course other ways of securing the organizers to the interior of a travel bag are included.
The organizers may be made of a clear plastic so that the traveler can see the items contained therein. Additionally, they may be made of a nylon netting, for example. The user can this configure the travel bag to her needs by replacing one type of discrete organizer with another. Preferably they are washable and compliant. In addition, a pouch or compartment may be located on the flat back panel of an organizer to provide additional storage or a hidden compartment for valuables.