Abstract:
A piece of baggage is provided with a retractable pocket that is configured to support a beverage container on the exterior of the piece of baggage. The pocket is constructed of a mesh material and has an elastic strap along an upper edge that allows the pocket to expand to support various size containers, such as bottled water. When not in use, the pocket can be held collapsed against or inside the piece of baggage by a closure mechanism such as a zipper. This conceals the pocket to improve the aesthetic appearance of the piece of baggage and reduces the risk of snagging the mesh pocket as the piece of baggage is transported.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of the copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/521,702 filed on Mar. 9, 2000 and currently pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     (1) Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention pertains to the field of baggage. More particularly, this invention pertains to a pocket fashioned as part of a piece of baggage. The pocket is capable of holding a beverage container on the exterior of the piece of baggage and can be retracted so as to be substantially hidden when not being used. The retractable feature of the pocket provides the piece of baggage with a convenient place for holding a beverage container when desired without detracting from the styling or aesthetic appearance of the piece of baggage when retracted.  
         [0004]     (2) Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     It has become increasingly more common for persons to carry beverages while traveling. However, holding a beverage container while also transporting a piece of baggage can become burdensome. Therefore it would be convenient for such persons to have a place for holding the beverage container so as to free one or both of their hands.  
         [0006]     Some baggage, such as backpacks and belt pouches, address the above mentioned need by providing pockets conventionally configured to carry various beverage containers. Since it is common for persons to frequently retrieve and return beverage containers from such pockets, the pockets are typically placed on the outside of the baggage. Typically, these pockets are merely a single piece of material sewn or otherwise attached to the baggage and are often configured with an unobstructed opening to facilitate the placement and retrieval of a beverage container therefrom. Some pockets are constructed of mesh or net type material and have an elastic member adjacent their opening. The mesh material allows the pockets to more easily expand to hold various size beverage containers, while the elastic member resiliently returns the pocket to a given opening size and reduces the risk of spillage by elastically retaining a beverage container upright in the pocket. Additionally, the use of mesh material on beverage pockets has the advantage of being breathable, which facilitates evaporation of condensation formed on the exterior of chilled beverage containers. Pockets formed of a material which doesn&#39;t breathe as well as mesh can retain moisture and promote mildew and mold.  
         [0007]     While the above mentioned pockets are convenient places for travels to hold their beverages, such pockets also have several disadvantages. Because the beverage container pockets are often positioned where they can be easily accessed as described above, the pockets are also exposed where they can easily snag or become hooked on furniture, clothing, or other fixtures. This is especially true since many such pockets hang open for ready access and are often made of mesh material. Another disadvantage of prior art beverage pockets is that many people feel that having such a pocket on a piece of baggage gives the piece of baggage a rustic or outdoorsy appearance. Such an appearance is often undesirable in professional settings. These disadvantages limit the usefulness of beverage pockets as more professional baggage is thought to require a more formal styling.  
         [0008]     Despite a lack of specially designed pockets for beverage containers on a given piece of baggage, most traditional pieces of baggage have some form of pocket or compartment where at least a closed beverage container can be stored. However, the use of traditional pockets or compartments to hold beverage containers compromises the benefits associated with easily accessible specialized pockets as described above. Traditional pockets are often less accessible and clumsy for use as beverage holders. Additionally, condensation and spillage can cause damage to the contents of the compartment used to hold the container or even to the piece of baggage itself. This risk of damage is amplified by the fact that a traditional pocket usually doesn&#39;t include an elastic strap or other elastic retainer to help support a beverage container in an upright position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The invention herein disclosed overcomes the disadvantages of prior art pieces of baggage by providing a collapsible pocket on the exterior of a piece of baggage that can be retracted and hidden from view when not being used. When in use, the pocket provides an easily accessible location that is specifically configured for holding a beverage container. However, unlike prior art beverage pockets, the retractable pocket of this invention can also be stored out of the way, thereby lessening the chances of the pocket becoming snagged. Furthermore, when the pocket is retracted, the pocket is concealed behind what may be a zippered closure which is streamlined and stylistic enough for professional settings.  
         [0010]     In general, the beverage container pocket of the present invention comprises a collapsible mesh pocket and a closure mechanism, preferably a zippered closure. When expanded, the mesh pocket is flexible enough to at least partially extend outward from the exterior surface of the piece of baggage to readily receive a beverage container. When desired, the mesh pocket can be manually collapsed and the closure mechanism can be closed to hide the pocket and conform the surface of the pocket to the exterior surface of the piece of baggage.  
         [0011]     In a first embodiment of the invention, a retractable pocket is attached to an existing piece of baggage without modification of the piece of baggage. When retracted, the pocket is held collapsed against the exterior of the piece of baggage by a shroud that also partially conceals the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the piece of baggage itself is specifically configured for use with the invention by having an internal cavity in which the pocket can be stored when not being used. Regardless of the particular embodiment, the use of the invention is not limited to any particular type of baggage and various types of baggage such as briefcases, luggage, backpacks, and purses can benefit therefrom.  
         [0012]     While the principal advantages and features of the present invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and detailed description of the embodiments which follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a partial isometric view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the pocket in the operable position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial isometric view of the first embodiment showing the pocket in the collapsed position and hidden from view by the closure.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing the pocket in the operable position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  with the pocket retracted within an envelope of the piece of baggage and hidden from view by the closure mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     A first embodiment of a retractable pocket in accordance with this invention is shown in an expanded/operable position in  FIG. 1  and in a retracted/hidden position in  FIG. 2 . The first embodiment  10  of the retractable pocket is preferably positioned on an end  12  of a piece of baggage  14  where it will not interfere with other compartments  16  of the piece of baggage  14 . The retractable pocket  10  comprises a pocket  18  and a closure mechanism  20  that can be used to hold the pocket  18  in a retracted position.  
         [0018]     The pocket  18  of the first embodiment  10  is itself comprised of a shroud portion  22  and a mesh portion  24 . The shroud portion  22  of the pocket  18  is preferably made from the same material that is used to fashion the exterior of the piece of baggage  14 . The shroud  22  is preferably rectangular in shape with a slit  26  extending downward from the approximate center of its upper edge  28 . Except for the upper edge  28  of the shroud  22 , the perimeter of the shroud is sewn or otherwise fastened to the exterior surface  30  of the piece of baggage  14  such that the shroud will lie substantially flat against the exterior of the piece of baggage  14  when the opposite edges  32  of the slit  26  are brought together.  
         [0019]     The mesh portion  24  of this embodiment  10  is preferably a trapezoidal piece of mesh material having two equal length side edges  34  and opposite upper  36  and lower(not shown) edges. The side edges  34  of the mesh portion  24  are preferably slightly longer than the length of the slit  26  in the shroud  22  such that, with the upper edge  36  of the mesh portion aligned with the upper edge  28  of the shroud, the side edges of the mesh portion can be sewn or otherwise attached to the opposite edges  32  of the slit on the backside of the shroud and the lower edge of the mesh can be attached beneath the slit on the backside of the shroud. The mesh portion  24  may also preferably have an elastic member  38  sewn or otherwise attached to its upper edge  36 .  
         [0020]     The closure mechanism  20  of this embodiment  10  is preferably a zipper  40  that is attached along the opposite edges  32  of the slit  26  where it can be operated to hold the opposite edges  32  together when the slider  42  of the zipper  40  is raised. With the slider  42  of the zipper  40  lowered, the opposite edges  32  of the slit  26  naturally separate to expose the mesh portion  24  for use. In this position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper edge  28  of the shroud  22  on each side of the slit  26  and the upper edge  36  of the mesh  24  help form an opening  44  into the pocket  18 . The elasticity of the elastic member  38  and the flexibility of the mesh  24  allow the opening  44  of the pocket to be resiliently expanded from its relaxed configuration to accommodate various sizes and shapes of beverage containers. Furthermore, this resiliency helps center such beverage containers and hold them upright against the exterior surface  30  of the piece of baggage  14 , thereby reducing the risk of spillage. The use of mesh material also facilitates evaporation if any condensation is formed or if spillage occurs, and helps prevent any unintended accumulation of moisture within the pocket  18 . Additionally, the portion of the exterior surface  30  of the piece of baggage  14  underlying the pocket  18  can be made water repellent to prevent any moisture from damaging the exterior surface or unintentionally seeping through the exterior surface to damage the contents of the piece of baggage.  
         [0021]     When not using the pocket  18  to hold a beverage container, the mesh portion  24  of the pocket can be collapsed behind the shroud  22  against the exterior surface  30  of the piece of baggage  14  and the slider  42  of the zipper  40  can then be raised. In this raised or closed position of the closure mechanism as shown in  FIG. 2 , the shroud lies substantially flat over the mesh and adjacent the exterior surface  30  of the piece of baggage  14 , thereby reducing the risk of snagging the pocket while also concealing the mesh portion  24  of the pocket and thereby streamlining the appearance of the baggage  14 .  
         [0022]     An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this alternative embodiment, the pocket  50  is attached to an interior cavity  52  of the piece of baggage  54 , rather than to the exterior surface  55 . The pocket  50  is preferably formed of a single trapezoidal piece of material having equal length side edges  56  and a larger top edge  57  than bottom edge (not shown). The side edges  56  of the pocket  50  are preferably sewn to the back side of the opposite edges  58  of a vertical slit  60  that extends through the exterior surface  55  of the piece of baggage  54 . An elastic strap  62  is preferably attached to the top edge  57  of the pocket  50  and the bottom edge of the pocket  50  is preferably sewn to the back side of the exterior surface  55  of the baggage  54  below the vertical slit  60 . In this embodiment, the pocket  50  is preferably made of mesh as described above. The mesh material allows the pocket  50  to be collapsed into a very small volume which, in this embodiment, is merely the cavity space between the exterior surface  55  of the piece of baggage  54  and backing material inside the piece of baggage behind the slit  60 .  
         [0023]     Like the first embodiment, the closure mechanism of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  and  4  is a zipper  64  that is positioned along the opposite edges  58  of the vertical slit  60  where it can operate to hold the opposite edges  58  of the vertical slit  60  together when closed. With the slider  66  of the zipper  64  lowered, the vertical slit  60  is open and the pocket  50  expands outward or can be pulled outward through the slit  60  as shown in  FIG. 3 . When in this position, the pocket functions as described above to support a beverage container therein. When not in use, the pocket can be collapsed into the interior cavity  52  and the slider  66  of the zipper  64  can be raised to close the vertical slit  60  and hide the pocket  50  in the interior cavity  52  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this position the pocket is concealed and is not exposed to be snagged on other items or fixtures.  
         [0024]     It is convenient to perhaps think of these two embodiments as being surface mounted as in the first embodiment and flush mounted as in the second embodiment. This perhaps best describes the relationship between the pocket and the exterior surface of the piece of baggage in that, in the first embodiment the pocket extends beyond the silhouette of the exterior surface of the piece of baggage while in the second embodiment the pocket is hidden beneath the exterior surface of the piece of baggage.  
         [0025]     It should be understood that, although the invention has been described above in reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to these embodiments and numerous alternative embodiments or changes to these embodiments could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. As an example, the embodiments herein disclosed could be modified by utilizing various suitable materials in place of the materials described above and the shapes of the various components could be altered. Additionally, the zipper could easily be replaced in the above described embodiments by other closure mechanisms such as VELCRO™, buttons, snaps, latches, and magnetic clasps.  
         [0026]     In other embodiments, the closure mechanism need not necessarily be a device for attaching things together. For example, an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  could utilize a resilient slit that can resiliently expand to open and close without the need of a closure mechanism to secure the opposite edges of the vertical slit together when closed. Likewise, the shroud may be made of a material which has sufficient resiliency that it closes itself to hide the pocket.  
         [0027]     In yet another embodiment, a retractable pocket similar to that of the first embodiment could have the mesh portion attached to the exterior surface of the piece of baggage behind a shroud, rather than being attached to the shroud itself. In such an embodiment, the shroud, although no longer forming a portion of the pocket, would still operate to retract and conceal the pocket. Such an embodiment could also be modified such that the shroud is made without a slit and has only one side edge attached to the piece of baggage such that it can be selectively hinged about the attached edge to reveal a pocket therebehind.  
         [0028]     Thus it should be clear that modifications and variations of the invention could be made without departing from the scope of the invention which should be considered as being limited only by the scope of the claims and their equivalents.