Patent ID: 7909150
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: A45C

Abstract:
1. An expandable bag comprising: a body having a lower main portion having a closed bottom and a pair of generally upstanding, opposing lower sidewalls defining an upper rim and an upper secondary portion having a pair of opposing upper sidewalls, each having a lower edge coupled to said lower main portion generally adjacent to said upper rim of said lower main portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening, said upper secondary portion being movable between a folded position, in which said upper sidewalls thereof are folded within said lower sidewalls such that said upper rim of said upper secondary portion and said top opening thereof are disposed generally adjacent to said upper rim of said lower main portion, thereby defining an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended position, in which said upper portion is unfolded and extended upwardly, thereby extending the height of said body and, in turn, said bag, creating an interior compartment of a greater size; a pair of handles, each coupled to an opposite sidewall of said upper secondary portion; and means for releasably coupling said handles to said lower main portion which serves to prevent movement of said upper secondary portion from said folded to said extended position when so coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits upward extension of said upper secondary portion wherein said means for releasably coupling said handles comprises four spring clips coupled to said lower main portion, four first rings coupled to said handles generally adjacent to said upper rim of said upper secondary portion, and four second rings coupled to said upper sidewalls of said upper secondary portion, but spaced below said four first rings, wherein said spring clips are each engageable with one of said second rings when said upper secondary portion is in said extended position and said spring clips are each engageable with one of said first rings when said upper portion is in said folded position.