Stretchable, variable volume carrying case and methods for transporting items

Abstract

A universal carrying case for electronic devices and other items having varying dimensions. Methods of transporting items in the cases are also disclosed.

1 . A carrying case for a electronic device, the case comprising:
 a body defining a compartment to receive the electronic device, wherein the body is fabricated from an elastic material that may be stretched around the electronic device to snugly contain the electronic device.   
   
   
       2 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the body is fabricated from multiple and different elastic materials. 
   
   
       3 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises spaced apart front and rear panels, one of the front and rear panels being formed with a ventilation opening. 
   
   
       4 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises spaced apart front and rear panels, at least a portion of one of the front and rear panels comprising a mesh material. 
   
   
       5 . The carrying case of  claim 4 , wherein the mesh material comprises a plurality of ventilation openings. 
   
   
       6 . A carrying case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 a body defining a compartment of variable volume to receive the electronic device, wherein the volume of the compartment is self conforming to the volume required by the electronic device.   
   
   
       7 . The carrying case of  claim 6 , wherein the body comprises spaced apart front and rear panels, at least one of the front and rear panels being elastic in a first direction parallel to a first axis of the electronic device. 
   
   
       8 . The carrying case of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the front and rear panels is elastic in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. 
   
   
       9 . The carrying case of  claim 6 , wherein the body comprises spaced apart front and rear panels, one of the front and rear panels being formed with a ventilation opening. 
   
   
       10 . The carrying case of  claim 6 , wherein the body comprises spaced apart front and rear panels, at least a portion of one of the front and rear panels comprising a mesh material. 
   
   
       11 . The carrying case of  claim 6 , wherein the mesh material comprises a plurality of ventilation openings. 
   
   
       12 . A carrying case for a portable electronic device, the case comprising:
 an elastic body comprising a first panel and a second panel spaced from one another, the body having a first axis and a first dimension corresponding to the first axis, and the body having a second axis and a second dimension corresponding to the second axis;   wherein the body is stretchable over an electronic device having dimensions larger than the first dimension and the second dimension.   
   
   
       13 . The carrying case of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second panel are fabricated from an elastic fabric material. 
   
   
       14 . The carrying case of  claim 12 , wherein one of the front and rear panels includes a ventilation opening. 
   
   
       15 . The carrying case of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of one of the first and second materials comprises a mesh material. 
   
   
       16 . The carrying case of  claim 15 , wherein the mesh material comprises a plurality of ventilation openings. 
   
   
       17 . The carrying case of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the panels comprises a first material and a second material, the first material defining a central opening and the second material occupying the opening. 
   
   
       18 . The carrying case of  claim 12  wherein the body comprises a protective sleeve for a laptop computer. 
   
   
       19 . The carrying case of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a protective sleeve for a laptop computer. 
   
   
       20 . The carrying case of  claim 6  wherein the body comprises a protective sleeve for a laptop computer. 
   
   
       21 . A carrying case comprising:
 an elastic body configured to stretch around and conform to an external surface of an item;   wherein the body comprises an elastic material and a mesh material defining ventilation openings; and   wherein the body entirely surrounds a portion of the item.   
   
   
       22 . The case of  claim 21 , wherein the body includes a shock absorbent padding. 
   
   
       23 . The case of  claim 21 , wherein the body comprises a base material, the base material defining a cutout region, the mesh material extending across the cutout region. 
   
   
       24 . The case of  claim 21 , wherein the item comprises an electronic device. 
   
   
       25 . The case of  claim 21 , wherein the item comprises a beverage container. 
   
   
       26 . The case of  claim 21 , wherein the body is fabricated from multiple and different elastic materials. 
   
   
       27 . A method of transporting an item having an external size, the method comprising:
 providing an elastic travel sleeve defining a compartment having an initial size smaller than the external size, the sleeve including at least one ventilation opening;   stretching the travel sleeve over the item, thereby conforming the sleeve to the external surface dimensions of the item; and   transporting the item within the sleeve.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the product comprises an electronic device. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve is provided with shock absorbent padding. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sleeve comprises a mesh material, the mesh material defining the ventilation opening. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising securing the sleeve over the item. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising removing the sleeve from the item, allowing the elastic sleeve to return to the initial size.