Abstract:
A tote having a body defining an interior open space made at least in part from a substantially transparent medium. The body includes a single panel that defines a front face, a back face and a floor that underlies the faces. A pair of side sub-panels lies between edges of the front and side subpanels and floor, such that the interior open space is visible through the tote.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    One aspect of this disclosure relates to transparent bags that contain items which may readily be inspected by for example security personnel without the person carrying the bag having to disgorge its contents. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    To address the needs for heightened security at for example airports, concerts or sporting events, security guards often are stationed at strategic locations. Such guards are expected to enhance safety concerns by conducting “bag checks”. Often this entails visual or x-ray inspection of any totes or bags carried by those who attend the event. Though such procedures tend to offer a safer environment, one drawback is that they take time. Lines and wait times may become longer before the participant is allowed to enter the venue, often when the fan is most eager to gain admission. 
         [0003]    To facilitate participant entry, event security policy makers have implemented limits on the contents, type and size of totes that may be admitted into the arena. Conformance with such practices may lead to frustration and concerns about privacy. One result is that fan attendance may decline. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One feature of the tote described herein is that is generally transparent. This facilitates the carrier and observer determining what is contained therein, and relatedly whether the contents create a security threat or justify further scrutiny without burdensome and time-consuming inspection processes. 
         [0005]    One embodiment includes a hand-carried or shoulder-carried tote or bag that is made at least in part of a transparent material such as plastic, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, mesh or other material that allows a substantially unimpeded view of items being transported therein. Preferably, the tote has front and back sides that are connected by transparent end walls and a transparent floor. Generally the top of the bag is open to allow unrestricted loading and unloading of items placed therein. 
         [0006]    The bag can be carried by hand or its handles or straps draped across a shoulder. The straps preferably are of a web-like material with edges that are flattened where the straps are affixed to the front and back sides. Between those locations the edges are folded so they meet, thereby forming a rounded portion of the straps where the straps are gripped by hand or lie across the shoulder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front quartering perspective view of an embodiment of a substantially transparent tote or bag; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front side elevational view of the transparent tote of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a back side elevational view of the transparent tote of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are left and right side elevational views of the transparent tote of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are top and bottom elevational views of the transparent tote of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    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 that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, there is provided a transparent or substantially transparent assembly of front  12  and back  14  faces that are joined by first and second end walls  18 ,  20  and a floor  22 . In  FIG. 1 , the tote is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . It has a front side  12  that is supported by a flattened portion  28  of a strap or handle  16  that is supported by means for affixation  17 , such as stitching, rivets, or an adhesive. A rear face  14  opposes the front face  12 . Thus the bag&#39;s contents can readily be inspected from a front or rear vantage point, or from below. 
         [0015]    Likewise, the end walls  18 ,  20  are also transparent, so the bag&#39;s contents can also be viewed from a lateral vantage point. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, a single uninterrupted continuous strap  16  is provided with first  32  and second  34  terminal ends that are adjoined ( FIG. 7 ), preferably below the base  22 . From the first end  32 , the strap  16  runs laterally across the base  22  and defines a flat portion  28  ( FIG. 1 ) after transitioning upwardly across one side of the rear face  14 . The strap  16  then defines a rounded portion  30  in which the edges of the strap  16  are folded together. In a relaxed state, the rounded portion  30  portion follows an arcuate path before engaging the other side of the rear face  14 . Continuing its run, the strap  16  then traverses the base  22  before extending upwardly across the other side of the front face  12 . From the upper edge  34  ( FIG. 2 ) the strap again defines a flat portion  28  and another rounded portion  30 . Then the remaining length of the strap  16  extends downwardly across a side of the front face  12  and the base  22  before terminating in end  34  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0017]    A rear handle portion  42  ( FIG. 1 ) is thereby defined, resembling the front handle  40 . 
         [0018]    Preferably, the handle portions  40 ,  42  are sized so that a forearm of the human carrier can readily be inserted there through and the handles  40 ,  42  can lay across the shoulder or across the torso if desired. 
         [0019]    As described, preferably the single strap  16  defines two handle portions  40 ,  42 —one for the front  12  and one for the rear  14  of the bag  10 . Each handle portion  40 ,  42  has opposite ends that are connected to an upper edge  34  of the front  12  or rear sides  14  of the bag  10  ( FIG. 2 ) for example, with means for securement such as stitches, rivets or an adhesive or other conventional means. Preferably the strap  16  is also affixed to the floor  22  as well as the front and rear faces  12 ,  14  by the means for securement. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the transparent tote has a front side  12 , a rear side  14 , two ends  18 ,  20 , a floor  22  and an open upper top  24 . Preferably, the front  12 , rear  14  and floor  22  sub-panels are formed from a single clear panel to avoid unnecessary seams or ridges or welds. Thus, the specific construction of the tote body is preferably in practice such that the bottom  22  and two sides  12 ,  14  are formed from one continuous strip of a transparent medium. This construction avoids the need for or inherent weakness associated with intermediate seams. 
         [0021]    If desired, the tote may be made from a clear or substantially clear plastic or any substantially transparent mesh such that the contents of the tote may be viewed from any vantage point. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIG. 2  the flat portion  28  of one or more straps  16  may be provided with an area to which may be attached a patch of source-indicating or other distinctive indicia. The patch may be made of complementary hook and loop material mounted to either the patch or the strap. The patch provides an area to embroider or print or otherwise affix an event or sponsor logo or other indicia that may indicate the source or origin of the tote. 
         [0023]    In an alternate embodiment, a mesh wall  30  ( FIG. 2 ) may be provided on either or both of the front  12  or rear  14  faces so that a pocket  30  is formed therebetween. If desired the pocket  30  may be defined in part by a ribbon-like border  50 ,  52  for strength or aesthetics. 
         [0024]    Optionally a securement device  26  for keys and the like ( FIGS. 1, 4 &amp; 5 ) may be tethered to the inside of the bag below the upper edge  34  at a flat portion  28  of the strap  16 . 
         [0025]    To secure the bag&#39;s contents a closure device (not shown), for example a pair of hidden magnets may underlie the upper edge  34  so that opposing upper edges of the front  18  and rear  14  faces may be brought together. 
         [0026]    With primary reference to  FIGS. 1, 4 &amp; 5 , a U-shaped seam is defined by a weldment at the edges of the front  12 , rear  14  and side subpanels  18 ,  20 . 
         [0027]    It will be appreciated that the upper edge  34  may be formed by a decorative ribbon for strength and appearance. 
         [0028]    While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention as described may be embodied in for instance duffel bags, backpacks, and the like, and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. 
         [0029]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.