Abstract:
A lightweight bear-proof bag for carrying and storing camping related items is provided. The bag includes an outside surface made of a bear-proof material along with a non-solid frame located inside the outside surface. The non-solid frame has a predetermined form which cannot be substantially altered by an animal (e.g., a bear).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to camping gear, specifically to food storage bags for long-term camping in the wilderness. During long term camping, pack weight is of particular concern. Food storage bags add to pack weight, so it is desirable to keep these bags as lightweight as possible. 
         [0002]    In addition to pack weight, campers desire to keep their food stores from being raided and torn apart by hungry, marauding bears, raccoons or other animals. While backpacking in most areas of the United States, it is suggested that you use a bear-proof bag, bear-proof canister or other bear resistant container for storing your food. Others require the use of a bear-proof container. 
         [0003]    One lightweight bear-proof bag is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,713. This patent discloses puncture and tear resistant fabric sewn with high strength thread and secured with an abrasion resistant cord. This bag is made to be hung high in a tree to prevent bear tampering. 
         [0004]    Another bear-proof option is set forth in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0206763 entitled, “Easily Disassemblable Bear-Proof Container.” This publication discloses a complicated structure used for long-term camping in deep wilderness. This container unlocks and opens as a self-contained eating table. It may also be disassembled into individual parts for transportation. It&#39;s more like a cage with sturdy table-like side than a bag. 
         [0005]    Additional solutions are currently available for purchase. For example, the BearVault product is a bear-proof container providing tool-less access. BearVault claims its canister product is light weight while able to contain a large volume (approximately seven days worth of food) by using durable Lexan® construction. This canister also has a childproof-style, press-while-you-turn locking mechanism. 
         [0006]    Wild Ideas provides the Bearikade product which is a bear resistant container including an internal cylinder made of a lightweight composite carbon fiber material. The Bearikade container may be opened by a human using the edge of a coin or other flat object, and animals are unable to open the container. One advantage of the Bearikade canister is that the external diameter is large enough to keep Grizzly Bears from getting a jaw lock on it. A bear may still use its claws, body weight and other tactics to damage the container and its contents. Another disadvantage is that the opening is quite small. 
         [0007]    Another example currently on sale is the Ursack bear-proof food bag made of various materials. Some of these products use bullet-proof fabric, more specifically, high tech spectra fabric that&#39;s bolstered with flexible fiberglass Ripstop. Other Ursack bags are made of high tech Vectran fabric, which is the same material used in the airbags on the Mars Rover so that it will safely land on the planet&#39;s rough terrain. The Ursack highbred bag is a combination of the regular Ursack bag plus a heavy duty aluminum liner in the shape of a cylinder. The aluminum liner is designed to bend but not break, and it&#39;s possible that a bear might bend the liner out of shape. Ursack claims that “your food should survive just fine,” but some food may still be squished. Furthermore, Ursack states, “[t]he liner can be reused—although it may have to be reworked into a cylinder shape.” 
         [0008]    Additional background for the invention is in the technical area of collapsible cages. Collapsible cages are common and usually used for animals. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,194, entitled, “Collapsible Portable Animal Crate.” In this reference, the crate includes a tray to define a collapsed stowed configuration. The stowed configuration allows for easy crate transport. 
         [0009]    Thus it is desirable to provide a lightweight bag that is fully resistant to bear tampering and which can be easily carried during a wilderness hike. To be fully resistant, the bag must not lose its shape while full of food. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a lightweight bear-proof bag for carrying and storing camping related items. The bag includes an outside surface made of a bear-proof material along with a non-solid frame located inside the outside surface. The non-solid frame has a predetermined form which cannot be substantially altered by an animal (e.g., a bear). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the lightweight bear-proof bag; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of non-solid frame of the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a forth embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  provides perspective illustration of an alternative embodiment of the lightweight bear-proof bag; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a first embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates a second embodiment of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  provides a perspective view of yet another exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom view for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a non-solid frame for the bear-proof bag of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of a lightweight bear-proof bag; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  provides a perspective view of another exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates a lightweight bear-proof bag with a semi-circular shape on one side; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of a bear-proof bag; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates a back view of a final exemplary embodiment of a bear-proof bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosed invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the present technology, not limitation of the present technology. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present technology without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a simplified perspective view of an exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag is shown. The main elements of bag  100  are outside surface  110 , opening  120 , optional attachment devices  122 ,  124 , bottom  130  and a non-solid frame (not shown in this figure). Outside surface  110  consists of any tear-proof material, and preferably a commercially available bullet-proof material. Optional attachment device  122  may be a ring, metal clip or other similar device. Optional attachment device  124  may be a rope, strong string, chain, a strip of bear-proof material, or other similar device. Bag  100  and the bags set forth below may include a locking mechanism for additional protection from bear tampering. Standard locking mechanisms used for commercially available bear-proof bags may be used for this optional feature. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a first embodiment of a non-solid frame  200  for bag  100  is illustrated. Frame  200  includes substantially circular top structure  210 , bars  220  and substantially circular bottom structure  230 . Bars  220  and substantially circular structures  210 ,  220  are securely attached to each other as shown, and may consist of a thick material which is a light weight metal such as aluminum and/or a strong plastic. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of a non-solid frame  300 . Frame  300  includes substantially oval top structure  310 , bars  320  and substantially oval bottom structure  330 . Bars  320  and substantially oval structures  310 ,  330  are securely attached to each other as shown, and may be thin consisting of a light weight metal such as aluminum and/or a strong plastic material. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of non-solid frame  300 . In one embodiment of the present invention, bottom  330  is a substantially solid material to add additional support structure to the remaining components of the frame, more specifically open top structure  310  and bars  320 . In another embodiment of the non-solid frame, bottom  330  is not solid and has the same ring-like structure as top  310  show in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of a non-solid frame. Frame  500  includes top ring  510  and bottom ring  520 . Bars  530  are placed between top ring  510  and bottom ring  520  to provide rigid frame  500 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates a forth embodiment of a non-solid frame. Frame  600  has the same structure as frame  500  with additional rings  610  securely attached as shown for added structural support. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a simplified perspective view of another exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag. The main elements of the bag  700  are outside surface  710 , opening  720 , optional attachment device  722 , bottom  730  and a non-solid frame (not shown in this figure). Possible optional attachment devices are set-forth above. While lightweight bear-proof bag  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  has a substantially cylindrical shape, bag  700  has a substantially rectangular shape as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates a first embodiment of a non-solid frame  800  for bear-proof bag  700 . The main elements of frame  800  are rectangular top  810 , rectangular bottom  820  and bars  830 , which are securely attached to each other as shown, and may consist of a light weight metal such as aluminum and/or strong plastic material. 
         [0037]    Frame  800  is optionally collapsible such that when the bag is empty, it may be easily reduced in size and stowed away. This is convenient for both the final leg of a trek and for storage. Well know techniques may be used for providing the collapsibility of frame  800  and the other collapsible frames described in this disclosure. A predetermine method is provided to the user for collapsing the non-solid frame. A standard locking mechanism may be used for this collapsing. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates a second embodiment of a non-solid frame  900  for bear-proof bag  700 . Frame  900  has the same structure as frame  800  with additional bars  910  securely attached as shown for added structural support. Frame  900  is also optionally collapsible. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a simplified perspective view of yet another exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag. The main elements of bag  1000  are outside surface  1010 , opening  1020 , optional attachment device  1022 , bottom  1030  and a non-solid frame (not shown in this figure).  FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom view of bag  1000 , which reveals the substantially circular shape of bottom  1030  in this embodiment. 
         [0040]      FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a non-solid frame  1100  for bag  1000 . The main elements of frame  1100  are top ring  1110 , bottom ring  1120  and bars  1130 , which are securely attached to each other as shown, and may consist of a light weight metal such as aluminum and/or strong plastic material. Frame  1100  is optionally collapsible. 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of a lightweight bear-proof bag. This substantially half-oval shaped bag  1300  may be more easily attached to some backpacks at opening  1310  via optional attachment device  1320 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a simplified perspective view of another exemplary lightweight bear-proof bag. The main elements of bag  1400  are outer surface  1410 , bottom  1420 , opening  1430 , optional attachment device  1433  and a non-solid frame (not shown). Bottom  1420  of this example may be oval or circular which leads to an overall cone-like shape. Bag  1400  may fit more easily on top of items stacked on a standard backpack. The frame in this embodiment is preferably cone-shaped and optionally collapsible. 
         [0043]    Many other shapes may be used for the bear-proof bag of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 15  illustrates a lightweight bear-proof bag with a semi-circular shape on one side. This allows side  1510  of bear-proof bag  1500  to somewhat wrap around certain backpack  10  shapes to fit more securely. Arrows  1520  indicate how bag  1500  is placed against backpack  10 . The opening  1530  of bag  1500  may be used to assist with attachment to backpack  10 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of a bear-proof bag. Bag  1600  may also take on a shape which is flat on side  1610  next to backpack  10  and rounded on outside surface  1620 . Arrows  1630  indicate how bag  1600  is placed against backpack  10 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 17  illustrates a back view of a final exemplary embodiment of a bear-proof bag. Bag  1700  has sides  1710  which are substantially curved to somewhat match the shape of backpack  10 . Substantially matching the bear-proof bag shape to a backpack&#39;s shape may be done for any configuration of backpack. 
         [0046]    Although embodiments of the invention have been discussed primarily with respect to specific embodiments thereof, other variations are possible. For example, different sizes and geometric shapes may be utilized with the non-solid frame to match backpack shapes and backpacker needs. It may be possible to use any attachment device with the designs disclosed herein. 
         [0047]    While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.