Patent Publication Number: US-2023159228-A1

Title: Transformable shipping bags and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a transformable shipping or mailer bag, and a method of using transformable shipping or mailer bag. 
     Background of the Related Art 
     Shipping, delivery and mailer bags (or pouches) come in many different shapes and sizes, and are manufactured with various different materials to meet users&#39; various shipping, delivery and mailer needs. There are bubble mailers, insulated mailers, “stay flat” mailers, rigid mailers, poly mailers, to name just a few. Most are intended for single use, and to be torn open. For example, plastic or polypropylene mailer and shipping bags, once sealed are typically torn open at delivery, to access the contents, permanently stretching and permanently deforming the shipping, delivery or mailer bags or pouches (referred to hereinafter collectively as “shipping bags”). 
     Known shipping bags come in all shapes and colors; they can be rectangular, round, or custom shaped; they can be red, blue, striped, clear, etc. Some might be characterized as “designer shipping bags,” and are quite attractive. Gift shipping bags may express birthday or holiday salutations, designer labels, political sentiment such as American flag shipping bags, or black lives matter (BLM) shipping bags. Known shipping bags, however, no matter how attractive, are intended for single use and throwaway. This is unfortunate, not merely because many conventional shipping bags are attractive, but also wasteful, as many, even if stretched, are still functional as containers. 
     The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines containers and packaging as products that are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased—a presumption based in reality. The EPA asserts that containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018, or about 28.1 percent of total generation for that year (www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific-data). While “containers and packaging” as defined by the EPA are not limited to shipping bags, per se, shipping bags are a significant part of it. 
     Again, this is unfortunate. In principle, any effort that might reduce the number of discarded shipping bags would be helpful. And efforts to that end are not unknown. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,956 to John E. McNally entitled COMBINED FOLDING BAG, BRIEF CASE, AND PURSE discloses a bag having an outer pocket, a single piece of material intermediately secured to the outside of the bag above the pocket to afford two flaps, where one of the two flaps is arranged to close the pocket and the other of the two flaps is arranged to be folded over the open top of the bag, and separable fasteners for securing the free ends of the flaps in respect to the bag on opposite sides thereof. A pair of loop-like handles is secured, on to the back and the other to the front of the bag. The bag, however, is does not operate as a mailer as a mailer could not have secured handles extending out of the bag, and leaving openings into the bag when the three top flaps are wrapped around as in  FIGS.  5 - 7   . For that matter, the side panel bellows  13 , connecting front and back add complexity and weight to the bag, brief case, purse, which is understood to teach away from use as a mailer. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,171 to Jean-Claude Prin entitled CARRIER FOR PACKING AND CARRYING ARTICLES discloses a collapsible carrier made from a single blank of cardboard folded to provide an automatically positioned bottom with front and back faces joined by two extendible side gussets, and a handle means at the top that includes openings in the front and back faces with a flap, integrally formed with one face that folds over the other face and has an opening that registers with the other openings with a tongue that folds into locking arrangement. While apparently useful as a carrier, the side panels and folds therein complicate the design and use of the carrier (see  FIGS.  1 ,  4  and  5   ). The  FIGS.  1 ,  4  and  5    folds are for the side panels are complicated. The carrier is assembled from an unassembled state to an assembled state where the assembled bag functions as a carrier, 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,461 to Scott L. Smith, et al., discloses a convertible carrying bag/envelope suitable for carrying and shipping printed material and other like items. The bag/envelope provides a handle that is used to carry the bag/envelope, while allowing items to be placed into or removed from the interior of the bag. The bag/envelope also provides an exterior flap that operates to seal the bag, on which delivery indicia is meant to be printed, so that it may be shipped. To prepare the bag for shipping, the handle is folded into the interior of the bag, and the flap is extended across the opening and affixed to the opposite panel using pressure sensitive adhesive provided on the flap. The sequence of  FIGS.  1 - 7    show how the bag is converted from a carrying bag with a handle to a sealed envelope. 
     While Mr. Smith&#39;s creative bag envelope converts from a carrying bag with attached handles to an envelope, where the handles are maintained in the envelope, U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,886 to Nitti discloses a plastic-coated, fabric shipping bag, which after use for shipping an item, may be turned inside out and transformed into a re-usable, plastic-lined, fabric tote bag. Mr. Smith&#39;s  FIG.  1    shows a front view of the bag  101  and, when pulled inside out, the bag becomes a tote bag  100  with an opening at the top  61 . 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,011,394 to Hugh Greenwood, et al. discloses a reusable mailer bag that provides an end user with shipping packaging that may be repurposed for use as a carrying bag. The reusable mailer bag includes 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 are attached to an interior surface of the carrying volume and are configured for positioning entirely within a “carrying” or inner closed volume of the bag during shipping. The pair of handles are 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, for example, to a first tape layer. The flap is configured to be removed from the mailer bag after shipping. 
     The multiple panels of Mr. Greenwood&#39;s reusable mailer bag, including front, back, side and bottom panels, add weight and complicate the reusable mailer bag&#39;s use as a mailer. For that matter, requiring a seal on the outside of any removable tab makes same less desirable as a mailer, and having the handles fixedly attached would prevent the bag from being used as a backpack 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a reusable or transferable mailer or shipping bag, preferably made of a fabric, by man-made or natural fibers/materials, which is configured such that after its initial use, the mailer or shipping bag may be converted or transformed to a tote or carrying bag, or backpack for at least a second use. The inventive reusable mailer or shipping bag, therefore, likely will not be thrown away but instead reused (converted and transformed) saving not only the cost for a separately purchased mailer/shipping bag, but also saving the cost to the environment when disposable products are made and discarded after the sole intended use. 
     The invention also provides a method of use of the convertible or transformable shipping bag, which relies upon double face tape located on the inside of open flaps arranged proximate an upper bag opening, preferably over removable (peel away) film. The shipping label is placed on a front panel of removable film. “Tote” handles or a backpack strap are included in the mailer or shipping bag, and arranged within the mailer or shipping bag, and manually attached to or at preferably four (4) grommets, by the end user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  presents a front plan view of a round transformable shipping bag of the invention, including a shipping label shown affixed to a double sided, removable sticky tape and a shipping label attached thereto; 
         FIG.  1 B  presents a front plan view of the round transformable shipping bag of  FIG.  1    with the double sided, removable sticky tape and shipping label removed, and a webbing strap with webbing adjustment clip attached; 
         FIG.  2    presents a perspective view of a plastic webbing adjustment loop clip; 
         FIG.  3    presents an exploded view of the plastic webbing adjustment loop clip of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    presents a perspective view of the plastic webbing adjustment loop clip of  FIG.  2   , attached to part of a webbing strap; 
         FIG.  5 A  presents a perspective view of a plastic rope clip for attachment, post mailing; 
         FIG.  5 B  presents an exploded view of the plastic rope clip of  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIG.  5   c    presents a perspective view of a of a plastic rope clip of  FIG.  5 A , attached to part of a rope handle; 
         FIG.  6    depicts an alternative clip for attaching a strap to the webbing and grommets of the inventive transformable shipping bag; 
         FIG.  7    depicts a round webbing clip that functions similarly to the clip depicted in  FIGS.  2 - 5   ); 
         FIG.  8    presents a rear plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ; 
         FIG.  9    presents a right side plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in a collapsed or pre-use state; 
         FIG.  10    presents a left side plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in its collapsed or pre-use state, which is a mirror image of the right plan view of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    presents a top plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in a collapsed or pre-use state; 
         FIG.  12    presents a bottom plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in a collapsed or pre-use state; 
         FIG.  13    presents a front plan view of the round transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , highlighting a round rope design with rope clips; 
         FIG.  14    presents a front plan view of an rectangular transformable shipping bag of the invention, with removable label attachment tape attached thereto; 
         FIG.  15    presents a rear plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  14   ; 
         FIG.  16    presents a right side plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  14   , in a collapsed or pre-use state; 
         FIG.  17    presents a left side plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  14   , in its collapsed or pre-use state, which also is a mirror image of the  FIG.  16    view; 
         FIG.  18    presents a bottom plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  14   , highlighting a use state in which the closed bag is loaded; 
         FIG.  19    presents a top plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  14   , in a use state in which the closed bag is loaded; 
         FIG.  20    presents a front plan view of an oblong transformable shipping bag of the invention; 
         FIG.  21    presents a rear plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  20   ; 
         FIG.  22    presents a top plan view plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  20   , in an open, use state containing content; 
         FIG.  23    presents a top plan view plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  20   , in a use state containing content; 
         FIG.  24    presents a right side plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  20   , in a use state, partially open and containing content; 
         FIG.  25    presents a left side plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIG.  20   , in a use state, partially open and containing content, which is a mirror image of the right plan view depicted in  FIG.  24   ; 
         FIG.  26    presents a front perspective view of a webbing strap with plastic webbing clips attached at opposing ends; 
         FIG.  27    presents a front perspective view of a rope strap with plastic rope clips attached at both ends; 
         FIG.  28    presents a front perspective view of a round transformable shipping bag of  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B and  8   , open to highlight a protective film double face tape adhered to an upper portion of an inner surface of the rear panel, to enable sealing; and 
         FIG.  29    presents an side, frontal perspective view of a rectangular transformable shipping bag of the  FIGS.  14  and  15   , with double face tape attached for receiving a label, and webbing straps with adjustment clips arranged so that the bag functions as a backpack. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “disposed on” another element, it can be directly connected to or disposed on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly disposed on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “above” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.\ 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     All methods described herein can be performed in a 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”), is intended merely to better illustrate 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 as used herein. 
       FIG.  1 A  presents a front plan view of a round transformable shipping bag  100 , prior to its transformation from its initial state as a mailer or shipping bag to its transformed state as a carrying (tote) bag, or backpack. The transformable shipping bag  100  includes a front panel  102 , and a rear panel  104  (see  FIG.  8   , highlighting the rear panel). The front and rear panels are formed of man-made cloths or material panels, including but not limited to polyester, nylon or other strong, flexible and durable man-made materials (e.g., Tyvek), including recycled man-made materials, and/or natural cloths or materials panels, including cotton, paper, hemp, flax, and recycled natural materials, without limitation. The front and rear panels preferably are joined at the outer circumferential edges of the panels but for a circumferential edge portion that is not joined, thereby realized an opening. In an embodiment, the opening is an arc length equal to the radius times the central angle in radians, preferably between π/4 to π/2 radians, and most preferably ⅜ π radians. The inventive bag and opening are not limited to any particular size, however, as should be understood by the skilled person. The opening may include a closure mechanism, for example, a zipper like in plastic storage bags, snaps or other functionally similar forms of closure known to the skilled person. 
     Preferably, the front and back panels are preferably laminated or coated with a film to provide resistance to weather elements, such as, for example, water. For that matter, the film or laminate may be resistant to common adhesive such as those commonly used on shipping labels. Hence, special adhesives or two-sides tapes, such as those manufactured and sold by  3 M Co. are used to overcome such adherence problems. 
     In an embodiment, an outer facing surface of the front panel  102  includes a shipping label  106 , preferably formed with an adhesive backing. The shipping label  106  is attached to a sticky outer-facing surface  108   a  of a removable sticky member  108 . The sticky outer-facing surface includes an adhesive coating. The removable sticky member  108  includes a sticky inner-facing surface  108   b  (not shown in  FIG.  1 A ). The sticky inner-facing surface includes an adhesive coating to adhere the sticky member  108  to the outer surface facing surface of the front panel  102  of the transformable shipping bag  100 . The removable sticky member  108  may be removed from the front panel (outer facing surface)  102  during the process of converting the transformable shipping bag  100  to a carrying (tote) bag or backpack, post-mailer use. To that end, the adhesive on the sticky inner-facing surface  108   b  may be less sticky than the adhesive coating the outer facing surface  108   a , to which the shipping label  106  adheres. It is important to be able to remove the removable sticky member  108 , with or without having first removed the shipping label  106 , from the front panel (surface)  102 , preferably without damaging the bag. 
     The transformable shipping bag  100  also includes a number of metal or plastic grommets  112 . The grommets  112  can receive a means for connecting a rope, a band or a strap handle  120  (see  FIG.  2   ) during a process of reconfiguring the transformable shipping bag for use as a carrying (tote) bag or backpack (to be discussed in greater detail below). The transformable shipping bag  100  may also include a plastic bubble-lined protection layer on an inner facing surface of the front and rear panels, providing extra protection for items present in the shipping bag inner volume. The protection layer may be removable and may include, for example, perforations, removable adhesive or similar features that facilitate separation from the panels. 
       FIG.  1 B  presents a front plan view of the round transformable shipping bag of  FIG.  1 A , with the double sided, removable sticky tape  108  and shipping label  106  removed, and with a webbing strap or handle  120  attached (to the outer facing surface of the front panel  102  as shown) using webbing clips  122 . The webbing clips  122 , which are preferably plastic, are attached to respective ends of the webbing strap or handle  120 , in reliance upon connectors  123 . The connectors  123  preferably are ring-like and made of metal, and most preferably rectangular ring-like structures. The connectors  123  are arranged at one end of the webbing clips  122 , where each is connected to an end of a webbing strap or handle  120 . 
       FIGS.  2 - 4    depict the webbing clips  122  in detail. Ends of the webbing clips  122 , opposite the end to which the connector  123  is attached (where the connector  123  attaches to the webbing straps or handles  120 ), include a means for connecting the webbing clips  122  to the grommets  112  of the transformable shipping bag  100 . In one form, the means for connecting includes a slot  125  cut into the longitudinal loop clip body  121  of the webbing clips  122 , along a central axis. The slots realizes a slot finger left  121 L and a slot finger right  121 R. Throughholes  126  are provided extending completely through both end parts of the slot fingers right and left ( 121 R;  121 L), characterizing the slot  125 . Throughholes  126  receive retaining pins  124 , which are preferably plastic, that securely maintain the webbing/grommets to the webbing strap or handle. 
     The length of the slot  125  (and fingers  121 L,  121 R) is sufficient to allow the slot fingers to flex, but not too long as to render the fingers breakable during intended use. The throughhole  126  is provided through both slot fingers, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clip body, as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 4   . A second throughhole is provided as shown to receive a portion of connector  123 . 
     In greater detail, a user aligns a portion of the front panel  102  and rear panel  104  (i.e., the webbing) of the transformable shipping bag  100 , each including a grommet  112 , in the slot  125  and aligns the grommet opening with the throughholes  126 , and inserts through the throughholes  126  and grommets, the retaining pins  124 , thereby securing the webbing in the slot. The retaining pins  124  are adapted to stay in place once passing through the grommet and both throughholes (through both the front and rear panels ( 102 ,  104 )), maintaining the webbing clips  112  and webbing (the grommeted front and rear panels). The retaining pins are compressible to reduce the diameter for insertion, and then expand back to the uncompressed radius when squeezing pressure is removed (as will be explained in greater detail below). And the connectors  123  at the opposing ends of the webbing clips  122  detachably connect to the transformable shipping bag (at both sides of the strap of handle  120 ) to the webbing straps  120 . 
     As explained above, the connectors  123  also receive a portion of the webbing strap or handle  126 , such that the bag  100  (as well as alternative embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400 ; see below), is attached at respective grommets  112 , and may be carried by the webbing strap or handle. In embodiments comprising rope handles  130  (see  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  5 C ), the rope clips  132  operate functionally similar to the webbing clips  122 . A relatively small portion of the body of the transformable shipping bag  100 , proximate a grommet  112 , is slipped into the slot  125  so that the grommet  112  aligns with the throughholes  126 . A retaining pin  124  includes a retaining pin flex slot  124   a  and a retaining pin flex member  124   b  ( FIG.  3   ) that are squeezed to allow insertion through one of the throughholes  121 , a grommet  112 , then through the other throughhole in the other leg and released so that the flex member expands in the throughholes, to prevent the pin from dislodging, thereby securing the grommet and therefore the webbing portion slot. Put another way, passing the pin  124  through the grommet  112  and throughholes  126  and releasing it realizes an arrangement whereby the released pin holds the grommet, and therefore, the transformable shipping bag, to the rope. 
       FIG.  5 A  presents a perspective view of a rope clip  132 , with pin  124  inserted through throughholes  126  through the fingers  121 L and  121 R, realized by slot  125 . The rope clips, which are preferably plastic include rope throughholes  134   a ,  134   b , through which an end of rope  130  is threaded, and then modified (expanded, knotted, etc.) to prevent the rope end from backing out, once it has passed through. Other that the use of rope  130  instead of webbing strap  120  with webbing strap adjusting clip  128 , and the rope clip  132 , the transformable bag embodiments  100  and  100 ′ are structurally and functionally similar.  FIG.  5 B  presents an exploded view of the plastic rope clip  132  (of  FIG.  5 A ).  FIG.  5 C  presents a perspective view of a of a rope clip  132  (of  FIG.  5 A ), attached to part of a rope handle  130 . 
       FIG.  6    depicts an alternative clip  136  for connecting a handle, rope or strap to a transformable shipping bag at a grommet  112 . Clip  136  includes clip body  137  and “loaded” clasp  138 , which upon depressing in against the “loaded” force, and removing the depressing force, the loaded clasp  138 , in its relaxed position (no pressing force) will pop back out to its closed, rest position. Connector  123  is connected to the clip body  137  with loaded clasp to connect same to a belt or strap. The body  137  and loaded clasp  137  allows for connection through a grommet  112 , thereby attaching a handle. 
       FIG.  7    depicts an alternative round webbing clip  152 , that functions similarly to clip  122  ( FIGS.  2 - 4   ). Round webbing clip  152  includes clip body  151  and removable retaining pin  154 . The rope is passed into rope throughhole opening  155 , where an internal passage extends into the slot  157  (not expressly shown). The user, once he/she has passed an end of the rope  130  through the opening  155  and slot can tie a knot or otherwise fix the end of the rope so that the rope end has a non-compressible diameter that is larger than the diameter of the passageway and/or opening  155 . To secure the clip body  151  to the bag (webbing), the panels or webbing is slipped into the slot  157  formed between the leaves, so that the grommet openings align with the slot throughholes  156  and the retaining pin  154  are squeezed to allow them to pass through the round webbing clip finger throughholes  156  in the leaves or fingers ( 1511 ,  151 R) of the body  151 , and the grommet openings. The retaining pins  154  are squeezed to compress in reliance upon slot  154 A, and slid through a first leaf or finger, through the grommet/webbing, through the other leaf of finger and allowed to expand to hold all in place. 
     While the webbing clips  122 , rope clips  132 ,  152  preferably are made of plastic, they also may be made of metal, or a metal-plastic combination, as long as the slot allows for temporary compression to allow insertion, and expansion once the compressing force is withdrawn. 
       FIG.  8    presents a rear plan view of the round transformable shipping bag  100  depicted in  FIG.  1 B , after transformation to a carrying or tote bag.  FIG.  9    presents a right side plan view of the round transformable shipping bag  100  depicted in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B and  8   , in a collapsed, pre-use or post-use state as a shipping bag. Retaining pins  124  are shown after being passed through both throughholes  126 , the grommet  112  and the fingers of the inner slot  125 , as shown. 
       FIG.  10    presents a left side plan view of the round transformable shipping bag  100  depicted in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  8  and  9   , in its collapsed pre-use or post-use state, which is a mirror image of the right plan view of  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  11    presents a top plan view of the round transformable shipping bag  100  depicted in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  8 , and  9   , in a collapsed, pre-use or post-use state, where  FIG.  12    presents a bottom plan view of the round transformable shipping bag  100  in a collapsed, pre-use or post-use state. 
       FIG.  13    presents a front plan view of a round transformable shipping bag  100 ′. Transformable shipping bag  100 ′ is similar to transformable shipping bag  100  depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  8 - 12   , but instead of a webbing strap  120  includes a rope-based design around rope  130  and rope clips  132 . The round transformable shipping bag  100 ′ is depicted in a transformed state, with the removable sticky member  108  and shipping label  106  removed, and the rope handle  130  attached. 
     A difference between round transformable shipping bag  100 ′ and round transformable shipping bag  100  ( FIGS.  1  and  8 - 12   ) is that round transformable shipping bag  100 ′ includes a rope-like strap of handle  130 , and plastic rope clips  132 , where shipping bag  100  includes a strap handle  120 . As explained above, plastic rope clips ( FIGS.  5 A,  5 B,  5 C ) include rope throughholes  134   a ,  134   b , through which an end of rope  130  is threaded, and then modified (expanded, knotted, etc.) to prevent the rope end from backing into opening  134   a , and  134   b . Other than the use of rope  130  instead of webbing strap  120 , with webbing strap adjusting clip  128 , and the rope clip  132 , the transformable bag embodiments  100  and  100 ′ are structurally and functionally similar. 
       FIG.  14    presents a front plan view of an rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  of the invention. Rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  is shown with webbing strap or handle  120 , plastic webbing clips  122 , webbing strap adjusting clip  128  and removable sticky member  108  arranged to display sticky outer-facing surface  108   a  (to receive a label such as label  106 ).  FIG.  15    presents a rear plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  depicted in  FIG.  14   , and  FIG.  16    presents a right side plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  depicted in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , in a collapsed, pre-use or post-use state. 
       FIG.  17    presents a left side plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  depicted in  FIGS.  14 ,  15  and  16   , in its collapsed, pre-use or post-use state.  FIG.  17    also is a mirror image of the  FIG.  16    view.  FIG.  18    presents a bottom plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  depicted in  FIGS.  14 - 17   , highlighting a use state in which the closed bag  200  is loaded.  FIG.  19    presents a top plan view of the rectangular transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  14 - 18   , in a use state in which the closed bag is loaded. While not depicted, the rectangular transformable shipping bag  200  may also include a rope strap or handle embodiment, and described with respect to round transformable bag  100 ′ depicted in  FIG.  13   . 
       FIG.  20    presents a front plan view of an oblong transformable shipping bag  300 , of the invention. The oblong transformable shipping bag  300 , is structurally and functionally similar to the round transformable bag  100 , and the rectangular transformable bag  200 , the related structure and function of which was explained above. And while the oblong shape shown appears to be wider at the top, the inventing oblong-shaped transformable shipping bag may be widest at the bottom, or either side, without deviating from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
       FIG.  21    presents a rear plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag  300 , depicted in  FIG.  20   .  FIG.  22    presents a top plan view plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag  300 , depicted in  FIGS.  20  and  21   , in an open, use state containing content that is accessible through opening  140 .  FIG.  23    presents a top plan view plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag  300  depicted in  FIGS.  20 ,  21  and  22   , in a use state containing content, but the opening  140  is not shown as the bag is closed.  FIG.  24    presents a right side plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag depicted in  FIGS.  20 ,  21 ,  22  and  23   , in a use state, partially open and containing content.  FIG.  25    presents a left side plan view of the oblong transformable shipping bag  300  depicted in  FIGS.  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24   , in a use state, partially open and containing content; the left plan view is a mirror image of the right plan view depicted in  FIG.  24   . 
     While not depicted, the oblong transformable shipping bag  300  may also include a rope strap or handle embodiment, and described with respect to round transformable bag  100 ′ depicted in  FIG.  13   . The removable sticky member  108  and shipping label  106  are not shown in the figures depicting the oblong transformable bag  300 . 
       FIG.  26    presents a front perspective view of a webbing strap  120 ′, with webbing clips  122  attached at opposing ends of the strap, but without a web adjustment clip  128 . The pins  124  are shown inserted through the throughholes  126 , even though a body of the bag  100  and grommets  112  are not shown.  FIG.  27    presents a front perspective view of a rope or handle  130 , with rope clips  132  attached at both ends of the rope. 
       FIG.  28    presents a front perspective view of a round transformable shipping bag  100 ″, in an open state at opening  140 , to highlight protective film double face tape  142  adhered to an upper portion of an inner surface of a rear panel, upon which protective tacky film  144  is positioned to enable sealing. The webbing strap  120 ′ does not include a webbing strap adjustment clip, in this embodiment, but as should be clear to the person of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG.  29    presents a side, frontal perspective view of a square transformable shipping bag  400  of the invention, with double face removable sticky tape  108 , including sticky outer-facing surface  108   a , ready for receiving a shipping label  106  (not shown in  FIG.  29   ), and webbing strap  120  with adjustment clip  128 , for use as a backpack. While the bag  400  is shown with enclosed content, the opening  240  for receiving the content also is closed, as shown.
       100  round transformable shipping bag     102  front panel of round transformable shipping bag     104  rear panel of round transformable shipping bag     106  shipping label     108  removable sticky member     108   a  sticky outer-facing surface     108   b  sticky inner-facing surface     112  grommet     120  strap or handle     121  longitudinal loop clip body     121 L slot finger left     121 R slot finger right     122  webbing clip (e.g., plastic)     123  connector (e.g., metal rectangular ring-like)     124  retaining pin (e.g., plastic)     124   a  retaining pin flex slot     124   b  retaining pin flex member     125  slot in one end of retaining pin     126  throughholes on slot fingers of webbing clip     127  throughhole to receive connector  123       128  webbing strap adjusting clip (e.g., plastic)     130  rope handle     132  rope clip (e.g., plastic)     133  rope clip body     134  (plastic) rope throughholes     134   a  lateral throughhole     134   b  end throughhole     136  alternative clip     137  alternative clip body     138  loaded clasp     140  opening for receiving items     142  protective film double face tape     144  protective tacky film     151  round webbing clip body     152  round webbing clip     154  retaining pin     155   a  round webbing clip rope throughhole     155   b  round webbing clip rope throughholes     156  round webbing clip finger throughholes     157  slot     200  rectangular transformable shipping bag     300  oval transformable shipping bag     400  square transformable shipping bag   

     As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, except to the extent that the following claims so limit that.