Abstract:
The expander includes side walls positionable against a bag interior, members articularly connected together and to the side walls, and an arcuate enabling diamond shaped mechanism connected between the members and the side walls to provide a selected expanding and contracting amongst the members and the side walls. The members are in a folded condition when the bag is compressed and, with the aid of an expansion motivator such as a rubber band, spring and the like, the bag is expanded to its deployed condition.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/161,189 filed 13 May 2015 entitled “Bag Expander.” 
     
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates an apparatus and method for permitting the shipment of flexible sided bags such as cosmetic bags, purses, soft-sided luggage and handbags in a flattened condition with implementation provided within the bag by which the bag may be expanded to present an attractive appearance at the point of sale. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art and Other Considerations 
         [0007]    In shipping of merchandise, freight payments are made, not only with respect to weight, but also with respect to volume. Commercial transport of goods is normally charged by volume as well as by weight of the goods, and articles, such as bags, which can be collapsed for transport thereby providing a distributor with significant cost savings. The disadvantage of such collapsible goods, however, is that on reaching their destination they invariably need to be expanded so as to present an attractive appearance and thereby enhance sale prospects. Purchasers of collapsible goods normally spend an inordinate amount of time filling the goods with costly inserts and foam material so the goods can be presented in an expanded form. In addition to display, when the insert is used like a shoe tree, e.g., for an expensive handbag or the like, an expander expands the bag to help the bag retain its shape. 
         [0008]    A number of devices have been proposed in the past as attempts to alleviate the above problems but most have proved ineffective, relatively cumbersome and/or expensive to implement. By providing a device which may be inserted in the bag at the point of manufacture and which may be expanded at the point of display, the bag may be shipped flat and erected for a suitable attractive appearance at the point of sale. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    These and other problems are successfully addressed and overcome by the present invention. The expander includes side walls which are positionable against the bag interior, members articularly connected together and to the side walls, an arcuate enabling diamond shaped mechanism connected between the members and the side walls to provide a selected expanding and contracting amongst the members themselves and the side walls. The members are in a folded condition when the bag is compressed and, with the aid of an expansion motivator such as a rubber band, spring and the like, the bag is expanded to its deployed condition. 
         [0010]    Several objects and advantages are derived from this arrangement, such as to provide an effective and inexpensive expanding device for collapsible articles. 
         [0011]    Other aims and advantages, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric presentation of a first embodiment of the bag expander as compressed and contained in a receptacle or bag, which is depicted in phantom or dashed lines. The bag expander is illustrated as utilizing four pivotally connected connecting members configured as a diamond having a pivotal connection with parallely placed side walls. The side walls are movable away from one another by an expansion motivator. The expansion motivator is represented in this embodiment, as an example, as a rubber band. The indicia utilized hereinafter in the first embodiment range within a numerical 100 series. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  within the receptacle or bag, as fully compressed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an isometric presentation of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  within the receptacle or bag, as fully expanded. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  within the receptacle or bag, as fully expanded. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4 a    is a cross-sectional view of the pivotal connection between a diamond-shaped members taken along cross-sectional  4 A- 4 A shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an isometric presentation in partial view of the first embodiment of the bag expander as expanded. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an isometric presentation view of a side wall used in the first and subsequent embodiments of the bag expander. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isometric presentation of an axle pin used in the first and subsequent embodiments of the bag expander. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an isometric presentation of two adjacent ones of the four members used in the first embodiment of the bag expander and a portion of a side wall illustrating the pivotal connection between a member and the side wall which pivotal connection comprises alternately-directed generally C-shaped closures engaging a rod-shaped bar on the side wall. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an isometric presentation of a second embodiment of the bag expander as expanded when disposed to be contained in a receptacle or bag, is similarly as the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  as there depicted in phantom or dashed lines. The bag expander is illustrated as a single moulded member including four segments configured generally as a diamond and a pair of end parts, all joined by flexible junctions that enable the segments and end parts to flex. The single moulded member is coupled to parallely placed side walls by the end parts to enable the side walls to be collapsed against one another and to be separated away from one another as urged by an expansion motivator. The expansion motivator is represented, as an example, as a rubber band. The indicia utilized hereinafter in the second embodiment range within a numerical 200 series. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an isometric presentation in exploded view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 9  as compressed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the second embodiment of  FIG. 9  as expanded. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an isometric presentation of a third embodiment of bag expander similar to that shown in  FIG. 9 , but utilizing three connecting member assemblies rather than a single connecting member assembly. The indicia utilized hereinafter in the third embodiment range within a numerical  1200  series for those elements of the second embodiment that are modified from the second embodiment in the third embodiment. Inasmuch as each of the three connecting member assemblies of the third embodiment is the same as the single connecting member assembly illustrated in he second embodiment, the indicia utilized with respect therewith add an “a” and a “b” to the second and third connecting member elements and their component parts. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the third embodiment of  FIG. 13 , as compressed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the third embodiment of  FIG. 13 , as fully expanded. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is an isometric presentation of a second expansion motivator, configured as a single spring, useful particularly in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , rather than a rubber band as shown therein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is an isometric presentation of a second expansion motivator, configured as a double spring, useful particularly also in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , rather than a rubber band as shown therein. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is an isometric presentation of a third expansion motivator, configured as a leaf spring, useful particularly in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , rather than a rubber band as shown therein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the bag expander. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a side view of a side wall of the fourth embodiment of the bag expander depicted in  FIG. 19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Accordingly, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-8 , a bag expander  100  is shown as contained or otherwise positioned within a receptacle or bag  20 , which is depicted in phantom or dashed lines. Bag  20 , as modeled from Pat. No. 5,350,241 (which is referenced herein as if stated in haec verba), includes a zipper  22 , a zipper closed end  24 , a zipper tab  26  at the other or openable end (as opposed to end  24 ) and a gusset or gusset area  28 . The bag expander includes a pair of side walls  104  coupled together by four connecting members  106  which are arranged as a connecting member assembly  107  in a diamond configuration. Side walls  104  may comprise a frame  105   a  supported by links  105   b  as shown in the  FIG. 1  embodiment (e.g., also see  FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 ) or as the similar embodiments ( 204 ) in  FIGS. 9-12  or solid pieces  404  as embodied in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . With respect to the first embodiment as best shown in  FIG. 8  and in partial in  FIG. 5 , each connecting member terminates at its opposed ends with alternately-directed generally C-shaped closures  108 . Closures  108  are adapted to engage axle pins  40  as best illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Axle pins  40  are positioned between mating members  106  and side walls  104  and, because of their more universal use, are adaptable to other embodiments as will be hereinafter described. The axle pins include a pair of parallely extending legs  42  which are appropriately joined together, e.g., by a plurality of spaced connecting pieces. Each leg  42  terminates in an end  46  for which a projection  47  projects. Ends  46  on spaced axle pins, as selectively used, provide spaced connecting points for expansion motivators  48 , here embodied as rubber bands  50 . Projections  47  prevent the rubber bands from slipping off from ends  46 . 
         [0034]    For definition purposes, indicium  48  is used to generally denote an expansion motivator, however it may be composed as a specific component, here in several embodiments ( FIGS. 1-15 ) as a rubber band  50 . In further embodiments, viz.,  FIGS. 16-18 , the specific expansion motivator (a spring) will be designated as “x( 48 )” where the letter “x” indicium will be later identified as a numeral indicium. Accordingly, when a specific expansion member is depicted in the drawings, its specific indicium will first be presented with the generally denoted expansion motivator in parenthesis, to wit, for a rubber band “ 50 ( 48 )” and for a spring “x( 48 ).” 
         [0035]    Returning again to the first embodiment and to bag expander  100 , legs  42  have at least a partial circular cross-section so as to provide attaching pivots that enable C-shaped closures  108  to be pivotally connected to side walls  104 , as will be presently described. Preferably centered on a leg  42  is a promontory  52 , which is shaped as having one of a T-configuration or L-configuration, for example, and which is used as a connection component for coupling connecting members  106  to side walls  104 . 
         [0036]    The pivotal coupling of selected connecting members  106  to side walls  104  is effected and completed by the providing of openings  154  (see  FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 ) formed within links  105   b  of side walls  104 , e.g., similarly as described hereinafter with respect to  FIG. 10  and its entries  256  and connection points  258 . A supporting part  110  (see  FIGS. 4A and 8 ) has rod segments  112  that are disposed to mate with C-shaped closures  108 , as suggested in  FIG. 8  by engagement arrow-headed lines  114 , in a pivotal coupling therebetween. Members  106  engage with each other in a similar manner by the engagement of C-shaped closures with rods  112   a.  As a result of this arcuate coupling, bag expander  100  as well as all bag expanders in subsequently described and depicted embodiments can expand or contract between its compressed and expended states as respectively illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0037]    Reference is now directed to  FIGS. 9-12  depicting a second embodiment, a bag expander  200 . Bag expander  200  includes side walls  204  formed generally in parallel. Each wall  204  comprises a frame  205   a  and links  205   b.  The two side walls are coupled together by members  206 , depicted as four in number and forming a coupling member assembly  207 . Members  206  are articulately joined together into a configuration that has the general shape of a diamond. In its preferred construction, coupling member assembly  207  is formed as a single moulded article having a pair of end parts  208 , all joined by flexible junctions  210  of lesser thickness than its major parts so as to enable segment members  206  and their end parts to flex with respect to one another. The single moulded member is coupled to parallely placed side walls by the end parts to enable the side walls to be collapsed against one another and to be separated away from one another as urged by an expansion motivator. In this embodiment (e.g., see  FIG. 10 ), flexible junctions  210  have somewhat the appearance as axle pins  40  ( FIG. 7 ) (numbered  240  in  FIG. 10 ) in that they terminate in legs  246  and projections  247  so as to accommodate the expansion motivator as represented as rubber band  50 ( 48 ). 
         [0038]    As best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , each opening  254  provides an entry  256  for securing thereto connection points  258  extending from end parts  208 . 
         [0039]    A third embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in  FIGS. 13-15  as a modification of the second embodiment described and depicted in  FIGS. 9-12  as adding additional coupling member assemblies thereto.  FIGS. 13-15  disclose a bag expander  1200  provided with side walls  1204 . Side walls  1204  comprise frames  1205   a  connected by links  1205   b.  Included within links  1205   b  are openings  1254  into which entries  1256  are formed. Where, in  FIGS. 9-12  there is a single assembly  207  the third embodiment of  FIGS. 13-15  adds two additional connecting member assemblies  207   a  and  207   b,  each comprising connecting members  206   a  and end parts  208   a  and  208   b  joined by flexible junctions  210   a  and  210   b.  This construction utilizing three connecting member assemblies  207 ,  207   a  and  207   b.  The logic supporting this three connecting assembly construction is that a bag might be made of a heavy material which would then apply two diamonds to the two end connecting section, which would also stop bowing. In addition, where only connection assembly would be used in the middle, by having three points, additional flexibility is afforded which would not cost more to mold. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 16-18  depict alternates of generalized expansion motivator  48  as embodied in rubber bands  50 , and are easily adaptable to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 .  FIGS. 16-18  configure the expansion motivator as springs, specifically a single spring  70 , a double spring  72  and a leaf spring  74 . In  FIG. 16 , a hinged coupling  310   a  includes alternating pin-enclosure extensions  306   a  extending from members  306  and a pin  36   a  extending through extensions  306   a.  Single spring  70  is centrally mounted about pin  36   a  and urges connecting members  306  to be biased apart through the intermediary of spring terminal extensions  70 ′. In  FIG. 17 , a hinged coupling  310   b  includes alternating pin-enclosure extensions  306   b  extending from crossing members  306  and a pin  36   b  extending through extensions  306   b.  Double spring  72  is centrally mounted about pin  36   b  and urges connecting members  306  to be biased apart through the intermediary of spring terminal extensions  72 ′. In  FIG. 16 , a hinged coupling  310   c  rotatably couples members  306  together. Slots  306   c  are provided in members  306  through which extensions  74 ′ of leaf spring  74  extend so that leaf spring  74  can urge connecting members  306  to be biased apart. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 19 and 29  illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention comprising a bag expander  400  having solid side walls  404  connected by a connecting member assembly  407  formed from connecting members  406 . Pivotal connections include axle pins  440  (similar to axle pin  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) and the like as disclosed in prior embodiments. 
         [0042]    Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.