WIDEMOUTH BAG

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY APPLICATION

IN THE RECEIVING OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Be it known that we, Matthew Williams, residing at 2430 NE 32 CT., Lighthouse Point, Florida 33064, and Terry Kinskey, residing at 1011 Tullamore Place, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022, both citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a WIDEMOUTH BAG of which the following is a specification.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATION

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent

Application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Application entitled "WIDEMOUTH BAG," filed on February 2, 2007, having assigned Serial Number 60/899,153, incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to article containers, and more specifically to bags for containing and transporting articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a variety of endeavors, it is necessary or beneficial to transport personal articles from one location to another, and to contain such articles together in a confined space during transportation or storage thereof. In response, numerous bags styles have been implemented to address the specific needs associated with a given endeavor.

Duffel bags typically include two ends connected by sides, a top, and a bottom, which sides, top, and bottom may be integrally formed, giving the bag a tubular shape, enclosing a space where articles may be contained. Access is typically gained to the space by an opening in the top which typically takes the form of a slit, with means for closure thereof. Duffel bags suffer from the disadvantage that the slit does not permit some objects to pass therethrough, particularly objects which are large relative to the interior duffel space, and where placement of such objects in the bag requires a large degree of manipulation of the object or of the bag.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, suitcases typically include six sides which define a central space in which personal articles may be contained for storage or transportation, wherein the central space is accessed by an opening which is typically configured as a semi-detachable section or side, such as one half of the suitcase releasably attached to the other half of the suitcase on typically three edges and hingedly attached on a fourth edge. The openable section or side typically can be released on the plurality of edges and moved about the hinged edge, thereby exposing the central space. Such designs suffer from the disadvantage that it is often difficult to close the suitcase when full of articles, and the means employed for releasably attaching the plurality of edges is exposed to large stresses when the suitcase, full of articles, is closed or maintained in a closed state, such as during transportation or storage of the articles closed therein. Furthermore, such suitcases also suffer from the disadvantage that the hinged side requires space to swing free and open, often folding out, making it difficult to access the articles contained in the suitcase in locations where space is limited, such as inside a vehicle or around crowds of people, locations that are frequently encountered when using such a suitcase.

Tote bags, on the other hand, typically include a bottom and one or more sides depending on the shape of the bag, and have an open top. The open top solves the above - mentioned problems pertaining to the closure of suitcases, as well as the limitations pertaining to duffels with slit-type openings by eliminating the closure altogether, wherein

the open top allows for articles of larger size than the tote bag to be supported and/or transported at least partially therein. Unfortunately, however, the open top also allows unwanted items such as dirt and liquid to enter the tote bag, and can allow accidental or unintentional loss of articles.

What is needed is a bag that overcomes these disadvantages and allows for easy placement of articles in the bag, and secure containment of the articles during transportation and storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a widemouth bag comprising a structure partially enclosing a space, said structure having a continuous edge that defines the periphery of an opening thereof, and closing means disposed proximate at least a first and second portion of said continuous edge for completely enclosing said space by joining said first and second portions.

According to one aspect, the present invention in its preferred form is a widemouth bag including a rigid structure that is at least one of removable and collapsible.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is a generally planar bottom including at least two wheels.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is that a maximum cross- sectional area of the opening is at least substantially as great as a maximum cross-sectional area of the bag across a height direction thereof.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is that the planar bottom and wheels can be removed.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is that the bag conforms to the shape and size of the articles contained therein.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is that the bag is constructed of a material that is at least one of durable, tear-resistant, puncture-resistant, water-resistant, and stain-resistant.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention are pockets and compartments included in or on at least one of the inside and the outside of at least one of the sides, top, bottom, and ends.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that the mouth of the bag is large enough to accommodate any article that is not larger than any dimension of the bag.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is at least one rigid member included in at least a portion of the opening to provide structure and support to the opening.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that at least two handles of different styles, which may be removable, enable at least two methods of carrying the bag.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that, when opened fully, the bag defines a rectangular parallelepiped, and that, when closed, the bag defines a triangular prism.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above- mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a widemouth bag comprising at least one soft panel defining a partially enclosed space having a continuous edge that defines an opening of said widemouth bag, said opening closeable by mutual joinder of separate portions thereof, and a rigid structure attached to said at least one soft panel that prevents closure of said opening and that is at least one of removable and collapsible.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above- mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a widemouth bag comprising a structure partially enclosing a space, said structure having an opening, said structure being flexible at least at some portions proximate said opening, and at least one rigid member disposed proximate said opening.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Invention with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a first side view of a widemouth bag according to the present invention in a closed position, showing a carry handle and a pull handle;

Fig. 2 is a front end view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1, showing the pull handle compartment access way;

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1, showing the wheels and support stand;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1, showing the wheels and bottom support panel;

Fig. 5 is an overhead perspective view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1 in a closed configuration;

Fig. 6 is an overhead perspective view of the front end of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1, showing a grip handle;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom and front end of the widemouth bag of Fig.

l;

Fig. 8 is an overhead perspective view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1 in a partially open configuration;

Fig. 9 is another overhead perspective view of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1 in a fully open configuration;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the interior of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1, showing the base of the interior compartment liner in a partially detached configuration, exposing a removable bottom;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a corner of the opening of the widemouth bag of Fig. 1 in a closed configuration; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the corner of Fig. 11 shown in an open configuration.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Application entitled "WIDEMOUTH BAG," filed on February 2, 2007, having assigned Serial Number 60/899,153, incorporated herein by reference.

In describing the present invention, as illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to Fig. 1, widemouth bag 100 according to the present invention is shown from a front side. As shown, bag 100 is constructed of a fabric material, which is preferably made of nylon, polypropylene, or other synthetic fibers, or made of a natural fiber.

Alternatively bag 100 may be constructed of a unitary sheet of synthetic material such as a plastic, or a natural material such as rubber or leather.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, front side panel 110 is preferably generally rectangular, and is preferably joined to adjacent panels at right edge 111, left edge 113, and bottom edge 115, preferably according to conventional seaming methods, wherein such seam preferably includes piping 170. Top edge 117 preferably carries zipper 160, preferably used to close bag 100 as described in detail below. Zipper 160 may optionally be replaced by other conventional closure means, such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or buttons, among others.

Also preferably included on front side panel 110 are pockets 180, which may include flap closures, such as pockets 180a, or may be plain, such as pocket 180b, and may be closed by zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, or other conventional closure means. Pockets 180 are preferably made of a similar material as front side panel 110, or may alternatively be made of a different material, such as a more durable material to withstand frequent use, or a softer material to protect articles stored therein. Pockets 180 are shown in their preferred configuration, as external pockets, but may alternatively be constructed internally.

With continued reference to Fig. 1, front side panel 110 preferably includes carrying strap 190 preferably joined to front side panel 110 by stitching, but may also alternatively be joined by adhesive, plastic welding, riveting, or other joining technique. Carrying strap 190 preferably comprises a curved strap joined at two locations spaced apart on front side panel 110 and free between the two locations, preferably creating a loop that can be grasped by a user to carry bag 100.

Now referring to Fig. 2, left end panel 210 preferably has a generally triangular shape when bag 100 is in a closed configuration. Left end panel 210 is similarly joined to adjacent panels at back edge 211, front edge 213, and bottom edge 215 according to the preferred embodiment. Top edge 217 preferably includes top edge back half 217a and top edge front half 217b, which are mutually joined, preferably by a first end of zipper 160. Preferably, a portion of zipper 160 is not joined to top edge 217, thereby preventing zipper 160 from restricting a flexibility of left end panel 210 in a portion at or near top edge 217.

Left end panel 210 preferably carries carrying strap 290 wherein carrying strap 290 preferably includes grip 291. Carrying strap 290 is preferably attached to left end panel 210 by rivets 165.

At bottom edge 215, opening 219 preferably allows handle 295 to extend from within bag 100 to a location outside bag 100 where it can be grasped by a user to push or pull bag 100. Preferably, handle 295 can be retracted to a position within bag 100 when not in use to reduce an exterior dimension of bag 100.

Referring now to Fig. 3, right end panel 310, like left end panel 210, preferably also has a generally triangular shape when bag 100 is in a closed configuration. Right end panel

310 is preferably joined to adjacent panels along front edge 311, back edge 313, and bottom edge 315. Top edge 317 preferably includes a top edge front half 317a and a top edge back half 317b, preferably mutually joined by a second end of zipper 160, but preferably also

including a portion of top edge 317 not joined to zipper 160, similar to left end panel 210 in order to allow flexibility of right end panel 310 in a portion at or near top edge 317.

At or near bottom edge 315, wheels 397 are preferably disposed and preferably configured to allow bag 100 to roll, preferably when bag 100 is either flat on its bottom and/or when left end panel 210 is raised above right end panel 310, such as by lifting bag 100 using handle 295 or carrying strap 291. As shown in Fig. 3, bag 100 preferably includes three wheels 397, although the number of wheels disposed at or near bottom edge 315 may be more than three, or fewer than three, depending on particular rolling characteristics desired, such as maneuverability, and depending on load distribution. Further, wheels 397 may be disposed remotely relative to bottom edge 315.

Also, preferably feet 338 are used to stabilize bag 100 when resting on right end panel 310, wherein handle 399 also preferably contributes to such stability. Preferably, in addition to acting as a foot, handle 399 may also preferably be gripped by a user to pick up bag 100.

Fig. 4 shows bottom panel 410 as preferably joined to adjacent panels at left edge 411, right edge 413, back edge 415, and front edge 417 by conventional means. Bottom panel 410 is preferably rigid such that bottom panel 410 preferably provides support to articles stored in bag 100 and preferably provides structure to bag 100. Bottom panel 410 is preferably made of a rigid material, such as a plastic, but may optionally be made of a flexible material, such a fabric, or a unitary sheet, and bottom panel 410 may further optionally include a rigid structural component that is removably attached to bottom panel

410.

Bottom panel 410 also preferably includes a plurality of slides 422, preferably comprising raised members extending from left edge 411 to right edge 413, but may be configured in any shape such that bottom panel 410 is protected from a surface on which bag 100 is set, or against which bag 100 is slid. Slides 422 are preferably made of a durable

material, such as plastic, such that they are resistant to scratching, bending, and/or breaking, especially when bag 100 is rolled on wheels 397 and partially supported by handle 295. Bottom panel 410 may also optionally include a plurality of wheels (not shown) which operate in conjunction with wheels 397 in order to allow bag 100 to roll when resting on bottom panel 410.

As shown in Fig. 5, back panel 510 is preferably joined to adjacent panels at left edge 511, right edge 513, and bottom edge 515. Top edge 517 preferably carries zipper 160, preferably used to close bag 100, as shown in Fig. 5. Also shown in Fig. 5 are pockets 580, and carrying strap 590, according to the preferred embodiment, like those included on front panel 110. Carrying strap 590 preferably includes grip 591. Also according to the preferred embodiment, carrying strap 590 and carrying strap 190 preferably comprise a single strap preferably extending down back panel 510 across bottom panel 410 and up front panel 110.

Referring now to Fig. 6, equator 610 of left end panel 210 preferably defines upper portion 612 and lower portion 614. Upper portion 612 preferably comprises a flexible material that collapses unless supported by a structural support by articles contained in bag 100. Lower portion 614 preferably comprises a rigid material that preferably maintains lower portion 614 in a generally erect position. The rigidity of lower portion 614 may be achieved by using a rigid unitary sheet material, a rigid panel attached to a fabric or retained in a fabric pocket, or may be achieved by applying an additive to a flexible material, such as a resin, that cures or otherwise makes the flexible material rigid. While equator 610 is preferably disposed in a middle of left end panel 210, equator 610 can alternatively be disposed at any desired location on left end panel 210 including at or near bottom edge 215, or at or near top edge 217. Preferably each of left end panel 210 and right end panel 310, and more preferably each of front panel 110, left end panel 210, right end panel 310 and back panel 510, includes an equator preferably defining a line of demarcation between flexible and rigid portions of each such panel.

Now referring to Fig. 7, bag 100 is shown resting on right end panel 310, feet 338 and handle 399, whereby bag 100 can preferably be rolled on wheels 397 by pulling or pushing handle 295. Alternatively, handle 295 preferably can be retracted through opening 219, or can be removed from bag 100, and carrying strap 291 can preferably be used to push or pull bag 100 on wheels 297. Slides 422 are preferably disposed in a position to protect bag 100 from damage encountered when pulling bag 100 on wheels 397, such as damage from pulling bag 100 up stairs, curbs, or other obstacles.

Fig. 8 shows opening 810 of bag 100 as preferably defined by top edges 117, 217, 317, and 517. Also, zipper 160 is preferably disposed on top edges 117, 217, 317, and 517, with first end 161 of zipper 160 disposed between top edge front half 317a and top edge back half 317b of right end panel 310. First half 160a extends from first end 161 preferably disposed on top edge front half 317a, top edge 117, and top edge front half 217b, to second end 162 of zipper 160 preferably disposed between top edge front half 217b and top edge back half 217a. According to the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 8 opening 810 has a length equal to the sum of top edges 117, 217, 317, and 517, whereby opening 810 is able accommodate articles with a girth substantially equal to that of bag 100. The ability of opening 810 to open as wide as the widest part of bag 100 eliminates the need to manipulate articles of large size in order to get them through a smaller opening.

Fig. 9 shows bag 100 in a fully open state, whereby articles may easily be placed in bag 100. Front side panel 110, left end panel 210, right end panel 310, and back side panel

510 are each preferably held erect by a rigid support structure when bag 100 is in the open state. The support structure may be a rigid frame around the edges of each panel, a rigid insert attached to each panel or contained within a pocket of each panel, or each panel itself may be rigid so as to comprise the rigid support structure. Preferably, the rigid structure is made up of rigid insert panels of a size approximately equal to each panel of the bag, wherein each rigid insert can be inserted into a respective pocket within a panel, such as where two

rigid inserts are disposed in respective pockets of opposing panels, or more preferably into a respective pocket of each of the panels of the bag. In the embodiment where the support structure comprises rigid insert panels disposed in pockets of two opposing bag panels, the rigid insert panels preferably place the adjacent panels in tension, whereby they are supported or prevented from collapsing into the bag. Zipper 960 preferably provides access to a pocket whereby a rigid insert may be retained therein. Alternatively, or additionally, other articles may be retained in the pocket.

As shown in Fig. 10, when bottom cover panel 1010 is peeled away from bottom panel 410, bottom panel 410 may preferably be removed from bag 100. Handle 295 or wheels 397 may optionally be connected to bottom panel 410 such that when bottom panel 410 is removed, handle 295 and wheels 397 are also removed. Rigid insert panels retained in pocket 1081 in front side panel 110 and pocket 1083 in back side panel 510. Rigid panel inserts, if also included in left end panel 210 and right end panel 310, are likewise preferably retained in pockets and are removable. In this way, bag 100 can be converted into a completely soft-sided bag if desired by the user.

Fig. 11 shows the detail of corner 1111 of opening 810, preferably connecting front side panel 110 and left end panel 210, and corner 1113 of opening 810 preferably connecting back end panel 510 and left end panel 210. Corner 1111 and corner 1113 each preferably includes a ninety-degree angle corner support centered on the corner (shown in dashed lines). The corner support comprises a rigid structure having arms of equal length extending in directions which are ninety degrees apart. While bag 100 is in a closed state, as shown in Fig. 11, the corner supports help to give shape to bag 100, and retain top edge back half 217a and top edge front half 217b in a vertical orientation, generally at a right angle to top edge 117 and top edge 517. Thereby, top edge back half 217a and top edge front half 217b are prevented from extending away from bag 100.

Fig. 12 shows corner 1111 when bag 100 is in an open state. In an open state, the corner support maintains front side panel 110 and left end panel 210 disposed at a ninety- degree angle. The corner supports are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal or a plastic material, and are included in a pocket located at or near opening 810. According to a preferred embodiment, the corner supports are retained in a strip of material connecting zipper 160 to bag 100.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.