Carrying case with J-shaped side access zipper

Abstract

Carrying cases, particularly backpacks, having a J-shaped zipper disposed on a side aspect thereof, as well as methods of manufacture and use thereof, are provided. The carrying cases are constructed of front, back, and side panels, which are preferably made of a durable, lightweight, puncture-resistant material. The J-shaped zipper disposed on the side aspect of the backpack allows a user of the backpack to access a primary storage compartment of the backpack, and particularly to insert larger items into the backpack or remove larger items therefrom, via a side panel of the backpack. Among other advantages, the J-shaped side-access zipper allows the user to access an interior volume of the backpack during wear, i.e. without removing the backpack.

1 . A backpack, comprising:
 a front panel;   a back panel;   two side panels, consisting of a left side panel and a right side panel; and   a J-shaped zipper, disposed on a selected one of the two side panels, wherein at least a portion of the zipper coincides with a portion of an edge between the selected side panel and the front panel or the back panel,   wherein the zipper defines a boundary between a foldable flap of the selected side panel and an adjoining portion of the selected side panel,   wherein, when the zipper is fully fastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are joined to thereby maintain the foldable flap in an unfolded position,   wherein, when the zipper is fully unfastened, corresponding edges of the foldable flap and the adjoining portion are disjoined to thereby allow a user to fold back the foldable flap and create a side-access opening of the backpack, and   wherein, when the foldable flap is folded back, a user may access a primary storage compartment of the backpack via the side-access opening.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein an interior volume of the primary storage compartment is at least about 50% of an interior volume of the backpack defined by the front, back, and side panels. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 2 , wherein the interior volume of the primary storage compartment is substantially equal to the interior volume of the backpack. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 2 , wherein the interior volume of the backpack is devoid of interior barriers or partitions. 
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary storage compartment, wherein the primary storage compartment and the secondary storage compartment are separated by an interior barrier or partition. 
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein a total volume of the primary storage compartment is at least about 4.5 liters. 
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the primary storage compartment, along an axis orthogonal to the selected side panel, is at least about 5.75 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the foldable flap is about 5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the foldable flap extends across at least about 50% of a width of the selected side panel. 
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 9 , wherein the width of the foldable flap extends across substantially all of the width of the selected side panel. 
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel comprises a substantially puncture-resistant material. 
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially puncture-resistant material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 12 , wherein the polymeric material comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of nylons and polyesters. 
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel selected from the group consisting of the front panel, the back panel, the left side panel, and the right side panel comprises a multi-layer or composite portion. 
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 14 , wherein an outer surface of the at least one panel comprises a substantially puncture-resistant material and an inner surface of the at least one panel comprises a durable cushioning material. 
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the J-shaped zipper is selected from the group consisting of a coil zipper, an invisible zipper, a reverse coil zipper, a metal zipper, a plastic-molded zipper, an open-ended zipper, a two-way open-ended zipper, a two-way closed-ended zipper, and a magnetic zipper. 
     
     
         17 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the primary storage compartment is at least one of cushioned, insulated, puncture-resistant, waterproof, and water-resistant. 
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a gusset and a zipper associated with the gusset, wherein the zipper associated with the gusset is operable by the user to selectively expand or collapse an interior volume of the backpack. 
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the J-shaped zipper is configured such that, when the J-shaped zipper is unfastened or partially unfastened, the foldable flap is biased to remain in the unfolded position, adjacent to the joining edge of the adjoining portion of the side panel, and to be folded away only when manipulated by the user. 
     
     
         20 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-slide lock, operable by the user to lock a zipper pull of the J-shaped zipper in a desired position.