Patent Application
20060228051
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a collapsible bag for carrying articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a bag that collapses into a smaller configuration.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a variety of bags that are convertible from one configuration to another. These bags are made from materials such as nylon or cloth. For example, there are related art bags that convert from a briefcase configuration to a backpack configuration. However, related art convertible bags suffer many drawbacks. For example, when the related art bags are converted to a smaller configuration, handles may be exposed from a previous configuration. These handles may dangle, become entangled, and cause inconvenience to a user carrying the converted bag. One related art convertible bag includes a reel-like device to withdraw the handles inside the bag. The reel-like device, however, increases bag costs and prevents a larger-sized bag, upon conversion, from achieving a smaller volume than would be possible without the reel-like device.
In another example, a relatively small related art bag, such as a lunch bag or a shopping bag, may be inwardly folded for conversion into a smaller configuration for storage into a pouch. However, if a larger related art convertible bag is folded, a user may find the converted bag bulky and have great difficultly carrying the bag upon conversion into the smaller configuration.
Related art convertible bags may use a mechanical device, such as a zipper, to achieve a bag having at least two configurations. In one configuration, the related art bag is un-zipped and unfolded to realize a larger surface area bag. In another configuration, the related art bag is zipped to convert the bag to a smaller surface area configuration. Other zipper related art bags provide multiple compartments, such as form fitting slots or pockets, for storing articles of various shapes and sizes. However, the related art bags using the zipper are bulky, even upon conversion to a smaller size. Accordingly, a user is inconvenienced when transporting bag.
Thus, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for converting a bag from one configuration to another configuration to increase a user's ability for transporting the bag, decrease storage volume occupied by the bag upon conversion into a smaller configuration, and provide other advantages over related art convertible bags.
Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for carrying articles capable of collapsing into a smaller configuration. The apparatus comprises a first wall, a second wall, and a bag receiving portion, wherein edges of the first wall and the second wall are substantially joined together to form a bag. A flap is provided on a portion of a front surface of the first wall for forming a pocket. A first zipper track and a second zipper track are disposed proximal to a portion of an outer edge of the flap for at least one of selectively attaching and detaching a portion of the flap from the front surface.
The first zipper track preferably is substantially parallel to the second zipper track. In the same embodiment, when the bag is not in use, the first wall and the second wall are contracted into a compressed state and an outer surface of the flap and a portion of the first wall define a container adapted for receiving and concealing the bag from view by a user.
A method is disclosed for carrying articles capable of collapsing into a smaller configuration. The method comprises providing a bag having a first wall, a second wall, and a receiving portion and substantially joining together adjacent edges of the first wall and the second wall to form a bag for inserting the carrying articles. The method further comprises disposing a flap on a front surface of the first wall opposite to a portion of an outer surface of the first wall for forming a pocket. The method further comprises disposing a first zipper track substantially parallel to a second zipper track proximally to a portion of an outer edge of the flap for at least one of selectively attaching the flap to and detaching the flap from the front surface. The method further comprises receiving the first wall and the second wall in a compressed state in the pocket.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more embodiments.
The present invention relates to creating a collapsible bag for carrying articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a bag that collapses from a first configuration to a second configuration to realize a smaller volume than when the bag is in use.
Although the invention is illustrated with respect to a collapsible bag, it is contemplated that the invention may be utilized wherever there is a desire for efficiently compacting containers used for transporting articles, such as consumer products, personal products, or groceries, from one location to another while minimizing the volume that the bag occupies upon completing the transporting the articles. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The collapsible bag 100, as shown in, is in a non-compressed state. The flap 105, the lip 125, and a portion of the first wall 106 form a pocket 110. First and second zipper tracks 115, 120 respectively provide an access point for opening and closing the pocket 110. A zipper slider 140 joins the first zipper track 115 and the second zipper track 120. The first zipper track 115 and the second zipper track 120 are preferably substantially parallel to each other. As shown in
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A lip 560 provides protection of a first zipper track 605 and a second zipper track 606, as shown in
Functioning similar to the receiving portion 130 as shown in
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The method may further comprise disposing a first zipper track substantially parallel to a second zipper track proximally to a portion of an outer edge of the flap for at least one of selectively attaching the flap to and detaching the flap from the front surface (S30); and receiving the first wall and the second wall in a compressed state in the pocket (S40).
The present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, the first and the second zipper tracks, and the zipper slider described above may be equivalently replaced using hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, coupling fasteners, latches, or other similar connection type apparatuses. In yet another example, the first wall, the second wall, and the flap have a monolithic construction, e.g. unified construction whereby the first wall, the second wall, and the flap are formed from one continuous section of material.
It should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
