Waterproof backpacks and carrying bags

A pack, which may or may not be a backpack, includes a pack portion made of a flexible material and includes a main interior storage compartment. The pack includes a foldable flap including a front region having an upper portion that, when the foldable flap is unfolded, faces outward and is visible. An aperture, which is included in upper portion of the front region of the foldable flap, is selectively openable when the foldable flap is unfolded to provide access to the main interior storage compartment. The foldable flap can be folded back over itself twice to provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment of the pack through the aperture. Unlike a typical roll-top backpack, a height of the pack when the foldable flap is unfolded is substantially the same as when the foldable flap is folded back over itself twice.

BACKGROUND

There are various different types of backpacks with various different shapes and features that are manufactured and sold. Tombstone shaped backpacks are very popular because their main interior storage compartment can be easily accessed via their inverted u-shaped zipper closure that tracks around an inverted u-shaped aperture in an upper periphery of such backpacks. However, tombstone shaped backpacks that include an inverted u-shaped zipper closure are typically not waterproof, unless very heavyweight and expensive waterproof zippers are utilized, such as those sold by TITEX GmbH of Heilsbronn, Germany, under the TRIZIP™ brand. A problem with using such very heavyweight and expensive waterproof zippers on tombstone shaped backpacks is that such zippers are incredibly difficult to open around an inverted u-shaped path. Additionally, such zippers are very expensive, and thus, increase manufacturing costs.

Roll-top backpacks, on the other hand, can typically be made waterproof more easily and less expensively by creating a sealed compartment through a compressed roll of welded waterproof (e.g., plastic coated) fabric. However, a drawback of a typical roll-top backpack is that the main interior storage compartment is difficult to access. More specifically, with a typical roll-top backpack, it is difficult to access deep into the bag because the fabric used for the rolling function at the top makes the backpack very tall when the top is unrolled. Further, there are typically multiple buckles to keep the fabric roll compressed, which can be more user-intensive than a single zipper closure that is used in a typical tombstone shaped backpack.

SUMMARY

A backpack, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a front panel, a back panel and a side panel attached between at least a portion of the front panel and at least a portion of the back panel to form a main interior storage compartment of the backpack. In accordance with an embodiment, the front panel, the back panel and the side panel are made from one or more types of flexible waterproof fabrics, and the side panel is attached by welded seams between the front panel and the back panel. In accordance with an embodiment, the backpack is tombstone shaped. In accordance with an embodiment, the backpack also has an inverted u-shaped foldable flap including a front region having an upper portion that, when the foldable flap is unfolded, faces outward and is visible. When the foldable flap is unfolded, at least a portion of the front region of the foldable flap extends beyond and substantially perpendicular to an upper portion of the front panel. When the foldable flap is folded over itself twice, no portion of the front region of the foldable flap extends beyond the upper portion of the front panel.

In accordance with an embodiment, an inverted u-shaped aperture, which is included in upper portion of the front region of the foldable flap, is selectively openable when the foldable flap is unfolded, to thereby provide access to the main interior storage compartment of the backpack. In accordance with an embodiment, the front region of the foldable flap includes a top portion and a bottom portion, and the inverted u-shaped aperture is included in the top portion of the front region of the foldable flap, but not in the bottom portion of the front region of the foldable flap. In accordance with an embodiment, the foldable flap is configured to be folded back over itself twice so that the upper portion of the front region of the foldable flap, in which the aperture is located, is not visible. The backpack can also include a zipper closure that is configured to enable a person to selectively open and close the inverted u-shaped aperture by opening and closing the zipper closure when the foldable flap is unfolded.

In accordance with an embodiment, the foldable flap is configured to have three configurations including an unfolded configuration, a once folded configuration and a twice folded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, the foldable flap is unfolded, the top portion of the front region of the foldable flap faces outward, and the zipper closure is visible and accessible to enable a person to selectively open and close the inverted u-shaped aperture included in the outwardly facing top portion of the front region of the foldable flap. In the once folded configuration, the foldable flap is folded back over itself once such that the top portion of the front region of the foldable flap faces inward and the zipper closure is not visible and not accessible. In the twice folded configuration, the foldable flap is folded back over itself twice such that the top portion of the front region of the foldable flap faces outward (yet is not visible) and the zipper closure is not visible and not accessible. When folded back over itself twice, the foldable flap provides a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment of the backpack through the inverted u-shaped aperture.

In accordance with an embodiment, the foldable flap is at least partially made of a flexible fabric that enables the foldable flap to be folded back over itself. Further, a semi-rigid element can be attached to the bottom portion of the foldable flap, to assist in keeping the foldable flap in its inverted u-shape. Additionally, the semi-rigid element can assist in defining a first fold line at which the foldable flap is folded when the foldable flap is folded back once over itself once, and assist in defining a second fold line at which the foldable flap is folded when the foldable flap is folded back over itself twice.

The backpack can include two shoulder straps attached to the back panel and/or the side panel to allow the backpack to be carried on the back of a wearer. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to other types of packs or bags besides backpacks, which may or may not include one or more shoulder straps and/or handles.

A pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a tombstone shaped pack portion made of a flexible material and a main interior storage compartment to accommodate a load to be carried during use of the pack, wherein the main interior storage compartment is located between a front and a back of the pack portion. The pack can also include a foldable flap that when unfolded includes a front lip that extends generally away from the back of the pack portion, and generally towards and past the front of the pack portion. An aperture in an upper portion of the foldable flap is selectively openable, when the foldable flap is unfolded, to provide access to the main interior storage compartment of the backpack. A zipper closure enables a person to selectively open and close the aperture by opening and closing the zipper closure when the foldable flap is unfolded. The foldable flap is configured to be folded to provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment of the pack through the aperture. In accordance with an embodiment, a height of the tombstone shaped pack when the foldable flap is unfolded is substantially the same as a height of the tombstone shaped pack when the foldable flap is folded to provide the waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment of the pack through the aperture.

In accordance with an embodiment, when the foldable flap of the pack is unfolded and the zipper closure is fully opened, at least an upper third of the front of the pack portion can be folded downward to increase an area of an opening through the aperture. When the foldable flap is unfolded, a portion of the foldable flap that extends past the front of the pack portion is generally perpendicular to the front of the pack portion. In accordance with an embodiment, the foldable flap, the aperture and the zipper closure each have an inverted u-shape. The pack can be made of flexible waterproof fabric and can have welded and/or taped seams that prevent water from entering the main interior storage compartment through any area other than the aperture. The foldable flap, when folded back over itself twice, provides a waterproof barrier against water entering the main interior storage compartment of the backpack through the aperture. One or more straps can be attached to the pack portion to allow the pack portion to be carried on at least one of a shoulder or back of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1Kwill initially be used to describe a waterproof backpack102, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, wherein the backpack102has a tombstone shape with a main interior storage compartment112that is easily accessed via an inverted u-shaped aperture130and zipper closure132that track around an inverted u-shaped foldable flap120in an upper periphery of the backpack102. More specifically,FIG. 1Ais a perspective view of the backpack102, with its foldable flap120is unfolded.FIG. 1Bis a perspective view of the backpack102after its foldable flap120has been folded twice to provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment112through the aperture130.FIGS. 1C, 1D and 1Eare side views of the backpack102with its foldable flap120in three different configurations, as will be described in more detail below. Certain components of the backpack102, such as its shoulder straps110and handle111, are not shown in the side views inFIGS. 1C, 1D and 1E.FIGS. 1K and 1Jare perspective views of the backpack102when opened to allow placement or removal of items into or from the main interior storage compartment112.

Referring initially to the perspective view of the backpack102inFIG. 1A, the backpack102is shown as including a front panel104, a back panel106, and a side panel108. The side panel108, which can also be referred to as a gusset, is attached between at least a portion of the front panel104and at least a portion of the back panel106to form the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack102. Each of the panels104,106and108can be made of a flexible fabric material, such as nylon or canvas, but is not limited thereto. Preferably the one or more flexible fabric materials from which the panels104,106and108are manufactured or otherwise treated to be waterproof. For an example, the flexible fabric material can be nylon ripstop CORDURA™, manufactured by INVISTA, which headquartered in Wichita, Kans., United States. Exemplary fabric coatings that can be used to provide waterproofing include coatings such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) types of coatings, but are not limited thereto. One or more of the panels104,106and108, and more generally the main interior storage compartment112, can include an interior lining.

Each of the panels104,106and108can be made from a separate sheet of flexible fabric material. It is also possible that any one of the panels104,106and108can be made of multiple pieces of flexible fabric material, such that each of the panels may include sub-panels or sections. It is also possible that a portion of one of the panels104,106and108is made from a same continuous sheet of flexible material as another one of the panels104,106and108. Where two of the panels104,106and108are attached to one another, or more generally, where separate pieces of flexible fabric material are attached to one another, they are preferably welded to provide waterproof seams. Various different types of fabric welding processes can be used to provide welded seams, including, but not limited to, radio frequency (RF) welding, hot air welding, hot wedge welding and acrylic welding. Instead of, or in addition to welding the various seams, the seams can be sewn and taped. In other words, seams can be only welded; sewn and taped; or welded, sewn and taped. Other variations are also possible.

Still referring toFIG. 1A, the backpack102is shown as including a pair of shoulder straps110that are attached to portions of the back panel106and/or the side panel108to allow the backpack102to be carried on the back of a person, who can also be referred to as a wearer. Additionally, the backpack102is shown as including a handle111that enables a person to carry the backpack102in one hand. The handle111can be made of webbing, and a portion of the webbing can be folded and covered with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), some other heat shrinkable plastic, or some other covering to make the handle more comfortable to hold. Portions of the shoulder straps110can also be made of webbing. Webbing can also be used to reinforce various portions of the backpack102. Portions of the shoulder straps110and the back panel106can include padding, which can be perforated foam covered by a mesh material, but is not limited thereto.

Also shown inFIG. 1Ais the foldable flap120in an unfolded configuration, wherein at least a portion of the flap120(e.g., a front lip123of the flap) extends outward from the side panel108beyond an upper portion of the front panel104. InFIG. 1A, the foldable flap120has the same overall shape at the upper portion of the tombstone shaped backpack102, and thus, the foldable flap120has an inverted u-shape. As can be appreciated fromFIGS. 1A and 1C, the portion of the foldable flap120that extends past the front panel104is generally perpendicular to the front panel104. As the terms are used herein, perpendicular means 90 degrees, and generally perpendicular means any angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees, inclusive. The foldable flap120includes a front region124having a top portion121and a bottom portion122that meet at the front lip123.

Included in the foldable flap120is an aperture130that is selectively openable, when the foldable flap120is unfolded, to provide access to the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack. The aperture130is also shown as having an inverted u-shape. The aperture130extends through the top portion121of a front region124of the foldable flap120, but not through the bottom portion122of the front region124of the foldable flap120. This can best be seen in the cross-sections of a portion of the foldable flap120shown inFIGS. 1F through 1I.

The foldable flap120, or at least a portion thereof, can be made from a same continuous sheet of flexible fabric material from which the side panel108, or at least a portion thereof, is made. It is also possible that the foldable flap120is made of one or more sheets of flexible fabric material that are distinct from, yet attached to, one or more sheets of fabric material from which the side panel108is made. Preferably the sheet(s) of flexible fabric material from which the foldable flap120is made is/are waterproof, as was the case with the panels104,106and108, as noted above. The top portion121and the bottom portion122of the front region124of the foldable flap120can be made of a same continuous sheet of flexible fabric material, folded at the lip123, or from separate sheets of flexible fabric material that meet at or near the lip123. In accordance with an embodiment, a distal portion of the flexible fabric material (adjacent to the lip123) from which the top portion121of the foldable flap120is made is welded, sewn and/or taped to a distal portion of the flexible fabric material (adjacent to the lip123) from which the bottom portion122of the foldable flap120is made, as can best be seen in the cross-sections inFIGS. 1F through 1I.

The main interior storage compartment112can be left as a single compartment, or can be subdivided into two or more sub-compartments. Regardless, in accordance with certain embodiments, to maximize waterproofing, the only access to the main interior storage compartment112is through the aperture130in the foldable flap120. Accordingly, the aperture130may also be referred to as the main aperture130. By contrast, an auxiliary aperture150provides access to an auxiliary pocket-sized compartment154that is significantly smaller in volume than the main interior storage compartment112. The backpack102can include additional auxiliary compartments, or none at all.

The backpack102is shown as including a zipper closure132that can be used to selectively open and close the main aperture130. Since the zipper closure132can open and close the main aperture130, the zipper closure132can also be referred to as the main zipper closure132. By contrast, an auxiliary zipper closure152can be used to selectively open and close the auxiliary aperture150. Each zipper closure132and152can include two rows of interdigitated teeth and a slider. The teeth of the zipper closures can be either individual or shaped from a continuous coil. The slider of each zipper closure can include a pull tab and a Y-shaped channel. When the slider is operated by hand the Y-shaped channel moves along the rows of teeth to either mesh together or separates the opposing rows of teeth, depending on the direction of the slider's movement. The backpack102can include zipper garages133and153for each of the zipper closures132and152, respectively, to provide a place for the pull tab of each zipper closure to be stored when the zipper closure is closed, and to reduce the chance that water or other moisture can leak in through the ends of the zipper closures.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the foldable flap120is configured to have three configurations, including an unfolded configuration, a once folded configuration, and a twice folded configuration.FIGS. 1F, 1G, 1Hare cross-sectional side views of a portion of the foldable flap, respectively, in its unfolded configuration, its once folded configuration and its twice folded configuration, while the main aperture130is closed by the zipper closure132.

The foldable flap120is shown as being in its unfolded configuration inFIGS. 1A, 1C and 1F. When the foldable flap120is in its unfolded configuration, the top portion121of the front region124of the foldable flap120faces outward (with its center facing upward) such that it is visible, and the zipper closure132and its slider are visible and accessible to enable a person to selectively open and close the aperture130. The terms outward and inward, as used herein, are relative to the main interior storage compartment112.

The foldable flap120is shown as being in its once folded configuration inFIGS. 1D and 1G, during which the foldable flap120is folded back over itself once and the top portion121of the front region124of the foldable flap faces inward (with its center facing downward) such that it is not visible. In this configuration, the zipper closure130is not visible and not accessible, and thus, cannot be readily operated to selectively open and close the main aperture130.

The foldable flap120is shown as being in its twice folded configuration inFIGS. 1B, 1E and 1H, during which the foldable flap120is folded back over itself twice. In this configuration, the top portion121of the front region124of the foldable flap120faces outward (with its center facing upward), but is not visible and not accessible because it is covered by folded portions of the foldable flap120. Further, as can be appreciated fromFIGS. 1B and 1E, when the foldable flap120is in its twice folded configuration, the zipper closure132and its slider are not visible, and thus, cannot be readily operated to selectively open and close the main aperture130. When folded back over itself twice, as shown inFIGS. 1B, 1E and 1H, the foldable flap120provides a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack through the main aperture130. To maximize waterproofness, the zipper closure132should be closed prior to folding the foldable flap120back over itself.

Referring toFIGS. 1A, 1C and 1F, the foldable flap120includes the front region124and a back region125, which are separated from one another by a first fold line126which is represented by a dashed line. The front region124of the foldable flap120extends between the front lip123and the first fold line126. The back region125of the foldable flap120extends between the first fold line126and a second fold line127which is represented by a further dashed line. The main aperture130is included in (i.e., extends through) the top portion121of the front region124of the foldable flap120, but not through the bottom portion122of the front region124. Accordingly, the main zipper closure132is welded and/or taped to or otherwise attached to the top portion121of the front region124of the foldable flap120. The first fold line126is illustrative of where the foldable flap120is folded back once to transition the foldable flap120from its unfolded configuration (shown inFIGS. 1A, 1C and 1F) to its once folded configuration (shown inFIGS. 1D and 1G). The second fold line127is illustrate of where the foldable flap120is folded back a second time to transition the foldable flap120from its once folded configuration (shown inFIGS. 1D and 1G) to its twice folded configuration (shown inFIGS. 1B, 1E and 1H).

As shown inFIGS. 1C-1I, in accordance with certain embodiments, the foldable flap120includes a semi-rigid element140that is welded to, adhered to, stitched into a lining of, or otherwise attached to the bottom portion122of the front region124. Accordingly, the semi-rigid element140will also have an inverted u-shape when included in the backpack102. The semi-rigid element140can be made, e.g., from 1 mm polyethylene board, but is not limited thereto. As can be appreciated fromFIG. 1C, the width and length of the semi-rigid element140can be similar to, but preferably slightly larger than, the dimensions of the main zipper closure132. The semi-rigid element140assists in keeping the foldable flap120in its inverted u-shape, assists in defining the first fold line126at which the foldable flap120is folded back once over itself once, and assists in defining the second fold line127at which the foldable flap120is folded back twice over itself.

FIG. 1Jis a perspective view of the backpack102with the foldable flap120unfolded and with a portion of the front panel104folded down to provide access to the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack102.FIG. 1Kis similar toFIG. 1J, but shows a portion of the front panel104of the backpack102folded down even further to provide even more access to the main interior storage compartment112.FIGS. 1J and 1Killustrate that the backpack102provides easy access to the main interior storage compartment112, which makes tombstone shaped backpacks so popular and often preferred over typical roll-top backpacks. This preference, as noted above in the background, is because it is often difficult to access an interior main compartment of a typical roll-top backpack due to the fabric used for the rolling function at the top of the typical roll-top backpack being very tall when unrolled. As can be appreciated fromFIGS. 1J and 1K, at least an upper third of the front panel104can be folded downward to increase an area of an opening through the main aperture130to accommodate the placement and removal of a load to be carried within the main interior storage compartment112. Such a load can include books, clothes, food, matches, electronic devices and/or any other types of goods that a person may desire to carry and keep dry.FIG. 1Iis a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the foldable flap120unfolded and the main aperture130opened to provide access to the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack102.

A benefit of the backpack102over a typical tombstone shaped backpack is that the foldable flap120can be folded back over itself twice, to be in the configuration shown inFIGS. 1B, 1E and 1H, to thereby provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack102through the main aperture130. By contrast, primarily relying on a heavyweight waterproof zipper closure to make a typical tombstone shaped backpack waterproof would make the backpack very difficult to open and quite expensive. (Nevertheless, it is possible that the zipper closure132can be, if desired, such a heavyweight waterproof zipper closure.) A benefit of the backpack102over a typical roll-top backpack is that the main interior storage compartment112of the backpack102is easily accessible. By contrast, accessing the main interior storage compartment of a typical roll-top backpack is difficult due to the fabric at the top of the typical roll-top backpack being very tall when unrolled. Further, with a typical roll-top backpack, after rolling the fabric at the top of the bag, multiple buckles, or the like, typically need to be fastened or otherwise utilized to keep the fabric roll compressed, which can be more user-intensive than simply closing the zipper closure132and folding back the foldable flap120of the backpack102. Accordingly, the backpack102provides certain benefits of a typical tombstone shaped backpack (namely, easy access the main interior storage compartment) and certain benefits of a typical roll-top backpack (namely, utilizing a rolled material to provide a water waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment). Beneficially, the backpack102overcomes certain problems associated with a typical tombstone shaped backpack (namely, potential difficulties and expenses associated with making them waterproof) and certain problems associate with a typical roll-top backpack (namely difficulties associated with accessing the main interior storage compartment due to the fabric at the top of the typical roll-top backpack being very tall when unrolled).

As can be appreciated from a comparison betweenFIGS. 1A and 1B, as well as a comparison betweenFIGS. 1C and 1E, a height of the backpack102when the foldable flap120is unfolded is substantially the same as a height of the backpack102when the foldable flap120is folded to provide the waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering the main interior storage compartment112through the aperture130. Thus, the backpack102provides the waterproof advantages of a typical roll-top backpack without the disadvantage of increasing the height of the backpack when in its unrolled or unfolded configuration.

Referring again toFIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment, a tab160having a first half of a fastener162a(e.g., a female or male portion of a snap) extends from a portion of the foldable flap120, and a second half of the fastener162b(e.g., a male or female portion of a snap) is attached to the side panel108, directly, or to webbing attached thereto. As shown inFIG. 1B, when the foldable flap120is in its twice folded configuration, the first and second halves of the fastener162a,162bcan be fastened to one another, to help keep the foldable flap120in its twice folded configuration until a person purposely unfolds the flap120. The first and second halves of the fastener162a,162bcan be collectively referred to as the fastener162. The fastener162can alternatively be a hook and loop type fastener, a buckle, a snap buckle, or other type of fastener. While only shown in the left side of the side panel108inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the tab160and fastener162can also be included on the right side of the side panel108, which is not visible in the perspective views inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of a backpack202according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a foldable flap220of the backpack202is unfolded.FIG. 2Bis a perspective view of the backpack202shown inFIG. 2Aafter the foldable flap220of the backpack202has been folded twice to provide a waterproof barrier against water or other moisture entering a main interior storage compartment of the backpack through a main aperture.FIG. 2Cis a side view of the backpack202shown inFIGS. 2A and 2Bwith the foldable flap220of the backpack unfolded.FIG. 2Dis a side view of the backpack202shown inFIGS. 2A and 2Bwith the foldable flap220of the backpack folded twice. The foldable flap220includes similar components as and functions in a similar manner as the foldable flap120, which was described above, and thus, details of its components and functionality need not be repeated. Where components of the backpack202and its foldable flap220are the same or substantially the same as those of the backpack102and its foldable flap120, the same reference numbers have been used. For example, Referring toFIGS. 2A-2D, the foldable flap220includes a front region124and a back region125, which are separated from one another by a first fold line126which is represented by a dashed line. The front region124of the foldable flap220extends between the front lip123and the first fold line126. The back region125of the foldable flap220extends between the first fold line126and a second fold line127which is represented by a further dashed line. As was the case with the foldable flap120, the foldable flap220is also configured to have three configurations, including an unfolded configuration, a once folded configuration, and a twice folded configuration.

One distinction between the foldable flap220and the foldable flap120is that the foldable flap220, when unfolded and viewed from the side (e.g., inFIGS. 2A and 2C) is at an angle relative to a front panel106of the backpack202. This angling of the foldable flap220makes it less likely to unfold on its own, when in its twice folded configuration, alleviating the potential need for a tab and fastener (similar to the tab160and the fastener162shown in and discussed with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B).

While the carrying bags shown in and described above with reference to the figures were shown and described as being backpacks, many features of the embodiments described herein can be incorporated into other types of packs, and more generally, into other types of carrying bags. For example, an alternative pack that includes features of the embodiments described above can include a single shoulder strap or handle, instead of a pair of shoulder straps. It is also possible that features of the embodiments described above can be implemented into a messenger bag, a pannier or saddle bag, or in a pack that is intended to be attached to the underside of a bicycle seat. Other variations are also possible. More generally, features described herein can be usefully added to most any type of pack where there is a desire to make the pack waterproof while still allowing easy access to a main interior storage compartment.