Abstract:
A compartmented bag for infant care is provided. Preferably, compartments that are the full height of the bag or no less than 80% of the height of the bag are provided. The compartments together comprise the entire interior volume of the diaper bag of the present invention and each of the compartments are permanently labeled with a description of their intended contents.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/981,837, filed Apr. 20, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The novel inventions claimed here relate to a bag designed for carrying items needed for an infant or small child, commonly known as a “diaper bag” or “baby bag”. Diaper bags are typically used to carry disposable diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, extra clothes, cloth diapers, a changing pad, baby food or other solid snacks, and small toys, among other things. 
         [0003]    The typical design for a diaper bag includes a large main area in which most of the items are kept, and many also include a number of small exterior or interior pockets of varying sizes. These pockets may include some of the items, but are rarely large enough to hold more than a few disposable diapers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In the present invention, there is no main compartment. The area inside the bag is divided into smaller compartments, each labeled with the suggested use of that compartment. 
         [0005]    The compartments of the present invention are differentiated from the pockets of diaper bags in the prior art in three ways. First, the compartments are the full height of the bag or no less than 80% of the height of the bag, while prior art  pockets are no more than 75% of the height of the bag and typically much less than that. Second, the compartments together comprise the entire interior volume of the diaper bag of the present invention, but prior art pockets provide only secondary storage adjacent to a single large main area of the bag. Third, each of the compartments of the present invention are permanently labeled with a description of their intended contents, while prior art pockets have either temporary removable labels, are only partially labeled, and typically have no labels at all. 
         [0006]    The prior art includes a divided insert that may be used in the main area of a typical diaper bag in order to provide divided compartments in that area. In the present invention, however, the compartments are built into the bag itself and do not require a separate insert. Embodiments of the present invention include compartments entirely of permanently sewn fabric, compartments in which one or more walls are comprised of a moveable divider that attaches to another interior surface of the bag with hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro™) adhesive, waterproof compartments, insulated compartments, compartments with a separate cover, and combinations of the above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a diagram of a compartmented bag that is an embodiment of the present invention. This shows “messenger bag” style with the flap open to reveal that the interior is separated entirely into compartments which extend almost the entire vertical height of the bag. Each compartment is labeled to show its intended contents.  
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a top view diagram of the compartment layout for the bag shown in  FIG. 1 . This view shows that the compartments are intended to divide the interior area of the bag, and that there is no “main area” of the bag without a designated purpose. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a top-down view of an open empty compartmented bag that is an embodiment of the present invention, of similar style to the embodiment displayed in the diagrams of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a front-view view of the same bag in  FIG. 3 , showing the labeled compartments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a view of the bag of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , closed and at an angle to show the stroller attachment straps which are entirely external to the bag, allowing the bag cover to open and close freely without interfering with the stroller straps. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows the bag of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , open and filled with typical baby items that would be placed in each compartment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows the filled bag of  FIG. 6  from an overhead view. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows the rear of the bag with the flap open and clasped around the rear of the bag to keep it securely open, using the same closure straps used to secure the bag flap closed in its front. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows a removable liner fitting in the entire space of one of the compartments of the bag in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention is directed, inter alia, to provision of a compartmented bag  100 . Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1-9 . The compartments of embodiments of  the present invention provide several advantages over those in prior art diaper bags. First, the full height of these compartments allow for immediate access to an interior area reserved for the type of item stored in that compartment. (see  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ) In prior art interior pockets, the user must generally reach around or past a main compartment filled with mixed items to reach the desired pocket. This is more difficult and time consuming for the user of the diaper bag. This convenience is of particular utility to the typical diaper bag user, as those attending to infants and small children must often deal with emergencies. Saving even a few seconds searching for the needed item(s) can be the difference that avoids a very messy accident. 
         [0017]    Second, the compartments of embodiments of the present bag provide better and more consistent organization of items. In embodiments of the present invention, no area is intended for miscellaneous items. Each compartment is permanently labeled with a label  101  for an intended item type, so the user always organizes the diaper bag the same way. The smaller maximum size of all compartments and the lack of a generalized main area promote adherence to the intended usage of the bag, and maintain organization. (see  FIG. 2 ) 
         [0018]    Third, permanent labeling of the compartments provides a number of benefits. Unlike temporary labeling, these may be sewn into the diaper bag itself, preserving the bag&#39;s intended organizational system. In typical usage, a diaper bag is often shared between a variety of children&#39;s caretakers, including parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, or other family members and friends who may be responsible for taking care of the children at a given time. Bags in the prior art  create a particular problem in shared caretaking situations, because different people may organize the diaper bag in different ways. This leads to confusion and time-consuming reorganization each time the diaper bag changes hands between parents and different caretakers. Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem by preferably maintaining a consistent system of organization for the bag regardless of its user, with defined compartments that are permanently labeled. (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 ) 
         [0019]    The labeled compartments of embodiments of the present invention provide additional utility, as they offer a quick and convenient inspection of the inventory of the bag. Prior to going outside, a child&#39;s parent or caretaker must confirm that a diaper bag contains enough of the baby&#39;s essential items for the day, and replenish the supply of any needed items. In prior art diaper bags, this step entails searching through the bag and manually taking inventory of items such as diaper bags, wipes, bottles, replacement clothing, toys, snacks, and other items. In embodiments of the present invention, this check can be made at a glance, by simply looking at each labeled compartment and seeing how filled or empty it is. (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 ) 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the present invention include use in a bag in which all of the compartments can be quickly covered by a single flap  102 , a configuration commonly known as a “messenger bag”. While messenger-style diaper bags are known in the prior art, embodiments of the present invention includes a novel combination of this style of bag and straps  105  intended for attachment to a stroller or other wheeled cart. Many types of stroller straps are known in the prior art, but the novel combination here relates to the position at which the stroller straps are  attached to the bag. Prior art stroller straps attach to the interior side panels of the bag, or the rear of the bag, or the handle of the bag. In embodiments of the present invention, the stroller straps  105  attach to the exterior of the side panels of the main body of the bag, allowing the main cover flap  102  of the messenger-style bag to be opened and closed while the bag is still attached to the stroller. (see  FIG. 5 ) 
         [0021]    Embodiments of the present invention also include advancements related to the messenger-style diaper bag that enhance the usefulness of the compartmented bag of the primary invention. The messenger bag cover flap  102  provides fast and easy closure of the bag, but in some cases the user may wish to keep the bag open while carrying it. While using the shoulder strap  106 , the user may not be concerned that items will spill from the bag, but may find the messenger flap inconvenient to open when retrieving items from the bag. To solve this problem, embodiments of the present invention includes one or more adjustable clasp straps  103  for the cover flap that may be lengthened such that the flap can be wrapped around the rear of the bag and clasped securely behind it, using the same clasp that closes the flap in the front-facing covered position. In prior art messenger-style diaper bags, this clasp strap does not exceed a length of 4 inches at its maximum adjustment. By allowing the clasp strap to adjust a length of up to 12 inches, the strap may be wrapped underneath the bag and secure the flap in the open position against the rear of the bag. (see  FIG. 8 ) 
         [0022]    It is useful in some cases for the individual compartments of embodiments of the present invention to have fitted removable liners to aid in cleaning or provide additional features. For example,  FIG. 9  shows an embodiment of the present  invention in which a compartment intended for baby bottles includes an insulated, removable liner  104  made of waterproof material to aid in keeping the bottles cold. In embodiments of the present invention, such removable liners may only line a single compartment and are made to fit the entire compartment, with the liner intended to occupy the entire space of that compartment. 
         [0023]    While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.