FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application relates to luggage and, more particularly, to luggage that may be rolled up for transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In some scenarios, a traveler may unpack and remain at a location for some time, in which case luggage need only provide storage capacity for the traveler’s items. In other scenarios, the traveler may continue to store items in luggage while at the traveler’s destination. A traveler may also access items in a mobile storage container regularly while in transit or at any particular location. In such scenarios, the accessibility and organization of items stored in the luggage also becomes important.

[0003] It would be an advancement in the art to provide luggage that provides convenient carry and ready accessibility to stored items. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes: a roll panel having a first end and a second end, the roll panel having a length between the first end and the second end greater than a width of the roll panel perpendicular to the length, the roll panel having a front surface and a back surface; a plurality of storage structures secured to a front surface of the roll panel and distributed between the first end and the second end; and a pouch secured to the second end and defining an opening, the pouch sized to receive the roll panel and the plurality of storage structures through the opening when rolled up with the back surface facing outwardly.

[0005] The apparatus may include a closure mechanism secured to the opening and configured to retain the roll panel and the plurality of structures within the pouch. The closure mechanism may be a cord extending around the opening and a cord tensioner.

[0006] The apparatus may include a first handle secured to the pouch on a first side of the opening and a second handle secured to the pouch on a second side of the opening. The apparatus may include a handle secured to the pouch on a first side of the opening and a closure mechanism spanning between the first side of the opening and a second side of the opening opposite the first side of the opening.

[0007] The pouch may have a front panel, back panel, left panel, and right panel defining a volume, the roll panel being secured to the back panel with the front surface facing a same direction as an inner surface of the back panel facing inwardly into the volume. The roll panel and the back panel may be formed of a single monolithic piece of material. The front panel may be formed by the single monolithic piece of material. The left panel may be secured along an edge of the left panel to a portion of a left edge of the single monolithic piece of material and the right panel may secured along an edge of the right panel to a portion of a right edge of the single monolithic piece of material.

[0008] The apparatus may include a perimeter portion extending from the left edge of the single monolithic piece of material, along a top edge of the left panel, along a bottom edge of the single monolithic piece of material extending between the left edge and the right edge, along a top edge of the right panel to adjacent the right edge of the single monolithic piece of material, the perimeter portion including a closure mechanism for resisting removal of the roll panel when positioned within the volume. The closure mechanism may be a cord within the perimeter portion and a cord tensioner.

[0009] The apparatus may include comprising a first attachment structure secured to one of an inner surface of the back panel and the front surface of the roll panel and a second attachment structure secured to an outer surface of the pouch, the second attachment structure configured to engage the first attachment structure when the pouch is in a rolled up configuration and retain the pouch in the rolled up configuration.

[0010] In some embodiments, a suspension portion is secured at a first end of the roll panel. The suspension portion may be a hook. The suspension portion may include a loop secured to the roll panel and a strap secured to the roll panel, the trap having a hook secured thereto and configured to engage the loop.

[0011] The plurality of storage structures may include one or more storage structures that are removably secured to the front surface of the roll panel. The one or more storage structures may be removably secured to the front panel by a hook-and-loop material. The plurality of storage structures may include a pocket with an opening on a side of the pocket closest the second end of the roll panel when the roll panel is unrolled.

[0012] An apparatus may include: a sheet of material having a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end, a left edge extending between the top end and the bottom end, and a right edge extending between the top end and the bottom end, the right edge being opposite the left edge, the left edge defining a left pouch edge extending from the bottom end partially toward the top end and the right edge defining a right pouch edge extending from the bottom end partially toward the top end, the sheet of material having a pouch portion extending between the left pouch edge and the right pouch edge and a roll panel portion extending between the pouch portion and the top end; a left panel secured to the left pouch edge; a right panel secured to a right pouch edge; and a plurality of storage structures secured to a front surface of the roll panel portion and distributed between the pouch portion and the top end, the roll panel portion defining a back surface opposite the front surface; wherein the left panel, right panel, and the pouch portion define a pouch sized to receive the roll panel portion and the plurality of storage structures when rolled up with the back surface facing outwardly.

[0013] The apparatus may include a perimeter portion extending from the left pouch edge, along a top edge of the left panel, along the bottom end of the sheet of material, and along a top edge of the right panel to adjacent the right pouch edge of the sheet of material, the perimeter portion including a closure mechanism for resisting removal of the roll panel when positioned within the volume; a cord positioned within the perimeter portion; and a cord lock engaging the cord and configured to enable tensioning of the word in order to purse the perimeter portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

[0015] Fig. 1A is an isometric view of a modular tool roll with integrated pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. IB is an isometric view of the modular tool roll with the tool roll contained within the integrated pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 2A is an isometric view of the tool roll including fastening material for securing modular pouches in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 2B is an isometric view of the modular tool roll with modular pouches secured thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Fig. 2C is a top view of an example use for the modular tool roll in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 3 A is an isometric view of a toiletry roll in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Fig. 3B is an isometric view of the toiletry roll with a pouch in a rolled configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Fig. 3C is a front view of the toiletry roll suspended for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figs. 4A to 4C illustrate the toiletry roll with the rolled portion positioned within a pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0024] Fig. 5A is a rear view of the toiletry roll with an alternative suspension system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figs. 5B and 5C are isometric views of the toiletry roll in a rolled configuration without use of the pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0026] Referring to Figs. 1A and IB, a modular tool roll 10 may include a roll panel 12. The roll panel 12 may be a strip of material that, when laid flat on a support surface or suspended, has length between a first and a second end along a first direction that is much longer than (e.g., between 2 and 5 times) the width of the panel 12 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The material may be a fabric, such as a synthetic woven fabric. The roll panel 12 may be made of multiple layers of material sewn or otherwise fused to one another. The roll panel 12 may be flexible and capable of being rolled up.

[0027] A pouch 14 secures to the second end of the roll panel 12 such that the roll panel secures to a portion of an opening of the pouch 14, e.g., an edge of the pouch 14 defining an opening to the pouch 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch includes left and right side panels 14a, 14b offset from one another, a front panel 14c extending between front edges of the side panels 14a, 14b, a rear panel 14d extending between rear edges of the side panels 14a, 14b, and a bottom panel 14e extending both of between bottom edges of the side panels 14a, 14b and between bottom edges of the front and rear panels 14c, 14d. In some embodiments, the roll panel

12 connects to an upper edge of the rear panel 14d opposite the bottom edge of the rear panel 14d. [0028] In some embodiments, the roll panel 12, rear panel 14d, bottom panel 14e, and front panel 14c are one monolithic sheet of material with the side panels 14a, 14b sewn to edges thereof to form the illustrated pouch 14. Accordingly, the roll panel 12 may be that portion of the sheet of material that extends outwardly from top edges of the side panels 14a, 14b to the first end of the roll panel 12.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the pouch 14 is flared such that one or both of (a) the front and rear panels 14c, 14d flare outwardly form one another with distance from the bottom panel 14e and (b) the side panels 14a, 14b flare outwardly from one another with distance from the bottom panel 14e.

[0030] A perimeter sleeve 16 may be secured around the opening of the pouch 14, such as along upper edges of the side panels 14a, 14b and front panel 14c. In some embodiments, the perimeter sleeve 16 does not extend across the roll panel 12 and rear panel 14d. However, in other embodiments, this is the case and the perimeter sleeve 16 is sewn across the material forming the roll panel 12 and rear panel 14d such that the perimeter sleeve 16 defines a boundary between the roll panel 12 and the rear panel 14d.

[0031] The perimeter sleeve 16 may incorporate a tensioner 18. For example, a pair of cords 18a may extend through the perimeter sleeve 16 and through the tensioner 18, which may be any sort of cord lock known in the art. The cords 18a, 18b may be secured within the perimeter sleeve on either side of the tensioning device in embodiments where the perimeter sleeve 16 does not extend across the piece of material forming the roll panel 12 and rear panel 14d. Accordingly, the cords 18a, 18b may be secured within the perimeter sleeve 16 adjacent (e.g., within 0 to 4 cm) the material forming the roll panel 12 and/or rear panel 14d. A user may tension the cords 18a using the tensioner 18 in order to draw the perimeter sleeve 16 inward. When the roll panel 12 is rolled up and placed within the pouch as shown in Fig. IB, increasing tension with the tensioner 18 and drawing the perimeter sleeve 16 inward may be effective to hinder removal of the roll panel 12.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, one or more handles 20 are secured to the pouch 14 for facilitating carrying of the modular tool roll 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a front handle 20 secures to the front panel 14c and a rear handle 20 secures to the rear panel 14d. As is also apparent, the straps 20a, 20b forming the handles 20 may extend from the front handle 20, across the front panel 14c, under the bottom panel 14e, across the rear panel 14d, to the rear handle 20. In some embodiments, straps 20c, 20d, which may be continuous with the straps 20a, 20b, extend from the back panel 14d along a back surface of the roll panel 12 either partially or completely to a first end of the roll panel 12, such as to a top handle 20e (see Fig. 2A) secured adjacent (e.g., within 0 to 5 cm of) the first end of the roll panel 12.

[0033] One or more pouches 24a-24e or other storage structures may removably or non- removably secure to a front surface of the roll panel 12. The front surface of the roll panel 12 may be defined as a surface that faces a same direction as an inner surface of the pouch 14, such as at a point of attachment to the rear panel 14d. The pouches 24a-24e may be any kind of container with any kind of closure mechanism known in the art, such as zippers, hook-and-loop (VELCRO),

3M DUAL LOCK, snap fasteners, buckles, or the like. [0034] Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, in one configuration, pouches 24a and 24e are non- removably secured to the front surface of the roll panel 12. One or more fasteners 26 may be secured to the front surface of the roll panel 12. In the illustrated example, the fasteners are areas of hook-and-loop fastening material (e.g., hook material or loop material) and the pouches 24b- 24d include similar areas of fastening material (loop material or hook material) that may be secured to the fasteners 26. In one use case, the tool roll 10 is used in a rolled-out configuration on a flat surface as shown in Fig. 2A. Accordingly, the pouch 24e may include an opening 24f, e.g., a zippered opening, that is closer to the second end of the pouch than the first end. This may facilitate placing fasteners or other parts on the face of roll panel 12 when it is placed down on a surface. After finishing with the parts or other items the user simply sweeps the items into the pouch 24e and secured the zipper or other fastener at opening 24f. Of course, this is when the roll is not suspended vertically from handle 20e. An example of tools being spread on the roll face adjacent the pouch 24e is shown in Figure 2C. Items may likewise be placed in the pouch 14 while rolled out as shown in Fig. 2A or while rolled up as shown in Fig. IB.

[0035] Further referring to Fig. 2C, one of the detachable or non-removably secured pouches may include a wrench roll 24d including a plurality of sleeves 24g for receiving end wrenches, socket wrenches, screw drivers, nut drivers, or other tools. The wrench roll 24d may include a hook 24j secured to the wrench roll 24d, such as by a strap 24i and another loop 24k may also be secured to the wrench roll 24d, such as on a side opposite a side to which the sleeves 24g are secured. The wrench roll 24d may therefore be rolled up with the sleeves 24g facing inwardly. The hook 24j may be engaged with loop 24k (see Fig. 2A) to maintain the wrench roll 24d rolled up in the configuration shown in Fig. 2A.

[0036] Referring again to Fig. 2B, in some embodiments, structures may be provided to secure the pouch 14 in a compressed or rolled up configuration when not in use. For example, a loop 30 may be secured to the front surface of the roll panel 12. For example, the loop 30 may secure to the roll panel 12 such that all of the pouches 24a-24d (removable and non-removable) are positioned between the loop 30 and the first end of the roll panel 12. Stated differently, the loop 30 may secure to the roll panel 12 within 3 cm of a line extending between points of attachment of top edges of the side panels 141, 14b to the sheet of material forming the roll panel 12. A hook 32 may be secured to the pouch 14, such as by means of the loop 30. One or more loops 34 may secure to any one or more of the rear panel 14d, bottom panel 14e, and the rear surface of the roll pane 112. The loop 30 and loop 34 may have lengths ensuring that the rolled- up pouch 14 can be enclosed with the hook 32 engaging the loop 34 without requiring an undue exertion by a user, e.g., 1 to 10 pounds of force. The use of a loop 30, hook 32, and loop 34 is just one example of a securement system for securing the rolled-up pouch 14. Other configurations are also possible, such as securing the hook 32 to the loop 34 rather than to the loop 30 and selectively engaging the hook 32 with the loop 30 when the pouch 14 is rolled up.

[0037] Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate another configuration of a roll-up modular pack. One example may be a toiletry roll 10a that, unless otherwise indicated, has the same basic configuration as the modular tool roll 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a hook 40, e.g., a hook for a hanger rod, is secured by a strap 42 adjacent to (e.g., 0 to 5 cm from) the first end of the roll panel 12.

[0038] The toiletry roll 10a may have smaller dimensions than the modular tool roll 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface of the roll panel 12 has one or more toiletry pouches 44a-44d. Some or all of the pouches 44a-44d may be removable, such as using hook-and-loop fastener, snaps or other fastening structure. Some or all of the pouches 44a-44d may be non- removably secured to the front surface of the roll panel 12. As is apparent in Fig. 3B, the pouch 44d closest to the first end of the roll panel 12 may have an opening 44e that faces toward the first end than to the second end of the roll panel 12 such that items placed in the pouch 44d will not fall out when the toiletry roll 10a is suspended at the first end.

[0039] As for the modular tool roll 10, the toiletry roll 10a may include a loop 30, hook 32, and loop 34 for securing the pouch 14 in a rolled-up position as shown in Fig. 3B.

[0040] Referring to Figs. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the roll panel 12 may be rolled up with its front surface facing inwardly and placed in the pouch 14. As for the modular tool roll 10, the opening to the pouch 14 may be closed by applying tension using the tensioner 18.

[0041] Inasmuch as the toiletry roll 10a may be smaller, a single handle 46 is used in some embodiments, such as secured to the roll panel 12 adjacent the top of the pouch, e.g., vertically at, or within 2 to 10 cm above, the point where the perimeter sleeve 16 abuts the roll panel 12 when the toiletry roll 10 is suspended vertically.

[0042] To hinder opening of the pouch, a strap 48 may extend from a point of attachment on the front panel 14c or perimeter sleeve 16 to a point on the roll panel 12. For example, the strap 48 may include a buckle or toggle 50 that may be passed through a loop 52 to prevent inadvertent opening of the pouch 14. The loop 52 may be secured to the handle 48 or to a point on the rear surface of the roll panel 12. As is apparent in Figs. 4A to 4C, the strap 48 may either secure to the tensioner 18 or be secured to a common attachment point on the front panel 14c as the tensioner 18.

[0043] Referring to Fig. 5 A, in some embodiments, suspending of the toiletry roll 10a may be performed using a rear strap 54 having a hook 56 secured thereto. A front strap 58 may secure at (e.g., within 0 to 5 cm of) the first end of the roll panel 12 and form a loop. The strap 54 may therefore be passed around a structure, such as a hanger rod, and engage the front strap 58 in order to suspend the toiletry roll 10a. A user may place items (clothing, towels, toiletries, etc.) in the pouch 14 while suspended.

[0044] As is apparent in Fig. 5 A, the rear strap 54 may extend completely or partially from the first end of the roll panel 12 toward a second end of the roll panel 12 and possibly completely around the back panel 14d, bottom panel 14e, and front panel 14c. The rear strap 54 may be locally stitched at points 60 to the roll panel 12, leaving portions 62 of the strap 54 between the points 60 free. Items may be hooked or otherwise suspended on these free portions.

[0045] Referring to Figs. 5B and 5C, the free portions 62 may be used to maintain the toiletry roll 10a in a rolled configuration. For example, rather than roll up the roll panel 12 and place it in the pouch 14, the pouch 14 may also be rolled up and the hook 56 engaged with one of the free portions 62 in order to maintain the toiletry roll in the rolled configuration shown in

Figs. 5B and 5C. [0046] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.