US20030042091A1

US20030042091A1 - Luggage with container holder

Info

Publication number: US20030042091A1
Application number: US09/947,031
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott Oh
Original assignee: Luggage America Inc
Current assignee: Luggage America Inc
Priority date: 2001-09-04
Filing date: 2001-09-04
Publication date: 2003-03-06

Abstract

An improved luggage container for carrying a container comprises a first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces and a second compartment formed on a first side surface of the first compartment. The second compartment has a cover defining and providing access to the second compartment and an outer layer attached inside the second compartment. The outer layer defines a top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment, and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is completely enclosed within the second compartment. The cover of the second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first compartment as a pivoting axle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to generally to luggage containers, and more specifically, to a luggage with integrated container holder.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A challenge to traveling has always been carrying one's belongings in the most efficient and easy manner. However, depending on the circumstances, one bag is often not the best for all situations. Depending on pavement conditions, the number of stairs, etc., a backpack can be best fitted for the situation. At other times, a wheeled suitcase is best to transport heavier baggage through airports, even roads, etc.

The problem arises when a traveler is confronted with more than one luggage or bags during a single trip, especially when traveling involves flights and moving through busy airports or rail terminals. When traveling using airplanes, many doctors have recommended that sufficient amount of fluid be consumed during the flight. In addition, moving about the terminals and simply just walking cause a traveler to be dehydrated. As a result, many travelers carry, in addition to their luggage and handbags, a beverage bottle, such as a water bottle.

However, due to limited carrying capacity, usually the water bottle cannot be conveniently placed in such luggage. Sometimes, such bottles are placed inside a handbag, which may result in spilling. Furthermore, the size of the typical water bottle causes the bag to bulge thus causing a burden to carry the bag. Although various attempts have been made to solve the problem, as popularity of wheeled luggage or suitcases become increasingly more popular, an improved design is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved luggage that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a means to conveniently carry a bottle when the luggage is being wheeled.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a luggage container for carrying a container comprises a first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces; a second compartment formed on a first side surface of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment has a cover defining and providing access to the second compartment; and an outer layer attached inside the second compartment, the outer layer defining a top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment, and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is at least partially enclosed within the second compartment. Preferably, the outer layer has an elastic band to define the top opening.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the luggage further comprises a handle disposed along a length of the first compartment; and a pair of wheels mounted to a lower end of the first compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the second compartment further includes an inner layer that is shared with the first compartment, the inner layer being of a water resistive material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cover of the second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first compartment as a pivoting axle.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide a further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0015]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage having an integrated container holder in accordance with a preferred embodiments of the present invention; [0016]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the wheeled luggage with the cover for the container holder opened in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention; and [0017]
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the use of the container holder in the wheeled luggage in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with respect to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the annexed drawings. [0019]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the [0020] wheeled luggage 10 having an integrated container holder in accordance with a preferred embodiments of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the luggage 10 has at least two compartments 20 and 25, wherein the main compartment 20 is used to keep the user's belongings, while a second or side compartment 25 is used to hold a container, such as water bottle. The inside of the main compartment 20 is accessible by using a zipper 22. The luggage 10 also has an extendable handle 30. The retractable handle 30 extends substantially along the length of the luggage 10. The extendable handle 30 is mounted on the main compartment 20 at a position that is adjacent to the backside of the main compartment 20. In the wheeled suitcase configuration, the handle 30 extends out of the top of the main compartment 25 to a predetermined distance and used by the user to pull the luggage 10 by rolling the wheels 32, 34 after tilting the luggage 10.
The [0021] wheels 32 and 34 are preferably disposed at the bottom edge of the luggage 10 to provide stability. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 32, 34 are dual wheels (two wheels on each side) to provide stability and easy transport.
The [0022] second compartment 25 is preferably placed along a side of the luggage 10 and adjacent the rear side edge. The second compartment 25 has a cover 27 that opens on the side using the rear side edge as a pivoting axle 42. Preferably, the pivoting axle 42 of the second compartment 25 is the rear side edge of the luggage 10. The cover 27 closes the second compartment 25 by using any suitable fastener known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as zippers, snaps, hook and loop fasteners or the like. According to the preferred embodiment, the second compartment 25 is about 9 inches by 3 inches.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the [0023] wheeled luggage 10 with the cover 27 for the second compartment 25 opened in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the use of the second compartment as a container holder.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the [0024] second compartment 25 is affixed to the side of the main compartment 20. A zipper 26 is used to open and close three sides of the second compartment 25 and generally defines the shape of the second compartment 25. When the second compartment 25 is fully opened, the second compartment cover 27 is at least partially attached to the rear side edge of the luggage 10.
The [0025] second compartment 25 includes an inner layer 44 and an outer layer 46. The outer layer 46 includes an elastic band 48 at the top. The outer layer 46 is attached at three sides with a top opening for receiving a container 100 therein. The elastic band 48 causes the container 100 to be held firmly against the inner layer 44. According to the preferred embodiment, the outer layer 46 is made of an elastic fabric mesh. However, other suitable material may also be substituted.
Preferably, the [0026] inner layer 44 is made of a water resistance material to protect the materials stored inside the main compartment 20 due to possible condensation formed on the outer surface of the container 100. The inner layer 44 of the second compartment 25 is preferably shared with the lining of the main compartment 20. However, this is not necessary and each compartment may have a separate lining.
When the [0027] second compartment cover 27 is opened, a pocket formed by the outer layer 46 and the inner layer 44 is exposed and deployed from the second compartment 20. As seen in FIG. 1, the second compartment 27 is closed, hiding and protecting the outer layer 46 during the times the luggage 10 is wheeled.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the [0028] luggage 10 can be formed of any durable material, such as canvas, fabric, nylon, leather, plastic (e.g. vinyl), etc.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative embodiments exists from the description of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Preferred embodiments were shown in the context of a standard carry-on size luggage. However, in alternative embodiments, a full size luggage or a luggage with additional compartments can be substituted for the preferred luggage. Moreover, the location of the [0029] second compartment 25 may also be changed. For example, the second compartment 25 may be placed on the cover of the main compartment 20 (the front of the luggage 10). Alternatively, the second compartment 25 may be placed in the middle of the side of the luggage instead of being near the rear side edge of the luggage 10.
Therefore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. [0030]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage container for carrying a container, comprising:

a first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces;

a second compartment formed on a side surface of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment has a cover defining and providing access to the second compartment; and

an outer layer attached inside the second compartment, the outer layer defining a top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment, and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is at least partially enclosed within the second compartment.

2. The luggage container of claim 1, further comprising:

a handle disposed along a length of the first compartment; and

a pair of wheels mounted to a lower end of the first compartment.

3. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the outer layer having an elastic band to define the top opening.

4. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment further includes an inner layer that is shared with the first compartment, the inner layer being of a water resistive material.

5. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first compartment as a pivoting axle.

6. The luggage container of claim 5, further comprising:

a handle disposed along a length of the first compartment; and

a pair of wheels mounted to a lower end of the first compartment.

7. The luggage container of claim 5, wherein the outer layer having an elastic band to define the top opening.

8. The luggage container of claim 5, wherein the second compartment further includes an inner layer that is shared with the first compartment, the inner layer being of a water resistive material.