Waterproof Carriers

Abstract

An interior compartment of waterproof carrier is accessed by an opening that is closed by a waterproof primary zipper. An external or secondary zipper reversibly joins flaps attached to the carrier over the waterproof zipper. The external zipper may be closed when the primary zipper is open.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This non-provisional application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 396,079, filed on Sep. 16, 2016 and titled “WATERPROOF CARRIERS,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The field of the invention is that of carriers for articles, and particularly waterproof carriers made of flexible material.BACKGROUND ART[0003]Waterproof carriers or containers are useful for carrying and storing objects while preventing the objects from coming into contact with external moisture. Merriam-Webster defines “waterproof” as “impervious to water; especially: covered or treated with a material (as a solution of rubber) to prevent permeation by water.”[0004]“Water” usually means liquid water such as rain and the water that fills lakes, rivers, and seas. Water vapor, such as the gaseous water that normally is part of the air, sometimes may n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a feature for a waterproof carrier that allows the flap to be closed while the zipper is open. This ensures that sand, dust, and other contaminants cannot enter the carrier and damage the contents. It also keeps the zipper clean, as the person using the carrier does not have to close it themselves. This feature is useful in situations where full waterproofness is needed, such as hard rain or possible immersion in a body of water.

Problems solved by technology

The opening to the interior compartment usually is the area of concern because it breaches the rigid material.

A problem facing waterproof soft carriers is how to seal an opening provided in the carrier to allow insertion and removal of objects to and from an interior compartment.

Unlike hard waterproof carriers, the carrier usually is not rigid enough to provide a compression seal against a port or door, although addition of rigid components could make this possible at the expense of greater weight and more rigidity.

The slides of these zippers are difficult to move compared to ordinary zippers.

Waterproof zippers also should be kept clean of sand, dust, and debris in order to be waterproof because the sealing material will not be able to properly close around the coils or teeth of a waterproof zipper if sand, dirt, dust, or other debris obstructs the sealing material.

As mentioned above, however, opening and then closing the zipper is no easy task.

The user will be tempted to leave the waterproof zipper open, which means that sand, dust, and debris may contaminate the waterproof zipper and enter the interior compartment.

Leaving the waterproof zipper open also exposes the contents of the interior compartment to the weather, such as mist and rain.

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