FIELD

The invention relates to bags. BACKGROUND A bag is a flexible container for carrying things. By way of example, many carry a handbag to conveniently store and transport a wide assortment of small items required for everyday life.

As some bags can become one's almost constant companion through life, it is important that such bags be robust and practical and also be aesthetically pleasing. Indeed many regard the aesthetics of certain types of bags as critically important.

A wide assortment of bags has been developed to suit a vast array of purposes and individual preferences. Nonetheless, the present inventors have recognised various deficiencies in existing bag design.

Some existing leather bags are formed of pliable leather that is sufficiently rigid, and otherwise configured, so that the bag can stand upright on a horizontal planar surface to attractively display the bag. Over time the "ground"-contacting portions of the bag, and the adjacent lower portions of its side walls, become worn. Scratches and scuff marks, immediately detracting from the aesthetics of the bag, may first become apparent. With ongoing wear, the leather can become more pliable such that the bag is no longer able to neatly stand upright. In the extreme, holes may be worn through the leather. Bags formed of fabric tend to be more scuff and scratch resistant but more inclined to accumulate dirt. The mentioned lower portions of the bag are typically first to accumulate dirt. Accumulated dirt of course detracts from the aesthetics of the bag. The invention aims to provide improvements in and for bags, or at least to provide an alternative for those concerned with bags.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way at the priority date.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the invention provides a bag including a portion defining an interior space; and a sole fastened to the portion.

The sole is preferably at least predominantly formed of resiliently deformable material such as rubber, and is most preferably at least predominantly integrally formed.

The sole may be bonded to the portion. Most preferably the sole is vulcanised to the portion. Optionally vulcanising rubber is interposed between the sole and the portion to vulcanise the sole to the portion.

Preferably at least one portion of a periphery of the sole extends upwardly to tolerate scuffing. By way of example, if the bag is in plan longer than it is wide, the sole preferably has upwardly extending ends. The entire periphery of the sole may extend upwardly to tolerate scuffing. Preferably in substance the entire periphery of the sole extends upwardly to tolerate scuffing; the bag is in plan longer than it is wide; and the sole has ends upwardly extending beyond other portions of the periphery of the sole. The upwardly extending portions are preferably shaped to cup the portion to shield the portion from scuffing. Preferably the bag is in plan at least twice as long as it is wide. Preferred forms of the bag are configured to stand upright on a horizontal planar surface.

The sole may downwardly present a textured gripping surface, which gripping surface preferably includes parallel ridges. The sole may have at least one tapered edge.

The bag may have at least one carry handle and/or at least one shoulder strap.

Preferably the bag has a volume of at least 2L.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a bag including fastening, e.g. bonding, a sole to a portion for defining an interior space. Preferably the fastening is vulcanising. Optionally the vulcanising includes interposing, between the sole and the portion, vulcanising rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The figures illustrate various non-limiting examples of bags and details thereof. Figure 1 is a front view of a bag. Figure 2 is a rear view of the bag of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an end view of the bag of Figure 1. Figure 4a is a perspective view of a sole of the bag of Figure 1. Figure 4b is a front view of the sole of Figure 4a. Figure 4c is a bottom view of the sole of Figure 4a. Figure 5 is a schematic vertical transverse cross-section view of the bag of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a front view of another bag.

Figure 7 is an elevation of an internal side face of the bag of Figure 6. Figure 8 is an elevation of a rear internal face of the bag of Figure 6. Figure 9 is an elevation of a front internal face of the bag of Figure 6. Figure 10 is a front view of an assortment of bags. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an exemplary bag 1 including a body 10, sole 20, carry handle 30 and a shoulder strap 40. The body 10 defines an interior space 1 1 (Figure 5) for carrying personal items such as a wallet, keys, mobile phone, etc. As best illustrated in Figure 5, the body 10 has a multi-layered construction. Heavy canvas 12 defines an outer layer. A fusing layer 13 followed by an internal lining 14 lie inwardly of the outer canvas 12. The fusing layer 13 is a fusing interface serving to mutually bond the layers 12, 14.

The layers 12, 13, 14 are together pliable sheet material and are shaped to define a vessel, in the form of body portion 18a, encompassing the volume 1 1 and being upwardly open at opening 19. A similar composite layer, or web, 12, 13, 14 extends upwardly from a rear face of the body 18a to define a flap 18b which in its free condition overlies the opening 19 and a front 12a, 12b of the body 18a. In doing so, the flap 18b closes the opening 19. Other forms of pliable sheet material are contemplated. The flap 18b is suitably weighted so that in its free condition it lies substantially flat against the front 12a, 12b. In this example the flap 18b is weighted by the addition of an additional layer 16 of heavy canvas overlying the internal lining 14. The layer 16 overlies about two thirds of the flap 18b and is positioned adjacent the flap's free "end" (which end is at the top of Figure 5 but is at the bottom of the flap 18b when the flap is hanging downwardly in its free condition).

The flap 18b is trimmed with 3 mm cord piping 17 captured within a return fold running along the free end of the flap 18b from end to end of the bag. The outer canvas 12 of the body 18a is formed of front panels 12a, 12b. As will be appreciated from the Figures, the body 18a is longer than it is wide, and approximately rectangular, when viewed in plan (see for example Figure 4c). It is also approximately rectangular in its front and side elevations (see for example Figures 1 and 3). In front and side elevation the extremities of the bag upwardly converge at a shallow angle. For example in Figure 3 the side edges of the panel 12c upwardly converge. In the same view it is apparent that the panels are shaped for the front and rear panels to bulge outwardly beyond the edges of the panel 12c. Likewise Figures 1 and 2 show that the side panels 12c and 12d are shaped to bulge outwardly beyond their edges. The four upright seams towards the end of the bag may carry corded piping. The panel 12a has a vertical edge at which it is fastened to the panel 12b and an upright but slightly inclined edge at which it is bonded to the end panel 12d. Panel 12b is a mirror image of the panel 12a including an upright but slightly inclined edge at which it is fastened to the panel 12c. The rear panels 12e, 12f are of similar construction to the front panels 12a, 12b. In this example, adjacent ones of the panels 12a to 12f are mutually fastened by split stitched seams. As best illustrated in Figure 2, a horizontal row of double stitching fastens the rear panels 12e, 12f to the flap 18b and also to the handle 30. A pair of bar tacks 12h at each end of the handle serve to reinforce this attachment. In this example the seam 12g is a 3 mm two-needle topstitch seam. The carry handle 30 is in substance about 38 cm long.

Strap 40 is in substance about 125 cm long by about 5 cm wide. Each end of the strap 40 is finished with a respective metal cap 41. Metal caps 41 are convenient locations to display indicia such as branding information. The strap 40 attaches to the end panels 12c, 12d of the bag with the aid of a pair of buckles 42. In this example the buckles are slider buckles, each consisting of an integrally formed body defining three vertically spaced horizontal bars. Each buckle 42 is attached to its one of the end panels 12c, 12d via a loop of suitable fabric capturing its central bar and being suitably stitched to its end panel. Each end of the strap 40 is then woven through a respective one of the buckles 42.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the strap 40 may be sleeved with a suitable shoulder pad 43.

Returning to Figure 5, in this example of the bag, the lower extent of the outer canvas 12 wraps around to underlie the interior space 1 1. A foam layer 15 and an additional layer of heavy canvas 16 are interposed between these underlying portions of the canvas 12 and the internal lining 14. The layer 15 serves to provide a padded base of the bag. The layer 16 is inwards (on top of) the layer 15. The periphery 16a of the layer 16 is contoured, its highest portions being at the ends of the bag. This contour is complementary to a contour of the sole 20 whereby the periphery 16a is a constant about 5 cm above a periphery of the sole 20 as suggested by dimensions A and B in Figure 1.

Turning to Figure 4a, the sole 20 is an integral body of rubber including a side wall 21 and a planar base 22. The side wall 21 encircles and extends upwardly from the base 22. The sole 20 and canvas 12 mutually conform such that the sole 20 is shaped to cup the lower portions of the body 18a.

In this example the base 22 is ovoid when viewed in plan and a constant about 6 mm thick. The upper and lower surfaces of the wall 21 tangentially join the upper and lower surfaces of the base 22 and then outwardly converge such that the thickness of the side wall tapers from about 6 mm thick adjacent base 22 down to about 0.5 mm thick at its peripheral edge 20a. The variable thickness of the sole 20 and in particular the thickness reducing in directions approaching its edges allows for a thick and durable ground-engaging portion without an obtrusive step about the periphery of the sole 20. Desirably sole 20 is formed of a resilient material so as to be impact resistant and provide a pleasing sound and feel when placing the bag on a ground surface.

Desirably the peripheral edge 20a is a continuous smooth edge formed of tangentially connected line and curve segments and free of angular corners.

End portions 21a, 21 b of the wall 21 (i.e. the portions at the ends of the bag's long horizontal axis) are higher than its side portions 21 c, 21 d. In this example the end portions rise to about 55 mm above a ground surface (dimension C) and the side walls 21 c, 21 d rise to about 12 mm above the ground surface (dimension D).

In preferred forms of the bag the sole 20 downwardly presents a high friction surface. This is another measure enhancing the feel of the bag when placing the bag onto a ground surface. By way of example, when placing the bag onto a shiny table top, the high friction surface of the sole serves to prevent the noise and sensation of sliding and scratching. The sole may be formed of various materials which are inherently high friction, e.g. soft rubber, and/or include textural elements for enhanced gripping. This example of the bag includes textural elements in the form of parallel ridges. The ridges extend across, and are spaced along, the bag. The ridges are very fine line ridges being about 0.5 mm thick by about 0.5 mm deep. The sole is another convenient location to present information. In this example a trade mark 23 is moulded into the base 22.

The sole 20 is shaped to bear the brunt of scuffing and day to day impacts. In particular the ends 21 a, 21 b extend upwardly to define the lower portions of the ends of the bag, which portions have been recognised by the present inventors as being particularly prone to scuffing. In this example, the sole 20 shields underlying pliable material 12, 13, 14 from scuffing, although in other examples this pliable material may not underlie the sole. By way of example a suitable edge of a tube like body of pliable material may be bonded to the edge 20a. For the avoidance of doubt such a tube like body defines an interior space as this wording is used herein.

In this example of the bag, the sole is fastened to the portion 18a. Various modes of fastening are contemplated. For the avoidance of doubt, "fastened" and similar terms as used herein require a positive fastening act. By way of example, "A being fastened to B" typically does not take in "A being integrally formed with B", although A may be fastened to B by welding so as to form a common integral body of material.

In preferred forms of the bag, the sole 20 is vulcanised to the body 18a. Vulcanisation is a form of bonding. At least preferred forms of vulcanisation avoid the need for stitching and are more durable than stitching. Optionally, vulcanising rubber, and more preferably a layer of vulcanising rubber, is interposed between the sole 20 and the canvas 12 of the body 18a. Vulcanising rubber is any glue or adhesive suitable for vulcanisation.

Figures 6 to 9 illustrate an alternate bag differing from the bag of Figure 1 by the omission of handle 30 and strap 40 and in internal details. The internal surface of the flap 18b is trimmed with a curved line of heavy chain stitching running from end to end of the bag. The same internal surface also carries a pair of mutually spaced elasticised bands 14b for retaining a pen or pencil.

Cut out pocket 14k exposing an inner lining opens from a top edge of the front of the bag. The pocket 14k is stitched through to an outer. Figures 7, 8 and 9 are elevations of the internal panels at an end, the rear and the front of the bag. The panels are rivet overlaid to the underlying material. The internal end carries a pocket 14c formed of flexible fabric loosely overlying a lining and having an elasticised binding 14d running across its horizontal top edge. The pocket 14c carries a foldaway shopping bag. The rear internal face of the bag carries a further elasticised band 14e and a zippered pocket 14f. The band 14e runs horizontally and, like the bands 14b, is bar-tacked at its ends and adapted to accommodate a pen or pencil. In this example, the zippered pocket is purse shaped. The pocket 14f is trapezoid in shape when viewed in elevation, being about 25 cm wide at its base by about 12 cm high by about 19 cm wide at its zippered top. The pocket 14f is formed of pliable sheet material and includes gathering at its top to give fullness.

The horizontal opening of a further pocket 14g runs from end to end of the bag and across the top of the pocket 14f. The pocket 14g is defined by two close fitting layers which are separable such that sheets of paper and other thin objects can be

conveniently received between the layers. One of the layers carries the pocket 14f. Behind the other of the two layers is a layer of foam in the vicinity of 2 mm thick to enhance the feel of the bag. The pocket 14g is a full depth pocket span in substance covering the entire rear internal face of the bag.

The forward internal face of the bag includes a further thin pocket 14h which is relevantly similar to the pocket 14g. From this face pocket 14i is presented to the interior of the bag. Pocket 14i is rectangular when viewed in elevation, being in the vicinity of 10 cm wide by about 14 cm high. The pocket 14i is defined by a rectangular web of material suitably stitched along its base and sides to the backing material such that the pocket is upwardly open. The upper vertices of the pocket, i.e. the vertices at each end of the pocket's opening, are attached to the backing material with suitable bar tacks. The preferred materials are as follows:

Material Description Specifications Required Finishes

Fabric A (outer) 100% cotton 18 oz (510 g) / m ² Waxed finish for canvas waterproofing

Fabric B (lining) 100% cotton 8 oz (227 g) / m ² Silicon finish for canvas soft hand feel Material Description Specifications Required Finishes

Fabric C (purse 100% polyester 75-83 g / m ² Satin finish pocket lining) poplin lining

Fabric D (foldaway 100% nylon ripstop Light weight

shopping bag)

Rubber sole Moulded sole

vulcanised to base

of bag

Slider buckle Slider buckle for Marine grade to fit Matt nickel finish strap 4.8 cm wide strap

Metal strap / belt Metal end for bag Marine grade to fit Matt nickel finish end strap 4.8 cm wide strap

Whilst various examples of the invention have been described, the invention is not limited to details of the described examples. As suggested in Figure 10, the invention may be embodied in bags of various shapes and sizes.