Smart gym bag cleans, freshens everything inside

A team of US-based entrepreneurs and product designers has launched recently a crowdfunding campaign for a smart duffel bag that cleans itself and all its contents via a touch of a button. The campaign is taking Kickstarter by storm raising almost three times its initial target of $25,000 with about three weeks left.

The self-cleaning bag, called the Paqsule, adopts the startup's patented PaqTech system, which uses UV-C light and activated oxygen or ozone to kill viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms, leaving everything that's inside the bag, including clothes and shoes, clean and smelling fresh. Moreover, the process is chemical-free and FDA-approved.

According to bag's creators, the Paqsule works first by trapping microbes inside. Owners can then activate the unit with a touch of the triangular button on the side or using a paired app, choosing between a 15, 25 or 35-minute cycle. Ozone then starts to fill the bag, destroying odor-causing bacteria on contact while the UV-C light sterilizes against viruses and pathogens. After one cycle, the ozone converts back to oxygen, leaving the bag and its contents smelling fresh.

The iOS- and Android-compatible app allows owners to control the self-cleaning duffel bag from a distance and alerts them when the cycle is complete.

In addition, the Paqsule features about 10 specialized pockets, including a padded laptop compartment and a shoe pocket, keeping things organized.

The bag also adopts a water-resistant vinyl shell and zippers, and comes in a TSA-approved design. Product dimensions are 22x10x12in, spacious enough to carry large items such as basketballs, boxing gloves and shoulders but can also fit inside airplane overhead bins and under the seat. It weighs just 4 pounds when empty.

The Paqsule can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter for an early-bird price of $249, a big discount from the projected retail price of $349. The first batch is expected to ship this June.

Check out the video below for a detailed demo on how the Paqsule self-cleaning bag works.