Multipurpose bag and method of use thereof

A waterproof dry bag with water potable material that utilizes a sealable connection to enable the user the option of collecting water and dispersing it through a bottom of the bag and which can be filtered with a water filter device. The bag can also be used to pump an air mattress.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of camping and/or survival equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to a multipurpose bag and method of using the same for camping or survival.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist various types of camping and survival equipment. For example, there exist sleeping bags, air mattresses, water containers and water filtration systems. Some these components are contained in stuff sacks otherwise referred to as “dry bags” for gear which are made of simple lightweight waterproof material. These bags are made to hold/protect item(s) an individual wants to carry and maintain dry or away from the inclement elements.

While such equipment is helpful, there is a need to improve on such equipment. Accordingly, the instant invention improves the versatility of such prior devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object to improve camping and/or survival equipment.

It is another object to improve containment bags used in camping and or survival equipment.

Another object is to provide an improved multipurpose bag for camping and or survival equipment.

Still another object is to provide a method of using a multipurpose bag for camping and or survival equipment.

An object is to provide a device and method of providing potable water.

Yet another object is to provide a device and method of inflating an air mattress with a multipurpose bag.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is directed to a multipurpose bag, which includes a bag made of non-breathable water proof material which is water containable safe for human consumption. The bag includes a top having an opening of a size to receive at least one complementary accessory therein, a side wall having a first end connected to said top having a length to accommodate the accessory therein, and a bottom connected to a second end of said side wall. A first valve connection component sealably connects to the bag to permit fluid communication upon actuation thereof and a second valve connection component connects to the first valve connection component and having a first end of a conduit connected thereto.

A third valve connection component connects to a second end of the conduit. The complementary accessory can include an inflatable mattress having fourth valve connection component for connection to said third valve connection component. Optionally, the complementary accessory can include a water filter device having fourth valve connection component for connection to the third valve connection component.

Preferably, the valve connection components are quick connect valve components. The bag is a dry bag made of water potable thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU).

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of inflating an air mattress, which includes the steps of employing a bag made of non-breathable material, the bag including a top having an opening of a size to receive an inflatable mattress therein, a side wall having a first end connected to the top having a length to accommodate the inflatable mattress therein, a bottom connected to a second end of the side wall, a first valve connection component sealably connected to the bag to permit fluid communication upon actuation thereof, employing a second valve connection component and connecting to the first valve connection component and having a first end of a conduit connected to the second valve connection component and connecting a second end of the conduit to a mattress valve of the inflatable mattress, trapping air inside said bag; and applying pressure to the bag to cause trapped air to move into the mattress through the mattress valve causing inflation thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of providing potable water includes the steps of providing a bag made of water proof material which is water containable safe for human consumption, the bag including a top having an opening to readily receive water therethrough, a side wall having a first end connected to the top, a bottom connected to a second end of the side wall, a first valve connection component sealably connected to the bag to permit fluid communication upon actuation thereof and connecting a second valve connection component to the first valve connection component and having a first end of a conduit connected to the second valve connection component, connecting a second end of the conduit to a water filtration device having an openable filter valve thereon, placing water into said bag; and opening the filter valve where water passes therethrough in a manner to provide potable water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the multipurpose bag and method of use thereof is generally referred to by the numeral10. The multipurpose bag10is made of water potable, non-breathable waterproof material such as water potable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and can serve as a dry bag or water containable safe for human consumption. The bag10includes a top12having an opening14of a size to receive at least one complementary accessory therein such as an inflatable mattress16or water filtration device18. A side wall20of the bag10has a first end22connected to the top12and preferably has a length to suitably accommodate accessories16and18therein. A bottom24of the bag10is connected to a second end23of the side wall20.

A valve connection component26sealably connects to the bag10, here shown connected to bottom24, though it could be located on another suitable place on the bag10, such as on a lower part of the side wall20, to permit fluid communication upon actuation thereof. A valve connection component28connects to the valve connection component26and has a first end30of a conduit32connected thereto.

A valve connection component34connects to a second end36of the conduit32. The complementary accessory16can include an inflatable mattress having a valve connection component38for connection to the third valve connection component34. The complementary accessory18can include a water filter device having valve connection component40for connection to the valve connection component34. Preferably, the valve connection components26,28,34,38,40and42are quick connect valve components.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of inflating air mattress16, which includes the steps of employing bag10as described above made of non-breathable material waterproof material, the bag10including top12having an opening14of a size to readily receive inflatable mattress16(in a rolled and deflated mode) therein, side wall20has having a length to accommodate the inflatable mattress16therein, bottom24, a valve connection component26sealably connects to the bag10, connecting valve connection component28to the valve connection component26and having a first end30of a conduit32connected to valve connection component28and connecting a second end36of the conduit32to a mattress valve38(which can be quick connect) of the inflatable mattress16, trapping air inside the bag10(e.g., opening the bag10and then closing the top12); and applying pressure to the bag10(e.g., rolling up the bag10from the top12toward the bottom24) to cause trapped air to move into the mattress16through the mattress valve38causing inflation thereof.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of providing potable water includes the steps of providing bag10as indicated is made of water proof material which is water potable safe for human consumption, the bag10including a top12, side wall20, bottom24and a valve connection component26as described above, connecting a valve connection component28to the valve connection component26and having a first end30of a conduit32connected to the second valve connection component28, connecting a second end34of the conduit32to a water filtration device18having an openable filter valve44thereon, placing water through the top12into the bag10; and opening the filter valve44where water passes therethrough in a manner to provide potable water.

Prior dry bags are not made of material approved for potable water. It is contemplated that other variations, modifications and improvements of the invention are contemplated and are intended to be covered by the claims appended hereto. For example, a food-grade waterproof stuff sack (dry bag) with a quick connect valve.

The invention provides a user to carry his/her gear and inclusive of mattress and water filter. Thus, the bag10can be used for different purposes such as storage, collecting water or blowing up an air pad. It is envisioned the bottom of bag10can be configured for items or water storage or used as a pump or attach other devices that can connect to the bag10such as a shower head19with valve connection component42.

The bag of the instant invention negates the user from having to carrying additional equipment, such as a container for filtering water or a billow type device to blow up an air pad (mattress). As previously stated, most stuff sacks (dry bags) for outdoor gear are made of simple waterproof material that is intended to keep the contents dry. The invention herein provides the user with multiple uses without the need of additional equipment (saving space/weight/costs).

The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. Waterproof bags are common in the outdoor industry; however, the instant invention provides a water potable stuff sack (dry bag) with fluid connections that can be used to dispense water or air once the gear has been removed. Standard stuff sacks (dry bags) serves only one purpose; to keep the items dry until the user gets to the intended location/activity. A multi-purpose water potable waterproof bag10negates the need the user from carrying additional equipment required to collect and drain water, filter water and/or collect air and disperse it for purposes of blowing up an air mattress.

The bag10is formed with waterproof, water potable material to prevent chemicals from leeching into the water. Once the size of the bag is determined, the materials are cut to size and either sewn together utilizing waterproof seam tape or welded/bonded together. A suitable connection valve or port can be formed with a flange for sealable connection and the valve may also include a cap or stop.

A plastic insert can be sewn or otherwise connected onto the top12allowing the user to roll the material down, creating a water-tight seal. An additional piece of material13which can be sewn or connected onto the top12opposite of the plastic insert to add rigidity to the bag when rolling the material down onto itself. The bag10can include a male buckle component15and a female buckle component17used to hold the items stored therein in place and once secured and connected, ensures its waterproof nature.

The bag10can be sewn or otherwise formed in a suitable shape, such as a semi cylindrical-like shape. The top12of the sack is open, flat and can have plastic insert roll-hemmed onto the fabric on one side and an additional piece of material sewn onto the opposite end to add rigidity. The bottom24of the bag10utilizes a fluid connection component which can be recessed or connected and have a flange that is either sewn, or welded onto the material creating a watertight seal.

An exemplary method of manufacturing the bag10is as follows: A sheet of food-grade waterproof material is cut to the desired size. The material is placed flat and sewn together using waterproof seam tape or welded together. The top12is straight and can include a rolled seam to form a channel with plastic inserted into the channel to add rigidity. On one side of top12, a piece of reinforcing material can be sewn across the top12to reinforce the same and asset in rolling down top12and include ends for connecting a male buckle and female buckle to be placed on either end. The bottom24can be sewn into place in the form of a circle. Waterproof seam tape or a welding process is here again used to bond the material. A hole (which can be circular shape) can be cut into the bottom24and valve connection component26(which can be include a quick connect is welded sealably into place). This allows the bag10to be used to carry water and drain it or filter when desired.

The water potable waterproof material, waterproof seam tape or welding techniques, and the sealable valve connection component aid to provide utility of the invention. The buckles are optional, hook and pile tape could possibly be used but would not offer the same level of water protection. The bag10of the invention can also provide storage for other items such as a nylon hammock, sleeping bag, down jacket, electronics (or similar device) and keep the contents dry while also affording the user the ability to collect/drain/filter water or utilize the bag10as a billow type device. This saves the user weight and space in their back pack or vessel (kayak for example) as well as prevents additional items from having to be purchased. The invention negates the need of the user from carrying additional equipment into the field, thereby reducing weight, space, and cost.