Abstract:
A compact, two-sided, lightweight, stretchable, tri-fold pouch for outdoor use. The fabric is waterproof on one side and soft on the other side. The pouch protects items placed inside the pouch as well as items packed adjacent the pouch. The waterproof fabric may be on the inside or the outside of the pouch. The pouch elasticity permits tight encapsulation of stowed items and the accommodation of large, rigid items. The pouch may be carried in pockets, worn with belts or straps through loops on the pouch, attached to other objects, or placed inside other containers.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/992,744 filed Dec. 6, 2007 by the same inventor. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to the field of bags, pouches, and wraps that can be used for carrying and protecting any transportable device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is an inexpensive apparatus that offers features not available in the prior art, specifically a light-weight, water-resistant, flexible means of protecting tools, parts, accessories, personal items, paper currency, credit cards, and electronic or other types of devices during transport. For example, the claimed pouch can protect a cell phone carried by a hiker or inner tubes and tools inside the bag typically attached to the seat of a bicycle. Any device, part, or accessory requiring protection from sweat, the elements, abrasion, or impact while being carried by a runner, hiker, bicyclist, equestrian, skier, policeman, or soldier, or otherwise being transported in a less than benign environment can benefit from the present invention. 
         [0004]    On a bicycle, unnecessary bulk increases wind resistance, prolonged storage of a spare inner tube promotes dessication of the tube resulting in dry rot, and abrasion on a spare inner tube can result in a puncture, thus rendering the tube incapable of holding air. Therefore, for compactness and protection, a tire inner tube must be kept tightly folded or rolled while being carried by a cyclist during a race or ride. Current art consists of bags having a vacuum seal or zipper closure. The present invention satisfies the needs described above by providing a means of compactly containing a folded or rolled inner tube and/or small tools and/or personal items in a small soft-sided pouch that fits comfortably in the bag typically used by cyclists for carrying gear on rides and races. The present invention pouch requires no vacuum seal or zipper. 
         [0005]    Participants in outdoor athletics and activities frequently need to carry equipment, clothing, and personal items. For this purpose there is a variety of disposable or reusable plastic, nylon, or other fabric bags and containers. Such stowed items include, but are not limited to, clothing, footwear, tools, electronic devices, medical supplies, camping supplies, ammunition, cameras, cash, and personal items. Many items either need to be inside a container offering protection from damage and ambient moisture, or they need to be protected from the spread of moisture from other items in their proximity such as wet clothing or a wet tent. There are few if any lightweight containers available for carrying wet, dirty, or sharp objects in a manner that protects adjacent gear. 
         [0006]    Carried items are often stowed in a fanny pack by runners, or in a backpack by hikers. For individuals including runners, walkers, and hikers, devices such as mp3 players, iPods, keys, cameras, cell phones, glucometers, and inhalers may be carried unprotected in pockets, hands, the manufacturer&#39;s case, a disposable plastic bag, or a variety of packs attached by waistbands, armbands, or wristbands. These carried devices have various shapes and sizes, and manufacturers do not routinely provide water-resistant, puncture-resistant, washable containers. These items are often exposed to sweat, rain, and dirt. 
         [0007]    Backpackers use a variety of fixed-size stuff sacks with drawcords and dust flaps and compression sacks made of ripstop nylon, silicon-impregnated nylon, or other waterproof fabrics for carrying clothing, bedding, and tents. The sacks for tents, tent poles, and stakes are generally not highly water resistant. There are also ditty bags with drawstrings made of various nylon mesh or silicon-coated ripstop fabrics to carry smaller articles. While these sacks can be somewhat protective, they can be penetrated by sharp objects, and stowed items can be abraded by rough objects rubbing against the sack exterior. Care of these existing sacks includes washing in low temperatures with a mild detergent and drying in air or with low heat. Dirt removal generally requires a spray cleaner. 
         [0008]    Bicyclists carry an assortment of supplies either in a jacket or jersey pocket, a seat wedge mounted underneath the bicycle seat, other packs attached to the bicycle, or in trailers pulled behind the bicycle. Inner tubes, tools needed for bicycle repair, and personal items such as identification, money, cell phones, mp3 players, iPods, and medical supplies are often carried in this manner. It is often important to protect these items from moisture, punctures, abrasion, and dirt in a minimum volume. Bicycle tubes are often carried in the manufacturer&#39;s cardboard box, a plastic bag, or totally unprotected in a loose coil in a seat wedge or jersey pocket. Bicycle tools are carried wrapped with an elastomeric band, as a set packed in a non-water-resistant fabric container, or loosely in a seat wedge. 
         [0009]    Bicyclists currently have no lightweight, reusable means of compactly storing and transporting bicycle inner tubes while protecting them from the two primary causes of inner tube failure, dry rot and punctures. Gabriel (U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,313) offers a vacuum sealed bag for inner tube stowage. For dirty, wet, or sharp gear, hikers and backpackers currently have no water-resistant, lightweight, reusable, compact, elastic storage means that can be machine washed and dried multiple times with no diminution of the fabric characteristics. The current art also lacks soft, lightweight, water-resistant bags or pouches for carrying of electronic devices, medical devices, or tools that vary greatly in size and shape. Current art includes utility pockets sewn into jackets and shirts, but few, if any, are water resistant. Berry (U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,792) offers a convenience carrier for cable ties, but it has none of the present invention features. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a stowage pouch lacking the deficiencies of the prior art. It permits outdoor use and is durable, reusable, flexible, lightweight, and adaptable for a variety of uses. It provides protection from moisture, scratches, punctures, and dirt while minimizing volume and permitting the stowage of multiple items. It also provides easy retrieval of stowed items. The pouch can be washed and dried multiple times with no special care and no degradation of its elastic and waterproof features. 
         [0011]    The invention is a tri-fold protective pouch that is a durable, washable, water resistant, lightweight, puncture resistant and abrasion-resistant stowage device. In each case the top flap of the tri-fold pouch extends at least one-half or more of the way over the inner flap of the pouch. The pouch may be carried in pockets, worn with belts or straps through loops on the pouch, attached to other objects, or placed inside other containers. 
         [0012]    The tri-fold pouch with a single opening is fabricated from a stretchable, washable, single piece of material that has a waterproof side and a soft synthetic fabric side. The pouch construction and stretch of the fabric allow the opening and pouch inner pocket to accept compressible objects that are larger than the un-stretched pouch. When the pouch is closed these items are compressed to a more compact size. The size of each pouch, the orientation of the waterproof and soft synthetic fabric as either interior or exterior, and the location of the opening will vary depending of the preferential use of the pouch. 
         [0013]    The fabric elasticity, and in some cases the addition of elastic bands in the pouch seams makes it possible to stretch the pouch opening to accommodate an item that is larger than the unstretched pouch. The pouch design and fabric elasticity allow a top flap to be folded over the pouch contents and to wrap tightly around the item in the pouch, holding it securely in place. The top flap may be secured to the inner flap with a hook and loop fabric, snaps, buttons, or similar fasteners. The tightly fitting top flap often makes additional closure unnecessary. 
         [0014]    The tri-fold design of the pouch offers enhanced protection on the side featuring two layers. This will be especially valuable when items are tightly packed and when metal tools or other items with sharp edges are packed. The elastic pouch fabric permits stowage of items of many different sizes, and the puncture-resistant fabric permits stowage of items with rough or pointed features. 
         [0015]    Using a fabric that is waterproof on one side and soft on the other side permits user discretion regarding the orientation of the waterproof and soft sides. For usage where it is desirable to keep moisture within the pouch, the pouch can be manufactured so that its interior surface is waterproof. For usage where it is desirable to keep moisture out of the pouch, the pouch can be manufactured so that its exterior surface is waterproof. The pouch can also be manufactured with decorative piping in a version that is reversible at the user&#39;s discretion. 
         [0016]    The preferred embodiment of the pouch offers cyclists currently unavailable stowage capability as an inner tube and tool pouch. There are two major problems with the stowage of inner tubes. The first is the development of dry rot due to moisture loss over time. The present invention pouch is made with the waterproof fabric on the inside to prevent moisture loss, thus preventing inner tube dry rot. Second, the abrasion and puncture resistant pouch material alleviates the common problem of abrasions and punctures resulting from inner tube stowage in a seat wedge tightly packed with tools. 
         [0017]    Another problem with bicycle inner tubes is their wide variety of sizes and thicknesses. Due to the stretch of the fabric and the method of construction, the pouch can easily accommodate many different varieties of inner tubes. 
         [0018]    When a bicyclist changes an inner tube, the discarded tube needs to be carried on the person or bicycle until it can be repaired or properly disposed. The present invention pouch provides a means to carry the often dirty tube in a compact, clean, and reusable manner. 
         [0019]    A larger version of the same pouch that works well for cyclists serves the backpacker&#39;s and camper&#39;s need for stowage of sharp, wet, or dirty gear. Such items include but are not limited to tarps, tents, rainflies, clothing, footwear, shovels, saws, tent poles, and stakes. Pouches constructed with the waterproof fabric on the inside can be used to stow such articles, thus protecting other adjacently-packed gear. 
         [0020]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pouch in which the outer fabric is waterproof and the inner fabric is soft. It can be used for electronic or otherwise sensitive equipment such as cell phones, PDAs, mp3 players, iPods, glucometers, or inhalers. This pouch embodiment can also stow medications, tools, and personal items such as identification, keys, money, contact information, and credit cards. 
         [0021]    Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pouch in which the top flap has a wide mouth opening lined with an elastic band. The band permits the top flap to stretch even more widely than the limit of the elastic pouch fabric, thereby permitting accommodation of a large object and subsequent tight closure. 
         [0022]    Another alternate pouch embodiment includes belt loops attached to the pouch. The loops make possible the attachment of the pouch to a belt or strap, a feature particularly useful for electronic and personal items that need protection from moisture, easy access, and hands-free carrying. 
         [0023]    Another pouch embodiment uses a hook and loop fastening fabric or webbing and buckles to secure the leading edge of the top flap. 
         [0024]    Another pouch embodiment incorporates an extension of the fabric extending down from the inside flap. This extension of fabric can be rolled up over the leading edge of the top flap so that it leaves the leading edge of the top flap flat and unfolded. With hook and loop fabric located on the extension and on the outside of the top flap near the leading edge and parallel to the pouch opening, the pouch can be securely sealed. The pouch can also be held in this shape by sewing either hook and loop fabric or webbing and buckles to the extension and then wrapping them around the body of the pouch perpendicular to the pouch opening. 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the present invention pouch can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes. The pouches can all be constructed with the waterproof fabric facing the 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a planar view of the exterior (visible) side of an unassembled preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 2-5  illustrate intermediate steps in the assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows the completed preferred embodiment of the present invention in its expanded configuration. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate intermediate steps in the assembly of one alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10-13  show alternate embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The present invention is made of any elastic planar material, such as cloth, plastic, or leather, having at least one of its two sides fluid-resistant, which includes fluid-proof material. The preferred material is a fluid-proof medical fabric (Tek Stretch) available from Eastex Products, Inc. of Holbrook, Mass. Tek Stretch is comprised of one layer each of polyurethane and polyester. 
         [0032]    Terms used in the application claims and description are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words and phrases are to be interpreted as they are preferentially defined in commonly accepted English language dictionaries, handbooks, textbooks, and treatises except where defined herein. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the customary usage of grammar and the English language, except for “a” and “an” which can mean “at least one.” 
         [0033]    In the application claims and description any reference to sewing or stitching will be construed to mean any means of joining two or more layers of material including, but not limited to, needle and thread, adhesive, heat bonding, and ultrasonic bonding. “Stitching” can mean “piping.” 
         [0034]    In the application claims and description “carrier” includes, but is not limited to, a person, animal, boat, airplane, motor vehicle, bicycle, or motorcycle. 
         [0035]    In the application claims and description the surface of the material that is to constitute the exterior, or visible, part of the pouch will be referred to as the Right side, and the opposite surface will be referred to as the Wrong side. In all accompanying drawings, the Right side will be designated with cross-hatching, and the Wrong side will be plain. For a material with one side water-resistant or water-proof and the opposite side not water-resistant or water-proof, determination of which side is the Right side is a matter of marketing preference; the pouch can be made in either configuration. Construction of the preferred embodiment is accomplished as follows: 
         [0036]    Considering the desired finished pouch to be substantially rectangular with its width dimension being greater than its height dimension, cut a flared rectangle  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) of pouch material so that edge  10  is approximately one inch longer than the desired pouch width to allow for subsequent trimming. The overall length of flared rectangle  100  equals three times the desired pouch height plus twice the desired hem width of ½ to ⅝ inch. The flared portion of flared rectangle  100  constitutes approximately ⅓ the overall length of flared rectangle  100 . 
         [0037]    Lay flared rectangle  100  on a flat work surface so that its Right side (cross-hatched) is visible as in  FIG. 1 . Fold edges  10  and  12  under ½ to ⅝ inches and hem with stitching  11  and  13 , including an elastic band inside hemmed edge  12 . 
         [0038]    Using pins or other temporary fastening means, gather (compress into accordion folds) the two flared portions of flared rectangle  100  along both ends of the elastic in edge  12  so that  100  assumes a substantially rectangular shape. Fold gathered edge  12  inward about fold  15  so that part of the Wrong side is exposed as in  FIG. 2 . The ultimate pouch depth is determined by the amount of the Wrong side that is turned over and exposed. Fold edge  10  inward about fold  16  toward the rectangle center so that it covers all or part of the first fold as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]    Close both side openings with stitching  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . With excess material trimmed from the pouch ends outside of stitches  14 , the pouch is complete except that its Wrong side is on the exterior and its Right side is on the interior. The final step in pouch construction is to turn it inside-out. Turning the pouch completely inside-out so that the pouch exterior is comprised only of Right-side material requires two inside-out procedures. Turn the pouch as configured in  FIG. 4  inside-out, resulting in the pouch of  FIG. 5  with edge  12  and fold  16  adjacent each other, and edge  10  and fold  15  adjacent each other. Turn the pouch as configured in  FIG. 5  inside-out, resulting in the pouch of  FIG. 6  having only Right-side material showing on the pouch exterior. Right-side material is also visible on the portion of the pouch extending inward from edge  16 . Hemmed edge  12  (containing the elastic band) and fold  16  now form the pouch opening. Hemmed edge  10 , inside and at or near the bottom of the pouch, is not visible in  FIG. 6 . The fabric elasticity, combined with the stretch of the elastic band in edge  12 , permits the pouch opening to accommodate rigid articles that are larger than the unstretched opening. 
         [0040]    An alternate embodiment of the pouch shown in  FIG. 6  further comprises attachment means (not shown) incorporated on and along the pouch opening perimeter (edge  12  and fold  16 ). Such means include, but are not limited to, hook and loop, button and button holes, snaps, drawstring, and zipper. Such means also includes a flap or strap extending from edge  12  and/or fold  16 . 
         [0041]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . Considering the desired finished pouch to be substantially rectangular with its width dimension being greater than its height dimension, cut a non-flared rectangle  200  (see  FIG. 7 ) of pouch material so that edges  20  and  22  are approximately one inch longer than the desired pouch width to allow for subsequent trimming. The overall length of rectangle  200  equals three times the desired pouch height plus twice the desired hem width of ½ to ⅝ inch. 
         [0042]    Lay rectangle  200  on a flat work surface so that its Right side (cross-hatched) is visible as in  FIG. 7 . Fold edges  20  and  22  under ½ to ⅝ inches and hem with stitching  21  and  23 . 
         [0043]    Fold edge  20  inward about fold  15  toward the center of rectangle  200  so that part of the Wrong side is exposed as in  FIG. 7 . The ultimate pouch depth is determined by the amount of the Wrong side that is turned over and exposed. Fold edge  22  inward so that it covers all or part of the first fold as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0044]    Stretch the ends of edge  20  parallel to its length as in  FIG. 8 . While stretching edge  20 , close both side openings with stitches  24  as shown in  FIG. 8 . With excess material trimmed from the pouch ends outside of stitches  24 , the pouch is complete except that its Wrong side is on the exterior and its Right side is on the interior. The final step in pouch construction is to turn it completely inside-out twice, as described with respect to pouch  100 , so that Right-side material is exposed and hemmed edge  20  forms one side of the pouch opening. The pre-stretched condition of edge  20  facilitates its snug capture of stowed articles. 
         [0045]    Alternate embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Loop  30 , attached at both of its ends to pouch  300 , is used with a belt or strap for hands-free transport on a carrier. If loop  30  is constructed of a rigid material and attached to the pouch by only one end, it can be hooked over a belt for quick attachment and detachment. For similar hands-free transport, strap  40  can be attached to pouch  400  with stitching  41  or other attachment means. Strap  40  can be fitted with hook and loop, snap, buckle, or similar fasteners  42 . 
         [0046]    Other alternate embodiments of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Pouches  500  and  600  are constructed in the same manner as pouch  100  or  300  ( FIG. 6  or  FIG. 10 ) with or without gathering or pre-stretching. Additional material in the top layer of material folded about fold  16  (as in  FIG. 3 ) results in the creation of central flap  50  terminated with hemmed edge  10  that, depending on its length, can be wrapped around pouch  500  or fastened with any number of available fastening means. The Wrong side of flap  50  faces the Wrong side of the pouch topped with edge  12 . The Right side of flap  50  faces the Right side of the part of the pouch hidden from view in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0047]    Therefore, the embodiment of  FIG. 12  provides a dual pouch. On one side of flap  50  is a pocket of Right-side material, and on the other side of the flap is a pocket of Wrong-side material. The flap may be used to close either pocket at the user&#39;s discretion. Flap  50  can also be a narrow strip of material that can be wrapped around pouch  500  for closure. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  shows pouch  600  that is slightly different from pouch  500 . Flap  50  is folded and hemmed with stitching  25  so that both of its exposed faces are Right side material. If the pouch construction process began with a different orientation of the material, both faces of flap  50  would be Wrong side material. 
         [0049]    It will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the relevant art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention provides a means of protecting tools, parts, accessories, personal items, paper currency, credit cards, and electronic or other types of devices during transport inside, for example, the bag typically attached to the seat or some other part of a bicycle. It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described in the detailed description and the drawings is to be taken merely as the currently preferred embodiment, and that the invention is limited only by the language of the claims. The drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed or any particular use. While the present invention has been described in terms of one preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that form and detail modifications can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, one embodiment could be a pouch constructed completely or partially of a transparent material for easy viewing of the contents that may or may not pertain to cycling.