Food storage bag formed of bear resistant textile

Abstract

A food storage bag is formed of flexible textile that is waterproof and resistant to bears for storing food therein when in backcountry areas. The storage bag includes a main shell and one or more auxiliary shells overlapping at least a bottom portion of the main shell. A closure including a cinch cord within a circumferential pocket at the top of the bag is used to close the bag and suspend the bag in use, for example from a tree branch. The shells are formed of a flexible, waterproof textile resistant to puncturing by bears. The bottom ends of the shells are detached so as to be movable relative to one another increases the resistance to puncturing by bears as the relative movement resists the attempts by bears to effectively grip and puncture through multiple layers of the textile.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a container or bag for storing objects, for example food, so as to resist access by animals, for example bears, and more particularly the present invention relates to the configuration of a bag formed of a flexible bear resistant textile. BACKGROUND

[0002] When in backcountry regions for hiking and camping and the like, it is common practice to store food away from campsites in containers which resist access by animals such as bears to keep the animals away from campsites, while protecting food supply. While fortified containers are one means of preventing animal access, such containers tend to be heavy and bulky so as to be unsuitable for transport by hiking.

[0003] United States Patent No. 10,258,125 by Cohen describes an example of an animal resistant bag arranged to be suspended from a cord for resistant access by animals such as bears. The bag is formed of multiple layers of material including Spectra fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate, and Kevlar fabric which are laminated together with heat and pressure for form an integral composite material. The resulting bag is complex and costly to manufacture, while being very stiff so as to limit the collapsibility of the bag for packing into a backpack. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a storage bag comprising:

[0005] a main shell including (i) a front panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the front panel and (ii) a rear panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the rear panel, wherein the bottom ends of the front panel and the rear panel are joined to one another and wherein the side edges of the front panel are joined to corresponding ones of the side edges of the rear panel;

[0006] a closure connected to the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell so as to operate the top ends between an open position defining an upper opening through which objects can be inserted into the bag and a closed position in which the top ends are gathered to close the upper opening;

[0007] at least one auxiliary shell including (i) a front panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the front panel and (ii) a rear panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the rear panel, wherein the bottom ends of the front panel and the rear panel are joined to one another and wherein the side edges of the front panel are joined to corresponding ones of the side edges of the rear panel;

[0008] wherein the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are supported on corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell;

[0009] wherein the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell are each formed of a flexible textile which is waterproof and resistant to a bear; and

[0010] wherein said at least one auxiliary shell is detached along the bottom ends of the front and rear panels relative to the bottom ends of the front and rear panels of the main shell.

[0011] The combination of bear resistant textiles joined in layers that allow some movement relative to one another, particularly at the bottom, increases the resistance to puncturing by bears as the relative movement resists the attempts by bears to effectively grip and puncture through multiple layers of textile when trying to access the food contents of the bag.

[0012] Preferably the bottom end of the front panel and the bottom end of the rear panel of the main shell are joined continuously and seamlessly with one another.

[0013] Preferably the bottom end of the front panel and the bottom end of the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined continuously and seamlessly with one another.

[0014] Preferably, the side edges of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined with corresponding ones of the side edges of the main shell, for example by stitching. Each of the front and rear panels of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell may be folded at each side edge to produce two plies, in which the side edges are joined to the corresponding ones of the side edges by stitching through both plies. Preferably the plies locating the stitching therein are located internally within the bag.

[0015] Preferably the at least one auxiliary shell is mounted internally within the main shell.

[0016] The at least one auxiliary shell may extend only partway along a height of the main shell such that the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell at an intermediate location spaced below the top ends of the main shell.

[0017] According to the illustrated embodiment, the at least one auxiliary shell may comprise a first auxiliary shell lining at least a lower portion of the main shell and a second auxiliary shell lining at least a lower portion of the first auxiliary shell. In this instance, the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the second auxiliary shell may be joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the first auxiliary shell, and the top ends of the front panel and rear panel of the first auxiliary shell may be joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell at a location spaced above the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the second auxiliary shell.

[0018] The flexible textile of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell may be formed of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fibers. In some embodiments, the flexible textile of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell may comprise a non-woven layer of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fibers and at least one continuous laminated layer.

[0019] The storage bag may further include a sealing tape formed of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fibers and covering both of (i) side seams between the corresponding side edges of the panels and (ii) intermediate seams at a junction of the top ends of at least one auxiliary shell with the front and rear panels of the main shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage bag according to the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a top view of the storage bag according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a partly sectional perspective view of the closure at the upper end of the storage bag according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a partly sectional perspective view of the auxiliary shells at the lower end of the storage bag according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a sectional view the lower end of the storage bag along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the textile forming the panels of the main and auxiliary shells of the storage bag according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a side seam formed at each side of the storage bag of FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the side seam; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a side seam formed at each side of the storage bag of FIG. 1, according to a second embodiment of the side seam.

[0029] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a bear resistant food storage bag generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The storage bag 10 is particularly suited for storing objects therein, for example food objects, by inserting the objects through an open top end of the bag prior to suspending the bag in an elevated manner, for example from a tree branch. The bag acts to resist penetration or tearing of the bag by bears which may bite or claw at the bag while attempting to access the food contents of the bag.

[0031] The storage bag 10 generally comprises (i) a main shell 12 defining the general shape of the bag, (ii) at least one auxiliary shell 14 overlapping at least a bottom portion of the main shell while remaining detached and movable relative to the bottom of the main shell, and (iii) a closure 16 for gathering and closing an open top end of the bag. The shells are formed of a textile that is flexible, waterproof and resistant to puncturing by bears biting and clawing at the bag, while the relative movement between the shells increases the resistance to puncturing by increasing the difficulty in securely gripping the contents of the bag through the relatively movable layers.

[0032] The main shell 12 is generally rectangular in shape when laid flat so as to primarily comprise a front panel 18 and a rear panel 20 each spanning a full height and a full width in a lateral direction of the bag. The bag remains open between the top ends of the front panel 18 and rear panel 20 at an upper opening 22 at the open top end 24 of the bag. Opposing bottom ends of the front panel 18 and rear panel 20 are joined continuously and seamlessly with one another as a unitary integral sheet of textile material at the bottom end 26 of the bag. Each of the front panel 18 and the rear panel 20 extend laterally a full width of the bag between respective side edges at laterally opposing sides 28 of the bag, in which the side edges extend the full height between the top end and the bottom end of the bag. The side edges of the front and rear panels at a corresponding first side of the bag are joined to one another along the full height between top and bottom ends of the panels, while the side edges of the front and rear panels at a corresponding second side of the bag are similarly joined to one another along the full height between the top and bottom ends of the panel using stitching as described in further detail below.

[0033] The closure 16 at the top of the bag includes a cinch cord 30 received within an annular pocket 32 extending circumferentially about the upper opening 22 at the open top end of the bag. The annular pocket 32 is defined by folding a top end portion 34 of each of the front and rear panels of the main shell downwardly and inwardly into the interior of the bag followed by a plurality of rows of upper stitching 36 securing the top end portion 34 to the interior of the main shell about the full circumference of the bag.

[0034] Two rear eyelet openings 38 are formed at circumferentially spaced positions through the innermost layer of the annular pocket 32 at a central location on the rear panel for open communication with the interior of the annular pocket 32. Two front eyelet openings 40 are formed at circumferentially spaced positions through both layers of the annular pocket 32 at a central location on the front panel for open communication from the interior to the exterior of the bag. The cinch cord 30 is received within the annular pocket 32 to extend about substantially the full circumference of the bag between the two rear eyelet openings 38.

[0035] Two opposing end portions of the cinch cord 42 exit the annular pocket through the rear eyelets 38 to span diametrically across the open top end of the storage bag to subsequently pass through respective ones of the front eyelets from the interior to the exterior of the bag. The end portions 42 of the cord 30 cross one another in an X pattern between the rear eyelets and the front eyelets while spanning across the diameter of the bag. Pulling the ends of the cinch cord 30 outwardly of the bag and away from one another causes the upper perimeter edge of the bag above the upper opening 22 to be gathered and constricted for closing the bag from an open position in which the upper opening is sufficiently unobstructed to enable objects to be inserted therethrough to a closed position in which the objects are prevented from removal from the bag with the upper opening being substantially closed.

[0036] The auxiliary shells 14 include (i) a first auxiliary shell 14A lining at least a bottom portion or all of the main shell 12 and (ii) a second auxiliary shell 14B lining at least a bottom portion or all of the first auxiliary shell 14A.

[0037] Similarly to the main shell, the first auxiliary shell 14A includes a front panel 44 and a rear panel 46. Each of the front panel 44 and the rear panel 46 of the first auxiliary shell span a full width of the bag between opposing side edges of the panels, arranged so that the side edges at a first one of the sides 28 of the bag are joined to corresponding side edges of the main shell at that first side by stitching, while side edges at a second one of the sides 28 of the bag are joined to corresponding side edges of the main shell at that second side by stitching.

[0038] The front panel 44 and the rear panel 46 are formed as a continuous sheet such that the bottom ends 47 of the panels are seamless and integral with one another directly adjacent the bottom ends of the main shell corresponding to the bottom end 26 of the bag.

[0039] The front panel 44 includes a top-end 48 which is stitched to the front panel 18 of the main shell across the full width between the side edges at an intermediate location partway along the height of the bag. The rear panel 46 includes a top end 50 which is stitched to the rear panel 20 of the main shell across the full width between the side edges at an intermediate location also partway along the height of the bag corresponding to the same height as the top end of the front panel 44. The front panel 44 and the rear panel 46 are sized such that the first auxiliary shell extends up less than 1 / 2 the height of the main shell between the bottom end and the top end of the bag, but preferably extends up more than 1 / 4 the height of the main shell. In the illustrated embodiment, the top ends of the front panel 44 and rear panel 46 of the first auxiliary shell are situated at approximately 1 / 3 the height from the bottom end to the top end of the bag relative to the main shell.

[0040] The bottom ends of the front panel 44 and rear panel 46 of the first auxiliary shell together with the main body of the front panel 44 and the rear panel 46 are fully detached from the main shell with the exception of the side edges and top ends which are stitched to corresponding locations on the front and rear panels of the main shell so as to allow the bottom end of the first auxiliary shell to be movable relative to the main shell.

[0041] The second auxiliary shell 14B includes a front panel 52 and a rear panel 54. Each of the front panel 52 and the rear panel 54 of the second auxiliary shell 14B span a full width of the bag between opposing side edges of the panels arranged so that the side edges at a first one of the sides 28 of the bag are joined to corresponding side edges of the main shell at that first side by stitching, while side edges at a second one of the sides 28 of the bag are joined to corresponding side edges of the main shell at that second side by stitching.

[0042] The front panel 52 and the rear panel 54 are formed as a continuous sheet such that the bottom ends 56 of the panels are seamless and integral with one another directly adjacent the bottom ends of the first auxiliary shell 14A and the main shell 12, corresponding to the bottom end 26 of the bag.

[0043] The front panel 52 includes a top end 58 which is stitched to the front panel 44 of the first auxiliary shell across the full width between the side edges at an intermediate location partway along the height of the first auxiliary shell. The rear panel 54 includes a top end 60 which is stitched to the rear panel 46 of the first auxiliary shell across the full width between the side edges at an intermediate location also partway along the height of the first auxiliary shell corresponding to the same height as the top end of the front panel 52. The front panel 52 and the rear panel 54 are sized such that the second auxiliary shell extends less than 1 / 4 the height of the main shell and approximately 1 / 2 or less of the overall height of the first auxiliary shell.

[0044] The bottom ends of the front panel 52 and the rear panel 54 of the second auxiliary shell together with the main body of the front panel 52 and the rear panel 54 are fully detached from the first auxiliary shell and the main shell with the exception of the side edges and the top ends which are stitched to corresponding locations on the front panel 44 and rear panel 46 of the first auxiliary shell so as to allow the bottom end of the second auxiliary shell to be movable relative to the first auxiliary shell and relative to the main shell.

[0045] According to the illustrated embodiment, the second auxiliary shell is stitched only to the first auxiliary shell such that the top ends 58 and 60 of the second auxiliary shell 14B are supported on the first auxiliary shell directly by connected stitching while being supported indirectly on the main shell by suspending the top ends of the second auxiliary shell on the first auxiliary shell which is in turn supported by stitching directly on the main shell. While the top ends of the second auxiliary shell can be stitched through the first auxiliary shell for direct connection to the main shell, this may undesirably limit relative movement between the first auxiliary shell and the main shell and is preferably avoided in preferred embodiments.

[0046] Each of the main shell and the auxiliary shells is formed of a textile comprised of non-woven fibers of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). In some embodiments, the textile may be formed in layers including a core layer 62 of non-woven UHMWPE fibers and a laminated layer 64 spanning one or both sides of the core layer. The laminated layer 64 may be similarly formed of UHMWPE as a continuous film or polyester as a continuous film for example.

[0047] Various seams of the bag may be further reinforced with a suitable reinforcing tape 66. The reinforcing tape 66 preferably comprises a textile of UHMWPE fibers having an adhesive layer on one side with a pealable layer covering the adhesive. The tape is applied by removing the pealable and applying the tape 66 by bonding with the adhesive along various seams. Seams covered with the tape at an interior side of the bag include (i) side seams at both sides 28 of the bag, (ii) intermediate seams at the junction of each of the top ends 48 and 50 of the first auxiliary shell to the corresponding front and rear panels of the main shell, and (iii) a top seam where the top end portion 34 of each of the front and rear panels of the main shell 12 have been stitched to the interior of the main shell.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 7, a first embodiment of the side seams where the side edges of all panels are joined along each of the sides 28 of the bag will now be described in further detail. With the shells initially arranged with their interior sides together, each side seam includes a first row of stitching 68 penetrated through a single ply of each of the corresponding panels within the side seam. The operator then inverts or flips the bag inside out to allow a second row of stitching 70 to be penetrated through two plies of each panel of the corresponding side seam. The sealing tape 66 can then be applied over the stitching followed by inverting or flipping the bag to return the inner sides of the panels to the interior of the bag to produce the finished side seam at each of the sides 28 of the bag appearing as shown in FIG. 7.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the side seams where the side edges of all panels are joined along each of the sides 28 of the bag will now be described in further detail. With the shells initially arranged with their exterior sides together, each side seam includes a first row of stitching 72 penetrated through a single ply of each of the corresponding panels within the side seam. The operator then folds over an edge portion along each side 28 of the bag to allow a second row of stitching 74 to be penetrated through two plies of each panel of the corresponding side seam. The sealing tape 66 can then be applied over the stitching followed by inverting or flipping the bag to return the inner sides of the panels to the interior of the bag to produce the finished side seam at each side 28 of the bag appearing as shown in FIG. 8.

[0050] According to one exemplary embodiment, the main shell is produced from an initial blank sheet of textile having a length of 40 inches and a width of 16 inches which is folded so that the length is aligned with the height of the bag and the width is aligned in the lateral direction of the bag. In this instance, the first auxiliary shell may be formed from a blank having length of 14 inches and a width of 16 inches for example, while the second auxiliary shell may be formed from a blank having a length of 7 inches and a width of 16 inches for example, in which the length again corresponds to the height of the bag and the width is aligned in the lateral direction of the bag.

[0051] In further embodiments, the dimensions of the bag can be varied. The bag can also be manufactured with a single auxiliary shell, or many additional layers defining third, fourth or fifth auxiliary shells for example.

[0052] In each instance, the bag is manufactured in a similar manner by first stitching the top ends of the front and rear panels of the innermost auxiliary shell to the next adjacent shell. This process continues with each auxiliary shell being attached to the next adjacent shell until the outermost auxiliary shell is attached to the main shell. All of the shells are then folded to define the bottom ends of the front and rear panels of the shells at the fold location corresponding to the bottom of the bag where the layers remain movable relative to one another. The side edges at opposing first and second sides of the bag are then joined to produce a first side seam at a first side of the bag and a second side seam at a second side of the bag with stitching in the manner described above according to FIGS. 7 and 8 for example. The top end portions 34 of the main shell are then folded inwardly and stitched into the interior of the main shell to produce the annular pocket about the upper opening of the bag that receives the cinch cord therein. The sealing tape 66 is then used to overlap the stitching at the relevant seems within the interior of the bag.

[0053] Since various modifications can be made in the invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A storage bag comprising: a main shell including (i) a front panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the front panel and (ii) a rear panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the rear panel, wherein the bottom ends of the front panel and the rear panel are joined to one another and wherein the side edges of the front panel are joined to corresponding ones of the side edges of the rear panel; a closure connected to the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell so as to operate the top ends between an open position defining an upper opening through which objects can be inserted into the bag and a closed position in which the top ends are gathered to close the upper opening;at least one auxiliary shell including (i) a front panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the front panel and (ii) a rear panel having a bottom end, a top end and two side edges extending between the top end and the bottom end of the rear panel, wherein the bottom ends of the front panel and the rear panel are joined to one another and wherein the side edges of the front panel are joined to corresponding ones of the side edges of the rear panel; wherein the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are supported on corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell;wherein the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell are each formed of a flexible textile which is waterproof and resistant to a bear; andwherein said at least one auxiliary shell is detached along the bottom ends of the front and rear panels relative to the bottom ends of the front and rear panels of the main shell.

2. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the bottom end of the front panel and the bottom end of the rear panel of the main shell are joined continuously and seamlessly with one another.

3. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the bottom end of the front panel and the bottom end of the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined continuously and seamlessly with one another.

4. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the side edges of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined with corresponding ones of the side edges of the main shell.

5. The storage bag according to claim 4 wherein each of the front and rear panels of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell are folded at each side edge to produce two plies, and wherein the side edges are joined to the corresponding ones of the side edges by stitching through both plies.

6. The storage bag according to claim 5 wherein the plies locating the stitching therein are located internally within the bag.

7. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the at least one auxiliary shell is mounted internally within the main shell.

8. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the at least one auxiliary shell extends only partway along a height of the main shell such that the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the at least one auxiliary shell are joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell at an intermediate location spaced below the top ends of the main shell.

9. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein said at least one auxiliary shell comprises a first auxiliary shell lining at least a lower portion of the main shell and a second auxiliary shell lining at least a lower portion of the first auxiliary shell.

10. The storage bag according to claim 9 wherein the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the second auxiliary shell are joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the first auxiliary shell and wherein the top ends of the front panel and rear panel of the first auxiliary shell are joined to corresponding ones of the front panel and the rear panel of the main shell at a location spaced above the top ends of the front panel and the rear panel of the second auxiliary shell.

11. The storage bag according to claim 1 wherein the flexible textile of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell is formed of an ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fiber.

12. The storage bag according to claim 11 wherein the flexible textile of the main shell and the at least one auxiliary shell comprises a non-woven layer of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fibers and at least one continuous laminated layer.

13. The storage bag according to claim 1 further comprising a sealing tape formed of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene fibers and covering both of (i) side seams between the corresponding side edges of the panels and (ii) intermediate seams at a junction of the top ends of at least one auxiliary shell with the front and rear panels of the main shell.

Images