BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag for transporting table settings and, more particularly, to a multiple compartment bag for transporting table settings.

In certain circumstances, it is desirable to transport a large amount of table setting items. For example, during large family picnics, a user may want to transport a table setting to a remote location. Another example may include caterers, who need to transport a complete table setting for a large amount of people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Transporting a complete table setting, including plates, cutlery, glassware, trays, napkins, table cloths and the like, in one container can be risky. The table setting items may easily be damaged during the transport due to the movement within the container. Another option may be to secure each different table setting items in different bags. However, this is cumbersome and undesirable.

As can be seen, there is a need for a protective container for transporting a table setting.

In one aspect of the present invention, a device for transporting a table setting comprising: a bag comprising an upper compartment and a lower compartment, wherein said upper compartment and said lower compartment comprise section separators creating a plurality of sections, and wherein said plurality of sections are configured to store table setting items.

In another aspect of the present invention, said table setting items includes at least one of a plurality of plates, cups, silverware, plastic ware, glassware, napkins, and tablecloths.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device further comprises at least one fastening device, wherein said upper compartment and said lower compartment is accessed using said at least one fastening device.

In another aspect of the present invention, said fastening device comprises at least one zipper.

In another aspect of the present invention, said bag is made of insulating material.

In another aspect of the present invention, the device further comprises handles attached to said bag.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the invention along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the invention along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a bag for the transportation of table settings. The bag may have multiple compartments with multiple sections within the compartments. The sections may be configured to fit table setting items to prevent damage during transportation.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may be an insulated and padded bag for transporting table settings. The bag may include a complete table setting and may store enough silverware, glassware, or plastic ware for up to about 18 people. The base may be padded for extra protection. The sections may be configured to carry the individual table setting items in a protected fashion. The items may be easily removed and replaced due to the organized sections.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the device for transporting a table setting may be a bag 10. The bag 10 may be made of an insulating material. In such embodiments, the bag 10 may comprise insulated walls 24. For example, the bag may be made of CorduraÂ® ballistic nylon. The bag may include plastic to strengthen the walls. Further, the bag may be waterproof. In certain embodiments, the bag 10 may be about 63 cm to about 80 cm in length, about 50 cm in width, and about 50 cm in height

In certain embodiments, the bag 10 may be opened and closed via a fastening device. For example, the fastening device may include at least one of a zipper 14 and a hook and loop fastener. As illustrated, there may be two zippers 14 to open and close more than one compartment of the bag. In certain embodiments, the bag 10 may further comprise at least one handle 12. The handles 12 may be used to carry and transport the bag 10. The handles 12 may be an opening sewn into the material of the bag 10 or may be an attached wooden, metal, or plastic, such as nylon, handle 12. The handles 12 may be strong enough to sufficiently carry a large amount of weight.

The bag 10 may include multiple compartments. For example, the bag 10 may include an upper compartment 20 and a lower compartment 22. The upper compartment 20 may be covered by an upper compartment flap 16. The lower compartment 22 may be covered by a lower compartment flap 18. The upper compartment 20 and the lower compartment 22 may be divided into sections by section separators 26. The section separators 26 may create sections which are configured to store table setting items. The section separators 26 may be thick and cushioned to further prevent the table setting items from being damaged. In certain embodiments, the upper and lower compartment may be about 63 cm to about 80 cm in length and about 50 cm in width.

In certain embodiments, the upper compartment 20 may include a tablecloth section 20 and a napkin section 28. In certain embodiments, the tablecloth section 20 may be about 50 cmÃ—about 51 cm and the napkins section 28 may be about 50 cmÃ—about 29 cm. The upper compartment 20 may have a height of about 5 cm. In certain embodiments, the lower compartment 22 may include a glassware section 32, silverware or tray section 38, and a plate section, such as, a large plate section 34, and a small plate section 36. In certain embodiments, there may be about 6 to about 18 glassware sections for individual glasses. As illustrated in FIG. 4, there may be 12 glassware sections. The glassware sections may be about 8.5 cmÃ—about 9.6 cm. In certain embodiments, the silverware or tray section may be about 42 cm to about 59 cmÃ—about 4.2 cm. In certain embodiments, the large plates section 34 may be about 29 cmÃ—about 29 cm. In certain embodiments, the small plate section 36 may be about 21 cmÃ—about 21 cm. The lower compartment 22 may have a height of about 45 cm. However, it is envisioned that the upper compartment and lower compartment may be reconfigured to include different section types and dimensions.

In alternate embodiments, the bag 10 may be made and used for different events. For example, a portable cocktail bag for serving alcohol is presented in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bag 10 may have a lower compartment 22 and a upper compartment 20. The lower compartment 22 may include different compartments for bottles of alcohol. For example, there may be vodka bottle compartment 44, a rum bottle compartment 46, a tequila bottle compartment 48, a whiskey bottle compartment 50, a juice bottle compartment 52, a spare liquor bottle compartment 54 and the like. The lower compartment 22 may further include multiple glass ware compartments 32. The upper compartment 20 may contain other items used for serving cocktails. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, there may be a knives compartment 58, a straw box compartment 60, a spare items compartment 62, a cutting board compartment 64, a napkin box compartment 66, a lemon/lime/cherry/olive box compartment 68 and the like.

A method of making the device may include the following. Fabric thread may be woven together with zippers and handles to form the large carry bag. The section separators may be woven within the compartments to create the individual sections, which may be configured to store the table setting items. In certain embodiments, the bag may be sewn together with a specialized machine.

A method of using the device may include the following. The table setting items may be packed into the one bag and transported to its destination. The items are then easily removed accordingly to create a picnic table setting for about 6 to about 18 people. Packing the table setting items back into the bag is easy because of the itemized sections.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.