A compressible stuff sack

CA 02265337 1999-03-15

TITLE: A COMPRESSIBLE STUFF SACK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to stuff sacks, and more particularly, to such stuff sacks designed for carrying outdoor gear or sports equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art:

It is common for hikers and campers to store their sleeping bags, clothing and other loose, lightweight items in duffel bags or stuff sacks. Usually when traveling, it is desirable to compress the stuff sack into a smaller shape to decrease its required storage space.

CA 02265337 2004-06-14

Because most stuff sacks are made of lightweight woven material with sewn seams, air slowly escapes through the woven material and the seams when the stuff sack is forcibly compressed. When the compressive force is removed, air reenters the stuff sack until it assumes its original shape. In order to quickly compress the stuff sack, the sack's main opening must be opened so that air may escape therethrough.

For outdoor sportsmen exposed to wet conditions, waterproof stuff sacks are desirable. One drawback with such stuff sacks, is that only method for removing air trapped inside the stuff sack is to open the main opening and then compress the sack.

For both woven and water-proof stuff sacks, air, of course, re-enters the sack as the main opening is being closed. Therefore, it is impossible to completely evacuate air from the sack. Also, the process of opening and closing the main opening and simultaneously compressing the sack is time consuming and requires the use of both hands.

Ideally, a stuff sack is needed which is easy to compress to completely remove trapped air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a stuff sack that is easy and quick to compress to completely remove trapped air.

Further, the present invention seeks to provide such a stuff sack that is made of waterproof material.

CA 02265337 2004-06-14

Still further, the presnt invention seeks to provide such a stuff sack that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These and. other aspects are met by providing a compressible stuff sack comprising a body made of flexible, material. Formed on the body is at least one main opening enabling items to be easily inserted and removed from the bag. Attached to the sack is a one-way valve means which enables excess air to escape from the sack when the sack is compressed.

Still further, the present invention seeks to provide such a stuff sack that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other aspects are met by providing a compressible stuff sack comprising a body made of flexible material. Formed on the body is at least one main opening enabling items to be easily inserted and removed from the bag. Attached to the sack is a one-way valve means which enables excess air to escape from the sack when the sack is compressed.

The invention in one aspect provides a compressible stuff sack, comprising: a body made of water-proof material; a main opening formed in the body enabling items to be inserted or removed therefrom; a hands-free, one-way valve attached to the body, the one-way valve being oriented on the body so that air can escape from the body when the body is compressed. A closing means provides for selectively opening and closing the main opening; and, a compression strap is attached at its opposite ends to the body and is capable of being shortened to reduce the

CA 02265337 2004-06-14 overall length of the body and force air outward through the oneway valve .

Another aspect of the invention provides a compressible stuff sack; comprising: a cylindrical-shaped body made of waterproof material, the body having a main opening formed therein; a bottom cap securely attached to the body; and a top cap adapted to be selectively attached over the main opening of the body. A hands-free, one-way valve is attached to the body, the one-way valve being oriented on the body to allow air to escape from the body when the body is compressed; and at least one compression strap is attached between the bottom cap and the top cap, the compression strap adapted to be adjusted in length to force the bottom cap and said top cap together thereby compressing the body and forcing air outward through the one-way valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of the stuff sack disclosed herein in an uncompressed state.

3a

CA 02265337 1999-03-15

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the invention shown in Fig. 1 in a compressed state.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the top cap.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the top cap being attached over the opening of the sack.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bottom cap.

Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevational view of the bottom cap attached to the body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the accompanying Figs. 1-6, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, there is shown a compressible stuff sack 5 designed to be relatively easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. The stuff sack 5 includes a cylindrical-shaped body 10 with a bottom cap 40 securely attached over one end. The bottom cap 40 includes a circular end panel 41 and a surrounding compression ring 42 which are simultaneously welded to the distal edge of the body 10 to form a water-tight seal. The opposite end of the body 10 is open creating a main opening 11 which is covered with a removable top cap 20. The top cap 20 also includes a circular end panel 21 and a surrounding compression ring 22. As shown in Fig. 4, an optional cinching buckle 30 is attached around the open end of the body 10 which may be used to partially close the main opening 11. The cinching buckle 30 includes a female buckle 31 and a male buckle 32 spaced apart on opposite sides of the body 10. When the female buckle 31 and the male

CA 02265337 1999-03-15 buckle 32 are interconnected, the main opening 11 in the body 10 is partially closed.

A plurality of spaced-apart, optional compression straps 60, 65, 70, 75, respectively, are aligned longitudinally over the outside surface of the body 10. In the preferred embodiment, four compression straps 60, 65, 70, 75 are used which are radially aligned at equal distances around the outer surface of the body 10. The opposite ends of the compression straps 60, 65, 70, 75, are attached to the top and bottom caps 20, 40, respectively. During use, the compression straps 60, 65, 70, 75 may be shortened so that the top and bottom caps 20, 40, are pulled together to reduce the overall length of the stuff sack 5 and to compress cargo located inside.

A one-way valve means is provided on the side of the body 10 to allow air to escape from the sack 5 when the sack 5 is compressed. In the preferred embodiment, the one-way valve <?

means is a hands-free, one-way valve 50 designed to allow air to automatically escape when the air pressure inside the sack 5 exceeds the air pressure outside the sack 5. By using a hands-free, one-way valve 50, the user does not need to use his or her hands to manipulate the valve 50 to remove air from the sack 5. Instead, the user can easily remove air from the sack 5 by shortening the compression straps 60, 65 70, 75 to squeeze the caps 20, 40 or using both hands to force the sides of the sack 5 inward. In the embodiment shown in the Figs., the hands-free, one-way valve 50 is located under the compression ring 42 to protect it during use.

CA 02265337 1999-03-15

Also, as shown in Fig. 1, an optional detachable handle 85 is attached at its opposite ends to a pair of D-rings 25, attached to the top cap 20 and the bottom cap 40', respectively.

In one embodiment, the body 10, bottom cap 40, and compression rings 22, 42 are made of durable, waterproof material, capable of being radio-frequency welded together.

The waterproof material is made of 500 denier weight nylon material with an inner layer made of urethane material approximately .003 thick, and an outer kiss coat of urethane. It should be understood that the weight of the middle nylon material may be between 50 to 1800 denier. The end panels 21, 41 and compression rings 22, 42 of the top and bottom caps 20, 40, respectively, are made of vinyl or nylon having a weight between 50 to 1800 denier. The end panels 21, 41, and compression rings 22, 42, can also be made of nylon or vinyl coated urethane material similar to the material used to manufacture body 10.

As shown in Fig. 6, during manufacturing the outer edge of the end panel 41 on the bottom cap 40 and the inside edge of the compression ring 42 are simultaneously radio-frequency welded to the distal edge of the body 10. The outer edge of the panel 41 and distal end of the body 10 are registered, aligned, and simultaneously welded together in one step, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

It should be understood, however, that the stuff sack 5 may be made of woven material, such as canvas, with sewn

CA 02265337 1999-03-15 seams .

In compliance with the statute, the invention, described herein, has been described in language more or less· specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprised only the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.