Customizable travel articles

Abstract

A travel article has an interior pocket that permits the insertion and/or removal of one or more items in the pocket from only the inside of the travel article. The travel article provides a window to allow any items inside of the pocket to be seen on the outside of the travel article. The travel article can be, for example, luggage, totes, toiletry kits, brief cases, duffels, backpacks, sling packs, business cases, business or craft organizers. The provision of such a pocket can allow a user to personalize the bag and can also facilitate bag identification.

1 . A travel article having an exterior and an interior comprising:
 a first body portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side defining at least a portion of the exterior of the travel article;   a first passage extending through the first body portion from the outer side to the inner side;   a first liner attached to the first body portion so as to form a first pocket on the interior of the travel article, the first pocket including an opening, whereby one or more items can be inserted into and removed from the pocket through the opening, wherein the opening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article; and   a first window attached to the first body portion so as to cover at least a portion of the first passage, whereby the first window permits visual access to the inside of the first pocket from the exterior of the travel article.   
   
   
       2 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the travel article is one of a suitcase, luggage, tote, toiletry kit, brief case, duffel, backpack, sling pack, business case, business organizer or craft organizer. 
   
   
       3 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the first window is transparent. 
   
   
       4 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the first window is translucent. 
   
   
       5 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the first window is a mesh material. 
   
   
       6 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the first window is attached to the inner side of the first body portion. 
   
   
       7 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the first body portion is a panel. 
   
   
       8 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the liner includes an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is decorated, whereby the first window permits visual access to the decorated inner surface when the first pocket is empty. 
   
   
       9 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the liner is configured to allow for expansion of an interior volume of the pocket. 
   
   
       10 . The travel article of  claim 9  wherein the liner is pleated. 
   
   
       11 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the opening is selectively closeable by at least one of a zipper, zip lock, snap, magnet, hooks and loops or Velcro. 
   
   
       12 . The travel article of  claim 1  wherein the opening is selectively closeable by at least one of overlapping portions of the pocket and a fold over portion of the pocket. 
   
   
       13 . The travel article of  claim 1  further including a personal item disposed within the first pocket, whereby visual access to the personal item from the exterior of the travel article is permitted through the first window. 
   
   
       14 . The travel article of  claim 13  wherein the personal item is one of photos, coins, charms, embroidered items, screen printed items, silk screen items, patches, logos and cards. 
   
   
       15 . The travel article of  claim 1  further including a second passage. 
   
   
       16 . The travel article of  claim 15  wherein the first passage and the second passage are different in at least one of size or shape. 
   
   
       17 . The travel article of  claim 15  wherein the second passage extends through the first body portion from the outer side to the inner side. 
   
   
       18 . A travel article having an exterior and an interior comprising:
 a first body portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side defining at least a portion of the exterior of the travel article;   a first passage extending through the first body portion from the outer side to the inner side;   a first liner attached to the first body portion so as to form a first pocket on the interior of the travel article, the first pocket including a selectively closeable opening, wherein the opening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article, wherein the selectively closeable opening opens toward at least one of an upper end of the travel article and a side end of the travel article;   a first window attached to the first body portion so as to cover at least a portion of the first passage; and   a first personal item disposed within the pocket, whereby visual access to the first personal item from the exterior of the travel article is permitted through the first window.   
   
   
       19 . The travel article of  claim 18  further including:
 a second passage extending through the first body portion from the outer side to the inner side;   a second liner attached to the first body portion so as to form a second pocket on the interior of the travel article, the second pocket including a selectively closeable opening, wherein the opening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article;   a second window attached to the first body portion so as to cover at least a portion of the second passage; and   a second personal item disposed within the second pocket, whereby visual access to the second personal item from the exterior of the travel article is permitted through the second window.   
   
   
       20 . The travel article of  claim 18  further including:
 a second body portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side defining at least a portion of the exterior of the travel article;   a second passage extending through the second body portion from the outer side to the inner side;   a second liner attached to the inner side of the second body portion so as to form a second pocket on the interior of the travel article, the second pocket including a selectively closeable opening, wherein the opening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article;   a second window attached to the second body portion so as to cover at least a portion of the second passage; and   a second personal item disposed within the second pocket, whereby visual access to the second personal item from the exterior of the travel article is permitted through the second window.