Stowage pouch

Abstract

A compact, two-sided, lightweight, stretchable, tri-fold pouch for outdoor use. The fabric is waterproof on one side and soft on the other side. The pouch protects items placed inside the pouch as well as items packed adjacent the pouch. The waterproof fabric may be on the inside or the outside of the pouch. The pouch elasticity permits tight encapsulation of stowed items and the accommodation of large, rigid items. The pouch may be carried in pockets, worn with belts or straps through loops on the pouch, attached to other objects, or placed inside other containers.

1 . A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is absorbent;
 said material being a rectangle having a hem at one short side, a substantially symmetrical flare at the opposite short side, a hem at said opposite short side, and a strip of elastic embedded in said flared-side hem;   said flare being temporarily gathered along said embedded elastic strip while said material is folded into three overlapping substantially equal layers about two substantially equally-spaced axes perpendicular to the long axis of said rectangle;   said three layers being stitched together near the short sides of said folded rectangle so as to close the openings on said short sides of said folded rectangle and create said pouch having three closed edges and an opening; and   said pouch being turned completely inside-out.   
   
   
       2 . A pouch as in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said material is transparent. 
   
   
       3 . A pouch as in  claim 1  further comprising pouch closure means incorporated near the perimeter of said pouch opening. 
   
   
       4 . A pouch as in  claim 1  further comprising a means of attachment to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch. 
   
   
       5 . A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is absorbent;
 said material being a rectangle having a hem at both short sides;   one said hem being held in a stretched position by collinear opposing forces while said rectangle is folded into three overlapping substantially equal layers about two substantially equally-spaced axes perpendicular to the long axis of said rectangle;   said three layers being stitched together near the short sides of said folded rectangle so as to close the openings on said short sides of said folded rectangle and create said pouch having three closed edges and an opening; and   said pouch being turned completely inside-out.   
   
   
       6 . A pouch as in  claim 5  further comprising an elastic strip embedded in at least one said hem. 
   
   
       7 . A pouch as in  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of said material is transparent. 
   
   
       8 . A pouch as in  claim 5  further comprising pouch closure means incorporated on the perimeter of said pouch opening. 
   
   
       9 . A pouch as in  claim 5  further comprising a means of attachment to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch. 
   
   
       10 . A pouch comprising a piece of elastic material having one face substantially impervious to fluids and an opposing face that is absorbent;
 said material being a rectangle having a hem at both short sides;   one said hem being held in a stretched position by collinear opposing forces while said rectangle is folded into three overlapping layers about two substantially equally-spaced axes perpendicular to the long axis of said rectangle, a portion of the top layer extending a predetermined distance beyond the two substantially equal bottom layers;   said three layers being stitched together near the short sides of said folded rectangle so as to close the openings on said short sides of said folded rectangle and create said pouch having three closed edges and two openings; and   said pouch being turned completely inside-out.   
   
   
       11 . A pouch as in  claim 10  further comprising an elastic strip embedded in at least one said hem. 
   
   
       12 . A pouch as in  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of said material is transparent. 
   
   
       13 . A pouch as in  claim 10  further comprising pouch closure means incorporated near the perimeter of a said pouch opening. 
   
   
       14 . A pouch as in  claim 10  further comprising a means of attachment to a carrier for hands-free transport of said pouch.