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A satchel is a bag carried on the back for the transportation of school materials, similar to a backpack or knapsack. Other names are also Satchel ( Common name in Austria ), satchel (also commonly used as a synonym for pencil cases ), school bag (western German Switzerland BS / BL / BE / SO / AG, but also GR), Schulthek (eastern German Switzerland ZH / TG / SG etc. ), ton, book bag, school pack or even satchel ( see also the disambiguation page satchel ).

History

Historically, the satchel from the backpack ( knapsack ), the calfskin and canvas knapsack of the soldier has developed. Only towards the end of the 19th century took the satchel general distribution. Until the mid- 1970s satchels were exclusively of leather and linen, partly also with fur (usually calfskin and cowhide ) laminated manufactured. Since the mid- 1970s, school bags are mainly made of textile fabrics and plastics. Traditionally differ schoolbag for girls and boys. In the traditional satchel made ​​of leather or linen satchel had a long flap, which for girls, however, a short for boys. The traditional school bags for boys was equipped with straps (roll closing), which were replaced by plug closing over time. The traditional school bags for girls possessed contrast to the flap crossing straps that served the closure of the satchel. The traditional gender oriented design of satchel has largely preserved: Today, the most childlike colorful held motif and color of the satchel targeted to either boys (for example, cars, knights, football) or girl ( pink fairies, elves, horses). To increase traffic safety school bags are also often equipped with signal colors and reflectors. Most modern satchel additionally have smaller outer pockets, such as for storing a water bottle or lunch box on the outside.

Form

The shape of a knapsack is mostly square and its walls are similar to a briefcase or document set rigid so that the booklets and books can be transported easily without kinking at the corners. It is most often made ​​in a child-friendly anatomical shape and size. Carrying straps are always a carrying handle is usually present.

DIN

Several manufacturers produce their satchel " DIN 58124 " or " conforms to DIN 58124 ". The DIN standard DIN 58124 describes the requirements for safety, serviceability and the physical properties of the satchel. Then the knapsack fluorescent material must be equipped for example with at least 20 percent. The colors of orange-red and yellow are required and suitable. Ten percent of the front and side surfaces must be equipped with retroreflective materials. In a test of Stiftung Warentest received 10 of 18 models the note flawed because they do not adhere to this standard and are difficult to see at dusk and darkness. Often it involves sibling models of standardized tolerances, which are sold under the same name. The DIN 58124 has been around since 1990; the current version is dated 2010-09.

Ergonomics

In Germany the DIN 58124 recommended to August 2010: " As a rule of thumb for normalwüchsige, healthy children that the weight to be borne, filled satchel of ten percent of the body weight of the child should not exceed. ". After an amendment to the DIN standard in September 2010 this recommendation was removed. The recommendation of a maximum laden weight of schoolbags ten percent of body weight was contradicted by at least one study. According to the results of the study " Kidcheck " at the Saarland University under the direction of human biologists Oliver Louis the satchel the children burdened orthopedic less than sitting for hours on wrong school furniture and lack of exercise.

School bags should be adapted anatomically children, high formats are cheaper than horizontal formats. Satchel should only be worn on the back, not on the hand, the belly or even around the neck. The strap should be tightened when worn.

Exceeding the recommended weight can have different causes:

• Unnecessary teaching material that is not needed on a given day,
• Break refreshments, especially beverages,
• Satchel with high self- weights,
• Private things like stuffed animals, magazines.

As an alternative to disposing of used school bags to offer the donation to a charity.

Alternatives

A variation of the satchel is the school backpack, designed with its soft texture on healthy posture, weight distribution and comfort, is a further development of the hiking backpack. The school backpack is now used by many children of primary school age and older students as a means of transport for school and learning materials.

For children who are built very petite or where underlying conditions or postural problems exist, a satchel with wheels ( trolley) can be an alternative .. However Trolleys by doctors and sports scientists are not seen as a credible alternative to satchels, as they a number of medical and educational disadvantages motion is granted.

Known manufacturers and licensing company

Situation in the United States

In the U.S., satchels are neither known nor usual. American students instead use lightweight backpacks, most of which have only a few things - such as homework folder or Leihmaterialien from the school library - to be transported. Books, folders, pens and other teaching materials mostly remain in school. From the kindergarten level to children is to personal cabinet space - either as a locker ( loose) or as an open cubbyhole ( cubby ) - are available.