The Gem Group, Inc.

Amway Corporation

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

Samsonite Corporation

Gemline

Mark T Salander

Joshua B Lederer

Agnes Csilla Domotor

Richard C Bellofatto, Jr

Quincy L Reese

Doug Wolff

Ken Roberts

Miles Conklin

John B Lyons

Andrew Lewis Zionts

William L King

Lowell C Schirado

Glenn Schmierer

Philip J Karl

Charles E Waddell

Paul L Jackman

Coryndon M Luxmoore

A collapsible, soft-sided, insulated cooler or other container having a top, a sidewall having a sidewall top connected to the rim of the top and a bottom connected at a sidewall bottom, opposite the top. The top includes a zipper or other closure that extends from a first point to a second point on the rim of the top in a line along a radial segment, traversing a central region of the top. The sidewall comprises an inner layer, an outer shell and an insulating material disposed therebetween. The sidewall further includes a spring wire that extends between the bottom and top of the container that biases the cooler to a fully expanded configuration for use and that is compressible for storage by pressing down on the top.

Collapsible insulated cooler

This invention provides a case system that removably stores a laptop computer so that it can be removed normally through the top of the case when needed, but also through a flap formed in the side of the case while residing upon a tray with retention lips on at least three sides. The case can be a briefcase, messenger bag or backpack, among other styles. The tray edge facing the top opening is free of any lip or raised obstruction to allow laptop removal from the case through a conventional top flap. The tray is withdrawn/slid from the side of the case unzipping and opening the side flap. The tray is tethered to the case interior so that it extends only slightly beyond the adjacent edge of the case. In this manner, the tray/laptop is prevented from excess rotational movement (e.g. jackknifing) with respect to the case. The tray is free of any x-ray opaque structures or materials, thereby allowing an unobstructed scan to be performed on the laptop. A zipper pull, a fabric loop structure formed adjacent to the side flap, and/or the side flap itself an indicia that clearly indicates regulatory approval of the case. Alternatively, a case is provided, having a central zipper that extends along three side edges along its midline thickness allows it to be opened, clamshell-like into two opposing halves. The laptop is enclosed within one of the halves. The lips prevent excursion of the laptop from the case half as it moves through the scanner. The laptop-containing half omits metallic or other x-ray-opaque structures that would overlie or underlie the laptop. Likewise, as required no obstructions of any kind overlie the laptop. The case of this embodiment can include appropriate indicia indicating regulatory approval.

Computer case

This invention provides a combination note pad and credential holder having a neck cord or lanyard that passes through a loop in the notepad to allow the item to be worn about the neck at a desired level, typically at chest height. The notepad can include a back cover that supports a writing pad and a hinged front cover, joined to the back cover and selectively opened to access the writing pad. A small pen can be removably attached to a loop between the covers along a side of the writing pad. The bottom edge of the notepad includes a fastener assembly for removably attaching a credential sleeve with a clear window for displaying the user's credential document(s). The sleeve has an open side that allows the documents to be slid thereinto. The fastener assembly can comprise one or more sets of interengaging snaps, look-and-loop members or a zipper-like structure. When not needed, the sleeve can be removed or flipped into a position behind the back cover, out of view. The sleeve can also be removed from the notepad and pinned or clipped in a conventional manner to a separate location on the user's clothing.

Covered notepad with document holder

Fastener of a sports equipment bag

This invention provides a padfolio, portfolio, case, bag or other business accessory that carries, on an exterior surface, a pocket flap that is typically open at the top edge and joined at a bottom edge. It has a size sufficient to completely cover a predetermined range of conventional documents (or other items), and in one embodiment, has side walls that taper from a wider bottom that may be longer than the predetermined documents to a narrower top that is typically shorter than the predetermined documents so that the side edges of the predetermined documents are at least partially visible to evidence their presence in the pocket. A narrow elastic strip joins each of the opposing side edges to the exterior surface at a location along the exterior surface that is outboard of opposing edges of the predetermined documents so that they may slide into the pocket free of interference for the joint between the elastic strips and the exterior surface. The tension generated by the strips is, however, sufficient to maintain holding friction, via the pocket flap on the documents, but enables expansion of the flap to admit thicker items when desired, including machinery for providing decoration to the flap. In an illustrative embodiment, the strips may be less than one half the total length of the side edges.

Padfolio with tapered elastic outer pocket

This invention provides an apron having at least one beverage pocket specifically designed for holding beverage containers at a convenient location for easy access by the user. The pocket includes a reinforced outer rim, formed from a durable polymer ring or gusset in an illustrative embodiment. In one implementation, the pocket is located along the lower end of a side wing of the apron so that it is generally below and within easy reach of the wearer's right (or left) hand. The ring/gusset secures an appropriately sized inner beverage pocket pouch that has a depth and perimeter size sufficient to house an average-sized beverage container. The depth of is arranged so that the top of an average container either protrudes slightly, or is completely recessed within the pouch. The pouch may be constructed from one or more layers of insulating material to allow the drink to retain its heat or coolness and preventing transfer of heat/cold to the wearer's body. In an illustrative embodiment, the apron can also include additional convenient features, such as a retractable, lanyard-mounted bottle opener. The retractable cord/lanyard-mounted bottle opener is placed within easy reach of the user, and may be located on the same side of the apron as the pocket, at a position above the pocket, in this embodiment.

Apron with beverage holder

Piping of a sports equipment bag

Side region of a sports equipment bag

Side portion of a sports equipment bag

This invention provides a padfolio, portfolio or other foldable business accessory that is organized with three hinged leaves (including two main leaves and one overriding leaf that folds over the main leaves when closed together) that may be unfolded and laid flat to expose various internal elements within an overall interior. The elements are organized so that a notepad is provided in a center leaf, while one of the opposing side leaves include a raised clock base having a well or recess for securing a clock having a folding stand that can be raised into an angled, standing position from a flat position. One main leaf also includes a support base that removably supports a personal digital assistant (PDA), that is normally secured flat against the leaf, but that can be hinged upwardly into at least one adjustable angled position whereby the PDA is tilted for easier viewing whilst working in another area of the padfolio, such as the notepad. In this manner, it is more accessible and easier to use. During folding of the leaves, both the clock and the PDA can be secured in a flat orientation for compact storage. The leaves can include, variously, a series of pockets and sleeves for carrying documents, effects and business accessories. In an illustrative embodiment, the a leftmost main leaf can include the pockets the PDA, the center leaf can include the notepad and the overriding leaf includes the clock.

Padfolio with work area

This invention provides a structured luggage system that allows for maximum versatility in luggage piece dimensions and using two luggage pieces. Each of the two luggage pieces can be converted from a full-height luggage piece to an approximately half-height piece with relative ease. The lower or main piece includes conventional wheels and a retractable/extendible handle for easy transport. The upper or secondary piece is adapted to stack on and be secured to the extended handle and (in full-height configuration) offer a secondary grip for added stability adjacent to the handle grip. The lower piece includes an inner central septum that can be sealed or opened to selectively define either a two-compartment piece or large, single compartment piece. Each compartment includes easily removable stiffeners in corresponding side pockets. By removing the upper compartment stiffeners, the pocket can be collapsed into a thickened top that includes the septum as the thickened top's inside face. By also removing the bottom set of stiffeners, the bottom compartment can be collapsed, allowing the entire main/lower piece to be compressed for easy storage.

Collapsible luggage system

Notepad with lanyard and document holder

Notepad cover

A padfolio having, along at least one cover's interior, a raised, substantially rigid tray structure that defines plurality of compartments with dividing walls therebetween is provided. The surface of the tray structure is covered in a fastener material that removably interengages with an opposing fastener material that is applied to a set of pockets, pouches, electronic devices, pen holders, clocks, calculators and other items. In one embodiment, the fastener material consists of a loop material formed along the tray and a hook material attached to an underside of each of the various attachable items. In this manner, the pockets, pouches or other items can be freely or variably placed anywhere along the loop surface, in any of the compartments, at a wide variety of locations therein. A pen holder for the padfolio or other business accessory is constructed from a flexible material that defines a barrel with a top slot formed between a pair of opposing side walls and a base. The side walls include undulating top edges that define the slot and facilitate passage of the pen therethrough. The penholder can have a linear groove along the base on the barrel interior to guide a stitch for fixed attachment to the padfolio or other business accessory.

Padfolio with compartmentalized interior

Note jotter cover

Growing community of inventors

Barrington, RI, United States of America

Mark T Salander