Reinforced Delivery Bag System and Methods of Delivering Packages Using the System

Abstract

A reinforced bag system and methods of using the reinforced bag systems in package delivery typically to a residence when the residence is not presently occupied are described. The reinforced bag system generally includes a water-resistant reinforced bag resistant to being breached either through a closed top end or by cutting the bag, a cable connected with the bag for use in securing the bag to a fixture such as a porch railing, and at least one lock for locking the bag in a closed position as well as locking the bag to a fixture by way of the cable. A motion activated alarm can also be provided to sound when unauthorized attempts to gain access are made.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method concerning the delivery of a delivery item to a residence, the method comprising:
 providing a reinforced bag system including (i) a reinforced bag having an interior volume accessible by a top end, the top end being closable, (ii) a cable connected with the reinforced bag and configured to permit the reinforced bag to be secured to a fixture of the residence, and (iii) one or more locks configured to lock the top end in a closed position and secure the reinforced bag to the fixture;   placing the reinforced bag system at a location outside of the residence with the interior volume accessible through the top end;   after noticing the top end is closed and locked and the reinforced bag is locked and secured to the fixture, unlocking at least one of the one or more locks, opening the top end, and removing a delivery item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery person placing the delivery item in the interior volume, closing the top end, and locking the top end in the closed position using the one or more locks. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said placing the reinforced bag system outside of the residence further comprises wrapping the cable around the fixture. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforced bag system further comprises a motion activated alarm, and said placing the reinforced bag system outside of the residence further comprises associating the motion activated alarm with the reinforced bag. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is threaded and attached to the reinforced bag around a perimeter of the top end, and the one or more locks is a cable lock that can be selectively locked securing it to an end of the cable and a used selected position along a length of the cable. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after said removing the delivery item, making the top end accessible and ready to receive a next delivery item. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after said removing the delivery item, removing the reinforced bag system from the location, folding the reinforced bag, and storing the reinforced bag system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a delivery person placing the delivery item in the interior volume, closing the top end into a closed position, and locking the top end in the closed position using the one or more locks; and   a person activating the alarm by attempting to one of (a) remove the delivery item from the reinforced bag, and (b) take the reinforced bag system having a delivery item inside the reinforced bag.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least partially flexible sides of the reinforced bag comprise a laminate of a fabric inner layer and an outer layer sandwiching a stainless steel metal wire mesh. 
     
     
         10 . A method of delivering a delivery item, the method comprising:
 identifying a reinforced bag system located outside of a residence, the reinforced bag system including (i) the reinforced bag having an interior volume accessible by a top end, the top end being closable, (ii) a cable connected with the reinforced bag and configured to permit the reinforced bag to be secured to a fixture of the residence, and (iii) one or more locks configured to lock the top end in a closed position and secure the reinforced bag to the fixture;   placing a delivery item in the interior volume through the top end;   closing the top end; and   locking the top end in the closed position using a lock of the one or more locks.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cable is threaded and attached to the reinforced bag around a perimeter of the top end, and the one or more locks is a cable lock that can be selectively locked securing it to an end of the cable and a user selected position along a length of the cable. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein (a) at least a portion of the cable is threaded and attached to the reinforced bag around and proximate a perimeter of the top end, and the one or more locks is a cable lock that can be selectively locked in a position that defines a length of the portion, (b) said closing the top end comprises cinching the top end by pulling on the cable to decrease the length of the portion, and (c) said locking the top end comprises locking the cable lock wherein the length of the loop acts to close the top end and make the top end inaccessible. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforced bag system further comprises a motion detecting alarm, and wherein the delivery person arms the motion detecting alarm after said placing a delivery item in the reinforced bag. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cable lock includes an integral motion sensing alarm, and wherein the delivery person arms the motion detecting alarm generally contemporaneously with said locking the top end in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising activating alarm when reinforced bag system is subjected to a sufficient amount of motion. 
     
     
         16 . A reinforced bag system for containing and securing items therein, the reinforced bag system comprising:
 a reinforced bag having a plurality of connected bag sides creating an interior volume accessible by a closable top end, and a plurality of grommets spaced along the bag sides proximate the top end, the bag sides each comprising a laminate having an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer sandwiching and encapsulating one or more reinforcing layers;   an elongated cable comprising first and second ends, the cable being comprised of one or braided or twisted wire strands, the cable being threaded through the plurality of grommets to substantially encircle the bag proximate the top end with the first and second ends passing through and extending outwardly from one of a same grommet and adjacent grommets of the plurality of grommets;   a cable lock; and   a motion activated alarm.   
     
     
         17 . The reinforced bag system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more reinforcing layers comprises a stainless steel metal wire mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The reinforced bag system of  claim 17 , wherein the wire mesh layer comprises a single piece that is continuous across the plurality of the bag sides. 
     
     
         19 . The reinforced bag system of  claim 16 , wherein the motion detecting alarm is integrated into the cable lock. 
     
     
         20 . The reinforced bag system of  claim 16 , wherein the reinforced bag further includes an interior pocket located in the interior volume against the inner fabric of a bag side of the bag sides, wherein the motion activated alarm is received.