IP Library Granted Patent US 12,442,620
Granted Patent B2
US 12,442,620 · App. 18/494,400 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Flexible case having retaining bag including bead refill mechanism

Inventors: Gideon P. Searle (Scottsdale, AZ); Theodore Bobrick Root, Jr. (Charlotte, NC)
Assignee: GSTC LLC
F41C33/06B65D81/052B65D81/1075
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,442,620
App. No.
18/494,400
Filed
Oct 25, 2023
Granted
Oct 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Examiner
CHU, KING M
Art Unit
3735
USPC
206/317
Abstract

A protective carrying case for an object is disclosed, wherein the protective carrying case includes a top component, a bottom component, and semi-hexagonal ends, wherein the top component and the bottom component are constructed from carbon fiber. The protective carrying case additionally includes a retaining element with vacuum split functionality to retain elements within the case.

Claims (36)

1. An article for packing an object, comprising:

a flexible container; and

at least one retaining element positioned within the flexible container;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a plurality of packaging elements;

wherein the plurality of packaging elements includes a plurality of microbeads;

wherein the flexible container includes a top component and a bottom component, and wherein the top component and the bottom component are able to be bound in a closed position via at least one zipper mechanism;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a seam; and

wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the at least one retaining element are able to be connected to at least one vacuum pump operable to selectively inflate or deflate the first chamber and the second chamber.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber of the at least one retaining element is attached to an interior surface of the top component of the flexible container and the second chamber of the at least one retaining element is attached to an interior surface of the bottom component of the flexible container.

3. The article of claim 2 , wherein the at least one retaining element is attached to the flexible container via adhesive, welding, hook and loop elements, and/or interweaving.

4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of packaging materials includes materials made from polystyrene and/or polylactic acid.

5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the flexible container includes at least one passage extending from an exterior surface to an interior surface of the flexible container, and wherein the at least one passage is configured to allow the at least one vacuum pump to attach to the first chamber and/or the second chamber while the flexible container is in a closed position.

6. The article of claim 1 , wherein the flexible container is formed from at least one material selected from a group consisting of: polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), leather, artificial leather, canvas, nylon, rayon, and polyurethane.

7. The article of claim 1 , wherein the top component and the bottom component of the flexible container are connected by a living hinge.

8. The article of claim 1 , wherein the flexible container includes at least one handle.

9. An article for packing an object, comprising:

a flexible container; and

at least one retaining element positioned within the flexible container;

wherein the at least one retaining element is attached to an interior surface of the flexible container;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a plurality of packaging elements;

wherein the plurality of packaging elements includes a plurality of microbeads;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a seam; and

wherein the first chamber and the second chamber of the at least one retaining element are able to be connected to at least one vacuum pump operable to selectively inflate or deflate the first chamber and the second chamber.

10. The article of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of packaging materials includes materials made from polystyrene and/or polylactic acid.

11. The article of claim 9 , wherein the flexible container includes at least one passage extending from an exterior surface to an interior surface of the flexible container, and wherein the at least one passage is configured to allow the at least one vacuum pump to attach to the first chamber and/or the second chamber while the flexible container is in a closed position.

12. The article of claim 9 , wherein the flexible container is formed from at least one material selected from a group consisting of: polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), leather, artificial leather, canvas, nylon, rayon, and polyurethane.

13. A system for packing an object, comprising:

a flexible container;

at least one retaining element positioned within the flexible container; and

at least one vacuum pump operable connect to the at least one retaining element;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a plurality of packaging elements;

wherein the plurality of packaging elements includes a plurality of microbeads;

wherein the at least one retaining element includes a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a seam; and

wherein the vacuum pump inflates and/or deflates the at least one retaining element.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first chamber of the at least one retaining element is attached to an interior surface of the top component of the flexible container and the second chamber of the at least one retaining element is attached to an interior surface of the bottom component of the flexible container.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the flexible container includes a top component and a bottom component, and wherein the top component and the bottom component are able to be bound in a closed position via at least one zipper mechanism.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2023
From: SEARLE, GIDEON P.; ROOT, THEODORE BOBRICK, JR.
To: BEAR HYDE, LLC
Reel/Frame 065351/0938 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2023
From: BEAR HYDE, LLC
To: GSTC LLC
Reel/Frame 065351/0943 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 18112325 · Feb 21, 2023
Continuation In Part 18154529 · Jan 13, 2023
Continuation In Part 17897951 · Aug 29, 2022
Continuation 16950454 · Nov 17, 2020
Continuation In Part 16697265 · Nov 27, 2019
Provisional Application 62779587 · Dec 14, 2018
Related Publication 20240053121A1 · Feb 15, 2024
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