Abstract:
A tightly rolled sleeping bag. The tightly rolled sleeping bag is rolled using conventional equipment, but pressure is applied to an end of the sleeping bag so as to cause the sleeping bag to be more tightly rolled than previous sleeping bags. Rolling tines for a rolling machine for rolling the sleeping bag are tapered so as to aid in removal of the tightly rolled sleeping bag. A storage sack is provided for holding the sleeping bag. The storage sack is configurable between a first arrangement where the storage sack holds the sleeping bag in the tight configuration, and a second arrangement where the storage sack may be released and expands to hold the sleeping bag in a less tightly rolled configuration. To provide such a function, an expansion section is provided on the storage sack. A closure is provided on the expansion section.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to sleeping bags, and more particularly to a sleeping bag that is compressed into a roll for storage and transportation.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In general, a sleeping bag is a bag that is warmly lined or padded for sleeping outdoors, for example in a a tent. Sleeping bags may also be used for sleeping on the floor inside a house, such as on a sleepover, or may be used as convenient bedding material when traveling.  
         [0003]     Sleeping bags typically include a bottom portion, upon which an individual within the sleeping bag lays, and a top portion which extends over to cover the individual. Often, the top and bottom portions are made of a single, large rectangular insulated or padded fabric that is folded and attached along bottom and side edges to form the bag. The attachment is typically made by a zipper.  
         [0004]     Sleeping bags are often folded and rolled into a tight cylinder for storage. After rolled, most rolled rectangular sleeping bags are tied with tie cords, compression straps, or elastic straps, or may be otherwise secured so that the sleeping bag does not become unrolled during storage.  
         [0005]     In general, when a sleeping bag is put on display at a store, it is desired that the sleeping bag look large, or fluffy, so that a user will believe that the fill for the sleeping bag is sufficient to keep the user warm is also comfortable. Thus, if possible, the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks rather large. However, for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it is desired that the sleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so that shipping charges, which often are set by volume, may be minimized per sleeping bag.  
         [0006]     These two different goals are hard to meet in a single sleeping bag container. Moreover, because the use of store personnel is expensive, stores do not want their employees to have to re-package items, such as sleeping bags, so that the items can be placed on a shelf.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
         [0008]     In accordance with an embodiment, a tightly rolled sleeping bag is provided. In accordance with a method of the invention, the tightly rolled sleeping bag is rolled using conventional equipment, but pressure is applied to an end of the sleeping bag so as to cause the sleeping bag to be more tightly rolled than previous sleeping bags. Moreover, rolling tines for a rolling machine for rolling the sleeping bag are tapered so as to aid in removal of the tightly rolled sleeping bag. In addition, a fixed bar on the rolling machine is positioned closer to the tines so that it may hold a completely rolled sleeping bag in the tighter configuration.  
         [0009]     In accordance with an embodiment, one of the fixed bar and the rolling tines is adjustable relative to the other so that different thicknesses of sleeping bags may be rolled by the rolling machine. Alternatively, one of the fixed bar and the rolling tines may be pressure sensitive so as to hold different thicknesses of sleeping bags in place.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another embodiment, a storage sack is provided for holding the sleeping bag. The storage sack is configurable between a first arrangement where the storage sack holds the sleeping bag in the tight configuration, and a second arrangement where the storage sack may be released and expands to hold the sleeping bag in a less tightly rolled configuration. In accordance with an embodiment, to provide such a function, an expansion section is provided on the storage sack. In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, a closure is provided on the expansion section.  
         [0011]     In accordance with an embodiment, the tightly rolled sleeping bag is shipped to a store in the tightly rolled arrangement, with the storage sack in the smaller, unexpanded state. Upon arrival at the store, a store clerk opens the closure, such as by removing a tab, to allow the storage sack to expand to the expanded state. By doing so, the storage sack expands to look soft and thick, which may be more attractive to consumers.  
         [0012]     Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a sleeping bag rolling machine for use in accordance with a method of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the sleeping bag machine of  FIG. 1 , with a sleeping bag mounted therein, and shown at a beginning stage of rolling the sleeping bag;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIG. 2 , shown in a further stage of rolling the sleeping bag;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , showing the sleeping bag fully rolled;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIG. 1 , with the sleeping bag fully rolled as shown in  FIG. 4 , and just before a storage sack is placed over the sleeping bag;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the sleeping bag as rolled in  FIG. 5  and within the storage sack, with the storage sack in a smaller, unexpanded state; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the storage sack and sleeping bag of  FIG. 6 , with the storage sack expanded to an expanded state.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.  
         [0021]     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of a rolling machine  20  that may be utilized for rolling a sleeping bag in accordance with a method of the present invention. The rolling machine  20  includes a table  22  having an opening  24 . A pair of roller tines  26  are positioned over the opening  24 , and a fixed bar  28  extends across the opening  24 , parallel to and underneath the roller tines  26 . In operation, the roller tines  26  rotate as generally indicated by the arrows  34  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]     In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the roller tines  26  are attached to an “H” shaped base, when in turn is attached to a circular base plate. The roller tines  26  may alternatively be attached directly to the base, for example by welding, or another suitable structure.  
         [0023]     In general, the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  is known in the art. However, modifications to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  have been made, and a change in the method of rolling a sleeping bag is utilized, to produce a tightly rolled sleeping bag that is much smaller in diameter than prior rolled sleeping bags utilizing similar sleeping bag rolling machines.  
         [0024]     As is known, when rolling a sleeping bag such as a sleeping bag  30  shown in  FIG. 2 , utilizing the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , an end of the sleeping bag  30  is initially extended through the two roller tines  26 , such as is shown in  FIG. 2 . The sleeping bag  30  may be folded lengthwise prior to inserting it into the roller tines  26 . A portion of the sleeping bag  30  extending beyond the roller tines  26  is then folded over on top of the other portion of the sleeping bag  30 , as is indicated by the arrow  32  in  FIG. 2 . Then, in accordance with the prior art, the user holds this extended portion of the sleeping bag  30  into place and then causes the roller tines  26  to rotate in the direction shown by the arrows  34  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This rotation of the roller tines  26  cause the sleeping bag  30  to be rolled into a cylinder.  
         [0025]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user applies force to the sleeping bag  30  while it is rolling, resisting rolling of the sleeping bag  30 . Such a force is indicated by the arrow  36  in  FIG. 2 , and may be supplied, for example, by putting a hand on the sleeping bag  30  or two users&#39; hands on the sleeping bag  30 . This force on the sleeping bag  30  resists the sleeping bag  30  moving toward the roller tines  26 , and causes the sleeping bag  30  to be pulled tighter. As such, the airiness or fluffiness of the sleeping bag  30  is reduced, resulting in the sleeping bag  30  being rolled tighter on the roller tines  26 . The user maintains this pressure on the sleeping bag  30  while the sleeping bag  30  is being rolled on the roller tines  26 . The pressure is sufficient to pull the sleeping bag  30  taut, but enough release is permitted so that the sleeping bag  30  may be continually rolled onto the roller tines  26 .  
         [0026]     A continued stage of rotation is shown in  FIG. 3 . The user continues to apply pressure until the sleeping bag  30  is completely rolled, such as is shown in  FIG. 4 . At this stage, the fixed bar  28  holds the end of the sleeping bag  30  in position, preventing it from unrolling. To this end, the fixed bar  28  is appropriately spaced from the roller tines  26  so that it may apply the appropriate amount of pressure to prevent release of the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26 . Because the sleeping bag  30  is rolled tighter than prior art sleeping bags, in accordance with an embodiment of the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , the fixed bar  28  is positioned closer to the roller tines  26  so that the fixed bar may hold a completely rolled sleeping bag in the tighter configuration.  
         [0027]     To provide appropriate spacing, the roller tines  26  may be movable toward and away from the fixed bar  28 , such as is indicated by the arrows  100  in  FIG. 1 . To this end, a drive unit  102  for the roller tines  26  may be slidably mounted to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , permitting the drive unit and the roller tines  26  to slide upward. Similarly, the fixed bar  28  may be slidably mounted to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , and may move in the direction of the arrows  104 . Alternatively, both may be movable. In addition, if desired, one or both may be biased, such as by a spring (not shown), to permit the fixed  28  and the roller tines  26  to apply appropriate pressure to the rolled sleeping bag  30 .  
         [0028]     After the sleeping bag  30  is fully rolled ( FIG. 4 ), a storage sack  40  ( FIG. 5 ) is extended around the sleeping bag  30 . The opening  24  in the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  provides ample room for extending the storage sack  40  over and around the sleeping bag  30 . This method of applying a storage sack over a sleeping bag is utilized with prior art sleeping bag rolling machines.  
         [0029]     After the storage sack  40  extends fully over the sleeping bag  30 , the operator pulls backward on the sleeping bag  30  and the storage sack  40  to remove the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26  and the fixed bar  28 . To aid in this removal, in accordance with an embodiment of the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , the roller tines  26  are tapered. This feature permits easier removal of the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26 , especially in arrangements wherein the sleeping bag  30  is rolled tightly.  
         [0030]     Using the rolling method described above, significant volume savings can be realized in packing a sleeping bag for shipping. For example, for one prior art sleeping bag sold by the assignee of the present invention, The Coleman Company, Inc., a standard sleeping bag size 33 inches by 75 inches, with a polyester fiber fill and fill weight of 4 pounds, which previously was rolled to a diameter of 13.75 inches, now is rolled to a diameter of 10.25 inches. In a second example, a large sleeping bag, having a size of 39 inches by 81 inches, with a polyester fiber fill and fill weight of 6 pounds, which was previously rolled to a 16 inch diameter, is rolled to an 11.5 inch diameter. In both these examples, the sleeping bag is folded lengthwise before rolling. As can be realized, such volume reduction can significantly reduce shipping volume, which in turn reduces cost per unit of the sleeping bag  20 .  
         [0031]     In accordance with an embodiment, the storage sack  40  includes an expansion section  42  ( FIG. 6 ) in its casing. The expansion section  42  is configured to permit the storage sack to increase in volume, and may be any suitable structure including elastic or another expandable structure, but in the embodiment shown is a portion of the storage sack  40  folded onto itself so as to make the storage sack  40  smaller. The storage sack  40  is shown in this smaller, unexpanded state in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0032]     In accordance with an embodiment, a closure  44  is provided for maintaining the expansion section  42  of the storage sack  40  in the smaller, unexpanded state. The closure  44  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is a large adhesive strip having a removable tab  46  extending along its length. However, other closures may be used, including, but not limited to, ties, hook and loop fasteners, loop and toggle fasteners, zippers, buttons, snaps, releasable adhesives, and releasable fasteners.  
         [0033]     In the embodiment shown, the sleeping bag  30  is shipped to a store or other retail location with the storage sack  40  in the smaller, unexpanded state shown in  FIG. 6 . Then, when the sleeping bag  30  arrives at the store and is ready to be put on the shelf, a store clerk may open the closure  44 , in the embodiment shown by tearing off the removable tab  46 , allowing the storage sack  40  to expand to the expanded state shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position, the sleeping bag  30  is allowed to expand in the storage sack  40 , giving the sleeping bag  30  a much fuller, softer, fluffier appearance. This appearance may be more suitable for sale of sleeping bags, especially where consumers are looking for a softer, warmer sleeping bag.  
         [0034]     However, if desired, if the store wishes to preserve shelf space, the sleeping bag  20  may be placed on a shelf with the storage sack  40  maintained in the smaller, unexpanded state as shown in  FIG. 6 , permitting more sleeping bags to be stacked on the shelf. Alternatively, one or more of the sleeping bags may be expanded to the expanded state shown in  FIG. 7 , while others are maintained, for example, on a higher shelf, in the smaller, unexpanded state shown in  FIG. 6 . In either event, the storage sack  40  permits the sleeping bag  30  to be presented in two different ways with very little work by a store clerk.  
         [0035]     Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.  
         [0036]     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.  
         [0037]     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.  
         [0038]     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.