Abstract:
The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed, including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the contents include liquids or many small objects, such as grains of sand.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The current application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/488,913 filed Jul. 21, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     (1) Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to storage devices and more particularly to a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, thereby releasing its contents.  
         [0004]     (2) Related Art  
         [0005]     Pockets and pocket-like storage devices have long been used as a method of transporting items. Generally, removal of the contents of a pocket requires a user to place his or her hand into the pocket, grasp the item or items, and remove the item or items from the pocket.  
         [0006]     In many circumstances, such a method of removal is sufficient. However, an alternate method of removal is desirable when (1) removal of the item or items must be done quickly, (2) grasping an item or items would be difficult, and/or (3) complete removal of an item or items would be difficult or time consuming. Thus, a need exists for a storage device permitting the rapid and complete removal of its contents.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The claimed invention discloses a storage device capable of rapid and substantially full inversion, permitting the rapid and substantially complete removal of its contents. Such a storage device is useful when its contents must be quickly removed, including, for example, where the storage device contains equipment useful to an emergency responder such as a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic. Such a storage device is also useful where its contents are otherwise difficult to remove, as where the contents include liquids or many small objects.  
         [0008]     In a first embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a storage device comprising an outer container forming an exterior and an interior, an inner container having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed on the interior, and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially on the exterior.  
         [0009]     In a second embodiment, the claimed invention discloses an apparatus comprising means for carrying the apparatus, a storage means comprising an outer container forming an exterior and an interior and an inner container having a first portion that is attached to the outer container and a second portion that is disposed in the interior, and an exterior inversion means that allows a user to invert the second portion of the inner container to reside substantially outside the outer container.  
         [0010]     In a third embodiment, the claimed invention discloses a storage device comprising a member having a first side and a second side and an aperture between, a container having a first portion that is attached around the aperture on the first side of the member and a second portion that is unattached to the member, and an inversion means that allows a user from the second side to invert the second portion of the container, moving it from the first side of the member to the second side of the member.  
         [0011]     The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an inverted storage device according to a first embodiment of the claimed invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a closed storage device according to a second embodiment of the claimed invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show the various conformations of a third embodiment of the claimed invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a vest having two storage devices according to a fourth embodiment of the claimed invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a storage device according to a fifth embodiment of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , storage device  1  comprises outer container  10 , inner container  20 , and inversion means  30 . As depicted, inversion means  30  is an elongate member attached at one end to a surface of inner container  20 . Preferably, where inversion means  30  is an elongate member, inversion means  30  is configured to extend beyond a surface of outer container  10  when inner container  20  is not inverted and residing within outer container  10 . Optionally, where inversion means  30  is an elongate member, a handle  32  may be attached at or near an end opposite the end attached to a surface of inner container  20 .  
         [0019]     A first portion of inner container  20  is attached to an interior or exterior surface of outer container  10  while a second portion of inner container  20  is disposed adjacent an interior surface of outer container  20 , such that the second portion of inner container  20  may be inverted by means of inversion means  30  and made to substantially reside adjacent an exterior surface of outer container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]     First portion of inner container  20  may be attached to a portion of outer container  10  and inversion means  30  may be attached to a portion of inner container  20  by any means known in the art. In one embodiment, such attachments are of sufficient strength as to permit inversion of inner container  20  without detachment of inner container  20  from outer container  10  or inversion means  30  from inner container  20 . Suitable attachment means include stitching and adhesives.  
         [0021]     Outer container  10 , inner container  20 , and inversion means  30  may be of any materials known in the art, including cotton, silk, wool, nylon, polyester, or rayon. In addition, outer container  10 , inner container  20 , and/or inversion means  30  may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0022]     Handle  32  may be of any material known in the art, including wood, plastic, ceramic, or metal. In one embodiment, handle  32  is a rigid material. Where inversion means  30  is an elongate member, a portion of which extends beyond an edge of outer container  10 , handle  32  preferably provides added weight to the elongate member, so as to locate inversion means  30  in an area outside of outer container  10  that is predictable by a user. For example, where storage device  1  is configured to be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, handle  32  preferably provides sufficient weight to an end of inversion means  30  that a portion of inversion means  30  will normally be located below storage device  1 . This orientation is depicted most clearly in  FIG. 3A . Optionally, handle  32  may be a loop, knot, or similar structure formed in elongate member.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , storage device  100  is depicted in a closed position, wherein inner container (not shown) resides substantially within outer container  110 . In one embodiment, a portion of inversion means  130 , again depicted as an elongate member with handle  132 , resides on the exterior of outer container  110 .  
         [0024]     In one embodiment, from its closed position, storage device  100  is preferably made to release its contents by a user grasping and pulling a portion of inversion means  130  in a direction away from the openings of outer container  110  and inner container. Upon such action, storage device  100  adopts a conformation similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 , wherein inner container  20  is substantially inverted to reside outside outer container  10 .  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, storage device  100  may contain a lid  112  and attachment means  114 . Attachment means  114  may be of any kind known in the art, including hooks-and-loops, snaps, etc., provided that attachment means  114  do not prevent or substantially interfere with inversion of inner container or the release of its contents. Attachment means  114  may be located on lid  112 , outer container  110 , or both.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A through 3C , storage device  200  is depicted in the various conformations it will adopt in transitioning from its closed position ( FIG. 3A ) to its inverted position ( FIG. 3C ). As depicted in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , storage device  200  is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, as it may be oriented on an article of clothing or carrying means, such as a backpack. Storage device  200  may similarly be oriented in a substantially vertical direction, with an opening in outer container  210  facing either upward or downward.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , storage device  200  again consists of outer container  210 , an inner container (not shown), and an inversion means  230 . As depicted, inversion means  230  consists of an elongate member and handle  232 , wherein a portion of elongate member extends beyond an edge of outer container  210 . As depicted, storage device  200  further comprises a lid  212  and attachment means  214 . Attachment means  214  attaches a portion of lid  212  to a portion of outer container  210 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , upon applying a directional force F upon inversion means  230 , attachment means  214  is released from at least one of lid  212  and outer container  210 . As depicted, attachment means  214  is released from outer container  210 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 3C , upon continued application of directional force F upon inversion means  230 , inner container  220  is inverted from its position within outer container  210 . Upon inversion of inner container  220 , its contents are moved to a location outside both outer container  210  and inner container  220 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a vest  300  is shown having two storage devices  302 , 304  located on an outer surface of its left front side. First storage device  302  is located on the left breast of vest  300  and is oriented with its opening facing downward. As depicted, inner container  320  has been inverted to reside substantially outside outer container  310 . Inversion means  330  is shown as an elongate member with optional handle  332 .  
         [0031]     Second storage device  304  is located on the left front of vest  300  at approximately waist level and is oriented in a horizontal direction with its opening facing medially. As depicted, lid  312  covers the opening to outer container  310  and is attached to outer container  310  by attachment means  314 . Inversion means  330  is shown as an elongate member with optional handle  332 , a portion of elongate member extending beyond an edge of outer container  310 .  
         [0032]     Although depicted as a vest, any similar article of clothing or carrying means could similarly be used, including a jacket, coat, shirt, pair of pants, backpack, book bag, handbag, shoulder bag, messenger bag, duffle bag, tote bag, or fanny pack. Where storage device is located on an article of clothing or a carrying means, it may be fixedly or non-fixedly attached. Methods of attachment can be any known in the art, including stitching, adhesives, zippers, buttons, snaps, ties, loops, hooks-and-loops, or clips.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , storage device  400  comprises container  420 , inversion means  430 , and a member  410  having a first side  416 , a second side  417 , and an aperture  418  therebetween. As such, the illustrative embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is similar to the embodiments described above, with the exception that member  410  need not be a container. That is, member  410  need not be able to hold container  420 . For example, member  410  may be the material comprising the leg of a pair of pants, vest, etc., wherein container  420  resides on one or the other side of the leg material.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 5A , container  420  is attached around aperture  418  on second side  417  of member  410 . Inversion means  430  is shown as an elongate member attached to a surface of container  420  and extending beyond first side  416  of member  410 . Optional handle  432  is shown as a loop formed in inversion means  430 . Application of directional force F results in the substantial inversion of container  420 , as depicted in  FIG. 5B . Once substantially inverted, the portion of container  420  not attached to second side  417  of member  410  resides adjacent to first side  416  of member  410 .  
         [0035]     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.