Patent Publication Number: US-2007102460-A1

Title: Expandable wallet bag

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The invention pertains to the general field of tote bags and backpacks and more particularly to an expandable wallet bag that includes a zippered tote bag that is attached to one side of a zippered compartment. When the tote bag is not in use, it is folded and inserted into the zippered compartment, when and the tote bag is extracted from the compartment it can be accessed and carried by either a pair of bag carrying straps or a pair of backpack straps.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      The use of tote bags to carry various items is well known in the prior art. Tote bags come in various sizes and shapes and typically have an upper opening that has attached a pair of bag carrying straps. Other tote bags have an opening that is opened or closed by means of attached draw strings that also function as a bag carrying means.  
      Tote bags can also be made so that the tote bag can be placed into an enclosure when the bag is not in use. Other tote bags are made of a material that allows the tote bag, when not in use, to be folded and placed into a purse or the like or to be inserted into an enclosure or pocket.  
      The instant invention discloses a zippered tote bag that is integrally attached to the sides of a compact zippered compartment. When the tote bag is not in use, it is conveniently and easily inserted into the compartment that can be attached to a waist belt or the like or placed into a purse or pocket. When the tote bag is to be used, it is easily removed from the zippered compartment and carried by a pair of carrying straps.  
      A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:  
                                                       PATENT NO.   INVENTOR   ISSUED                          6,892,916   Rugg   17 May 2005           5,152,612   Shoemaker   6 Oct. 1992           4,515,300   Cohen   1 May 1985           D386,300   Kopel   18 Nov. 1997           D383,903   Kopel   23 Sept. 1997                      
 
      The U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,916 patent discloses a bag for carrying a ball. The bag consists of an outer member having an exterior surface configured in the shape of a ball having an opening for inserting and removing the ball. A fastening member, having an open and a closed position, is operatively connected to the opening. The fastening member is adapted to make the opening an unsecured opening when the fastening member is in the open position, and a secured opening when the fastening member is in the closed position. A carrying handle, having a first end and a second end, is operatively connected to the outer member and is positioned relative to the opening. At least one outer pocket is positioned on the exterior surface of the outer member.  
      The U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 patent discloses a collapsible article made of flexible material with a storage pouch that is integrally attached to the article. The article may be a collapsible bag or an article of clothing or the like. The storage pouch has a support wall and a panel attached on three sides to the support wall which together form a pocket-like opening. A locking flap is attached on one side to the panel and at two opposite ends to the panel and to the support wall. When the pouch is turned inside out, the article may be collapsed and inserted into the pouch.  
      The U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,300 patent discloses a multiple-use sports bag that is convertible to one of four separate bags: a bike bag, a shoulder bag, a belt bag, and, in particular, a backpack. The multiple-use sports bag comprises a pouch-like body having a first open storage space and a space adjacent thereto, a backpack folded up inside the adjacent space, Velcro strips for securing the backpack inside the body, a first zipper for providing access to the backpack, and pull tabs on opposite sides of the zipper for opening and closing the pouch.  
      The D386,300 and the D383,903 design patents both disclose a clutch sized bag that is expandable into a backpack. Both of these patents have been assigned to the applicant of the instant application.  
      For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search:  
                                                       PATENT NO.   INVENTOR   ISSUED                          D374,983   Brucki   29 Oct. 1906           4,1342,564   Zoland   6 Mar. 1979                      
 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention disclosed herein is comprised of an expandable wallet bag that consists of a zippered compartment that has an integrally attached zippered tote bag. When the tote bag is not in use, it is folded and conveniently inserted into the zippered compartment. When the tote bag is ready to be used, the zippered compartment is opened and the tote bag is removed.  
      In its basic design configuration, the expandable wallet bag is comprised of:  
      A. A zippered compartment consisting of a first section and a second section, wherein each section includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge.  
      B. A first side cover and a second side cover, wherein each cover has an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge. Each outer perimeter edge is stitched to the respective perimeter edge on the first and second sections of the zippered compartment. A zipper is attached to the inner perimeter edges of the first and second side covers.  
      C. A zippered tote bag having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, wherein each enclosure has an outer surface, an inner surface and a perimeter edge that is divided into an upper half and a lower half, wherein to the upper half of the perimeter edge is attached a dual-pull zipper. The inner surfaces of the first and second sections of the zippered compartment are stitched to the outer surface of the first enclosure. When the zipper is opened the tote bag can be removed from the zippered compartment, when the tote bag is not in use it is folded and inserted into the zippered compartment, and  
      D. Means for carrying the zippered tote bag. Two carrying means are disclosed: the first consists of a first looped strap that is attached to the upper half of the first enclosure, and a second looped strap that is attached to the upper half of the second enclosure. The second carrying means consists of a pair of adjustable backpack straps that are attached to the second enclosure.  
      To enhance the utility of the expandable wallet bag, it can include an accordion pocket, a strap retaining flap and indicia. The accordion pocket is attached to the outer surface of the first section of the zippered compartment, and is dimensioned to secure credit cards, coins and the like. The strap retaining flap is attached to the outer surface of the second section of the zippered compartment, and is dimensioned to be secured to a belt or a strap. The indicia can be applied to the accordion pocket, the strap retaining flap or to the outer surfaces of the first and second enclosures. The indicia applied to the first and second enclosure preferably simulates the markings that are normally found on a basketball, a baseball and a soccer ball.  
      In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to produce an expandable wallet bag consisting of a zippered compartment that encloses a zippered tote bag when the tote bag is not in use. When the tote bag is removed from the compartment, it is easily carried by means of a carrying strap or a backpack strap.  
      In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of the invention to produce an expandable wallet bag that: 
          can be made of various flexible materials and in various color combinations,     can be designed to include a zippered compartment that encloses a zippered tote bag, wherein the zippered compartment is compact and is easily attached to a strap i.e., a waist belt or a shoulder strap,     can include various indicia that can be applied to both the zippered compartment and the zippered tote bag,     can be designed with a zippered tote bag that includes a dual zipper having two zipper pull tabs.     is cost effective from both a manufacturer&#39;s and consumer&#39;s point of view.        

      These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a zippered compartment removed from an expandable wallet bag. The figure shows the relative locations of an accordion pocket, a strap retaining flap and a key ring.  
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a circular first section having an accordion pocket attached.  
       FIG. 3  is a elevational view of a circular second section having a strap retaining flap attached.  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a first circular section and a second circular section attached together by means of a compartment attachment tab, which also has a key ring attached.  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the first and second circular sections as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a circular first enclosure that has attached the circular first section, the circular second section and a bag carrying strap. The circular first enclosure is shown with the markings of a basketball.  
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a circular second enclosure that has a pair of backpack straps attached and the markings of a basketball.  
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a circular enclosure that has the markings of a baseball.  
       FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a circular enclosure that has the markings of a soccer ball. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
      The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for an expandable wallet bag  10  (hereinafter “EWB  10 ”). The preferred embodiment of the EWB  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , is comprised of two major elements: a zippered compartment  12  and a zippered tote bag  13 .  
      The zippered compartment  12  is described by utilizing even reference designators, while the zippered tote bag  13  utilizes odd reference designators. Both the zippered compartment  12  and the zippered tote bag  13  can be made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of nylon, rayon, silk, cotton, polyester and a microfiber.  
      The zippered compartment  12 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , is comprised of a circular first section  14 , a circular second section  28 , a circular first side cover  42  and a circular second side cover  50 . The circular first section  14  has an outer surface  16 , an inner surface  18  and a perimeter edge  20  that is divided into an upper half  22  and a lower half  24 . Likewise, the circular second section  28  has an outer surface  30 , an inner surface  32 , and a perimeter edge  34  that is divided into an upper half  36  and a lower half  38 .  
      The circular first and second sections  14 , 28  are separated by the circular first and second side covers  42 , 50 . The circular first side cover  42  has an outer perimeter edge  44  and an inner perimeter edge  46 . The outer perimeter edge  44  is attached by stitching  48  to the perimeter edge  20  on the circular first section  14 . The circular second side cover  50  has an outer perimeter edge  52  and an inner perimeter edge  54 . The outer perimeter edge is also attached by a stitching  48  to the perimeter edge  34  on the circular second section  28 .  
      The circular first section  14  and the circular second section  28  are joined by a zipper  68  and a compartment attachment tab  58 . The tab  58  has a first edge  60 , a second edge  62 , a first side  64  and a second side  66 . The first edge  60  is centrally attached to the perimeter edge  20  on the lower half  24  of the circular first section  14 . Likewise, the second edge  62  is centrally attached to the perimeter edge  34  on the lower half  38  of the circular second section  28 . To the respective inner perimeter edges  46 , 54  of the circular first side cover  42  and the circular second side cover  50  is attached the zipper  68 . The zipper extends from the first side  64  and the second side  66  of the compartment attachment tab  58 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , the compartment attachment tab  58  in the preferred embodiment is further comprised of a looped strap  70  that is attached to the first side  64  of the tab  58 . Inserted into the looped strap  70  is a key ring  72 .  
      To enhance the utility of the EWB  10 , an accordion pocket  76  and a stiffened strap retaining flap  86  are utilized.  
      The accordion pocket  76 , as shown best in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , includes an upper opening  78  and is attached by stitching  48 , to the outer surface  16  of the circular first section  14  of the zippered compartment  12 . Attached across and adjacent the upper opening  78  of the accordion pocket  76  is a stiffened pocket flap  80  which includes an outer surface  82 . The pocket flap  80  and the strap retaining flap  86  are stiffened by a piece of plastic or cardboard that is inserted and attached between two pieces of material. The securing means, preferably consisting of a corresponding set of at least one but preferably two snap fasteners  84  are utilized for securing the stiffened pocket flap  80  against the accordion pocket.  
      The stiffened strap flap  86 , as also best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , includes an outer surface  88  and an upper edge  90 . The upper edge  90  is attached by means of stitching  48  to the outer surface  30  of the circular section  28  of the zippered compartment  12 . The lower edge  92  of the strap retaining flap  86  is secured to the outer surface  16  of the zippered compartment  12  by a corresponding set of at least one but preferably two snap fasteners  94 . The stiffened strap flap  86  is dimensioned to retain a strap that is selected from the group consisting of a waist belt, a shoulder strap, a hanging strap, a luggage strap, or an accessory bag strap.  
      The second major element of the EWB  10  is the zippered tote bag  13 , which is comprised of a circular first enclosure  15 , a circular second enclosure  29 , an enclosure side cover  43  and a means for carrying the zippered tote bag  13 .  
      The circular first enclosure  15  has an outer surface  17 , an inner surface  19  and a perimeter edge  21  that is divided into an upper half  23  and a lower half  25 . The inner perimeter edge  46  of the circular first side cover  42  of the zippered compartment  12  and the inner perimeter edge  54  of the circular second side cover  50  of the zippered compartment  12  are positioned and are centrally stitched to the outer surface  17  of the circular first enclosure  15 . The circular second enclosure  29  has an outer surface  31 , an inner surface  33  and a perimeter edge  35  that is also divided into an upper half  37  and a lower half  39 .  
      The enclosure side cover  43  is attached to the respective perimeter edges  21 , 35  of the circular fist enclosure  15  and the circular second enclosure  29 . The enclosure side cover  43  is divided into an upper half  45  and a lower half  47 . The upper half  45  is centrally split to create an opening  49  that has a zipper  51  attached that when the zipper  51  is opened, the zippered tote bag  13  is accessible.  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inner surface  19  of the circular first enclosure  15 , and the inner surface  33  of the circular second enclosure  29  are stitched  48  to the outer surface  16  of the circular first section  14  of the zippered compartment  12 .  
      The means for carrying the zippered tote bag  13  are disclosed in two design configurations: a pair of bag carrying straps  57  and a pair of backpack straps  73 .  
      The bag carrying straps  57 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , are comprised of a first elongated loop strap  59  and a second elongated loop strap  65 . The first elongated loop strap  59  has a first end  61  and a second end  63 , wherein each of the ends  61 , 63  are stitched to the upper half  73  of the circular first enclosure  15 . The second elongated loop strap  65  also has a first end  67  and a second end  69 , wherein each of the ends  67 , 69  are stitched to the upper half  37  of the circular second enclosure  29 .  
      The pair of backpack straps  73 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , are comprised of a first adjustment slide  75  and a spaced-apart second adjustment slide  77 , a first strap loop retainer  79  and a spaced-apart second strap loop retainer  81 . Both retainers  79 , 81  are attached to the lower half  39  of the perimeter edge  35  of the circular second enclosure  29 .  
      The first backpack strap  83  has an upper end  85  that is attached to the perimeter edge  35  on the upper half  37  of the circular second enclosure  29 , and a lower end  87  that is inserted through the first adjustment slide  75 , looped over the first strap loop retainer  79  and attached to the first adjustment slide  75 . The second backpack strap  91  has an upper end  93  that is attached to the perimeter edge  35  on the upper half  37  of the circular second enclosure  29  and a lower end  95  that is inserted through the second adjustment slide  77 , looped over the second strap loop retainer  81  and attached to the second adjustment slide  77 .  
      A looped finger handle  97  can also be added to the EWB  10 . The finger handle  97  is centrally stitched  48  to the perimeter edge  35  on the upper half  37  of the circular second enclosure  29 .  
      The utility of the EWB  10  can be further enhanced by adding indicia  99 . The indicia can be applied to the outer surface  17  of the circular first enclosure  15  and to the outer surface  31  of the circular second enclosure  29 . Preferably, the indicia  99  is selected to give the EWB  10  the appearance of a sport bag. To comply with the sport bag theme, the indicia  99  can replicate the appearance of a basketball  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; a baseball  104 ; as shown in  FIG. 8 ; or a soccer ball  106 , as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , indicia can also be applied to the outer surface  82  of the stiffened pocket flap  80  or the accordion pocket  76 . Also, indicia, as also shown in  FIG. 6 , can be applied to the outer surface  88  of the stiffened strap retaining flap  86 .  
      While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and cope of the claims.