Multi-configuration bag with compartments having multiple access points

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9854889-B2
Application number	US-201514723784-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 28, 2015
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Jan 2, 2018
Grant date	Jan 2, 2018

Abstract

A bag having two or more compartments for organizing and stowing belongings therein, and the two or more compartments include openings or access points to provide access to storage spaces. The bag may be converted from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, such that the individual compartments fit together to form the unitary configuration of the bag. Each compartment includes at least one opening that provides access to the compartment's interior whether the bag is in a folded or a unitary configuration.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bag with multiple compartments that each includes multiple access points and that are configurable between a lay-flat configuration and a folded configuration, the bag comprising:
a first compartment that includes a first set of walls enclosing a first storage space and that includes a first opening, which is selectively closeable to manage access to the first storage space,
wherein the first set of walls includes a first wall having a first-wall interior surface facing towards the first storage space and a first-wall exterior surface facing away from the first storage space, and
wherein the first compartment includes a second opening that is selectively closeable to manage access to the first storage space;
a second compartment that includes a second set of walls enclosing a second storage space and that includes at least one opening, which is selectively closeable to manage access to the second storage space, wherein the second set of walls includes a second wall having a second-wall interior surface facing towards the second storage space and a second-wall exterior surface facing away from the second storage space, and
a compartment joining member that hingedly connects the first compartment and the second compartment in a bifold-style construction, such that the first compartment and the second compartment are convertible between the lay-flat configuration and the folded configuration by hinging on the compartment joining member,
wherein in the lay-flat configuration the first-wall exterior surface and the second-wall exterior surface are folded away from one another, such that the first wall and the second wall are alignable to be substantially coplanar;
wherein in the folded configuration the first-wall exterior surface and the second-wall exterior surface are folded towards, and face, one another to form inward-facing surfaces of the bag; and
wherein in the folded configuration, the second opening is positioned in an outward-facing surface of the bag.

2. The bag of claim 1 ,
wherein the first compartment and the second compartment form a body that is substantially a geometric prism when converted to the folded configuration,
wherein the geometric prism includes a first n-sided polygonal base and a second n-sided polygonal base that extend substantially parallel to one another, and
wherein the geometric prism includes n sides that join corresponding sides of the first and second n-sided polygonal bases.

3. The bag of claim 2 , wherein an interface between the first-wall exterior surface and the second-wall exterior surface substantially bisects both the first n-sided polygonal base and the second n-sided polygonal base.

4. The bag of claim 3 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, forms at least part of the first n-sided polygonal base.

5. The bag of claim 3 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, forms at least one of the n sides of the geometric prism.

6. The bag of claim 2 , wherein n equals four, such that the bag includes a trapezoidal prism when the first compartment and the second compartment are converted to the folded configuration, such that the first and second n-sided bases are trapezoid shaped.

7. The bag of claim 6 , wherein an interface between the first-wall exterior surface and the second-wall exterior surface substantially bisects the trapezoid-shaped bases.

8. The bag of claim 1 , wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are of a similar size and shape, and wherein the bag includes a cylindrical shape when the first compartment and the second compartment are converted to the folded configuration.

9. The bag of claim 8 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, extends substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical shape.

10. The bag of claim 8 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, extends substantially parallel with an axis of the cylindrical shape.

11. The bag of claim 1 ,
wherein the first compartment and the second compartment form a body that is substantially a three-dimensional polyhedron when converted to the folded configuration,
wherein the three-dimensional polyhedron includes a base that is comprised of at least part of the first compartment and at least part of the second compartment and that supports the bag in an upright position when in the folded configuration,
wherein the three-dimensional polyhedron includes a first end face and a second end face that generally oppose one another, that are comprised of at least part of the first compartment and at least part of the second compartment, and that are substantially bisected by an interface between the first-wall exterior surface and a third-wall exterior surface,
wherein the three-dimensional polyhedron includes at least one side face that joins the first end face to the second end face and that forms part of the first compartment, and
wherein the three-dimensional polyhedron includes at least one side face that joins the first end face to the second end face and that forms part of the second compartment.

12. The bag of claim 11 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, forms at least part of the first end face.

13. The bag of claim 11 , wherein the outward-facing surface of the bag, in which the second opening is positioned, forms at least part of the at least one side face that forms part of the first compartment.

14. A bag with multiple compartments that each includes multiple access points and that are configurable between a lay-flat configuration and a folded configuration, the bag comprising:
a first compartment including a first set of walls that encloses a first storage space and that includes a first opening, which is selectively closeable to manage access to the first storage space,
wherein the first set of walls includes a first wall having a first-wall interior surface facing towards the first storage space and a first-wall exterior surface facing away from the first storage space, and
wherein the first set of walls includes a second opening that is selectively closeable to manage access to the first storage space;
a second compartment including a second set of walls that encloses a second storage space and that includes a third opening, which is selectively closeable to manage access to the second storage space, wherein the second set of walls includes a second wall having a second-wall interior surface facing towards the second storage space and a second-wall exterior surface facing away from the second storage space,
wherein the second set of walls includes a fourth opening that is selectively closeable to manage access to the second storage space;
a third compartment including a third set of walls that encloses a third storage space and that includes at least one third-compartment opening, which is selectively closeable to manage access to the third storage space, wherein the third set of walls includes a third wall having a third-wall interior surface facing towards the third storage space and a third-wall exterior surface facing away from the third storage space; and
one or more compartment joining members that hingedly connect the first, second, and third compartments to one another, such that the first, second, and third compartments are convertible between the lay-flat configuration and the folded configuration by hinging on the one or more compartment joining members,
wherein in the folded configurati

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Amago Justin

Classifications

• A45C7/0095

  comprising a plurality of hinged panels to be unfolded in one plane for access purposes · CPC title

• A45C2003/007

  Sport bags · CPC title

• A45C13/02 Primary

  Interior fittings; Means, {e.g. inserts,} for holding and packing articles · CPC title