Backpack

Abstract

A backpack particularly suited to children's use is disclosed. The backpack 20 comprises a storage volume 24 and a closure 26 operable to seal the storage volume 24, wherein the closure 26 comprises a collar 34 of flexible material operable to be folded at least twice upon itself and cooperating first and second fastening elements 40, 42 mounted on opposing sides of the collar 34 for releasable engagement with one another. The fastening elements 40, 42 are constructed to release one another under tension exceeding a threshold value. Also disclosed is a backpack 60 comprising a similar storage volume 64 and closure 66 but including an additional fastening element 100 mounted at the base of the collar 74, with which both the first and second fastening elements 80, 82 engage.

1 . A backpack for use by a child, the backpack comprising a storage volume and a closure operable to seal the storage volume, wherein the closure comprises a collar of flexible material operable to be folded at least twice upon itself and cooperating fastening elements mounted on opposing sides of the collar for releasable engagement with one another, wherein the fastening elements are constructed so as to release one another under tension exceeding a predetermined threshold value of between 15 N and 30 N. 
     
     
         2 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements further comprise a user operated release mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements are mounted adjacent a rim of the collar. 
     
     
         4 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a first of the fastening elements comprises a housing having an engagement opening and a second of the fastening elements comprises a projection having an engagement shoulder which is operable to engage the engagement opening. 
     
     
         5 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a first of the fastening elements comprises a housing having an engagement opening and a second of the fastening elements comprises a projection having an engagement shoulder which is operable to engage the engagement opening, and which comprises a chamfer. 
     
     
         6 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a first of the fastening elements comprises a housing having an engagement opening and a second of the fastening elements comprises a projection having an engagement shoulder which is operable to engage the engagement opening, and wherein the engagement opening comprises a chamfer. 
     
     
         7 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the storage volume is defined by a bag, and the collar of flexible material comprises a continuation of the bag. 
     
     
         8 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the storage volume is defined by a bag, and the collar of flexible material comprises a continuation of the bag, and wherein the bag is formed from substantially waterproof material. 
     
     
         9 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the backpack comprises at least one shoulder strap. 
     
     
         10 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the backpack comprises at least one shoulder strap, a back pad, on which the at least one shoulder strap is mounted. 
     
     
         11 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third fastening element mounted adjacent a base of the collar, wherein each of the first and second fastening elements cooperates with the third fastening element for releasable engagement with the third fastening element. 
     
     
         12 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third fastening element mounted adjacent a base of the collar, wherein each of the first and second fastening elements cooperates with the third fastening element for releasable engagement with the third fastening element, and wherein the third fastening element comprises at least two engagement openings and the first and second fastening elements each comprise projections having engagement shoulders operable to engage a respective engagement opening on the third fastening element. 
     
     
         13 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third fastening element mounted adjacent a base of the collar, wherein each of the first and second fastening elements cooperates with the third fastening element for releasable engagement with the third fastening element, and wherein the fastening elements further comprise a user operated release mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . A backpack as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a third fastening element mounted adjacent a base of the collar, wherein each of the first and second fastening elements cooperates with the third fastening element for releasable engagement with the third fastening element, and wherein the first, second and third fastening elements are constructed to release one another under tension exceeding a threshold value of between 15 N and 30 N. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled)