Open-topped flexible bag for storing articles

Abstract

An open-topped flexible bag for storing articles comprises a fabric base and four side walls having upper edges defining an open top. Stiffening elements are located at the upper edges for holding the top of the bag open.

Description

The invention relates to an open-topped flexible bag for storing articles, and in particular to such a bag that has a top closure that can be closed to close off the top and secure it closed.

The present applicant has proposed an open-topped flexible bag for storing articles with a draw wire to close off the opening. In some situations this arrangement is cumbersome and the bag is difficult to use comfortably if it is to be left open, such as when clothes or other articles in the bag need to be simply stored while retaining easy access into the bag.

The draw wire closure limits the usable volume of the bag as the sidewalls must be drawn together at their upper edge to close the bag and so it is preferably to use a flap closure on such a bag. However, if the bag has a large open top for easy access the closure becomes cumbersome to close off and secure closed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an open-topped flexible bag for storing articles that overcomes or ameliorates the above problems of at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

There is disclosed herein an open-topped flexible bag for storing articles comprising a fabric base and side walls having an upper bag edge defining an open top, and a stiffening element located at the upper bag edge for holding the upper bag edge in a generally square or rectangular shape.

Preferably, the stiffening elements hold the open top of the bag open.

Preferably, the bag includes a draw-closed top comprising a skirt with an upper skirt edge that can be drawn closed by a draw-cord passing through a plurality of eyes around the upper skirt edge and wherein the stiffening element maintain the generally square or rectangular shape of the bag edge when the draw-closed top is drawn closed.

Preferably, the bag includes a top closure hinged to the bag at a first edge and having an overlapping lip at an opposite edge that can be closed to close off the open top of the bag and secure it closed, and wherein the stiffening element is located at the upper edge over which the lip can be closed.

Preferably, the bag is rectangular and the stiffening element is arranged to hold the upper edge of the side walls at rights angles to each other.

Preferably, the stiffening element bridges two of the side walls.

Preferably, the upper edge has a pocket into which the stiffening element locates.

Preferably, the stiffening element is sewn into the upper edge.

Preferably, the stiffening element is selected from a group comprising a stiff metallic or plastic rod, a stiff metallic or plastic strip, a ridged plastic strip having flexible ends and a ridged rod having spring ends.

Further aspects of the current invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

A security luggage bag according to the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a bag according to the invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a bag according to the invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates stiffening elements, and

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a bag according to the invention.

In the drawings there is depicted an open-topped flexible bag 1 for storing articles. The bag comprises a fabric base 2 and four upwardly extending side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 each having an upper edge 7, 8, 9, 10 defining an open top. A top closure 11 is hinged to the bag at one wall edge 10 and has an overlapping lip 12 at opposite edge 13. The lid can be closed with lip 12 overlapping upper edge 8 of wall 4 to close off the open top of the bag and secure it closed.

To hold open the top of the bag for easy access to articles in the bag and to facilitate easy closing of the lid 11 stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 are located at the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of the side walls. The stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 are arranged to hold the upper edge of the side walls at rights angles to each other. In the first embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, the stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 are positioned at the seams between the side walls so that they each bridge two side walls. In the second embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 are positioned along the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of each side wall.

The stiffening elements 14, 15, 16, 17 can be located in pockets provided in the upper edges 7, 8, 9, 10 of each side wall or can be sewn into the upper edges.

FIG. 3 illustrates different types of stiffening element that can be used in a bag according to the invention. These include a stiff metallic or plastic rod 18, a stiff metallic or plastic strip 19, a ridged plastic strip 20 having flexible ends 21, 22 and a ridged rod 23 having spring ends 24, 25.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a draw closed top comprising a skirt 26 having an upper edge 27 that is drawn closed by a draw-cord 29 passing through a plurality of eyes 28 around the upper edge 27. When drawn closed the flexible bag has a tendency to try and form a general round shape.

The stiffing elements 14, 15, 16, 17 hold the bag top in generally square or rectangular in shape.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or elements having known equivalents then such are included as if individually set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention have been described, however it is understood that variations, improvement or modifications can take place without departure from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims. For example the depicted embodiments shown stiffening elements in all four sides or corners. In an alternative embodiment there may be stiffening elements 14, 16 only in two sides 3 and 9 respectively.

Claims

1. An open-topped flexible bag for storing articles comprising a fabric base and side walls having an upper bag edge defining an open top, and a stiffening element located at the upper bag edge for holding the upper bag edge in a generally square or rectangular shape.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the stiffening elements hold the open top of the bag open.

3. The bag of claim 1 further including a draw-closed top comprising a skirt with an upper skirt edge that can be drawn closed by a draw-cord passing through a plurality of eyes around the upper skirt edge and wherein the stiffening element maintain the generally square or rectangular shape of the bag edge when the draw-closed top is drawn closed.

4. The bag of claim 1 further including a top closure hinged to the bag at a first edge and having an overlapping lip at an opposite edge that can be closed to close off the open top of the bag and secure it closed, and wherein the stiffening element is located at the upper edge over which the lip can be closed.

5. The bag of claim 1 wherein the bag is rectangular and the stiffening element is arranged to hold the upper edge of the side walls at rights angles to each other.

6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the stiffening element bridges two of the side walls.

7. The bag of claim 1 wherein the upper edge has a pocket into which the stiffening element locates.

8. The bag of claim 1 wherein the stiffening element is sewn into the upper edge.

9. The bag of claim 1 wherein the stiffening element is selected from a group comprising a stiff metallic or plastic rod, a stiff metallic or plastic strip, a ridged plastic strip having flexible ends and a ridged rod having spring ends.