GB2544283A

GB2544283A - Backpack and waterproof pad

Info

Publication number: GB2544283A
Application number: GB1519820.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colvin Raymond
Original assignee: Drystep Ltd
Current assignee: Drystep Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-10
Filing date: 2015-11-10
Publication date: 2017-05-17
Also published as: GB201519820D0

Abstract

A bag has base, front, rear and side panels 1-5 defining an internal space 6 accessed through a top opening 7 and a pair of shoulder straps 28, 29. A back panel 15 is secured to the rear panel 3 along bottom and side edges to define a back compartment containing a resilient waterproof pad 26 which can be removed through a second top opening 20 provided with a two-part snap fastener. Preferably the back panel incorporates a ventilation section 34 which contains numerous ventilation apertures allowing air to pass through the back panel into the back compartment. Also claimed is a waterproof pad 26 of laminar construction with a thin stiffening layer, sandwiched between two relatively thick resiliently deformable layers of closed-cell plastic foam. Preferably the pad may be embossed with hand recesses during the laminating process. The pad provides a dry surface to stand on when changing clothes.

Description

Drystep Limited

BACKPACK AND WATERPROOF PAD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to backpacks, and more particularly, a bag which is intended to be carried on the back of a user by means of two shoulder straps, and a waterproof pad which can be used with such backpacks.

BACKGROUND

United Kingdom Patent No. 2 472 395 describes a holdall-type sports bag which, in addition to a main compartment which can hold clothing or towels, has a separate base compartment containing a waterproof pad which can be removed from the bag. The pad provides the user with somewhere clean and dry on which to stand when changing their clothing.

There is a considerable demand for such a product both inside and outside the sporting field. For example, hill walkers who often go out in adverse weather need something warm and dry on which to sit when taking a break or stopping for refreshments. Walkers frequently wear backpacks in which to carry various items. It has been noted that existing backpacks can become uncomfortable when worn for long periods.

Closed-cell foam pads of the kind described in the previous patent need to be quite thick to prevent them deforming under the users body weight on soft or uneven surfaces. The existing pads are therefore quite bulky and take up a considerable amount of space within the bag.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of bag, and a waterproof pad for use with such bags, which address the shortcomings discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a backpack having a base, front, rear and two side panels defining an internal space accessed through a top opening, in which a back panel is secured to the rear panel along bottom and opposite side edges to define a back compartment accessed through a second top opening extending between top edges of the back and rear panels, and a pair of shoulder straps extend between the top edge of the back panel and respective opposite side edges adjacent to the bottom edge, and the backpack includes a resilient waterproof pad which is contained within the back compartment and which is removable therefrom via the second top opening.

The invention also provides a bag having an internal space accessed through a top opening, a back compartment containing a resilient waterproof pad which is removable via a second top opening, and a back panel which incorporates a ventilation section which contains numerous ventilation apertures allowing air to pass through the back panel into the back compartment.

The invention also provides a bag having an internal space accessed through a top opening, a back compartment containing a resilient waterproof pad which is removable via a second top opening provided with a two-part snap fastener.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes a relatively thin and rigid stiffening layer with two relatively thick and resiliently deformable layers of closed-cell plastic foam bonded to opposite faces of the stiffening layer.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes a rigid stiffening layer between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm thick.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes a rigid stiffening layer formed of a dense, non-cellular rigid thermoplastic, e.g. HDPE.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes two resiliently deformable layers between 5 mm and 15 mm thick.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes two resiliently deformable layers of thermoplastic foam, e.g. PEVA.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction having upper and/or lower surfaces which are embossed during the laminating process.

The invention also provides a waterproof pad of laminar construction having a bottom surface which incorporates hand recesses at opposite ends.

The invention also provides a bag having a main compartment and a second compartment which contains a removable waterproof pad of laminar construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a backpack for holding a waterproof pad;

Figure 2 is a top view of the backpack and an end view of the waterproof pad which has been removed from the bag;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the backpack;

Figure 4 is a top view of the waterproof pad; and

Figure 5 is a cross-section V-V through the waterproof pad at the position indicated in Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a bag in the form of backpack has a base panel 1, front and rear panels 2 and 3, and two side panels 4 and 5 which together define a main internal space 6 accessed through a top opening 7. A zip fastener 8 is provided along the front and rear edges 9 and 10 of the top opening 7 to enable items such as clothing to be securely held within the bag. Additional panels may be included to provide extra storage compartments so that additional items can be carried separate from the main internal space 6. For example, sub-panels secured to the front panel 2 may provide front compartments accessed via an upper opening 11 and a side opening 12, both provided with zip fasteners, and a bottom opening 13 may provide access to a separate bottom compartment, also provided with a zip fastener.

Additional panels and storage compartments may be included as required.

Referring to Fig.s 2 and 3, a back panel 15 is secured in a close parallel relationship to the rear panel 3 joined along a bottom edge 16 and opposite side edges 17 and 18 to define a back compartment 19 accessed through a second top opening 20 extending between top edges 21 and 22 of the back and rear panels. Unlike the other openings, the second top opening 20 does not have a zip fastener but is instead provided with a two-part snap fastener 25a, 25b, secured mid-way along the top edges of the back and rear panels, 3 and 15, to retain a resilient waterproof pad 26 which is contained within the back compartment 19. When the snap fasteners are released the pad 26 can be removed from the back compartment 19 via the second top opening 20. A pair of shoulder straps 28 and 29, best seen in Fig. 3, extend between the top edge 21 of the back panel and respective opposite side edges 17 and 18 adjacent to the bottom edge 16. Respective buckles 30 and 31 allow the length of the two shoulder straps 28 and 29 to be independently adjusted by the user. Layers of resilient open cell padding 32 and 33 are secured to the back panel 15 on opposite sides of a ventilation section 34 which extends between the top and bottom edges 21 and 16 of the back panel 15. The ventilation section contains numerous ventilation apertures allowing a free flow of air through the back panel into the back compartment 19.

When the backpack is not being worn it can be carried by means of a handle 36 secured to the top edge 22 of the rear panel 3. A second handle 37 (Fig. l) may be secured to the front panel 2 to provide an alternative carrying point.

As shown in Fig. 4, in profile, the waterproof pad 26 has opposing substantially straight sides 40 and 41 connected by smoothly curved ends 42 and 43. In cross section, Fig. 5, the pad is of laminar construction and includes a rigid stiffening layer 44 with two resiliently deformable layers 45 and 46 of closed-cell plastic foam bonded to opposite faces of the stiffening layer. The stiffening layer 44 is typically 0.5 mm thick (0.1 to 2.0 mm being the preferred range) and is formed of a dense, non-cellular rigid thermoplastic such as HDPE (high density polyethylene). The two outer layers 45 and 46 are much thicker than the stiffening layer 44, each layer preferably being between 5 and 15 mm thick, typically 10 mm. A preferred thermoplastic foam material is PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate), which is soft and warm to the touch.

The upper and lower surfaces of the pad may be embossed during the laminating process so that the bottom surface may incorporate hand recesses at opposite ends, 48 and 49 (Fig. 4), enabling the pad to be easily picked up with wet hands for example. The bottom surface may also incorporate an embossed slip-resistant tread pattern 50. The top surface may incorporate an embossed decorative design or logo (not shown).

The laminar pad is durable and supple whilst being lightweight and thin, yet is capable of comfortably supporting full body weight on hard and/or uneven surfaces. The soft smooth surfaces provide maximum warmth and comfort for the user and can easily be wiped clean.

When placed in the back compartment 19 of the backpack, the waterproof pad 26 provides an additional lightweight insulated layer which improves the comfort for the user due to the stiffening properties of the pad combined with its soft surfaces. The pad takes up minimal space within the backpack. Since the back compartment is always open to the atmosphere via the second top opening 20 and ventilation section 34, the pad can dry quickly if it should be placed in the bag in a wet condition.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. A backpack having a base, front, rear and two side panels defining an internal space accessed through a top opening, in which a back panel is secured to the rear panel along bottom and opposite side edges to define a back compartment accessed through a second top opening extending between top edges of the back and rear panels, and a pair of shoulder straps extend between the top edge of the back panel and respective opposite side edges adjacent to the bottom edge, and the backpack includes a resilient waterproof pad which is contained within the back compartment and which is removable therefrom via the second top opening.

2. A backpack according to Claim 1 in which the back panel incorporates a ventilation section which contains numerous ventilation apertures which allow air to pass through the back panel into the back compartment.

3. A backpack according to Claim 2 in which the ventilation section extends between the top and bottom edges of the back panel.

4. A backpack according to Claim 2 or 3 in which the ventilation section is flanked by layers of resilient open cell padding on opposite sides of a ventilation section.

5. A backpack according to any preceding claim in which the second top opening is provided with a two-part snap fastener secured part-way along the top edges of the back and rear panels.

6. A backpack according to any preceding claim in which a carrying handle is secured to the top edge of the rear panel.

7. A backpack according to any preceding claim in which a carrying handle is secured to the front panel.

8. A backpack according to any preceding claim in which the shoulder straps are of adjustable length.

9. A backpack substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

10. A waterproof pad of laminar construction which includes a relatively thin and rigid stiffening layer with two relatively thick and resiliently deformable layers of closed-cell plastic foam bonded to opposite faces of the stiffening layer.

11. A waterproof pad according to Claim 10 in which the stiffening layer is between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm thick

12. A waterproof pad according to Claim 10 or 11 in which the stiffening layer is formed of a dense, non-cellular rigid thermoplastic.

13. A waterproof pad according to Claim 10, 11 or 12 in which the stiffening layer is formed of HDPE.

14. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 13 in which the two resiliently deformable layers are between 5 mm and 15 mm thick.

15. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 14 in which the two resiliently deformable layers are formed of PEVA foam.

16. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 15 in which upper and/or lower surfaces of the waterproof pad are embossed during the laminating process.

17. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 16 in which a bottom surface of the waterproof pad incorporates hand recesses at opposite ends.

18. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 17 in which a bottom surface of the waterproof pad incorporates an embossed slip-resistant tread pattern.

19. A waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 18 in which a top surface of the waterproof pad incorporates an embossed decorative design or logo.

20. A bag having a main compartment and a second compartment which contains the waterproof pad according to any of Claims 10 to 19.

21. A waterproof pad substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

22. A bag and waterproof pad substantially as described with reference to the drawings.