The present invention relates to a bag for carrying items, for example identity papers, check books, or train or airplane tickets.
Generally, the bags used to carry such items have the drawback that they do not have sophisticated security systems for reducing, indeed eliminating, the risk of the items being stolen. Specifically, in most bags of this type, access can be gained to the various items simply by opening a zipper (Fermeture Éclairs®—registered trademark) or deactivating a push-button system, for example. An experienced pickpocket could therefore easily empty the contents of the bag without the person carrying it being aware of it.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome this drawback, and to this end it consists of a bag for carrying items, for example identity papers, check books, or train or airplane tickets, characterized in that it comprises a first flap and a second flap joined to one another and having pockets or housings, and in that it comprises at least one tie forming a strap, this tie being, on the one hand, able to slide through at least one guide means belonging to the first flap and, on the other hand, attached to the second flap.
Therefore, when the bag is carried correctly by the user, i.e. when the strap is passed for example around the neck or shoulder of the user, part of the tie inevitably has to slide through the guide means of the first flap when the two flaps are moved apart, causing the bag to rise up the user's body owing to the strap being shortened. The wearer can thus immediately detect any attempt to open the bag by a person up to no good.
Moreover, such a bag is particularly advantageous since it can be used to carry essential travel items, for example identity cards, passports, check books or tickets, while being very compact.
Note that a bag according to the invention could include partitions placed between the first flap and the second flap, these various elements being joined together book-fashion. In this case, all that would be required would be for the various partitions to have eyelets to allow the tie(s) to pass through.
According to a first preferred embodiment, the bag is made from a single flexible panel which is divided into two flaps after folding along a hinge line. If the bag has no side gusset joining the two flaps together, then the position of the hinge line along the panel can vary depending on the size of the items stored in each flap. Such a bag thus has the advantage of having an adjustable storage volume that can be adapted to suit the shapes and sizes of the items carried.
Preferably, the panel is substantially rectangular. In this case, the general shape of each flap, obtained after folding the panel along the hinge line whose position along the panel depends on the items stored, is also rectangular.
According to a second preferred embodiment, the two flaps are joined via a flexible strip forming a hinge region between the two flaps. If the bag has no side gusset joining the two flaps together, then the position of the hinge line along the flexible strip can vary depending on the size of the items stored in each flap.
According to a first preferred embodiment, each tie has two free ends which are each slid through an associated guide means belonging to the first flap.
According to a first preferred alternative embodiment, the two free ends of the tie are fastened to the second flap.
According to a second preferred embodiment, each free end of the tie is slid through a slot or an eyelet made in the second flap. Each free end can therefore advantageously have at least one attachment element projecting from the bag, to which an item can be attached. This item can for example consist of a cell phone, and an important advantage thus lies in the fact that the wearer of the bag does not need to unclip the phone from the attachment means to use it. All he has to do is bring the phone up to his face by sliding the free end to which it is attached through the corresponding slot or eyelet. As a result, the bag is pressed against the wearer's body and rises up the body. This definitively eliminates any risk of the bag being opened unlawfully, even when the wearer's attention is distracted. Moreover, the risk that the cell phone might be stolen is minimized as said cell phone is always attached to the bag.
According to a second preferred embodiment, each tie forms a closed loop passing through, on the one hand, at least one guide means belonging to the first flap and, on the other hand, at least two eyelets made in the second flap.
Advantageously, each guide means belonging to the first flap is made using an eyelet or a loop.
Also advantageously, each of the two corners of the first flap has a guide means, and the tie is connected to the second flap near its two corners.
Preferably, one of the two flaps has at least one strip of fabric that can interact, like Velcro® (registered trademark), with at least one strip of fabric secured to the other flap.
Also preferably, the tie has at least one locking device for preventing said tie from sliding.
The invention will be more clearly understood with the aid of the following detailed description provided with reference to the attached drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag according to the first embodiment of the invention, when open;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the bag shown in FIG. 1, when closed;
