Multi-compartment deflatable carryon baggage

Abstract

Multi-compartment deflatable carryon luggage provides a system with a plurality of bags. The bags can connect to each other and release from each other. When a traveler is packing fewer items, the traveler can detach unneeded bags and only take the bags that are needed. When additional items are needed, more of the bags can be added and connected to each other. In the case of a carryon bag, the bags forming the carryon luggage have a combined size that complies with airline carryon baggage requirements for a single bag. To increase the amount stored in each bag, a deflatable airtight bag is included inside each bag of the luggage. Before being deflated, the deflatable bag has a volume that is greater than the volume of the bag in which the deflatable airtight bag is disposed. After being deflated, the deflatable airtight bag has a volume no larger than the volume of bag in which the deflatable airtight bag is disposed. A pump can be integrated in the luggage. The pump is used to pump the air from the airtight bag after it has been packed.

Claims

1. Carryon baggage, comprising: a first bag for holding a first item; a second bag for holding a second item; wherein each of the first bag and the second bag comprise: an exterior; an interior with a first compartment and a second compartment that open and close along a hinge, and together define a volume of the first bag and the second bag; an inflatable/deflatable airtight bag connected to the first compartment, the airtight bag having a greater volume than a volume of the first compartment and the volume of the second compartment combined, when inflated; an airtight closure disposed on the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag for opening and closing the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag to allow an item to be inserted and removed; a valve connected to the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag allowing air to be removed from the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag to compress the volume of the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag to less than the combined volume of the first compartment and the second compartment; a pump disposed on the first compartment and being connected to the valve, the pump comprising a hemisphere of flexible resilient material, the pump removing air from the inflatable/deflatable airtight bag when actuated by pressing the hemisphere of flexible resilient material; wherein the hemisphere of resilient material is recessed within an outer surface of the first compartment and does not extend beyond the outer surface; and a connector for releasably connecting said second bag to said first bag in a position with said exterior of said first bag abutting said exterior of said second bag; said first bag and said second bag having a combined length, width, and height when connected, said combined length, width and height being no larger than an airline carryon size limit for a length, width, and height for a single carryon, according to current airline carryon baggage requirements, for allowing the combined first bag and second bag to qualify as a single carryon.

2. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, wherein said first bag has an extendable handle and a wheel, said extendable handle having an extended position for towing said first bag, said extendable handle having a retracted position; said combined length, width, and height including said wheel and said extendable handle in said retracted position being no larger than the airline carryon size limit for a length, width, and height for a single carryon.

3. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, wherein: said first bag has a length, a width, and a height; said second bag has a length, a width, and height; a first and a second of said length, said width, and said height of said first bag equaling a first and a second of said length, said width, and said height of said second bag; said first and said second of said length, said width, and said height of said first bag being no larger than a first and a second of a length, a width, and a height of the airline carryon size limit; said first and said second of said length, said width, and said height of said second bag being no larger than a first and a second of a length, a width, and a height of the airline carryon size limit; and a sum of a third of said length, said width, and said height of said first bag and a third of said length of said length, said width, and said height of said second bag being no larger than a third of the length, the width, and the height of the airline carryon size limit.

4. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, further comprising: an edge formed on one of said first bag and said second bag; and wherein the connector comprises a latch formed on the other of said first bag and said second bag, said latch releasably connecting to said edge.

5. The carryon baggage according to claim 4, wherein: said edge is formed on a left side of said one of said first bag and said second bag; said latch is formed on a left side of said other of said first bag and said second bag; a further edge is formed on a right side of one of said first bag and said second bag; and a further latch is formed on a right side of the other of said first bag and said second bag.

6. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, wherein said first compartment has an outlet formed therein, said outlet being connected to said valve and allowing air to exit from the airtight bag.

7. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, wherein said valve is a check valve, said check valve allowing air to exit from said airtight bag and preventing air from entering said airtight bag.

8. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, further comprising a release valve connected to said airtight bag, said release valve allowing air to enter said airtight bag when actuated.

9. The carryon baggage according to claim 1, further comprising a release valve connected to said airtight bag, said release valve allowing air to enter said airtight bag when actuated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic bottom right front perspective view of a baggage compartment according to the invention, which is shown in an open position.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic bottom right front perspective view of baggage that includes the compartment shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top, left, rear perspective view of the baggage shown in FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top left front perspective view of the baggage compartment shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a right elevational view of the baggage shown in FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 6 is a right elevational view of the baggage shown in FIG. 5, with the compartments detached from each other.

(7) FIG. 7 is a left, top, front perspective view of baggage compartment shown in FIG. 1 that includes an inner bag in an opened, inflated position.

(8) FIG. 8 is a left, top, front perspective view of the baggage compartment shown in FIG. 7 that is packed with garments and has its flap closed.

(9) FIG. 9 is a left, top, front perspective view of the baggage compartment shown in FIG. 8, with the inner bag in a compressed, deflated condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) FIGS. 1-9 show a preferred embodiment of multi-compartment deflatable carryon luggage 1. The luggage includes a rear bag 10, medial bag 20, and front bag 30.

(11) The rear bag 10 has a front compartment 11 and a rear compartment 12 that open and close along a piano hinge 13. The front compartment 11 includes a front compartment wall 14 and a front panel 16. The rear compartment 12 includes a rear compartment wall 15 and a rear panel 17. The rear compartment wall 15 has a pair of male latches 61 disposed on the rear compartment wall 15. Latches 60 are disposed on the front compartment wall 14. Each latch 60 connects to a respective male latch 61 to close the rear bag 10. A handle 70 is disposed on the rear compartment wall 15 between the male latches 61.

(12) An extendable handle 40 is provided in the rear bag 10. The handle 40 includes a grip 41. Inner telescoping segments 42 extend and retract into outer telescoping segments 43.

(13) Wheels 50 are disposed on the bottom of the rear compartment 12 of the rear bag 10.

(14) The medial bag 20 has a front compartment 21 and a rear compartment 22 that open and close along a piano hinge 23. The front compartment 21 includes a front compartment wall 24 and a front panel 26. The rear compartment 22 includes a rear compartment wall 25 and a rear panel 27. The rear compartment wall 25 has a pair of male latches 61 disposed on the rear compartment wall 25. Latches 60 are disposed on the front compartment wall 24. Each latch 60 connects to a respective male latch 61 to close the medial bag 20. A handle 70 is disposed on the rear compartment wall 25 between the male latches 61.

(15) The front bag 30 has a front compartment 31 and a rear compartment 32 that open and close along a piano hinge 33. The front compartment 31 includes a front compartment wall 34 and a front panel 36. The rear compartment 32 includes a rear compartment wall 35 and a rear panel 37. The rear compartment wall 35 has a pair of male latches 61 disposed on the rear compartment wall 35. Latches 60 are disposed on the front compartment wall 34. Each latch 60 connects to a respective male latch 61 to close the medial bag 30. A handle 70 is disposed on the rear compartment wall 35 between the male latches 61.

(16) As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the rear bag 10, medial bag 20, and front bag 30 can be attached and released to each other. The rear bag 10 has latches 80 disposed on the right and left portions of the front compartment wall 14. Each latch 80 engages with a respective edge 81 on the rear compartment wall 25 of the medial bag 20. Similarly, the medial bag 20 has latches 80 disposed on the right and left of the front compartment wall 24. Each latch 80 engages with a respective edge 81 on the rear compartment wall 35 of the front bag 30.

(17) FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the deflatable aspect of each bag 10, 20, and 30. A bag 90 is connected to the rear panel 17. The bag 90 has a volume that is great than the rear bag 10 when the bag 90 is filled and not yet deflated as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, clothes 94 are loaded in the bag 90. The flap 91 is closed. An airtight zipper 92 closes the bag 90. A pump 96 is connected to the bag 90. The pump 96 is shown in FIG. 3. When the pump 96 is pressed, air is pumped from the bag 90 and out the air outlet 97. A check valve in the air outlet 97 prevents air from returning into the bag 90. The pump 96 has a release, which allows air to refill the bag 90. FIG. 9 shows the bag 90 including the clothes 94 in a compressed state. In the compressed state, the deflated bag 90 has a volume no greater than the volume of the rear bag 10.