Abstract:
The present invention is an apparatus for transporting a wet umbrella that limits the movement of water collected from an umbrella. A case is provided that contains an outer shell to form a barrier to water migration. Disposed within the shell is an absorbent material to control or limit migration of water from the surface of the canopy.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the storage and transportation of umbrellas after use. One object of the present the invention relates to an umbrella case that can carry a wet umbrella within a book bag or backpack with substantially reduced risk of transferring water to other items in the bag or pack. Another object of the present invention relates to transport of wet umbrellas while preventing water from dripping onto the floor. 
         [0002]    Umbrellas are a commonly available consumer item. Generally speaking, an umbrella contains a shaft, a canopy, and ribs supporting the canopy. Collapsible umbrellas also contain a hub surrounding the shaft. Splines connect the hub to the ribs. Moving the hub towards the top of the shaft extends the splines and ribs causing the canopy to open. The top end of the umbrella shaft is the shaft end projected against or through the canopy. The umbrella may also contain a support mechanism at the bottom of the shaft to hold the umbrella in a desired position. For hand held umbrellas, the support mechanism is typically a handle. 
         [0003]    The most common use of hand held umbrellas is to protect the user from rain. The canopy creates a barrier to prevent falling water from reaching the users head, torso and, to a lesser extent, legs. The wider the canopy, the more protection afforded to the user. Once the user reaches a location protected from falling rain, she must decide what to do with the wet umbrella. One option is to leave the umbrella “open” in a sheltered location. However, if such location experiences high traffic, the umbrella may be damaged or taken. When the user chooses to carry the umbrella, she risks getting her clothes, papers, or other items wet. In addition, the umbrella may drip on the floor, creating a slip and fall hazard. Thus, it is desirable to have a means for transporting a wet umbrella that reduces or eliminates the risk that water from the umbrella will spread to adjacent items. 
         [0004]    Prior art solutions include placing the umbrella in a disposable plastic bag. The bag catches water as it drips from the canopy and the water pools in the bottom of the bag. Such a system may be seen in grocery stores and other public locations to reduce the slip and fall hazard arising from wet floors. However, such a solution is not feasible in all circumstances. For example, if the plastic bag and umbrella cannot be held upright, the collected water may exit from the bag&#39;s opening. Also, water may leak if the bag has a tear or puncture. 
         [0005]    In some situations, it is desirable to store the umbrella in an enclosed pack or briefcase. Such situations include students attending classes, salesman making customer calls, or professionals needing to maintain a crisp, neat appearance. In such situations, placing the wet umbrella in a briefcase or pack may lead to damage of papers, books or other items. Such packs or cases are routinely shifted, swung, shaken or otherwise agitated. Even if water is pooled within a plastic bag, such agitation will cause the water to leak if the bag contains an opening or tear. In fact, such agitation may create the hole, facilitating such a leak. 
         [0006]    The present invention is an apparatus for transporting a wet umbrella that limits the movement of water collected from an umbrella. A case is provided that contains an outer shell to form a barrier to water migration. Disposed within the shell is an absorbent material to control migration of water from the surface of the canopy. 
         [0007]    It is anticipated that certain embodiments of the invention will be placed into backpacks along with books, notebooks and folders. With such use, the umbrella and case will likely rest on one end for an extended period of time, causing water to pool in the downward end. Therefore, the apparatus may also contain a mechanism to manage pooling of water within the shell. For example, a wicking material through which water travels easily may be included to spread water more evenly throughout the absorbent material. Also, one or both ends of the shell may contain additional absorbent material to manage the greater water load. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the invention, the outer shell will be a hard rigid material such as polycarbonate or aluminum. In other embodiments, the outer shell may be a flexible plastic such as polyethylene. The only requirement for the outer shell is that it forms an effective barrier to prevent movement of water to the outside of the umbrella case. 
         [0009]    Similarly, the present invention encompasses embodiments that are both for indefinite use and disposable. For example, one embodiment comprises a polycarbonate outer shell lined with synthetic sponge. Another embodiment comprises a polyethylene outer shell and lined with water absorbent polymer crystals as the absorbent material. The polymer crystals may require a support matrix to facilitate lining of the polyethylene outer shell. Such a configuration is commonly observed with disposable baby diapers. 
         [0010]    Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and that additional embodiments not described lie within the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       SUMMARY OF FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an umbrella case of the present invention 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  is an end view of the upper section of the umbrella case of the present invention 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   b  is an isometric view of the lower section of an umbrella case of the present invention 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an umbrella case of the present invention in which the umbrella case forms the handle for an attached umbrella 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is side view of an umbrella case of the present invention with an umbrella disposed in the lower section and the upper section poised to cover the remainder of the umbrella. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown, umbrella case  10  is divided into an upper section  22  and a lower section  24 . In the embodiment shown, a rigid material forms upper section shell  13  and lower section shell  12 . While it is anticipated that upper section shell  13  and lower section shell  12  will be made of the same material, embodiments using different materials for the upper and lower section shells are envisioned. Either or both of upper section  22  and lower section  24  may contain one or more absorbent materials defining an upper section cavity  26  and lower section cavity  28 . 
         [0017]    In the embodiments described herein, the upper section cavity  26  and lower section cavity  28  are defined by the upper section absorbent  14  material and lower section absorbent  15  material, respectively, it is within the scope of the present invention that the upper section cavity  26  may be defined in part by upper section shell  13  and for part of the lower section cavity  28  to be defined in part by lower section shell  12 . In addition, either of upper section shell  12  or lower section shell  13  may have no absorbent material and the respective cavity is formed entirely by the shell. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2   a  shows and end view of upper section  22 . Upper absorbent material  14  lines the inside of upper section shell  13 . Upper section cavity  26  is defined by upper section absorbent material  14 .  FIG. 2   b  shows an isometric view of lower section  24 . Similar to upper section  22 , lower section  24  has a lower section shell  12  surrounding a lower section absorbent material  15 . Lower section cavity  28  is defined by lower section absorbent material  15 . 
         [0019]    As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, upper section  22  and lower section  24  may be identical or may be widely different. Some embodiments may have only one section with a lid, drawstring, flap or other device to close an open end. It is within the scope of the invention that the open end is not closed if the design adequately prevents fluid flow without such closure—i.e. sufficient absorbent material is within the shell to hold all water from the umbrella. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show one embodiment of the present invention in which the umbrella case  10  also functions as a handle for the umbrella  40 . Umbrella shaft  42  is connected to lower section  24  at the bottom end  44  umbrella shaft  42 . Umbrella shaft  42  may be a telescoping shaft as is well known in the art. Lower section absorbent material  15  is disposed on the inner wall of lower section  24 . After use, the canopy  46  is folded around the umbrella shaft  42  as those skilled in the art will appreciate. The shaft  42  may be designed to telescope out when the canopy opens and down for storage. Folding of the canopy  46  around the shaft  42  brings the outer circumference of the canopy adjacent to the lower section  24 . The folded canopy can then moved into the lower section cavity  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , by contracting the telescoping shaft or other means. This brings the outer rim of canopy  46  into proximity of or contact with lower section absorbent material  15 . 
         [0021]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , upper section  22  and lower section  24  combine to form a handle  48  for umbrella  40 . Umbrella shaft  42  is directly attached to lower section  24  and upper section  22  is attached to lower section  24  by placing upper section cavity  26  over lower section end cap  32 . Upper section  22  and lower section  24  may have a snap or other connecting means to stabilize the connection between upper section  22  and lower section  24 . It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that upper section cavity  26  will be larger than the outer circumference of lower section end cap  32 . 
         [0022]    Upper section  22  contains absorbent material defining an upper section cavity  26 . The top end  43  of the umbrella shaft  42  is moved into the upper section cavity  26  first and upper section  22  moved over the umbrella until the upper section  22  connects with lower section  24  as desired. Connecting devices such as tabs, snaps, latches or the like may be used to hold upper section  22  in proper contact with lower section  24 . To facilitate a water tight connection, O-rings or other sealing means may be used. In addition, a portion of the lower section shell  12  may separate upper section shell  13  of upper section  22  from the absorbent material of upper section  22 . Such arrangement will prevent alignment of seams in the absorbent material  14  and the outer shell  12  and further reduce the likelihood of leaks. 
         [0023]    Upper section  22  also contains an end cap  30 . In some embodiments, end cap  30  may be removable to facilitate replacement or maintenance of a section of additional absorbent material. As mentioned above, the top or bottom of the umbrella case may experience greater water loads than other areas. In such circumstances, it may be desirable to dry the area of absorbent material subject to the increase load. In certain embodiments, removal of end cap  30  facilitates removal of a section of absorbent material. Once removed, the absorbent material can be dried, replaced in the upper section and end cap  30  replaced. If a disposable material such as absorbent polymer crystals are used, the crystals or packet containing the crystals can be replaced and the end cap  30  re-attached to the upper shell  22 . 
         [0024]    While the embodiments described herein are illustrative of the instant invention, those of skill in the art will appreciate that additional embodiments are envisioned and fall within the scope of the claims.