Carrying bag containing a separate compartment configured to carry a sports product |
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申请号 | EP07113558.6 | 申请日 | 2007-07-31 | 公开(公告)号 | EP2020187A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2009-02-04 |
申请人 | 8Ball Ltd.; | 发明人 | Hamilton, Paul; | ||||
摘要 | The invention relates to a carrying bag (1) comprising a first compartment (2) and a second compartment (3), separated from the first compartment (2). At least one of the first compartment (2) and second compartment (3) is configured to receive a sports product and contains an opening (5) arranged for exposing a portion of said product to the outside world. The first compartment (2) is arranged above said second compartment (3) in a carrying position of the carrying bag (1). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a carrying bag (1). | ||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | Generally, the invention relates to a bag containing a separate compartment for a product. More specifically, the invention relates to a carrying bag containing a separate compartment configured to carry a sports product. Carrying bags have evolved from simple means used by a human for carrying objects to fashion articles that, apart from the primary function of carrying objects, must at least convey a user-desired appearance and image to others. This evolution has also been observed for carrying bags for sports products, such as sports balls. Sports products, such as sports balls, have evolved to become fashion articles as well. The brand of a sports product is extremely relevant in particular circles. Also, the outer appearance of a sports product of a user has become relevant to convey a personal message or image to others. An example of a sports ball of which the outer appearance can be varied to a great extent is disclosed in Although the prior art carrying bag fulfils some of the fashion requirements of users, the carrying bag suffers from problems relating to practical use of the bag. It is an object of the invention to improve the practical use of a carrying bag while meeting the fashion requirement of exposure of at least a portion of the sports product to the outside world. To that end, a carrying bag is proposed comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, separate from the first compartment. At least one of the first compartment and the second compartment is configured to receive a sports product. The compartment contains an opening such that, in use, a portion of said product is exposable to the outside world. The first compartment is arranged above said second compartment in a carrying position of the carrying bag. In contrast with the prior art carrying bag having the compartments arranged beside each other in a carrying position of the bag, the first and second carrying bag are arranged over each other in this position. As a consequence of the vertical placement of the compartments, the manoeuvrability of a user carrying the bag is improved. Also, the arrangement of the compartments improves the weight distribution allowing the bag e.g. to stand upright when the bag is placed on the ground. Moreover, a carrying bag is proposed comprising a first compartment and a second compartment. At least one of the first compartment and second compartment is configured to receive a sports ball and contains an opening such that, in use, a portion of the sports ball is exposable to the outside world. The compartment configured to receive said sports ball contains at least a wall portion defining the opening and comprising a rubber material, preferably neoprene™. The ball compartment of the prior art carrying bag contains a flexible net. Such a net is sensitive to damage, does not protect the sports product appropriately, has an unattractive appearance and does not fully embrace the sports product. Using a rubber material, such as a synthetic rubber material (e.g. neoprene™), improves the robustness, product protection security for the sports ball and attractive appearance of the of the compartment holding the sports ball. The invention also relates to a combination of a carrying bag and a sports ball and to a method of manufacturing a carrying bag. Further advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention are defined in the dependent claims and the following description. The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the attached drawings, which schematically show preferred embodiments according to the invention. It will be understood that the invention is not in any way restricted to these specific and preferred embodiments. In the drawings:
The carrying bag 1 of each of the embodiments comprises at least a first compartment 2 and a second compartment 3. It should be acknowledged that carrying bags 1 may have further compartments (not shown), that may either be directly accessible or accessible via one or both of the first and second compartments 2, 3. The first compartment 2 and second compartment 3 are separated by an intermediate wall portion 4 and are separately accessible. This allows to store items in both compartments 2, 3 without interference. The compartment 2,3 that is configured for receiving a sports products contains an opening 5 through which this compartment can be accessed. The opening 5 may have a circular shape. The first compartment 2 is arranged above the second compartment 3 in the carrying position of the carrying bag 1. As a consequence of the vertical placement of the compartments 2,3, the manoeuvrability of a user carrying the bag 1 is improved. Also, the arrangement of the compartments 2,3 improves the weight distribution allowing the carrying bag 1 e.g. to stand upright when it is placed on the ground. One of the compartments 2, 3 is configured to receive a product, e.g. a spherical product. In the following paragraphs, it is assumed that the product is a sports ball. The sports ball may have spherical shape, such as a soccer ball, a volleyball or a basket ball, or a non-spherical shape, such as a rugby ball or an American football. It should be acknowledged, however, that a carrying bag wherein both compartments 2, 3 are configured to receive a sports product is within the scope of the invention. The wall portion 6 of the compartment 2, 3 that is configured to receive the sports ball and that is visible in The strechable material wall portion 6 may be stitched to other panels of the carrying bag by means of an elastic binding, possibly in combination with a seesaw stitching pattern. This allows an better embracing of the sports product by the wall portion 6. In In In In a more advantageous embodiment, the ball receiving compartment 2, 3 is provided with closing means 7, 8. The closing means 7, 8 in the embodiment of If the stretchable wall portion 6 is attached to other panels of the carrying bag by means of an elastic binding, the stretching of the extensions 7, 8 is improved. In the closed state of It should be acknowledged that the attachment means may, instead of or in addition to Velcro®, comprise other attachment means, such as buttons, straps, zipper(s) etc. The entire perimeter of the sports ball 20 is shown in As most clearly visible in In As shown in The panels on the outer side of the carrying bag 1 for the compartments 2, 3 comprise different materials. The panels are stitched together to form the carrying bag 1. As mentioned with respect to The neoprene™ wall portion 6 only encloses a portion of the ball receiving compartment 3. One or more other panels 28 defining the ball receiving compartment 3 comprise a fabric of e.g. Denim, Nylon, Polyester, PVC, Leather or another suitable material. This material may also be used for one or more panels of the upper compartment 2 to facilitate manufacturing and to achieve a unitary appearance for the carrying bag 1. The bottom 29 of the carrying bag 1 may be provided with a strong material, such as a bobble PVC base material or hard wearing Nylon or Polyester material, for supporting the carrying bag when it is placed on the ground. |