Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrying bags, and more particularly, to soft carrying bags. More specifically, although of course not limited thereto, the present invention relates to back packs or vests having a resiliently deformable storage volume.

Background of Invention

Portable containers such as carrying bags are useful for carrying or transporting goods and articles. Among the various types of portable containers, containers having a soft body or a soft storage volume are especially suitable for carrying delicate or fragile items such as jewelry, ornaments, glass or crystal wares, watches, or electronic devices with an electronic display such as notebook or laptop computers. Soft carrying bags are attractive because they can be fully folded or collapsed when contents are emptied. However, conventional soft carrying bags typically include relatively rigid or semi-rigid outer frames on opposite corresponding sides which cooperate with each other to define the outer boundary of an expandable storage body. The volume of the expandable storage body is typically defined by a lateral region of soft fabrics which surrounds the outer boundary and which is expandable and retractable. The lateral surrounding soft fabrics is typically pleated like the sides of a pair of bellow. However, such conventional carrying bags are unsightly when collapsed, for example, due to creases or wrinkles distributed around the outer periphery. Furthermore, the rigid surrounding rigid or semi-rigid frames also limit the extent of collapse, and therefore the folding efficiency. Hence, it is desirable if an improved soft bag structure is provided.

Summary of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a carrying bag comprising a resiliently expandable storage volume which is defined between a base member and an elastomeric member, wherein the elastomeric member is stretchable to form an expanded storage volume and the resilience of the elastomeric member is arranged to urge the elastomeric layer to move back towards the base member when the elastomeric member is stretched to formed the expanded storage volume.

In one embodiment, there is provided a soft carrying bag comprising a body having a base member and an elastomeric member, wherein the elastomeric member is resiliently expandable to define a storage volume between the base member and the elastomeric member; characterized in that the resilience of the elastomeric layer is arranged to act to restore the expanded elastomeric member back towards the base member.

A carrying bag having an elastomeric member which defines the storage volume as described herein means that the bag is thin and slim which is ideal for storage or for carrying. In particular, the elasticity of the elastomeric member will act to minimize the thickness of the bag when there is no content inside the storage volume. On the other hand, the carrying bag could be transformed to provide a large storage volume when needed. In addition, a carrying bag having such an elastomeric member also provides a soft storage volume suitable for storing the more delicate items. Furthermore, the elastomeric member will follow the shape of the article in contact therewith, thereby providing bracing and cushioning to the article.

The elastomeric member may comprise a sheet or layer of warp-knit elastomeric material. Warp-knit elastomeric fabric materials, also known as ladder proof fabrics, have been found to be particularly satisfactory for this application.

In one embodiment, the base member and the elastomeric member are attached by heat bonding to define a resiliently deformable storage volume. The bonding may be by glue film, and the glue film may be sandwiched between the base member and the elastomeric member along the boundary of the storage volume. In one example, the elastomeric member is glued to the base member along its outer periphery to define the boundary of the storage volume. In another example, the glue film surrounds the storage volume and defines the edge of the storage volume, with an aperture formed in either the base member or the elastomeric member to define an entrance to the storage volume.

The use of adhesive film, preferably elastic glue film, for bonding the elastomeric member and the base member results in the formation of a storage volume which is 'sew-free', that is, without the need of sewing. In addition, bonding by using a glue film also results in a soft and elastic bonding, since an elastic adhesive film is characterized by its stretching and elastic recovery properties. Furthermore, gluing process provides a robust construction of a storage volume with fewer steps. In one embodiment, the oppositely facing surfaces of the base member and the elastomeric member which collectively define the storage volume are in contiguous contact when the bag is in its natural and unexpanded state. In this embodiment, the resilience of the elastomeric member acts to urge the elastomeric layer to move into contiguous contact with the base member. In general, the resilience or elasticity of the elastomeric member may be arranged to bring a substantial portion of the storage surface of the elastomeric layer into direct contact with the base member. This ensures a minimum thickness of the bag. The elastomeric member may comprise a warp-knitted elastomeric fabric.

A warp-knitted fabric is desirable because it is highly breathable (that is, it has a good perspiration characteristic), strong, resistant to burst, comfortable, and provides a soft and swollen hand feel.

The elastomeric member may be glued to the base member along its outer periphery to define the boundary of the container. The glue film may be arranged to surround the storage volume and define its edge. By using a tailored pr pre-cut glue loop, the storage volume could be formed in a single step, and results in a seamless storage volume construction. As lesser number of steps is involved in manufacturing and lesser components are required, a slimmer, more elegant and cheaper carrying bag could be obtained.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained by way of non-limiting example below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a soft carrying bag in one use configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Figures 2 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 1 in another use configuration,

Figure 2A is an enlarged view of the soft body of Figure 2,

Figure 3A, 3B & 3C are respectively a perspective view in one use configuration, a perspective view in another use configuration, and an enlarged view of a carrying bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 4A, 4B & 4C are respectively a front view in one use, a back view in the one use, and front view in another use configuration of a carrying bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic cross sectional side views of a soft bag of the present invention respectively when fully collapsed, storing one article, and storing another article.

Figure 6 are exploded schematic views showing a first exemplary construction of a soft bag of the present invention,

Figure 7 are exploded schematic views showing a second exemplary construction of a soft bag of the present invention,

Figure 8 are exploded schematic views showing a third exemplary construction of a soft bag of the present invention,

Figure 9 are exploded schematic views showing a fourth exemplary construction of a soft bag of the present invention,

Figures 10 and 10A are schematic diagrams depicting views of semi-finished portions of a soft carrying bag according to a fifth exemplary construction of the present invention,

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram depicting another example of a carrying bag according to construction of Figure 10, and

Figures 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams depicting the construction of the exemplary carrying bags of Figures 10 and 11 . Detailed Description of Embodiments

The soft carrying bag of Figure 1 , 2 and 2A as an example of a carrying bag comprises a soft bag body 100 and a shoulder strap 102. The soft bag body comprises a base member 110 and an elastomeric member 120 that are glued together at their corresponding outer periphery (or outer boundaries). The elastomeric member comprises a sheet of soft and elastomeric fabric made, for example, of Lycra ®, Rayon ®, or other crinkle free materials. The base member comprises a layer of soft and durable fabric which may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric. The base member and the elastomeric collectively define a flexible storage volume for storing articles. The elasticity or resiliency of the elastomeric material facilitates expansion of the storage volume when inserted with an item. On the other hand, the elasticity or resiliency of the elastomeric material acts to restore the elastomeric member back towards the base member when the item is removed from the deformed storage compartment defined between the base and elastomeric member. Because of the use of an elastomeric member to form a major surface of the storage volume, there is no need to provide pleated or expandable interconnection between the base member and the elastomeric member to form an expandable storage volume. As a result, a flexible storage volume can be provided with a slim or streamlined outer periphery.

A plurality of vending or insertion slots 130 is also provided on the elastomeric member so that items could be inserted for deposit in the storage volume or for removal. A beneficial aspect of this invention is that the elasticity of the elastomeric member will act to close the vending slot once an item has been inserted or removed. To provide support to the carrying strap, reinforcing members as strap anchoring means are provided on the outer periphery of the bag near the lateral extremities. The reinforcing members provide reinforced support for attaching the shoulder straps so that the strap engaging portions of the flexible bag body will not be subject to localized deformation stress due to the weight of the content-carrying bag for a prolonged period of time for better durability. The elastomeric member comprises a layer of elastomeric fabric materials. The elastomeric materials, for example, may comprise polyester, polyamide, or a mixture of both with a low percentage (for example 3-5%) of elastic fibre, such as Elastam. For example, the elastomeric fabric may be fabrics which are known as warp-knitted fabrics, such as stretch brushed fabric, brushed knitted elastic fabric, or other elastic fabrics. The base member may also be a sheet and the exemplary thickness of each of the elastomeric and the base member is around 2 mm such that the total thickness of the bonded bag is only about 4-5 mm. In general, the base member may be non-elastic, may be identical to that of the elastomeric layer or may be a rigid backing, depending on actual applications. Where the fabric is a brushed elastomeric fabric, the fleece-like brushed surfaces could form the storage volume for storing more delicate or expensive items.

The carrying bags of Figures 3A to 3C have the same construction as that of Figures 1 and 2, but with different vending slot dispositions for illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. In the Figures, parts which are common or identical to that of the first embodiment are marked with the same numerals plus 100.

The hand-held carrying bag 300 of Figures 4A to 4C illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention is for holding a hand-held item and has the same construction principles as that of Figures 1 to 3C, except that there is no reinforcing member, nor shoulder strap, provided. In the Figures, parts which are common or identical to that of the first embodiment are marked with the same numerals plus 200.

In this embodiment, water resistant films are also applied to the interior of the storage volume for storing more delicate items. As no rigid or semi-rigid members are included, this carrying bag is entirely flexible and could be stored in any forms desired.

Figures 5A to 5C schematically illustrate generally a carrying bag 400 according to the present invention in use. In the Figures, parts which are common or identical to that of the first, second and third embodiments are marked with the same numerals respectively plus 300, 200 and 100. In this embodiment, the base member is also a sheet of elastomeric materials. When the carrying bag is empty, the entire opposite facing surfaces of the base member and the elastomeric member are substantially in contact. This is because the resiliency of the elastomeric layer of the elastomeric member acts to draw or push the elastomeric member towards the base member. When an item having a width greater than the width of the interface between the two members is inserted into the flexible storage volume, the elastomeric layers on both the base member and the elastomeric member are driven by the item to expand and move away from each other, as shown in Figures 5B and 5C. When this happens, the portion of the elastomeric sheet in contact with the article will follow the shape of the article and therefore provides cushioning to the edges of the article. When the item is removed, the resilience of the elastomeric layer will return the soft bag to its original configuration of Figure 5A. Although the base member of the embodiment of Figures 5B and 5C is also elastomeric, it will be appreciated that the base member could be non-elastic and could even by rigid or semi-rigid. Unlike conventional soft carrying bags, such as conventional rucksacks (backpacks) or shoulder bags, the carrying bag does not require a rigid or semi-rigid frame on its outer periphery to define its shape.

Basic construction principles of the soft bags 500 are now described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Referring to Figure 6, an elastomeric sheet 520 is bonded to a base sheet 510 by means of a glue film 540. The glue film is cut so that it follows the profile of the outer periphery of the storage volume to be defined. After the glue film is inserted between the two members (that is, the base member and the elastomeric front member), heat and pressure is applied along on the two members and along the periphery to be glued to complete bonding. As the glue film is tailored to define the lateral boundary of the flexible storage volume, the bonded interfaces of the two members define the edge of the storage volume. As no extra expandable materials are inserted between the two members, there will be no unsightly crinkles along the bag periphery.

The construction of Figures 7 & 8 is substantially similar to that of Figure 6, except that two pairs of members are bonded. Referring to Figure 7, the elastomeric member 520 comprises a layer of an external fabric sheet 550 and a base fabric sheet 560 which are glued together by a glue film. The glue film has an area substantially identical to the effective area of the fabric sheets which define the storage volume. Likewise, the base member is formed by a same combination of an external fabric sheet and a base fabric sheet. The elastomeric member and the base member thus formed are glued together by applying heat and pressure while a tailored glue firm loop is sandwiched between the two members to form the storage volume.

The construction of the carrying bag of Figure 9 is similar to that of Figure 7 & 8, except that a fabric mask 570 defining the pockets or vending slots 530 is also formed. More particularly, two base fabric sheets are glued together in a back-to-back manner to form a stronger base member. A fabric mask and a reinforcement layer 580 are placed and sandwiched between the elastomeric outside fabric member and the reinforced base member to define the pockets or vending slots. The fabric mask and the reinforcement layer are provided so that a pre-determined storage volume is reserved when heat and pressure is applied to glue the outside fabric layer and the base member together after a glue film is put in place as shown in Figure 9. This permits a one-step processing for forming a plurality of vending slots. Figures 10 and 10A depict portions of a semi-finished carrying bag illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. In the Figures, parts which are common or identical to that of the Figures 6-9 are marked with the same numerals plus 100. The semi-finished carrying bag portion comprises a base member 610 and an elastomeric front member 620 which collectively define a deformable storage volume. Similar to the other embodiments, the front member 620 is made of a warp-knit elastomeric fabric and the base member may be elastomeric, non-elastomeric, rigid or semi-rigid. Unlike the other embodiments, this carrying bag further includes a bellow-like side portion which is expandable and collapsible to increase and decrease the storage volume respectively.

The carrying bag is constructed by firstly cutting a rectangular corner portion from each of the lower left and right corners of the main body 600 and forming the bellow-like side portions. Similar to the other embodiments, the main body 600 is constructed from both the base member 610 and the front elastomeric member 620. The bellow-like side portion is formed by gluing the free edges of the corresponding folded and elongate side portions 694 of the base member and the front elastomeric member as depicted in Figures 10 and 10A. Next, the cut portion 690 of the main body 600 is glued to form a cross shaped side base to define a storage volume having a deepened base. This is done firstly by dragging the cut portion in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the glued elongate side portion to form a mouth portion, then to close the mouth and finally to glue the lips together, thereby forming a closed lip 692 portion which is orthogonal to the elongate side portion. The cross-shaped corner provides a widened base for the storage volume as depicted in Figure 10A. Next, the remaining aperture 696 of the main body intermediate the corner portions is sealed by hot gluing the base and elastomeric front member together as in the other embodiments.

The carrying bag of Figure 11 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and is similar to the other embodiments, except that an reinforcement layer 680 made of a special fabric is bonded between the base and elastomeric front members. The carrying bag also includes pockets, loops and reinforced compartments built on the main body. The extra pockets are formed by glue film in cooperation with a suitable glue mask 670.

Figures 12A and 12B depict in more detail construction of the carrying bags with additional pockets or compartments. As shown in the Figures, glue films 640 are applied between layers or fabrics to glue the layers together while a glue mark is applied to define an aperture by masking the glue film. As shown in Figures 12A and 12B, a glue firm is applied between the base and elastomeric member and heat gluing the members to form the main body. Pockets or compartments are then formed by both glue films and glue masks.

While the present invention has been explained with reference to a soft carrying bag as an example, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the example is not limiting and the same and similar constructions can be applied to other containers with a soft and elastic body without loss of generality. For example, the carrying bag could be configured as a vest transformable into a back pack.

Table of Numerals

100 Bag

102 Shoulder strap

110 Base member

120 Elastomeric member

130 Slot

200 Bag

202 Shoulder strap

210 Base member

220 Elastomeric member

230 Slot

300 Bag

330 Slot

400 Bag

402 Shoulder strap

410 Base member

420 Elastomeric member

500 Bag

510 Base member

520 Elastomeric member

530 Slot

540 Glue film

550 External fabric sheet

560 Base fabric sheet

570 Fabric mask

580 Reinforcement layer

600 Bag

610 Base member

620 Elastomeric member

630 Slot

640 Glue film

650 External fabric sheet

660 Base fabric sheet

670 Mask

680 Reinforcement layer Cut portion

Closed lip

Elongate side portion

Aperture