Methods and apparatus for storing items in selectively shaped bags

Abstract

Portable bags for holding items, the bags having at least one dart that permits a person to selectively alternate the dart between a collapsed state and an expanded state. Some bags include a slit compartment that can be selectively opened and closed by means of a dart, a zipper assembly that permits the bags to be completely separated into at least two pieces, and a contoured side that is designed to contour against the body of the person carrying the bag. Some darts allow the bags to completely collapse into a concave shape wherein the bag has minimal interior volume and is thereby easily stacked, stored, and transported. The bags of the present invention include purses and backpacks of varying triangular and square shapes.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/365,579, filed Mar. 19, 2002, and titled PROVIDING SELECTIVE STORAGE OF ITEMS.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for storing items in bags that can be selectively transformed into alternative configurations. More particularly, the present invention relates to bags having darts incorporated therein to allow the bags to flex between collapsed and expanded configurations.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] People use a wide variety of bags to store or carry items with them. Purses, handbags, backpacks, and luggage are some well-known and commonly used types of bags. Among these bags, some are designed to be carried at a person's side, some in a person's hand, some on a person's back, and some by rolling the bag alongside the person. The fabric, cut, and design of these bags differ widely, depending on whether the bag is intended to cater to form or to function. A substantial international commercial industry has been built up around the production and sale of bags. Bags that cater to both form and function and that are also simple to manufacture are particularly valuable in the industry and sought after as desirable merchandise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention can generally be characterized as a bag for holding items, the bag having at least one dart that permits a person to selectively alternate the dart between a collapsed state and an expanded state. In the preferred embodiments, the bag includes a slit compartment that can be selectively opened and closed by means of a dart, a zipper assembly that permits the bag to be completely separated into at least two pieces, and a contoured side that is designed to contour against the body of the person carrying the bag. Preferably, the darts in the bag allow the bag to completely collapse into a concave shape in which the bag has minimal interior volume and is thereby easily stacked, stored, and transported. As such, the present invention—which may be embodied in purses and backpacks of varying triangular and parallelogram shapes designed in a signature, simplistic style—is versatile, cost-efficient, and convenient to use and transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Various objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the accompanying drawings when considered in conjunction with the following description and appended claims. Although the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are thus not to be deemed as limiting the scope of the invention, the accompanying drawings help explain the invention in added detail.

[0008] FIGS. 1A through 1C show one embodiment of the present invention in various views. FIG. 1A shows a pattern that may be used to cut the fabric of one side of the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C. FIG. 1B is a front plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a side view of the embodiment.

[0009] FIGS. 2A through 2C show how a dart in one embodiment of the present invention can be manipulated to move a slitted compartment between a closed state (FIG. 2A) and an open state (FIG. 2B). FIG. 2C shows items placed in the compartment that is shown as being open in FIG. 2B.

[0010] FIGS. 3A through 3C show another embodiment of the present invention in various views. FIG. 3A shows a pattern that may be used to cut the fabric of one side of the embodiment of FIGS. 3B and 3C. FIG. 3B is a front plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 3C is a side view of the embodiment.

[0011] FIGS. 4A through 4C show another embodiment of the present invention in various views. FIG. 4A shows a pattern that may be used to cut the fabric of one side of the embodiment of FIGS. 4B and 4C. FIG. 4B is a front plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 4C is a side view of the embodiment.

[0012] FIGS. 5A through 5C show another embodiment of the present invention in various views. FIG. 5A shows a pattern that may be used to cut the fabric of one side of the embodiment of FIGS. 5B and 5C. FIG. 5B is a front plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the embodiment.

[0013] FIGS. 6A through 6C show another embodiment of the present invention in various views. FIG. 6A shows a pattern that may be used to cut the fabric of one side of the embodiment of FIGS. 6B and 6C. FIG. 6B is a front plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 6C is a side view of the embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the present invention wherein the two sides of the bag are completely separated from each other.

[0015] FIG. 8 shows multiple embodiments of the present invention, each in a completely collapsed state and stacked on top of one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (hereby expressly incorporated as part of this detailed description), sets forth specific numbers, materials, and configurations in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings, will enable one skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

[0017] A purpose of this detailed description being to describe the invention so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, the following description sets forth various specific examples, also referred to as “embodiments,” of the present invention. While the invention is described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it will be understood, because the embodiments are set forth for explanatory purposes only, that this description is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. Indeed, it is emphasized that the present invention can be embodied or performed in a variety of ways. The drawings and detailed description are merely representative of particular embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention. The various embodiments will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by like numeric or alphanumeric characters throughout.

[0019] The present invention can generally be characterized as a bag 10, an example of which is shown in various views in FIGS. 1A through 1C. The bag 10 may comprise any sort of container, holder, or receptacle that may be used to contain, hold, envelope, and/or encase items. Exemplary bags include purses, handbags, backpacks, and luggage.

[0020] The bag 10 is preferably die cut with a laser from a simple pattern 12, the edges being left raw—a design that provides for efficient manufacture. The bag 10 comprises one or more darts or means 14 to selectively alternate the darts 14 between a collapsed state and an expanded state (see, respectively, FIGS. 2A and 2B). Preferably, the darts 14 are peaked areas on the bag 10 that may be selectively alternated between the collapsed and expanded states by flexing or snapping the darts 14 by manually pressing against the darts 14, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It should be noted that “collapsed state” refers to a state that decreases the interior volume of the bag 10; “expanded state” refers to a state that increases the interior volume of the bag 10. Note that the darts 14 can give shape to the bag 10 and that some darts 14 in the bag 10 may be in a collapsed state, while other darts 14 in the bag 10 may be in an expanded state. All the darts 14 in the bag 10 shown in FIG. 1C are in their expanded state, maximizing the interior volume of the bag 10.

[0021] Referring back to FIGS. 1A through 1C, the darts 14 may be held in shape by means of various fasteners 16, including staples, grommets, rivets, or stitching. Preferably, the bag 10 is made of a semi-rigid material that is flexible enough to allow the darts 14 to alternate between the collapsed and expanded states, but strong enough to hold the bag 10 in either of the latter states once it has been placed in one of the latter states. Examples of such semi-rigid material include thick material such as leather, recycled leather, felt, flat stock material, or synthetics. Semi-rigid material can also include any sort of material strengthened with a liner (for example, fabric backed with a PU film) to give it the form and rigidity necessary to provide the bag 10 with the collapsing and expanding properties described herein.

[0022] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bag 10 also includes a slit compartment 18 that can be selectively opened and closed by means of a nearby dart 14, a zipper assembly 20 that permits the bag 10 to be completely separated into at least two pieces or sides 10a and 10b (shown, with respect to another embodiment of the bag 10, in FIG. 7), and a contoured side 22 that is designed to help contour against the body of the person carrying the bag 10. It will be noted that the zipper assembly 20 may be comprised of any material, including plastic or metal, and allows two halves or sides 10a and 10b of the bag 10 to be shipped separately and unassembled so that the bag 10 can be assembled at the store or show room. Once assembled, the two sides 10a and 10b can be zipped or unzipped to allow a person to place items in the interior of the bag 10. The zipper assembly 20 may be made of material and/or shaped so as to help maintain the shape of the bag 10.

[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B show how a dart 14 in the bag 10 can be manipulated to move a slitted compartment or pocket 18 between a closed state (FIG. 2A) and an open state (FIG. 2B). FIG. 2C shows items placed in the compartment that is shown as being open in FIG. 2B. Note that, in this embodiment, the bottom half of the bag 10 remains rigid when the dart 14 is snapped to alternate the slitted compartment 18 between its open and closed state. When the dart 14 is in the state shown in FIG. 2A, the opening of the slitted compartment 18 is closed off. When the dart 14 is in the state shown in FIG. 2B, the opening of the slitted compartment 18 is open so that items can be inserted into its interior.

[0024] FIGS. 3 through 6 show various embodiments of the bag 10 of the present invention. The bag 10 in FIG. 3 is made from a pattern 12 that is square-shaped and has four darts 14 on one side of the bag 10—one on each corner—and two darts 14 on the bottom corners of the other side of the bag 10. The bag in FIG. 4 is a backpack and is made from a pattern 12 that is triangular and has three darts 14 on one side of the bag 10—one on each corner—and two darts 14 on the base corners of the other side of the bag 10. The bag in FIG. 5 is made from a pattern 12 that is square-shaped and has two darts 14 on each side of the bag 10—one on each of the bottom corners of each side of the bag 10. Lastly, the bag in FIG. 6 is made from a pattern 12 that is rectangular-shaped and has two darts 14 on each side of the bag 10—one on each of the bottom corners of each side of the bag 10. Holes 24 in the bag 10 of FIG. 6 are optional and are designed to be grasped by the fingers of a person's hand to aid the person in carrying the bag 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 8, preferably, the darts 14 in the bag 10 allow the bag 10 to completely collapse into a concave shape wherein the bag 10 has minimal interior volume and is thereby easily stacked, stored, and transported.

[0026] Thus, as can be determined from the above description and drawings, the present invention is versatile, cost-efficient, and convenient to assemble, use, and transport. Moreover, the simplistic, eye-catching designs provide the present invention with greater appeal to a wide variety of markets.

[0027] It is underscored that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments herein should be deemed only as illustrative. Indeed, the appended claims indicate the scope of the invention; the description, being used for illustrative purposes, does not limit the scope of the invention. All variations that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a bag for holding items, said bag having a first side; and

a dart on said first side that allows for selectively alternating said dart between a collapsed state and an expanded state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a slit compartment on said bag, said slit compartment being selectively movable between a collapsed, closed state and an expanded, open state by means of said dart.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second side on said bag, said second side being shaped to contour against the body of a person carrying said bag.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dart can completely collapse the bag into a concave shape wherein the bag has minimal interior volume.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises at least three darts.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises at least four darts.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises at least two darts.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second side and a zipper assembly for coupling said first side to said second side.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second side that is triangular in shape and comprises two darts at the base corners of the triangular shape of the second side, and wherein said first side is triangular in shape and comprises three darts on the corners of the triangular shape of the first side.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second side that is a parallelogram in lo shape and comprises two darts at the base corners of the parallelogram, and wherein said first side is a parallelogram in shape and comprises four darts on the corners of the parallelogram of the first side.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second side that is a parallelogram in shape and comprises two darts at the corners of the parallelogram, and wherein said first side is a parallelogram in shape and comprises two darts on the corresponding corners of the parallelogram of the first side.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bag is a backpack further comprising a second side that is triangular in shape and comprises two darts at the base corners of the triangular shape of the second side, and wherein said first side is triangular in shape and comprises three darts on the corners of the triangular shape of the first side.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a bag for holding items, said bag having a first side;

a dart on said first side that allows for selectively alternating said dart between a collapsed state and an expanded state; and

a slit compartment on said bag, said slit compartment being selectively movable between a collapsed, closed state and an expanded, open state by means of said dart.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a second side on said bag, said second side being shaped to contour against the body of a person carrying said bag.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said dart can completely collapse the bag into a concave shape wherein the bag has minimal interior volume.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first side comprises three corners and has one of said dart of each of the three corners.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first side comprises four corners and has one of said dart on each of the four corners.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first side comprises two corners and has one of said dart on each of the two corners.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a second side and a zipper assembly for coupling said first side to said second side, said zipper assembly permitting said second and first sides to completely detach from each other.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a bag for holding items, said bag comprising semi-stiff material;

means on said bag for selectively flexing said bag between a collapsed state and an expanded state;

a pocket compartment on said bag; and

means on said bag for selectively moving said pocket between a collapsed, closed state and an expanded, open state.

21. A method comprising:

cutting a plurality of darts into a piece of semi-stiff material; and

assembling said semi-stiff material into a portable bag that can selectively alternate between a collapsed state and an expanded state when a person pushes against said plurality of darts.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a slitted compartment on said bag wherein said slitted compartment can selectively move between a collapsed, closed state and an expanded, open state by means of at least one of said plurality of darts.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a zipper assembly on said bag, said zipper assembly permitting said bag to completely split into at least two separate pieces.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising shaping said bag so that it contours against the body of a person who might carry said bag.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising assembling said darts so that said darts can completely collapse the bag into a concave shape wherein the bag has minimal interior volume.