Abstract
A cut resistant and highly translucent tote utilizes a multilayer knitted metal fabric having a knitted metal outside layer and a knitted metal inside layer. These two knitted layers may be independent in a portion of the tote, such as in a clear-view portion of the tote, configured to allow clear visibility of items retained in the tote. The independent layers of knitted fabric are highly cut resistant, as they can flex in multiple direction and also move and slide with respect to each other. The tote may have a gusseted base with a base-side sleeve extending at the intersection of the base and sides to allow the tote to be free standing. An opening in the top of the tote may have a closure feature, such as hook-and-loop fastener material.
Claims
1. A cut resistant and translucent tote comprising: a) a multilayer knitted metal fabric comprising: i) a knitted metal outside layer; ii) a knitted metal inside layer; b) a top opening having an opening sleeve that extends over the outside and inside layers of knitted metal; c) a base, d) a clear-view portion configured between the opening sleeve and the base that is translucent; and e) a height from the opening to the base along a height axis.
2. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric consists of a knitted metal inside layer and a knitted metal outside layer that are both an interloping knit comprising a loop axis.
3. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 2, wherein a loop axis of both the knitted metal inside layer and knitted metal outside layer extends along the height of the tote.
4. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the tote has a perimeter and wherein the clear-view portion extends completely around the perimeter of the tote.
5. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the clear-view portion has an open area of at least 50%.
6. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric is a fabric sleeve; wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric is continuous around the perimeter.
7. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the base is a circular base and wherein the cut resistant and translucent tote is free standing.
8. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 7, wherein the base comprises: a) a multilayer knitted metal fabric comprising: i) a knitted metal outside layer; and ii) a knitted metal inside layer.
9. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 7, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric is a fabric sleeve.
10. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the tote comprises shoulder straps and is configured as a backpack.
11. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 10, wherein the backpack has an auxiliary compartment.
12. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 10, wherein the backpack has a fabric configured on a front side.
13. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the tote is configured as a cooler utensil tote configured to be coupled to a cooler.
14. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 13, wherein the cooler utensil tote comprises a hoop configured to retain a strap to couple the cooler utensil tote to said cooler.
15. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 13, wherein the cooler utensil tote has a first side portion, a top portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion is configured to extend down a first side of said cooler, the top portion is configured to extend over a top of said cooler and the second side portion is configured to extend down a second side of said cooler.
16. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 15, wherein the cooler utensil tote has a first cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion configured on the first side portion and a second cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion configured on the second side portion of the cooler utensil tote.
17. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 16, wherein the first cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion comprises sleeves for receiving utensils.
18. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric is an independent layered fabric in the clear-view portion of the tote, wherein the knitted metal inside layer and knitted metal outside layer are unattached.
19. The cut resistant and translucent tote of claim 1, wherein the clear-view portion consists of the knitted metal inside layer and the knitted metal outside layer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying drawings 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.
(2) FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary tote of the present invention comprising two unattached layers of knitted metal in the clear-view portion of the tote.
(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary base coupling, an inverted sleeve.
(4) FIG. 3 shows a front view of an exemplary tote of the present invention having articles clearly visible therein.
(5) FIG. 4 shows a top view of an exemplary tote having a grommet and closure feature.
(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary tote of the present invention having a gusseted bottom.
(7) FIG. 6 shows the tote of FIG. 5 with binoculars configured therein and clearly visible through the clear-view portion of the tote.
(8) FIG. 7 shows perspective view of an exemplary tote of the present invention having a gusseted bottom.
(9) FIG. 8 shows a person carrying a tote of the present invention with contents clearly visible through the clear-view portion.
(10) FIG. 9 shows an exemplary knitted metal having an interloping knit weave.
(11) FIG. 10 shows an exemplary knitted metal having an interloping knit weave that is contracted along the loop axis.
(12) FIG. 11 shows a two-ply layer knitted metal layer, wherein each knitted metal layer has an interloping knit weave.
(13) FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(14) FIG. 13 shows a length cross-sectional view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(15) FIG. 14 shows a top view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(16) FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(17) FIG. 16 shows a top view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(18) FIG. 17 shows a length cross-sectional view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(19) FIG. 18 shows a top view of an exemplary lock cable comprising a knitted metal fabric coil.
(20) FIG. 19 shows an exemplary insect flying disc device.
(21) FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an exemplary tote, or can tote of the present invention having a round bottom to better enable the can tote to stand upright.
(22) FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an exemplary backpack comprising a knitted metal fabric to allow viewing of articles therein.
(23) FIG. 22 shows a front side view of the exemplary backpack shown in FIG. 21 with a fabric configured on the front side.
(24) FIG. 23 shows perspective view of a cooler with a cooler utensil tote configured over the cooler.
(25) FIG. 24 shows an inside view of a cooler utensil tote having a cut resistant and highly translucent tote multilayer knitted metal fabric.
(26) FIG. 25 shows an outside view of the cooler utensil tote shown in FIG. 24, wherein the outside is a fabric.
(27) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
(28) As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
(29) Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.
(30) Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, an exemplary tote 10 comprises a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 that is translucent, having a high open area, and cut resistant. The multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 may be a fabric sleeve 23 consisting of the multilayer knitted metal fabric in a continuous sleeve, with no seams along the length of the sleeve, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric extends continuously around the perimeter of the sleeve. An exemplary sleeve has a free end at the top and bottom. A clear view portion 50 of the tote, or area that is highly translucent, such as from the top opening sleeve 44 to the base 29, allows article retained therein to be clearly viewed through the f. A crimped edge 70, 70′ extends from the top-opening sleeve 44 to the base 29 to create an envelope shaped tote with parallel front 20 and back 22 surfaces. The exemplary tote comprises a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80, such as a two-ply knitted fabric 30, comprising independent and unattached layers of an inside layer of knitted metal inside layer 32 and an outside layer of knitted metal outside layer 34, to produce a cut resistant tote having a clear-view portion 50. As shown in FIG. 3, items 15 within the tote are clearly visible.
(31) The exemplary tote has a top opening 40 with a closure feature 42, such as hook-and-loop fastener material 43 or zipper. A top opening sleeve 44, such as a fabric 62, extends over the knitted metal fabric to encapsulate the top edge of the knitted metal fabric. A stitch 68 may extend through this fabric and the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 to secure the two components together. A grommet 49 extends through the top opening sleeve and the knitted metal fabric to secure the front and back together, as best shown in FIG. 4. The grommet provides a means to secure a strap, clip, a karabiner or other fastener to the tote. The tote has a height 28 from the top 27 to the base 29, or bottom, and a width 25 from the first side 24 to the second side 26. Crimped edges 70 and 70′ are configured between the front 20 and back 22 surfaces of the tote in the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80. The crimped edges bend and sets the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 substantially 180 degrees.
(32) A base coupling 60 couples the front and back multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 to form the base 29, as best shown in FIG. 2. The base coupling is an inverted seam 66, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 has a base crimp 72 that folds the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 inward toward the interior of the tote. A sleeve coupler 63, such as fabric 62 extends over the free ends 36 of the multilayer fabric and is secured to each of the free ends together. This inverted seam keeps the free ends of the metal fabric pointed inward.
(33) A clear-view portion 50 extends from the top opening sleeve 44 to the base 29 and comprises or consists of the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80, such as a two-ply metal fabric layer 30. The two-ply metal fabric layer 30 is made up of a knitted metal inside layer 32 and a knitted metal outside layer 34. In an exemplary embodiment, these two layers are unattached in the clear-view portion to allow independent movement to further increase cut through resistance. The open area of the clear view portion may be about 50% or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more and any range between and including the percentages provided. The clear view portion layer may be a multi-layer metal fabric sleeve having no seams around the perimeter.
(34) As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, an exemplary tote 10 is configured with a gusseted base 120, or bottom that extends horizontally to better enable the tote to stand upright. The tote of the present invention may be free-standing, wherein it will stand upright on the gusseted bottom without additional support. As shown in FIG. 5, a strap 11 is coupled to the tote 10. A gusseted base may be formed by crimped base edges 72, 72′ that extends across the base from the first side 24 to the second side 26, or along the front and back, and crimped edges that extend along either side, 72″, 72′″. The distance between the crimped base edges extending from the front to the back surface may define the depth of the base. Base-side sleeves 122, 122′ may extend across the sides of the base. The metal fabric may have a base coupling 60 that extends across the base from the first side to the second side and this coupled portion may have a sleeve coupler 63, such as fabric 62 to cover any loose metal strands and/or to couple edges of the metal fabric together, as shown in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the base comprises a stich 68 to produce the seam in the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a side sleeve 45 extends along the side of the tote and may extend around a crimped edge of the metal fabric. The tote shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 has a gusseted bottom but only one crimped edge along the two vertical sides to produce an irregular shaped tote. As shown in FIG. 6, the tote is free-standing on the base 29 with an item 15, binoculars, within the interior of the tote. As shown in FIG. 7, side surfaces are formed in the tote by the two crimped side edges 70, 70′ along the left side and 70″, 70′″ extending along the right side. These side crimped edges produce a block shaped tote having front and back surfaces as well as left and right surfaces and a base surface. The surfaces described herein, may be planar surfaces connected along edges to form a block shaped enclosure. The base of the tote shown in FIG. 7, as well as the front, back, and side surface are rectangular in shape, formed by the crimped edges and sleeve couplers. As shown in FIG. 7, the clear view portion 50 of the tote is more than 75% of the surface of the tote, as calculated by taking the area of each of the sides, or surfaces. The front, back and side surfaces, as well as a majority of the base are substantially the independent multilayer knitted metal fabric. Only the sleeve couplers along the base and the top-opening sleeve are not transparent or translucent.
(35) As shown in FIG. 8, a person 14 is carrying an exemplary tote 10 of the present invention by a strap 11. The exemplary tote has a clear-view portion 50 to allow inspection of items 15 in the tote.
(36) Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 11, an exemplary multilayer knitted metal fabric 80, has an interloping knit pattern. The knitted metal fabric comprises metal strands 81 that are coupled together by coupling loops 82. As shown the strands have a weft portion 83, or portion where they extend in the weft direction, or cross machine direction, and a warp portion 84, or portion where they extend in the warp direction, or machine direction. The coupling loops extend around two main loops 86 of the knitted fabric. The main loops are larger in dimension than the coupling loops in this exemplary knitted fabric. The machine direction distance between the coupling loops or the loop gap 87 enables movement and flexibility of the fabric in the loop axis 85, or axis of motion of the coupling loops 82. The loop gap distance when the fabric is stretched taut in the loop axis 85 may be about 2 mm or more, about 4 mm or more, about 6 mm or more, about 10 mm or more and any range between and including the values provided. As shown in FIG. 10, the coupling loops have slid in compression, or toward each other, over the main loops 86 to reduce the loop gap 87. This allows the fabric to be flexible in the loop axis direction, or an axis extending in the warp or machine direction. The fabric also some flexibility in the weft or cross machine direction or weft axis 89 when the coupling loops are larger with respect to the two metal strands coupled therein.
(37) As shown in FIG. 11, an exemplary two-ply knitted metal layer or fabric 30 is an independent layered fabric 88 having two independent layers of knitted metal, a knitted metal inside layer 32 and a knitted metal outside layer 34. The two layers are not attached and can move independent of each other which makes it very difficult to cut through the fabric layer. The two fabric layers can slide over each other, and the strands of each of the fabric layers can move independent of each other. Each layer is flexible can move independently. These layers and the strands within each layer will slip and slide in response to force such as a compression force and prevent cutting.
(38) Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 18, an exemplary lock cable 90 comprises a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80, such as a two-ply knitted metal layer. A fabric layer 96 extends around the metal fabric and a lock coupler extension 98 may extend along the length of the lock cable to a lock portion, such as a lock receiver portion 116 and to a lock insertion portion 114, as shown in FIG. 15. The lock coupler extension extends between lock rings 112, 112′ as shown in FIG. 12. The lock coupler extension 98 may couple with a lock interior portion 104 that extends into the multilayer metal fabric to prevent disconnection or tampering with the lock coupler extension. The lock exterior portions 106, such as the lock receiver or lock rings extend out from the interior of the lock cable. The lock coupler extension may be a cable, such as a hardened metal or braided cable or other flexible and cut resistance cable. The lock cable has a length from a first end 100 to a second end 102. As shown in FIG. 14, a lock 110 may be inserted through apertures in the lock exterior portion 106, or lock rings 112, to secure the lock cable around an article. As shown in FIG. 16, the lock insertion portion 114 may be inserted into the lock receiver portion 116 to coupled the lock cable 90 around an article. As shown in FIG. 18, a lock cable 90 may comprise a looped end 108 with a crimp 107 swaged around the loop extended end of the cable to produce an aperture 109. A pad lock or other suitable lock may be configured through the aperture to secure the lock cable 90 around an article.
(39) As shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, the lock cable may comprise a multilayer metal fabric, and preferably multiple layers of a knitted metal fabric 80, as this type of metal fabric is highly resistant to cut-through. As shown in FIG. 13, the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 and a fabric layer 96 may be layered or rolled to form the lock cable extension. A lock coupler extension 98, such as a cut resistant cable may be centrally located in the middle of the lock cable with the multilayer metal fabric configured around it. As shown in FIG. 17, the multilayer metal fabric may be a jelly-roll within the lock cable.
(40) As shown in FIG. 19, an exemplary insect flying disc 150 comprises a metal fabric 158 configured in a circular shape with a sleeve 152 extending therearound. The central portion may be a multilayer metal fabric 154 and may be a clear-view area 156, that is highly translucent, as described herein. The sleeve 152 may be a fabric sleeve 158 that extends around the metal fabric and is secured with a stitch 159. A resilient ring 160 such as a spring steel ring 162 may be configured within the sleeve and allow the insect flying disc to be folded to a smaller dimension for storage. The resilient ring will pop open the insect flying disc 150 to the disc shape as shown when released from a restrained orientation. The insect flying disc can be thrown to capture insects in the air and may land over insects or other animals to keep them retained under the flying disc.
(41) As shown in FIG. 20, an exemplary tote 10, or can tote 210 has a round or circular shaped base 29 and a cylindrically shaped fabric sleeve 23. The base may be planar to better enable the can tote to stand upright, or be free-standing. The exemplary tote 10 comprises a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 that is translucent having a high open area and is cut resistant. The multilayer knitted metal fabric may be a fabric sleeve 23 consisting of the multilayer knitted metal fabric in a continuous sleeve, with no seams along the length of the sleeve, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric extends continuously around the perimeter of the sleeve. An exemplary sleeve has a free end at the top and bottom. A clear view portion 50 of the tote, or area that is highly translucent, is configured between the top opening sleeve 44 and the base 29, and allows items 15 retained therein to be clearly viewed through the multilayer knitted metal fabric.
(42) The multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 may be a two-ply knitted fabric 30, comprising independent and unattached layers of an inside layer of knitted metal fabric 32 and outside layer of knitted metal fabric 34, to produce a cut resistant tote having a clear-view portion 50. In an exemplary embodiment, these two layers are unattached in the clear-view portion to allow independent movement to further increase cut through resistance. The exemplary can tote has a top opening 40 with a closure feature 42, such as hook-and-loop fastener material 43 or zipper. A top opening sleeve 44, such as a fabric 62, extends over the knitted metal fabric to encapsulate the top edge of the knitted metal fabric. A stitch 68 may extend through this fabric and the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 to secure the two components together. A grommet 49 extends through the top opening sleeve and the knitted metal fabric to secure the top opening sleeve together and to provide a means to tether the can tote, such as by a rope or cable, to an object. The grommet provides a means to secure a strap, clip, a karabiner or other fastener to the tote. The tote has a height from the top 27 to the base 29, or bottom, and a diameter 225 at the base. The base forms a planar surface to better enable the tote-can to stand upright.
(43) A base coupling 60 couples the base 29 to the fabric sleeve 23. The base coupling is an inverted seam 66, wherein the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 has a base crimp that folds the multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 inward toward the interior of the tote. A sleeve coupler 63, such as fabric 62 extends over the free ends 36 of the multilayer fabric and is secured to each of the free ends, as generally shown in FIG. 2. This inverted seam keeps the free ends of the metal fabric pointed inward.
(44) Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, an exemplary cut resistant and highly translucent tote 10 may be incorporated into a backpack 230 comprising a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 to allow viewing of articles therein. The backpack has a plurality of shoulder straps 235 configured to extend around the shoulders of a person. The backpack may be worn as shown on the person's back or alternatively in front of the person. The cut resistant and highly translucent tote 10 may be configured on a first side 234 of the backpack. A top opening 40 has a closure feature 42, such as a zipper. A smaller auxiliary compartment 237 is coupled to the backpack tote and may have a separate opening closure feature, such as a zipper. As shown, smaller articles are retained in the auxiliary compartment. As shown in FIG. 22, a fabric 62 may be configured on the front side or second side 236 of the backpack for comfort.
(45) Referring now to FIGS. 23 to 25, an exemplary cut resistant and highly translucent tote 10 may be incorporated into a cooler utensil tote 250 having a multilayer knitted metal fabric 80 configured to retain utensils 265, as shown in FIG. 24. A first cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion 259 is configured on a first side portion 252 and comprises sleeves 258 for receiving and retaining utensils 265. A second cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion 259′ is configured on a second side portion 256 and comprises sleeves 258′ for receiving and retaining utensils 265′. A top portion 254 of the cooler utensil tote 250 is configured between the first side portion and the second side portion and is configured to extend over the top of the cooler.
(46) FIG. 23 shows a cooler 260 with the cooler utensil tote 250 draped over and coupled to the cooler by straps 257. A plurality of loops 255 are configured on the outside 253 of the cooler utensil tote to enable retaining the cooler utensil tote to the cooler by the straps. The cooler utensil tote 250 has a first side portion 252, a top portion 254 and second side portion 256. The first side portion 252 is configured to extend down over the first side of the cooler, the top portion 224 is configured to extend over the top of the cooler and the second side portion 226 is configured to extend down over the second side of the cooler. A first cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion 259 is coupled to the first side portion and a second cut resistant and a second cut resistant and highly translucent tote portion 259′ is coupled to the second side portion, as shown in FIG. 24. Note that the sleeves 258, 258′ may extend horizontally or vertically, respectively, as shown. These sleeves are configured on an inside surface of the cooler utensil tote 250. The outside surface 253 may comprise a fabric and this fabric may be waterproof and/or a fast drying fabric.
(47) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
