Collapsible Bag

Abstract

A storage and travel bag includes a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position. A support structure is disposed within the enclosure and configured to be movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This application relates generally to a storage and travel bag. More specifically, this application discloses a collapsible storage and travel bag.

SUMMARY

[0002] When traveling, hiking or the like, it is often desirable and necessary to carry items in a bag. However, bags are typically bulky and consume vast amounts of useful space when not in use. Therefore, there is a significant need for a bag that is capable of carrying items, yet does not consume vast amounts of space when not in use.

[0003] This application discloses a storage and travel bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support panel movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.

[0004] This application also discloses a method for using a storage and travel bag, the method comprising: providing a storage and travel bag, the bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support panel movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions; moving the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel from respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions; and moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position wherein at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are supported in an uncollapsed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage and travel bag in a collapsed position;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage and travel bag in an uncollapsed position;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a storage and travel bag in an uncollapsed position; and

[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a storage and travel bag in a collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an illustrative storage and travel bag 100 is shown. The bag 100 includes a bottom panel 102, a first end panel 104, a spaced second end panel 106, a front panel 108, a back panel 110 and a top panel 112. The panels define an enclosure 114 configured to contain items disposed in the bag 100. Also, each of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 are movable between respective collapsed positions (FIGS. 1 and 3) and respective uncollapsed positions (FIGS. 2 and 4). When the panels are in respective collapsed positions, the volume of the enclosure 114 is less than the volume of the enclosure 114 when the panels are in respective uncollapsed positions.

[0011] The bag 100 also includes an ingress 116 to the enclosure 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the ingress 116 includes an aperture 118 in the top panel 112. The aperture 118 is selectively closed via a flap 120 hingedly coupled to the top panel 112. However, it will be appreciated that the ingress 116 to the enclosure 114 may include any suitable form known in the art and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The bag 100 may also include any suitable number of straps 122, pockets 124, or any other suitable device or implement for use with a storage and travel bag and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one or more external straps retain the bag 100 in the collapsed position.

[0012] The bag 100 also includes a support structure 126 disposed within the bag enclosure 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the support structure includes a base panel 128, a first wing panel 130 and a second wing panel 132. The base panel 128 may be coupled to the interior of the bottom panel 102 via any suitable device or means, including, but not limited to, a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive or any other suitable device or means. Each of the wing panels 130, 132 is movable between a supporting position, wherein each wing 130, 132 supports at least one of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 are moveable to their respective collapsed positions.

[0013] In the illustrative embodiment, the first wing panel 130 supports the front panel 108 in the first panel uncollapsed position when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. In one embodiment, the first wing panel 130 is generally perpendicular to the base panel 128 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. Also, when the first wing panel 130 is in the collapsed position, the first wing panel 130 may be adjacent and parallel to the base panel 128 and/or second wing panel 130. In one embodiment, the first wing panel 130 also supports the top panel 112 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position. The first wing panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 when the first wing panel 130 is in the supporting position so as to maintain the front panel 108 in the uncollapsed position. The first panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 via any suitable means or device, including, but not limited to, one or more of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive. In the illustrative embodiment, a Velcro.RTM. assembly 134 releasably secures the first wing panel 130 to the front panel 108. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the front panel 130 includes a loop 136 having a button configured to also engage the first wing panel 130 and maintain the releasably coupling of the first wing panel 130 and front panel 108.

[0014] The second wing panel 132 supports the rear panel 110 in the second wing panel uncollapsed position when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. In one embodiment, the second wing panel 132 is generally perpendicular to the base panel 128 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. Also, when the second wing panel 132 is in the collapsed position, the second wing panel 132 may be adjacent and parallel to the base panel 128 and/or first wing panel 132. In one embodiment, the second wing panel 132 also supports the top panel 112 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position. The second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 when the second wing panel 132 is in the supporting position so as to maintain the rear panel 110 in the uncollapsed position. The second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 via any suitable means or device, including, but not limited to, one or more of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive. In the illustrative embodiment, a Velcro.RTM. assembly 138 releasably secures the second wing panel 132 to the rear panel 110. Also, in the illustrative embodiment, the rear panel 132 includes a loop 140 having a button configured to also engage the second wing panel 132 and maintain the releasably coupling of the second wing panel 132 and rear panel 110. While the illustrative embodiment shows two wing panels 130, 132, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of wing panels for supporting one or more of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 in their respective uncollapsed positions may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] In use, each of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, back panel 110 and top panel 112 are moved from their respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions. In one embodiment, each of the first end panel 104, second end panel 106, front panel 108, and back panel 110 are pulled in a direction substantially co-planar with each of said panels and the top panel 112 is pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular therewith.

[0016] The enclosure 114 may then be entered via the ingress 116, typically by one or more hands of a user. The first wing panel 130 may then be moved from the collapsed position to the supporting position where the first wing panel 130 may be releasably coupled to the front panel 108 such that the first wing panel 130 supports the front panel 108 in the front panel uncollapsed position. The second wing panel 132 may then be moved from the collapsed position to the supporting position where the second wing panel 132 may be releasably coupled to the rear panel 110 such that the second wing panel 132 supports the rear panel 110 in the rear panel uncollapsed position.

[0017] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A storage and travel bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support structure movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein a portion of the support structure is coupled to the bottom panel.

3. The bag of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises a base panel and at least one wing panel coupled to the base panel, wherein each wing panel is movable between a supporting position and a collapsed position.

4. The bag of claim 3 wherein at least one wing panel supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position when the at least one wing is in the supporting position.

5. The bag of claim 3 wherein the supporting structure comprises a first wing panel and a second wing panel.

6. The bag of claim 5 wherein the first wing panel supports at least one of the front panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when the first wing panel is the supporting position, and wherein the second wing panel supports at least one of the rear panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when second wing panel is in the supporting position.

7. The bag of claim 6 wherein the first wing panel is releasably coupleable to the front panel when the first wing panel is in the supporting position, and wherein the second panel is releasably coupleable to the rear panel when the second wing panel is in the supporting position.

8. The bag of claim 7 wherein the first wing panel is releasably coupleable to the front panel via at least one of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive, and wherein the second wing panel is releasably coupleable to the rear panel via at least one of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive.

9. A method for using a storage and travel bag, the method comprising: providing a storage and travel bag, the bag comprising: a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; an ingress to the enclosure; and a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support structure movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions; moving the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel from respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions; and moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position wherein at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are supported in an uncollapsed position.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein a portion of the support structure is coupled to the bottom panel.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the support structure comprises a base panel and at least one wing panel coupled to the base panel, wherein each wing panel is movable between a supporting position and a collapsed position.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position comprises moving at least one wing panel from a collapsed position to a supporting position.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one wing panel supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position when the at least one wing is in the supporting position.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the supporting structure comprises a first wing panel and a second wing panel.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first wing panel supports at least one of the front panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when the first wing panel is the supporting position, and wherein the second wing panel supports at least one of the rear panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when second wing panel is in the supporting position.