Patent Publication Number: US-11044977-B1

Title: Carry item system for retaining several carry items together

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 15/938,804, filed Mar. 28, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,849,399, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to luggage and personal items used to carry possessions, and, more particularly, relates to a system for magnetically coupling items together for ease of carrying. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People have a need for carrying personal items and find it convenient to use containers, luggage, bags, purses, folios, boxes, and other such carry items or containers with which to carry their items. It is not uncommon for a person to have more than that one such carry item, and often more than two carry items. For example, a person can carry a gym bag, a lunch box, a business folio, and a tablet computer sleeve when leaving home. Many carry items exist for each of these different purposes, separately, making carrying all of them together somewhat difficult. Carry systems exist where separate carry items can be fastened together such as by snaps, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, straps, and so on. The use of such fastening systems requires the addition of fastening components on the outside of carry items, which can detract from the design of the carry items. Accordingly, it is desirable to minimize the presence of such fasteners on carry items. 
     At the same time, it is well known to use magnets to hold things together. Magnets are commonly used in carry items for various purposes. One of the more common purposes is for closures where, for example, a magnet is placed inside the edge of a flap, hidden, so that it mates with a corresponding magnet or ferrous element hidden inside another portion of the carry item so as to magnetically retain the flap in a closed position. While the flap magnet is sufficient to hold the flap closed, it does not provide a sufficient retention force to hold carry items together. Particularly when there are more than two carry items being carried together. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a carry item system for retaining several carry items together that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that are used to carry personal effects and other things where it is desired to keep the contents of the various carry items separate. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with some embodiments, a carry item retention system for retaining carry items together which includes at least three carry items, with each carry items including a first end carry item having a first side and a second side. The first side is configured to magnetically couple to another of the at least three carry items. The carry items can further include an intermediate carry item having a first side and a second side, the second side being configured to magnetically couple to the first side of the first end carry item, The carry items can further include a second end carry item having a first side and a second side, the second side being configured to magnetically couple to the first side of the intermediate carry item. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the first side of the of the first end carry item includes a plurality of magnets disposed at different locations inside a wall of the first side of the first end carry item. The first side of the intermediate carry item includes a plurality of magnets disposed at different locations inside a wall of the first side of the intermediate carry item. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the second side of the intermediate carry item includes at least one ferrous metal element configured to correspond with the different locations of the plurality of magnets in the wall of the first side of the first end carry item. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item are all commonly oriented with respect to a magnetic polarity of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item. The plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the intermediate carry item are all commonly oriented with respect to a magnetic polarity of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the intermediate carry item, and further with respect to the magnetic polarity of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item are all commonly oriented with respect to a magnetic polarity of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item. The second side of the intermediate carry item includes a plurality of magnets disposed inside a wall of the second side of the intermediate carry item at a location corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first end carry item. The plurality of magnets inside the wall of the second side of the intermediate carry item are all commonly oriented oppositely with respect to the magnetic polarity of the plurality of magnets inside the wall of the first side of the first carry item when the first side of the first end carry item is facing the second side of the intermediate carry item. 
     the plurality of magnets in the wall of the first side of the first end carry item includes at least four magnets, where each one of the four magnets are disposed in a respective corner of the first side. 
     the plurality of magnets are disposed in a stiffener disposed inside the wall of the first side of the first end carry item. 
     In accordance with some embodiments there is provided a container carry system for carrying containers together that includes a plurality of containers, including a first container and a second container. The first container and the second container each having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The containers further include magnetic coupling elements disposed in the first side and the second side of each of the first container and second container. The magnetic coupling elements are arranged such that the first side of first container will magnetically couple to the second side of the second container, and not the first side of the second container, when the first and second containers are physically aligned. The magnetic coupling elements are further arranged such that the second side of first container will magnetically couple to the first side of the second container, and not the second side of the first container, when the first and second containers are physically aligned. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements in the first sides of the first and second container include at least one magnet having a first polarity orientation and no other magnets. The magnetic coupling elements in the second sides of the first and second container include at least one magnet having a second polarity orientation that is opposite the first polarity orientation, and no other magnets. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements in the first sides of the first and second container include at least one magnet. The magnetic coupling elements in the second sides of the first and second container include ferrous metal elements and no magnets. 
     In accordance with some embodiments further includes a carrier in which the magnetic coupling elements are disposed, which fits in the respective side of the first and second containers. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements are concealed with the first and second sides of the first and second containers. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements in the first side of each of the first and second containers includes at least four magnets, where each one of the at least four magnets are disposed in a respective corner of the first side. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the first and second containers each have a front and a back, wherein a design is disposed across at least one of the front or back of both the first and second containers, and wherein the magnetic coupling elements are configured to couple together when a design portion of the first container is aligned with a design portion on the second container. 
     In accordance with some embodiments there is provided a container system that includes a plurality of containers, including a first container and a second container, the first container and the second container each having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The containers further include magnets disposed in the first side of each of the first container and second container, and magnetic coupling elements disposed in the second side of each of the first container and the second container that are arranged to correspond with positions of the magnets disposed in the first sides of the first and second containers when the first and second containers are aligned together for carrying. The magnetic coupling elements in the second sides of the first and second containers is one of a ferrous metal element or a magnet. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements include at least one magnet having an opposite polarity to a corresponding magnet of the first side. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnets and the magnetic coupling elements are concealed within the respective sides of the first and second containers. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the first and second containers each have a front and a back, wherein a design is disposed across at least one of the front or back of both the first and second containers, and wherein the magnets and magnetic coupling elements are configured to couple together when a design portion of the first container is aligned with a design portion on the second container. 
     In accordance with some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements of the second side of the first and second containers are magnets having an opposite polarity to corresponding magnets on the first sides of the first and second containers. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a carry item retention system, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. 
     “In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, azimuth or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “back”, “head”, “tail” and so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on the drawings, which are only to facilitate description of the embodiments of the present invention and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must have a specific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the specific azimuth, which thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. 
     In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as “installed”, “coupled”, “connected” should be broadly interpreted, for example, it may be fixedly connected, or may be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it may be mechanically connected, or may be electrically connected; it may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carry item system including several carry items that magnetically couple to each other to be retained together, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of a carry item having magnets disposed on a side of the carry item to magnetically couple to another carry item of a carry item retention system, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is an end perspective view of a carry item showing how a carrier including a plurality of magnets is placed in the wall of a side of a carry item, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4 . shows end views of two carry items having magnets of opposite polarities which become aligned when the carry items are placed together, end to end, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side cutaway view of a carry item having magnets disposed at each of two opposing ends of the carry item, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of two carry items of a carry item system which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of a carry item having a plurality of magnetic coupling elements disposed therein, in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  shows a view of two carry items magnetically coupled together such that an orientation of the items with respect to each other is enforced so that a design that spans the carry items is properly arranged; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of two carry items of a carry item system which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of two carry items of a carry item system which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient carry item retention system Embodiments of the invention provide a system of related carry items that couple together magnetically. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a carry item system where the magnetic attraction created between carry items can be configured to enforce a particular orientation or order of the carry items, relative to each other. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , some embodiments of the present invention are shown in a perspective view of a carry item system  100  including several carry items that magnetically couple to each other at respective major exterior surfaces, to be retained together. In general each carry item is a container in which items are placed to be kept together and carried together, and which are best kept separate from items in other containers. For example, a person would not normally carry food (e.g. a lunch) in a container used to carry exercise apparel. Each carry item has sides in which magnetic coupling elements can be disposed. In the system, some carry items are designed to be at an end of a series of magnetically coupled carry items, and only require magnetic coupling elements on one side. Other carry items can have magnetic coupling elements on two opposing sides. The magnetic coupling elements can be magnets, or ferrous metal elements that are positioned in one carry item to mate with magnets in another carry item. On these intermediate carry items an orientation can be enforced by orienting the magnets on the sides such that the magnets repel in an incorrect orientation relative to another carry item, while the magnets on an opposite side are oriented to attract. 
     In the system  100  exemplified in  FIG. 1 , there is a first end carry item  102 , a first intermediate carry item  104 , a second intermediate carry item  106 , and a second end carry item  110 . The first and second end carry items  102 ,  110  are intended to go on respective ends of the series of carry items when coupled together. First end carry item  102  can be, for example, an exercise/athletic bag in which apparel and other related equipment can be carried. The first end carry item  102  can include a strap or handle  103  on the top 105 of the item  102 . The first intermediate carry item  104  can be, for example, a food container (e.g. “lunch box”). The second intermediate carry item  106  can be a folio for carrying papers, documents, supplies, or items such as a book  108 . The second end item  110  can be a sheath or sleeve for a tablet or similar computing device  112 . The carry items  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  110  can be arranged horizontally as shown, and moved into proximity against each other, as indicated by arrows  114 ,  116 ,  118 , where magnetic attraction between the carry items  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  110  acts to retain them together. The magnetic attraction is created by the arrangement of magnetic coupling elements or components at the side(s) of the carry items that attract each other together when placed in proximity to each other. Once so arranged and coupled together, they can be carried substantially as a unit. In some embodiments a strap can be used to further hold the carry items  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  110  together and allow them to be carried by a user. 
     The carry items each have at least two opposing sides: first end carry item  102  has first side  120  and second side  122 ; first intermediate carry item  104  has a first side  126  and a second side  124  second intermediate carry item  106  has a first side  130  and a second side  128 ; and second end item  110  has a first side  134  and a second side  132 . The first and second sides of each carry item are, generally, vertical sides. In general, on the sides that couple together, the first side of one carry item couples to the second side of another carry item. The carry items can each be made with various external materials. For example, the external material can be woven nylon, cloth, or rigid polymeric materials, to name a few examples. In some embodiments the carry items can be configured to be joined together further with a carry strap that allows a user to carry the magnetically coupled carry items together. The strap can, for example, pass through an eyelet or join to a clip, or similar structure in each carry item. 
       FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of a carry item having magnets disposed on a side of the carry item to magnetically couple to another carry item of a carry item retention system, in accordance with some embodiments. In particular  FIG. 2  shows first end carry item  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . On the first side  120  there are a plurality of magnets  200 - 208  disposed inside the wall of the side. The magnets can be mounted in a variety of ways, including being sewn into the fabric of the first side (e.g. captured within stiches), glued in place, held by a carrier, and so on. The magnets  200 - 208  can be concealed with the sidewall of their respective carry item, or exposed at the outside surface of their respective carry item. In the particular example shown the first side  120  include 4 magnets disposed at respective corners of the first side  120 , which is square or rectangular. The magnets  200 - 208  can be of a size and type sufficient to retain the first end carry item  102  together with first intermediate carry item  104 , and other carry items. The magnets  200 - 208  become attracted to a corresponding structure in the second side of another carry item, such as first intermediate carry item  104 . This arrangement can be duplicated among the other carry items in the system. The configuration and/or number of magnets can vary as well. 
       FIG. 3  is an end perspective view of a carry item showing how a carrier including a plurality of magnets can be placed in the wall of a side of a carry item, in accordance with some embodiments. In this example the first carry item  102  has space  304  in the first side  120  in which a carrier  300  including magnets  200 - 208  can be placed and secured, as indicated by arrow  302 . The space  304  can be, for example, between an interior and an exterior portion or fabric forming a wall at the first side  120 . The carrier  300  can be made of a non-ferrous material, such as a polymeric or paper-based material in which the magnets  200 - 208  are affixed, such as by an adhesive. By placing the magnets  200 - 208  within the wall of the side  120 , they can be hidden from view. 
       FIG. 4 . shows end views of a system  400  including two carry items  402 ,  404  having magnets of opposite polarities which become aligned when the carry items are placed together, end to end, in accordance with some embodiments. Carry item  402  includes magnets  406 - 412 , and carry item  404  includes magnets  414 - 420 . The magnets  406 - 420  are shown exposed in the respective sides of the carry items  402 ,  404  but can be hidden from view, as in  FIG. 3 . The magnets  406 - 412  of carry item  402  can be arranged with respect to their magnetic polarity such that their north pole is facing outwards from the carry item  402 . Likewise, in carry item  404 , magnets  414 - 420  can be oriented such that their south pole is facing outwards. Furthermore, magnets  406 - 412  and  414 - 420  can be arranged such that when the sides of the carry items  402 ,  404  shown are moved together, each one of the magnets  406 - 420  correspond in location/position, respectively, with one of the magnets  414 - 420 , and the magnetic attraction would retain the two carry items  402 ,  404  together. For example, if the carry items  402 ,  404  were each swiveled about their vertical edges closest to each other, with the outer edges coming out of the page, magnet  406  would align with magnet  418 , magnet  410  would align with magnet  414 , and so on. The polarity of the magnets can be used to enforce an orientation of the carry items  402 ,  404  with respect to each other. For example, if carry item  402  has magnets in a side opposite the one in view here, where magnets  406 - 412  are located, located in the same positions, but with their south pole facing outwards, then that other side would not be retained with the side of carry item  404  in view here as the south pole polarities of the magnets would repel each other. It will be appreciated that, while the magnetic coupling elements shown here appear to be visible, they can also be concealed behind a layer of fabric or other material. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side cutaway view of a carry item  500  having magnets disposed at each of two opposing ends of the carry item, in accordance with some embodiments. The carry item  500  can represent one of the intermediate carry items such as  104 ,  106  of  FIG. 1 , and includes a first side  502 , and a second side  504 . The carry item  500  has an interior volume  503  in which items can be placed to be carried together. The first side  502  can have several magnets  506 ,  508  which have their north poles facing outward. The second side  504  can likewise have several magnets  510 ,  512  that are oriented with their south poles facing outward. Thus, the first side  502  will only be attracted to, and retained with, the side of another carry item having magnets located in the same relative positions of magnets  506 ,  508  with their south poles facing outwards. By arranging the magnets in the several carry items, as shown here, a desired orientation can be enforced so that, for example, an exterior ornamental design can be maintained. For example, the exterior ornamental design can include a logo or tradename that spans the exposed sides of the several carry items when retained together, so that the design is complete when the several carry items are placed together in a correct orientation. Further, in addition to the polarity of the magnets being used to enforce an orientation of the individual carry items with respect to each other, the positions of the magnets can be varied to create unique magnetic interfaces between particular sides of carry items to also enforce an order of the carry items with respect to each other. Thus, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , one positioning of magnets can be to locate four magnets such that there is one in each corner of the side of a carry time. But at an opposite side of the carry item, the magnets can be located at middle of each edge of the side, rather than in the corners. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of two carry items  602 ,  610  of a carry item system  600  which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments. The system  600  uses a ferrous metal element rather than magnets at one side of a carry item for magnetic coupling. The use of the ferrous metal element can reduce the cost of producing a carry item system, in some embodiments. The first carry item  604  has a first side  604  at which there are several magnets  606 ,  608  disposed. The magnets  606 ,  608  are arranged to magnetically couple with a ferrous metal element  612  provided at a second side of a second carry item  610 . When the first side  604  of the first carry item  602  is placed in magnetic proximity to the second side of the second carry item  610 , a magnetic attraction  614  occurs between the magnets  604 ,  608  and the ferrous metal element  612  with a force sufficient to retain the first and second carry items  602 ,  610  together. The ferrous metal element  612  can be a unitary element that substantially spans the height and width of the side of the carry item  610 , or it can include several individual ferrous metal elements disposed in correspondence with the locations of magnets  606 ,  608 . Similarly, the second carry item  610  can have magnets  616 ,  618  at its first/left side to create a magnetic attraction  620  with another carry item, either with other magnets or another ferrous metal element. In some carry items, such as those that are intended to be on an end of a series of carry items, the carry item may have only one side that has either magnets or a ferrous metal element. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side view of a carry item  700  having a plurality of magnetic coupling elements disposed therein, in accordance with some embodiments. The magnetic coupling elements can include rectangular elements  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708  that are arranged on the sides, rather than in the corners, of the side  710  of the carry item  700 . It is contemplated that various arrangements of magnets, polarity orientations, and ferrous metal elements can be arranged in various combinations on the sides. It will be appreciated that, while the magnetic coupling elements shown here appear to be visible, they can also be concealed behind a layer of fabric or other material. 
       FIG. 8  shows a view  800  of two carry items  802 ,  804  magnetically coupled together such that an orientation of the items with respect to each other is enforced so that a design that spans the carry items is properly arranged. The two carry items  802 ,  804  are coupled together at corresponding sides  806 ,  808 . A design, such as a logo, image, text, or similar indicia can be arranged across the front or back, or both, of the carry items. A first portion  810  being shown on carry item  802  and a second portion  812  being shown in carry item  804 . If one of the carry items were reversed, then the design portions  810 ,  812  would not align. Thus, by arrangement the magnetic coupling elements at the sides  806 ,  808  to enforce a particular orientation, or order of arrangement, the design portions  810 ,  812  will appear properly arranged. 
       FIG. 9  shows a side view of two carry items  902 ,  904  of a carry item system  900  which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, the second side of carry item  902  and the first side of carry item  904  are shown. The system  900  shows an alternative way to arrange magnetic coupling elements to enforce an orientation of carry items with respect to each other. On carry item  902  and ferrous metal element  906  is disposed near the top of the side, and two magnets  910  are arranged in the lower left and right corners. The ferrous metal element  906  corresponds with the location of two magnets  908  of the second carry item  904  when the sides shown here are placed together. Likewise, a ferrous metal element  912  corresponds with, and magnetically couples to, magnets  910  when the sides shown are coupled together. In general, when additional carry items are included in the system  900 , they can be configured so that every carry item has one side including magnetic coupling elements as arranged as shown here on the side of carry item  902 , and an opposing side having magnetic coupling elements arranged as shown on the side of carry item  904 . The magnets  908 ,  910  can be arranged with respect to their polarity so that if two sides having the same arrangement are put together, they will repel, rather than attract. And of course, there will be no magnetic attraction between two ferrous metal elements placed together. It will be appreciated that, while the magnetic coupling elements shown here appear to be visible, they can also be concealed behind a layer of fabric or other material. 
       FIG. 10  likewise shows a side view of two carry items  1002 ,  1004  of a carry item system  1000  which can be magnetically coupled to each other for carrying by a user, in accordance with some embodiments. Carry item  1002  includes magnets  1006 - 1012 , arranged with different polarities. Magnets  1006  and  1008  are oriented with the south poles outwards, and magnets  1010 ,  1012  are oriented with their north pole outwards. Similarly, the magnets  1014 - 1020  on the second carry item  1004  are arranged with the top magnets  1014 ,  1016  oriented with the north poles outward, and the lower magnets  1018 ,  1020  are oriented with the south poles oriented outward. Accordingly, the sides shown in this view of system  1000  will magnetically couple when placed together. However, two sides arranged as shown in carry item  1002 , or two sides arranged as shown on carry item  1004 , will not properly couple together, magnetically, because of the common orientation of the magnets at the corresponding locations. Similarly, rather than commonly orienting the polarity of magnets at the top and at the bottom, magnets at the left and right sides can be commonly oriented with respect to their magnetic polarity to enforce a proper orientation of the carry items with respect to each other. It will be appreciated that, while the magnetic coupling elements shown here appear to be visible, they can also be concealed behind a layer of fabric or other material. 
     In accordance with inventive carry item retention system there is disclosed a system include multiple carry items that can magnetically couple to each other. The carry items have magnets provided on at least one magnetically attractive elements, either magnets or a ferrous metal element, disposed on at least one side of the carry item. Some carry items can be designed to be arranged on an end of the series of carry items when the carry items are placed and coupled together. Thus, the carry item system disclosed herein solves the problem of carrying multiple carry items together by coupling them together magnetically, which greatly reduces the difficulty of carrying multiple carry items. Carry items systems can be configured such that there are just two carry items in the system that magnetically couple together, or more than two carry items that magnetically couple together. In some embodiments the carry item systems can have their magnetic couple elements arranged to enforce an orientation of the carry items with respect to each other, and in some embodiments the magnetic coupling elements can be arranged so that the carry items magnetically couple together without regard to orientation of the carry items with respect to each other.