Patent Abstract:
A tightly rolled sleeping bag. The tightly rolled sleeping bag is rolled using conventional equipment, but pressure is applied to an end of the sleeping bag so as to cause the sleeping bag to be more tightly rolled than previous sleeping bags. Rolling tines for a rolling machine for rolling the sleeping bag are tapered so as to aid in removal of the tightly rolled sleeping bag. A storage sack is provided for holding the sleeping bag. The storage sack is configurable between a first arrangement where the storage sack holds the sleeping bag in the tight configuration, and a second arrangement where the storage sack may be released and expands to hold the sleeping bag in a less tightly rolled configuration. To provide such a function, an expansion section is provided on the storage sack. A closure is provided on the expansion section.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/864,971, filed Jun. 10, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to sleeping bags, and more particularly to sleeping bag storage sacks.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In general, a sleeping bag is a bag that is warmly lined or padded for sleeping outdoors, for example in a tent. Sleeping bags may also be used for sleeping on the floor inside a house, such as on a sleepover, or may be used as convenient bedding material when traveling.  
         [0004]     Sleeping bags typically include a bottom portion, upon which an individual within the sleeping bag lays, and a top portion which extends over to cover the individual. Often, the top and bottom portions are made of a single, large rectangular insulated or padded fabric that is folded and attached along bottom and side edges to form the bag. The attachment is typically made by a zipper.  
         [0005]     Sleeping bags are often folded lengthwise and rolled into a tight cylinder for storage. After rolled, most rolled rectangular sleeping bags are tied with tie cords, compression straps, or elastic straps, or may be otherwise secured so that the sleeping bag does not become unrolled during storage.  
         [0006]     Other sleeping bags may not be rolled for storage, and instead may be stuffed into a storage sack, sometimes called a stuff sack. Stuff sacks may also be used for rolled sleeping bags.  
         [0007]     In general, when a sleeping bag is put on display at a store, it is desired that the sleeping bag look large, or fluffy, so that a user will perceive that the fill for the sleeping bag is sufficient to keep the user warm and is also comfortable. Thus, if possible, the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks rather large. However, for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it is desired that the sleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so that shipping charges, which often are set by volume, may be minimized per sleeping bag.  
         [0008]     These two different goals are hard to meet in a single sleeping bag container. Moreover, because the use of store personnel is expensive, stores do not want their employees to have to re-package items, such as sleeping bags, so that the items can be placed on a shelf.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.  
         [0010]     In accordance with an embodiment, a storage sack is provided for a sleeping bag. The storage sack is configurable between a first state where the storage sack contains the sleeping bag in a tight configuration, and a second state where the storage sack expands to hold the sleeping bag in a less tight configuration. In accordance with an embodiment, to provide such a function, an expansion section is provided for the storage sack which allows the storage sack to expand from the first state to the second state. In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, a closure may be provided to lock the expansion section in the first state.  
         [0011]     In accordance with an embodiment, the sleeping bag may be shipped to a store in the tightly compacted arrangement, with the storage sack in the smaller, unexpanded state. Upon arrival at the store, a store clerk opens the closure to allow the storage sack to expand to the expanded state. By doing so, the storage sack expands to look soft and thick, which may be more attractive to consumers. In addition, because a user may find it hard to reinsert the sleeping bag into the storage sack while the storage sack is in the first state, the user may instead use the storage sack in the expanded, second state.  
         [0012]     In accordance with an embodiment, an end or other portion of the storage sack includes a section that is the same color, texture, material, and/or pattern as the liner for the sleeping bag. In addition, information regarding the sleeping bag may be included on the storage sack, for example by screen printing the information on the storage sack. In this manner, a user does not have to open the sleeping bag to know its contents.  
         [0013]     Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a sleeping bag rolling machine for use in accordance with a method of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the sleeping bag machine of  FIG. 1 , with a sleeping bag mounted therein, and shown at a beginning stage of rolling the sleeping bag;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIG. 2 , shown in a further stage of rolling the sleeping bag;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , showing the sleeping bag fully rolled;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the sleeping bag rolling machine of  FIG. 1 , with the sleeping bag fully rolled as shown in  FIG. 4 , and just before a storage sack is placed over the sleeping bag;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the sleeping bag as rolled in  FIG. 5 , showing the sleeping bag within the storage sack, with the storage sack in a smaller, unexpanded state;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the storage sack and sleeping bag of  FIG. 6 , with the storage sack expanded to an expanded state;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a storage sack with sleeping bag therein in accordance with an embodiment, with the storage sack in a smaller, unexpanded state;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of the storage sack of  FIG. 8 , with the storage sack expanded to an expanded state;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a rear, side perspective view of the storage sack shown in  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of a sleeping bag for the storage sack of  FIGS. 8-10 , with the sleeping bag partly rolled.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.  
         [0026]     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of a rolling machine  20  that may be utilized for rolling a sleeping bag in accordance with a method of the present invention. The rolling machine  20  includes a table  22  having an opening  24 . A pair of roller tines  26  are positioned over the opening  24 , and a fixed bar  28  extends across the opening  24 , parallel to and underneath the roller tines  26 . In operation, the roller tines  26  rotate as generally indicated by the arrows  34  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]     In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the roller tines  26  are attached to an “H” shaped base, when in turn is attached to a circular base plate. The roller tines  26  may alternatively be attached directly to the base, for example by welding, or another suitable attachment.  
         [0028]     In general, the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  is known in the art. However, modifications to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  have been made, and a change in the method of rolling a sleeping bag is utilized, to produce a tightly rolled sleeping bag that is much smaller in diameter than prior rolled sleeping bags utilizing similar sleeping bag rolling machines.  
         [0029]     As is known, to roll a sleeping bag, such as a sleeping bag  30  shown in  FIG. 2 , with the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , an end of the sleeping bag  30  is initially extended through the two roller tines  26 , such as is shown in  FIG. 2 . The sleeping bag  30  may be folded lengthwise prior to inserting it into the roller tines  26 . A portion of the sleeping bag  30  extending beyond the roller tines  26  is then folded over on top of the other portion of the sleeping bag  30 , as is indicated by the arrow  32  in  FIG. 2 . Then, in accordance with the prior art, the user holds this extended portion of the sleeping bag  30  into place and then causes the roller tines  26  to rotate in the direction shown by the arrows  34  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This rotation of the roller tines  26  cause the sleeping bag  30  to be rolled into a cylinder.  
         [0030]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user applies force to the sleeping bag  30  while it is rolling, resisting rolling of the sleeping bag  30 . Such a force is indicated by the arrow  36  in  FIG. 2 , and may be supplied, for example, by putting a hand on the sleeping bag  30  or two users&#39; hands on the sleeping bag  30 . This force on the sleeping bag  30  resists the sleeping bag  30  moving toward the roller tines  26 , and causes the sleeping bag  30  to be pulled tighter. As such, the airiness or fluffiness of the sleeping bag  30  is reduced, resulting in the sleeping bag  30  being rolled tighter on the roller tines  26 . The user maintains this pressure on the sleeping bag  30  while the sleeping bag  30  is being rolled on the roller tines  26 . The pressure is sufficient to pull the sleeping bag  30  taut, but enough release is permitted so that the sleeping bag  30  may be continually rolled onto the roller tines  26 .  
         [0031]     A continued stage of rotation is shown in  FIG. 3 . The user continues to apply pressure until the sleeping bag  30  is completely rolled, such as is shown in  FIG. 4 . At this stage, the fixed bar  28  holds the end of the sleeping bag  30  in position, preventing the sleeping bag from unrolling. To this end, the fixed bar  28  is appropriately spaced from the roller tines  26  so that the fixed bar may apply the appropriate amount of pressure to prevent release of the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26 . Because the sleeping bag  30  is rolled tighter than prior art sleeping bags, in accordance with an embodiment of the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , the fixed bar  28  is positioned closer to the roller tines  26  so that the fixed bar may hold a completely rolled sleeping bag in the tighter configuration.  
         [0032]     To provide appropriate spacing, the roller tines  26  may be movable toward and away from the fixed bar  28 , such as is indicated by the arrows  100  in  FIG. 1 . To this end, a drive unit  102  for the roller tines  26  may be slidably mounted to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , permitting the drive unit and the roller tines  26  to slide upward. Similarly, the fixed bar  28  may be slidably mounted to the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , and may move in the direction of the arrows  104 . Alternatively, both may be movable. In addition, if desired, one or both may be biased, such as by a spring (not shown), to permit the fixed bar  28  and the roller tines  26  to apply appropriate pressure to the rolled sleeping bag  30 .  
         [0033]     After the sleeping bag  30  is fully rolled ( FIG. 4 ), a storage sack  40  ( FIG. 5 ) is extended around the sleeping bag  30 . The opening  24  in the sleeping bag rolling machine  20  provides ample room for extending the storage sack  40  over and around the sleeping bag  30 . This method of applying a storage sack over a sleeping bag is utilized with prior art sleeping bag rolling machines.  
         [0034]     After the storage sack  40  is extended fully over the sleeping bag  30 , the operator pulls backward on the sleeping bag  30  and the storage sack  40  to remove the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26  and the fixed bar  28 . To aid in this removal, in accordance with an embodiment of the sleeping bag rolling machine  20 , the roller tines  26  are tapered. This feature permits easier removal of the sleeping bag  30  from the roller tines  26 , especially in arrangements wherein the sleeping bag  30  is rolled tightly.  
         [0035]     Using the rolling method described above, significant volume savings can be realized in packing a sleeping bag for shipping. For example, for one prior art sleeping bag sold by the assignee of the present invention, The Coleman Company, Inc., a standard sleeping bag size 33 inches by 75 inches, with a polyester fiber fill and fill weight of 4 pounds, which previously was rolled to a diameter of 13.75 inches, now is rolled to a diameter of 10.25 inches. In a second example, a large sleeping bag, having a size of 39 inches by 81 inches, with a polyester fiber fill and fill weight of 6 pounds, which was previously rolled to a 16 inch diameter, is rolled to an 11.5 inch diameter. In both these examples, the sleeping bag is folded lengthwise before rolling. As can be realized, such volume reduction can significantly reduce shipping volume, which in turn reduces cost per unit of the sleeping bag  20 .  
         [0036]     In accordance with an embodiment, the storage sack  40  includes an expansion section  42  ( FIG. 6 ) in its casing. The expansion section  42  is configured to permit the storage sack to increase in volume, and may be any suitable structure including an elastic, stretchy section or another structure that allows expansion. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the expansion section  42  is a portion of the storage sack  40  folded onto itself, accordion style, so as to make the storage sack  40  smaller. The portion of the storage sack that is made more compact may be folded, crumpled, allowed to hang loose, or may otherwise be pressed together to make the circumference of the storage sack smaller. The storage sack  40  is shown in the smaller, unexpanded state in  FIG. 6 . The portion of the storage sack  40  that serves as the expansion section  42  may be formed of the same material or a different material than the rest of the casing for the storage sack  40 .  
         [0037]     In accordance with an embodiment, a closure  44  is provided for maintaining the expansion section  42  of the storage sack  40  in the smaller, unexpanded state. The closure  44  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  is a large adhesive strip having a removable tab  46  extending along the middle of its length. To release and open the expansion section  42 , the tab is pulled to separate the closure. The sleeping bag  30  expands to fill the larger volume of the storage sack  40  that is provided by opening the expansion section.  
         [0038]     Although the storage sack  40  in  FIG. 6  utilizes the adhesive strip having a removable tab  46  for the closure  44  for the expansion section  42 , other closures may be used. These closures may be re-closeable, such as a zipper, so that the storage sack  40  may be moved between the expanded state and the collapsed state after being opened. Alternatively, the closures may be permanently detachable, such as the adhesive strip and removable tab  46 , so that the storage sack  40  remains in the expanded state after the closure is opened. Other examples of closures include, but are not limited to, straps, ties, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, hooks, loops and toggles, tearable strips, tape, and other releasable fasteners.  
         [0039]     An example of an alternate embodiment of an expansion section for a storage sack  140  is shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . In this embodiment, the closure is a zipper  142 . The zipper  142  may be unzipped to expose an expansion section  144 . When in the collapsed state shown in  FIG. 8 , the expansion section  144  is folded, crumpled, or otherwise stuffed inside the storage sack  140  so that the zipper  142  may be closed. When the zipper  142  is released, the expansion section  144  expands, making the storage sack  140  much larger so that a sleeping bag  130  stored within the storage sack is kept in a much less compact manner.  
         [0040]     Although described as being rolled in embodiments above, a sleeping bag held by one of the storage sacks, such as the storage sacks  40  or  140 , may be stuffed into a storage sack  140  without rolling the sleeping bag. As nonlimiting examples, the sleeping bag may be folded or simply stuffed into the sleeping bag without folding or rolling. In addition, the sleeping bag may be compressed and/or vacuum sealed.  
         [0041]     Use of a reclosable closure, such as the zipper  142 , permits the expansion section  144  to be closed again, putting the storage sack  140  back into the shape shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein the sleeping bag  130  is held in a more tightly compact state. A user may only be able to close the zipper  142  when the sleeping bag  130  is out of the storage sack  140 . Being able to return the storage sack back to the unexpanded position permits a user to store a sleeping bag in the expanded state shown in  FIG. 9 , but to utilize the storage sack  140  in the tighter configuration in  FIG. 8 , for example when the user takes the storage sack  140  on a backpacking trip.  
         [0042]     The sleeping bag  30  or  130  may be shipped to a store or other retail location with the storage sack  40  or  140  in the smaller, unexpanded state shown in  FIG. 6  or  8 . Then, when the sleeping bag  30  or  130  arrives at the store and is ready to be put on the shelf, a store clerk may open the closure  44 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  by tearing off the removable tab  46  and the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  by releasing the zipper  142 , allowing the storage sack  40  or  140  to expand to the expanded state shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position, the sleeping bag  30  or  130  is allowed to expand in the storage sack  40  or  140 , giving the sleeping bag a much fuller, softer, fluffier appearance. This appearance may be more suitable for sale of sleeping bags, especially where consumers are looking for a softer, warmer sleeping bag.  
         [0043]     However, if desired, if the store wishes to preserve shelf space, the sleeping bag  30  or  130  may be placed on a shelf with the storage sack  40  or  140  maintained in the smaller, unexpanded state as shown in  FIG. 6  or  8 , permitting more sleeping bags to be stacked on the shelf. Alternatively, one or more of the sleeping bags may be expanded to the expanded state shown in  FIG. 7  or  9 , while others are maintained, for example, on a higher shelf, in the smaller, unexpanded state shown in  FIG. 6  or  8 . In either event, the storage sack  40  permits the sleeping bag  30  to be presented in two different ways with very little work by a store clerk.  
         [0044]     The embodiment of the storage sack  140  shown in  FIGS. 8-10  provides another benefit. The expansion section  144  for that storage sack  140  is formed of a liner material  150 . In an embodiment, the liner material  150  matches the material for the liner  152  ( FIG. 11 ) of the inside of the sleeping bag  130 . By providing the liner material  150  on the outside of the storage sack  140 , a user may view the storage sack  140  when the storage sack is in the expanded position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and know the color, texture, material and/or pattern of the liner material without having to open the sleeping bag  130 . This feature is convenient for marketing of the sleeping bag  130 , and allows a user to peruse sleeping bags without taking the sleeping bags out of the storage sack  140 . By simply viewing and/or touching the liner material  150 , the user will know the material, color, texture, and/or pattern of the liner  152  of the sleeping bag  130 .  
         [0045]     In another embodiment, liner material  156  may be provided on an end  154  of the storage sack  140 , as is shown in  FIG. 10 . The liner material  156  in the embodiment shown in the drawings covers one half of the end  154  of the storage sack  140 . In this manner, the ends for multiple storage sacks  140  may be exposed off the end of a shelf by a retailer, and a consumer can view multiple ends and determine which combination the consumer would like to purchase.  
         [0046]     In an embodiment, the exposed liner material  156  and/or liner material  150  may be the exact same material as the liner  152  for the sleeping bag  130 , or may just be a reproduction of the color, pattern, and/or texture of the liner  152 . In either event, the liner material  150  and/or  156  provides visual and/or tactile information regarding the liner  152  for the sleeping bag  130 . In the same manner, the remainder of the casing for the storage sack may be made of the same material, or may be a reproduction of the color, pattern, and/or texture of, the outer cover of the sleeping bag  130 .  
         [0047]     In an embodiment, information regarding the sleeping bag  130  may be printed on the outside of the storage sack  140 . As an example, a print screen  158  is provided on the end  154  that includes information about fill material, usage temperatures, liner material, or other information that may be relevant to a consumer making a sleeping bag purchase. By placing the liner material  156  and the print screen  158  on the end  154 , the consumer is provided all information that the consumer needs regarding a purchase decision. In this manner, a retailer may take maximum advantage of shelf space by exposing only the ends of multiple sleeping bags. In addition, the unique expandable nature of the storage sack  140  permits the retailer to store the sleeping bag in a compact position for shipping and/or shelf space, and allows expansion of the storage sack  140  for storage of the sleeping bag and to permit a user to more easily reinsert the sleeping bag into the storage sack  140 . The combination of the above features permits a retailer to have the sleeping bag  130  shipped to a retailer in the storage sack  140 , without the need for a cardboard box, another merchandising bag, or a different storage sack. Thus, there is less waste and the storage sack  140  provides a more environmentally friendly method of shipping, retailing, and using a sleeping bag than prior art sleeping bags.  
         [0048]     Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.  
         [0049]     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.  
         [0050]     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1