Baggage with retractable beverage container pocket

Abstract

A piece of baggage is provided with a retractable pocket that is configured to support a beverage container on the exterior of the piece of baggage. The pocket is constructed of a mesh material and has an elastic strap along an upper edge that allows the pocket to expand to support various size containers, such as bottled water. When not in use, the pocket can be held collapsed against or inside the piece of baggage by a closure mechanism such as a zipper. This conceals the pocket to improve the aesthetic appearance of the piece of baggage and reduces the risk of snagging the mesh pocket as the piece of baggage is transported.

1 . A beverage container holder for a baggage, comprising: 
 a collapsible pocket comprising a mesh material attached adjacent an exterior surface of the baggage, the pocket being re-configurable between an expanded and a collapsed position, the pocket being adapted to receive and support a beverage container when the pocket is in the expanded position; and    a closure mechanism operatively connected to the baggage, the closure mechanism being selectively adjustable between an open and a closed position, the closure mechanism being configured to allow the pocket to be re-configured between the expanded and collapsed positions when the closure mechanism is in the open position and the closure mechanism being configured to restrain the pocket in the collapsed position when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.    
   
   
       2 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The beverage container holder of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an opening extending through the exterior surface of the baggage into an interior cavity of the baggage, the pocket being attached to the baggage interior cavity such that the pocket can be positioned entirely within the interior cavity when the pocket is in the collapsed position, the pocket also being configured to extend through the opening when the pocket is in the expanded position and the closure mechanism being configured to close the exterior surface opening when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.    
   
   
       7 . The beverage container bolder of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the closure mechanism comprises a zipper joining a pair of edges that form the exterior surface opening so that as the zipper is closed the exterior surface opening is closed.    
   
   
       8 . The beverage container holder of  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the interior cavity of the baggage is separate from any storage compartment of the baggage.    
   
   
       9 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A piece of baggage, the baggage having an exterior surface and comprising: 
 a flexible mesh material operatively connected to the piece of baggage and extending between different portions of the exterior surface, and    a closure mechanism that is moveable between opened and closed positions, the closure mechanism being operatively connected to the piece of baggage in a position where the closure mechanism will conceal the flexible material as it is moved to its closed position and, where it will reveal the flexible material as it is moved to its opened position.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The piece of baggage of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the baggage further comprises an opening through its exterior surface, the opening having opposing edges and the closure mechanism being adapted to join the opposing edges to  5  thereby conceal the flexible material behind the opening when the closure is in the closed position.    
   
   
       17 . A piece of baggage comprising: 
 a retractable flexible pocket fashioned as part of the baggage, and a receptacle for the pocket, the pocket having a top edge and a bottom edge with the receptacle extending vertically therebetween for supporting a beverage container in an upright position with a mesh material, the receptacle having a vertically extending closure mechanism for concealing the pocket within the receptacle.    
   
   
       18 . The piece of baggage of  claim 17  wherein: 
 the receptacle comprises an opening extending through an exterior surface of the piece of baggage, the closure mechanism comprising a device for closing the opening to be substantially flush with the exterior surface.    
   
   
       19 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A piece of baggage comprising: 
 a retractable flexible pocket flush mounted to a substantially flat exterior surface of the piece of baggage;    a receptacle for the pocket, the receptacle comprising an opening extending through the exterior surface of the piece of baggage, the receptacle extending vertically along the exterior surface of the baggage;    a collapsible material comprising an open fabric to facilitate evaporation of condensation from the beverage container, the open fabric attached to vertical edges of the pocket; and    a closure mechanism for concealing the pocket within the receptacle, the closure mechanism comprising a device for closing the opening to be substantially flush with the exterior surface.    
   
   
       22 . A beverage container holder for a baggage, comprising: 
 a collapsible pocket comprising an open fabric attached adjacent an exterior surface of the baggage, the open fabric being re-configurable between an expanded and a collapsed position, the open fabric being adapted to receive and support a beverage container when the pocket is in the expanded position, and the open fabric facilitating evaporation of condensation from the beverage container; and    a vertically extending closure mechanism positionable in an open position and a closed position, the closure mechanism exposing the open fabric when the closure mechanism is in the open position and the closure mechanism concealing the open fabric in the collapsed position when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.