COLLAPSIBLE BAG

Abstract

Bags for carrying a pair of elongated objects are provided. In one embodiment, the bag includes a base, a first wall joined to the base, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, and a divider defining a first and a second end, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall, and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall. The divider is configured to form a pair of cavities. Each cavity is dimensioned for storing an elongated object. The first and second walls are configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

Description

BACKGROUND

Individuals who commute to work may frequently be forced to carry more than one bag, e.g., one for their shoes, one for their work materials, and one for their personal items. Alternatively, one bag may be used for transporting a pair of shoes as well as other objects.

SUMMARY

Retrieving a single stored object from a bag having a group of stored objects closely positioned to a pair of shoes can be difficult or cumbersome. For example, an individual may try to retrieve a particular object from the bag, yet may unintentionally end up removing the wrong one from the bag. Repeatedly storing and retrieving a group of objects close to a pair of shoes can be time-consuming and cumbersome. Thus, there has developed a need for a bag that can make storing and retrieving a group of objects close to a pair of shoes efficient, user-friendly and tidy.

Moreover, conventional bags may not protect the shoes as well as other stored objects from impact, wear and tear, and enable storing or stowing the bag in a compact footprint. For example, a bag formed of a soft material may not protect the stored objects from impact, and become easily worn and potentially torn. On the other hand, a bag formed of a hard material can be difficult or cumbersome to store or stow in a compact footprint. For example, a bag formed of a hard material for fitting elongated objects such as a pair of shoes can be bulky, and typically remains so even upon removal of the shoes. Thus, there has developed a need for a bag that can protect shoes and other stored objects from impact, yet enables storing or stowing the bag in a compact footprint upon removal of the shoes.

According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects includes a base, a first wall joined to the base, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, and a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall, and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall. The divider is configured to form a pair of cavities. Each cavity is dimensioned for storing an elongated object. The first and second walls are configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

According to another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects includes a base, a first wall joined to the base, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, the first wall and the second and wall each having a height-to-width ratio of approximately 1:1, and a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall. The divider is configured to form a pair of cavities. Each cavity is dimensioned for storing an elongated object. The first and second walls are configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Features and advantages of the collapsible bags described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a collapsible bag according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the collapsible bag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a top view similar to FIG. 11, illustrating the bag collapsing in response to a divider being detached.

The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following detailed description of certain non-limiting embodiments of collapsible bags according to the present disclosure. The reader may also comprehend certain of such additional details upon using the collapsible bags described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, in part, is directed to bags for carrying a pair of elongated objects. The bag includes a base, a first wall, a second wall, and a divider. The divider is configured and arranged to be pivotably coupled to the first wall and detachably coupled to the second wall. When the divider is coupled to the second wall, the bag can be advantageously expanded or opened for carrying elongated object(s) such as a pair of shoes. Upon detaching the divider from the second wall, the first and second walls can conveniently collapse toward each other, thereby reducing the footprint of the bag.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the illustrated bag, attaché case or briefcase 100 includes a base or bottom portion 110, a first wall 120, a second wall 130, and a divider 140. As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” and other directional terms are not intended to require any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description only. Each of the first wall 120 and the second wall 130 is joined to the base 110. The illustrated second wall 130 is spaced apart from the first wall 120. Spacing the first wall 120 and the second wall 130 apart from each other can allow for sufficient space in the bag 100 to store a variety of articles, e.g., a pair of shoes, as further explained below.

The first and second walls 120, 130 can be made out of a suitably flexible material such as fabric material (e.g., polyester, nylon, canvas, or denim), leather, synthetic rubber, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, plastic, or a combination thereof, or can be made in other manners from other materials. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the first and second walls 120, 130 each have a respective stiffness so as to allow the bag 100 to stand unsupported. For example, a thick material such as a single or double layer of leather or suede can provide a stiffness allowing the bag 100 to stand by itself. In further embodiments, reinforcement inserts (not shown) can be placed within the walls 120, 130 to provide for more protection or support. The reinforcement inserts can include at least one of synthetic resin, thermoplastic rubber, fiberglass and metal.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 2-3, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the first wall 120 and the second wall 130 each have a height-to-width ratio of approximately 1:1 such that the bag 100 has an approximately square face when viewed from front or rear. For example, the first and second walls 120, 130 can each measure approximately 30 cm to approximately 35 cm in both height H and width W. The so-dimensioned first and second walls 120, 130 can facilitate suitably storing or transporting cell phones, laptops and tables having various sizes. Moreover, the so-dimensioned first and second walls 120, 130 can facilitate suitably storing a pair of shoes. For example, first and second walls 120, 130 each measuring approximately 35 cm in both height H and width W can be used to hold or store up to a size-10 sneaker and up to a size-10 shoe with a 7.6 cm-high heel. Alternatively, first and second walls 12, 130 each measuring approximately 30 cm in both height H and width W can be used to hold or store up to a size-7 sneaker and up to a size-7 shoe with a 7.6 cm-high heel. In other embodiments, the first wall 120 and the second wall 130 may each assume any geometric form suitable for carrying or transporting weighted objects including, but not limited to, books, supplies, clothes, papers, documents, art supplies, shoes, and food supplies.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 8, 11 and 13, the illustrated divider 140 defines first and second ends 150, 160. The first end 150 is pivotably coupled to the first wall 120. The second end 160 is detachably coupled to the second wall 130. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the second end 160 of the divider 140 is detachably coupled to the second wall 130 via a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, and a magnet. In other embodiments, the second end 160 of the divider 140 can be coupled to the second wall 130 via other suitable fasteners. The divider 140 is configured to form a pair of cavities 170, 180. Each cavity 170, 180 is dimensioned for storing an elongated object. The first and second walls 120, 130 are configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider 140 being detached from the second wall 130.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, when the divider 140 is detached from the second wall 130, the first and second walls 120, 130 are in a collapsed state, and the bag has a depth D₂ that measures less than the depth D₁ in an expanded or opened state when the divider 140 is coupled to the second wall 130. The bag 100 can collapse in response to the divider 140 being detached, for example via gravity when the bag 100 is positioned on a desk or other support structure, or by pushing the first and second walls 120, 130 toward each other. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the depth D₂ in the collapsed state is at most two thirds of the depth D₁ in an expanded state. In further embodiments, the depth D₂ in the collapsed state is at most one half of the depth D₁ in an expanded state. For example, the depth D₁ in an expanded state can be approximately 9 cm, and the depth D₂ in the collapsed state can be approximately 4.5 cm.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the divider 140 defines a longitudinal axis 190. The divider 140 can have a first bending stiffness when subjected to loading in a first direction (e.g., the x-direction in FIG. 6) that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 190, and a second bending stiffness when subjected to loading in a second direction (e.g., the y-direction in FIG. 6) that is substantially perpendicular to the axis, and the first bending stiffness is less than the second bending stiffness. For elongated beam-like structures such as the divider 140, the bending stiffness in any direction is generally a function of the modulus of elasticity E of the material(s) and the area moment of inertia I of the cross section. By way of example only, using the formula for calculating the area moment of inertia of a rectangular cross section (I=(b×h³)/12, where b=the base of the rectangle and h=the height of the rectangle), the rectangular cross section of the divider 140 is formed of a material having a suitable cross section and stiffness so as to provide an area moment of inertia I_y for bending moments about the y axis that is less than the area moment of inertia I_x for bending moments about the x axis. Similar results can be achieved by using a variety of different cross sections, such as an oval cross section, a diamond cross section, a properly selected I-beam cross section, a hollow-rectangular or oval cross section, and substantially any other cross section that results in different values for I_y and I_x.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 optionally includes a cover or closure flap 200 pivotably attached to the second wall 130. The cover 200 can be configured to extend over the cavities 170, 180 and the first wall 120. For example, the cover 200 may provide protection for the stored objects from impact, wear, and tear. The cover 200 may be formed of a suitably flexible material such as fabric material (e.g., polyester, nylon, canvas, or denim), leather, synthetic rubber, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, plastic, or a combination thereof, or can be made in other manners from other materials. The bags 100 described herein are not limited in this regard. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the cover 200 is fixedly coupled, e.g., sewn or stitched, to the first wall 120. In other embodiments, the cover 200 and the first wall 120 may be detachably coupled together via a snap, a button, or other suitable fasteners.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 optionally includes a supplemental cavity or pocket 210 coupled to the second wall 130 opposite from the first wall 120. A storage strap 220 can extend over the supplemental cavity 210. The supplemental cavity 210 can be used to carry or transport a smart device (not shown) such as a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop, and related accessories such as power cords and chargers. To protect the smart device, padding (not shown) may be coupled to the supplemental cavity 210. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the supplemental cavity 210 is associated with a third wall 230, and the storage strap 220 is detachably coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third walls 120, 130, 230. As such, the storage strap 220 can extend over the smart device stored in the supplemental cavity 210. In certain non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of the first, second, and third walls 120, 130, 230 may be used to display a label including, but not limited to, “LAPTOP,” “SHOES,” “CELL PHONE,” “TABLET,” and “GLASSES.” The label may be printed, embroidered, or coupled to the walls 120, 130, 230 in other manners.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 includes at least one side wall 240 extending between the first and second walls 120, 130. The side wall 240 can include a resilient material so that it returns from a laterally flexed state (see FIGS. 4-5) to a linearly extending state for compact storage (see FIGS. 9-10). In this regard, the side wall 240 can resemble an accordion pleat or fold.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 includes a carrying strap 250 coupled to the side wall 240. The strap 250 may be used to lift and carry the bag 100 on an individual's shoulder. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the strap 250 includes a guide member (not shown) configured to adjust a length of the strap 250. The guide member can be a buckle to adjust the length of the strap 250 to suit the particular preferences of an individual, although other structures performing the same function as the buckle disclosed herein can be used instead.

In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 includes a purse 260 coupled to an outside of the bag 100. The purse 260 can include an outer wall 270 and a closure flap 280 extending over the outer wall 270. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the bag 100 includes flexible solar cells or panels (not shown) coupled to an outside of the bag 100. The flexible solar cells can power consumer electronics or recharge batteries that are stored inside the bag 100. For example, the flexible solar cells can be configured and arranged to transmit a wireless charging signal for the consumer electronics or batteries that are stored inside the bag 100. Alternatively, the bag 100 can contain a wired charging location to allow powering consumer electronics or recharging batteries that are stored inside the bag 100.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects, the bag comprising:

a base;

a first wall joined to the base;

a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base; and

a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall, and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall, the divider configured to form a pair of cavities, each cavity dimensioned for storing an elongated object, and the first and second walls configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the second end of the divider is detachably coupled to the second wall via a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, and a magnet.

3. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a cover pivotably attached to the second wall, the cover configured to extend over the cavities and the first wall.

4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the cover is configured to be fixedly coupled to the first wall.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls each have a respective stiffness so as to allow the bag to stand unsupported.

6. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a supplemental cavity coupled to the first wall opposite from the second wall, and a storage strap that extends over the supplemental cavity.

7. The bag of claim 6, wherein the supplemental cavity is associated with a third wall, and the storage strap is detachably coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third walls.

8. The bag of claim 1 further comprising at least one side wall extending between the first and second walls, the side wall comprising a resilient material.

9. The bag of claim 8 further comprising a carrying strap coupled to the side wall.

10. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a purse coupled to an outside of the bag, the purse comprising an outer wall and a closure flap extending over the outer wall.

11. A bag for carrying a pair of elongated objects, the bag comprising:

a base;

a first wall joined to the base;

a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and joined to the base, the first wall and the second wall each having a height-to-width ratio of approximately 1:1; and

a divider defining first and second ends, the first end pivotably coupled to the first wall and the second end detachably coupled to the second wall, the divider configured to form a pair of cavities, each cavity dimensioned for storing an elongated object, and the first and second walls configured to collapse toward each other in response to the divider being detached from the second wall.

12. The bag of claim 11, wherein the second end of the divider is detachably coupled to the second wall via a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, a snap, a button, and a magnet.

13. The bag of claim 11 further comprising a cover pivotably attached to the second wall, the cover configured to extend over the cavities and the first wall.

14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the cover is configured to be fixedly coupled to the first wall.

15. The bag of claim 11, wherein the first and second walls each have a respective stiffness so as to allow the bag to stand unsupported.

16. The bag of claim 11 further comprising a supplemental cavity coupled to the first wall opposite from the second wall, and a storage strap that extends over the supplemental cavity.

17. The bag of claim 16, wherein the supplemental cavity is associated with a third wall, and the storage strap is detachably coupled to at least one of the first, second, and third walls.

18. The bag of claim 11 further comprising at least one side wall extending between the first and second walls, the side wall comprising a resilient material.

19. The bag of claim 11 further comprising a purse coupled to an outside of the bag, the purse comprising an outer wall and a closure flap extending over the outer wall.

20. The bag of claim 11, wherein the divider defines a longitudinal axis, the divider having a first bending stiffness when subject to loading in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis, and a second bending stiffness when subjected to loading in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis, the first bending stiffness being less than the second bending stiffness.