Abstract:
The beach/pool bag with hidden compartment has a hidden compartment positioned at the bottom of the bag that is equipped with a zipper-closable access. A flap is provided to cover and conceal the zipper, thereby presenting a false bottom and disguising the existence of the compartment underneath. The backpack with hidden compartment is similar to the beach/pool bag, but has shoulder straps instead of handles. A cable and lock are provided to secure the backpack to a stationary object if the backpack is to be laid aside.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/145,388, filed on Dec. 31, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to receptacles, and particularly to a beach/pool bag with a hidden compartment located therein, and also to a backpack with a hidden compartment located therein. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Spending fun time at the swimming pool or beach often requires the need for a plethora of ancillary items. Sunblock, comb, brush, extra pool/beach apparel, towels, first aid kit, etc. are just some of the items that are usually transported to the selected venue. The ubiquitous beach bag is the popular receptacle of choice to transport and house the array of above-mentioned items. Aside from the usual items, the beach bag may also be employed to transport refreshing beverages and house valuables, such as cash, jewelry and personal identification items (driver&#39;s license, medical insurance cards, etc.). However, keeping the beverages hot or cold and the valuables hidden from sight presents a problem for the beach bag user. A beach bag that could serve as a repository for the usual beach/pool paraphernalia and also provide a hidden insulated compartment for housing beverages and/or valuables would certainly be a welcome asset to a user. 
     Also, whether going to school, hiking, going to the playground, or just spending time outdoors with friends in any venue, there is often a need to transport a plethora of items. Text books, notebooks, extra wearing apparel, etc. are just some of the items that are usually transported to the selected venue. The ubiquitous backpack is the popular receptacle of choice to transport and house the array of above-mentioned items. Aside from the usual items, the backpack may also be employed to transport refreshing beverages and house valuables, such as cash, jewelry and personal identification items (driver&#39;s license, medical insurance cards, etc.). However, keeping the beverages hot or cold and the valuables hidden from sight presents a problem for the backpack user. A backpack that could serve as a repository for the usual backpack paraphernalia and also provide a hidden insulated compartment for housing beverages and/or valuables would certainly be a welcome asset to a user. Thus, a beach/pool bag with a hidden compartment and a backpack with a hidden compartment solving the aforementioned problems are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The beach/pool bag with hidden compartment is a beach or pool bag having a compartment positioned at the bottom of the bag, the compartment having a zipper-closable access. A flap is provided to cover and conceal the zipper, thereby presenting a false bottom and disguising the existence of a compartment underneath. A hidden zipper-closable access to the compartment is also provided on the exterior surface of the bag. 
     Similar to the beach/pool bag, the backpack with hidden compartment has a compartment positioned at the bottom of the backpack, the compartment having a zipper-closable access. A flap is provided to cover and conceal the zipper, thereby presenting a false bottom and disguising the existence of a compartment underneath. A hidden zipper-closable access to the compartment is also provided on the exterior surface of the backpack. Means are provided to secure the backpack to a stationary object if the backpack is to be laid aside. 
     Accordingly, the invention presents a beach bag having a conventional appearance, but incorporating a hidden compartment therein. The compartment is insulated and can be utilized to conceal personal valuables therein and to also house beverage containers. The bag also includes a cable for attaching the bag to a stationary object. 
     In addition, the invention presents a backpack having a conventional appearance, but incorporating a hidden compartment therein. The compartment is insulated and can be utilized to conceal personal valuables therein and to also house beverage containers. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beach/pool bag with hidden compartment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the beach/pool bag of  FIG. 1 , showing the inside of the bag with the zipper access to the hidden compartment closed and hidden from view. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the beach/pool bag of  FIG. 2 , with a portion of the flap member broken away to show the zipper access to the hidden compartment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the beach/pool bag of  FIG. 3 , showing the hidden compartment partially open. 
         FIG. 5  is a front, perspective view of a backpack with hidden compartment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear, perspective view of the backpack with hidden compartment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the backpack of  FIG. 5 , showing the inside of the backpack with the zipper access to the hidden compartment closed and hidden from view. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the backpack of  FIG. 5 , showing the inside of the backpack with a portion of the flap broken away to show the zipper access to the hidden compartment view. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the backpack of  FIG. 5 , showing the inside of the backpack with the hidden compartment partially open. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the beach/pool bag with hidden compartment is generally indicated at  10 . The bag  10  conventionally comprises respective front and rear walls  12 ,  14 , sidewalls  16 ,  18  and bottom wall  20  attached at their edges to form an open-top first compartment. Optionally, the stiff sidewalls  16 ,  18  could be eliminated to leave a flexible upper portion of the bag  10  if it is desired to conserve material. One or more pouches  22  (only one is shown) are positioned on the exterior surfaces of the front and rear walls  12 ,  14  to house items therein. Although not illustrated, additional pouches could be provided for the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls  16 ,  18 , if desired. Carrying straps  24  or a drawstring are attached to the bag  10  in a suitable manner. A zipper  25  is employed to close the open top of the bag. The zipper may be secured with a lock  27 . The lock may take the form of a built in type and/or combination type if desired. The walls of the bag  10  may be fabricated from any suitable material (canvas, leather, nylon, vinyl, etc.). A security cable  29  having a lock thereon (not shown) is hidden inside one of the carrying straps  24  and is removable therefrom. The security cable  29  provides a means to attach the bag  10  to a stationary object, such as a beach chair or the like, to prevent easy theft of the bag  10 . The cable  29  may be fabricated from any suitable material that is flexible and not easily broken or cut. 
     A second compartment  30  is positioned at the bottom of bag  10 . The second compartment  30  is fabricated from thermal insulation material or incorporates thermal insulation into the walls and is dimensioned to house several conventional beverage containers B therein. The second compartment  30  has a top surface  30   a  fashioned with an opening that is closed with a zipper  32 . A movable flap  34  is designed to overlie the top surface  30   a  of the compartment  30  for reasons explained below. One side of the flap  34  is permanently attached to the top surface  30   a.  Hook and loop fasteners  36  are employed to removably attach the other side of the flap  34  to the top surface  30   a  of the compartment  30 . With the flap  34  in place, anyone unfamiliar with the bag  10  would assume that the flap  34  is the inside bottom wall of the bag  10 , and thus be unaware that a compartment exists beneath the flap  34 . The compartment  30  may also be accessed from the exterior of bag  10 . This is accomplished by providing an opening on at least one exterior side surface of the bag  10  to access the compartment  30 . A zipper  35  is operable to open and close the opening. The zipper  35  is covered by a movable flap  37 , similar to flap  34 , which hides the zipper  35  from view. Stiffener or reinforcement members  38  (shown in phantom lines and preferably fabricated from hard plastic) are removably inserted in the compartment  30  along the walls and bottom thereof for extra support, and to allow the bag  10  to stand upright when the compartment  30  is not filled with beverage containers B, thereby maintaining the illusion of a bag  10  having no additional compartment at its bottom. 
     In use, the compartment  30  is unzipped and the desired items are inserted therein. As indicated above, the items may be beverage containers B that are to be kept at a cool temperature range, or personal valuables. The zipper  32  (or  35 ) is manipulated to close the compartment  30 . The flaps  34  and/or  37  are arranged over the compartment  30  and attached thereto, thereby concealing the compartment  30  from view. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , the backpack with hidden compartment is generally indicated at  110 . The backpack  110  comprises respective front and rear walls  112 ,  114 , sidewalls  116 ,  118  and bottom wall  120  attached at their edges to form an open-top first compartment. One or more pouches  122  (only one is shown) are positioned on the exterior surfaces of the front and/or rear walls  112 ,  114  to house items therein. Although not illustrated, additional pouches could be provided for the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls  116 ,  118 , if desired. Shoulder carrying straps  124  are attached to the bag  110  adjacent rear surface  114  in a suitable manner. A handle member  115  is provided to carry the backpack by hand, if desired. A zipper  125  is employed to close the open top of the bag. The zipper  125  may be secured with a lock  127 . The lock  127  may take on other forms and may be applied to as many zippered openings as desired. The walls of the bag  110  may be fabricated from any suitable material (canvas, leather, nylon, vinyl, etc.). At least one of the shoulder straps  124  includes a reinforcement cable  128  hidden therein. The cable  128  is secured to the backpack  110  by means of a combination lock  129 . This arrangement permits the lock  129  to be opened so that the end of the strap  124  can be detached from the backpack  110 . The strap  124  may then be wrapped around a stationary object, and the end may be relocked to the backpack  110 , thereby securing the backpack  110  to the stationary object to prevent easy theft of the backpack  110 . 
     A second compartment  130  is positioned at the bottom of backpack  110 . The second compartment  130  is fabricated from thermal insulation material or incorporates thermal insulation into the walls, and is dimensioned to house several conventional beverage containers B therein. The second compartment  130  has a top surface  130   a  fashioned with an opening that is closed with a zipper  132 . A movable flap  134  is designed to overlie the top surface  130   a  of the compartment  130  for reasons explained below. One side of the flap  134  is permanently attached to the top surface  130   a.  Hook and loop fasteners  136  are employed to removably attach the other side of the flap  134  to the top surface  130   a  of the compartment  130 . With the flap  134  in place, anyone unfamiliar with the backpack  110  would assume that the flap  134  is the inside bottom wall of the backpack  110 , and thus be unaware that a compartment exists beneath the flap  134 . The compartment  130  may also be accessed from the exterior of bag  110 . This is accomplished by providing an opening on at least one exterior side surface of the backpack  110  to access the compartment  130 . A zipper  135  is operable to open and close the opening. The zipper  135  is covered by a movable flap  137 , similar to flap  134 , which hides the zipper  135  from view. Stiffener or reinforcement members  138  (shown in phantom lines and preferably fabricated from hard plastic) are removably inserted in the compartment  130  along the walls and bottom thereof for extra support, and to allow the backpack  110  to stand upright when the compartment  130  is not filled with beverage containers B, thereby maintaining the illusion of a bag  110  having no additional compartment at its bottom. 
     In use, the compartment  130  is unzipped and the desired items are inserted therein. As indicated above, the items may be beverage containers B that are to be kept at a cool temperature range, or personal valuables. The zipper  132  (or  135 ) is manipulated to close the compartment  130 . The flaps  134  and/or  137  are arranged over the compartment  130  and attached thereto, thereby concealing the compartment  130  from view. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.