Abstract:
This invention relates to a carrying case used to transport objects or documents, such as posters, drawings, or blueprints for presentation at conventions, exhibitions, meetings or similar functions. The expandable carrying case is made of leather or similarly sturdy, durable synthetic material such as nylon. It has flexible tubes that constitute a protective container for objects or rolled-up documents when deployed, and can be coiled up and stored in the said cylindrical case when not in use. The benefits of the present invention include its versatility in transporting objects or documents of different sizes or lengths. The flexible extensions are interconnected to each other, and to the cover and elongated tubular member through zippers, or similarly durable, sturdy fasteners to form one enclosed, protective carrier. This makes the current invention a uniquely versatile, flexible and reusable (hence “green”) transport/storage device.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a carrying case used to transport objects or documents, such as posters, drawings, blueprints or the like, for presentation at conventions, exhibitions, meetings, or similar functions. It also relates to the field of cases for carrying such large objects/documents in a rolled up condition to avoid creasing of the surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention originates from decades of experience going to conventions, conferences and trade shows. Because of rising costs and fear of mislocation during transit, many prefer to bring along their documents instead of entrusting their presentation to shipping. Instead, presenters prefer to hand-carry such documents to ensure the documents reach an intended meeting or exhibition. 
         [0003]    Each conference or professional organization has unique specifications on the size of documents for presentation. Moreover, the types of documents brought to a meeting or conference can be broad, which may include posters, blueprints, paintings, and exhibits. 
         [0004]    The current state of the art lacks a truly flexible apparatus or system for carrying these important objects in a rolled up condition. Presenters must rely upon prefabricated, rigid cylinders often purchased at a chain office supplies/stationary store. Being mass produced, these prefabricated containers only come in standardized sizes, with limited choices in length and diameter. Because the size of the cylinder is fixed, one has to improvise, cutting and taping multiple prefabricated tubes in order to fit large documents within one container. Consequently, the presenter must arrive at a professional meeting with a makeshift, unprofessional looking tube. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,656 issued on Nov. 10, 1992 to Brenner identifies a cylinder in a fixed size. U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,572 issued on Apr. 15, 1975 to Wiener, Jr. has the same limitations, such that the length of the container is fixed and unable to protect or transport documents that exceed the length of the container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,513 issued on Jul. 21, 1992 to Gossage identifies another container that has a fixed length or diameter. 
         [0006]    These prefabricated containers do not have built-in shoulder straps, making carrying or travelling with them, cumbersome, inconvenient, and not easily transportable. This problem is exaggerated by the need to carry additional material and products of interest received from vendors or presenters during a conference. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 632,167 issued in 1986 to Holmer exemplifies the difficulties to carry or transport storage containers. Holmer describes the use of a U-shaped locking member to attach the container to another structure. This limitation requires the user to not only carry the container but also another structure, increasing the weight and burden to carry the container. Because the overall size has increased, Holmer&#39;s design makes the carrying or traveling with the container more difficult, especially at a typical conference area with many people and limited space to maneuver. U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,351 issued on May 20, 1975 to James discloses a drawing case with a handle. However, the handle design limits a presenter&#39;s ability to use both hands to carry additional items or material received from vendors or colleagues during a conference. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, increasing cost and restriction on the number and size of luggage one can bring along in air travel, discourages “retreading” old materials and presentations by presenters. Prefabricated, rigid containers currently used to transport documents/conference materials often suffer the same fate and are discarded post-meeting to reduce airport luggage fees. Because the prefabricated containers eventually end up in the garbage post-conference, they are uneconomical, not environmentally friendly or green. 
         [0009]    There have been a number of devices used as cases to carry objects, and in particular there are some carrying apparatuses used exclusively to carry objects/documents in a rolled up condition. However, none of the inventions covered by the above patents provides for the flexibility to accommodate objects/documents rolled up into different sizes (length and thickness). This limits the utility of these previous inventions. The market continues to rely on prefabricated, rigid carton cylinders available at chain office supplies/stationary stores, which are of limited selections in range and size, typically disposable and non-reusable. From going to trade shows, conventions and the like, one can feel a significant, unmet need for a truly flexible, reusable travelling apparatus for carrying rolled up documents of different sizes (e.g., length or thickness). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention caters to this unmet need by providing such a versatile, flexible, reusable container to carry documents, from posters, drawings, blueprints, to paintings. This invention obviates the need to create makeshift containers by cutting and taping multiple prefabricated tubes in order to fit large documents, by utilizing fasteners such as zippers that can interconnect a flexible number of extensions to the top and bottom of the expendable carrying case, to create a container customized to the length and/or diameter of the object to be carried. Consequently, the container is a custom fit, protective carrier that can accommodate documents of various length or thickness. 
         [0011]    The container also provides an adjustable shoulder strap/sling to facilitate transport. This enables the presenter to have use of both hands while carrying the container on one&#39;s shoulder or back. This function is useful when the presenter needs to pick-up other materials, exhibits or food trays during the conference. 
         [0012]    As a truly flexible carrying apparatus/system, the flexible extensions may be collapsed or rolled-up into compact size after use for stowaway or air travel. This feature would appeal to the conference going population for being economical by avoiding additional airport luggage fees during the return trip. Furthermore, the population would appreciate the “green” or environmentally friendly nature in cutting down the use of disposable, prefabricated carton tubes. The economic value is further enhanced by eliminating the need to purchase disposable tubes again for subsequent conferences, exhibitions, or meetings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    This invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of example only, with reference to the respective accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an expandable carrying case identifying a cover, one or more pieces of flexible extension in a rolled-up configuration, and the elongated tubular member. A clip for attaching the adjustable shoulder strap/sling onto the cover is shown with its counterpart on the bottom of the elongated tubular member obscured. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are front perspective views of the same case in closed and open conditions, respectively. Opening and closing of the case is facilitated by zippers or similar fasteners. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are front perspective views of two flexible extensions of the same or variable length, depicted in a folded or ready-to-deploy configuration respectively. Zippers are provided at both ends of each tubular section for connection to other tubular extension sections, the cover, or elongated tubular member. A side zipper is also provided to make it easy to take the rolled objects out or store things inside the extension tube(s). 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a typical deployment of the carrying case. In this version, two flexible extensions variable in length to match the size (length and thickness) of the object/document to be carried, are interconnected with each other, the cover and elongated tubular member to form one protective container. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible extension  20  contains a pocket with a zipper  28  to provide additional storage space. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of another version of the case, comprising a single flexible extension as an example. In  FIG. 5A , the cover, flexible extension, and elongated tubular member are unconnected. In  FIG. 5B , the cover, flexible extension, and elongated tubular member are fastened together. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front views of a cover and elongated tubular member attached to five flexible extensions.  FIG. 6A  shows the flexible members aligned and in an unattached configuration.  FIG. 6B  shows the cover, elongated tubular member, and five flexible extensions attached to form a container useful for transporting posters, documents, and paintings. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of another version of the carrying case with all its components attached to form a container for documents. An adjustable shoulder strap/sling to facilitate the carrying or transport of the case is also shown. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the same version of the case as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the same version of the case as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the same version of the case as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the expandable carrying case, detailing the shoulder strap attached to the clip on the cover. In this version, a zipper is used as a fastener to attach a cover to one or more flexible extensions together. Also, a pocket and side zipper are attached to the flexible extension(s), providing additional storage capacity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings in which, as far as possible, like elements are designated by like numbers. 
         [0026]    Although every reasonable attempt has been made in the accompanying drawings to represent the various elements of the embodiments in relative scale, it is not always possible to do so with the limitations of two-dimensional paper. Accordingly, in order to properly represent the relationships among various features in the depicted embodiments and properly demonstrate the invention in a reasonably simplified fashion, it is necessary at times to deviate from absolute scale depiction in the attached drawings. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would fully appreciate and acknowledge any such scale deviations as not limiting the enablement of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a version of expandable carrying case of the present invention. The device may include a cover  10 , flexible extension  20 , and an elongated tubular member  30 . The cover  10  may be positioned on top of the tubular member  30 , forming an enclosed carrier suitable for storing a flexible extension  20 . In another preferred embodiment, one or more flexible extensions may be stored in the carrier. 
         [0028]    Depending on the desired application and number of documents that need to be carried or stored in the device, the diameter of the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  may vary. A diameter between 2 to 12 inches is expected to accommodate most documents or posters. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cover  10  and the elongated tubular member  30  is about 6 inches. 
         [0029]    The elongated tubular member  30  may vary in length depending on the desired method to store or transport the device. In a preferred embodiment, the user may store or transport the device in a suitcase, wherein a length of between 0.5 inches to 48 inches is suitable. In another preferred embodiment, the user may desire to carry the device on one&#39;s shoulder, back, or as a carry-on during air travel, where a version of the elongated tubular member  30  having a length of between 2 to 12 inches is more suitable. 
         [0030]    The cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  may be fabricated from any material or combination thereof to ensure suitable protection for the documents stored or carried inside the device. The material may include polymeric material (e.g., plastic, latex, rubber), ceramic material (e.g., glass, marble, quartz), metals (e.g., aluminum, gold, steel), textiles (e.g., cotton, nylon, polyester), or organic material (e.g., leather or the like). 
         [0031]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of a cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  stored in a closed carrier  100 . The cover  10  may be fastened to an elongated member  30 , wherein the content (e.g., one or more flexible extensions, documents, blueprints) is secured within the closed carrier  100 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2C  are front perspective views of an open carrier  90 . In  FIG. 2B , a first flexible extension  20  is stored in the open carrier  90 . In  FIG. 2C , a first flexible extension  20  and a second flexible extension  21  is stored in the open container  90 . The open carrier is capable of storing one or more flexible extensions. 
         [0033]    The types of possible fasteners  60  include, but are not limited to, zipper, button, clip, hinge, or latch. In another preferred embodiment, the cover  10  or elongated tubular member  30  contains a fastener in the form of treads for securing the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  together. 
         [0034]    To prevent unauthorized access to contents within the container, a lock may be installed to prevent unauthorized unfastening of the cover  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B , and  FIG. 2C  depict one or more flexible extensions  20  in a collapsed or rolled-up  25 , and stored-in configuration. One or more flexible extensions may be stored or transported within the space created by the cover  10  and tubular member  30 . Other items that may be stored in the case including a shoulder strap  50  (see  FIG. 6 ) to carry the device or a lock used to provide additional security. 
         [0036]    The flexible extension  20  may be fabricated from any material that is flexible and sturdy enough to protect the content. In a preferred embodiment, the material may comprise of one or more textile fabrics such as cotton, nylon, or polyester. In another preferred embodiment, the material may comprise of one or more organic material (e.g., leather or the like). In yet another preferred embodiment, the material may comprise of one or more polymeric material (e.g., plastic, latex, or rubber), ceramic material (e.g., glass, marble, quartz), or metals (e.g., aluminum, gold, steel). When a rigid material (e.g., marble) is used as a component of the flexible extension  20 , the rigid material should be configured in a manner (e.g., positioned, fragmented) to permit the flexible extension  20  to collapse or roll-up  25  into a dimension capable of being stored in the space between the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30 . The material creates a water resistant or waterproof barrier to protect an enclosed document from moisture. The textile fabric is also sufficiently thick and sturdy to resist wear and tear from shipping or transport of the device, enabling the reuse of the device, thereby making the device environmentally friendly or green. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are schematic representations of a flexible extension  20  in a folded and unfolded configuration, respectively. In a folded configuration, the flexible extension  20  is more compact, facilitating its storage and transport when not used to protect a document. For example, after a document is delivered, disposed of, or destroyed after a conference, the flexible extension  20  may be rolled-up  25  and transported in the enclosure formed by the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30 . The carrying case may be placed inside a carry-on luggage, thus reducing the number of luggage to be checked-in at airport. 
         [0038]    In an unfolded  26  configuration, the flexible extension  20  forms a tubular structure, creating an internal space with a similar diameter as the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30 . The overall diameter of the carrying case may be approximately the size of the document it is protecting. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a first flexible extension  20  and a second flexible extension  21  in an unattached configuration aligned with the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30 . One or more flexible extensions may be joined to enable a user to customize the total length of the carrying case. The cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  may join the top and bottom end of the flexible extension(s) to form an unattached container  70 , wherein the total length of the device is customized to suit the documents or the like to be transported. The flexible extension(s)  20  may be any length that is suitable for the transport of small or large documents. For example, the length of a flexible extension  20  may be 0.01 to 20 feet to accommodate small or large paintings or blueprints. In a preferred embodiment, a first flexible extension  20  is approximately 1.0 feet and a second flexible extension  21  is approximately 2.5 feet. When joined with the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30 , the total length of the container  80  is approximately 4 feet, resembling the width of a poster used in a scientific conference or meeting. To provide additional storage space, the flexible extension may contain a pocket with a fastener such as a zipper  28 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are side views of a cover  10 , flexible extension(s)  20 , and elongated tubular member  30  in an open and closed position, respectively. In a closed position, the cover  10 , flexible extension(s)  20 , and elongated tubular member  30  form a container  80 . The flexible extension  20  also contains fasteners  60 , so that a flexible extension  20  may join with one or more flexible extensions  20 , the cover  10 , or elongated tubular member  30 . In this embodiment, the flexible extension  20  contains a pocket with a zipper  28  to increase the storage capacity of the flexible extension  20 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are front views of an unattached container  70  and an attached container  80 , respectively. In this embodiment, five flexible extensions are attached together to accommodate a lengthy document. A cover  10  is attached to a first flexible extension  20 , which in turn is attached to a second flexible extension  21 , then to a third flexible extension  22 , fourth flexible extension  23 , and a fifth flexible extension  24 , which finally is attached to an elongated tubular member  30 . In another preferred embodiment, as many as ten flexible extensions are attached to accommodate a long document or painting. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of another version of an elongated carrying case in a closed configuration with a strap  50 . The strap  50  is attached to the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  to facilitate the transport of the container  80 . In a preferred embodiment, the strap  50  is temporarily attached to a clip  40  on the top end of the cover  10  and a similar one at the bottom end of the elongated tubular member  30 . In another preferred embodiment, the clip  40  is attached to the side wall of the cover  10  and elongate tubular member  30 . 
         [0043]    The length of the strap  50  is adjustable to accommodate different length or combination of the expandable carrying cases. Furthermore, the length of the strap  50  may accommodate different methods of transport, such as carrying the container  80  on one&#39;s back, wherein the strap  50  is lengthened. In another preferred embodiment, the strap  50  is shortened to facilitate transporting the case on one&#39;s shoulder. The strap  50  may be fixed to or removable from the cover  10  or elongated tubular member  30 . In yet another preferred embodiment, the strap  50  may be removed and stored with the collapsed flexible extension  20  in between the cover  10  and elongated tubular member  30  as seen in  FIG. 1 ,  2 A, or  2 B. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10  are respectively the front, side, and top view of the carrying case. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of a preferred embodiment of a cover  10  fastened to a flexible extension  20 . The cover  10  is joined to the flexible extension  20  by a zipper. While  FIG. 11  identifies a zipper as a type of fasteners, other fasteners may be used to join or fasten the cover, flexible extension(s), and elongated tubular member together. In another preferred embodiment, the cover  10 , flexible extension  20 , and elongated tubular member  30  may be joined by fasteners such as a clamp or gaskets to form a watertight seal. The purpose is to protect documents or paintings that are highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as moisture. 
         [0046]    In yet another preferred embodiment, a pocket  26  is attached to the flexible extension  20  to provide additional storage capacity. The pocket  26  may include a fastener  60  that opens and closes to secure the content within the pocket  26 . Fasteners  60  include those previously described, from zippers, buttons, Velcro, hooks, locks, to other similar devices that join two surfaces. 
         [0047]    In another preferred embodiment, the zipper may be secured by a lock to prevent unauthorized access to the content within the container  80 . The types of security measures include, but not limited to, combination locks, lock and key, link, tape, weld, or adhesive.