Backpack having a collapsible interior pocket

Abstract

A backpack may include a front panel including a concave inner surface, a continuous side panel forming two sides and a top in which the side panel may share a welded seam with the front panel, a bottom panel sharing welded seams with the front panel and the side panel, a rear panel sharing welded seams with the side panel and the bottom panel, a pocket formed in the front panel. The pocket may include a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the pocket, an opening formed in the layer of flexible material accessible through the front panel, a welded junction of the first layer of material in which the first edge may be parallel with the concave inner surface and may be oriented toward the continuous side panel.

Description

008117.12679BACKPACK HAVING A COLLAPSIBLE INTERIOR POCKETCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.19 / 088,451 filed March 24, 2025. The contents of the above listed application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for any and all non-limiting purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to bags having internal pockets, and in particular, backpack or other bag devices having collapsible internal pockets.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional backpacks and other types of bags may include an interior pocket(s) for the storage of items such as water bottles and personal exercise gear. Some of these interior pockets, however, are cumbersome and occupy an excessive amount of space in the main storage compartment when the interior pocket is empty.SUMMARY

[0004] This Summary introduces a selection of concepts relating to this technology in a simplified form as a prelude to the Detailed Description that follows. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features.

[0005] In some aspects, a backpack disclosed herein may include a front panel including a concave inner surface, a continuous side panel forming two sides and a top, wherein the side panel shares a welded seam with the front panel, a bottom panel sharing welded seams with the front panel and the side panel, a rear panel sharing welded seams with the side panel and the bottom panel, and a pocket formed in the front panel. In some examples, the pocket may include a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the pocket, an opening formed in the layer of flexible material accessible through the front panel, and a welded junction of the layer of flexible material. In some examples, the front side of the pocket may be parallel with the concave inner surface and may be oriented toward the continuous side panel. In another example, when the back side of the pocket is forced away from the front008117.12679side of the pocket, the welded junction may bias the back side of the pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side of the pocket.

[0006] In other examples, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel only along an edge the opening. In another example, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel by welding or stitching. In yet another example, the pocket may further include a closure configured to secure the opening. In one example, the closure is a zipper. In some examples, the opening may be positioned vertically on the front panel. In still another example, the layer of flexible material may comprise a TPU material. In other examples, the backpack may include a compartment defined by the front panel, the side panel, the bottom panel, and the rear panel, the pocket may be disposed within the compartment, and an interior of the pocket may be watertight such that water cannot move from the interior of the pocket to the compartment.

[0007] In other aspects, an apparatus disclosed herein may include a first panel including an inner surface, a side panel forming two sides in which the side panels share a seam with the first panel, a second panel positioned opposite the first panel and sharing a seam with the side panels, a closure configured to provide access to an interior of the apparatus, and an interior pocket affixed to the inner surface of the first panel. In some examples, the interior pocket may include a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the interior pocket, an opening formed in the layer of flexible material accessible via the closure, and a welded junction of the layer of flexible material. In certain examples, the front side of the flexible material may be parallel with the inner surface of the first panel, and when the back side is forced away from the front side of the interior pocket, the welded junction may bias the back side of the interior pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side.

[0008] In some examples, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the inner surface of the first panel only along an edge the opening. In other examples, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the inner surface of the first panel by welding or stitching. In another example, the welded junction may bias the front side of the interior pocket against the inner surface of the first panel when the interior pocket is empty. In yet other examples, the apparatus may be a backpack, a duffel bag, a handbag, or a tote.008117.12679

[0009] In still other aspects, a method of forming a backpack disclosed herein may include the steps of forming a front panel in which the front panel comprises a concave inner surface, forming a continuous side panel in which the side panel shares a welded seam with the front panel, forming a bottom panel in which the bottom panel shares welded seams with the front panel and the side panel, forming a rear panel in which the rear panel shares welded seams with the side panel and the bottom panel, and forming a pocket formed in the front panel. In some examples, forming the pocket further include the steps of forming a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the pocket, forming an opening in the layer of flexible material, wherein the opening is accessible through the front panel, and forming a welded junction in the layer of flexible material. In certain examples, the front side of the pocket may be parallel with the concave inner surface and may be oriented toward the continuous side panel, and the welded junction may be configured to bias the back side of the pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side of the pocket when the back side of the pocket is forced away from the front side of the pocket.

[0010] In some examples, the front side of the pocket may be affixed to the opening. In other examples, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel only along an edge the opening. In yet another example, the layer of flexible material may be affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel by welding or stitching. In still other examples, the layer of flexible material may comprise a TPU material. In another example, the method of forming a backpack may further include the steps of forming a compartment defined by the front panel, the side panel, the bottom panel, and the rear panel in which the pocket is disposed within the compartment. In one example, an interior of the pocket may be watertight such that water cannot move from the interior of the pocket to the compartment.

[0011] These and additional features will be appreciated with the benefit of the disclosures discussed in further detail below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.008117.12679

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example backpack having a collapsible interior pocket, according to one or more aspects described herein.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an example backpack having a collapsible interior pocket, according to one or more aspects described herein.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an example backpack having a collapsible interior pocket, according to one or more aspects described herein.

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts a storage compartment view of an example backpack having a collapsible interior pocket, according to one or more aspects described herein.

[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically depict a backpack interior pocket in a stowed or collapsed configuration, and in an expanded or deployed configuration, according to one or more aspects described herein.

[0018] Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of various examples; however, the disclosed examples are not limited to that particular scale. Further, the drawings should not be interpreted as requiring a certain scale unless otherwise stated.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description of the various examples and components of this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Also, while the terms “front,” “top,” “back,” “rear,” “bottom,” “side,” “internal,” and “interior” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and / or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the claims.008117.12679

[0021] In the description that follows, reference is made to one or more backpack or bag devices having internal or interior pockets. It is contemplated that any of the disclosed structures may be constructed from any fabric, polymer, composite material, waterproof, water-resistant, or water-repellant material, alternative polymeric materials and / or combinations thereof without from the scope of these disclosures. The structures and materials disclosed herein may be water-resistant (i.e., capable of resisting the penetration of water to some degree, but not entirely); water-repellent (i.e., not easily penetrated by water); and / or waterproof or watertight (i.e., impervious to water). The terms waterproof, watertight, water-resistant, and water-repellent may be used interchangeably herein.

[0022] There remains a need for a backpack or other bag with a collapsible internal pocket system as described. For example, disclosed herein is a simple, space efficient, selfcollapsing internal pocket system that retracts to a stowed state when not storing items within the internal storage compartment of a backpack or bag. By collapsing or compressing into a stowed position, more room is created within the storage compartment. These and other advantages are described in more detail herein.

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric perspective-view of a backpack 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. Additionally, FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of a front portion of the same backpack 100, and FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of a side portion of backpack 100.

[0024] As depicted in FIG. 1, the backpack 100 may include front panel 102 affixed to a continuous or U-shaped side panel 104. Side panel 104 may be affixed to bottom panel 106 as best shown in FIG. 3. Rear panel 108 may be affixed to side panel 104 and bottom panel 106 as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Front panel 102, side panel 104, bottom panel 106, and rear panel 108 may be attached to each other by any known method, e.g., welding, stitching, adhesive, or combinations thereof. Front panel 102, side panel 104, bottom panel 106, and rear panel 108 may be constructed from a single or double laminated TPU fabric, for example. Alternative materials used to manufacture front panel 102, side panel 104, bottom panel 106, and rear panel 108 may include PVC, TPU coated nylon, coated fabrics, and other weldable and waterproof or water resistant fabrics.008117.12679

[0025] As depicted in FIG. 1, various handles, straps, webbing, and molle loops (e.g., 110, 112, 113, 114, 130, and 132) can also be included on backpack 100 for carrying, holding, or securing the backpack 100. As also depicted in FIG. 1, backpack 100 may include a pair of shoulder straps 110. The shoulder straps 110 may include a waist strap 112 and a chest strap 113. Carry handle 114 may also be affixed to an upper portion of rear panel 108. Shoulder straps 110, waist strap 112, chest strap 113, and cany handle 114 may be affixed to backpack 100 by stitching, welding, or by any other known methods including those disclosed herein. In one example, the padded upper strap portions 111 may include multiple layers of material, including a foam core surrounded by an abrasion resistant outer polymeric shell. As such, the foam core may include one or more of ethylene-vinyl acetate, low-density polyethylene, nitrile rubber, polychloroprene foam, polyimide foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, silicone foam, and microcellular foam, or combinations thereof. Additionally, the padded upper strap portions 111 may include outer webbing that is sewn onto the shoulder strap 110 upper strap portions 111 to form multiple loops 134 as depicted in FIG. 3. Molle loops 130 may also be formed of webbing material and affixed in a vertical recess 131 of front panel 102. Vertical recess 131 is configured to pennit the strip of molle loops 130 to be positioned more flush with the surface of front panel 102. Vertical recess 131 may be stamped or formed by injection molding during manufacturing of front panel 102. The strip of molle loops 130 may be affixed to vertical recess 131 by any known method, e.g., welding, stitching, adhesive, or combinations thereof. Side panel molle loops 132 may be fonned and affixed to side panel 104 in a similar manner as the strip of molle loops 130.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, backpack 100 may include main closure 120 and upper closure 122, as well as interior pocket closure 124. Main closure 120 may be configured to secure access to the internal storage compartment of back 100. The internal storage compartment can be fonned by front panel 102, side panel 104, bottom panel 106, and rear panel 108. Upper closure 122 may be configured to secure access to a secondary compartment or an alternative access point to the internal storage compartment of backpack 100. Backpack 100 can include main closure 120, upper closure 122, and interior pocket closure 124 configured with a zipper, a waterproof zipper, or water resistant zipper. In such a configuration, the backpack008117.12679may be substantially water resistant and can keep desired contents dry for an extended period of time during wet conditions. It is also contemplated that main closure 120, upper closure 122, and interior pocket closure 124 can include various sealing devices in addition to a zipper, for example, Velcro, buttons, snaps, buckles, zippers, excess material that is folded multiple times to form a seal such as a roll-down seal, seals, metal or plastic clamps, ties, drawstrings and combinations thereof, could be used to seal main closure 120, upper closure 122, and interior pocket closure 124.

[0027] As described above, FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of backpack 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. Front panel 102 may generally have a curved or convex shape on the outer surface thus forming a concave or curved inner surface. It is contemplated that backpack 100 may have any dimensions for height, width and depth, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, vertical strips of molle loops 131 may be affixed to vertical recesses 131. Backpack 100 can include main closure 120, upper closure 122, and interior pocket closure 124 configured with zipper pulls / puller 121. The pulls 121 may be formed of a cloth, string, or rope. The puller may also be a metal, alloy, composite, ceramic, or plastic, along with other suitable materials.

[0028] FIG. 3 depicts a side elevation view of backpack 100, according to one or more aspects described herein. Front panel 102 and side panel 104 may share a welded or stitched seam(s) 160. Similarly, bottom panel 106 may share a welded or stitched seams 161 with front panel 102 and side panel 104, and rear panel 108 may share welded or stitched seams 162 with side panel 104 and bottom panel 106. Front panel 102, side panel 104, bottom panel 106, and rear panel 108 may be fused to each other to form a single solitary component. As also depicted in FIG. 3, backpack 100 may include a back support panel 140 coupled to rear panel 108. Back support panel 140 may be constructed of a mesh material to provide a cooling effect when backpack 100 is worn by a person. In one example, shoulder strap 110 and upper shoulder strap portions 111 may be adjustably coupled to a top portion of the back support panel 140. It is contemplated that the upper strap portions 111 may be coupled to the back support panel 111 by sewing, adhesive, or one or more fastener elements, among others. Shoulder straps 110 may additionally include adjustable lower waist strap 112 and an adjustable upper chest strap 113 as previously described. Waist strap 112 may be coupled to a bottom portion of back support panel 140 and chest strap 113 may be008117.12679coupled to an upper portion of back support panel 140. Waist strap 112 and chest strap 113 may be constructed from a material similar to molle loops 130 and 132. As such, in one example, waist strap 112 and chest strap 113 may be formed of a nylon webbing.

[0029] FIG. 4 depicts main storage compartment 401 of an example backpack having a collapsible interior pocket 440 as disclosed herein, which expands when contents are stored therein and retracts when such contents are removed. Main closure 420 may be used to secure opening 421 that may be configured to allow access to storage compartment 401 of the backpack. Collapsible interior pocket 440 may be positioned adj acent the concave inner surface 403 of the front panel 402 of the backpack. Interior pocket 440, shown in the collapsed or stowed position, may be formed of a flexible material such as TPU, single or double laminated TPU fabric, TPU coated nylon, PVC, or other coated fabrics. Interior pocket 440 may be constructed of a material that allows a user to easily visualize the contents of the pocket. Interior pocket 440 may be secured or attached to inner surface 403 by using any method disclosed herein such as polymer welding, stitching, adhesive, or combinations thereof. As also shown in FIG. 4, welded or stitched seam 461 is visible between the interior of bottom panel 406 and the interior surface 403 of front panel 402

[0030] An example implementation of pocket 440 will now be described and represented schematically in relation to Figs. 5 A and 5B. As depicted schematically in FIG. 5 A (view is from above, looking down), backpack 500 may be configured with a stowable interior pocket 540 shown in the collapsed or stowed position when empty and, as depicted again schematically in FIG. 5B, interior pocket 540 in an expanded position when items are contained within interior pocket 540. Interior pocket 540 may be accessed via interior pocket closure 524 configured with zipper pulls / puller 521. Interior pocket closure 524 may be positioned on front panel 502 in a vertical manner. In other examples, interior pocket closure 524 may be oriented in a horizontal manner, diagonal manner, etc. Interior pocket 540 may include a front side 542a and a backside 542b. A welded junction 544 may secure interior pocket 540 to the inner surface 503 of front panel 502. Via welded junction 544, interior pocket 540 (i.e., front side 542a and a backside 542b) may be secured to inner surface 503 at a single point. In one example, interior pocket 540 (or front side 542a of pocket 540) may be affixed to concave inner surface 503 of front panel 502 only along an008117.12679edge 422 of the main closure (see FIG. 4). Edge 422 may be an edge of a zipper tape of main closure 420 of storage compartment 401 of the backpack 401. Welded junction 544 may be configured to bias interior pocket 540 against inner surface 503 when the pocket is empty. That is, when the back side 542b is elastically deformed to a bent configuration at the welded junction 544, the elasticity of the material biases the back side 542b to return into an unbent configuration where the welded junction 544 and the back side 542b are straight. Thus, the welded junction can bias the back side 542b of interior pocket 540 toward a parallel configuration with the front side 542a of interior pocket 540 and front side 542a may be biased into a parallel configuration against inner surface 503 of front face 502. Such a configuration is advantageous because by collapsing or stowing interior pocket 540, the storage area of backpack 500 is maximized by eliminating or reducing the excess material filling the storage compartment. As depicted in FIG. 5B, the storage area within the backpack is decreased when the interior pocket 540 is biased to an expanded or deployed configuration. In one example, an interior of collapsible pocket 540 may be watertight such that water cannot move from the interior of collapsible pocket 540 to the main storage compartment of backpack 500.

[0031] In other examples, the collapsible interior pocket disclosed herein may be include in other carry systems such as duffel bags, handbags, totes, etc.

[0032] The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

008117.12679What is claimed is:

1. A backpack comprising:a front panel including a concave inner surface;a continuous side panel forming two sides and a top, wherein the side panel shares a welded seam with the front panel;a bottom panel sharing welded seams with the front panel and the side panel;a rear panel sharing welded seams with the side panel and the bottom panel; and a pocket formed in the front panel, wherein the pocket includes:a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the pocket,an opening formed in the layer of flexible material accessible through the front panel,a welded junction of the layer of flexible material, wherein the front side of thepocket is parallel with the concave inner surface and is oriented toward the continuous side panel, and wherein when the back side of the pocket is forced away from the front side of the pocket, the welded junction biases the back side of the pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side of the pocket.

2. The backpack of claim 1 , wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel only along an edge of an opening to a main compartment of the backpack.

3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel by welding or stitching.

4. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the pocket further includes a closure configured to secure the opening, and wherein the closure is a zipper.

5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein the opening is positioned vertically on the front panel.008117.126796. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the layer of flexible material comprises a TPU material.

7. The backpack of claim 1, wherein:the backpack includes a compartment defined by the front panel, side panel, bottom panel, and rear panel,the pocket is disposed within the compartment, andan interior of the pocket is watertight to aid in preventing water from moving from the interior of the pocket to the compartment.

8. An apparatus comprising:a first panel including an inner surface;a side panel forming two sides, wherein the side panels share a seam with the first panel;a second panel positioned opposite the first panel and sharing a seam with the side panels;a closure configured to provide access to an interior of the apparatus; andan interior pocket affixed to the inner surface of the first panel, wherein the interior pocket includes:a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side of the interior pocket,an opening formed in the layer of flexible material accessible via the closure, a junction of the layer of flexible material, wherein the front side is parallel with the inner surface of the first panel, and wherein when the back side is forced away from the front side of the interior pocket, the junction biases the back side of the interior pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the inner surface of the first panel only along an edge of an opening to a main compartment of the backpack.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the inner surface of the first panel by welding or stitching.008117.1267911. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the junction biases the front side of the interior pocket against the inner surface of the first panel when the interior pocket is empty.

12. One of a backpack, duffel bag, handbag, tote, or insulating device comprising the apparatus of claim 8.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the junction is welded.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the edge comprises a zipper tape.

15. A method of forming a backpack comprising:forming a front panel, wherein the front panel comprises a concave inner surface; forming a continuous side panel, wherein the side panel shares a welded seam with the front panel;forming a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel shares welded seams with the front panel and the side panel;forming a rear panel, wherein the rear panel shares welded seams with the side panel and the bottom panel; andforming a pocket formed in the front panel, wherein forming the pocket further comprises:forming a layer of flexible material folded to define a front side and a back side ofthe pocket,forming an opening in the layer of flexible material, wherein the opening is accessible through the front panel, andforming a welded junction in the layer of flexible material, wherein the front sideof the pocket is parallel with the concave inner surface and is oriented toward the continuous side panel, and wherein the welded junction is configured to bias the back side of the pocket toward a parallel configuration with the front side of the pocket when the back side of the pocket is forced away from the front side of the pocket.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the opening is positioned vertically on the front panel.008117.1267917. The method of claim 15, wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel only along an edge of an opening to a main compartment of the backpack.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the layer of flexible material is affixed to the concave inner surface of the front panel by welding or stitching.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the layer of flexible material comprises a TPU material.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming a compartment defined by the front panel, the side panel, the bottom panel, and the rear panel, wherein the pocket is disposed within the compartment, and wherein an interior of the pocket is watertight to aid in preventing water from moving from the interior of the pocket to the compartment.

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