Abstract:
Soft sided bags having a flexible frame system are disclosed and described herein. A plurality of structure forming frame members engage guides in the bag body to provide the soft sided bag with a resilient structure, and to further provide content protection and accessibility. Soft sided bag may use structure forming frame members with varying levels of stiffness to provide a desired structure to the soft sided bag. A unique structure forming frame member is disclosed which includes an outer sheath and inner rod that gives the bag body structure, durability, flexibility, resiliency, and differing degrees of restorative force along one continuous member. Various non-limiting configurations are disclosed that provide the soft sided bag with a desired shape as well as the ability to collapse to smaller configurations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to bags, and more particularly to a foldable utility bag. Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to soft sided utility bags and packs, and in particular to a soft sided bag with a structure forming a flexible frame system that can provide the soft sided bag with structural definition, integrity, and form, and in various embodiments may also allow the soft sided bag to be foldable. 
     2. Background and Related Art 
     Bags are useful for carrying items from one location to another. Bags of many types have been designed for carrying many different types of equipment. Some bags have soft sides to permit flexible storage of items therein. In some instances, placing items in soft sided bags can be difficult as the sides tend to collapse and may get in the way of placing items in the bags. Soft sided packs are generally made wholly with one or more pliable materials, which do not contribute significantly to giving the soft sided bag discernable form or structure. The structure-less nature of the soft sided bags does not provide adequate protection for stored items and can make loading and viewing of contents difficult. 
     Other bags have hard or stiff sides that can facilitate placing contents in the bags as the hard or stiff sides maintain open one or more inner cavities of the bags. Moreover, hard-sided bags provide greater protection to contents. However, when hard-sided bags are not in use, they are often difficult to store, as the hard sides dictate an increased storage space. 
     Structure forming frames for bags, packs, and other containers have conventionally been used to provide some measure of form. Structure forming frames are typically made of materials such as wood, nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiberglass, fiberglass reinforced plastic, or plastic (most generally poly vinyl chloride (PVC)), or combinations thereof. For those applications where the frame must be bent or contorted, certain elasticity is required. Elasticity depends on the contents and formation of materials in the structure forming frame. However, creating a structure forming frame using continuous members that are bent or contorted in one portion, and straight in another, is difficult because the tension in one portion of the frame is so easily transferred from one frame member to another. Additionally, most structure forming frames cannot be collapsed. 
     Thus, existing bags do not provide ideal solutions for all users by providing adequate protection and easy access while also providing a collapsible form that is easy to store and uses continuous framing members that are both bent and straight. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The application describes bags and more particularly a foldable utility bag with a structure forming frame. Embodiments of the foldable utility bag comprise a soft sided bag coupled with structure forming frame member(s) that when in its expanded configuration provides the bag body with a structure that aids in the use of and access to the interior of the bag. Also described are embodiments of structure forming frame members that provide varying levels of restorative force that aid in providing a desired resiliency to the bag body. Finally, various configurations and embodiments are described that allow the bag body and the structure forming frame to collapse to smaller configurations, allowing easier storage of the soft sided bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention in the fully expanded configuration with its access ports open; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention in the fully expanded configuration with its access ports closed; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of one of the bag lateral sides of the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a view of the bag top side of the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a view of one of the bag lateral sides of the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates a view of one of the bag end sides of the soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of a structure forming frame member in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of a structure forming frame member in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a multi-part structure forming frame member with a cutout section showing the interior of a non-hollow sheath in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a multi-part structure forming frame member with a cutout section showing the interior of an outer sheath with a hollow portion in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a latitudinal section of a portion of a multi-part structure forming frame member with a non-hollow sheath in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6D  illustrates a latitudinal section of a portion of a multi-part structure forming frame member with an outer sheath with a hollow portion in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a perspective view of a soft sided bag in its collapsed form in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective view of a soft sided bag in its collapsed form in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Together with the following description, the Figures may demonstrate and explain the principles of foldable utility bags. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will not be repeated. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and their equivalents. The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the foldable utility bag and methods for making or using the foldable utility bag can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the technology can be practiced by modifying the illustrated method and resulting product and can be used in conjunction with apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. 
     The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention. 
     For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means A or B. For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “(A)B” means “(B) or (AB)”, that is, A is an optional element. 
     Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. 
     The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in various embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous with the definition afforded the term “comprising.” 
     The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. 
     The term “soft sided bag” is defined generally as a bag that has at least one body portion that is at least partially constructed of a pliable material such as cloth, leather, synthetic leather, nylon, cordura, other fabrics or materials, or combinations thereof. It should be understood that the term “soft sided bag” does not indicate that every portion of the soft sided bag is constructed of a pliable material, rather that at least one portion of the soft sided bag is at least partially constructed of a pliable material. The term “strap” and/or “harness” is used generally to include one or more components of a system that is configured to allow a soft sided bag to be carried by the user. A “shoulder strap” is defined to include a strap having one or more straps that are adapted to engage one or both of the wearer&#39;s shoulders. A “handle” is defined to include one or more straps configured to allow a user to pick up the soft sided bag with their hand or similar grasping device. The term “bag bottom side” is defined to be the portion or side of the bag generally that rests on the ground. The term “bag top side” is defined to be the portion of the soft sided bag that generally faces away from the grounds when the soft sided bag is resting on the ground. Each side of the soft sided bag that connects the bag top side to the bag bottom side is defined to be a “bag lateral side.” The term “bag end side” is defined to be the one or two bag lateral sides that have the smallest area. 
     In various embodiments a foldable utility bag is provided that includes a flexible frame system that may be integrated with a soft sided bag to help define the shape and structure of the bag body. Embodiments of a structure forming frame system may comprise one or more structure forming frame members made of a material that is flexible enough to allow the frame members to be bent and integrated into the bag, yet rigid and reflexive enough that when in place the frame members give the soft sided bag a desired shape or form. 
     In some embodiments, at least one structure forming frame member(s) may be integrated with the soft sided bag during manufacture. In other embodiments, the user may couple at least one structure forming frame member(s) to the soft sided bag via designated frame couplers or guides. In some embodiments, at least one frame member(s) may be wholly external, partially external or wholly internal to the soft sided bag material, depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to aesthetics, desired degree of protection, exposure to water and dirt, material specifications, desired configuration of the bag body, and the like. Further, the structure forming frame members may be partially exposed though the use of multiple guides, receivers or member couplers. 
     In various embodiments, the structure forming frame member may be a unitary, multi-structured, segmented, and/or continuous frame member having strength sufficient to maintain the shape of a soft sided bag. Structure forming frame members may be elastic, durable, light-weight, and possess excellent restoration force. In accordance with some embodiments, the structure forming frame member may include an outer sheath having a hollow portion or interior chamber inside which are disposed one or more inner rods. In some embodiments the structure forming frame member may consist of one or more inner rods that run the full length of the structure forming frame member with one or more shorter inner rods disposed strategically along the length of the structure forming frame member that provide differing levels of restoration force. Inner rods may be constructed of nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, other materials, or combinations thereof, which are inserted into the hollow portion or embedded inside the structure forming frame member. 
     In various embodiments the structure forming frame members may also be of a sufficient rigidity to provide protection to the stowed cargo, and may also have a memory response such that upon deflection of the frame, it will reassume its expanded configuration and thereby reestablish the desired form. In some embodiments the structure forming frame members will be able to provide the structure to the bag body regardless of whether various access ports are open or closed, thereby providing structure to the bag to promote access to the interior. 
     In some embodiments, the structural support of the bag body may be collapsed to reduce the size of the bag body and facilitate its storage. In some embodiments, the structural support of the soft sided bag will easily fold in on itself to lie flat. In some embodiments, the bag body will automatically resume its fully expanded configuration when removed from storage. In some embodiments, additional user action is needed to allow the bag to resume its fully expanded configuration. 
     In some embodiments, at least one strap, handle, harness, or shoulder harness may be coupled to the soft sided bag body. In other embodiments the strap, handle, harness, or shoulder harness can be removed or relocated by the user. In some embodiments the strap, handle, harness, or shoulder harness will be attached to the soft sided bag at a fixed location. In other embodiments, the soft sided bag will not have any strap, handle, harness, or shoulder harness. In some embodiments the strap, handle, harness, or shoulder harness can provide the user with additional functions, such as also operating as an access port closure mechanism, a structure forming frame member, or assist in holding the soft sided bag in its collapsed form. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate perspective views of an example soft sided bag having a structure forming flexible frame system.  FIG. 3  illustrates a lateral side view of another example of a soft sided bag having a structure forming a flexible frame system . . . . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a soft sided bag  10  may include a bag body  12 , and several shoulder strap(s)  14  and/or a handle(s)  16  or other strap(s) or harness(es) coupled to the bag body  12 . In various embodiments, a variety of other body coupling configurations or combinations may be used to allow a user to carry the bag (e.g. single shoulder strap, no shoulder straps, etc.). Bag body  12  may include several access ports  18 , which allow access to pockets or internal compartments of the soft sided bag  10 . Access ports  18  may be closeable via a variety of closure mechanisms  19  such as zippers, Velcro®, snaps, buttons and the like. 
     Soft sided bag  10  may further include one or more structure forming frame member(s)  20  that are adapted to engage the bag body  12  via one or more frame couplers or guides  22 . In some embodiments, guides  22  may be loop guides, grommets, hooks or any other coupling/guide arrangement in which the structure forming frame member(s)  20  can engage to give the bag body  12  structural definition. As illustrated, tunnel guides  22 , for example, may be sewn to the body material and have openings sized to allow the structure forming frame member  20  to pass there through. In some embodiments, the guides  22  may be internal or external to the body  12 , and may further be adapted to encompass all or a part of the structure forming frame members  20 . In various embodiments, the soft sided bag  10  may have several guides  22  engaging structure forming frame members  20 . 
     With the structure forming frame members  20  inserted in the guides  22 , the reflexive tension in the structure forming frame members  20  gives the bag body  12  a desired form and structure. Such a structure helps make loading the soft sided bag  10  easier, and/or provide structural support and protection of the contents of the bags. In some embodiments, one or more structure forming frame members  20  are used to provide a desired shape and accommodate different sizes and configurations. The structure forming frame members  20  may be integrated throughout the bag body  12  in a pattern generally defined by guides  22  and having terminal ends  21  that are configured to terminate against each other to thereby form a continuous loop. Whereas in other embodiments, the structure forming frame member  20  may engage the guides  22  and have opposing terminal ends  21  that terminate at designated receivers  23  disposed on the bag body  12 . In other embodiments, one or more structure forming frame member  20  may be a continuous loop that has no terminal end  21 . In other embodiments, one or more structure forming frame member  20  may have a terminal end  21  that does not terminate at designated receivers  23 , but instead is coupled with other parts of the bag body  10 , shoulder strap  14 , handle  16 , or any other part of the soft sided bag  12 . It is contemplated that in some embodiments the structure forming frame member  20  may have a terminal end  21  that does not terminate at any designated receiver  23 . 
     Some embodiments have frame members  20  cross in an “x” pattern at the ends of the bag. This allows the bag to be folded length wise so it flattens for storage. This “x” configuration also gives protection to the ends of the bags and more specifically to the contents of the bag stored in the ends. Because prior art bags do not have this rigid “x” to protect the ends of the bags, a pocket is usually placed on the ends so soft articles can be stored there to protect the inner contents of the bag or fragile items are at least kept away from the ends. In some embodiments, like that shown in  FIG. 2 , frame members  20  protect the ends thereby creating more usable space inside the bag. Items placed in a pocket on the ends or in the bag are protected. 
     In some embodiments, the guides  22  may be configurable by the user so as to alter the structural form taken by the bag body  12  once the structure forming frame members  20  engage the guides  22 . In such cases, the guides  22  may be detachably coupled to the body of the bag or positioned on guide tracks to allow for guide repositioning. 
     In some embodiments, the structural rigidity and support of the bag body  12  may be enhanced by having the structure forming frame members  20  form one or more cross points  24 . In some embodiments, cross points  24  may allow the bag body  12  to better resist lateral and vertical deflection caused by external and internal forces to the bag body  12 . In addition to resisting structural collapse/deformation, including cross points  24  further helps enhance structural responsiveness of the structure forming frame members  20  to deflections. For example, the non-limiting case in which zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more cross points  24  are formed by structure forming frame members  20  that help the soft sided bag  10  resist deflection. 
     In some embodiments, a portion of at least one of the structure forming frame members  20  may run tangentially to and/or circumnavigate all or a portion of an access port  18  in such a manner that undoing of the access port closure mechanism  19  may bias the access port  18  to either an open and/or closed position. In other embodiments, the soft sided bag  10  will maintain the desired form regardless of whether the various access ports  18  are open or closed. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate perspective views of a soft sided bag in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, soft sided bag  10  may have a bag body  12  made of a generally pliable material, as described above. One or more structure forming frame members  20  may traverse portions of the bag body  12  to provide structural definition and integrity to the soft sided bag  10 . Guides  22  may be strategically positioned about the bag body  12  of the soft sided bag  10  to allow for integration of the structure forming frame members  20  with the soft sided bag  10 . As illustrated, portions of the structure forming frame members  20  may be exposed a desired amount, for example, by exposed lengths  25 . Further, one or more cross points  24  may be included to improve structural integrity of the bag body  12 . In one embodiment, it has been found that enclosing a portion of the structure forming frame member  20  within the bag body  12 , and allowing other portions of the structure forming frame member  20  to be exposed by certain exposed lengths  25  provide enough desired structure to the bag body  12  but also create the desired shape to the bag body  12 . It is contemplated that the structure forming frame member  20  can be can be placed in guides  22 , grommets, openings, channels, rivets, or other attachment device or system that are attached to the bag body  12  to create various desired configurations of the bag, ranging anywhere from simple parallelepipeds, to cylindrical prisms, to ovaloids, to rhombitruncated icosidodecahedra, and more. In various embodiments, the use of structure forming frame members  20  will be arranged so as to hold portions of the bag body  12  in flat, vertical, rounded, or other orientations. 
     For purposes of discussion with respect to the illustrated embodiments, the bag body  12  may or may not be divided into multiple compartments. Such compartments may include one or more terminal compartments  40 , central compartments  42 , valuables compartments  44 , accessory compartments  46 , other types of compartments, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the bag body  12  can be divided into external and/or internal compartments and that various closure mechanisms  19  including zippers, buttons, Velcro, snaps, and the like can be used to close various compartments. 
     For example, the non-limiting case in which the soft sided bag  10  has zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more terminal compartments  40 , zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more central compartments  42 , zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more valuables compartments  44 , zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more accessory compartments  46 , and zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more other types of compartments, and/or any combination thereof, closed by zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more closure mechanisms  19 . 
     A shoulder strap  14  may be coupled to soft sided bag  10 . Shoulder strap  14  may include a padded shoulder harness. Soft sided bag  10  may also have a handle  16  coupled to soft sided bag  10  and adapted to generally allow a user to carry the bag. Other embodiments might include other forms of straps or harnesses attached at various points to the soft sided bag  10 . Shoulder straps  14 , handles  16 , and other straps or harnesses may be integrated with the bag during manufacture. In other embodiments, the user may couple at least one structure forming frame member(s) to the bag via designated frame couplers or guides  22 , or other attachment points. In various embodiments, the shoulder strap  14  or handle  16  or other carrying mechanism can be used to assist in holding the soft bodied bag  10  in a collapsed configuration. 
     In various embodiments, the structure forming frame member(s)  20  may be composed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to nylon, nylon composite, fiberglass, carbon fiber, steel wires, steel spring wires, combinations thereof, and/or other materials that are flexible enough to be bent or otherwise contorted throughout the guides  22  without breaking or kinking, and yet rigid enough to have a resulting tension that provides structural definition to the soft sided bag  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the number of and/or diameter of the structure forming frame member  20  may be selected depending on many factors such as intended use, aesthetics, durability, etc. In some embodiments, the structure forming frame member  20  may be unitary, consisting of only one material. In other embodiments, such as the non-limiting examples illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D, the structure forming frame member  20  may be multi-part. In various embodiments the structure forming frame member  20  may be multi-piece or dual structured. For example, in some embodiments, the structure forming frame member  20  may include zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rods, such as inner rod  55 , which are wholly or partially enclosed by zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more non-hollow sheath(s)  33 . In other embodiments, a structure forming frame member  20  may include zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more outer sheath(s)  32  with a hollow core(s)  34 , and zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rod(s)  35  may be inserted therein. Such a mixing of composite materials can help improve the degree of bend radii, while also providing sufficient structural rigidity, form, and shape resilience. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , according to some embodiments a structure forming frame member  20  may consist of zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rod(s)  35  and zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more non-hollow sheath(s)  33 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to some embodiments a structure forming frame member  20  may include zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more outer sheath(s)  32  having zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more hollow portion(s)  34  or other interior chamber. In some embodiments, zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rod(s)  50 ,  51 ,  52 , or more, may be disposed internal to the zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more outer sheath(s)  32 . In other embodiments, the zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rod(s)  50 ,  51 ,  52 , or more, may be embedded in the wall of the outer sheath(s)  32 . 
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D illustrate non-limiting examples of multi-structured structure forming frame members  20  in accordance with various embodiments. Structure forming frame member(s)  20  may include an outer sheath  32  and at least one inner rod  35 . In some embodiments, the outer sheath  32  may be made of synthetic material and the inner rod  35  made of nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof. The outer sheath  32  may be shaped to include a hollow portion  34  to accommodate one or more inner rod  35 , which may improve its elasticity and strength. In other embodiments the structure forming frame member may consist of a non-hollow sheath  34  with an inner rod  35  embedded within. In other embodiments there may be zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rod(s)  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 , and/or outer sheath(s)  32 , and/or non-hollow sheath(s)  33 . 
     In some embodiments, the outer sheath  32  may be made of synthetic material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or others. In some embodiments, the outer sheath  32  may be made through an extrusion molding or other conventional methods used to form high-molecular resin. An outer sheath  32  made of the above-mentioned high-molecular resins is advantageous in terms of cold resistance, durability, resistance to exposure to the elements, etc. In some embodiments, nylon may be a preferable material for forming the outer sheath  32  because of its ability to resistant to breakage resulting from an external impact, scratches, and severe bending, and as well as its toughness and low temperature performance. In some embodiments, a color pigment may be added to the outer sheath  32 . In various embodiments, a minimum amount of color pigment may be used to make a transparent outer sheath  32  so that the inner rod, which is inserted into the outer sheath  32 , can be seen from outside. Alternatively, various colors of pigment may be added to manufacture an outer sheath  32  having distinctive visual characteristics. The same description holds not only when the outer sheath  32  is made of a nylon composition, but also when other materials (e.g. polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, etc.) are used. Other embodiments contemplate similar aspects of material, manufacture, additives, and more for non-hollow sheaths  33  or other portions of the structure forming frame members  20 . 
     Some embodiments contemplate making an outer sheath  32  or a non-hollow sheath  33  out of fiber-reinforced composition glass, nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof, or other material. Other embodiments contemplate manufacturing an outer sheath  32  or a non-hollow sheath  33  that are reinforced by embedding fiber-reinforced composition glass, nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof, or other material used to manufacture the outer sheath  32  or a non-hollow sheath  33  so as to prevent degradation of strength, elasticity, restoration force, etc. of the outer sheath  32  or a non-hollow sheath  33 . 
     As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the structure forming frame member  20  can be unitary, consisting of only one part, such as a nylon rod. Other embodiments contemplate zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rods and/or sheaths, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D. In one embodiment, it has been found that using at least one inner rod, such as inner rod  50 , made of steel spring encased in an outer sheath  32  with hollow portion  34  created enough tension and strength to provide structural definition to the bag body  12 . In other embodiments, it has been found that multiple inner rods  55  and  56  of differing lengths placed strategically along the length of either a non-hollow sheath  33  or an outer sheath  32  with hollow portion  34  allow a pleasing curve at the bag end side of the bag  28  and relatively straight segments along the length of the bag  30 . In one embodiment the shorter inner rod  55  is placed in the medial portion  17  of the outer sheath  32 , such that the structure forming frame member  20  is more resistant to external forces in its medial portion  17 . 
     Other embodiments contemplate the use of more than just one or two inner rods, such as inner rods  55  and  56 , disposed at other positions along the structure forming frame member  20  to create differing levels of restoration force. Some embodiments contemplate utilizing and/or manipulating the number and/or diameter and/or length of inner rods such as  55  and  56  along the length of the structure forming frame member  20  to create various shapes. In a non-limiting example, the terminal portions of the support members  21  may be composed of one or more inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 , and  56  or other types of inner rod allowing for the terminal end  21  of the structure forming frame member  20  to possess flexibility to allow for additional or decreased curvature at desired locations. In some embodiments the medial portion  17  of the structure forming frame member  20  may utilize two or more inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 , and  56 , or other types of inner rod, doubling, tripling, quadrupling or multiplicatively increasing the number of wires along the portion of the inner rod passing along the bag top side  27 , effectively providing for a structure forming frame member which possess increased or decreased flexibility along the length of the structure forming frame member  20 , such that along the structure forming frame member  20  portions are selectively stiffer and therefore more likely to tend to assume a more linear configuration, which may provide the appropriate balance of flexibility and rigidity. For example, the non-limiting case in which zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 , and/or  56 , and or other types of inner rods are used inside the outer sheath(s)  32 . 
     In other embodiments, one continuous inner rod  35  may be bent back or folded back zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more times upon itself in selected portions to increase or decrease the structure forming frame member&#39;s  20  resistance to external forces. In other embodiments, any combination of inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 , and  56  or other types of inner rod may be bent, folded, woven, twisted, stretched, or otherwise manipulated along any portion of the length of the structure forming frame member  20  to increase or decrease its resistance to external or internal forces. For example, the non-limiting case in which a combination of zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 , and  56  are bent, folded, woven, twisted, stretched, or otherwise manipulated along discrete portions to increase or decrease the structure forming frame member&#39;s  20  resistance to external or internal forces. 
     In some embodiments, inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 , and  56  or other types of inner rod may be constructed of nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments the material for the inner rod may be a single component of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, fiberglass, titanium, a mixture of the component with another resin, nylon, nylon composites, steel, aluminum, spring steel, spring wires, fiber glass, fiber glass reinforced plastic, plastic or fiber reinforced plastic, or combinations thereof, or other materials that achieve the desired effect. 
     As mentioned in the non-limiting examples above, using a multi-structured structure forming frame member  20  has many advantages which include elasticity, strength, and durability, and light-weight, ability to regain its original shape. Moreover, in some embodiments, using a multi-component structure forming frame member  20  protects the user and the soft-sided bag  10  from being harmed in the unlikely event that any inner rods such as inner rod  35  break because the outer sheath  32  or non-hollow sheath  33  prevents the sharp edges from being exposed to the outside. 
     Various embodiments may also employ additives, such as a reinforcement material, a filler, a heat-resistant stabilizer, a weatherproof stabilizer, a slip agent, a nucleating agent, a fire retardant, color pigment, dye, etc. Examples of additives include talc, carbon fiber, calcium carbonate, clay, silica, alumina, carbon black, magnesium hydroxide, zeolite, barium sulfate, etc. 
     In some embodiments the inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods, may be cylindrical, rectangular, or may take other forms. In some embodiments the outer sheath  32  and the non-hollow sheath  33  may be cylindrical, rectangular, or may take other forms. In other embodiments, other shapes and configurations of the inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , other inner rods, outer sheath  32 , and non-hollow sheath  33  are contemplated. In some embodiments the inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods may be connected, stacked, attached, woven, banded, glued, embedded, or otherwise attached or unattached to other inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods, or to the outer sheath  32  or non-hollow sheath  33 , or other portion of the structure forming frame member  20 . 
     Likewise, in some embodiments portions of a structure forming frame member  20 , or outer sheath  32 , or non-hollow sheath  33  may be connected, attached, woven, banded, glued, embedded, or otherwise attached or unattached to other portions of the structure forming frame member(s)  20  or to the bag body  12 . In some embodiments, inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods, may be fully or partially coated in plastic, Teflon®, lubricant, grease, or other friction-inducing or friction-reducing agent or material to allow more or less movement in relation to the other components of the structure forming frame member  20 . In some embodiments, the use of such friction inducing or reducing agents or materials will be to increase or decrease the structure forming frame members&#39;  20  resistance to external forces and create differing levels of restoration force. In some embodiments, the inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods, may be fully or partially coated in a protective material such a plastic, nylon, or other material that decreases the likelihood that any sharp edges or breaks on the inner rods  35 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  55 ,  56 , or other inner rods harm the outer sheath  23  or non-hollow sheath  33 . 
     While a relatively rectangular shaped soft sided bag  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , other embodiments contemplate substantially different dimensions. In a non-limiting example, similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D, steel spring wires may be utilized for one of the constitutive elements of a structure forming frame member  20  flexible enough to allow structure forming frame member  20  to be bent and integrated into the soft sided bag  10 , yet rigid and flexible enough that when in place the structure forming frame member(s)  20  give the bag body  12  the desired shape and form. In such a non-limiting example, the steel spring wires are elastic, durable, possess excellent restoration force and are light weight. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate how, in some embodiments, the soft sided bag  10  can be collapsed to reduce its size. In some embodiments, zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more structure forming frame member(s)  20  can be pushed, pulled, moved, rotated, or otherwise manipulated to a new position that results in a less-voluminous configuration. In other embodiments, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 7A , structure forming frame member(s)  20  can be pressed upon from the bag lateral side  26  to collapse them into one parallel plane, reducing the soft sided bag  10  into a flattened configuration. Other configurations of zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or more structure forming frame members  20  are contemplated that include hinged, rotating, removable, expandable, retractable, or other moving parts that assist in the collapsibility of the soft sided bag  10 . In other embodiments, the soft sided bag  10  will remain in its collapsed configuration only when stored in a position that applies continuous pressure on some portion of the soft sided bag  10 . In some embodiments, the structure forming frame member(s)  20  can be twisted or moved in such a way as to collapse the soft sided bag  10 , which will then remain in the collapsed form without any additional pressure, locking, twisting, or other force. In various embodiments, the soft sided bag  10  will automatically resume its fully expanded configuration with or without user action. Whereas in other embodiments, the user will need to perform at least one action to allow the soft sided bag  10  to resume its expanded configuration. It is contemplated in various embodiments that hooks, zippers, Velcro, snaps, buttons, straps, handles, and the like may be used to press, lock, twist, or otherwise force the soft sided bag  10  to remain it is collapsed configuration. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.