Patent Publication Number: US-2005133399-A1

Title: Backpack with insulated beverage pocket

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to backpacks, and, in particular, to backpacks having an insulated beverage pocket.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Backpacks for carrying items such as books, clothing, and other personal items are well known. Backpacks typically comprise a large central compartment into which the items are placed. Additional compartments may also be provided to separate items within the backpack, and external pockets may be provided to provide additional storage. The backpack is typically outfitted with a pair of shoulder straps, and may also have a hip strap, each of which are attached to the backpack and are used by the wearer to carry the backpack.  
      It is often desirable for user&#39;s of a backpack to carry beverages within the backpack, especially when the user is engaged in strenuous activities, such as hiking, climbing, skateboarding, etc. Having water or another beverage available helps the user avoid dehydration, and having the beverage in the backpack provides a convenience for the user.  
      European Patent No. 0 541 032 to Kullmann discloses a backpack having a receptacle compartment in a lower portion of the backpack. The receptacle compartment is accessed from a side of the backpack. The receptacle compartment is strengthened by a stiffening unit, such as a plastic tube, or a braided metal or plastic cylinder. The stiffening unit is intended to prevent other objects that are located in the backpack from compressing the receptacle compartment. Kullman is limiting in that whether or not the receptacle compartment is housing a beverage, the compartment still occupies the same amount of space in the backpack, which is highly inefficient. Additionally, the receptacle compartment provides no insulative properties for the beverage held in the compartment.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,045 to Hodosh et al. discloses an insulated container having a receptacle positioned in a top or side of the container. A partially opened container may be housed in the receptacle and kept warm or cold by being exposed to a thermal energy storage medium, such as ice or a heated member housed within the container.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a backpack that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.  
     SUMMARY  
      The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket.  
      In accordance with a first aspect, a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket includes a backpack body having an interior compartment and a pair of shoulder straps connected at each end thereof to the backpack body. An insulated pocket extends into the interior compartment.  
      In accordance with another aspect, a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket includes a backpack body having an interior compartment and a pair of shoulder straps connected at each end thereof to the backpack body. A hip strap is connected at opposite ends thereof to the backpack body. An insulated pocket extends from a lateral side of the backpack body and downwardly at an angle into the interior compartment. A cover is releasably secured to the backpack body about the insulated pocket.  
      In accordance with a further aspect, a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket includes a backpack body having an interior compartment and a pair of shoulder straps connected at each end thereof to the backpack body. A hip strap is connected at opposite ends thereof to the backpack body. An insulated pocket extends from a lateral side of the backpack body and downwardly at an angle into the interior compartment. A retaining member has a first end secured to the insulated pocket and a second end secured to the lateral side. A cover for the insulated pocket has a lower edge secured to the backpack body, and is secured about an opening of the pocket by zipper.  
      Substantial advantage is achieved by providing a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket. In particular, a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket helps a user to maintain a beverage at a desired temperature, while allowing other items to be carried in the interior compartment. In certain embodiments, the insulated pocket prevents condensation from affecting other items carried in the backpack.  
      These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a backpack with an insulated beverage pocket in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a section view, taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , showing a bottle positioned in the insulated beverage pocket.  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 , shown with its top open and a bottle positioned in the insulated beverage pocket.  
       FIG. 4  is a section view of the backpack of  FIG. 1 , shown with the insulated beverage pocket empty and in a collapsed condition.  
       FIG. 5  is section view of a portion of a sidewall of the insulated beverage pocket of the backpack of  FIG. 1 .  
      The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the backpack with an insulated beverage pocket depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Backpacks with an insulated beverage pocket as disclosed herein, would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention may be embodied in various forms. A preferred embodiment of a backpack  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Backpack  10  is formed of a plurality of panels, including a top  12 , a bottom  14 , two lateral sides  16 , an outer side  18 , and a body side  20 . When used herein, the term “outer side” refers to the side of the backpack, or any other element, that faces away from the back of the user wearing the backpack. Accordingly, the term “body side” refers to the side of the backpack, or any other element, that faces the back of a user.  
      Unless otherwise stated, or otherwise clear from the context below, directional terms used herein, such as inwardly, outwardly, downwardly, upwardly, etc., refer to directions relative to backpack  10  itself. Backpack  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be disposed substantially upright, as it would be positioned on the back of a wearer. However, it is to be appreciated that backpack  10  need not be limited to such an orientation, since backpack  10  could at times be in other positions, for example, lying down with body side  20  on a surface such as the ground. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , downwardly is toward bottom  14  and upwardly is toward top  12 . Inwardly is a direction from an exterior of backpack  10  toward interior compartment  22 . Naturally, outwardly is a direction from interior compartment  22  toward an exterior of backpack  10 .  
      When connected, the six panels or sides define an interior compartment in backpack  10  into which items such as books, food, clothing, etc. may be placed. The interior compartment of backpack  10  may be subdivided into smaller compartments, and additional external pockets may be added in order to keep various items separate from one another, thereby providing easy access to frequently used items, and allowing for the proper weight distribution and comfort to the wearer.  
      Although six particular sides or panels are described, backpack  10  can comprise fewer or more panels or sides, and be within the scope of the invention. For instance, each of the body, top, bottom, outer, and lateral sides can be comprised of one continuous piece of fabric with no actual seams or junctures. Alternatively, backpack  10  could even be formed with ten or more panels or sides and corresponding seams or junctures therebetween.  
      The panels making up backpack  10 , as well as the straps and other components of the invention, can variously comprise a number of natural or synthetic materials. Natural fabric such as leather, cotton (especially canvas or single-filled duck) and the like may be useful for certain applications. Exemplary materials are synthetic fabrics made from thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide (such as nylon), polyethylene, polyester, etc. In certain preferred embodiments, nylon is used, which can be textured for breathability, wear-resistance, and waterproofed with materials such as silicone elastomers and the like. Particularly useful is a type of nylon known as Cordura (provided by E.I. du Pont de Nemours &amp; Co., Wilmington, Del.). Multiple or composite layer configurations as are well-known in the art, in which a tougher, more durable weave comprises an outer layer while a lighter, thinner, and more flexible inner weave comprises an inner layer. Some of these materials known in the industry, such as Gore-Tex (provided by W.L. Gore &amp; Associates, Newark, Del.), Tri-Shield (provided by Tri-Seal International, Blauvelt, N.Y.), Spandura (provided by H. Warsaw &amp; Sons, New York, N.Y.), etc. can be used as appropriate.  
      Each of a pair of shoulder straps  26  is secured at first and second ends thereof to backpack  10 . Shoulder straps  26  may have an adjustable buckle (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, a hip strap  28  is secured at opposite ends thereof to backpack  10 . Hip strap  28  typically comprises left and right side portions (only the right side portion is visible here), connected to one another by an adjustable buckle (not shown).  
      An insulated pocket  30  extends inwardly into interior compartment  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, pocket  30  is formed in a lateral side  16  of backpack  10 . It is to be appreciated that pocket  30  may be positioned in other locations in backpack  10  including, for example, the other lateral side  16  or outer side  18 . Insulated pocket  30  includes a wall  32  and a bottom  34 . In a preferred embodiment, pocket  30  has a cylindrical profile, which could be circular or oval, allowing a beverage container, such as a bottle  36  to be easily received in pocket  30 . In other preferred embodiments, pocket  30  could have other shapes, such as rectangular, and other such shapes are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
      With respect to pocket  30 , the term inwardly refers to a direction from an exterior of pocket  30  toward the interior of pocket  30 . Outwardly is a direction from the interior of pocket  30  toward an exterior of pocket  30 . Accordingly, inner, when used with respect to pocket  30 , refers to the interior, or interior side or surface, of pocket  30 , and outer refers to the exterior, or exterior side or surface, of pocket  30 .  
      In a preferred embodiment, pocket  30  angles downwardly into interior compartment  22 , and is secured to interior compartment  22  by a retaining member, such as elongate lengths of webbing  38 ,  40 . Angling pocket  30  downwardly helps ensure that any fluid that might spill from bottle  36 , or condensation from the exterior of bottle  36 , will be retained in pocket  30 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , lengths of webbing  38 ,  40  extend upwardly and inwardly at an angle from opposed edges of lateral side  16  to pocket  30 . Consequently, lengths of webbing  38 ,  40  act to keep pocket  30  from moving upwardly, but allow pocket  30  to move downwardly, as seen in  FIG. 4 , where pocket  30  is seen in an empty and collapsed, or compressed condition. Allowing pocket  30  to compress is advantageous since more space is available in interior compartment  22  when pocket  30  is not holding a beverage and is in its collapsed or compressed condition.  
      A cover  42  is secured about the opening of pocket  30 . Cover  42  is preferably releasably closed about pocket  30  by a fastener, such as zipper  44 . It is to be appreciated that zipper  44  may be a waterproof zipper. In preferred embodiments, cover  42  is secured to backpack  10  along its lower edge by stitching such that it opens from the top (as seen in  FIG. 2 ) in hinged fashion, helping to ensure that moisture from spills or condensation is retained in pocket  30 . Additionally, hinging cover  42  about its lower edge facilitates inserting bottle  36  into and removing bottle  36  from pocket  30 .  
      Pocket  30  is insulated so as to keep bottle  36  cool or warm for the user. Wall  32 , bottom  34  and cover  42  are all preferably insulated. A preferred embodiment of the construction of pocket  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in which the composition of wall  32  is shown.  
      Pocket  30  is formed of a first outer layer  46  that forms the exterior surface of pocket  30  and is exposed to interior compartment  22 . Outer layer  46  may be formed of the same material as the remainder of the interior compartment  22 . Suitable materials for outer layer  46  include polyester, nylon, and canvas. Other suitable materials for outer layer  46  will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.  
      A second inner layer  48  forms the interior surface of pocket  30  and, therefore, is exposed to the interior of pocket  30 . In a preferred embodiment, inner layer  48  is formed of a waterproof material so as to contain moisture within pocket  30 . Thus, if liquid were to spill from a beverage container held in pocket  36 , the liquid would be contained within pocket  30 . Similarly, any condensation from the exterior surface of a beverage container in pocket  30  would also be contained within pocket  30 . Inner layer  48  may be formed of, for example, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyester, or other thin-sheet plastics. Other suitable materials for outer layer  46  will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.  
      A third insulating layer  50  is sandwiched between outer layer  46  and inner layer  48 . Insulating layer  50  provides the insulative properties that help maintain the beverage at a desired temperature. In preferred embodiments, insulating layer  50  is formed of a foam, such as enhanced polyethylene (EPE). Insulating layer  50  may also be formed of, for example, polyester, or other foamed insulating materials. Other suitable materials for insulating layer  50  will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.  
      As described here, insulated pocket  30  is formed of three layers. However, it is to be appreciated that pocket  30  may be formed fewer or greater than three layers, and embodiments with fewer or greater than three layers are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
      In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.