Dual opening carrying bag

A compartmentalized carrying bag is provided comprising a containment structure formed from wall members whose interior surfaces form a sealable interior cavity having a fixed maximum volume. The cavity is divided into separate sealable chambers by a dividing member attached to the interior surfaces. Each separate chamber is accessible from outside the containment structure by separate sealable access portals. The dividing member is structured to permit the volume of each separate chamber to vary from approximately the fixed maximum volume to approximately zero, wherein at all times the sum of the volumes of the separate chambers is equal to approximately the fixed maximum volume.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to carrying bags having at least 
two separate cavities and more specifically to carrying bags having at 
least two separate cavities at least one of which is sealable, variable in 
volume and includes a separate, sealable access portal. 
Carrying bags have been known and used for many years. They minimally 
consist of a shell or containment structure, comprising a sealable chamber 
or chambers for receiving items for transport; and a carrying device, such 
as a strap or handle, attached to the exterior of the containment 
structure for facilitating the grasping and carrying of the bag. Sealable 
in this context means closeable such that in normal use the items carried 
within the bag will remain there when the bag is sealed. Such bags are 
generally used as luggage for transporting clothing and personal 
belongings on trips between locations. If the trip is an extended one, or 
if the activities to be engaged in require it, several changes of clothing 
may be necessary. These clothing changes create a dirty laundry 
transportation and storage problem. Soiled clothes, often containing 
moisture and bacteria, can have unpleasant odors, easily transported by 
the air. Because of the easy transferability of these odors, it is 
important to isolate the clean clothing from the soiled clothing 
throughout the trip. 
The problem of storing and transporting the soiled clothing can be solved 
by carrying a separate bag. However, this solution requires the traveller 
to carry an additional carrying bag. Extra luggage can be inconvenient for 
business travellers using common carriers; since, often only a fixed 
number of carry-on items are allowed. If the traveller is required to 
carry an additional bag for soiled clothing he may be prevented from 
carrying on other items, such as a lap-top computer, which could make the 
traveler's transit time more productive. It is desirable, therefore, to 
limit the number of bags carried on a trip. 
If an additional bag is not used, the carrying bag must have separate 
compartments for the clean and soiled clothing. Since the carrying bag 
must carry the entire quantity of clothing in either the clean or soiled 
condition, the total volume of the carrying bag must equal twice the 
volume of clothing to be taken on the trip. This increased volume requires 
the carrying bag to have a larger containment structure; which can be 
inconvenient for a traveller in a crowded airport or airplane, or to a 
person with limited trunk space in his auto. In addition, above-the-seat 
and side-cabinet luggage storage on common carriers is usually volume 
restricted. It is desirable therefore to limit the volume of the carrying 
bag to the minimum required to transport a given quantity of clothing in 
either the clean or dirty condition. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying 
bag wherein there is provided at least two separate compartments which are 
substantially sealed from moisture and air transfer between themselves. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a compartmentalized 
carrying bag capable of containing a fixed maximum volume wherein the 
maximum volume of each separate compartment is at least equal to the 
maximum volume of the containment structure of the carrying bag. 
Accordingly, a compartmentalized carrying bag is provided comprising a 
containment structure having an interior surface forming a sealable 
interior cavity which has a fixed maximum volume. The containment 
structure includes a plurality of separate, sealable access portals 
extending through the containment structure and connecting the sealable 
interior cavity to the exterior of the containment structure. A flexible 
dividing member is fixed to the interior cavity surface to form a 
plurality of separate chambers within the interior cavity. Each of the 
separate chambers is accessible through at least one of the sealable 
access portals. The flexible dividing member is adapted such that the 
volume of each of the separate chambers is variable from about zero to 
approximately the fixed maximum volume of the sealable interior cavity of 
the containment structure and so that the sum of the volumes of the 
chambers equals the volume of the sealable interior cavity. 
Alternatively, a compartmentalized carrying bag is provided comprising a 
containment structure having an interior surface forming a sealable 
interior cavity which has a fixed maximum volume. The containment 
structure includes a plurality of separate, sealable access portals 
extending through the containment structure and connecting the sealable 
interior cavity to the exterior of the containment structure. A flexible 
dividing member is fixed to the interior cavity surface to form a 
plurality of separate chambers within the interior cavity. Each of the 
separate chambers is accessible through at least one of the sealable 
access portals. The flexible dividing member is extendable through at 
least one of the sealable access portals and adapted such that the volume 
of each of the separate chambers is variable from about zero to a volume 
greater than the fixed maximum volume of the sealable interior cavity when 
the flexible dividing member is extended through one of the sealable 
access portals.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention appears 
outwardly to be a common cylindrically shaped canvas bag. The bag consists 
of a containment structure, generally referred to by the numeral 32; two 
zippered access portals, generally referred to by the numerals 34 and 35; 
a handle, generally referred to by the numeral 33; and a flexible dividing 
member, generally referred to by the numeral 37. 
The containment structure of the bag, shown in FIG. 2, is constructed of 
canvas and has equal, substantially circular end-sections 28 and 29. 
Flexible dividing member 37 is substantially rectangular in this 
embodiment of the invention. The length of flexible dividing member 37 is 
selected to be longer than half the length of circumferential midline 36 
illustrated in FIG. 1 to permit the flexible dividing member to be sewn or 
glued to the interior surface of containment structure 32 and still permit 
both chambers 38 and 39 to be expandable to approximately the volume of 
cavity 31. If sewn, a preferred length would be approximately two inches 
longer than one half the length of midline 36. The width of flexible 
dividing member 37 is selected to be longer than one half the 
circumference of either equal diameter, circular end-section 28 or 29 to 
permit chambers 38 and 39 to be expandable to approximately the volume of 
cavity 31. Flexible dividing member 37 is gathered along edge 30 and 
attached to the interior surface of interior cavity 31 along 
circumferential midline 36 creating separate chambers 38 and 39. Chamber 
38 is accessible through zipper 35; chamber 39 is accessible through 
zipper 34. In a more preferred embodiment flexible dividing member 37 is 
constructed of vinyl, leather, rubberized canvas or other similar material 
to prevent moisture and/or odor transfer between the separate chambers and 
is large enough to allow either of separate chambers 38 and 39 to be 
expandable to at least the volume of interior cavity 31. To prevent odor 
transfer between the chambers the flexible dividing member should be 
constructed of material that prevents air from traveling from one chamber 
to the other chamber. Material which is substantially impervious to gas 
when the pressure differential between the chambers is zero is preferred. 
In this configuration both chambers 38 and 39 have a variable volume that 
ranges from about zero to approximately the fixed maximum volume in a 
manner such that the sum of the volumes will be equal to the volume of 
interior cavity 31. Thus, in use, chamber 38 could initially be filled 
with clean clothes up to a volume of the fixed maximum volume. As clean 
clothes are removed and used, they can be placed in the second chamber 39; 
separate and apart from the first chamber 38. The flexible dividing member 
37 allows the first chamber 38 to become smaller to accommodate the used 
clothes placed into second chamber 39. This process can continue until all 
of the clean clothes in the first chamber 38 have been removed and placed 
in the second chamber 39. 
In a more preferred embodiment of the preceding carrying bag, the width of 
dividing member 37 is increased. The same amount of material is used from 
the center of dividing member 37 to form chambers 38 and 38, as shown in 
FIG. 19; however, extra material 120, on either side of dividing member 
37, is used to form pockets 123 and 124 by sewing or gluing edges 121 and 
122 to the interior surface of interior cavity 31. In the particular 
embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the width of dividing member 37 is 
approximately doubled, providing enough extra material to allow edges 121 
and 122 to be attached along line 127 adjacent zipper 34 as shown in FIG. 
19. Also in this particular embodiment zippers 125 and 126 are provided 
for access through the extra material of dividing member 37 into chambers 
123 and 124 respectively, although access could also be provided by 
zippers 125' and 126' through outer containment structure 32. 
In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 3, the 
containment structure comprises center-section 40, and end-sections 41 and 
42. Each of the end-sections is attached to center-section 40 along its 
lower side by hinges 45. This allows the end-sections to pivot into the 
opened position, shown in FIG. 4, or the closed position, shown in FIG. 5. 
When in the closed position the end-sections may be held closed by latches 
43. Handle 44 is attached approximately in the middle of the top of 
center-section 40. Interior cavity 51, shown in FIG. 6, is formed when 
end-sections 41 and 42 are in the closed position. 
In a more preferred embodiment, the dividing member of the invention, 
generally indicated by the numeral 47 and illustrated in FIG. 7, consists 
of portion 48 and flexible portion 49. In a particular preferred 
embodiment, portion 48, constructed of rigid plastic, is generally the 
same shape as the interior of center-section 40, yet small enough to allow 
portion 48 to pass freely through the interior of center-section 40. 
Again, flexible portion 49 is constructed from a material that will 
prevent odors and/or moisture from passing between chambers 52 and 53. 
Suitable materials include vinyl, leather, rubberized canvas or other 
similar material. Flexible portion 49 is larger than portion 48 and is 
dimensioned such that when portion 48 is positioned in the center of 
flexible portion 49 there is a flexible border around portion 48 
sufficient to allow portion 48 to move freely within the interior of 
center section 40. In a preferred embodiment the border is an inch and a 
half larger than one half the width of center-section 40 plus the depth of 
either end-section 41 or 42. 
As shown in FIG. 6, outer edge 50 of dividing member 47 is gathered and 
fixed to interior surface 46 of center-section 40 along circumferential 
midline 54 creating separate chambers 52 and 53. Chamber 52 is accessible 
when end-section 41 is in the opened position; chamber 53 is accessible 
when end-section 42 is in the opened position. 
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. In 
this embodiment, the containment structure generally indicated by the 
numeral 62, is constructed of canvas or similar material, and is 
essentially tubular in shape. One end of tubular shaped containment 
structure 62 is illustrated in FIG. 10. Grommets 66 in conjunction with 
metal loops 65 form access portals, generally indicated by the numeral 76, 
at either end of tubular containment structure 62. The width of metal loop 
65 is selected such that metal loop 65 may pass through grommets 66. The 
length of metal loop 65 is selected such that metal loop 65 may be passed 
through all of the grommets on a given end and there is still a sufficient 
length of loop available to receive J-hook 75 of snap clasp 64. Each 
access portal is closed by passing all the grommets 66 at a given end over 
the metal loop 65 at that end and then attaching snap clasp 64 to metal 
loop 65. This is accomplished by depressing locking bar 77 and passing 
J-hook 75 through metal loop 65. 
A carrying strap, generally indicated by the numeral 78, is provide in this 
embodiment and comprises snap clasp 64 attached at either end of webbed 
belt 63. In a preferred embodiment webbed belt 63 is constructed of nylon 
or similar webbing material. 
Flexible dividing member 67 is illustrated in FIG. 12. It is flexible and 
substantially cup shaped. Peripheral lip 68 of flexible dividing member 67 
is sewn to the surface of sealable interior cavity 72 of tubular 
containment structure 62 along circumferential midline 74 thereby forming 
separate chambers 79 and 80. As shown in FIG. 9, flexible dividing member 
67 is approximately one half the length of tubular containment structure 
62 and equal in diameter. Flexible dividing member 67 has sealable portal 
98 through bottom 69. In this embodiment sealable portal 98 is a zipper, 
however, other forms of sealable portals such as velcro and snaps would be 
just as suitable. Flexible dividing member 67 is constructed of vinyl, 
leather, rubberized canvas or other similar material, to prevent the 
transfer of moisture and odors between separate chambers 79 and 80. 
A modified version of the bag illustrated in FIG. 8 is illustrated in FIG. 
15. As FIG. 15 shows, the modification consists of substituting zippered 
access portal 95 in the side of containment structure 62 for one of the 
grommet and metal loop access portals, 76, of the bag illustrated in FIG. 
8; and attaching one end of carrying strap 78 to containment structure 62, 
since the metal loop to which it was attached is no longer present in this 
modified version. 
Still another variation of the bag illustrated in FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 
21. As can be seen, flexible dividing member 67 in this variation is 
adapted such that the volume of separate chambers 79 and 80 is variable 
between zero and a volume greater than the maximum volume of interior 
cavity 72 when one of grommet and metal loop access portals 76 is in the 
opened position. 
Another form of the invention is contained in the bag illustrated in FIG. 
13. The bag shown comprises a containment structure, constructed of a 
material capable of forming a moisture barrier such as vinyl, rubberized 
sheeting or similar material and generally indicated by the numeral 81; 
and a flexible dividing member, illustrated in FIG. 14 and generally 
indicated by the numeral 88. Flexible dividing member 88 has a peripheral 
lip 91 which in this embodiment is attached to the interior surface of 
containment structure 81 along circumferential midline 87 forming cavity 
89 and a separate chamber 85 formed by interior surface 82 of containment 
structure 81 and one side 90 of flexible dividing member 88. Cavity 89 is 
defined along the sides by interior surface 82 of containment structure 81 
and at the bottom by one side 90 of flexible dividing member 88. Zipper 
83, attached to the bottom half of containment structure 81, provides 
sealable access to separate chamber 85. 
A variation of the bag illustrated in FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 22. As can 
be seen, flexible dividing member 88 in this variation is adapted such 
that the volume of separate chamber 85 is variable between zero and a 
volume greater than the maximum volume contained by containment structure 
81. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by proper sizing of 
flexible dividing member 88. More particularly, flexible dividing member 
88 will have a length "L" greater than the distance "D" from the point of 
attachment "A" of member 88 to structure 81 to the top edge 94 of 
structure 81. In this embodiment the structure 81 can contain additional 
items that may be purchased during a trip. 
Still another carrying bag including an embodiment of the present invention 
is illustrated in FIG. 16. In this embodiment dividing member 100, 
illustrated in FIG. 17., is constructed of any material which will serve 
as an odor barrier, such as canvas, vinyl, rubber and similar materials, 
and has the same dimensions as containment structure 101. Dividing member 
100 also includes a sealable interior chamber 110 which is accessible 
through either zippered access portals 108 or 109. 
As shown in FIG. 18, interior cavity 111 of containment structure 101 has 
one half of a detachable attachment device 112, such as velcro, secured 
along circumferential midline 106. Dividing member 100 has the other half 
of the detachable attachment device 113 secured along its circumferential 
midline 104. When detachable attachment devices 112 and 113 are attached, 
dividing member 100 divides interior cavity 111 of containment structure 
101 into separate chambers 114 and 115. 
The detachability of dividing member 100 allows dividing member 100 to be 
removed for laundering apart from containment structure 101. 
Although particular materials, methods of construction and access portal 
devices have been described in the foregoing embodiments, it is to be 
understood that other similar materials, methods of construction and 
access portal devices are contemplated within the scope of the present 
invention and that many other embodiments of the present invention will 
occur to those skilled in the art which are intended to be included within 
the scope and spirit of the following claims.