Multi Compartment Family Travel Bag

Abstract

An improved soft-sided travel bag with a plurality of compartments opening along the top of the bag can be used to carry, access and organize multiple travelers within one contained bag. A departure from traditional duffle or travel bag design, there is no primary compartment built into the bag. Rather, multiple self-contained compartments unfasten or zip open along the top. This invention offers individuals traveling with children the ability to easily divide and organize items for every child within one bag. The plurality of compartments dividing the internal volume of the bag into multiple independent spaces are sewn forming dividers, end wall to end wall upon one another, as if adjoining multiple independent bags into one contained unit. Said compartments are designed with interior pockets to provide users with maximum organizational utility.

Claims

1. A carrying bag comprising: a pliable shell forming a generally tube-like structure with an exterior and an interior; a plurality of handles attached to the exterior of the pliable shell; a plurality of compartments dividing the internal volume of the bag into multiple independent spaces, each of the plurality of compartments being accessible by a closure along each compartment's top wall in a width-wise direction, the plurality of compartments formed by upstanding dividers and the pliable shell joined together to form separate sections within the carrying bag; wherein said plurality of compartments are formed by equidistantly placed dividers, such that each of the plurality of compartments is approximately equal in size; said closure positioned along the external access point of each said compartment to contain the space therein, wherein two of the plurality of handles extend away from the exterior of the pliable shell to form a loop and extend on the side of the bag having the closure above the closure; wherein the two of the plurality of handles extend over a top portion of the pliable shell on the same side as the closures of the plurality of compartments, allowing the bag to be used as a duffle bag; wherein the bag is a single bag; two connectors at opposite widthwise ends of the pliable shell on a same side as the closures of the plurality of compartments, a shoulder strap removably attached to each of the two connectors and the shoulder strap extending over the top portion on the same side as the closures of the plurality of compartments, allowing the bag to be alternatively shoulder-carried.

2. The carrying bag of claim 1, wherein each closure being the only way to access the corresponding one of the plurality of compartments.

3. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein the two connectors are attached at opposite end walls of the pliable shell.

4. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein each of the two connectors is a ring.

5. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein the shoulder strap is approximately parallel to a length of the bag.

6. The carrying bag of claim 1, wherein the closure is formed as a crescent-shaped zipper.

7. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of compartments contain a plurality of interior pockets attached to one of the dividers, wherein a first of the plurality of interior pockets has a zipper closure, and wherein a second of the plurality of interior pockets has an elastic closure.

8. The carrying bag of claim 1 further comprising the webbing surrounding a length and a width of the bag to provide stability to the soft-sided carrying bag, the webbing positioned on the length of the bag directly adjacent to opposite ends of each closure.

9. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein said dividers are permanently attached around an entire interior edge of the pliable shell, completely and permanently dividing and isolating one of the plurality of compartments from an adjacent of the plurality of compartments.

10. The carrying bag of claim 1 wherein the pliable shell having a base, end walls, side walls and a top portion joined together.

11. The carrying bag of claim 1, wherein the dividers between the compartments comprise materials fastened to the exterior walls of the bag.

12. The carrying bag of claim 1, wherein the pliable shell forms a soft-sided carrying bag.

13. The carrying bag of claim 1 further comprising two backpack straps at a base of the pliable shell opposite to the side of the bag having the plurality of closures.

14. The carrying bag of claim 1 further comprising wheels attached to one end of the pliable shell base, and a pull handle attached to an opposite end of the pliable shell base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is an angled perspective view of a multi-compartment family duffel-type travel bag, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side width view of this invention, showing a direct view of an end cap of one compartment, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side length view, showing one preferred embodiment of the external construction of this invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a transparent angled schematic perspective view, showing the internal perspective of one preferred embodiment of this invention. This transparent view shows the immovable dividers, zipper access for multiple compartments, and interior organizational components built into the bag.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side cut view, showing one preferred embodiment of the internal compartments housed within one section of the multi compartment bag.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a bottom/base view with stowable backpack straps attached to the D rings along the far base perimeter of the bag.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom/base view of the bag with stowable backpack straps stowed within the large base pocket of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] With reference to the drawings in this preferred embodiment, FIG. 1 shows the duffel 1 as a generally cylindrical, soft sided article of luggage with multiple distinct zippered compartments 11. Each compartment 11 is independently constructed and accessed along the top by a zipper 3 sewn in a crescent shape 13. Permanent, immovable internal panels 15 of fabric separate one compartment 11 from the next, repeatedly through the length of the bag. Compartments 11 are sewn 19 as if stacked end cap 12 to end cap 12 and accessed individually by external zippers. Additional small zippered pockets 7, 10 can also be sewn onto the body 2 and end caps of the bag 1 for easy access to passports, keys or other small personal items.

[0027] Surrounding the entire length and width of the bag is a thick band of webbing 5 to add stability and aesthetics to the structure of the bag. With reference to FIG. 2, said webbing can be sewn into a sturdy hand grip 6 on both end caps of the bag. As shown in FIG. 3, webbing can also be sewn, wrapping the body of the bag with stirrups 4 that can loop into a hand grip position. The bag can also include D rings 9 on each end cap, whereupon a long shoulder strap 14 can be fastened to provide the user with multiple carrying options. In its preferred embodiment, the shell and base of the bag are formed of a durable, sturdy material.

[0028] Zippered openings 13 to each individual compartment can include two zippers 3, so as to enable users to zip and unzip compartments easily from either direction. The number of multiple compartments 11 is shown on this preferred embodiment as five compartments, each at a width of five inches, but measurements and quantity of compartments can vary. In a transparent schematic view of the bag, as in FIG. 4, the barriers 15 between each compartment are visible. These barriers are permanently sewn 19 around the entire wall of the compartment, completely dividing one space from the next. As shown in the side cut view of FIG. 5, this interior dividing wall 15 can contain further organizational components, such as, but not limited to: bungee pouches 18, 19, zippered pockets 16, 17, and/or other organizational elements built into the lining of each compartment.

[0029] Another carrying feature which can be added to the bag is the stowable backpack straps 20 built into an elongated pocket 21 on the base 8 of the bag, as shown in FIG. 6. The elongated base pocket 21 is built specifically to house the backpack straps 20 when they are not in use. In this preferred embodiment, these backpack straps 20 are permanently fastened at the base 8, near one end cap 22 of the bag. When in use, said backpack straps can be removed from the base pocket and clipped with sturdy fasteners to D rings 23 secured near the opposite end cap of the bag, as shown in FIG. 6. When a user is not in need of the backpack carrying option, the action is reversed as straps unclip and tuck into the elongated base pocket, as shown in FIG. 7. Backpack carrying options can enable users with hands-free mobility while carrying the bag. The invention is not limited to the foregoing described embodiments. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the primary concepts. Many fabrics, styles, sizes, colors and applications are possible without departing from the main scope of the invention.