Abstract:
An improved tote bag with a locking mechanism is disclosed. The bag provides a high degree of security yet still remains soft, unstructured, and fashionable.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is being filed as a non-provisional patent application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from, and any other benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/172,283 filed on Jun. 8, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to handbags, shoulder bags, sack packs, and tote bags and, more particularly, to bags designed to prevent theft by enabling the contents to be locked inside and the bag to be locked to a fixed object. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Bags of all types have been used by people to carry their belongings for thousands of years. Over the years, bags have taken on a seemingly infinite number of shapes, sizes, and styles. Bags are designed for style/fashion, comfort, and utility (durability and the ability to hold and protect objects). Typically, bags are made out of a textile that enables them to be attractive, flexible, durable, pleasant to the touch, and functionally able to adapt to a wide range of contents. Some bags are made so that they can be closed to prevent the contents from falling out, and some bags can be locked closed to prevent tampering with the contents. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, it is known that even bags that lock closed do not truly protect the contents from tampering, as the textile construction leaves them susceptible to being cut or torn open by someone wishing to tamper with the contents. This vulnerability causes undesirable conditions for the user including but not limited to: a false sense of security for some users; ongoing concern over tampering or theft since the contents are really not secure; damage to the bag if tampering or theft is attempted; and reduced utility for the bag since it is not secure due to its construction, even though it locks. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, bags that lock are typically constructed of a heavy woven canvas or nylon textile that is very stiff, rough, and abrasive, and not considered to be fashionable or comfortable to carry. For those reasons, locking bags have traditionally been limited to business and security uses, and not everyday consumer and fashion use. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, even bags that lock closed are vulnerable to theft, as some thieves may choose to take the entire bag rather than just forcibly open it to access its contents. Therefore, even the most secure bag made from the most impenetrable material and locking mechanism still leaves the contents vulnerable to theft. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In view of the above, a bag is provided that is made from a textile that is highly resistant to cutting, tearing, or abrasion. The material is extremely difficult to penetrate by thieves. This design reduces the risk of a thief easily “breaking in” through the bag to access its contents. Additionally, the textile is soft, flexible, attractive, and is considered highly desirable by consumers from a fashion and comfort standpoint. 
         [0008]    The bag also uses a novel strap, which can be used both to lock the bag closed and to secure the bag to a fixed object. The strap is made from a tubular textile material that is soft to the touch and has a high degree of tensile strength. Inside the tubular strap is an assembly made from wire rope (braided steel cable). The combination of the tubular textile surrounding the wire rope creates a strap that is soft, flexible, attractive, and resistant to cutting, stretching, or breaking. 
         [0009]    The bag also uses a novel compartment to hide the strap. This compartment keeps the bag aesthetically pleasing by hiding the strap such that it is not visible when it is not being used to lock or secure the bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The general inventive concepts, as well as embodiments and advantages thereof, are described below in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a locking bag, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a transparent view illustrating internal features of the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing manipulation of a locking strap of the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is another diagram showing manipulation of the locking strap of the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing engagement of a locking device with the locking strap of the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the bag of  FIG. 1  being secured to a fixed object. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the bag of  FIG. 1  secured to a fixed object. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a fastening device, according to an exemplary embodiment, in a fastened state within the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a fastening device, according to an exemplary embodiment, in an unfastened state within the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of an internal member of the locking strap of the bag of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    While the general inventive concepts are susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely as an exemplification of the general inventive concepts. Accordingly, the general inventive concepts are not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. 
         [0022]    A locking, cut-resistant bag  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . The bag  100  is formed from a material that exhibits superior cut, tear, and abrasion resistance as compared to conventional materials used to make such bags (e.g., handbags, shoulder bags, sack packs, tote bags). In some embodiments, the cut-resistant fabric is the Cut-Tex® PRO material provided by the PPSS Group (United Kingdom). Cut-Tex® PRO is a cut-resistant fabric made out of a combination of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and other fibers weaved by special high-density knitting machines. The Cut-Tex® PRO material is generally five (5) times more cut resistant than Kevlar®, a material known for its use in bulletproof vests. The Cut-Tex® PRO material meets other current standards, as shown in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 ISO 13997: 1999 Blade Cut Resistance Level 5 
                 &gt;27 
                 Newton 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EN 388: 2003 Blade Cut Resistance Level 5 
                 Highest level 
               
             
          
           
               
                 EN 388: 2003 Tear Resistance Level 4 
                 &gt;398 
                 Newton 
               
               
                 EN 388: 2003 Abrasion Resistance Level 4 
                 &gt;8,000 
                 cycles 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0023]    In general, the material is not readily compromised by traditional cutting implements such as scissors, knives, etc. Instead, cutting of the material may require specialized equipment such as a rotary cutting machine, a CNC router, etc. In some embodiments, the material used to form the bag  100  may have other properties, for example, being flame retardant. Typically, the material is relatively supple and has characteristics (e.g., look, feel) that would render it aesthetically pleasing to many users. 
         [0024]    The bag  100  can be formed from one or more layers, plies, or the like of the material, which are joined in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, layers of the material are sewn together. In some embodiments, the thread used to sew the material together is also durable and/or cut resistant to avoid introducing a potential “vulnerability” to the bag. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the material is formed as a tube so that the bag  100  can be fashioned by closing (e.g., sewing) an end of the tube shut. In some embodiments, the end of the tube to be closed is folded inward and then sewn together, whereby the stitching is neither visible nor accessible from outside the bag  100 . In this manner, the bag  100  is formed and includes a tubular body  102  extending between a closed end  104  and an open end  106 . 
         [0026]    The inside of the bag  100  defines a cavity capable of storing items. The dimensions of the cavity are not limited by the general inventive concepts. However, the bag  100  will typically be sized so as to be readily worn on the body of or otherwise carried by a single person. In one exemplary embodiment, the bag  100  has a height h of approximately 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) and a width w of approximately 14 inches (35.6 centimeters). In one exemplary embodiment, the bag  100  weighs approximately 22.25 ounces (630.8 grams). 
         [0027]    The bag  100  includes two primary states: an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the cavity is generally accessible through the open end  106  of the bag  100  such that items can be placed into and removed from the bag  100 . In the closed state, the cavity is generally not accessible. From the closed state, the bag  100  can also be locked to secure items within the cavity of the bag  100  (see  FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, from the closed state, the bag can also be locked to a fixed object to secure the bag  100  at a specific location (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bag  100  is in the open state. The bag  100  includes structure that facilitates transition from this open state to the closed state. For example, the bag  100  includes a first drawstring  110 , a second drawstring  112 , and a locking strap  150 . 
         [0029]    The first drawstring  110  is primarily situated on a first side  114  of the bag  100 . The first drawstring  110  is formed by a pair of ropes  118  or rope-like members. In some embodiments, the first drawstring  110  is formed from a pair of nylon ropes. An end of each of the ropes  118  is anchored at a point  122  on the bag  100  near the first side  114  and the closed end  104 . In some embodiments, an end of each of the ropes  118  is passed through an opening in the bag  100  at the point  122  and then knotted to one another so as to not be removable through the opening. The opposite ends of the ropes  118  are feed through an opening in the bag  100  near the first side  114  and the open end  106  and into a first channel  130 , passage, or the like that extends around a circumference of the open end  106  of the bag  100 . In particular, one of the ropes  118  extends around one half of the circumference of the open end  106  and the other one of the ropes  118  extends around the other half of the circumference of the open end  106 . The ends of the two ropes  118  are fixed to the bag  100  at a point  134  within the first channel  130  near the second side  116 . 
         [0030]    The second drawstring  112  is primarily situated on a second side  116  of the bag  100 . The second drawstring  112  is formed by a pair of ropes  120  or rope-like members. In some embodiments, the second drawstring  112  is formed from a pair of nylon ropes. An end of each of the ropes  120  is anchored at a point  124  on the bag  100  near the second side  116  and the closed end  104 . In some embodiments, an end of each of the ropes  120  is passed through an opening in the bag  100  at the point  124  and then knotted to one another so as to not be removable through the opening. The opposite ends of the ropes  120  are feed through an opening in the bag  100  near the second side  116  and the open end  106  and into a second channel  132 , passage, or the like that extends around a circumference of the open end  106  of the bag  100 . In particular, one of the ropes  120  extends around one half of the circumference of the open end  106  and the other one of the ropes  120  extends around the other half of the circumference of the open end  106 . The ends of the two ropes  120  are fixed to the bag  100  at a point  136  within the second channel  132  near the first side  114 . 
         [0031]    The ropes  118 ,  120  function as carrying handles, shoulder straps, or the like for the bag  100 . Given the aforementioned configuration of the ropes  118 ,  120 , pulling on the first drawstring  110  and/or the second drawstring  112  results in the open end  106  of the bag  100  being mostly cinched closed. 
         [0032]    The locking strap  150  is formed by surrounding a reinforcing member  200  (see  FIG. 10 ) with a material that is both strong and aesthetically pleasing. In some embodiments, the material is nylon. In some embodiments, the material used to form the locking strap  150  is the same as the material used to form the bag  100 . In some embodiments, a color of the material forming the locking strap  150  is selected to complement a color of the material forming the bag  100 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the material is a tubular nylon strap that surrounds the reinforcing member  200 . The tubular nylon covering provides a soft consistent outer feel, a visually appealing look, a high-degree of tensile strength, and adds to the overall cut resistance of the locking strap  150 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , the reinforcing member  200  is formed from a material that is highly resistant to cutting, tearing, or abrasion. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member  200  is made from metal cable or wire. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member  200  is made from steel cable. 
         [0035]    In one exemplary embodiment, the reinforcing member  200  is made from three pieces  202 ,  204 ,  206  of 1/16-inch (0.159-centimeter) stainless steel cable. The general inventive concepts contemplate that thinner or thicker cables could be used. The pieces  202 ,  204 ,  206  are joined to one another to form a continuous loop. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the pieces  202  and  204  are joined to one another by a fastener  210 . The pieces  202  and  206  extend around opposite sides of a spool member  220  and are then joined to one another on both sides of the spool member  220  by a pair of fasteners  212 . The fasteners  212  not only secure the pieces  202  and  206  to one another, but also keep the spool member  220  fixed therebetween. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the spool member  220  includes a groove or the like that is sized to accommodate at least a portion of the pieces  202 ,  206  therein. Likewise, the pieces  204  and  206  extend around opposite sides of a spool member  222  and are then joined to one another on both sides of the spool member  222  by a pair of fasteners  214 . The fasteners  214  not only secure the pieces  204  and  206  to one another, but also keep the spool member  222  fixed therebetween. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the spool member  222  includes a groove or the like that is sized to accommodate at least a portion of the pieces  204 ,  206  therein. In some embodiments, the fasteners  210 ,  212 ,  214  are identical. 
         [0036]    Notwithstanding the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , any type of fastener or other joining technology could be used. For example, in some embodiments, the pieces  202 ,  204 ,  206  could be welded to one another. 
         [0037]    As noted above, the locking strap  150  is formed by surrounding the reinforcing member  200  with a tubular nylon strap to form a continuous loop. A pair of grommets  160  are positioned in the locking strap  150  to correspond to the spool members  220 ,  222  of the reinforcing member  200 . Often, the grommets  160  will only negligibly increase a thickness of the locking strap  150 . Prior to closing the loop, the locking strap  150  is inserted through an opening  154  in the bag  100  and into a third channel  156 , passage, or the like that extends around a circumference of the open end  106  of the bag  100 . Because it is housed in the third channel  156 , most of the locking strap  150  remains hidden from sight when the bag  100  is in the open state, which contributes to the overall aesthetics of the bag  100 . The opening  154  in the bag  100  is situated between the first side  114  and the second side  116  (and, preferably, equidistant between the two sides  114 ,  116 ). In some embodiments, a portion of the locking strap  150  (such as a portion near fastener  210 ) is anchored at a point (not shown) within the third channel  156  that is opposite the opening  154 . 
         [0038]    Prior to closing the loop, the locking strap  150  is also placed through a locking ring  152 . In this manner, the locking ring  152  can freely traverse the locking strap  150 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the first channel  130  and the second channel  132  are the same channel. In this case, the drawstrings  110 ,  112  can be attached (e.g., stitched) or otherwise anchored within the channel to prevent undesired displacement or unbalancing of the drawstrings  110 ,  112 . In some embodiments, the first channel  130 , the second channel  132 , and the third channel  156  are all the same channel. In this case, the drawstrings  110 ,  112  and the locking strap  150  can be attached (e.g., stitched) or otherwise anchored within the channel to prevent undesired displacement or unbalancing of the drawstrings  110 ,  112  and the locking strap  150 . In some embodiments, the third channel  156  is situated below the first channel  130  and the second channel  132  (i.e., furthest from the open end  106  of the bag  100 ). 
         [0040]    An interior of the bag  100  (i.e., the cavity formed therein) can include additional structure to increase the storage options available to a user thereof. For example, the bag  100  can include one or more internal storage compartments or devices. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bag  100  includes an internal storage pocket  140  having a zipper closure  142 . The storage pocket  140  can be made from or otherwise lined with a shielding (e.g., RF shielding) material, which can protect against unauthorized scanning of the contents within the storage pocket  140 . As another example, the bag  100  includes a clasp  144  for removably attaching one or more keys thereto. Typically, the grommets  160  are relatively flush with the surface of the locking strap  150 . 
         [0041]    The interior of the bag  100  can also include structure that increases the security of the bag  100 . In particular, the bag  100  can include internal structure that prevents or otherwise increases the difficulty of unauthorized opening of the bag  100 . For example, the bag  100  can include structure that is readily opened when the bag  100  is in the open state and virtually impossible to open when the bag  100  is in the closed state. 
         [0042]    As one example, the bag  100  can include a unidirectional fastener. As used herein, the term “unidirectional fastener” refers to a snap or other type fastener that can be fastened and unfastened in only one direction. That is, given the four cardinal directions, the unidirectional fastener can be fastened and unfastened by force exerted in a specific one of the directions but not by force exerted in the other three directions. As another example, the bag  100  can include a bidirectional fastener. As used herein, the term “bidirectional fastener” refers to a snap or other type fastener (e.g., zipper) that can be fastened and unfastened through force exerted along one axis but not by force exerted along any other axis. 
         [0043]    For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the bag  100  includes an internal unidirectional fastener  170 . One such suitable unidirectional fastener is a Pull-the-DOT® snap provided by Scovill Fasteners of Clarkesville, Ga. The unidirectional fastener  170  includes a socket  172  and a stud  174  that can be fastened (see  FIG. 8 ) and unfastened (see  FIG. 9 ) in only one direction, as described above. By choosing the direction in which the unidirectional fastener  170  operates to be substantially parallel to the open end  106  of the bag  100 , it is virtually impossible to operate the unidirectional fastener  170  when the bag is in the closed state. Accordingly, the unidirectional fastener  170  provides an additional layer of protection for the contents of the bag  100 . 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the bag  100  includes a plurality of unidirectional and/or bidirectional fasteners. 
         [0045]    The process of transitioning the bag  100  from the open state to the closed state will now be described. 
         [0046]    First, any internal fasteners (e.g., the unidirectional fastener  170 ) should be fastened. 
         [0047]    Next, the first drawstring  110  should be pulled in a direction away from (and preferably substantially perpendicular to) the first side  114  of the bag  100 . Simultaneously, the second drawstring  112  should be pulled in a direction away from (and preferably substantially perpendicular to) the second side  116  of the bag  100 . By pulling the drawstrings  110 ,  112  tight, the open end  106  of the bag  100  is cinched closed. 
         [0048]    After the open end  106  is cinched closed, the locking strap  150  should be pulled out through the opening  154  in the bag  100 . Pulling of the locking strap  150  can be done by pulling on the locking strap  150  itself (see  FIG. 3 ) or by pulling on the locking ring  152  surrounding the locking strap  150  (see  FIG. 4 ). The locking strap  150  should be pulled through the opening  154  until both grommets  160  are outside of the third channel  156  (i.e., are accessible outside of the bag  100 ). Once the locking strap  150  has been pulled out to this degree, the open end  106  of the bag  100  is considered fully cinched shut. 
         [0049]    Next, a locking device  300  is used to lock the bag  100 , thereby maintaining the fully cinched shut state of the open end  106  of the bag  100 . The locking device  300  can be any conventional lock or similar device capable of being locked and unlocked only by an authorized user. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the locking device  300  is a combination lock having a body  302  and a curved post  304 . When the proper combination is input to the locking device  300  (i.e., via dials on the body  302 ), the post  304  is released from the body  302  and the locking device  300  is unlocked. Conversely, when a wrong combination is input to the locking device  300 , the post  304  remains trapped in the body  302  and the locking device  300  stays locked. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bag  100  can include an external pocket  180  for housing or otherwise hiding the locking device  300  when the locking device  300  is not being used. Alternatively, when not being used, the locking device  300  could simply be secured to the locking ring  152  or placed in the internal pocket  140  to prevent loss thereof. 
         [0052]    To lock the bag  100 , the curved post  304  is released from the body  302  and inserted through both grommets  160  in the locking strap  150 . Then, the post  304  is returned to the body  302  and the locking device  300  locked. Because the locking device  300  is too large to fit through the opening  154 , the locking strap  150  is prevented from traveling back into the third channel  156  of the bag  100 . Consequently, the bag  100  is locked in the closed state (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0053]    It is also possible to secure the bag  100  in the closed state to a fixed object. The term “fixed object,” as used herein, is not intended to mean only objects that are absolutely fixed. Instead, the term encompasses any item not intended to be readily move by an unauthorized person. Typically, the fixed object will not be readily portable by a single person. Thus, fixed objects could include, for example, a beach chair, a bike rack, an automobile steering column, etc. 
         [0054]    To secure the bag  100  to a fixed object  400 , the locking strap  150  is pulled out of the bag  100 , as described above. With the locking ring  152  moved to the end of the locking strap  150 , the locking strap  150  is wrapped around the fixed object  400  such that the locking ring is substantially aligned with the grommets  160  (see  FIG. 6 ). In this manner, the curved post  304  of the locking device  300  can be inserted through both grommets  160  and the locking ring  152  of the locking strap  150 . Then, the post  304  is returned to the body  302  and the locking device  300  locked. Because the locking strap is secured around the fixed object  400 , the bag  100  is effectively secured to the fixed object  400  in the closed state (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0055]    The above description of specific embodiments has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the general inventive concepts and their attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. For example, although the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein utilize grommets  160  in the locking strap  150  as the primary locking means, it is contemplated that other designs and/or configurations of holes or openings in the locking strap  150  could also be used. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts, as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.