Apparatus and method for storing, organizing, and carrying commom items which can be removably attached to an aircraft tray table

Abstract

A portable organizing device is provided, which further comprises a connecting mechanism for removably attaching the device to a tray table commonly found on commercial airliners. This device can be used to secure or contain items commonly carried by travelers, such as pens, tissues, medicines, books, and playing cards, and can be folded and carried as a small handbag, which can also be used to transport the same items. The connecting mechanism can be comprised of straps which further comprise VELCRO for attaching one strap to another around the tray table.

1 . A portable organizing apparatus which can be used as a handbag in one configuration and can be removably attached to a fold-down tray table, in a second configuration comprising:
 a substantially planer body having an exterior side and an interior side, wherein the substantially planar body can be capable of being folded along a line bisecting said body to create the handbag configuration wherein the interior side is hidden and the exterior side forms the exterior of said handbag; and   a plurality of pockets and other fastening devices are attached to said interior side.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fold down tray table is one of those commonly attached to the back of a seat such as those found on a typical commercial airliner. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portable organizing apparatus comprises one or more straps, attached to the exterior of the substantially planar body, which can be used to removably attach said planar body to a fold-down tray table. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the straps comprise VELCRO for attaching one or more straps to one or more other straps. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portable organizing apparatus comprises one or more carrying handles attached to the exterior of the substantially planar body. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the portable organizing apparatus comprises one or more fastening devices, such as a zipper or buttons, which can be used to retain the apparatus in the handbag configuration. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pockets comprising the portable organizing apparatus further comprise elastic or some other cinching mechanism to hold the openings of said pockets closed. 
   
   
       8 . A method for transporting and storing items while traveling, the method comprising:
 providing a portable organizing apparatus which can be used as a handbag in one configuration and can be removably attached to a fold-down tray table, in a second configuration comprising a substantially planer body having an exterior side and an interior side, wherein the substantially planar body can be capable of being folded along a line bisecting said body, one or more straps, attached to the exterior of the substantially planar body, which can be used to removably attach said planar body to a commercial airliner's fold-down tray table, a plurality of pockets and other fastening devices, and one or more carrying handles attached to the exterior of the substantially planar body;   placing a number of items to be stored or transported in the pockets or other fastening devices in to the portable organizing apparatus in its second configuration;   transforming the portable organizing apparatus into a handbag configuration by folding it once along a line bisecting it lengthwise in order to transport said apparatus; and   transforming the portable organizing apparatus into a substantially planar configuration and removably attaching the portable organizing apparatus to a fold-down tray table using said straps in order to store and access items in the pockets and other fastening devices comprising the apparatus.