Utility bag for promotional materials

A utility bag for carrying and distributing a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials includes a housing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and including, in combination, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sides panels and a bottom panel, wherein the combination forms an internal compartment open at one end, and wherein the internal compartment is sized to receive such plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials. A handle or flexible strap is connected to the housing for carrying such bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to utility bags and, more particularly, this invention relates to utility bags for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is generally well known, promotional information can include advertisement for concerts, political events, notice of public events, store sales and offerings and the like. The promotional information is usually distributed in a form of a generally thin single sheet material, typically measuring 8.5 inches in width and 11.00 inches in height or the size of the standard sheet of paper.

A single sheet may be given to a single member of the public targeted to receive such promotional information or it may be placed in a location for view by a large number of individuals. One of the more common methods for distributing such promotional information is known as a door-to-door method, wherein a person charged with distributing such promotional information must quickly cover large distances, usually on foot, in order to reduce distribution costs.

Furthermore, in some applications, the distributor of the promotional information must leave or present a business card containing his or her identity or containing the identity of the organization associated with the event and it may require the use a writing instrument, for example a pen, to record additional information.

Accordingly, the individual must carry a variety of different articles while covering large distances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a utility bag for carrying and distributing a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials. The bag includes a housing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing includes, in combination, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sides panels and a bottom panel. Such combination forms an internal compartment open at one end. The internal compartment is sized to receive such plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials. A handle or flexible strap is connected to the housing for carrying such bag. An external pocket is formed on the front panel.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a utility bag for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a utility bag for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials that is convenient to handle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a utility bag for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials which is economical to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a utility bag for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials that offers protection to such promotional materials.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a utility bag for carrying and distributing generally thin promotional sheet materials which is capable of storing a plurality of business cards and a writing instrument.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above, various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made, toFIGS. 1-2, wherein there is shown a utility bag, generally designated10, for carrying and distributing a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials2. The utility bag10includes a housing, generally designated20, having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing20includes, in combination, a front panel22, a rear panel24, a pair of opposed sides panels26and a bottom panel28. Such combination forms an internal compartment29which is open at one end and is sized to receive such plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials2. The top edge of the front panel22may be provided with a cut-out23for ease of grasping individual sheets2.

There is a means, generally designated30, which is engageable with the housing20for carrying such utility bag10. Such carrying means30is preferably a flexible strap32. A shoulder pad34, preferably of thicker and wider material, may be slideably disposed along the strap32. Furthermore, an adjustable buckle36may be provided for reversibly adjusting the length of such flexible strap32. Alternatively to or in combination with the flexible strap32, the utility bag10may include a handle42.

Each of such flexible strap32and handle42may be permanently attached to the housing20, or may be attached to the housing20in a removable manner by way of a snap-on clip38and a ring40as best shown inFIG. 2. Furthermore, the ring40may be utilized to attach the flexible strap32or the handle42in a permanent fashion.

To protect the contents disposed within the internal compartment29, the utility bag includes means50for selectively closing and opening such internal compartment29.

According to one embodiment of the invention, such closing and opening means50is a simple flap50hingedly connected to a top edge of one of the front panel22and the rear panel24. Such flap50is movable into a generally horizontal position for closing the internal compartment29and movable into a generally vertical position for opening the internal compartment29. In further reference toFIG. 2, the handle42may be attached to the flap50.

According to another embodiment of the invention, such flap50includes a second flap52for covering a portion of the front panel22when the flap50is disposed in the generally horizontal position for closing the internal compartment29.

The bag10may further includes a means, generally designated60, for securing the closing and opening means50in a releasable manner to housing20when such closing and opening means50is positioned for closing the internal compartment29.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such securing means60is a hook and loop fastener, or hook and snap fastener60, having a first portion62secured to one of the front panel22and the second flap52and the second portion secured to an opposed one of the front panel22and the second flap52. Alternatively, such securing means60may be a simple zipper66or a magnetic fastener68.

It will be appreciated that the utility bag10is advantageous for conveniently carrying a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials2for distributing each sheet to at least one member of the public. Such promotional sheet materials2are generally 8.5 inches in width and 11 inches in height and are commonly used for promoting and advertising musical events, political events, sporting events, store sales, door-to-door solicitations and the like. Accordingly, each of the front panel22and the rear panel24will be about 9.0 inches in width and about 12.00 inches in height. Preferably, the width of each side panel26is about 2.0 inches.

At least one vertical divider48may be mounted within the internal compartment29of the housing20for carrying promotional sheet materials2having different content.

When it is desirable to carry and distribute a second plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials4, such as cards measuring about 4.0 inches in width and about 6.0 inches in height, of a different size, the bag10is adapted with an external pocket70attached to the front panel22and formed according to the construction of the housing20. The pocket70may be provided with a flap72for selectively closing and opening the pocket70and may be further provided with any one of the fastening means60, described supra, for securing the flap72to the external pocket70when the flap72is in a position for closing the internal compartment of the pocket70.

It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that there is a need to carry and distribute a business card8in combination with the sheets2and4. Accordingly, the bag10is provided with a second external pocket74sized to receive a plurality of business cards8. Such pocket74may be formed on an exterior surface of one of the housing20and the external pocket70.

Furthermore, when there is a need to conveniently carry a writing instrument, for example a pen6, the bag10may be provided with an elongated third external pocket76, best shown inFIG. 1, or a simple loop78, best shown inFIG. 2. Additionally, the rear panel24may be formed from at least a semi-rigid material for use as a writing surface. In general, a material of bag10may be one of leather, soft plastic, fabric and various combinations thereof.

Thus, the present invention has been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.