US20180078008A1 - Waterproof Carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

An interior compartment of waterproof carrier is accessed by an opening that is closed by a waterproof primary zipper. An external or secondary zipper reversibly joins flaps attached to the carrier over the waterproof zipper. The external zipper may be closed when the primary zipper is open.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This non-provisional application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/396,079, filed on Sep. 16, 2016 and titled “WATERPROOF CARRIERS,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The field of the invention is that of carriers for articles, and particularly waterproof carriers made of flexible material.
BACKGROUND ART
• Waterproof carriers or containers are useful for carrying and storing objects while preventing the objects from coming into contact with external moisture. Merriam-Webster defines “waterproof” as “impervious to water; especially: covered or treated with a material (as a solution of rubber) to prevent permeation by water.”
• “Water” usually means liquid water such as rain and the water that fills lakes, rivers, and seas. Water vapor, such as the gaseous water that normally is part of the air, sometimes may not be excluded by “waterproof” material. as in the case of some materials that exclude liquid water but not air or water vapor. Examples of the latter include high-quality tightly-woven long staple cotton fabrics sold under the trademark Ventile® and the Gore-Tex® stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes bound to fabrics to prevent the passage of liquid water. Following the success of Gore-Tex® membranes, other processes have been developed to provide a degree of permeable waterproofness to fabrics. Furthermore, “waterproofness” comes in degrees that vary according to the environment in which the carrier is placed.
• The IP code, the International Protection marking (IEC standard 60529), is of interest. It classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion (body parts such as hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes the standard for the IP code. The IP code currently has two numbers. The first number rates the degree of protection from intrusion by solid particles and has seven levels, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (no intrusion by dust in a vacuum test). The second number rates the degree of protection from intrusion by liquids and has eleven levels, including 0 (no protection), 6K (water projected in powerful jets (6.3 mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction, under elevated pressure, shall have no harmful effects), 8 (no entry of liquid after indefinite immersion to a depth of more than one meter), and 9K (protected against four thirty-second close-range high pressure, high temperature (80 C) water jet sprays, each from a different angle). A code of IPX5, for example, means that the device or enclosure is not rated for protection against intrusion of solid objects (thus the “X”) but has rating 5 for protection (intrusion of water projected by a nozzle (6.3 mm) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects).
• ASTM International of West Conshohocken, Pa., established ASTM D3393-91 (“Standard Specification for Coated Fabrics—Waterproofness”). This standard is intended to “establish a recognized criterion for ‘waterproofness’ in terms of a minimum hydrostatic resistance. The coated fabric to be tested is placed in a machine that will apply and release a water pressure of 207 kiloPascal (kPa), plus or minus 7.0 kPa (equivalent to 30 pounds per square inch (psi) plus or minus 1.0 psi) four times within one minute, followed by maintaining a pressure at 207 kPa, plus or minus 7.0 kPa for 60 seconds (plus or minus five seconds). The coated fabric fails the test if the tester observes any penetration of water through the fabric while the fabric specimen is under pressure.
• “Waterproofness,” as a term used to describe fabrics and other materials that are meant to be impervious to (at least) liquid water, depends at least on the pressure of the water against the material. Another known method of measuring the relative waterproofness (“waterproof rating”) that is less dynamic than the ASTM standard test is to measure the height in millimeters of a column of liquid water, having a cross-section of one inch squared and placed above and against the material to be tested, that will be sufficient to cause leaking of water through the material. This is the “static column test.” The height of the column in millimeters corresponds to the static pressure of the water against the material and measures the imbalance of force on the material that would tend to drive the water through the material. 704 millimeters corresponds to one pound per square inch (psi) or 68.95 mBar. (One Bar is defined as 100,000 Pascals, equivalent to 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) absolute or 0.987 standard atmospheric pressure (atm).)
• A waterproof rating between 0-5,000 millimeters (0-7.1 psi or 0-489.7 mBar) gives resistance to leaking ranging from no resistance to some resistance to moisture. The latter rating is sufficient for the material to withstand dry snow and even light rain. Ratings over 5,000 millimeters (7.1 psi) to 10,000 millimeters (14.2 psi or 979.4 mBar) are considered rainproof and waterproof under light pressure. Higher ratings give more resistance to greater pressures.
• Waterproof carriers or containers for goods are generally hard or soft. Hard waterproof containers are made of a rigid material such as a metal alloy, a thermoplastic, or fiberglass. The rigid material is usually waterproof as long as it has no weak points. The opening to the interior compartment usually is the area of concern because it breaches the rigid material. The opening to the inner compartment of the container may be accessed by a hatch or door. The hatch or door usually is closed against a seal located around the edges of the hatch or door or the edges of the opening to the interior compartment. The seal is compressed when the hatch or door closes the opening. Contemporary examples include the Otterbox® and Pelican® lines of waterproof cases. Examples having an earlier history are the waterproof ammunition boxes or cans developed for the U.S. military in World War II and still in use today for storage of ammunition and other items.
• Soft or flexible waterproof carriers or containers are made of a flexible waterproof material such as waterproofed fabric or a plastic such as neoprene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Soft waterproof containers have advantages over hard waterproof containers such as less weight, greater storability when not in use because they can be folded flat or rolled up, adjustability of size when loaded, and flexibility when loaded because the material of the carrier may deform to adapt to the space provided for the carrier.
• Soft waterproof carriers or containers are used in the outdoor market for backpacks, bags of all types including duffle bags, shoulder bags, camera bags, stuff bags, and the like. These carriers protect their contents against rain, dew, and mist and perhaps being dunked in a stream or lake. A problem facing waterproof soft carriers is how to seal an opening provided in the carrier to allow insertion and removal of objects to and from an interior compartment. Unlike hard waterproof carriers, the carrier usually is not rigid enough to provide a compression seal against a port or door, although addition of rigid components could make this possible at the expense of greater weight and more rigidity.
• One widely-used solution to providing a waterproof closure is to provide a carrier made of waterproof material having an opening at the end of a tube long enough that the tube can be rolled up to close the opening. The rolled-up tube typically is secured by a two-piece interlocking buckle in which a first piece of the buckle is attached by a strap to one side of the end of the tube and the second piece by a second strap to the other side of the end of the tube. Alternatively, hook-and-loop fabric may be employed to secure the rolled-up tube. Dry bags used in paddle sports and other outdoor pursuits often have a rolled-up tube closure.
• An example of a soft carrier with such an enclosure is one of the line of Alpha FL backpacks, described by manufacturer Arc'teryx Equipment (currently a division of Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor Company) as an “ultra light, durable, highly weather resistant climbing pack designed for fast and light alpine, ice and rock routes,” with an inner compartment accessed by a “RollTop™ closure.”
• Arc'teryx Equipment described its earlier carrier, the Naos backpack sold in 2005-2006 (see http://www.usoutdoor.com/arcteryx/arcteryx-naos-55-backpack/, last accessed on Sep. 16, 2016) and described as being waterproof. Arc'teryx made the body of the Naos backpack of two pieces of nylon fabric coated on both sides with urethane and joined with two fully taped seams. The Naos backpack used a roll-top closure to secure its waterproof interior compartment in the style of the Alpha FL “highly weather resistant” backpacks.
• An example of a different closure for a soft carrier from the same company is one of Arc'teryx Equipment's Carrier Duffle series of carriers, described as a “light, durable, highly water-resistant . . . gear duffle” and having an inner compartment accessed by opening a “WaterTight™ main zipper.”
• A well-known waterproof and gas-proof zipper is the TIZIP® slide zip fastener sold by Titex Vertriebs-GmbH of Germany. Titex GmbH describes its TIZIP® Super Seal slide zip fastener as “gas-tight up to 700 mBar” and being “made from a strong plastic coil zipper on a high strength fabric. Every coil half is safely embedded and secured in a plastic profile. When the TIZIP SuperSeal is closed the sealing lips above and below the coils are compressed making a perfect seal.” A pressure of 700 mBar corresponds to 7,147 millimeters of water or 10.152 psi. Other Titex GmbH slide zip fasteners have lesser degrees of gas-tightness. Titex's MasterSeal series of slide zip fasteners have teeth rather than a coil zipper.
• Titex GmbH is not the only manufacturer of “waterproof” zippers. For example, YKK Corp. of Japan sells a variety of water-resistant and waterproof slide zip fasteners under the trademarks PROSEAL®, AQUASEAL®, and FLEXSEAL®. The PROSEAL® line offers waterproofness up to one Bar (14.504 psi) of water pressure and the two other lines offer lower degrees of protection. For example, FLEXSEAL® CR25 tape is rated to 0.4 Bar (5.8 psi) whereas FLEXSEAL® P23 tape is rated to 0.05 Bar (0.725 psi). Two versions of the AQUASEAL® zipper are rated as 0.3 Bar and 0.05 Bar, respectively.
• Manufacturers of zippers may refer to the zippers with lower resistance to passage of water as “water-resistant” and zippers with high resistance to passage of water as “waterproof.”
• All zippers that are designed to resist the passage of water and/or gas when closed must be completely closed in order to prevent passage of water or gas. This requires care on the part of the user. “Waterproof” zippers share another characteristic in addition to being highly water-resistant when closed. The slides of these zippers are difficult to move compared to ordinary zippers. The slides of waterproof zippers offer noticeable resistance to being moved because the slides are compressing or squeezing sealing material together when the zipper is closed (or opening such material when the zipper is opened) on either side of the coiled or toothed zipper. Accordingly, persons using carriers are less likely to open and close such zippers because of the necessary exertion unless the zipper must be opened to allow access to the interior of the carrier or closed to positively prevent ingress of water.
• This specification will refer to zippers as being “waterproof” when such zippers are highly water resistant and have slides that are difficult to move compared to ordinary zippers. Examples of “waterproof” zippers are the TIZIP® Super Seal slide zip fastener and the YKK Corp.'s PROSEAL® line of slide zip fastener mentioned above.
• Waterproof zippers also should be kept clean of sand, dust, and debris in order to be waterproof because the sealing material will not be able to properly close around the coils or teeth of a waterproof zipper if sand, dirt, dust, or other debris obstructs the sealing material. A carrier with an open waterproof zipper therefore should be kept away from sand, dust, and debris in order to not degrade the function of the waterproof zipper. The zipper may need to be cleaned if it is exposed to sand, dust, or debris.
• A soft waterproof carrier employing a waterproof zipper that is exposed to field conditions therefore should have its waterproof zipper closed as much as possible in order to avoid entry of sand, dust, and debris. The user then will have to open the waterproof zipper in order to access the interior compartment of the carrier. As mentioned above, however, opening and then closing the zipper is no easy task. The user will be tempted to leave the waterproof zipper open, which means that sand, dust, and debris may contaminate the waterproof zipper and enter the interior compartment. Leaving the waterproof zipper open also exposes the contents of the interior compartment to the weather, such as mist and rain.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• The invention provides a carrier with a waterproof primary or internal zipper closing an opening in one or more walls that define an otherwise waterproof interior compartment of the carrier. The carrier provides a flap connected to the exterior of one or more of the walls in such a way as to be able to cover and thereby protect the opened waterproof zipper from sand, dust, or debris. The flap may be moved from a first position in which the flap covers and protects the waterproof zipper to a second position away from the waterproof zipper in order to permit access to waterproof zipper and the opening to the interior compartment.
• Preferably, two flaps are attached to the one or more walls on either side of, and exterior to, the waterproof zipper. Preferably, an external or secondary zipper secures the flaps to each other to cover the waterproof zipper. The external zipper is chosen to be easier to close and open than a waterproof zipper and preferably has a degree of resistance to the passage of water when closed. The flaps cover the waterproof zipper when the secondary zipper is closed and prevent sand, dust, debris, and moisture from reaching the waterproof zipper (and the interior compartment if the waterproof zipper is open). The invention provides a method of using the carrier to protect the internal or waterproof zipper and the interior compartment of the carrier when the waterproof zipper is open by closing the flaps with the secondary zipper.
• Accordingly, an advantage of the invention is that the secondary or external zipper may be employed to close the flap or flaps over the waterproof zipper while the waterproof zipper is open. Closure of the flap or flaps prevents entry of sand, dust, debris, moisture, and other contaminants into the inner compartment and thereby protects the contents of the inner compartment secured in that compartment. It also keeps the waterproof zipper clean. The person using the carrier does not have to go to the trouble of closing the waterproof zipper except in situations that require the full waterproofness of which the carrier is capable, such as hard rain or possible immersion in a body of water or being splashed by a wave.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a carrier according to the invention in the form of a backpack;
• FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the backpack shown inFIG. 1, in which the external or secondary zipper is shown being opened.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the backpack shown inFIG. 1 in which the external zipper is fully opened.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the backpack shown inFIG. 1 in which both the external zipper and the waterproof or primary zipper are fully opened.
• FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the receiver of the backpack shown inFIG. 1 before the external zipper is opened.
• FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the receiver of the backpack as shown inFIG. 5 wherein the external zipper is opened to the top of the backpack.
• FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the receiver of the backpack as shown inFIG. 5 wherein the external zipper is opened to the other side of the backpack.
• FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the receiver of the backpack as shown inFIG. 5 wherein the external zipper is completely opened and the primary zipper is opened to the top of the backpack.
• FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the receiver of the backpack as shown inFIG. 5 wherein the external zipper is completely opened and the primary zipper is completely opened.
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the receiver of the backpack as shown inFIG. 5 (wherein the external and the primary zippers are closed), taken along the plane10-10,
• FIG. 11 is a partial view of the sectional view of the receiver of the backpack shown inFIG. 10 within the semi-circle indicated inFIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
• The following table is a list of the reference numerals used in the drawings and the objects identified by the reference numerals:
• 1 waterproof backpack
• 2 receiver
• 3 shoulder straps
• 4 waist belt
• 10 non-body contacting side wall
• 11 body-contacting side wall
• 13 top side wall
• 14 right side wall
• 15 left side wall
• 16 bottom side wall
• 17 secondary compartment
• 18 zipper for accessing secondary compartment
• 20 interior compartment
• 22 opening
• 30 waterproof primary or internal zipper
• 31 first zipper side
• 32 first side zipper element
• 33 second zipper side
• 34 second side zipper element
• 35 slider
• 36 slider pull
• 40 first flap
• 41 longitudinal first edge
• 42 end first edge
• 43 end first edge
• 44 longitudinal second edge
• 45 second flap
• 46 longitudinal first edge
• 47 end first edge
• 48 end first edge
• 49 longitudinal second edge
• 50 secondary or external zipper
• 51 first zipper side
• 52 first zipper element
• 53 second zipper side
• 54 second zipper element
• 55 slider
• 56 zipper pull
• 60 zipper pull handle
• Referring now toFIG. 1 in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a waterproof carrier according to the invention is shown. This is thewaterproof backpack1. Thewaterproof backpack1 has areceiver2 connected to shoulder straps3 and awaist belt4. Thereceiver2 has six connected side walls.FIG. 1 shows a non-body contactingside wall10 that is opposed to and generally parallel to a body-contacting side wall11 (not shown inFIG. 1). The body-contactingside wall11 is connected to and supports the shoulder straps3 andwaist belt4. Both the non-body contactingside wall10 and the body-contactingside wall11 are connected to atop side wall13, aright side wall14, aleft side wall15, and a bottom side wall16 (theleft side wall15 and thebottom side wall16 also are not shown inFIG. 1). Theright side wall14 is connected to thetop side wall13 and thebottom side wall16. Theleft side wall15 is connected to thetop side wall13 and thebottom side wall16.
• The non-body contactingside wall10, the body-contactingside wall11, thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, theleft side wall15, and thebottom side wall16 together define an interior compartment20 (not shown inFIG. 1 but shown inFIGS. 4, 9, 10, and 11).
• The non-body contactingside wall10, the body-contactingside wall11, thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, theleft side wall15, and thebottom side wall16 preferably are made of a waterproof material. The waterproof material could be a fabric laminated to or coated with a waterproofing material such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone elastomer, and fluoropolymers. It could be a continuous plastic material such as PVC, and the like. The waterproof material may be flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid.
• The non-body contactingside wall10, the body-contactingside wall11, thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, theleft side wall15, and thebottom side wall16 are joined to each other to form a waterproof barrier around theinterior compartment20. This can be accomplished by sealing sewn seams, welding (thermal or ultrasonic), or by forming the walls out of continuous waterproof material.
• The structure of thebackpack1 may be varied in a number of ways. For example, thebackpack1 is shown inFIG. 1 to have asecondary compartment17 is formed in the non-body contactingside wall10. Thesecondary compartment17 is accessed by azipper18 and need not be waterproof because theinterior compartment20 will be waterproof. Thesecondary compartment17 is not essential to the invention and may be omitted. More than one waterproofinterior compartment20 might be provided in thebackpack1 but this is optional and is not shown in the drawings.
• Thereceiver2 of thebackpack1 could be formed as a cylinder with a top and a bottom end. The specific configuration of thereceiver2 is not important as long as it provides waterproof walls around at least one interior compartment.
• A waterproof primary orinternal zipper30 will seal anopening22 into theinterior compartment20 so theinterior compartment20 may be made waterproof when the waterproof primary orinternal zipper30 is shut. Thewaterproof zipper30 is shown inFIGS. 2-4 and 6-11. Commercially available waterproof zippers that are suitable are made by TIZIP and YKK as explained in the “background art” section of this specification. Waterproof zippers include two strips or sides. Each of the sides contains a lengthwise element that mates with a lengthwise element on the other side. The elements may be the two mating coils of a coil zipper or the two lines of teeth that mate with each other in a toothed zipper, together with sealing material. The elements are closed or opened using a slider.
• FIG. 2 shows thewaterproof zipper30, itssides31 and33 and their correspondinglengthwise elements32 and34. Thewaterproof zipper30 is shown to be closed inFIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11. Thewaterproof zipper30 is shown to be open inFIGS. 4 and 9 and partially open inFIG. 8.FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 show thezipper30'sslider35 together with aslider pull36.
• Two flaps or covers40 and45 are attached to thereceiver2 and together are adapted to cover thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, and theleft side wall15. Thefirst flap40 is attached along a longitudinalfirst edge41 to the seam or region where the non-body contactingside wall10 is connected or joined to thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, and theleft side wall15. Thesecond flap45 is attached along a longitudinalfirst edge46 to the seam or region where the body contactingside wall11 is connected or joined to thetop side wall13, theright side wall14, and theleft side wall15. The end first edges42 and47 of each of theflaps40 and45, respectively, are connected to the seam or in the general region where theright side wall14 is connected or joined to thebottom side wall16 and the end first edges43 and48 (not shown in the drawings), respectively, to the seam or region where theleft side wall15 is connected or joined to thebottom side wall16.
• The first edges41,42, and43 of thefirst flap40 therefore are connected to thereceiver2. The first edges46,47, and48 of thesecond flap45 therefore are connected to thereceiver2. Thefirst flap40 has a longitudinalsecond edge44 that is not connected to thereceiver2 and thesecond flap45 has a longitudinalsecond edge49 that is not connected to thereceiver2. A secondary orexternal zipper50 connects the longitudinalsecond edges44 and49, respectively, of theflaps40 and45 whereby theflaps40 and45 completely cover the waterproofprimary zipper30.
• Theflaps40 and45 are made of a flexible material so their second edges may be moved away from the waterproofprimary zipper30 when theexternal zipper50 is opened. The specific location of theflaps40 and45 may be varied from that shown in the drawings as long as theflaps40 and45 cover thewaterproof zipper30 when theexternal zipper50 is closed.
• The external orsecondary zipper50 has afirst zipper element51 attached to thesecond edge44 and asecond zipper element52 attached to thesecond edge49. The first andsecond zipper elements51 and52 are mounted on strips made of fabric or plastic that are connected to thesecond edges44 and49 by sewing, welding, and the like. Thefirst zipper element51 and thesecond zipper element52 may be connected and disconnected to each other by moving theslider55 along thesezipper elements51 and52.
• Theexternal zipper50 may be closed by sliding theslider55 along thefirst zipper element51 and thesecond zipper element52 in order to cover the waterproofinternal zipper30 with theflaps40 and45. Thus, closing theexternal zipper50 will prevent sand, dust, debris, and moisture from entering theopening22 and thus theinterior compartment20 when thewaterproof zipper30 is open. This also will prevent debris such as sand, dust, and debris from contaminating the firstside zipper element32 and the secondside zipper element34 when thewaterproof zipper30 is open and the firstside zipper element32 and the secondside zipper element34 are separated from each other and are vulnerable to contamination.
• Preferably, theexternal zipper50 is a water-resistant zipper but not as difficult to open and close as thewaterproof zipper30. The external zipper should be easily closed and opened so the user can zip together theflaps40 and45 without much effort and therefore protect both the contents of thecompartment20 and the open waterproofprimary zipper30. Anexternal zipper50 that is water-resistant will add protection from moisture to protection from the intrusion of sand and debris.
• Thecarrier1 may be used in one of three configurations. First, both thewaterproof zipper30 and theexternal zipper50 are closed as shown inFIGS. 1, 5, 10, and11. This configuration will provide the greatest protection to the contents of theinterior compartment20 from water, sand, dust, and debris in the environment.
• In a second configuration thewaterproof zipper30 and theexternal zipper50 are opened by sliding thesliders35 and55, respectively, in order to permit the user to access the contents of theinterior compartment20, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9. This configuration will permit water, sand, dust, and debris in the environment to enter theinterior compartment20 and for theelements32 and34 of the waterproofprimary zipper30 to become contaminated with sand, dust, or debris.
• In a third configuration (not specifically shown in the drawings) the waterproof primary orinternal zipper30 is open but theexternal zipper50 is closed. This configuration will keep moisture such as light rain out of theopening22. In addition, the configuration will prevent sand grains and debris such as dirt and dust from contaminating thefirst zipper element32 and thesecond zipper element34 while those two elements are not joined to each other. Keeping both the firstside zipper element32 and the secondside zipper element34 clean will help ensure that the waterproof primary orinternal zipper30 will be waterproof when it is closed.
• The third configuration is advantageous for a situation in which the user intends to use the contents of the interior compartment but does not need thecarrier1 to be waterproof. Perhaps the weather is not raining or is only lightly raining. Perhaps the carrier is in no danger of falling into a body of water. The third configuration allows the user to access to the contents of theinterior compartment20 as needed by opening theexternal zipper50. Theinterior compartment20 and theelements32 and43 of the waterproofprimary zipper30 will be quickly protected from sand, dust, debris, and external moisture by quickly reclosing theexternal zipper50.
• Opening theexternal zipper50 is easier than opening the waterproofinternal zipper30; likewise, closing theexternal zipper50 is easier than closing the waterproofinternal zipper30. Accordingly, the third configuration has the advantage that the user is more likely to keep theexternal zipper50 closed when access to theinterior compartment20 is not needed. In addition, thewaterproof zipper30'selements32 and34 are protected from contamination when theexternal zipper50 is closed.
• While the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment or its particular manner of construction, materials or components. For example, the flaps may be secured to each other by hook-and-loop material attached to the flaps as another means to reversibly connect the second edges of the flaps. A single flap might be provided that can cover the entirety of the waterproof zipper instead of two flaps meeting each other above the waterproof zipper. The single flap could have a second or free edge provided with one side of a zipper that mates with the other side of the zipper connected to one or more of the walls of the receiver, in effect eliminating one of the two flaps of the preferred embodiment. The shape and type of the receiver may be varied as needed.
• The invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier comprising:

a receiver having waterproof walls that are joined to each other in order to define an inner compartment,

an opening defined in one or more of the walls,

a waterproof primary zipper connected to the one or more of the walls at the opening such that the opening may be closed by sliding a slider along the waterproof zipper in one direction and opened by sliding the slider along the waterproof primary zipper in a direction opposed to the one direction,

a flap comprising one or more first edges attached to one or more of the walls and disposed so as to move between a first position covering an entirety of the waterproof primary zipper so as to prevent sand, dirt, or dust from accessing the waterproof primary zipper and a second position wherein the flap is displaced from the waterproof primary zipper in order to permit a user to obtain access to the waterproof primary zipper and thereby to open the waterproof primary zipper, and

a zipper attached to the flap for reversibly securing the flap in the first position.

2. A carrier comprising:

a receiver having waterproof walls that are joined to each other and define an inner compartment,

an opening defined in one or more of the walls,

a waterproof primary zipper connected to the one or more of the walls at the opening such that the opening may be closed by sliding a slider along the waterproof primary zipper in one direction and opened by sliding the slider along the waterproof primary zipper in a direction opposed to the one direction,

first and second flaps comprising one or more first edges attached to the walls of the receiver on either side of and external from the waterproof zipper, the first and second flaps each further comprising second edges connectable to each other wherein the first and second flaps may cover an entirety of the waterproof primary zipper so as to prevent sand and dust from accessing the waterproof primary zipper and the second edges of the first and second flaps may be displaced from each other in order to permit a user to obtain access to the waterproof primary zipper and thereby to open the waterproof primary zipper, and

an external secondary zipper attached to the second edges of the first and second flaps such that the second edges may be connected to each other by sliding a slider along the external secondary zipper in one direction and disconnected from each other by sliding the slider along the external secondary zipper in a direction opposed to the one direction.

3. The carrier according toclaim 2 wherein the external secondary zipper is a water-resistant zipper.

4. A method of protecting an opening of a receiver having waterproof walls joined to each other and defining an inner compartment wherein the walls adjacent the opening are provided with a waterproof primary zipper and the opening may be closed by sliding a slider along the waterproof primary zipper in one direction and opened by sliding the slider along the waterproof primary zipper in a direction opposed to the one direction, comprising:

providing first and second flaps comprising one or more first edges attached to the walls of the receiver on either side of and external from the waterproof zipper, the first and second flaps each further comprising second edges connectable to each other, whereby the first and second flaps may cover an entirety of the waterproof primary zipper and the second edges of the first and second flaps may be displaced from each other in order to permit a user to obtain access to the waterproof primary zipper and thereby to open the waterproof primary zipper,

providing an external secondary zipper for connecting the second edges of the first and second flaps, and

sliding a slider along the external secondary zipper in one direction to secure the second edges of the first and second flaps to each other when the waterproof primary zipper is open so as to prevent sand and dust from accessing the waterproof primary zipper.

5. The method according toclaim 4 wherein the external secondary zipper is a water-resistant zipper.

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