WO2025076426A1 - Modular storage system for bags - Google Patents

Abstract

A bag with an integrated coupler allows for coupling devices to removably couple to a surface of a bag. The surface may be an internal face of a compartment. Coupling may occur through magnetic coupling. Various devices may be removably coupled to one or more surfaces of a bag, such as an interior wall, an exterior wall, or a bag strap. The coupler may be a magnetic plate, a ferromagnetic plate, a magnetic mesh, or a ferromagnetic mesh.

Description

MODULAR STORAGE SYSTEM FOR BAGS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/542,864 filed October 06, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/557,215 filed February 23, 2024, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

INTRODUCTION

[0002] In the rapidly evolving landscape of fashion and function, bags, encompassing backpacks, purses, and other carry-ons, have become indispensable companions for people on the move. One of the fundamental features that define a bag’s utility is its organizational compartments - the pockets, pouches, and item holders. Historically, these compartments have been designed with permanence in mind. Manufacturers often pre-determine the number, size, and position of these pockets based on generalized assumptions about what the average user might need.

[0003] However, this one-size-fits-all approach has revealed notable challenges. For many users, the fixed design of these pockets does not align with their specific needs. Some find themselves burdened with an excess of compartments, leading to an unintentional hoarding of items and an increase in bag clutter. Others grapple with a shortage of pockets, or pockets that are inappropriately sized, resulting in a lack of organization and increased difficulty in locating items swiftly. There is also a segment of users who find certain pockets too expansive, causing smaller items to jumble together, or too narrow or shallow, rendering them practically unusable.

[0004] The permanence of pocket design, therefore, places constraints on the user experiences. A bag might be too specialized, catering only to a certain activity or too generic, lacking the specificity required by many users. In both scenarios, the user is often forced to adapt their storage habits to the bag’ s design rather than the bag adapting to their unique needs, leading to inefficiencies and dissatisfaction.

[0005] Thus, it remains desirable to have a bag organizational system that is modular, easy to use, and stylish. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the technologies described herein have been developed. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the examples provided are not meant to be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the introduction or elsewhere.

SUMMARY

[0006] The technology disclosed herein pertains to a bag with a modular storage system, and it is referred to as the modular storage system or “bag system” herein. The bag system may have one or more elements capable of securing one or more devices (the one or more elements referred to herein as a “bag coupler”) disposed within an interior compartment of the bag or within an exterior wall of the bag. Additionally, other portions of the bag, such as the strap of the bag may have one or more bag couplers disposed within the strap. In examples, the bag coupler comprises one or more magnets or ferromagnetic material that magnetically interacts with one or more devices. Thus, the various devices may removably couple to a surface of the bag, such as an exterior, a bag strap, or an interior of the bag, through an interaction with the bag coupler. Example devices include a pocket, a pouch, pencil holder, etc. These devices may include one or more coupling elements, such as a magnet, multiple magnets, or a ferromagnetic material. In examples, the device is sized and shaped to receive specific articles (e.g., a single pencil/pencils, a jar, a lighter) and in other examples the device may be adapted to receive articles with various form factors (e.g., a coin purse may hold coins and other small articles of various size). The device may removably couple to the interior or exterior surface of the bag via the coupling element of the device magnetically interacting with the bag coupler.

[0007] A modular storage bag system has various advantages over the traditional concept of bag storage by introducing adaptability and personalization. One primary advantage of such a system is its inherent flexibility. Users are not constrained by a fixed number, size, shape, and/or type of storage method because a variety of coupling devices offering a variety of storage methods may be installed within the bag. Depending on the day’s needs, the user can add, remove, or rearrange storage devices coupled within the bag. This customization improves the utility of a given bag in a diverse range of scenarios, thereby reducing the need for multiple bags for different occasions.

[0008] To turn to the specific, non-limiting example of a magnetic bag coupler, a magnetic coupling system ensures both ease of use and relatively secure attachment. The disclosed magnetic coupling system provides, for some applications, a sufficiently strong bond between the coupling article (e.g., pouches, holders, smaller bags, etc.) and the bag, while reducing the risk of detachment during typical movement. Over the long term, the modular magnetic system can also prove to be cost-effective, as users can simply replace or purchase individual compartments instead of investing in entirely new bags for varied needs.

[0009] These and various other features as well as advantages that characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and the claims as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing introduction and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the innovative technology as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1A illustrates a front-perspective view of an example bag in a closed position.

[0011] Fig. IB illustrates a back-perspective view of an example bag in a closed position.

[0012] Fig. 1C illustrates a top view of an example bag in an open position.

[0013] Fig. ID illustrates a bottom view of an example bag in an open position.

[0014] Fig. IE illustrates an interior view of an inner surface of an example bag having an integrated bag coupler.

[0015] Fig. 2A illustrates a front view of an example coupling device in the form of a pocket.

[0016] Fig. 2B illustrates a back view of an example coupling device in the form of a pocket having an integrated coupling element.

[0017] Fig. 2C illustrates a front-perspective view of an example of a coupling device in the form of a pocket.

[0018] Fig. 3A illustrates a front-perspective view of an example of a coupling device in the form of an elastomeric strap having multiple integrated coupling elements.

[0019] Fig. 3B illustrates a back-perspective view of an example of a coupling device in the form of an elastomeric strap having multiple integrated coupling elements.

[0020] Fig. 4A illustrates a front view of an example coupling device in the form of a sleeve. [0021] Fig. 4B illustrates a front view of an example coupling device in the form of a sleeve having an integrated coupling element.

[0022] Fig. 4C illustrates a back view of an example coupling article in the form of a sleeve adapted to receive a lighter.

[0023] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of an example bag with an integrated coupling element securing various personal effects.

[0024] Fig. 6A - 6E illustrates various views of an alternative example of a bag with an integrated coupling element.

[0025] Fig. 7 illustrates a front view of an example coupling device in the form of an anchor and clip.

[0026] Fig. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an example of integrating a coupling element into a surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technology disclosed herein generally relates to a bag with a modular storage system, and it is referred to as the modular storage bag system, or simply “bag system,” herein. In examples, the bag has a bag coupler disposed within an interior compartment or wall, or between several layers of the bag, such that various devices may be coupled to an interior or exterior wall of the bag. In some examples, a bag strap may have one or more bag couplers integrated into the strap. The bag coupler may include one or more ferromagnetic elements and/or magnets, and the device may include one or more corresponding magnets and/or ferromagnetic elements such that the device may be removably coupled to an interior wall, one or more straps of the bag, or an exterior wall of a bag.

[0028] An example bag has a front side and a back side, and a closure mechanism which reversibly couples the front side of the bag to the back side. The back side may have a back side closure, and the front side may have a front side closure. When the front side closure and the back side closure are coupled, they form an interior compartment. In some embodiments, there may be multiple interior compartments separated by a compartment divider. A user of the disclosed bag may insert objects and personal items into the bag.

[0029] In some examples, the bag system may have one or more bag couplers which may be disposed within a back side of a bag, a front side of the bag, a back side edge, a front side edge, a compartment divider, a bag strap, or any combination thereof. The one or more bag couplers may be removably inserted into the interior or may be fixed within or on to the interior and or an interior liner. For example, a bag coupler may be a semi-flexible plate comprising a ferromagnetic material. The plate may be disposed between an outside wall of a bag and an interior lining of a bag, and/or between several layers that comprise the strap of the bag. The plate may be securely coupled to one or more of the interior lining, a bag strap, or outside of the bag using adhesives, rivets, screws, bolts, etc., such that the plate is not visible to a user when using the bag normally. The outside wall or interior lining may have a thickness and material that allows for magnetic coupling of a device with a magnetic coupling to the ferromagnetic bag coupler through at least a portion of the liner, strap, and/or outside wall. It will be appreciated that any combination of magnets and ferromagnetic materials may comprise one or more of the coupling element, the device, and/or the bag coupler. Such combinations do not deviate from the scope of the innovative technology though only particular combinations are discussed herein in further detail.

[0030] A bag coupler may comprise one or more magnets and/or one or more ferromagnetic materials such as a steel plate (or plates). In other examples, a bag coupler comprises a fabric comprising ferromagnetic elements, such as metallic threads. A bag may have one or more bag couplers. In some examples, a bag coupler may be robustly coupled to an interior wall, all or a portion of a bag strap, or an exterior wall of a bag. Additionally, a bag coupler may be disposed between an interior lining and an exterior wall or another lining of a bag.

[0031] Coupling a bag coupler to one or more portions of a bag (e.g., an interior wall, an exterior wall, a strap, a lining, etc.) may be accomplished using adhesive, stitching, rivets, bolts, screws, or other mechanisms now known or later developed. In additional/altemative examples, a bag coupler may be robustly integrated into the interior of the bag by sewing or adhering one or more layers of fabric to a front face of a bag coupler and coupling the back face of the bag coupler to an interior side of a bag wall, an exterior wall, or an exterior of a strap. In some examples, the fabric that couples to the front face of the bag coupler is referred to as the bag coupler covering. Bag coupler coverings may be made from a variety of materials, for example, and without limitation, the bag coupler covering may be made of fabric, silk, cotton, leather, plastic, etc.

[0032] In examples, the coupling devices have coupling elements that are integrated into a coupling device and/or form a back side (i.e., a side that is intended to couple to the bag) of the coupling device. In examples, the coupling devices may include one or more coupling elements comprising one or more magnets or ferromagnetic materials that correspond to and/or are capable of magnetically interacting with one or more ferromagnetic materials or magnets of the bag coupler. Continuing with the example, when the coupling device is brought within relatively close proximity to the bag coupler, the magnetic forces between the bag coupler and the coupling elements of the coupling device cause the bag coupler and the device to be pulled together to removably couple the device to the bag. Coupling devices may come in a variety of forms. In some examples, coupling devices may take the shape of a pocket, a sleeve, a clip, an anchor, a loop, or another storage/holder device.

[0033] In some examples, the coupling element of a device may be capable of coupling to the bag coupler(s) at many different locations along various surfaces of the bag. For example, a user may apply a device comprising a coupling element to the bag in a variety of positions along one or more surfaces of a bag, where that surface is or is coupled to a bag coupler. If the user wishes to change the location of the device, they may remove the device from the bag coupler and reapply the device in a different location along that surface (or other surfaces comprising a bag coupler). Such surfaces include an interior wall of a bag, an exterior wall of a bag, a portion of a bag strap, etc.

[0034] Additionally/altematively, in some examples where the coupling element and the bag coupler couple via a magnetic attraction, the user may slide the device from its starting position to the desired location on the bag coupler. If a user wishes to couple additional devices to the bag, the user may couple additional/al ternative devices to the available space on a surface comprising the bag coupler, and the user may then arrange the additional devices to their liking. In some instances, certain devices are stackable (e.g., the anchor and clip described with reference to Fig. 7) such that a first device may be stacked on a second device. In examples, there are many different types, shapes, and sizes of coupling devices, and there are many coupling device configurations available to the user. The wide variety of coupling device configurations gives the bag a high level of customizability for some applications.

[0035] Objects that are capable of being coupled to one or more bag couplers are collectively called coupling devices or devices. These coupling devices may each compriseone or more coupling elements. In examples, the coupling elements form, or are integrated into, the back side of the coupling device.

[0036] In many instances, there are a wide variety of personal items a user may want to store within their bag. For example, and without limitations, a user may want to store a cell phone, medication bottles, pens, a coin purse, a lighter, a smoking vape, a set of keys, makeup containers, etc. These personal items may be stored using a wide variety of storage devices comprising a coupling element. For example, and without limitation, coupling devices may comprise pockets, sleeves, pouches, loops, clips, tethers, etc.

As provided further herein, the disclosed bag may have various surfaces and components that may be made from a variety of materials. In some examples, the bag surfaces may be made of leather, though other materials are contemplated, including canvas, nylon, polyester, cotton, denim, velvet, suede, neoprene, silk, any combination thereof, or any material now known or later developed suitable for bag construction.

[0037] Turning now to the figures, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated figures and corresponding description provide selected examples of the present technology and are not intended to limit the scope of the present technology. It will be further appreciated that objects depicted in the drawings with dashed lines are not visible in the view shown, as they are located behind other components or are otherwise obscured due to the angle of the drawing.

[0038] With reference to Figs. 1A-1E, a bag 100 having an internal bag coupler 101 is illustrated. The bag has a front section 104 and a back section 108 opposite the front section 104 when in a closed position. The front section 104 has a front section interior surface 106 opposite a front section outer surface 110. The back section 108 has a back section interior surface 114 opposite a back section outer surface 112.

[0039] A bottom-gusset 120 and a top gusset 122 is partially bisected by a closure perimeter 113. As illustrated, the closure perimeter is circumferentially disposed about a portion of the back section interior surface 114 and a portion of the front section interior surface 106. As illustrated, teeth 107 of a zipper mechanism 105 are disposed about the closure perimeter 113. The zipper mechanism 105 is illustrated with zipper sliders 119. In other examples, clasps or other closing mechanisms may be used to join the bottom gusset 120 to the top gusset 122, such that a front section 104 couples to the back section 108 to form a compartment capable of housing one or more devices. As illustrated, the back section 108 of the bag 100 has a back section interior surface 114 facing into the bag compartment that is opposite a back section outer surface 112. In other examples, the gusset of a bag is not bisected, and a flap or other means is used to cover the bag compartment.

[0040] In examples, the bag has a height 130 of about 180 mm, a width 126 of about 240 mm, and a depth 128 of about 60 mm when in a closed position. The depth 128 comprises open space suitable for storing one or more devices such that when the bag is in a closed position the devices have sufficient room to be stored within the body of the bag.

[0041] With reference to Figs. 1A-1E, the bag 100 has an internal bag coupler 101 integrated into the bag. The internal bag coupler 101 may be one or more magnets or ferromagnetic materials disposed between an inner surface 109 of the bag and an interior cover 124. As a particular example, the bag coupler may be a plate having a back face (not shown) and a front face 126. The back face may be fixed (via one or more of rivets, glue, tabs, adhesive, etc.) to the inner surface 109 of the bag. As illustrated, the inner surface 109 is an opposite surface from the back section outer surface 112. The interior cover 124 may cover at least a portion of the front face 126. Perimeter stitching 129 may secure the interior cover 124 over the front face 126. In other examples, there is no interior cover 124. Still in further examples, the interior cover comprises various metallic thread or magnet thread such that the interior cover 124 forms at least a portion of the bag coupler. Where the interior cover 124 comprises metallic threads and/or magnet threads, the bag may or may not include a plate as a part of the bag coupler.

[0042] In some examples, the internal bag coupler 101 is covered by an interior cover 124 comprising one or more materials that form a protective layer. The interior cover 124 may help protect items in the interior compartment from the internal bag coupler 101. In additionally/altemative examples, internal bag coupler 101 comprises one or more magnets. In further examples, a bag coupler may be a metallic fabric or magnetic mesh capable of attracting a ferromagnetic metal and/or another magnet. In some examples, one or more bag couplers are integrated into a front side inner surface 106, a back side inner surface 104, a bottom gusset 120, a top gusset 122, or another portion of a bag (such as a compartment divider or another portion of a bag).

[0043] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the internal bag coupler 101 may be disposed within other portions of the bag 100, such as between a liner or other cover and the front section interior surface 106. In some examples, the liner itself is made of a metallic thread or ferromagnetic mesh capable of forming a magnetic coupling with a coupling device as further described herein, and thus may act as an internal bag coupler 101. One advantage of using a bag coupler in the form of a rigid plate or rigid mesh is that such design provides additional support and rigidity to the bag. One advantage of a bag coupler comprising a flexible mesh or fabric is flexibility. It will be appreciated that some bag couplers may be a combination of materials, including rigid plates, semi-flexible plates, ferromagnetic threads and/or flexible/rigid meshes.

[0044] Example coupling devices are illustrated in Figs. 2-4 and Fig. 7. In particular, a pocket 200 having an integrated coupling element is illustrated in Figs. 2A-2C, an elastomeric strap 300 having an integrated coupling device is illustrated in Figs. 3A-3B, a sleeve having an integrated coupling element is illustrated in Figs. 4A-4C, and an anchor 700 having a clip 702 as illustrated in Fig. 7, each of which may be removably coupled to a bag coupler, such as the bag coupler 101 illustrated in Figs. 1A-1E and Figs. 6A - 6B.

[0045] The illustrated pocket 200 of Figs. 2A-2C includes a front side 202, a back side 204, a flap 206, and a strap 208. In the examples, one or more coupling elements 212 are integrated into the back surface 210 of the back side 204 of the pocket 200. Example integration of a coupling element into a surface is further described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0046] The illustrated elastomeric strap 300 of Figs. 3A-3B includes a front side 302, a back side 304, a strap 306, and a first band 308, and a second band 310. A first coupling element 314 and a second coupling element 316 are integrated into the second band 310. Example integration of a coupling element into a surface is further described with reference to Fig. 8. The elastomeric strap 300 thus forms an opening 312 capable of receiving various objects. For example, ajar may be inserted into the opening 312. The material of the elastomeric strap 300 may be chosen such that it elastomerically deforms to receive an object, such as a jars of various circumferences.

[0047] The illustrated sleeve 400 of Figs. 4A-4C includes a front side 402, a back side 404, and a body 408. A coupling element 410 is illustrated as integrated into a back surface 412 of the back side 404. Example integration of a coupling element into a surface is further described with reference to Fig. 8. The sleeve 400 forms an opening capable or receiving on or more objects. As illustrated, the example sleeve is adapted to receive a cigarette lighter 414, though other objects are contemplated. The sleeve 400 may be tapered and capable of elastomeric deformation.

[0048] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of an example bag 500 with an integrated coupling element securing various personal effects. It will be appreciated that like numbered elements will have the same properties as those same numbered elements described above. As illustrated, the bag 500 has a first device 502, a second device 504, a third device 506, and a fourth device 508 coupled to a coupling element 101. [0049] With reference to Figs. 6A-6E a bag 600 takes the form of a backpack. Bag 600 provides an alternative example of a bag that may comprise a bag coupler, such as the bag coupler 101 described herein. The bag 600 has one or more compartment dividers 604 and exterior surfaces 606. The compartment dividers 604 divide the space within the bag into multiple interior compartments, in examples. For example, each of the locking mechanism 105 may unzip to reveal a divider that divides compartments of the bag. The divider may have a bag coupler disposed therein. As illustrated, bag 600 has a coupler (not shown) integrated into a compartment divider 604, which is interior surface. That compartment divider enables coupling of a coupling device in the form of a anchor and clip 610. Such integration may be accomplished by using a bag coupler) integrated into various layers of fabric as described with references to Fig. 8. The bag 600 is illustrated with an anchor 610 that may be used to couple a coupling device similar to or the same as the device described with reference to Fig. 7. The bag coupler 101 may be used in combination with permanent pockets 608 or other storage elements of a back.

[0050] In examples, a coupling device may be an clip and anchor coupling device 700, which is illustrated in Fig. 7. Coupling device 700 includes a coupling element 702 disposed withing a housing 704. The housing 704 may be designed to receive a magnet or ferromagnetic coupling element 702. A retractable clip assembly 701 is shown coupled to an anchor 712 and coupled to the housing 704. The anchor 712 may be stitched into a portion of the bag proximate a bag coupler so as to allow the housing 704 to magnetically couple to the bag coupler via the coupling element 702. A sleeve 710 may be adapted to receive an object, such as a pen.

[0051] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of an exploded view of a coupling element or bag coupler 806 in the form of a plate integrated into the surface or layer of a device. It will be appreciated that a surface or layer of a device may be an interior surface, a bag strap, a compartment surface, or an exterior surface of a bag, such as the various interiors, exteriors, and surfaces (such as straps) of the bags further described herein. A first fabric layer 802 is disposed on the front side 804 of the coupling element or bag coupler 806. The first fabric layer 802 may be an interior of a bag, an exterior of a bag, a gusset, a lining, or another layer of the bag. A second fabric layer 808 is disposed on the back side 807 of the coupling element or bag coupler 806. The second fabric layer 808 may be an interior of a bag, and exterior of a bag, a gusset, a lining or another layer of the bag. Stitching 809 may be stitched through the first fabric layer 802 to the second fabric layer 808 around at least a portion of an area 812 that includes the coupling element or bag coupler 806. Adhesives may be used on the front side 804 and/or the back side 807 to further secure the coupling element or bag coupler 806 to the first fabric layer 802 and the second fabric layer 810.

[0052] Although the innovative technologies have been explained in relation to various examples and embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology.

Indeed, one skilled in the art will appreciate the foregoing detailed description is provided by way of illustration and not limitation. The examples presented herein are intended to facilitate a clear understanding of the innovative technologies disclosed, and they are not exhaustive of the potential embodiments or examples encompassed by the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize alternative implementations and variations that remain within the broad principles of the innovative technologies described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure encompasses all such modifications and alternative/additional embodiments and examples as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bag system comprising: a bag having a front section opposite a back section having a back section outer surface, the front section and the back section coupled together via a gusset; a bag coupler disposed between an inner surface opposite the back section outer surface and an interior cover, wherein the bag coupler is at least one of a magnetic material or a ferromagnetic material; and one or more coupling devices coupled to the bag coupler, wherein the one or more coupling devices each have at least one coupling element comprising at least one of a magnetic material or a ferromagnetic material.

2. The bag system of claim 1, further comprising: perimeter stitching from the interior cover to the inner surface around a perimeter of the bag coupler.

3. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the bag coupler is a plate or a mesh.

4. The bag system of claim 3, wherein the plate or the mesh is magnetic.

5. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the bag coupler comprises ferromagnetic metals and the at least one coupling element comprise magnets.

6. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the one or more coupling devices includes a pocket.

7. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the one or more coupling devices includes a sleeve.

8. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the one or more coupling devices include an anchor and clip.

9. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the one or more coupling devices include loops.

10. The bag system of claim 1, wherein the gusset is bisected by a closing mechanism.

11. The bag system of claim 10, wherein the closing mechanism is a zipper.