Importance

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Abstract

A backpack (100) including a carrying compartment (110) with a pair of shoulder straps (120) and a hip belt (128) attached thereto, for carrying the backpack on a user's back. The back portion of the backpack includes a porous outer panel (130) disposed adjacent the user's back, and an inner panel (132) that cooperatively with the outer panel, forms a pocket (131). A stiffening panel (150), generally X-shaped, is disposed in the pocket, and adapted to bow, with the center portion of the stiffening panel urged away from the user's back, creating a cooling gap (160) between the user and the carrying compartment. Air inlet ports (140) are provided near the top portion (112) of the backpack, that fluidly connect to the cooling gap. Inverted U-shaped stiffening members (142) hold the inlet ports open against gravity and aerodynamic forces. Air enters the inlet ports to the cooling gap, and exits through the porous outer panel, thereby cooling the user's back. In one embodiment of the invention an air outlet port (240) is provided near a bottom portion of the backpack, that connects to the cooling gap to encourage a greater flow of air therethrough.

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First Claim