Spill-resistant pouch

Abstract

A pouch includes a first and second panel members joined to one another to define a compartment having an opening at the top thereof. A flexible cover overlaps the opening. A belt receiving portion is attached to one of the panels and is mountable on the belt of a user. The first panel is located on an exposed side of the second panel which faces away from the user. The flexible cover is positioned at the top of the second panel to encase the compartment opening in order to prevent the spillage of objects within the compartment when the pouch is inverted, tilted or jostled. At least a portion of the cover is flexibly movable to allow access to the compartment by the user. A belt receiving portion is positioned on a user side which is opposite the exposed side to prevent interference by the belt receiving portion during insertion and extraction of objects to and from the compartment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pouch, comprising: 
 first and second panels, one of the panels having an entry edge;    a seam joining the first and second panels along a length and shape sufficient to define between the panels a compartment capable of holding objects, the seam having first and second terminating points which are spaced apart along the entry edge of said one panel such that at least a portion of the panels are not joined to one another along the entry edge, the first and second seam terminating points, defining between them an opening to the compartment; and    a cover having side edges and an access edge, the side edges being attached to at least one of the panels such that the access edge overlies said one panel and the cover spans the opening.    
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the access edge of the cover is spaced from the entry edge of said one panel.  
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the seam comprises fastening means for attaching the first and second panels together.  
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 3  wherein the seam further comprises a fold line between the first and second panels.  
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the other of the first and second panels has an extension section that extends beyond the entry edge of said one panel.  
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a strap having a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being connected to at least one of the cover or the other of said first and second panels, the free end being releasably fastened to said other of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 1  further characterized in that the other of said first and second panels has a main section generally coextensive with said one panel and an extension section joined to the main section and extending beyond the entry edge.  
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 7  wherein the one panel and the main section of the other panel have side edges and the seam joins the side edges.  
     
     
         9 . The pouch of  claim 8  wherein the one panel and the main section of the other panel are connected at a fold line.  
     
     
         10 . The pouch of  claim 8  further comprising reinforcing tape disposed along the side edges.  
     
     
         11 . The pouch of  claim 10  further comprising reinforcing tape disposed along the entry edge.  
     
     
         12 . The pouch of  claim 1  further comprising at least one biasing member attached to the entry edge.  
     
     
         13 . The pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a belt loop fixedly attached to the other of the first and second panels.  
     
     
         14 . The pouch of  claim 13  further comprising at least one biasing member attached to the entry edge.  
     
     
         15 . A pouch, comprising: 
 (a) a first panel having an entry edge;    (b) a second panel having first and second faces, the first panel being attached to the first face of the second panel to define a compartment having an opening at the entry edge; and    (c) a belt receiving portion positioned on the second face of the second panel to prevent interference by the belt receiving portion during insertion and extraction of objects to and from the compartment.    
     
     
         16 . The pouch of  claim 15  further comprising a cover having side edges and an access edge, the side edges being attached to at least one of the panels such that the access edge overlies said first panel and the cover spans the opening.  
     
     
         17 . The pouch of  claim 16  wherein the belt receiving portion is formed as part of at least one of the second panel and the cover.  
     
     
         18 . The pouch of  claim 15  wherein the belt receiving portion is a strap.  
     
     
         19 . The pouch of  claim 18  wherein the strap has a fastener.  
     
     
         20 . The pouch of  claim 15  wherein the belt receiving portion is a belt loop.  
     
     
         21 . The pouch of  claim 15  further comprising a flexible cover being positioned at the top of the compartment and carried by at least one of the first and second panels, the cover closing the compartment opening to prevent objects placed within the compartment from spilling out of the opening, at least a portion of the cover being movable to allow access to the compartment by the user.  
     
     
         22 . A pouch suitable for attachment to the belt of a user, comprising: 
 first panel and a second panel joined together to define a compartment having an opening at the top thereof, the first panel being located on a first side of the second panel, a second side of the base member being opposite the first side and facing the belt of the user; a flexible cover attached to the second panel at the top of the compartment, the cover providing a passive restraint and closing the compartment opening to prevent spillage of objects placed within the compartment, at least a portion of the cover being movable to allow access to the compartment by the user; and    a belt receiving portion being positioned on the second side of the base member to prevent interference by the belt receiving portion during insertion and extraction of objects to and from the compartment.