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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
WHEELED BAG FOR DOCUMENT TRANSPORTATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/097397
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The disclosed wheeled bag is specifically designed to accommodate A4 paper contained in standard plastic or cardboard lever arch or spring binders. The interior is divided into two compartments, each having dimensions of 280mm x 350mm x 340mm to permit the folders to be loaded flat or standing on end. It has a flat, square, rigid interior unobstructed by intrusions in order to optimise capacity of folders, divided into two compartments to provide protection to the folders and the contained documents and may be stood upright to facilitate access to the folders.

Inventors:
VORBACH WILLIAM ALEXANDER DOUGLAS (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2011/001012
Publication Date:
July 26, 2012
Filing Date:
August 08, 2011
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VORBACH WILLIAM ALEXANDER DOUGLAS (AU)
International Classes:
A45C5/03
Foreign References:
US20060000681A12006-01-05
US20020096844A12002-07-25
US20100200350A12010-08-12
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Claims:
CLAIMS

The claims defining the invention are as follows

1. A wheeled bag designed with two internal compartments of dimensions of 280mm x350mm x 340mm to optimise the number of A4 folders which can be loaded and having large wheels for ease of movement over streets and by street transport.

2. A wheeled bag as described in claim 1 in which there is a central divider to prevent

movement of the folders during transit; avoiding document damage.

3. A wheeled bag as described in claims 1 and 2 on which the wheels and handle mechanisms are externally fixed, to preserve a flat and square interior.

4. A wheeled bag as described in claims 1, 2 and 3 which has an optional removable lid,

permitting it to be used as a shelving unit at its destination.

5. A wheeled bag as described in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 as depicted in figures 1 to 3 of the

accompanying drawings.

Description:
WH EELED BAG FOR DOCU M ENT TRANSPORTATION

Professional people, and in particular litigation lawyers, often have the need to move large volumes of documents along streets or by street transport when going from their offices to court hearings, mediations, client meetings and conferences with counsel or experts.

In very large cases, electronic storage media are used and documents may be stored on a laptop, however there are many matters in which the professional maintains and works with a paper file Many matters are not of sufficient volume to warrant the expense associated with electronic management and many professionals still prefer to use paper files. In a typical litigated matter, a large volume of documents can be accumulated, such as:

• experts' reports

• medical reports

• documents produced under subpoena

• discovery documents

• correspondence

When it comes to a hearing, meeting or mediation, the professional likes to have these documents readily available. Typically, these documents are maintained in A4 size lever arch or ring binders.

This invention is designed to improve the ease of movement of numerous volumes of documents. In the past, employers have been sued by employees who have suffered injury from having to carry large amounts of documents. This has led to the use of commercially available wheeled suitcases so that the employee merely has to pull the load, and not lift it.

The difficulty that arises from this use of existing technology is that the design parameters for suitcases include:

• they are to carry soft items which may be folded to fit the shape of the case

• internal intrusions into the stowage space are acceptable

• they require a relatively smooth exterior for ease of passage through airline baggage handling procedures

• dimensions are dictated by airline regulations, and carry-on size restrictions

• wheels and handles must be streamlined and internal to the case to minimise protrusions

• they must be light in weight, dictating the use of soft and sometimes flimsy materials

All of these requirements are irrelevant to the land-based professional and actually make existing technology inconvenient and far from optimal. The professional's needs dictate:

• the stowage space must be square and dimensionally correct for A4 folders

• the interior space must be divided so that when the case is elevated from the horizontal the folders do not slide into each other, possibly causing damage to the documents

• the exterior does not have to be tapered or streamlined

• the wheels do not have to be concealed the wheels need to be larger, to cope with street irregularities and kerbs light weight is not paramount

the outer casing must be water resistant

The proposed design starts from the inside with dimensions to accommodate A4 paper contained in standard plastic or cardboard lever arch or spring binders. These have dimensions of 300mm x 320mm approximately, and up to 100mm thick.

The interior is divided into two compartments, each having dimensions of 280mm x 350mm x 340mm to permit the folders to be loaded flat or standing on end. To keep the interior space flat and free from obstruction, the wheels and tug-handle are externally mounted. The handle is retractable, to permit ease of loading into transport.

The attached four diagrams depict the bag from various perspectives and disclose the dimensional configuration.

The main compartment will be constructed from a rigid material, such as plastic, with an outer shell of sewn water resistant synthetic textile.

The folders may be loaded flat and alternated, or vertically, depending upon which configuration optimises utility, with a capacity of up to 8 folders. When at the destination, the case may be stood vertically, and used as a readily accessible storage shelving unit. This use is facilitated by having a fully-removable lid.

For further versatility, the lid of the case has external zippered pockets of appropriate dimensions to carry a laptop, pens and paper and other accessories.

W.A.D. Vorbach 18 January 2011

Applicant