Related Applications

This Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the co-pending U.S. provisional patent application, Application No. 62/058,837, filed on October 2, 2014, and entitled "CONVERTIBLE BAG PLATFORM", which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to bags and accessories for bags. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bag with adjustable dimensions.

Background of the Invention

When conventionally joining hook and loop fasteners, a structure with hooks is pressed in a face to face relationship to a structure with loops. The hooks capture the loops to releasably hold the two structures together. In conventional use, the hooks can be formed on an elongated substrate such as a fabric and likewise the loops can be formed on a

correspondingly sized elongated substrate. Such uses are well known, such as a holder for a business suit or dress shirt for insertion into a suitcase. Such well known uses are adapted to provide that the elongated hook and loop fastener substrates are in a substantially parallel orientation. This provides a single sized construction. To provide multiple sizes typically multiple parallel substrates of one or the other of hooks or loops are affixed to a surface to selectively receive the corresponding substrate onto only one of the parallel substrates.

However, this orientation provides only a predetermined and fixed number of sizes.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a holder or bag platform having a non-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multiple parallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallel orientation to multiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come together in multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume. Moreover, the enclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range. The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are most preferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panels can be added to the platform to increase the size of the bag platform and/or change the configuration.

In one aspect, an adjustable packer for holding an item comprises a body comprising a first side and a second side, a first substrate forming non-parallel sections of loop material on the first side; and a second substrate forming non-parallel sections of hook material on the second side, wherein the first side and the second side are joinable to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body. The body can be rolled in order to join the first side and the second side. In some embodiments, the first substrate and the second substrate form chevron shaped sections of loop material and hook material. An interior dimension of the body is adjustable in order to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined. In some embodiments, the packer comprises an interior surface for protecting the item enclosed within the packer. In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more of a strap and a clip for attaching the packer to an additional bag. In some embodiments, the packer comprises one or more removable bag ends. The removable bag ends can zip attach to the body through one or more zippers. Alternatively, the removable bag ends can attach to the body through any appropriately desired mechanism.

In another aspect, a convertible bag platform comprises a body comprising a first group of hook fasteners and a first group of loop fasteners, wherein the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners are configured to come together to grip in multiple places across the body to enclose a volume and one or more panels for adjusting the size of the enclosed volume. The one or more panels can comprise one or more removable bag ends. In some embodiments, the removable bag ends zip attach to the body through one or more zippers. Alternatively, the removable bag ends can attach to the body through any appropriately desired mechanism. In some embodiments, the one or more panels are foldable into the body. The body can be rolled to join the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners. In some embodiments, the first group of hook fasteners and the first group of loop fasteners form chevron shaped sections of loop material and hook material. In some embodiments, an interior dimension of the body is adjustable in order to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined. In some embodiments, the convertible bag platform comprises an interior surface for protecting the item enclosed within the packer. The body can comprise one or more of a strap and a clip for attaching the packer to an additional bag. In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more molle loops.

In a further aspect, a method of using an adjustable packer comprises adjusting a size of a body of the packer and joining a first side of the body and a second side of the body to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body. In some embodiments, one or more panels are joined with the body in order to adjust the size of the body. In some embodiments, different panels are joined with the body to adjust the shape of the body. The one or more panels can zip attach to the body through one or more zippers. In some embodiments, an interior dimension of the body is adjustable in order to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figures 1A and IB illustrate an adjustable packer in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 1C - IE illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate an adjustable packer accordance with some

embodiments.

Figures 3A- 3C illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 4A- 4D illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 5 illustrates an adjustable packer in accordance with some embodiments. Figures 6 illustrates an adjustable packer in use in accordance with some

embodiments.

Figures 7A- 7D illustrate an adjustable packer in use in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate an adjustable packer in accordance with some embodiments.

Figures 9A- 9E illustrate a convertible bag and platform in accordance with some embodiments.

Figure 10 illustrates a method of using an adjustable packer in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an item holder and bag platform having a non-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multiple parallel substrates of hooks formed in a non-parallel orientation to multiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come together in multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume.

Moreover, the enclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range. The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are preferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panels can be added to the platform to increase the size of the bag platform and/or change the configuration.

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of an item holder and bag platform having a non-parallel hook and loop substrates as described below and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation- specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to Figure 1A, an adjustable packer is depicted therein. The adjustable packer 100 comprises a body 101 comprising a front side as shown in Figure 1A and a back side as shown in Figure IB. The front side comprises a first substrate 103A forming one or more sections of loop material. As shown within Figure 1 A, the one or more sections of loop material comprise non-parallel sections. In some embodiments the one or more sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections. The back side comprises a second substrate 103B from one or more sections of hook material. As shown within Figure IB, the one or more sections of hook material comprise non-parallel sections. In some embodiments the one or more sections of hook material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections. The front side and the back side are joinable to enclose a volume within the adjustable packer 100. Particularly, the front side and the back side are configured to be joined to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body 101 and hold an object.

In some embodiments, the body 101 is rolled to join the front side and the back side and enclose the volume. The first substrate 103 A forming one or more sections of loop material and the second substrate 103B forming the one or more sections of hook material are joined to enclose the object. The non-parallel shape of the one or more sections of loop material and the non-parallel shape of the sections of hook material ensure that the front side and the back side of the adjustable packer are able to be joined to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body 101 and hold the object. In addition, by rolling the body 101, compression can be provided to the object that is held and in a releasable manner.

As further shown in Figure IB, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 100 comprises a first handle 105A and a second handle 105B. In some embodiments, the adjustable packer 100 also comprises one or more loops 107 A and 107B. The one or more loops 107 A and 107B and enable the adjustable packer 100 to be fixed to a person or object through a strap and/or clip. In further embodiments, the one or more loops 107A and 107B enable the adjustable packer 100 to be affixed to a bag, backpack or other object through a strap, clip and/or any other desirable mechanism. Likewise, other objects can be affixed to the adjustable packer 100. In some embodiments, the handles and loops can comprise nylon webbing or other appropriately desired material. Additionally, because the packer can be rolled the interior surface provides protection for items that may be sensitive to hook and loop attachments.

Figures 1C - IF illustrate the adjustable packer 100 in use. As shown within Figure 1C, the packer 100 is rolled out flat before use. Then, as shown within Figure ID, a packable object 115 is placed on the adjustable packer 100. As described above, in some

embodiments, the adjustable packer 100 is rolled to join the one or more sections of loop material and the one or more sections hook material are joined to hold the object 115 within the adjustable packer 100. As further shown in Figure IF, the adjustable packer 100 can be used to hold items within substantially any size range of the body.

In some embodiments, the adjustable packer 100 is configured to fit inside a larger pack such and a backpack or other bag. In this manner, the adjustable packer 100 can be used to hold items such as shoes, clothes, jackets and other items and separate items within a larger bag. In some embodiments, the adjustable packer comprises a waterproof and/or water resilient fabric that can be used to hold wet and/or dirty items or other such items that it is desired to separate within the larger pack.

Figure 2A illustrates an outside view of an adjustable packer in accordance with further embodiments. Similar to the adjustable packer 100 as described above, the adjustable packer 200 comprises a body 201 comprising a first substrate 203 A forming one or more sections of loop material. The one or more sections of loop material comprise non-parallel sections. As described above, in some embodiments the one or more sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections.

As shown in Figure 2A, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 200 comprises a first handle 205 A and a second handle 205B. In some embodiments, the adjustable packer 200 also comprises one or more loops 207 A and 207B. The one or more loops 207 A and 207B and enable the adjustable packer 100 to be fixed to a person through a strap and/or clip. In further embodiments, the one or more loops 207A and 207B enable the adjustable packer 200 to be affixed to a bag, backpack or other object through a strap, clip and/or any other desirable mechanism. Likewise, other objects can be affixed to the adjustable packer 200. In addition, in some embodiments, the packer also comprises one or more molle loops 209. The molle loops 209 can provide further points of grip for the packer 200 for use as handles. Alternatively, or in conjunction, the molle loops 209 can be used as a point of suspension and/ used to attach additional objects to the exterior of the packer 200. In some

embodiments, the handles and loops can comprise nylon webbing or other appropriately desired material.

As further shown in Figure 2A, in some embodiments, the body 201 comprises an adjustable interior dimension 213. A size of the body 201 can be adjusted by zipping a left side zipper 223 A with a right side zipper 223B. When the left side zipper 223 A is joined with the right side zipper 223B, the body 201 of the packer 200 decreases in size by the size of the interior dimension 213. In this manner the interior dimension 213 can be closed (zipped) or opened (unzipped). In some embodiments, the packer 200 further comprises a series of side zippers 211A-21 ID. The zipper 211 A is joined with the zipper 21 IB and the zipper 211C is joined with the zipper 21 ID to join a left side 210 and a right side 220 of the packer 200. When the left side 210 is joined with the right side 220, the packer 200 forms an interior volume and can be used as a tote or other such bag using the handle 219. As described above, the interior volume of the formed bag may be adjusted by closing and/or opening the interior dimension 213.

Referring now to Figure 2B, an inside view of the body 201 of the packer 200 as shown within Figure 2A. As shown within Figure 2B, the inside of the body 201 comprises a second substrate 203B from one or more sections of hook material. As shown within Figure IB, the one or more sections of hook material comprise non-parallel sections. In some embodiments the one or more sections of hook material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections. In some embodiments, similar to Figure 1, as described above, the outside and the inside of the packer 200 are joinable to enclose a volume within the adjustable packer 200. Particularly, the front side and the back side are configured to be joined to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body 201 and hold an object. As described above, the size of the body 201 can be adjusted by closing and/or opening the interior dimension 213. Opening and closing the interior dimension 213 also adjusts the volume than can be used to hold an object.

As further shown within Figure 2B, in some embodiments the adjustable packer 200 comprises an interior surface 230 for protecting items held by the packer 200. In this manner, the interior surface 230 may be used to separate items held by the packer 200. In some embodiments, when the interior surface is not in use it is rolled up and secured using the loop material 233 A and the hook material 233B.

Figures 3A-3C illustrate the adjustable packer 200 in use as a roller. As described in relation to Figures 1C-1F, the packer 200 is rolled out flat before use. Then, as shown within Figure 3B, a packable object 210 is placed on the adjustable packer 200. As described above, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 200 is rolled to join the one or more sections of loop material and the one or more sections hook material are joined to hold the object 215 within the adjustable packer 200. As further shown in Figure 3C, the adjustable packer 200 can be used to hold items within substantially any size range of the body.

Figures 4A-4D illustrate the adjustable packer 200 in the process of conversion to a tote, such as described above. As shown within Figure 4A, the left side and the right side of the packer 200 have been joined to form an interior volume, such as described above and the interior dimension is in the open position. As shown within Figure 4B, and as described above, the volume of the packer can be adjusted by joining the two sides of the interior dimension, resulting in the tote bag such as shown in Figure 4C. Particularly, an inner volumetric size of the packer 200 can be reduced with the interior dimension.

Figure 3 illustrates an outside view of an adjustable packer in accordance with yet further embodiments. Similar to the adjustable packers 100 and 200 as described above, the adjustable packer 300 comprises a body 301 comprising a first substrate 303 A forming one or more sections of loop material. The one or more sections of loop material comprise non-parallel sections. As described above, in some embodiments the one or more sections of loop material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections. The packer 300 also comprises a second substrate forming one or more sections of hook material on the opposite side of the packer 300, such as described in relation the adjustable packer 100 and the adjustable packer 200, as described above. The one or more sections of hook material comprise non-parallel sections. As described above, in some embodiments the one or more sections of hook material comprise one or more chevron shaped sections. As described above, in some embodiments, the body 301 is rolled to join the front side and the back side and enclose the volume. When the packer is rolled a panel 340 of the body 301 is folded into the body before the packer 300 is rolled to join the hook and loop sections. Although the panel 340 is shown connected to the body 301, in some embodiments, the panel 340 removably couples with the main body 301.

As shown in Figure 3, the adjustable packer 300 comprises a side zipper 311 coupled to the left side 310 and a side zipper 31 IB coupled to the right side 320. The zipper 311A is joined with the zipper 31 IB to join the left side 310 and the right side 320 of the packer 300. The adjustable packer 300 also comprises a bottom zipper 312A coupled to the left side 310 and a bottom zipper 312B coupled to the right side 320. The zippers 312A and 312B are joined with the zipper 343 of the panel 340 to connect the panel 340 with the body 301 of the packer 300. When the panel 340 is joined with the packer and the zippers 311A and 31 IB are joined an interior volume is created and the packer 300 can be carried as a tote using the handles 319.

In some embodiments, the packer 300 comprises a cinch sack 323 which is closed using the drawstrings 327. In some embodiments, the cinch sack 323 can be zipped into a top of the body 301 to enclose the top of the packer 300. As further shown within Figure 3, in some embodiments, the packer 300 comprises a male buckle 317B and a female buckle 317A which can be joined to further adjust the packer 300. In further embodiments, the packer 300 comprises one or more molle loops and/or loops for securing additional objects to body 301.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the adjustable packer 300 in use as a roller. As described above, the packer 200 is rolled out flat before use. Then, as shown within Figure 6B, a packable object 315 is placed on the adjustable packer 300. As described above, in some embodiments, the adjustable packer 300 is rolled to join the one or more sections of loop material and the one or more sections hook material are joined to hold the object 315 within the adjustable packer 300. As further shown in Figure 3C, the adjustable packer 300 can be used to hold items within substantially any size range of the body.

Figures 7A-7D illustrate the adjustable packer 300 in the process of conversion to a tote, such as described above. As shown within Figure 7 A, the right side 320 of the body 301 has been joined by the zippers with the panel 340 in the process of converting the packer 300 to a tote. In the step, 7C the left side 310 of the body is joined by the zippers with the panel 340 and then as shown within Figure 7D, the left side 310 and the right side 320 are zipped together to form a tote bag with an interior volume for carrying one or more objects.

Figure 8 illustrates an adjustable packer in accordance with further embodiments. The adjustable packer is similar to the adjustable packers, 100, 200, and 300 as described above. As shown within Figure 8A, the packer 400 comprises a first panel 440 and a second panel 445 coupled to the body 401. In some embodiments, the first panel 440 and the second panel 445 are configured to removably couple to the main body 401. In some embodiments, the packer 400 is able to be rolled by folding the first panel 440 and the second panel 445 and hold an object such as described above. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first panel and the second panel can be joined to the main body using zippers or other similar mechanism, such as described above. As shown within Figure 8B, when the first panel 440 and the second panel 445 are joined with the main body 401, a back pack is formed. The backpack can function similar to a conventional backpack and can hold things within a center pocket. In addition, in some embodiments, the packer 400 comprises one or more molle loops and/or loops for securing additional objects to body 401, such as described above.

In some embodiments, an adjustable packer can be configured an adjustable platform. In this manner, the packer can be equipped with a plurality of different removable panels to form different bags. As shown within Figure 9A, an adjustable packer 500 can be configured with a body 501, similar to the body 100 and 200, of the packers described above. As such, the body 501 can be configured with a first substrate 503 A forming one or more sections of loop material comprising non-parallel sections such as chevron shaped sections of loop material. Additionally, the body 501 can comprise a second substrate on the opposite side of the body forming one or more sections of hook material comprising non-parallel sections such as chevron shaped sections of hook material. The packer 500 can be rolled and the hook and loop material adhere to one another to enclose a volume within substantially any size range of the body 501 and hold an object, such as described above. In some embodiments, the body packer can form a tote bag and/or the interior volume of a formed bag may be adjusted by closing and/or opening an interior dimension. In some embodiments, the packer 500 comprises one or more molle loops and/or loops for securing additional objects to body 501, such as described above. The packer platform 500 can be combined with one or more zip in sides of various shapes to change the shape and the type of the bag based upon need, environment, occasion. For example, as shown in Figure 9B -9E, the platform 500 can be combined with one or a plurality of panels for adjusting a size and/or shape of the packer 500. Any appropriately desired shape of panel can be combined with the platform body 501 to form a packer of desired volume and shape. For example, in some embodiments, two panels can be joined on a bottom side and a top side of the body 501 to form one of a briefcase, backpack and/or gym bag. Additionally, the platform body 501 can be manipulated to form the tote and/or roll bags, such as described above. Changing the size and/or shape of the panels that couple to the body 501 changes the geometric shape of the finished bag 500.

Figure 10 illustrates a method of using an adjustable packer and packer platform, such as described above. The method begins in step 1010. In the step 1020, a size of the platform and/or packer body is adjusted and in the step 1030, a first side of the body and a second side of the body are joined to enclose a volume with substantially any size range of the body. The method of Claim 19, wherein one or more panels are joined with the body to adjust the size of the body. In some embodiments, one or more panels are joined with the body to adjust a size of the body. The one or more panels can zip attach to the body through one or more zippers. In some embodiments, an interior dimension of the body is adjustable to change the size of the body before the first side and the second side are joined.

In operation, a holder or bag platform comprises a series of a non-parallel hook and loop substrates. Preferably, there are multiple parallel substrates of hooks formed in a non- parallel orientation to multiple substrates of loops. The system is configured to come together in multiple places across a surface to enclose a volume. Moreover, the enclosed volume can be formed in substantially any size within a range. The non-parallel substrates can be linear, curved, but are preferably formed as chevrons. In some embodiments, one or more panels can be added to the platform to increase the size of the bag platform and/or change the configuration.

Particularly, the holder and bag platform can take many forms including a flat, two handed hauler, a compression sack created when the bag is rolled to hold an item, and a slim tote formed by attaching a body of the bag to itself. Additionally, zip on or otherwise attachable panels can expand the bags capacity to create a day bag such as a messenger bag and/or a gym bag. Moreover, when not in use as a bag itself, the holder and bag platform can be folded flat and/or rolled and placed with another bag or otherwise stored until it is later needed. Accordingly, the convertible bag and platform as shown herein has many advantages.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such references, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.