US20150157113A1

US20150157113A1 - Combined packpack with removable carry bag

Info

Publication number: US20150157113A1
Application number: US14/101,925
Authority: US
Inventors: Nolan Anelevitz; Spyros Theoharis
Original assignee: 2115730 Ontario Inc
Current assignee: THERMOTWIST Inc
Priority date: 2013-12-10
Filing date: 2013-12-10
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: CA2872798A1

Abstract

A combined backpack and removable carry bag is disclosed. The carry bag includes a front face, a rear face, an openable compartment and a rear panel selectively closing the openable compartment. The rear panel includes a rear face having a transparent window, a graphic compartment housing an illuminable graphic panel facing the window, and an openable inner panel wall. The backpack includes a front face, a rear face and at least one openable compartment and a shoulder strap assembly. The carry bag is removably receivable in a recess provided on the rear of the backpack. The recess is sized to cushion the carry bag.

Description

FIELD

The present application relates to the field of backpacks, and more particularly to a combined backpack with one or more removable carry bags.

INTRODUCTION

Backpacks are widely used by students, professionals, backpackers and other wearers/users to store and transport books, computers, food, clothing, and the like. Backpacks have one or more openable compartments. Backpacks typically include a pair of straps that extend over a wearer's shoulders when the backpack is worn. Various designs of backpacks are known.

SUMMARY

A combined backpack with removable carry bag is provided. The rear surface (the surface facing away from a person wearing the backpack) of the backpack is configured to provide protection for the carry bag. Accordingly, the rear surface of the back pack may have a surface that is proximate to the rear surface of the carry bag. For example, the rear surface of the backpack may be provided with a recess into which the carry bag may fit. An advantage of this design is that, if a backpack backs up into an object, the rear surface of the backpack may absorb some or all of the impact, thereby cushioning the contents of the carry bag. This is particularly advantageous if the carry bag is a lunch bag.
It will be appreciated that one or both, and preferably both the backpack and the carry bag may be soft sided.
In a first aspect, there is provided a combined backpack with removable carry bag. The combined backpack may comprise a carry bag comprising a front face, a rear face, an openable compartment, which may be a food containing compartment, and a rear panel selectively closing the openable compartment. The rear panel may comprise a rear face having a transparent window, a graphic compartment housing an illuminable graphic panel that is positioned in the graphic compartment and facing the window, and an openable inner panel wall. The combined backpack may further comprise a backpack having a front face, a rear face, at least one openable compartment and a shoulder strap assembly, and the rear face may have a recess. The carry bag may be removably receivable in the recess and the recess may be sized such that the rear face of the backpack is positioned rearwardly proximate the rear face of the carry bag.
In some embodiments, the carry bag may be removably securable in the recess.
In some embodiments, one of the carry bag and the backpack may be provided with side straps that are releasably securable to the other of the carry bag and the backpack.
In some embodiments, the rear face of the backpack may have a transverse extent in a direction extending between the right and left side faces that is proximate a transverse length of the carry bag.
In some embodiments, the illuminable graphic panel may comprise a flexible electroluminescent panel.
In some embodiments, the openable inner panel wall may be antimicrobial.
In some embodiments, the rear panel further may further comprise an electronics unit comprising a power source, a controller drivingly connected to the illuminable graphic panel and an on/off switch.
In some embodiments, the on/off switch may be positioned in the graphic compartment and may be actuatable by pressing on the openable inner panel wall.
In some embodiments, the illuminable graphic panel may be mounted to a rigid panel.
In another aspect, there is provided a combined backpack with removable carry bag comprising a backpack having a top, a bottom, a right side face, a left side face, a longitudinally extending front face, a longitudinally extending rear face and at least one openable compartment. The front face may have a shoulder strap assembly. The rear face may comprise a longitudinally extending upper outer wall, a longitudinally extending carry bag abutment face that is positioned frontwardly from the upper outer wall and a connecting wall extending between an upper portion of the carry bag abutment face and a lower portion of the upper outer wall. The combined backpack may further comprise a carry bag having a front face and a rear face and being removably receivable on the carry bag abutment face.
In some embodiments, the carry bag may be removably securable to the carry bag abutment face.
In some embodiments, one of the carry bag and the backpack may be provided with side straps that are releasably securable to the other of the carry bag and the backpack.
In some embodiments, when the carry bag is mounted to the backpack, the upper outer wall may be positioned rearwardly proximate the rear face of the carry bag.
In some embodiments, the upper outer wall may have a transverse extent in a direction extending between the right and left side faces that is proximate a transverse length of the carry bag.
In some embodiments, the rear face of the carry bag may have an illuminable graphic panel.
In some embodiments, the illuminable graphic panel may comprise a flexible electroluminescent panel.
In some embodiments, the carry bag may have an openable compartment, which may be a food containing compartment, and a rear panel selectively closing the openable compartment. The rear panel may comprise a graphic compartment and the illuminable graphic panel may be positioned in the graphic compartment.
In some embodiments, the rear panel may comprise the rear face having a transparent window. The illuminable graphic panel may be positioned in the graphic compartment and face the window. The rear panel may further comprise an openable inner panel wall.
In some embodiments, the openable inner panel wall may be antimicrobial.
In some embodiments, the rear panel may further comprise an electronics unit comprising a power source, a controller drivingly connected to the illuminable graphic panel and an on/off switch.
In some embodiments, the on/off switch may be positioned in the graphic compartment and may be actuatable by pressing on the openable inner panel wall.

DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a combined backpack and carry bag, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the combined backpack and carry bag of FIG. 1 with a carry bag removed from a backpack, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the combined backpack and carry bag of FIG. 1 with the carry bag removed from the backpack, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a carry bag in an open position, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the carry bag of FIG. 4 with a graphic compartment in an open position, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIGS. 6A-6B show partial top plan views of the carry bag of FIG. 4 illustrating the removal of an illuminable graphic panel from the graphic compartment, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective exploded view of an illuminable graphic panel, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and,

FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective exploded view of the illuminable graphic panel of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.
The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.
FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of a combined backpack 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. As shown, combined backpack 100 is a combination of a backpack 102 and a removable carry bag 104. In one aspect, combined backpack 100 may advantageously provide a backpack 102 including an exterior recess for receiving carry bag 104 in a conveniently accessible location. Combined backpack 100 may also provide a removable carry bag 104 including an illuminable graphic panel. The illuminable graphic panel may advantageously provide, e.g. information, illumination to its surroundings, and/or amusement. Removable carry bag 104 may include a graphic compartment for an electronics unit that controls the illuminable graphic panel. The graphic compartment may be separate from a food containing compartment. This may advantageously help to prevent contact between food in a food containing compartment and the electronics unit. Such contact may be unhygienic for the food, and potentially damaging to the electronics unit. In another aspect, the electronics unit may be activated without opening the graphic compartment containing the electronics unit. This may advantageously further reduce cross-contamination between the electronics unit and food in the food containing compartment.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3. Backpack 102 may be of any particular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, combined backpack 100 is described herein with reference to a forward direction 106 which faces a user's back, a rearward direction 108 ch faces away from a user's back, a longitudinal axis 110 which is vertical when the backpack is worn by a user, and a transverse axis 112. As shown, backpack 102 has a longitudinally extending front face 114 forward of a longitudinally extending rear face 116, and transversely opposite right and left side faces 118 and 120 extending between front and rear faces 114, 116. Similarly, carry bag 104 includes a front face 122 forward of a rear face 124, and transversely opposite right and left side faces 126 and 128 extending between front and rear faces 122, 124.
In the example shown, backpack 102 includes a plurality of openable compartments 130. Openable compartments 130 may contain internal volumes for holding, e.g. books, a computer, electronics, clothes, and the like. In some embodiments, openable compartments 130 may be recloseable by, e.g. zippers 132, elastics 134, buttons, snaps, belts and buckles, or another suitable recloseable fastener as is known in the art. It will be appreciated that backpack 102 typically has at least one openable compartment 102.
Backpack 102 may also include a shoulder strap assembly 136 for carrying backpack 102 over a user's shoulders. In addition, backpack 102 may include a handle 138 for carrying backpack 102 with a user's hands.
Carry bag 104 may be of any particular shape. As exemplified, carry bag 104 includes a rear panel 160, a plurality of side panels 162, and a front panel 164, which together define an openable food containing compartment 166. Side panels 162 extend between rear and front panels 160, 164 and define right and left sides 126, 128 as well as the top side or top panel 163 of carry bag 104 and bottom side or bottom panel 165 of carry bag 104. Rear panel 160 may be movable between a closed position (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), and an open position (as shown in FIG. 4). In the open position, a user may have access to food containing compartment 166 to deposit or remove, e.g. food items into/from food containing compartment 166. In the closed position, food containing compartment 166 may be substantially enclosed on all sides to prevent contained items from escaping, e.g. during transportation. Rear panel 160 may be releasably secured into the closed position by one or more suitable fasteners, such as zippers 167, snaps, buckles, straps or other closure members known in the art.
In some embodiments, rear surface 116 (the surface facing away from a person wearing the backpack) of the backpack 102 is configured to provide protection for the carry bag. Accordingly, as exemplified in FIG. 2, backpack 102 may include a recess 140 sized to receive carry bag 104. Recess 140 may be sized to receive carry bag 104, such that when carry bag 104 is received the overall dimensions of combined backpack 100 may not substantially increase. In this way, recess 140 may provide shelter or provide cushioning for carry bag 104.
As exemplified, recess 140 need not have sidewalls that surround all of the sidewalls 126, 128, top panel 163 and bottom panel 165 of carry bag 102. Instead, as shown, the recess may overlie one wall (e.g., top panel 163) of carry bag 104. As shown in FIG. 2, rear face 116 of backpack 102 may include a longitudinally extending upper outer wall 142, a longitudinally extending carry bag abutment face 144, and a connecting wall 146 positioned between upper outer wall 142 and abutment face 144. As exemplified, connecting wall 146 extends generally horizontally and parallels top panel 163 of carry bag 104. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, adjacent, and may be positioned abutting, connecting wall 146. In such a construction, rear face 116 of backpack 102 and rear face 124 of carry bag 104 may be positioned adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction. An advantage of this design is that it is less likely that an external object will contact top panel 163 of carry bag 104 and apply a downward force thereto. In another embodiment, connecting wall may extend at an angle to top panel 163.
Abutment face 144 may be positioned forward (towards a user's back) of upper outer wall 142 to define recess 140. Connecting wall 146 may extend forwardly from a lower end of upper outer wall 142 to an upper end of abutment face 144. Preferably, recess 140 is sized so that rear face 124 of carry bag 104 is positioned rearwardly proximate upper outer wall 142 of rear face 116 of backpack 102. Accordingly, connecting wall 146 may have a length in the forward/rearward direction that is comparable to, and is preferably greater than, the length in the forward/rearward direction of top panel 163 of carry bag 104. Accordingly, when rearmost compartment 130′ of backpack 102 is full, upper outer wall 142 may contact an external object before rear face 124 of carry bag 104 would engage the object, thereby protecting the carry bag 104. This is particularly advantageous if rear face 124 includes an electroluminescent panel 190 as discussed subsequently.
Another advantage is that this construction may permit combined backpack 100 to maintain substantially constant overall dimensions when carry bag 104 is received by backpack 102 in recess 140. This may also provide backpack 102 with a cohesive profile consistent with a typical backpack when carry bag 104 is attached. This may also provide combined backpack 100 with a substantially flat rear face, which may advantageously permit combined backpack 100 to lay flat on, e.g. an airport luggage conveyor belt. For example, a rearward depth 148 of recess 140 may be preferably proximate to or more preferably substantially equal to rearward depth 150 of carry bag 104. Rearward depth 148 may correspond to a rearward distance between abutment face 144 and upper outer wall 142, and rearward depth 150 may correspond to a rearward distance between front face 122 and rear face 124. In some embodiments, a transverse length 152 of rear face 116 between right and left side faces 118 and 120 may be proximate to, or more preferably substantially equal to a transverse extent 154 of carry bag 104 (see FIG. 1).
It will be appreciated that, when carry bag 104 is received in recess 140, front face 122 of carry bag 104 may abut abutment face 144 of backpack 102. Accordingly front face 122 may be considered a carry bag abutment face is positioned facing and in contact with abutment face 144 of backpack 102.
Still, in alternative embodiments, rear face 124 of carry bag 104 may be positioned rearwardly or forwardly from upper outer wall 142 of rear face 116 when carry bag 104 is received in recess 140. For example, rearward depth 148 of recess 140 may be substantially larger or smaller than rearward depth 150 of carry bag 104. In some alternative embodiments, a transverse length 152 of rear face 116 may differ substantially from a transverse length 154 of carry bag 104. For example, transverse length 152 may be substantially larger or smaller than transverse extent 154. Preferably transverse extent 154 of carry bag 104 is proximate to, and preferably the same as or less than transverse length 152 of the lower end of upper outer panel 142,
As shown, carry bag 104 may be removably securable in recess 140. This may advantageously permit carry bag 104 to be separated from backpack 102 for individual use, or reattached to backpack 102 for convenient transportation. Carry bag 104 may be removably secured to backpack 102 by any means known in the art. The securement member may comprise male and female engagement members such as hook and loop fasteners, e.g., Velcro™, one or more tie straps or the like In the example shown, backpack 102 and carry bag 104 include corresponding left and right side straps 156 (left side straps 156 are obscured from view). Each side strap 156 of backpack 102 may be releasably securable to a side strap 156 of carry bag 104 by suitable fastener(s), such as buckles 158, snaps, magnets, and/or clips for example. As exemplified, buckles 158 comprise a male buckle attached to strap 156 of backpack 102 and a corresponding female buckle on strap 156 of carry bag 104.
In the example shown, rear panel 160 includes an illuminable graphic panel 170, which is preferably positioned in a graphic compartment 168. As shown rear face 124 may include a transparent window 172 through which illuminable graphic panel 170 is visible. Illuminable graphic panel 170 may display illuminated graphics which may advantageously provide information, illumination to a surrounding area, and/or amusement.
As exemplified in FIG. 5 graphic compartment 168 may be separated from compartment 166, which may be a food containing compartment, by an inner panel wall 174 of rear panel 160. In some embodiments, graphic compartment 168 may be openable to access, e.g., illuminable graphic panel 170 and/or electronics unit 188. Accordingly, inner panel wall 174 may have an openable section or slit, or may itself be moveable between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 4), and an open position (as shown in FIG. 5). In the open position, illuminable graphic panel 170 and/or electronics unit 188 may be accessible. In the closed position, graphic compartment 168 may be substantially isolated from food containing compartment 166. This may advantageously limit cross-contamination between illuminable graphic panel 170 and the contents (e.g. food) of compartment 166. Inner panel wall 174 may be releasably secured into the closed position by an openable closure member, such as by zippers 176, snaps, buckles, straps, a hook and loop fastener or the like. In some embodiments, inner panel wall 174 may be antimicrobial and/or water repellant.
As exemplified in FIGS. 6A-6B, graphic compartment 168 optionally includes an inner compartment 178 defined by an interior wall 180 and rear face 124. As shown, inner compartment 178 may be accessible by an opening 182. Preferably, opening 182 is recloseably openable by a suitable openable closure member, such as zippers 184, snaps, buckles, straps a hook and loop fastener or the like. As shown, when opening 182 is open, illuminable graphic panel 170 may be withdrawn, e.g., in the direction of arrow 186 from inner compartment 178. In alternative embodiments, inner compartment 178 may be permanently sealed, and illuminable graphic panel 170 may not be removable from inner compartment 178 or graphic compartment 168.
As exemplified in FIGS. 7-8, illuminable graphic panel 170 comprises an electronics unit 188, an electroluminescent panel 190, and a rigid panel 192. Electronics unit 188 may be electrically connected to electroluminescent panel 190 to provide power and control signals to electroluminescent panel 190. In turn, electroluminescent panel 190 may respond to an input in power and control signals by illuminating a graphic design 194 on a rear face 196 of electroluminescent panel 190.
Optionally, electroluminescent panel 190 is a flexible electroluminescent panel, and electroluminescent panel 190 may be mounted to a rigid panel 192. Rigid panel 192 may provide support for electroluminescent panel 190 to maintain a planar configuration. If electroluminescent panel 190 is flexible, then rigid panel 190 may advantageously assist in maintaining the shape of electroluminescent panel 190. If illuminable graphic panel 170 uses an alternate lighting member, such as LEDs, the rigid panel may assist in protecting the circuit from damage that may be caused by the contents of compartment 166 contacting inner panel wall 174.
As shown, electronics unit 188 may include a controller 198, a power source 200, and an on/off switch 202 which may be electrically connected together in any manner known in the electronic control art. For example, each of on/off switch 202 and power source 200 may be electronically connected by wires 204 to the other as well as to controller 198 to toggle power to controller 198. In turn, controller 198 may be drivingly connected to electroluminescent panel 190 for providing power and control signals to electroluminescent panel 190. In some embodiments, controller 198 may include an executable program routine stored in its internal memory which causes controller 198 to send a predetermined pattern of control signals to electroluminescent panel 190.
As shown, a front face 206 of electroluminescent panel 190 may include a bus 208 for receiving control signals and power, and a rear face 210 of controller 198 may be electrically connected to bus 208. For example, electroluminescent panel 190 may be sandwiched between a support plate 212 and controller 198 with rear face 210 of controller 198 held in contact with bus 208 by fasteners (e.g. screws) 214.
It will be appreciated that electroluminescent panel 190 may be replaceable. For example, graphic compartment 168 may be opened, rigid panel 192 removed and a replacement electroluminescent panel 190 positioned on rigid panel 192, The replacement electroluminescent panel 190 may have its own bus 208 that is connected to controller 198, such as by unscrewing fasteners 214 that are used to hold support plate 212 in place. Any other illuminable graphic panel 170 may also be replaceable.
Controller 198 may be positioned in a controller cavity 216 formed in rigid panel 192. Alternatively, controller 198 may be positioned rearwardly of rigid panel 192. Power source 200 may provide power to controller 198 for supply to electroluminescent panel 190. In the example shown, power source 200 includes a plurality of replaceable batteries 218 in a battery housing 220. As shown, battery housing 220 may be closed by a battery door 222. Battery door 222 may be secured in place by any suitable means, such as a screw 224, adhesive, or a clip for example. As shown, battery door 222 may be openable to provide access to battery housing 220 from a front side of rigid panel 192 so as to replace batteries 218.
On/off switch 202 may be positioned at any location and, preferably, in controller cavity 216, and may any actuator, such as a toggle button 226. In some embodiments, toggle button 226 may project forwardly through an opening 228 in a front wall 230 of rigid panel 192. This may advantageously provide user access to toggle button 226 from a front side of rigid panel 192. Alternatively to toggle button 226, or in addition, on/off switch 202 may include another suitable actuator such as a lever or a dial for example.
As shown in FIG. 5, interior wall 180 of inner compartment 178 may include a window opening 232. In some embodiments, power source 200 and toggle button 226 of on/off switch 202 may be accessible through window opening 232. This may advantageously permit, e.g. batteries of power source 200 to be replaced and on/off switch 202 to be toggled without removing illuminable graphic panel 170 from inner compartment 178. This may also permit access to power source 200 and on/off switch 202 in embodiments that include a permanently closed inner compartment 178.
In another aspect, on/off switch 202 may be actuated through inner panel wall 174. For example, when graphic compartment 168 is closed, on/off switch 202 may be actuated by pressing on inner panel wall 174 (e.g. at a position that aligns with toggle button 226 and may be marked with a “press here” sticker). This may advantageously permit toggling power to electroluminescent panel 190 using on/off switch 202 without having to open graphic compartment 168, and without exposing illuminable graphic panel 170 and the contents of food containing compartment 166 to cross-contamination.
Alternately, or in addition to an on/off switch, the actuation of a illuminable graphic panel 170 may be controlled by a motion sensor, a light sensor, a heat sensor or the like. Accordingly, when the backpack is moved or a user is walking with the bag in, e.g., a dark area, the panel may be switched on. Alternately, or in addition, controller 198 may include a timer such that, after a predetermined or random time, the panel 170 is turned off.
While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1) A combined backpack with removable carry bag comprising:

a) a carry bag comprising a front face, a rear face, an openable compartment and a rear panel selectively closing the openable compartment, the rear panel comprising a rear face having a transparent window, a graphic compartment housing an illuminable graphic panel that is positioned in the graphic compartment and facing the window, and an openable inner panel wall; and,

b) a backpack having a front face, a rear face, at least one openable compartment, and a shoulder strap assembly, the rear face having a recess, wherein the carry bag is removably receivable in the recess and the recess is sized such that the rear face of the backpack is positioned rearwardly proximate the rear face of the carry bag.

2) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein the carry bag is removably securable in the recess.

3) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein one of the carry bag and the backpack is provided with side straps that are releasably securable to the other of the carry bag and the backpack.

4) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein the rear face of the backpack has a transverse extent in a direction extending between the right and left side faces that is proximate a transverse length of the carry bag.

5) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein illuminable graphic panel comprises a flexible electroluminescent panel.

6) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein the openable inner panel wall is antimicrobial.

7) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein the rear panel further comprises an electronics unit comprising a power source, a controller drivingly connected to the illuminable graphic panel and an on/off switch.

8) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 7 wherein the on/off switch is positioned in the graphic compartment and is actuatable by pressing on the openable inner panel wall.

9) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 1 wherein the illuminable graphic panel is mounted to a rigid panel.

10) A combined backpack with removable carry bag comprising:

a) a backpack having a top, a bottom, a right side face, a left side face, a longitudinally extending front face, a longitudinally extending rear face and at least one openable compartment, the front face having a shoulder strap assembly, the rear face comprising a longitudinally extending upper outer wall, a longitudinally extending carry bag abutment face that is positioned frontwardly from the upper outer wall and a connecting wall extending between an upper portion of the carry bag abutment face and a lower portion of the upper outer wall; and,

b) a carry bag having a front face and a rear face and being removably receivable on the carry bag abutment face.

11) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein the carry bag is removably securable to the carry bag abutment face.

12) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 9 wherein one of the carry bag and the backpack is provided with side straps that are releasably securable to the other of the carry bag and the backpack.

13) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein, when the carry bag is mounted to the backpack, the upper outer wall is positioned rearwardly proximate the rear face of the carry bag.

14) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein the upper outer wall has a transverse extent in a direction extending between the right and left side faces that is proximate a transverse length of the carry bag.

15) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein the rear face of the carry bag has an illuminable graphic panel.

16) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein illuminable graphic panel comprises a flexible electroluminescent panel.

17) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 15 wherein the carry bag has an openable food containing compartment and a rear panel selectively closing the openable compartment, the rear panel comprising a graphic compartment and the illuminable graphic panel is positioned in the graphic compartment.

18) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 17 wherein the rear panel comprises the rear face having a transparent window, the illuminable graphic panel positioned in the graphic compartment and facing the window, and an openable inner panel wall.

19) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein the openable inner panel wall is antimicrobial.

20) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 10 wherein the rear panel further comprises an electronics unit comprising a power source, a controller drivingly connected to the illuminable graphic panel and an on/off switch.

21) The combined backpack with removable carry bag of claim 18 wherein the on/off switch is positioned in the graphic compartment and is actuatable by pressing on the openable inner panel wall.