Tote apparatus

Abstract

A tote apparatus to enable a user to carry at least one article. The tote apparatus includes a handle portion and one or more receptacle portions secured to the handle portion, for at least partially defining one or more pockets located between the receptacle portion(s) and the handle portion. The tote apparatus also includes one or more divider elements for at least partially dividing the pocket into two or more compartments. The divider element extends between an inner side thereof secured or releasably attachable to the handle portion, and an outer side thereof releasably attachable or secured to the receptacle portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tote apparatus to enable a user to carry at least one article, the tote apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion comprising an aperture in which a part of a hand of the user is receivable, to enable the user to carry the tote apparatus;   at least one receptacle portion secured to the handle portion, for at least partially defining at least one pocket located between said at least one receptacle portion and the handle portion;   at least one divider element for at least partially dividing said at least one pocket into at least two compartments;   said at least one divider element extending between an inner side thereof secured to the handle portion, and an outer side thereof releasably attachable to said at least one receptacle portion;   said at least one divider element being movable between a first position, in which the outer side thereof is releasably attached to said at least one receptacle portion and said at least two compartments are at least partially defined by said at least one divider element therebetween, and a second position, in which the outer side thereof is unattached to said at least one receptacle portion, to at least partially open said at least one pocket; and   said at least one divider element comprising a gusset portion at least partially defining the inner side of said at least one divider element, for providing lateral support, when said at least one divider element is in the first position, to said at least one article at an upper end thereof extending above a selected one of said at least two compartments in which said at least one article is positioned.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 1  in which, when said at least one divider element is in the second position, said at least one divider element is located substantially parallel to the handle portion. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 1  in which said at least one receptacle portion comprises two parts, each of said parts being positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion to at least partially define said at least one pocket in each said part respectively. 
     
     
         6 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 5  comprising two divider elements, each of said divider elements being at least partially positioned in a selected one of the two pockets respectively positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion. 
     
     
         7 . A tote apparatus to enable a user to carry at least one article, the tote apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion comprising an aperture in which a part of a hand of the user is receivable, to enable the user to carry the tote apparatus;   at least one receptacle portion secured to the handle portion, for at least partially defining at least one pocket located between said at least one receptacle portion and the handle portion;   at least one divider element for at least partially dividing said at least one pocket into at least two compartments;   said at least one divider element extending between an inner side thereof that is releasably attachable to the handle portion, and an outer side thereof, secured to said at least one receptacle portion;   said at least one divider element being movable between a first position, in which the outer side thereof is releasably attached to the handle portion and said at least two compartments are at least partially defined by said at least one divider element therebetween, and a second position, in which the outer side thereof is unattached to the handle portion, to at least partially open said at least one pocket; and   said at least one divider element comprising a gusset portion at least partially defining the inner side of said at least one divider element, for providing lateral support, when said at least one divider element is in the first position, to said at least one article at an upper end thereof extending above a selected one of said at least two compartments in which said at least one article is positioned.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 7  in which, when said at least one divider element is in the second position, said at least one divider element is located substantially parallel to the handle portion. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 7  in which said at least one receptacle portion comprises two parts, each of said parts being positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion to at least partially define said at least one pocket in each said part respectively. 
     
     
         12 . A tote apparatus to enable a user to carry at least one article, the tote apparatus comprising:
 a handle portion comprising an aperture in which a part of a hand of the user is receivable, to enable the user to carry the tote apparatus;   at least one receptacle portion secured to the handle portion, for at least partially defining at least one pocket located between said at least one receptacle portion and the handle portion;   at least one divider element for at least partially dividing said at least one pocket into at least two compartments;   said at least one divider element extending between an inner side thereof that is releasably attachable to the handle portion, and an outer side thereof, releasably attachable to said at least one receptacle portion;   said at least one divider element is movable between a first position, in which the inner and outer sides thereof are releasably attached to the handle portion and said at least one receptacle portion respectively and said at least two compartments are at least partially defined by said at least one divider element therebetween, and a second position, in which a selected one of the inner side and the outer side thereof is unattached to a selected one of the handle portion and said at least one receptacle portion to at least partially open said at least one pocket; and   said at least one divider element comprises a gusset portion at least partially defining the inner side of said at least one divider element, for providing lateral support, when said at least one divider element is in the first position, to said at least one article at an upper end extending above a selected one of said at least two compartments in which said at least one article is positioned.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 12  in which said at least one divider element is detachable from said at least one receptacle portion and the handle portion, to at least partially open said at least one pocket. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 12  in which said at least one receptacle portion comprises two parts, each of said parts being positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion to at least partially define said at least one pocket in each said part respectively. 
     
     
         17 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 16  comprising two divider elements, each of said divider elements being at least partially positioned in one of the two pockets respectively positioned on opposite sides of the handle portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of carrying at least one article, comprising:
 (a) providing a tote apparatus, comprising:
 a handle portion comprising an aperture in which a part of a hand of the user is receivable, to enable the user to carry the tote apparatus; 
 at least one receptacle portion secured to the handle portion, for at least partially defining at least one pocket between said at least one receptacle portion and the handle portion; 
 at least one divider element for at least partially dividing said at least one pocket into at least two compartments; 
 said at least one divider element extending between an inner side thereof secured to the handle portion, and an outer side thereof releasably attachable to said at least one receptacle portion; 
 said at least one divider element comprising a gusset portion at least partially defining the inner side thereof; 
   (b) at least partially expanding the receptacle portion, to at least partially open said at least one pocket;   (c) moving said at least one divider element to a position in which the outer side is releasable attached to said at least one receptacle portion and said at least two compartments are at least partially defined by said at least one divider element therebetween;   (d) positioning said at least one article in a selected one of said at least two compartments; and   (e) laterally supporting a part of said at least one article extending above the selected one of said at least two compartments with the gusset portion.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A tote apparatus according to  claim 6  in which:
 each of the divider elements comprises a reinforcement element along the inner side thereof; 
 each of the divider elements is secured at the inner side thereof to the handle portion by a plurality of stitches along the reinforcement portion; and 
 the stitches along the respective reinforcement portions secured to the opposite sides of the handle portion are offset from each other respectively.