Abstract:
An expandable merchandising bag having an expansion section that permits a manufacturer to ship a product in the bag with the bag in a collapsed, smaller state, and a user to enlarge the bag via the expansion section to an expanded state. The expandable merchandising bag in the expanded state provides more ample room for receiving the product after used, thus providing the consumer with a reusable storage bag.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/583,277, filed Jun. 25, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and more particularly to containers in which merchandise is stored for display and later after use by consumer.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     To reduce manufacturer&#39;s shipping costs and retail merchant storage costs, often merchandise is packed very efficiency in a container, such as a box or a bag. Often, the ultimate consumer of the merchandise finds it very difficult, if not impossible, to place the merchandise back in the container. This problem is particularly prevalent for flexible, foldable items, such as sleeping bags, airbeds, tents, shelters, inflatable toys, and the like. Users often have to purchase an additional container to store the merchandise after opening the package. Alternatively, the manufacturer may have to supply a different storage bag or container for use after opening, which adds to product expense.  
         [0004]     For some items, such as a sleeping bag, when put on display at a store, it is desired that the sleeping bag look large, or fluffy, so that a user will believe that the fill for the sleeping bag is sufficient to keep the user warm and that the sleeping bag is also comfortable. Thus, if possible, the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks rather large. However, for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it is desired that the sleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so that shipping charges, which often are set by volume, may be minimized per sleeping bag.  
         [0005]     These two different goals are hard to meet in a single container. Moreover, because the use of store personnel is expensive, stores do not want their employees to have to re-package items, such as sleeping bags, so that the items may be adequately displayed on a shelf.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.  
         [0007]     The present invention provides an expandable merchandising bag having an expansion section that permits a manufacturer to ship the product in the bag with the bag in a collapsed, smaller state, and a user to enlarge the bag via the expansion section to an expanded state. The expandable merchandising bag in the expanded state provides more ample room for receiving the merchandise after used, thus providing the consumer with a reusable storage bag.  
         [0008]     Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an expandable merchandising bag in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with the expandable merchandising bag shown in an expanded state;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag of  FIG. 1 , shown in a collapsed state;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an expandable merchandising bag in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, with the expandable merchandising bag shown in a collapsed state;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag of  FIG. 3 , with the expandable merchandising bag shown in a partially expanded state;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , shown in an expanded state;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of an expandable merchandising bag in accordance with the present invention, with the expandable merchandising bag shown in a collapsed state;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag of  FIG. 6 , shown in a partially expanded state;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , shown in an expanded state;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an expandable bag in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the section lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the expandable bag of  FIG. 9 , with the bag shown in an expanded state.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.  
         [0021]     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an expandable merchandising bag  20  in accordance with an embodiment. The expandable merchandising bag  20  includes a zipper  22  extending along a length of a top  24  of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . The expandable merchandising bag  20  includes sides  26 ,  28  and ends  30 ,  32 . Top handles  34 ,  36  are attached at a central portion of the top  24  of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . An end handle  38  is positioned on one end  32  of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . The expandable merchandising bag  20  may be formed of a flexible fabric or a semi-rigid or rigid material, or a combination thereof.  
         [0022]     In accordance with an embodiment, the expandable merchandising bag  20  includes an expandable section  40 . This expandable section  40  may be made, for example, of fabric, and may be the same material as the rest of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . In accordance with an embodiment, the expandable section  40  is formed of a more flexible or collapsible material.  
         [0023]     In the embodiment shown, the expandable section  40  includes a closure in the form of a zipper  42 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the zipper  42  includes upper zipper teeth  44  and lower zipper teeth  46  positioned at top and bottom portions of the expandable section  40 , respectively.  
         [0024]     In accordance with an embodiment, the expandable merchandising bag  20  is shipped with product in it, such as a sleeping bag, a tent, a shelter, an inflatable product, or an airbed, with the expandable merchandising bag  20  in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . In this collapsed state, the zipper  42  is zipped closed, causing the expandable section  40  to collapse and to shrink the total size of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . The flexible nature of the expandable section in this embodiment permits the expandable section to collapse in this manner. In accordance with an embodiment, in the collapsed state, the expandable merchandising bag  20  is sized so that it may fit the product as shipped from the manufacturer. That is, the product is tightly packed within the expandable merchandising bag  20 .  
         [0025]     As is known, it is often difficult to fold product back to the size of the product as originally shipped so that the product may fit into an original shipping container. To address this problem, in accordance with an embodiment, the closure, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the zipper  42 , may be released, for example, by unzipping the zipper  42 . Releasing the closure in this manner allows the expandable section  40  to expand, increasing the size of the expandable merchandising bag  20 . Thus, the product may more easily be replaced within the expandable merchandising bag  20  by a consumer, without the consumer having to pack the product as tight as the product was shipped by the manufacturer.  
         [0026]     The expandable merchandising bag  20  provides the benefit of minimal size for shipping and store presentation. That is, the volume of the expandable merchandising bag  20  is minimized. In addition, the expandable merchandising bag  20 , in its expanded state, provides a larger volume storage container that is useful for the end user in that the user does not have to fold and re-position the product as shipped by the manufacturer. Thus, the fact that the expandable merchandising bag  20  can expand in volume is useful for providing both compact shipping and reasonable usage by a consumer.  
         [0027]     If desired, a retail store may alter the size of the expandable merchandising bag  20  after received by a manufacturer for presentation at point of sale. For example, the expandable merchandising bag  20  may be used to store a sleeping bag. When a sleeping bag is put on display at a store, it is often desirable that the sleeping bag look large, or fluffy, so that a user will believe that the fill for the sleeping bag is sufficient to keep the user warm and comfortable. Thus, if possible, the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks rather large. However, for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it is desired that the sleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so that shipping charges, which often are set by volume, may be minimized per sleeping bag.  
         [0028]     These two different goals are hard to meet by prior art single sleeping bag containers. Moreover, because the use of store personnel is expensive, stores do not want their employees to have to re-package items, such as sleeping bags, so that the items can be placed on a shelf.  
         [0029]     In accordance with an embodiment, a tightly rolled sleeping bag is shipped to a store in the tightly rolled arrangement, with the expandable merchandising bag  20  in the smaller, unexpanded state. Upon arrival at the store, a store clerk opens the closure (e.g., the zipper  42 ) to allow the expandable merchandising bag  20  to expand to the expanded state. By doing so, the expandable merchandising bag  20  expands so that the sleeping bag looks soft and thick, which may be more attractive to consumers.  
         [0030]     Although the zipper  42  is disclosed as the closure for the expandable section  40  of the expandable merchandising bag  20 , other closures may be used. These closures may be re-attachable, such as the zipper  42 , so that the expandable merchandising bag  20  may be moved between the expanded state and the collapsed state after being opened. Alternatively, the closures may be removably attachable, such as a removable tab, so that the expandable merchandising bag  20  remains in the expanded state after the closure is opened by a user. Other examples of closures include, but are not limited to, straps, ties, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, hooks, loops and toggles, tearable strips, tape, and other releasable fasteners.  
         [0031]     An example of an alternate embodiment of an expandable merchandising bag  120  is shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . In this embodiment, a zipper  122  is included, and the expandable section  140  is located at the top of the expandable merchandising bag  120 . The expandable merchandising bag  120  is held in the collapsed state shown in  FIG. 3  by closure straps  148  having buckles  150 . The expandable section  140  is pressed downward against the top portion of the expandable merchandising bag  120  in  FIG. 3 , but may be released by attaching the buckles  150  as is shown in  FIG. 4 . The expandable section  140  is then free to expand to the position shown in  FIG. 5 . The closure straps  148  may be lengthened, such as by known end buckle techniques, to extend over the top portion of the expandable merchandising bag  120  in the expanded state shown in  FIG. 5 . The closure straps  148  may then be attached by using the buckles  150  as is shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the closure straps  148  may not be used in the expanded state.  
         [0032]     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the handles  134 ,  136  located at the top of the expandable merchandising bag  120  may be sufficiently long so that the handles  134 ,  136  may extend over the top of the expandable section  140  when the expandable merchandising bag  120  is in the expanded state.  
         [0033]     A third embodiment of an expandable merchandising bag  220  is shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . In this embodiment, the expandable section  240  also extends from a top portion of the expandable merchandising bag  220 , such as in  FIGS. 3-5 . However, in this embodiment, flaps  252  are provided that extend upward from sides  226 ,  228  of the expandable merchandising bag  220 . Also alternatively, unlike the expandable section  140 , which folds inward to collapse, the expandable section  240  collapses in an accordion-style fashion. When the expandable section  240  is collapsed, the flaps  252  fold over outer sections of the collapsed expandable section  240 , and the flaps  252  are closed by closure straps  254 . These closure straps  254  may include, for example, buckles  256 .  
         [0034]     The expandable section  240  may be used as is in the expanded state, or the closure straps  254  may be attached when the expandable section  240  is in the expanded state shown in  FIG. 8 . If the closure straps  254  are used in this state, then the straps are lengthened in a manner known in the art.  
         [0035]     Although the various embodiments of the expandable merchandising bags  20 ,  120 , and  220  expand from either the top or bottom, an expandable merchandising bag may expand from both the top and the bottom, or may expand from sides or ends of the expandable merchandising bag, or any combination thereof. Moreover, although the expandable merchandising bags  20 ,  120 , and  220  are shown as generally rectangular elongate bags, an expandable section may be utilized on bags having other shapes including, but not limited to, cylindrical bags, square bags, oblong bags, and tubular bags.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a fourth embodiment of an expandable bag  300  in accordance with the present invention. The expandable bag  300  includes an upper zipper  302  extending along a top and portions of two ends of the expandable bag. Handles  304  are mounted at the top of the expandable bag  300 .  
         [0037]     The expandable bag  300  includes a lower zipper  306  that extends along a length of an underside of the expandable bag and up portions of the ends of the expandable bag. The lower zipper  306  includes two sets of zipper teeth  308 ,  310  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0038]     A gusset  312  is positioned inside the expandable bag  300 . The gusset  312  is attached at two locations, in the embodiment shown, one each on opposite sides of the sets of zipper teeth  308 ,  310 . The gusset  312  in an embodiment extends the length of the zipper  306 , and the fabric for the gusset  312  is attached only at the two locations along the sets of zipper teeth  308 ,  310 .  
         [0039]     In use, the expandable bag  300  is shipped and supplied to a user in the collapsed state shown in  FIG. 9 . A user may remove product from the expandable bag  300  by opening the upper zipper  302 . An example product that may be stored in the expandable bag  300  is a tent, although other products may be stored in such a bag.  
         [0040]     The user may unzip the zipper  306  to provide an expanded configuration of the expandable bag  300 . As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , in such an expanded state, the gusset  312  extends between the two sets of zipper teeth  308 ,  310 , and defines a portion of the outer wall of the expandable bag  300  in the expanded state shown in  FIG. 11 . When expanded in this manner, a user may find it easier to reinsert the product that is to be folded, such as a tent.  
         [0041]     Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.  
         [0042]     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.  
         [0043]     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.  
         [0044]     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.