Flexible bags – With closure – Gathered bag mouth
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-05
2001-09-11
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
With closure
Gathered bag mouth
C383S024000, C383S072000, C383S073000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287002
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to opening and closing systems for different types of article carriers and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a draw cord system used for opening and closing an open top of a fabric carrier used for carrying various articles therein.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Heretofore, pull cords have been used for opening and closing different types of bags such as laundry bags, duffle bags and similar types of article carriers made of flexible fabric. Typically, a pull cord is received inside a hemmed casing and around the edges of an opening in the top of the article carrier. In closing the opening in the carrier, opposite ends of the cord are pulled with one hand in one direction moving a portion of the cord away from openings in the casing while the casing is gripped and moved in an opposite direction with the other hand. The casing is gathering together and the extended cord is tied in a knot next to the openings in the casing. This procedure holds the open top of the article carrier in a closed position. To open the open top, the knot in the cord is untied and the casing is ungathered around the extended portion of the cord, thereby opening the top of the article carrier for inserting various items therein.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,310,869 to McHugh, a tobacco pouch is described having pouch with an open top and a pair of cross pieces attached to opposite sides of the open top. The ends of the cross pieces are attached to each other with one of the cross pieces longer than the other cross piece to form a bow thereon. By moving the bowed cross piece in opposite directions in relation to the shorter cross piece, the open top is held in an open position or a closed position.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,428,227 to Kase, a bag made of flexible material is disclosed. The bag includes an open top with a pair of snap-frame beads secured around the edges of the open top. One of the beads overlaps a portion of the other bead in a snap fit for interlocking the two beads and holding the open top in a closed position.
The above mentioned open top carrier bags with pull cords and prior art patents do not describe or disclose the unique structure, function and advantages of the subject draw cord opening and closing system as described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a unique draw cord system for opening and closing an opening in a top portion of a fabric carrier. The carrier may be a hand bag, purse, back pack, tote bag, duffle bag, laundry bag and the like for holding various articles therein.
Another object of the invention is the opening and closing system is designed to replace conventional closure devices such as zippers, book and loop fasteners and snaps which tend to wear out over a period of time or break and/or rust. The system can be operated with gloves or mittens and also can be opened and closed using only one hand.
Still another object of the system is the use of an anchor housing for holding a draw cord in place and holding the opening in the top portion of the carrier in a closed position, a partially open position and an open position.
Yet another object of the draw cord system is to provide a safe way of holding the open top of the carrier in a closed position. Whereby, a non-owner of the carrier, not familiar with the draw cord arrangement, will find it difficult to open for the unauthorized viewing and possible theft of the contents inside the carrier.
The opening and closing system includes an opening in a top portion of a fabric carrier for receiving articles inside the carrier. Edges in the top portion next to the opening are folder over and stitched for forming a casing. The casing includes a first opening and a second opening. The first opening and the second opening are disposed next to each other. The first and second openings are used for receiving a portion of an elongated draw cord inside the casing.
The draw cord includes a first end portion extending outwardly from the first opening in the casing and a second end portion extending outwardly from the second opening in the casing. Part of the first and second end portions of the draw cord is slidably received through a slide opening in a plastic anchor housing. Ends of the first and second end portions of the draw cord are attached to a draw cord handle. The ends of the first and second end portions of the draw cord and the draw cord handle form a draw cord tail. The draw cord tail is used for gripping and closing the open top.
A portion of an anchor cord is wrapped around the anchor housing for holding the anchor housing is place next to a first side of the top portion of the carrier. Ends of the anchor cord are attached to the first side of the carrier. A webbing loop strap is also attached to the first side of the carrier. A thumb ring strap, with thumb ring, is attached to a second side in the top portion of the carrier.
In operation, to close the opening in the top portion of the carrier, the owner of the carrier holds the webbing loop strap with one hand and with the other hand holds the draw cord tail. Also, the webbing loop strap can be held on a belt around an owner's waist or held firmly on a fixed object. As mentioned, the webbing loop strap is held in place or pulled in one direction, while the draw cord tail is pulled in an opposite direction. At this time, a portion of the draw cord is drawn from inside of the casing and pulled through the slide opening in the anchor housing with the casing gathered together around the remaining portion of the draw cord inside the casing.
To open the opening in the top portion of the carrier, the owner of the carrier holds the webbing loop strap with one hand and with the other hand grips the thumb ring. The webbing loop strap is held in place or pulled in one direction while the thumb ring is pulled in an opposite direction. At this time, the exposed portion of the draw cord is pulled through the slide opening in the anchor housing with the draw cord returning inside the casing as the casing is ungathered.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with the different types of closure systems for flexible bags with various types of openings when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
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Gladden William J.
Sherman Cynthia M.
Crabtree Edwin H.
Hylton Robin
Margolis Donald W.
Pizarro Ramon L.
Shoap Allan N.
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