Abstract:
A vending bag or backpack is provided for carrying and displaying drinks and food. The body and lid of the pack are insulated and have a temperature reflective inner surface. A hammock is centrally located in a central compartment to both carry food containers and to locate drink containers. An outer pocket holds and displays containers of condiments or dips. Other pockets are designed to hold a debit machine, napkins and menus. A pocket in the lid is sized to accept a hot or cold pad. A combination comprising the vending backpack and a debit machine bag is also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/525,731, filed Aug. 20, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present technology is related to a bag designed to hold and display food and drinks for marketing to customers. More specifically, the technology is a backpack to hold and display dips, condiments, and drinks, while holding a debit or credit machine, menus and napkins. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Backpacks are used to carry a wide range of goods, such as books, camping gear, and food. When food is being carried, it is preferable to have a means of keeping it cool. An example of such a pack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,279. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,279 discloses a cooler backpack with compartments. The cooler backpack includes two or more separate storage compartments adjoining a central ice container. One of the compartments may be adapted to store cans or bottles of beverages in a plurality of recesses formed in one side of the ice container. Another of the compartments may be used for food storage and includes an insulated hard shell container having one or more shelves. The storage compartments and ice container fit within a durable insulated backpack. Apertures in the side of the backpack provide separate access to each of the storage compartments. 
         [0005]    Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,117. The backpack cooler utilizes an insulated foam core that is covered on the outside with a cloth sheath and has a rigid reinforcing liner which defines a well to hold two stacked six packs of 12 ounce containers. The cloth jacket is retained to the rest of the cooler body by means of a retainer cord that fits into a peripheral retainer groove defined in the foam core, and a pair of shoulder straps fasten to the cloth jacket by means of a lateral pin that engages in a looped channel defined in the upper edge of the cloth jacket. The pin lies in a cavity defined in the foam core of the cooler body adjacent the retainer groove to prevent axial migration of the pin. The entire structure is strong enough to support the weight of a person, so that it doubles as a seat. Also, whereas the primary thrust of the invention is the accommodation of six packs of beer or sodas in twelve ounce cans, there is also an uninsulated accessory pouch defined by the jacket of the preferred embodiment to carry miscellaneous items. 
         [0006]    Means for displaying items for sale are configured to ensure ease of both viewing and picking out. When items are to be kept cold, this usually means glass cases with refrigeration and shelving. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present technology is designed to meet the goals of both carrying and displaying packaged food and drinks, while keeping them either hot or cold. The folding, vending backpack of the present technology comprises: 
         [0000]    (a) an insulated, soft-cover body defining a central compartment having an open end, the central compartment being lined with a thermally reflective layer;
 
(b) a hammock having dividers to define segments, the segments separating and retaining drink containers such that the drink containers can be viewed by a vendor or purchaser, the hammock suspended by the dividers in the central compartment, the hammock for carrying and displaying food containers between the drink containers;
 
(c) an insulated, soft-cover lid hingeably connected to the body at the open end for covering the open end, the lid being lined with a thermally reflective layer and comprising a pocket for accepted a cold pack or a hot pack;
 
(d) a zipper disposed between the lid and the body;
 
(e) a front pocket for holding and displaying containers of food, the front pocket comprising a mesh or transparent, flexible material;
 
(f) a middle pocket for holding a debit or credit machine;
 
(g) side pockets for holding menus and napkins; and
 
(h) a shoulder strap connected to the body, the shoulder strap being adjustable and enabling a vendor to carry the backpack, such that in use, containers of food and drinks are displayed for purchase.
 
         [0008]    Preferably the backpack comprises an erasable surface for displaying pricing information, the erasable surface located on the pocket in the lid. 
         [0009]    The hammock and dividers advantageously define four segments for retaining and displaying drink containers. 
         [0010]    The hammock and dividers preferably comprises a single unit as this reduces manufacturing costs. 
         [0011]    The front pocket preferably comprises a mesh material as this is flexible and washable. 
         [0012]    The front pocket is sized to hold about four to about six food containers each having a volume of about 100 mL to about 250 mL. 
         [0013]    The vending backpack may comprise a hand grip. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the segments are circular apertures. 
         [0015]    Also provided is a folding, vending backpack for carrying and displaying containers of food and drinks is also provided that comprises: 
         [0000]    (a) an insulated, soft-cover body defining a central compartment having an open end, the central compartment being lined with a thermally reflective layer;
 
(b) a hammock having integral dividers to define round or semi-circular segments, the segments for separating and retaining drink containers such that the drink containers can be viewed by a vendor or purchaser, the hammock suspended by the dividers in the central compartment, the hammock for carrying and displaying food containers between the drink containers;
 
(c) an insulated, soft-cover lid hingeably connected to the body at the open end, the lid being lined with a thermally reflective layer and comprising a pocket for accepted a cold pack or a hot pack;
 
(d) an erasable surface for displaying pricing information, the erasable surface located on the pocket in the lid;
 
(e) a zipper disposed between the lid and the body;
 
(f) a front pocket for holding and displaying containers of food, the front pocket comprising a mesh material;
 
(g) a middle pocket for holding a debit or credit machine;
 
(h) side pockets for holding menus and napkins; and
 
(i) a shoulder strap connected to the body, the shoulder strap being adjustable and enabling a vendor to carry the backpack, such that in use, containers of food and drinks are displayed for purchase.
 
         [0016]    A combination for selling drinks and food is also provided, the combination comprising a vending backpack, three or four drink containers, a cold or hot pack and from three to seven containers of one or more of condiments and dips. The combination preferably includes menus, napkins, a cold pack and a debit machine. 
         [0017]    A separate debit machine bag may be included in the combination for holding the debit machine. The debit machine bag comprises: 
         [0000]    (a) a soft-cover central compartment, defined by a front, a back, an open end, and two sides, the front having a first loop and hook fastener member;
 
(b) a soft-cover top extending from the back and having a second loop and hook fastener member for releasably attaching to the first loop and fastener member;
 
(c) a mesh outer pocket extending along the front and two sides;
 
(d) a belt loop attached to the back;
 
(e) a debit machine; and
 
(f) an adjustable shoulder strap.
 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the technology. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the central compartment of the technology of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the technology. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of the debit machine bag of the combination of the present technology. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a longitudinal sectional view of the debit machine bag of the combination of the technology of  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    A vending backpack, generally referred to as  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The backpack  10  has a body  11  that defines a central compartment  12 , sized to accept three, preferably four, drink containers  14 . The body  11  is soft-covered and foldable. A hammock  16  is centrally located in the central compartment  12  and has dividers  18  extending to an inner thermally reflective layer  42  of the body  11 . The dividers  18  function to both support and locate the hammock  16  and to separate and retain drink containers  14 . The spacing of the dividers  18  is such that either four bottles or cans of about 375 mL to about 750 mL, preferably about 400 mL to about 700 mL and most preferably about 500 mL to about 600 mL are retained. The dividers  18  retain the drink containers  14  such that they remain upright, thereby ensuring that any advertising displayed on the tops of the drink containers is readily viewed by the vendor or purchaser. The hammock  16  and dividers  18  are preferably a single unit as this provides more positive retention of the drink containers  14 . A lid  20  is disposed on an upper end  22  of the backpack. A pocket  24  in the lid  20  is sized to accept an ice pack  26 . A hinge  28  is disposed between the lid  20  and the open end  22  of the backpack  10  on one side and a zipper  30  is disposed on the other sides of the upper end  22 . A Velcro® closure (a hook and loop pair)  32 , or other such releasable, straplike closure, such as a strap with a snap or buckle extends between the lid  20  and an outer surface  34  of the backpack. 
         [0025]    The hammock  16  is preferably mesh, webbing or a similar lightweight flexible material. It is sized such that a container or package  36  such as condiment container or a dip container or package can be placed on the hammock  16  and can be readily viewed by the vendor or purchaser. The container  36  is about 100 mL to about 400 mL, preferably about 125 mL to about 250 mL with advertising or identification on the lid  37 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hammock  16  and dividers  18  are preferably shaped to define segments  40  that are round apertures or, as shown in  FIG. 2  are curved to define semi-circular shaped segments  40  that the drink containers  36  fit into. There are three, preferably four segments  40  in the central compartment  12 . 
         [0026]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the body  11  and the lid  20  of the backpack  10  are lined with the thermally reflective layer  42 . This layer  42  is preferably water proof or water resistant and is made of a material that is easily cleaned should a spill occur. An insulating layer  44  is adjacent the reflective layer  42 . The outer surface  34  is a flexible material such as canvas, Cordura™, Goretex™, 600D polyester or the like. Both the lid  20  and the body  11  are soft-cover and foldable. 
         [0027]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , pockets are disposed on the outer surface  34 . A front pocket  50  is disposed on the middle pocket  54 . The front pocket  50  is sized to accept and display multiples of two containers  36 , for example, two or four or six containers. Each container  36  is about 100 mL to about 400 mL, preferably about 125 mL to about 250 mL with advertising or identification on the lid  37 . The containers  36  slide into the front pocket  50  so that the lids  37  are facing outwards and the containers  36  are on their sides, as shown in  FIG. 1 . They are held snugly in place to ensure that the vendor and purchaser can easily view the lids  37  of the containers  36 . The front pocket  50  is mesh, or a flexible transparent material, such as a plastic polymer or any such material that allows for easy viewing of the containers  36 . The top margin  56  of the front pocket  50  defines a slightly smaller opening than the interior space defined by the mesh, whether extended or otherwise, to ensure that the contents of the front pocket  50  are held in place. The middle pocket  54  is sized to accept a debit or credit machine  56 . This is located between the front pocket  50  and the front outer surface  52  and extends beyond the top margin  56  of the front pocket  50 . It is preferably of the same material as the outer surface  34 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first side pocket  58  extends the width of the first side  60  and is, for ease of construction, adjacent or abutting the seam  62  between the bottom  64  of the backpack  10  and the first side  60 . This pocket  58  is sized to accept menus  64 . 
         [0029]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is the second side pocket  70 . It similarly extends the width of the second side  72  and is, for ease of construction, adjacent or abutting the seam  62  between the bottom  64  of the backpack  10  and the second side  72 . This pocket  70  is sized to accept napkins  74 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the pocket  24  in the lid  20  has a dry erase surface  90 . This allows the vendor to display pricing information prominently and allows for price changes to be made easily. Further, this allows for the menus to list only the product offering and not the prices. The first side pocket  58  and the second side pocket  70  may be replaced with a lower first and second side pockets  58 ,  70  and an upper first and second side pockets  59 ,  71 . A multi-purpose pocket  110  is constructed of mesh and is located between the middle pocket  54  and the front outer surface  52 . 
         [0031]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a removable shoulder strap  100 . The shoulder strap  100  has a padded section  102  and is removably affixed by means of buckles  104  or the like. The shoulder strap  100  is adjustable. A hand grip  106  is also provided and can be removable or can be stitched or otherwise affixed to the lid  20 . 
         [0032]    The dimensions of the backpacks are as follows: 
         [0000]    The smaller backpack is 15 cm wide×15 cm long×25.4 cm high; and
 
the larger backpack is 15 cm wide×15 cm long×38 cm high.
 
         [0033]    The dimensions of the pockets on the smaller backpack are as follows: 
         [0000]    the middle pocket  54  is 15 cm wide×15 cm high;
 
the front pocket  50  is 9.5 cm high by 15 cm wide;
 
the first side pocket  58  is 15 cm high by 15 cm wide;
 
the second side pocket  70  is 15 cm wide by 8 cm high;
 
the pocket  24  in the lid is 15 cm wide by 11 cm high;
 
         [0034]    The dimensions of the pockets on the larger bag are as follows: 
         [0000]    the middle pocket  54  is 15 cm wide and 20.5 cm high;
 
the front pocket  50  is 15 cm high and 16 cm wide;
 
the multi-purpose pocket  110  is 15 cm wide by 25 cm high;
 
the lower first and second side pockets  58 ,  70  are 20.5 cm high and 15 cm wide; and
 
the upper first and second side pockets  59 ,  71  are 15 cm wide and 14 cm high.
 
         [0035]    In use, the backpack  10  is loaded with the drink containers  14 , the ice pack  26  and the food containers  36 . Menus  64 , debit machine  56  and napkins  74  are also loaded into the backpack  10 . Pricing is listed on the dry erase surface  90 . The backpack  10  is then ready to be used by the vendor. When not in use, the backpack  10  can be folded, as there are no hard materials used in the construction. This allows for the backpack  10  to take up very little space when stored. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the backpack  10  may be used with a separate debit machine bag  100 . The debit machine bag  100  has a soft-cover central compartment  102 , defined by a front  104 , a back  106 , an open end  108 , and two sides  110 . The central compartment  102  is sized to accept a debit or credit machine  56 . A soft-cover top  112  extends from the back  106  and covers the open end  108 . It releasably attaches to the front  104  with a Velcro® closure  114 . There is a mesh outer pocket  116  extending along the front  104  and two sides  110 . An elasticized band  117  forms the upper margin of the mesh outer pocket  116 . In this manner the upper margin of the outer pocket  116  defines a slightly smaller opening than the interior space defined by the mesh to ensure that the contents are held in place. The pocket  116  is sized to hold 2 dipping sauce containers  118  and an extra debit paper roll  120 . It releasably attaches to the front  104  with a Velcro® closure  119 . The containers  118  are about 100 mL to about 250 mL, with advertising or identification on the lid. The containers  118  slide into the outer pocket  116  so that the lids are facing outwards and the containers  118  are on their sides, as shown in  FIG. 5 . They are held snugly in place to ensure that the vendor and purchaser can easily view the lids of the containers  118 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , a belt loop  122  is attached to the back  106 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , there is an adjustable shoulder strap  124  retained with releasable fasteners  126 . The adjustable shoulder strap  124  can be used as a belt. 
         [0037]    The dimensions of the debit bag  100  are as follows: 
         [0000]    18 cm high×7.5 cm wide×2 cm deep at the bottom and 6 cm deep at the top;
 
the top extends down the front 5 cm; and
 
the pocket extends up the sides and front 8 cm.
 
         [0038]    The foregoing is a description of an embodiment of the technology. As would be known to one skilled in the art, variations are contemplated that do not alter the scope of the technology. For example, the central compartment may be sized to accept a combination of two 591 mL drink containers and one 2 L (31 cm tall by 10 cm in diameter), or 1.5 L drink container. In this case, there are three segments for accepting the drink containers. By retain it is meant that the drink containers will remain upright in the compartment in the absence of other drink containers, i.e. they will remain oriented so that the vendor and purchaser can readily see the lid. The shoulder strap can be replaced with two adjustable shoulder straps. The ice pack could be replaced by a heating bag or hot pack to keep the contents warm.