Abstract:
A bandolier-type pack is described for organizing and storing various baby and parent related gear. The bandolier includes a front portion including a plurality of compartments, and a strap portion including a water-resistant pad secured thereto.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional application serial No. 60/644,419, filed Jan. 14, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     A variety of diaper bags or packs exist for parents/pet-owners for transporting essential gear, such as diapers, bottles, snacks, etc., for their small children or pets. The packs are often large and bulky, primarily having one large pocket for holding all of these items. As a result such prior art packs are often heavy and hard to manage when carrying or carting a small child or pet around. Also, it is frequently difficult to find an item quickly in the single storage pocket.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a compact, bandolier-type diaper bag or pack wearable over the shoulder and across the chest. The bandolier style of pack frees the parent or care-giver&#39;s hands to carry or hold on to their child or pet, or to perform other activities. The pack of the present invention further includes a plurality of pockets and/or compartments suitable for organizing and storing various baby-related, parent-related, and pet-related gear, including diapers, snacks, cell phones, keys, leashes, waste bags, and water bottles, for example, creating easy access to a particular item. The bandolier of the invention may also include an optionally detachable, insulated compartment for keeping bottles or other food or drink items hot or cold. The adjustable strap of the bandolier may include a built-in, wipeable changing pad or portable seat with an inner pocket. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     Presently preferred embodiments are described below in conjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bandolier of the present application;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the bandolier of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is the bandolier of  FIG. 1  showing the pad in an unfolded position;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a person wearing the bandolier of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of a person wearing the bandolier of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     As described above and displayed in the drawings, the present application comprises a bandolier-type diaper bag or pack, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The bandolier  10  comprises a plurality of compartments and/or hooks and/or pockets, attached to (permanently or detachably) or integrated into the bandolier  10 . The compartments are preferably adapted to hold or be capable of holding one or more of a variety of items parents and caregivers typically carry with them when traveling outside the house with an infant, small child, or pet. Such items include baby items such as diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, toys, and the like, as well as parental items such as keys, wallets, glasses, and cell phones, etc. Other examples of items could be pet items such as leashes, food and drink bowls, and disposable waste bags. Preferably the pockets/compartments/hooks or loops are located on the portion of the bandolier worn across the chest to facilitate easy access by the wearer.  
         [0011]     The bandolier  10  includes a front portion  12  and strap portion  14 . The front portion  12  and strap portion  14  are joined to each other (permanently or releasably) to form a loop, which is wearable as a bandolier (as displayed in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The front portion  12  optionally has one or a plurality of compartments attached to or integrated in it. The front portion  12  may also include a one or a plurality of hooks or loops attached thereto. The front portion  12  optionally itself forms or has within it a pocket  30 , which is described in detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . The strap portion  14  optionally includes a pad  20  (preferably water-resistant) releasably or permanently secured thereto. As used herein, the term “pad” is intended to encompass any flexible textile or textile-like material (e.g., cotton, nylon, blends, and the like) that is monolayer, multilayer, and stuffed, and that can be folded or rolled for storage and can be used to place on the ground or any other surface and serve as a barrier over the ground or other surface.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, front portion  12  and strap portion  14  form an integrated, inseparable loop. In another embodiment, the front portion  12  is secured to the strap portion  14  at one end by an adjustable strap  18 , which facilitates adjusting the bandolier to the wearer&#39;s size. In another embodiment, the front portion  12  is releasably secured at one or both ends to the strap portion  14 , such as by a releasably lockable clip  17  (or some other similarly suitable fastening means). This embodiment may also include an adjustable strap  18  for adjusting the size of the loop formed by front portion  12  and strap portion  14 . The releasable clip  17  (and the like) facilitates putting on and removal of the bandolier  10  by a wearer.  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bandolier  10  further optionally includes a large pocket  30  located in or formed from the front portion  12  for holding larger items, such as diapers and clothes. The pocket  30  is preferably closable with a zipper, although buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop type fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), and the like may also be employed to close the pocket  30 .  
         [0014]     One or plurality of compartments may be permanently or releasably attached to the front portion  12  of the bandolier  10 . For example, the bandolier  10  of the invention optionally includes a compartment  16  that is easily detachable, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Further, compartment  16  may contain an insulating material to keep food or drink warm or cold. Additionally, one or a plurality of compartments may include disposable bags on a roll.  
         [0015]     The bandolier  10  further optionally comprises a pad  20  removably attached or permanently integrated into the strap portion  14  of the bandolier. The pad may serve, for example, as a changing pad for a baby, or as a seat (e.g., to be placed on the ground) for the wearer. Preferably, the pad  20  is permanently integrated into the portion of the bandolier that is worn across the back. The pad  20  may also be removably attached to the strap portion  14 , such as via bands  28 , shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, one or more of the bands  28  may include a fastening means, such as hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, etc., to secure the pad  20  to the strap portion  14 . To remove the changing pad from the strap portion  14 , a wearer simply unfastens the bands  28  from the strap portion  14 , and slides the pad  20  along the strap and over the releasable clip  17 . In this manner, the pad  20  can be detached from the bandolier  10  when in use. Alternatively, the pad may be detached from the strap portion  14 , such as by two releasable clips  17  located on either side of the strap portion  14 . The outside of the pad  20  may optionally include a pocket.  
         [0016]     When secured to the strap portion  14 , the pad  20  can be folded or rolled to be stored in and/or form part of the strap portion  14 . The pad  20  is secured in the folded or rolled configuration via a fastening means  22 A that may run substantially along the length of the pad (e.g., a zipper) or that is located a several places along the pad, such as fastening means  22 B, which can comprise hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, for example. The pad  20  unfolds or unrolls, as shown in  FIG. 3 , so that a baby may be rested upon the pad  20 . Preferably, one side  24  of the pad  20  is made of a wipeable, water-resistant material to facilitate cleaning of the pad.  
         [0017]     The pad  20  further optionally includes a small, inner compartment  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The inner compartment  26  is also preferably made of a water-resistant material and can be used for storing baby wipes, for example. The inner compartment  26  may also include a fastening means, such as a zipper, hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), buttons, or snaps, to protect its contents. The inner compartment  26  may be within the pad  20  or attached (releasably or permanently) to the pad.  
         [0018]     In a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , the bandolier  10  preferably includes a plurality of compartments secured to the front portion  12 . The number of compartments may be 2, 3, 4, 5 or more. Preferably there are five compartments as shown in  FIG. 1 . The compartments may be detachable from the front portion  12 , such as compartment  16 , and may contain an insulating material to keep food or drink warm or cold. Also in the preferred embodiment, the bandolier  10  includes an adjustable strap  18  which is attached to a releasably lockable clip  17  for facilitating putting on and removal of the bandolier by a wearer.  
         [0019]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the preferred embodiment of the bandolier  10  further includes a pad  20 . The pad  20  may be permanently secured to the strap portion  14 , or, alternatively, the pad  20  may be releasably attached to the strap portion  14  via bands  28 .  
         [0020]     The preferred embodiment of the bandolier  10  further includes a small, inner compartment  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The inner compartment  26  is preferably made of a water-resistant material and can be used for storing baby wipes, for example. The inner compartment  26  further includes a zipper to protect its contents.  
         [0021]     The bandolier  10  is shown on a wearer in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The bandolier  10  is adapted to be worn in the fashion of a classic bandolier, which is over the shoulder and diagonally across the chest. The front portion  12  is adapted to be worn across a front side of the chest to facilitate access to the plurality of pockets/compartments/hooks or loops. The strap portion  14  of the bandolier  10  is adapted to be worn across the back. The diagonal configuration secures the bandolier  10  to the wearer and prevents the strap portion from slipping off the wearer, as is common among typical over-the-shoulder diaper bags or packs.  
         [0022]     While certain features and embodiments of the present application have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the application encompasses all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spirit of the following claims.