Patent Publication Number: US-2023159227-A1

Title: Reusable mailer bag

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/989,799 filed Aug. 10, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,312,540 issued on Apr. 26, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/240,969, filed Jan. 7, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,737,843 issued on Aug. 11, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/023,236, filed Jun. 29, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,737,842 issued on Aug. 11, 2020 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/302,151, filed Jun. 11, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,011,394, issued on Jul. 3, 2018. The entire contents of each of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a reusable mailer bag and a method for using a reusable mailer bag. 
     Background of Related Art 
     Shipping packaging is typically provided in disposable form for a single use. In particular, boxes, envelopes, and other forms of shipping packaging are often transported from a merchant to an end user and are then subsequently thrown away or recycled by the end user. The end user typically does not gain any lasting value or use from the shipping packaging. 
     SUMMARY 
     A reusable mailer bag and a method of use according to aspects of the present disclosure are now described. The reusable mailer bag provides an end user with shipping packaging that may be repurposed for use as a carrying bag. The end user can therefore realize a return value on the cost of shipping. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes extending a flap attached to a rear panel of a reusable mailer bag over an opening of the reusable mailer bag, securing the flap to a first removable tape layer of a front panel of the reusable mailer bag, detaching the flap from the front panel and the rear panel, and extending a pair of handles from a carrying volume of the reusable mailer through the opening of the reusable mailer. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, detaching the flap from the front panel includes tearing the flap along a first tear strip. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, detaching the flap from the rear panel includes tearing the flap along a second tear strip. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first tear strip includes perforations. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, detaching the flap from the front panel includes detaching the first removable tape layer from the front panel. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes attaching a shipping label to a second removable tape layer of the front panel. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes detaching the second removable tape layer from the front panel to remove the shipping label from the front panel. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, detaching the second removable tape layer reveals a hidden surface selected from the group consisting of a promotional code, an advertisement, and a writable surface. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the reusable mailer bag is non-reversible. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, an interior surface of the carrying volume includes a bubble lined protective layer and the method further includes removing the bubble lined protective layer. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a reusable mailer bag is disclosed including a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels, and a bottom panel. The panels together define a carrying volume including an opening opposite the bottom panel. A pair of handles is attached to an interior surface of the carrying volume and is configured for positioning entirely within the carrying volume during shipping. The pair of handles is configured to extend out of the opening. A flap is attached to the rear panel at a first end and is configured to extend across the opening to close the opening. The flap includes a second end that is securable to the front panel. The flap is configured to be removed from the mailer bag after shipping. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the second end of the flap is securable to a first tape layer of the front panel. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the first tape layer is removable from the front panel to detach the flap from the front panel. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the second end of the flap includes an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to the first tape layer of the front panel when the second end of the flap is secured to the front panel. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the front panel further includes a second tape layer configured to receive a shipping label. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the front panel includes a hidden surface disposed under the second tape layer. The second tape layer may be removable to reveal the hidden surface. The hidden surface may be selected from the group consisting of a promotional code, an advertisement, and a writable surface. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, the flap includes a first tear strip adjacent the first end. The first tear strip is tearable to detach the flap from the rear panel. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the flap includes a second tear strip adjacent the second end. The second tear strip is tearable to detach the flap from the front panel. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, the side panels include recessed portions adjacent the opening. The recessed portions are secured to the front and rear panels adjacent the opening and are recessed relative to side edges of the front and rear panels. The recessed portions are configured to inhibit tampering with the carrying volume when the flap closes the opening. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the recessed portions inhibit the reusable mailer bag from being reversed. 
     In an aspect of the present disclosure, an interior surface of the carrying volume includes a bubble lined protective layer. 
     In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the bubble lined protective layer is removable. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a reusable mailer bag includes front, rear, first side, second side, and bottom panels which include interior surfaces that define a carrying volume that has an opening which is opposite the bottom panel. The mailer bag also includes a flap and a first side extension. The flap is configured to extend across the opening to close the carrying volume during shipping. The flap includes a first end portion that is attached to the rear panel and a second end portion that is configured to secure to the front panel. The first side extension extends from a first edge of the second end portion of the flap that is adjacent the first side panel. The first side extension is configured to extend around the first side panel and to secure to the rear panel when the second end portion is secured to the front panel. 
     In aspects, the mailer bag includes a tape layer that is releaseably secured to the rear panel. The first side extension may be configured to secure to the tape layer to secure to the rear panel. 
     In some aspects, the mailer bag includes a pair of handles that are attached to the interior surface of the front and rear panels. The pair of handles may be configured to be positioned entirely within the carrying volume during shipping and configured to extend out of the opening for transport. 
     In certain aspects, the flap is configured to be completely removed from the mailer bag after shipping. 
     In particular aspects, the mailer bag includes a tape layer that is releaseably secured to the front panel. The second end portion of the flap may be securable to the tape layer. The tape layer may be removable from the front panel to detach the flap from the front panel. The second end portion of the flap may include an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be configured to adhere to the tape layer of the front panel to secure the second end portion of the flap to the front panel. The tape layer may be configured to receive a shipping label. The front panel may include a hidden surface that is disposed under the tape layer. The tape layer may be removable to reveal the hidden surface. The hidden surface may be selected from a group of a promotional code, an advertisement, and a writable surface. 
     In aspects, the flap includes a first tear strip that is adjacent the first end portion that is configured to detach the flap from the rear panel. The flap may include a second tear strip that is adjacent the second end portion and configured to detach the flap from the front panel. The flap may include a third tear strip along the first edge to detach the first side extension from the second end portion. The first, second, and third tear strips may form a continuous tear strip. 
     In some aspects, the mailer bag includes a second side extension that extends from a second edge of the second end portion that is opposite the first edge. The second side extension may be configured to extend around the second side panel and secure to the rear panel when the second end portion is secured to the front panel. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a reusable mailer bag includes front, rear, first side, second side, and bottom panels, a flap, and a first side extension. The panels include interior surfaces that define a carrying volume that has an opening opposite the bottom panel. The flap is configured to extend across the opening to close the carrying volume during shipping. The flap includes a first end portion that is attached to the rear panel and a second end portion that is configured to secure to the front panel. The first side extension extends from a first edge of the flap between the first and second end portions adjacent the first side panel. The first side extension is configured to secure to the first side panel when the second end portion that is secured to the front panel. 
     In aspects, the mailer bag includes a tape layer that is releaseably secured to the first side panel. The lap may be configured to be completely removed from the mailer bag after shipping. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a reusable mailer bag includes front, rear, first side, second side, and a bottom panel that include interior surfaces which define a carrying volume that has an opening opposite the bottom panel. The side panels include recessed portions that are adjacent the opening such that the side panels are spaced apart from side edges of the front and rear panels adjacent the opening to reduce a length of the opening opposite the bottom panel. A top edge of each of the first and second side panels are attached to each of the front and rear panels spaced apart from the side edges of the front and rear panels. The mailer bag also includes a flap that is formed separate and distinct from the front, rear, first side, second side, and bottom panels. The flap is configured to extend across the opening to close the carrying volume during shipping. The flap includes a first end portion that is attached to the rear panel and a second end portion that is securable to the front panel. 
     Any of the above aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a reusable mailer bag provided in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  1   , illustrating the closure mechanism and the carrying volume; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  1   , illustrating the flap extended over the opening and secured to the front panel; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the front panel of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged view of the area of detail depicted in the  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a side cross-section view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  2   , illustrating partial removal of tape layers and tear strips of the reusable mailer bag; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of another reusable mailer bag provided in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  8   , illustrating a flap extended over an opening of the bag and a side extension secured to a rear panel; 
         FIG.  10    is a rear view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of another reusable mailer bag provided in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the reusable mailer bag of  FIG.  11   , illustrating a flap extended over an opening of the bag and a side extension secured to a side panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a mailer bag  10  is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The mailer bag  10  includes a front panel  12 , a rear panel  14 , a first side panel  16 , a second side panel  18 , and a bottom panel  20  ( FIG.  6   ). The panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  are joined together by stitching, gussets, or other similar methods of joining to form a carrying volume  22 . An opening  24  opposite the bottom panel  20  provides access to the carrying volume  22 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , carrying volume  22  includes a closure mechanism  25 , for example, a zipper, snaps, or other similar forms of closure, adjacent opening  24  that is configured to selectively close opening  24 . 
     Panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  may be formed from a fabric material. For example, panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  may be formed of polypropylene,  120 - 180  GSM, or other similar materials. The fabric material may be woven or non-woven. The panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  may include various graphical art designs including four color art designs and may include sublimation imprints. The graphical art designs may include advertising. The outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  may also be laminated to provide resistance to weather elements such as, for example, water. In an embodiment, the outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  may be formed of or may be laminated with a material that is resistant to common adhesives such as those commonly used with shipping labels. Accordingly, in some embodiments, common adhesives may not be sufficient to secure a shipping label or other materials to the outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . In this instance a user would adhere the shipping label  32  and flap  36  to the respective tape layers  30  and  34  as described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the interior surface  26  of carrying volume  22 , i.e., the interior surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 , may include a plastic bubble lined protection layer  28  for protecting items transported in the carrying volume  22 . The protection layer  28  may be removable and may include, for example, perforations, removable adhesive, or other similar features that allow for separation of the protection layer  28  from the interior surface  26  of carrying volume  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a first tape layer  30  is adhered to front panel  12  and provides an adhesive friendly surface for receiving a shipping label  32 . First tape layer  30  may be transparent and may be formed of a plastic material. First tape layer  30  may include an adhesive backing. In an embodiment, the adhesive backing may include an adhesive such as, for example, adhesives sold by 3M Company, that are suitable for adhering to the outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . In this instance, the particular adhesive of the first tape layer  30  adheres to the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and/or  20  even if the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , or  20  are made from a material or are coated with a laminate that generally resists common adhesives. Hence, only designated tapes  30 ,  34  may are adhereable (or adhereable in a substantially secure manner) to the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  at specified locations. 
     Shipping label  32  and/or first tape layer  30  may be removable by an end user to reveal a hidden surface  33 , as shown, for example, in  FIG.  7   . For example, in an embodiment, hidden surface  33  may include a promotional code that may be redeemable by the end user online or in a brick and mortar store. In an alternative embodiment, hidden surface  33  may include advertising. In yet another alternative embodiment, hidden surface  33  may include a writable surface on which the end user may take notes. Mailer bag  10  may also include a writing instrument (not shown), such as, for example, an erasable or non-permanent marker, within carrying volume  22  for use by an end user to write on the writable surface. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a second tape layer  34  is adhered to front panel  12  adjacent opening  24  to provide an adhesive friendly surface for receiving attachment of a flap  36 . Second tape layer  34  may be transparent and may be formed of a plastic material. Second tape layer  34  may include an adhesive backing. In an embodiment, the adhesive backing may include adhesives such as, for example, adhesives sold by 3M Company, that are suitable for adhering to the outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . In this instance, the particular adhesive of the first tape layer  30  adheres to the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and/or  20  even if the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , or  20  are made from a material or are coated with a laminate that generally resists common adhesives. Hence, only designated tapes  30 ,  34  may be adhereable (or adhereable in a substantially secure manner) to the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  at specified locations. Rear panel  14  may also include a third tape layer (not shown) similar to second tape layer  34 . 
     First and second tape layers  30  and  34  are removably attached to front panel  12  by the adhesive backing or other similar forms of attachment. In an embodiment, the adhesive backing may include an adhesive that is a different kind of adhesive than that used for shipping label  32  to provide for adhesion to outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  when the outer surfaces of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  are resistant to adhesion of common adhesives such as those used for shipping labels. 
     Flap  36  is attached to rear panel  14  at a first end  38  ( FIG.  6   ) and is configured to extend across the opening  24  to cover opening  24 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . A second end  40  of flap  36  is securable to the second tape layer  34  of front panel  12  by an adhesive strip  42  ( FIG.  3   ). As shown in  FIG.  1   , flap  36  includes a protective layer  44  covering adhesive strip  42  which is removable from flap  36  prior to securing second end  40  to second tape layer  34  of front panel  12 . Flap  36  includes a first tear strip  46  adjacent first end  38  and a second tear strip  48  adjacent second end  40  which are tearable to remove flap  36  from mailer bag  10 , as shown, for example, in  FIG.  7   . First and second tear strips  46  and  48  may include perforations  50 . Specifically, the first and second tear strips  46  and  48  may include fine perforations that allow for the clean separation of two portions of the fabric, e.g., two portions of the flap  36 , while providing a substantially smooth edge on each of the portions of the fabric. The fine perforations may be created by using needles having a specific size and shape and by creating each perforation a specific distance from adjacent perforations. In embodiments, the perforations are made in a unique pattern to optimize a smooth edge after being torn while maintaining structural integrity during shipping. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , each of first and second side panels  16  and  18  includes recessed portions  52  adjacent opening  24  to provide additional protection against pilfering when the flap  36  is secured to front panel  12  to close opening  24 . As shown in more detail in  FIG.  5   , recessed portions  52  are formed by attaching each of side panels  16  and  18  to front and back panels  12  and  14  respectively adjacent opening  24  through the use of stitching, heat welding, or other similar methods, such that side panels  16  and  18  are recessed relative to the side edges  56  of front and back panels  16  and  18 . Recessed portions  52  are also configured to inhibit carrying volume  22  and mailer bag  10  from being reversed. In some embodiments, the mailer bag  10  is non-reversible. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  6   , each of front panel  12  and rear panel  14  includes a handle  58 ,  60  attached to interior surface  26  adjacent opening  24 . Handles  58  and  60  are configured to be received entirely within carrying volume  22  and are extendable out of opening  24  when opening  24  is not closed by flap  36 . 
     The use and operation of mailer bag  10  will now be described below. 
     In an initial state, opening  24  is uncovered with flap  36  attached to rear panel  14 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . An item or product (not shown) to be shipped to an end user, e.g., a customer or consumer, is inserted into carrying volume  22  and a shipping label  32  is applied to the first tape layer  30 . Handles  58  and  60  are positioned entirely within carrying volume  22  and the protective layer  44  of flap  36  is removed to expose adhesive strip  42 . Flap  36  is then extended across opening  24  to close opening  24 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . Adhesive strip  42  is attached to second tape layer  34  of front panel  12  to secure flap  36  in place. Mailer bag  10  is now prepared for shipping to an end user. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , after shipping, once the end user has received mailer bag  10 , the flap  36  is removed by tearing along the tear strips  46  and  48  of flap  36 . In addition, or alternatively, the second tape layer  34  may be removed from front panel  12  to remove flap  36 . In an embodiment, first end  38  of flap  36  may also be removable from rear panel  14  by removing a third tape layer (not shown) on rear panel  14  that is similar to second tape layer  34 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  7   , the end user may remove the shipping label  32  and/or first tape layer  30  to reveal hidden surface  33  which, as described above, may include promotional codes, advertising, or a writable surface. 
     Once the flap  36  has been removed, handles  58  and  60  may be extended from the carrying volume  22  through opening  24  such that mailer bag  10  is converted into a carrying bag or tote. 
     In an embodiment, replacement first and second tape layers (not shown) maybe provided or included with mailer bag  10  that are similar to first and second tape layers  30  and  34  may be added to front panel  12  by the end user. A new shipping label  32  may then be attached to the replacement first tape layer to allow for further shipping. In this embodiment, an additional adhesive strip (not shown) and protective layer (not shown) which is similar to adhesive strip  42  and protective layer  44  may be provided on flap  36  adjacent tear strip  46 . The flap  36  is partially detached from mailer bag  10  by only tearing along tear strip  46  to provide access to carrying volume  22  through opening  24  and the flap  36  may be extended over opening  24  to close carrying volume  22  once an item to be shipped has been added to carrying volume  22 . The additional adhesive strip and protective layer allows flap  36  to be secured to the second replacement tape layer in a similar manner to that described above for adhesive strip  42 , protective layer  44 , and second tape layer  34  to provide a second closure of the opening  24  for the second shipping. In this manner the mailer bag  10  may be re-used by the end user for shipping another item or product. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , another mailer bag  110  is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The mailer bag  110  is similar to the mailer bag  10  detailed above with like elements labeled with a similar label with a “1” preceding the previous label and will not be detailed herein for brevity. The mailer bag  110  includes a front panel  112 , a rear panel  114 , first side panel  116 , a second panel  118 , and a bottom panel  120  that are joined together by stitching, gussets, adhesives, welding, or other similar methods of joining to form a carrying volume  122 . 
     The mailer bag  110  includes a flap  136  configured to extend across and close an opening  124  of the mailer bag  110 , which is opposite the bottom panel  120 . The flap  136  includes a first end portion  138 , a second end portion  140 , a first side flap or extension  162 , and a second side flap or extension  164 . The first end portion  138  is attached to the rear panel  114  and the second end portion  140  is securable to the front panel  112 . The front panel  112  includes a first tape layer  130  and a second tape layer  134  that are releaseably attached to the front panel  112 . The second end portion  140  of the flap  136  may be secured to the front panel  112  by the second tape layer  134 . 
     The rear panel  114  may include a third tape layer  166  and a fourth tape layer  168 . The third tape layer  166  is adjacent a top edge  115  of the rear panel  114  and the first side panel  116 . The fourth tape layer  168  is adjacent the top edge  115  and the second side panel  118 . The third and fourth tape layers  166 ,  168  may form a single continuous tape layer adjacent the top edge  115 . 
     The first side extension  162  extends from a first side edge  137  of the flap  136  and the second side extension  164  extends from a second side edge  139  of the flap  136 . In embodiments, the first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  extend from portions of the first and second side edges  137 ,  139  entirely along the second end portion  140  of the flap  136 . The flap  136  may include tear strips  165  along the first and second side edges  137 ,  139  where the first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  meet the first and second side edges  137 ,  139 . The tear strips  165  may form a continuous tear strip with a tear strip  148  between the second end portion  140  and a main portion of the flap  136 . 
     The first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  are configured to cover portions of the first and second side panels  116 ,  118 , respectively, to prevent tampering with contents in the carrying volume  112  when the mailer bag  110  is sealed for mailing. The first and second side extension  162 ,  164  may allow for mailer bags having side panels  116 ,  118  having a dimension along the bottom panel  120  greater than eight inches. For example, the side panels  116 ,  118  may have a dimension along the bottom portion  120  in a range of about 8 inches to about 14 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second side extension  162 ,  164  extend from the first and second side edges  137  of the flap along the first end portion  140  of the flap  136  such that the first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  extend from the rear panel  114  and releaseably secure to the front panel  112 . In such embodiments, the third and fourth tape layers  166 ,  168  may be disposed on the front panel  112 . Alternatively, the third and fourth tape layers  166 ,  168  may be disposed on a surface of the second end portion  140  opposite a surface of the second end portion  140  that is secured to the front panel  112  such that the first and second side extension  162 ,  164  are secured directly to the second end portion  140 . In embodiments, the first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  may secure to the second tape layer  134  and include the third and fourth tape layers  166 ,  168  on a surface opposite the surface that secures the second tape layer  134  such that the second end portion  140  is secured to the second, third, and fourth tape layers  134 ,  166 ,  168  to close the opening  124 . 
     The front and/or rear panel  112 ,  114  may include an internal pocket  172  on an inner surface  113  defining the carrying volume  122 . The internal pocket  172  may be formed of a sheet of material secured to the inner surface  113 . The internal pocket  172  may allow the items to be secured to the front and/or rear panel  112 ,  114  and secured separate from the carrying volume  122 . For example, a cooling medium, e.g., dry ice, may be secured within the internal pocket  172  to keep the carrying volume  122  at or below a desired temperature during shipping. The internal pocket  172  may include a closure mechanism similar to the closure mechanism  125  to selectively close the internal pocket  172 . 
     In some embodiments, the front, rear, bottom, and/or side panels  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  may be insulated, padded, and/or coated to protect the contents of the carrying volume and/or the mailer bag  110 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , the use of the mailer bag  110  to ship one or more items and then to convert the mailer bag  110  into a tote is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The mailer bag  110  may be provided in a flat, folded configuration such that handles  158  of the mailer bag  110  are disposed within a carrying volume  122  of the mailer bag  110 . The mailer bag  110  is unfolded such that the carrying volume  122  is accessible through the opening  124 . The item or items to be shipped are placed within the carrying volume  122 . The item or items may be wrapped in protective packaging. In some embodiments, a cooling medium, e.g., dry ice, may be secured in the internal pocket  172  of the mailer bag  110  before or after the item(s) is placed in the carrying volume  122 . 
     With the item(s) to be shipped are placed within the carrying volume  122 , a closure mechanism  125  may be used to close the opening  124  of the mailer bag  110 . The closure mechanism  125  may be a zipper, string and eyelets, a hook and loop fastener system, or another suitable closure mechanism. A top portion of each of the front and rear panels  112 ,  114  are pinched together to close the opening  124  for shipping. As the front and rear panels  112 ,  114  are pinched together, each of the first and second side panels  116 ,  118  may be folded into the carrying volume  122 . The flap  136  is then folded over the opening  124  and the second end portion  140  is secured to the second tape strip  134 . To secure the second end portion  140  to the second tape strip  134 , a protective layer  144  may be removed from over an adhesive strip  142  to expose the adhesive strip  142  which is subsequently pressed into the second strip  134  and/or the front panel  112 . 
     The first and second side extensions  162 ,  164  are then folded over the respective first or second side panel  116 ,  118  and secured to the respective one of the third or fourth tape strip  166 ,  168 . The first and/or second side extensions  162 ,  164  may include an adhesive strip and protective layer similar to the adhesive strip  142  and protective layer  144 . The first and second side extension  162 ,  164  further protect access to the carrying volume  122  when the mailer bag  110  is in transit. 
     The mailer bag  110  may be labeled and shipped in a manner similar to the mailer bag  10  detailed above. 
     When the mailer bag  110  is received, the first side extension  162 , second side extension  164 , and/or the flap  136  may be pulled to open the mailer bag  110 . Specifically, as the respective one of the extensions  162 ,  164  or the flap  136  is pulled, the tear strips  146 ,  148 ,  165  may rip to allow for access to the carrying volume  122 . When the mailer bag  110  includes a closure mechanism  125 , the closure mechanism  125  may prevent access to the carrying volume  122  and may also need to be opened, e.g., unzipped, to access the carrying volume  122  after the tear strip or strips  146 ,  148 ,  165  are ripped. The tear strips  146 ,  148 ,  165  are designed to be able to withstand the rigors of being shipped and to be easily ripped when force is directly applied along or adjacent the respective tear strip  146 ,  148 ,  165 . In addition, the tear strips  146 ,  148 ,  165  are configured rip such that a clean edge remains after the tear strip  146 ,  148 ,  165  is ripped. Such a clean edge may be aesthetically preferred to a jagged edge when the mailer bag  110  is reused. 
     With the carrying volume  122  accessible through the opening  124 , the contents may be removed from the carrying volume  122 . The mailer bag  110  may then be converted to reusable tote by removing the first, second, third, and/or fourth tape strips  130 ,  134 ,  166 ,  168  from the respective panel to remove any remaining portions of the flap  136 , first side extension  162 , and/or second side extension  164  from the mailer bag  110 . The handles  158  may then be pulled from within the carrying volume  122  such that the mailer bag  110  is converted into a reusable tote. As a reusable tote, the closure mechanism  125  may be used to close the carrying volume  122 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , another mailer bag  210  is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The mailer bag  210  is similar to the mailer bag  10  detailed above with like elements labeled with a similar label with a “2” preceding the previous label and will not be detailed herein for brevity. The mailer bag  210  includes a front panel  212 , a rear panel  214 , first side panel  216 , a second panel  218 , and a bottom panel  220  that are joined together by stitching, gussets, adhesives, welding, or other similar methods of joining to form a carrying volume  222 . 
     The mailer bag  210  includes a flap  236  configured to extend across and close an opening  224  of the mailer bag  210 , which is opposite the bottom panel  220 . The flap  236  includes a first end portion  238 , a second end portion  240 , a first side flap or extension  262 , and a second side flap or extension  264 . The first end portion  238  is attached to the rear panel  214  and the second end portion  240  is securable to the front panel  212 . The front panel  212  includes a first tape layer  230  and a second tape layer  234  that are releaseably attached to the front panel  212 . The second end portion  240  of the flap  236  may be secured to the front panel  212  by the second tape layer  234 . 
     The first side panel  216  may include a third tape layer  266  and the second side panel  218  may include a fourth tape layer (not explicitly shown). The third and fourth tape layers  266  are adjacent a top edge  217  of the respective side panel  216 ,  218 . 
     The first side extension  262  extends from a first side edge  237  of the flap  236  and the second side extension  264  extends from a second side edge  239  of the flap  236 . In embodiments, the first and second side extensions  262 ,  264  extend from portions of the first and second side edges  237 ,  239  disposed between the first and second end portions  238 ,  240  of the flap  236 . The flap  236  may include tear strips  265  along the first and second side edges  237 ,  239  where the first and second side extensions  262 ,  264  meet the first and second side edges  237 ,  239 . The tear strips  265  may form a continuous tear strip with a tear strip  248  between the second end portion  240  and a main portion of the flap  236  and/or a tear strip  248  between the first end portion  238  and the main portion of the flap  236 . 
     The first and second side extensions  262 ,  264  are configured to cover a gap G between the flap  236  and a respective one of the first or second side panels  216 ,  218  to prevent tampering with contents in the carrying volume  212  when the mailer bag  210  is sealed for mailing. As shown, the mailer bag  210  is sealable without pinching a top portion of the front and rear panels  212 ,  214  together such that the mailer bag  210  remains substantially cuboidic in shape, i.e., a three-dimensional shape having six rectangular surfaces. The first and second side extension  262 ,  264  may allow for mailer bags having side panels  216 ,  218  having a dimension along the bottom panel  220  greater than eight inches. For example, the side panels  216 ,  218  may have a dimension along the bottom portion  220  in a range of about 8 inches to about 24 inches. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the use of the mailer bag  210  to ship one or more items and then to convert the mailer bag  210  into a tote is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The mailer bag  210  may be provided in a flat, folded configuration such that handles  258  of the mailer bag  210  are disposed within a carrying volume  222  of the mailer bag  210 . The mailer bag  210  is unfolded such that the carrying volume  222  is accessible through the opening  224 . The item or items to be shipped are placed within the carrying volume  222 . The item or items may be wrapped in protective packaging. In some embodiments, a cooling medium, e.g., dry ice, may be secured in an internal pocket  272  of the mailer bag  210  before or after the item(s) is placed in the carrying volume  222 . 
     With the item(s) to be shipped are placed within the carrying volume  222 , a closure mechanism  225  may be used to close the opening  224  of the mailer bag  210 . The closure mechanism  225  may be a zipper, string and eyelets, a hook and loop fastener system, or another suitable closure mechanism. The flap  236  is then folded over the opening  224  and the second end portion  240  is secured to the second tape strip  234 . To secure the second end portion  240  to the second tape strip  234 , a protective layer  244  may be removed from over an adhesive strip  242  to expose the adhesive strip  242  which is subsequently pressed into the second strip  234  and/or the front panel  212 . 
     The first and second side extensions  262 ,  264  are then folded over the respective first or second side panel  216 ,  218  and secured to the respective one of the third or fourth tape strip  266 . The first and/or second side extensions  262 ,  264  may include an adhesive strip and protective layer similar to the adhesive strip  242  and protective layer  244 . The first and second side extension  262 ,  264  further protect access to the carrying volume  222  when the mailer bag  210  is in transit while allowing the mailer bag  210  to remain in a substantially cuboidic shape. 
     The mailer bag  210  may be labeled and shipped in a manner similar to the mailer bag  20  detailed above. 
     When the mailer bag  210  is received, the first side extension  262 , second side extension  264 , and/or the flap  236  may be pulled to open the mailer bag  210 . Specifically, as the respective one of the extensions  262 ,  264  or the flap  236  is pulled, the tear strips  246 ,  248 ,  265  may rip to allow for access to the carrying volume  222 . When the mailer bag  210  includes a closure mechanism  225 , the closure mechanism  225  may prevent access to the carrying volume  222  and may also need to be opened, e.g., unzipped, to access the carrying volume  222  after the tear strip or strips  246 ,  248 ,  265  are ripped. The tear strips  246 ,  248 ,  265  are designed to be able to withstand the rigors of being shipped and to be easily ripped when force is directly applied along or adjacent the respective tear strip  246 ,  248 ,  265 . In addition, the tear strips  246 ,  248 ,  265  are configured rip such that a clean edge remains after the tear strip  246 ,  248 ,  265  is ripped. Such a clean edge may be aesthetically preferred to a jagged edge when the mailer bag  210  is reused. 
     With the carrying volume  222  accessible through the opening  224 , the contents may be removed from the carrying volume  222 . The mailer bag  210  may then be converted to reusable tote by removing the first, second, third, and/or fourth tape strips  230 ,  234 ,  266  from the respective panel to remove any remaining portions of the flap  236 , first side extension  262 , and/or second side extension  264  from the mailer bag  210 . The handles  258  may then be pulled from within the carrying volume  222  such that the mailer bag  210  is converted into a reusable tote. As a reusable tote, the closure mechanism  225  may be used to close the carrying volume  222 . 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.