U.S. patent application number 12/653523 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tumi, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wing Han Kong.
Application Number | 20110142373 12/653523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44142999 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110142373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kong; Wing Han |
June 16, 2011 |
Flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two
different places thereof
Abstract
A flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in
two different places thereof so as to form two different
appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other
apparel. The bag includes a bag body, a flexible internal pouch,
and a relatively firm and bendable external pouch. The flexible
internal pouch is attached internally to the bag body. The
relatively firm and bendable external pouch is attached externally
to the bag body. The bag body is either foldably and compressibly
stored in the flexible internal pouch to form the first appearance
or is foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under the
relatively firm and bendable external pouch to form the second
appearance so as to allow for the better coordination with the
other apparel.
Inventors: |
Kong; Wing Han; (Whitestone,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Tumi, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
44142999 |
Appl. No.: |
12/653523 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/6 ;
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2313/02 20130101;
B65D 33/00 20130101; B65D 33/105 20130101; B65D 77/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/6 ;
383/38 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22; B65D 33/06 20060101 B65D033/06 |
Claims
1. A flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in
two different places thereof so as to form two different
appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other
apparel, comprising: a) a bag body; b) a flexible internal pouch;
and c) a relatively firm and bendable external pouch; wherein said
flexible internal pouch is attached internally to said bag body;
wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch is
attached externally to said bag body; and wherein said bag body is
either foldably and compressibly stored in said flexible internal
pouch to form said first appearance or is foldably, compressibly,
and rollably stored under said relatively firm and bendable
external pouch to form said second appearance so as to allow for
the better coordination with the other apparel.
2. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a pair of flexible
handles.
3. The bag of claim 2, wherein said bag body has a front wall;
wherein said bag body has a rear wall; wherein said bag body has an
open top; and wherein said pair of flexible handles extend upwardly
from said open top of said bag body, at said front wall of said bag
body and at said rear wall of said bag body, respectively.
4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has a front wall; and
wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch is
disposed externally on said front wall of said bag body.
5. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has a rear wall; and
wherein said flexible internal pouch is disposed internally on said
rear wall of said bag body.
6. The bag of claim 5, wherein said bag body has an open top; and
wherein said flexible internal pouch depends freely from said open
top of said bag body.
7. The bag of claim 1, wherein said relatively firm and bendable
external pouch comprises a relatively firm and bendable panel.
8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said bag body has a front wall; and
wherein said relatively firm and bendable panel of said relatively
firm and bendable external pouch is attached on three sides thereof
externally to said front wall of said bag body to thereby form an
open top for said relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
9. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has an open top;
wherein said bag body has a rear wall; wherein said flexible
internal pouch is formed by a flexible front-facing panel; wherein
said flexible internal pouch is formed by a flexible rear-facing
panel; wherein said flexible front-facing panel of said flexible
internal pouch attaches to said open top of said bag body, at and
freely depending from said rear wall of said bag body, doubles back
onto itself to form said flexible rear-facing panel of said
flexible internal pouch that is free of said open top of said bag
body; and wherein said flexible front-facing panel of said flexible
internal pouch and said flexible rear-facing panel of said flexible
internal pouch are attached to each other at two sides thereof to
thereby form an open top for said flexible internal pouch.
10. The bag of claim 9, wherein said flexible internal pouch has a
pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions.
11. The bag of claim 10, wherein one portion of said hook and loop
fasteners is disposed externally on said flexible front-facing
panel of said flexible internal pouch, proximate to said open top
of said bag body; and wherein the other portion of said hook and
loop fasteners is disposed externally on said flexible rear-facing
panel of said flexible internal pouch, proximate to said open top
of said bag body.
12. The bag of claim 7, wherein said relatively firm and bendable
external pouch comprises a strap.
13. The bag of claim 12, wherein said strap of said relatively firm
and bendable external pouch extends upwardly from said relatively
firm and bendable panel of said relatively firm and bendable
external pouch, and depends therefrom over itself to be releasably
attached to said relatively firm and bendable panel of said
relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
14. A method of self-storing a flexibly collapsible bag in itself,
wherein the bag has a flexible internal pouch with an open top, and
wherein the bag has a relatively firm and bendable external pouch,
said method comprising the step of determining if the flexibly
collapsible bag is to be stored in the flexible internal pouch or
under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bag has a bag body, and
wherein the bag has a pair of mating hook and loop fastener
portions, said method further comprising the steps of: a)
determining that the flexibly collapsible bag is to be stored in
the flexible internal pouch; b) reversing the flexible internal
pouch by inserting the hands of a user into the open top of the
flexible internal pouch and turning the flexible internal pouch
inside out; c) compressing and stuffing, using the hands of a use,
the bag body into the flexible internal pouch; and d) securing the
pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions to each other
thereby closing the open top of the flexible internal pouch and
storing the bag body therein.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the relatively firm and
bendable external pouch has a strap and a relatively firm and
bendable panel, wherein the bag body has a closed bottom, a rear
wall, and a pair of side walls, and wherein the bag has a pair of
flexible handles, said method further comprising the steps of: a)
determining that the flexibly collapsible bag is to be stored under
the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; b) releasing the
strap of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; c)
folding the closed bottom of the bag body up onto the rear wall of
the bag body so as to form a lower portion and an upper portion; d)
folding the pair of flexible handles down onto the upper portion;
e) folding the pair of side walls of the bag body in onto the upper
portion, the lower portion, and the pair of flexible handles; f)
folding the upper portion down onto the pair of side walls of the
bag body so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable panel
of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; g) rolling up
the relatively firm and bendable panel of the relatively firm and
bendable external pouch; and h) re-engaging the strap of the
relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
Description
1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A. Field of the Invention
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a bag,
and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention
relate to a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in
itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different
appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other
apparel.
[0003] B. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Numerous innovations for bags have been provided in the
prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to
show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by
reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable
for the individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless,
they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a
flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two
different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so
as to allow for better coordination with other apparel.
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,874 to Berenguer.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,874 issued to Berenguer on Oct. 3, 1978
in U.S. class 150 and subclass 1.7 teaches a bag, e.g., a shopping
bag, that is made of foldable material, is provided with a case
smaller than the bag and secured to the bag adjacent the mouth
thereof. The case has two compartments, one of which serves for
storage of the bag when appropriately folded and the other of which
can be used as a purse. The bag can thus be conveniently packed
away in the case when not in use.
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,516 to Geeck.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,516 issued to Geeck on Apr. 23, 1991 in
U.S. class 383 and subclass 37 teaches a shopping container device
including a first storage bag-size collapsible bag having an open
top and a closed bottom, a flexible and non-stretchable handle
attached about the open top for carrying the bag when full, a
second smaller collapsible bag having a closed bottom and an
openable top with the top biased normally closed, and a flexible
tape joining the open top of the first bag to the inside of the
second bag a short distance below its biased-closed top. The bottom
of the second bag folded flat forms a short flap. The flap is
folded about one portion of a small ring and attached to itself to
form a ring-holding closed loop, and a normally closed openable
snap anchored to the ring for attachment to the user's vehicle
ignition keys. The smaller second bag is of an overall size
sufficient to completely contain the first bag collapsed therein
and of a length sufficient to contain the ignition keys when the
first bag is removed therefrom.
(3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 to Shoemaker.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 issued to Shoemaker on Oct. 6, 1992
in U.S. class 383 and subclass 6 teaches a combination of a
collapsible article made of flexible material with an attached
storage pouch, in which the pouch is integrally attached to the
article. The article may be a collapsible bag or an article of
clothing or the like. The storage pouch has a support wall and a
panel attached on three sides to the support wall, which together
form a pocket-like opening. A locking flap is attached on one side
to the panel and at two opposite ends to the panel and to the
support wall. When the pouch is in an empty position, the locking
flap is inside the pouch secured between the panel and the support
wall. When the pouch is turned inside out, the article may be
collapsed and inserted into the pouch and the locking flap may be
reversed to cover the opening of the pouch and secure the article
therein.
(4) French Patent Application Publication Number WO2007085759A2 to
Dangauthier et al.
[0008] French Patent Application Publication Number WO2007085759A2
published to Dangauthier et al. on Feb. 8, 2007 in International
class A45C3/04 teaches a flexible material bag associated with a
storage element, and which is particularly useful as a reusable
bag. The storage element is a unitary hollow body at least partly
deformable and made, in particular, of plastic. The unitary hollow
body has a cutout delimiting an opening for inserting the bag in
the storage element or removing the bag from the storage element.
Thus, the bag may be inserted inside the storage element through
the insertion opening delimited by the cutout in the unitary hollow
body. Similarly, the bag may be removed by gradual withdrawal of
the flexible material bag through the opening.
(5) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201182284 (Y)
to Guoxiong et al.
[0009] Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201182284
(Y) published to Guoxiong et al. on Jan. 21, 2009 in International
class A45C3/04 teaches a collapsible, environment-friendly, and
portable shopping bag that includes a bag body, and carrying or
lifting straps that are firmly connected with the bag body. The bag
body includes a front piece and a rear piece that are symmetrical
with each other. The left and right sides and the bottom of the
front piece and the rear piece are butted with each other to form a
closed bottom of the bag body and an opening top of the bag body.
Two carrying or lifting straps are arranged at the front and back
and adapted to be a shape of an inverted-U, either end of which is
symmetrically and firmly connected with the inner side of the top
edge of the bag body. The front piece or the rear piece of the bag
body is equipped with a vice bag that is opened at the top and is
connected with the front piece or the rear piece. The vice bag is
equipped with a bag body collapsing mechanism that can achieve the
overall collapsing of the bag body together with the carrying or
lifting straps, and then the half folding of the upper and lower
parts along the vice bag. The collapsing mechanism can be a sliding
zipper that is disposed around the external edge of the vice bag,
and also can be at least one snap fastener that is disposed on the
vice bag.
(6) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201216252 (Y)
to Bo.
[0010] Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201216252
(Y) published to Bo on Apr. 8, 2009 in International class A45C3/04
teaches a portable multipurpose handbag including a handle and a
handbag body. The handbag body is connected with a collection bag,
and a zipper is arranged at the periphery of the opening of the
collection bag. The handbag is contained in the collection bag when
the zipper is pulled up. The collection bag includes two identical
bag pieces. A cut is formed on one bag piece, and a zipper is
arranged on the sides of the cut so that a wallet is formed when
the zipper is pulled up. When not used, the handbag is collected in
the collection bag so that the handbag is carryable. At the same
time, an interlayer arranged on the collection bag can be used as
the wallet, and keys and a mobile phone can be placed therein so
that the collection bag can be carried by hands and serve as a
decoration. When used, the collection bag can be changed into the
handbag when the zipper of the collection bag is pulled down.
(7) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201226905 (Y)
to Zhiwei.
[0011] Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201226905
(Y) published to Zhiwei on Apr. 29, 2009 in International class
A45C3/04 teaches a wallet-type shopping bag including a soft
shopping bag and a collecting wallet. The shopping bag mainly
includes a bag body and two weight-loading belts. The collecting
wallet mainly includes a first clamping surface, a second clamping
surface, and a sealing structure. The first clamping surface and
the second clamping surface are connected at the margin part of one
side of the circumference. A clamping body is formed through
folding the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface,
and the sealing structure is arranged at the sealing part of the
bag body. When the shopping bag is opened, inner side surfaces of
the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are
fixedly connected with the upper part of the inner lateral wall or
the outer lateral wall of the bag body. When the shopping bag is
folded up, the shopping bag is collected in a collecting wallet
space that is formed by the first clamping surface, the second
clamping surface, and the sealing structure. A wallet is arranged
at the outer lateral surface of the first clamping surface and/or
the outer lateral surface of the second clamping surface, and a
first zipper is arranged at the opening part of the wallet. The
soft shopping bag is collected in the collecting wallet so as to
form a coating structure after the shopping bag is folded up.
[0012] It is apparent that numerous innovations for bags have been
provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used.
Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the
specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they
would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the
present invention as heretofore described, namely, a flexibly
collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different
places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to
allow for better coordination with other apparel.
2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention
is to provide a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in
itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different
appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other
apparel, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0014] Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the
present invention is to provide a flexibly collapsible bag for
being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as
to form two different appearances so as to allow for better
coordination with other apparel. The bag includes a bag body, a
flexible internal pouch, and a relatively firm and bendable
external pouch. The flexible internal pouch is attached internally
to the bag body. The relatively firm and bendable external pouch is
attached externally to the bag body. The bag body is either
foldably and compressibly stored in the flexible internal pouch to
form the first appearance or is foldably, compressibly, and
rollably stored under the relatively firm and bendable external
pouch to form the second appearance so as to allow for the better
coordination with the other apparel.
[0015] The novel features considered characteristic of the
embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended
claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves,
however, both as to their construction and their method of
operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of the
specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] The figures of the drawing are briefly described as
follows:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexibly
collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention for
being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as
to form two different appearances so as to allow for better
coordination with other apparel;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view
taken along LINE 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexible
internal pouch being turned inside-out;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being
stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being
completely stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the reversed
flexible internal pouch fastened closed with the bag therein;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the strap
released and the bottom wall of the bag and the handles folded onto
the rear wall of the bag;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the side walls
of the bag folded onto the rear wall of the bag;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top portion
folded so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable external
pouch; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the rolled bag
with the strap re-engaged.
4. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
A. General
[0027] 10 flexibly collapsible bag of embodiments of present
invention for being self-stored in itself in two different places
12, 14 thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to
allow for better coordination with other apparel [0028] 12 first
different place of two different places 12, 14 of flexibly
collapsible bag 10 [0029] 14 second different place of two
different places 12, 14 of flexibly collapsible bag 10
B. Overall Configuration of Flexibly Collapsible Bag 10
[0029] [0030] 16 bag body [0031] 18 flexible internal pouch [0032]
20 relatively firm and bendable external pouch [0033] 22 front wall
of bag body 16 [0034] 24 rear wall of bag body 16 [0035] 26 pair of
side walls of bag body 16 [0036] 28 closed bottom of bag body 16
[0037] 30 open top of bag body 16 [0038] 32 pair of flexible
handles
C. Specific Configuration of Relatively Firm and Bendable External
Pouch 20
[0038] [0039] 34 relatively firm and bendable panel of relatively
firm and bendable external pouch [0040] 36 first side of three
sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of
relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 [0041] 38 second
side of three sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and bendable
panel 34 of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 [0042]
40 third side of three sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and
bendable panel 34 of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20
[0043] 42 open top of relatively firm and bendable external pouch
20 [0044] 43 strap of relatively firm and bendable external pouch
20
D. Specific Configuration of Flexible Internal Pouch 18
[0044] [0045] 44 flexible front-facing panel of flexible internal
pouch 18 [0046] 46 flexible rear-facing panel of flexible internal
pouch 18 [0047] 48 first side of two sides 48 and 50 of flexible
internal pouch 18 [0048] 50 second side of two sides 48 and 50 of
flexible internal pouch 18 [0049] 52 open top of flexible internal
pouch 18 [0050] 54 one portion of pair of mating hook and loop
fastener portions 54 and 56 of flexible internal pouch 18 [0051] 56
other portion of pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions 54
and 56 of flexible internal pouch 18
E. Method of Utilizing Flexible Internal Pouch 18 to Store Bag Body
16
[0051] [0052] 58 one hand of hands 58, 60 of user 62 [0053] 60
other hand of hands 58, 60 of user 62 [0054] 62 user
F. Method of Utilizing Relatively Firm and Bendable External Pouch
20 to Store Bag Body 16
[0054] [0055] 64 lower portion [0056] 66 upper portion
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A. General
[0057] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are,
respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexibly
collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention for
being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as
to form two different appearances so as to allow for better
coordination with other apparel, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross
sectional view taken along LINE 2-2 in FIG. 1, the flexibly
collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention is
shown generally at 10 for being self-stored in itself in two
different places 12, 14 thereof so as to form two different
appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other
apparel.
B. The Overall Configuration of the Flexibly Collapsible Bag 10
[0058] The flexibly collapsible bag 10 comprises a bag body 16, a
flexible internal pouch 18, and a relatively firm and bendable
external pouch 20. The flexible internal pouch 18 is attached
internally to the bag body 16. The relatively firm and bendable
external pouch 20 is attached externally to the bag body 16. The
bag body 16 is either foldably and compressibly stored in the
flexible internal pouch 18 to form the first appearance or is
foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under the relatively
firm and bendable external pouch 20 to form the second appearance
so as to allow for the better coordination with the other
apparel.
[0059] The bag body 16 has a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, a pair
of side walls 26, a closed bottom 28, and an open top 30 defined by
the front wall 22 of the bag body 16, the rear wall 24 of the bag
body 16, and the pair of side walls 26 of the bag body 16.
[0060] The flexibly collapsible bag 10 further comprises a pair of
flexible handles 32. The pair of flexible handles 32 extend
upwardly from the open top 30 of the bag body 16, at the front wall
22 of the bag body 16 and the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16,
respectively.
C. The Specific Configuration of the Relatively Firm and Bendable
External Pouch 20
[0061] The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 is
disposed externally on the front wall 22 of the bag body 16,
preferably, centrally thereon, but not limited thereto.
[0062] The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 comprises
a relatively firm and bendable panel 34. The relatively firm and
bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable external
pouch 20 is attached on three sides 36, 38, and 40 thereof
externally to the front wall 22 of the bag body 16 to thereby form
an open top 42 therefor, and is preferably, rectangular-shaped, but
not limited thereto.
[0063] The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 further
comprises a strap 43. The strap 43 of the relatively firm and
bendable external pouch 20 extends upwardly from the relatively
firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable
external pouch 20, and depends therefrom over itself to be
releasably attached to the relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of
the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20.
D. The Specific Configuration of the Flexible Internal Pouch 18
[0064] The flexible internal pouch 18 is disposed internally on the
rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, depends from the open top 30 of
the bag body 16, and, preferably, laterally centered thereon, but
not limited thereto.
[0065] The flexible internal pouch 18 is formed by a flexible
front-facing panel 44 and a flexible rear-facing panel 46. The
flexible front-facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18
attaches to the open top 30 of the bag body 16, at and freely
depending from the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, doubles back
onto itself to form the flexible rear-facing panel 46 of the
flexible internal pouch 18 that is free of the open top 30 of the
bag body 16, and is attached at two sides 48 and 50 thereof to the
flexible front facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18 to
thereby form an open top 52 for the flexible internal pouch 18, and
is preferably, rectangular-shaped, but not limited thereto.
[0066] The flexible internal pouch 18 further has a pair of mating
hook and loop fastener portions 54 and 56. One portion of the hook
and loop fasteners 54 is disposed externally on the flexible
front-facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18, proximate
to the open top 30 of the bag body 16, and the other portion of the
hook and loop fasteners 56 is disposed externally on the flexible
rear-facing panel 46 of the flexible internal pouch 18, proximate
to the open top 30 of the bag body 16.
E. The Method of Utilizing the Flexible Internal Pouch 18 to Store
the Bag Body 16
[0067] The method of utilizing the flexible internal pouch 18 to
store the bag body 16 can best be seen in FIGS. 3-6, which are,
respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexible
internal pouch being turned inside-out, a diagrammatic perspective
view of the bag being stuffed into the reversed flexible internal
pouch, a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being completely
stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch, and a
diagrammatic perspective view of the reversed flexible internal
pouch fastened closed with the bag therein, and as such, will be
discussed with reference thereto. [0068] STEP 1: As shown in FIG.
3, reverse the flexible internal pouch 18 by inserting the hands
58, 60 of a user 62 into the open top 52 of the flexible internal
pouch 18 and turning the flexible internal pouch 18 inside out.
[0069] STEP 2: As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, compress and stuff, using
the hands 58, 60 of a user 62, the bag body 16 into the flexible
internal pouch 18. [0070] STEP 3: As shown in FIG. 6, secure the
pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions 54 and 56 to each
other thereby closing the open top 52 of the flexible internal
pouch 18 and storing the bag body 16 therein.
F. The Method of Utilizing the Relatively Firm and Bendable
External Pouch 20 to Store the Bag Body 16
[0071] The method of utilizing the relatively firm and bendable
external pouch 20 to store the bag body 16, can best be seen in
FIGS. 7-10, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective
view of the strap released and the closed bottom of the bag and the
handles folded onto the rear wall of the bag, a diagrammatic
perspective view of the side walls of the bag folded onto the rear
wall of the bag, a diagrammatic perspective view of the top portion
folded so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable external
pouch, and a diagrammatic perspective view of the rolled bag with
the strap re-engaged, and as such, will be discussed with reference
thereto. [0072] STEP 1: As shown in FIG. 7, release the strap 43 of
the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20. [0073] STEP 2:
As further shown in FIG. 7, fold the closed bottom 28 of the bag
body 16 up onto the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16 so as to form a
lower portion 64 and an upper portion 66. [0074] STEP 3: As still
further shown in FIG. 7, fold the pair of flexible handles 32 down
onto the upper portion 66. [0075] STEP 4: As shown in FIG. 8, fold
the pair of side walls 26 of the bag body 16 in onto the upper
portion 66, the lower portion 64, and the pair of flexible handles
32. [0076] STEP 5: As shown in FIG. 9, fold the upper portion 66
down onto the pair of side walls 26 of the bag body 16 so as to lie
under the relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively
firm and bendable external pouch 20. [0077] STEP 6: As shown in
FIG. 10, roll up the relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the
relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20. [0078] STEP 7: As
further shown in FIG. 10, re-engage the strap 43 of the relatively
firm and bendable external pouch 20.
G. The Impressions
[0079] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above or two or more together may also find a useful application in
other types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
[0080] While the embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described as embodied in a flexibly collapsible bag
for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so
as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better
coordination with other apparel, however, they are not limited to
the details shown, since it will be understood that various
omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms
and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated
and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the
present invention.
[0081] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others
can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various
applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of
prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *