Abstract:
A bag  10  is provided for carrying personal items such as money, keys and train tickets. The bag is expandable, having one or more collapsible portions  26, 28  about a main chamber which unfold into an extended position thereby providing additional volume for further personal items as and when required. The bag  10  may be carried in a number of different ways by the user and when any straps are not required, a sleeve is provided for their concealed stowage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.K. Application No. 0920295.1, filed on Nov. 20, 2009; the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a bag and particularly but not exclusively to a multi-purpose bag for typically carrying a multitude of personal items such as money, tickets, a mobile telephone and a laptop computer. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Bags such as handbags and backpacks are commonly used by people to transport personal items about from place to place. The bag is typically selected according to the likely contents and the environment in which it will be used. For example, a briefcase is smart and designed for use in an office-type environment but it is unlikely to have the additional capacity required for carrying grocery items following an impromptu visit to the supermarket after work. Thus a separate grocery bag would be required. 
         [0004]    Additionally, when the briefcase is then used in the supermarket environment, the carrying position of holding the briefcase by a short handle is unsuitable for heavy loads. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, when transporting only a few small items, it is common, especially in northern Europe for men to carry these items in the pockets of the clothing that they wear instead of using a handbag, as a woman might. Placing an item in a pocket can spoil the line of a man&#39;s clothing. However, placing one or more items into an attaché case or a known general purpose backpack can lead to property damage, especially for electrical items such as MP3 players. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide a bag for personal items which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems and to provide a bag that is versatile in size and carrying position. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a variable volume bag comprising a main chamber, the main chamber having an external wall with an inside face and an outside face, at least part of the external wall being moveable between at least one folded position, in which the useable volume of the main chamber and the external size of the bag is reduced, and at least one extended position in which the useable volume of the main chamber and the external size of the bag is increased, a material join disposed substantially at or proximate a fold position for facilitating movement to the folded position, and retaining means for securing the external wall in the folded position. 
         [0008]    The bag is advantageous because it is versatile in size and internal volume. The internal space of the bag can be fully utilised in both the folded and extended positions. The material join of the fabric of the bag provides a natural break and fold line, which as described further below, serves to assist the user in moving the bag from the extended to folded position. 
         [0009]    The means for securing the external wall in the folded position facilitates providing a bag of compact appearance when the additional volume provided by the extended position(s) is not required. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the retaining means is a zip fastener. Alternatively, poppers or VELCRO® may also be used. 
         [0011]    The external wall may be moveable in either or both of two positions, wherein the first position is located on a left side of the bag and the second position is located on a right side of the bag. The external wall may however additionally, or alternatively, be moveable in other positions such as on the upper side or lower sides of the bag. 
         [0012]    This maximises the potential extra volume that can be gained in a single bag when moving the external surface into an extended position. Ideally, the first and second positions are symmetrical about the main chamber. 
         [0013]    Each movable part of the external wall may include a side panel of the bag, and a portion of the front, rear, lower side and upper side of the bag. 
         [0014]    Preferably, a continuous seam is provided around the side panel. This assists the moving of the part of external wall into the folded position. 
         [0015]    A continuous seam may be provided around at least part of the periphery of the side panel and the remaining part of the periphery of the side panel is releasably fastened for providing access to the main chamber when the at least part of the external wall is in an extended position. 
         [0016]    In an alternative arrangement, to one side of the bag, there may be a continuous seam around the side panel and in the second position, the bag may have a continuous seam provided around at least part of the periphery of the side panel with the remaining part of the periphery of the side panel being releasably fastened. 
         [0017]    Ideally, the remaining part of the periphery of the side panel is releasably fastened by a zip fastener. This is especially useful for preventing small items falling out of the bag and also for hindering unauthorised access to the main chamber, for example by a thief. 
         [0018]    The front portion of the or each moveable part may be provided in two panels, joined at a continuous seam, the continuous seam running substantially parallel to a fold line of the folded position. 
         [0019]    The seam may be a bound seam, the binding of the seam being disposed on the inside face of the external wall. A bound seam presents a finished appearance to the seam as viewed when the user accesses the main chamber of the bag. Alternatively however, the seam may be laser cut and seam welded or made by any other suitable method, such as gluing and moulding. 
         [0020]    Optionally, an opening closed by a zip fastener is provided in the external surface for providing access to the main chamber, the opening extending around at least part of the periphery of the main chamber. 
         [0021]    The opening may be provided across the rear side of the bag and the zip is accessible when the or each part of the external wall is in either of the folded or extended positions. The opening may equally be provided across the front side of the bag. 
         [0022]    Conveniently, the opening extends substantially across the full width of the rear of the bag. The opening may extend substantially across the full width of the front of the bag. 
         [0023]    In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag comprising an external sleeve and at least one strap, the at least one strap having a free end and a fixed end, the at least one strap being moveable in use between a stowed position in which the free end and substantially the length of the strap is stowed in the sleeve and an operative position in which the free end and substantially the length of the strap is removed from the sleeve and is releasably attached to the bag. 
         [0024]    This construction is advantageous because it provides for a versatile bag where the strap or straps may be concealed when not required. This avoids loose straps becoming a minor annoyance to the user by catching on things when not in use. Additionally, by stowing away the unused straps, the straps are no longer potentially trappable in moving machinery. Furthermore, the straps cannot accidentally strike people as the user moves from place to place. In brief, the bag is a safer bag than one with loose straps. 
         [0025]    The sleeve may be disposed on a rear side of the bag, the sleeve being oriented in longitudinal alignment with a longitudinal axis of the bag and with an aperture at least one end thereof. 
         [0026]    The fixed end of the strap may be attached to the bag proximate the mouth of an aperture of the sleeve and proximate an upper side of the bag. The fixed end may be inside the mouth of the aperture. 
         [0027]    The bag may further comprise at least one releasable fastening to which the free end of the at least one strap is releasably attached. Optionally, the releasable fastening is a male female connector arrangement. 
         [0028]    A releasable fastening may be disposed on a flap extending from the junction of an under side of the bag and the rear side of the bag. This enables the user of the bag to wear the bag as a bum-bag, a handbag or a chest-bag where the strap of the bag is worn diagonally across the chest of the user. In the latter mode, the main chamber may be worn on the chest or the back of the user. Alternatively, the releasable fastening may be attached directly to the bag, without the flap. 
         [0029]    A pair of second releasable fastenings may be disposed at the junction of the rear side of the bag with a side of the bag, proximate to the junction of the under side of the bag and the rear side of the bag. 
         [0030]    Optionally, the carrying strap may include a padded section for providing additional comfort to the user of the bag in use. 
         [0031]    Each carrying strap may be adjustable in length. This permits a user of any size or shape to wear the bag. 
         [0032]    Conveniently, a handle may be disposed on an upper surface of the bag. This provides for an additional mode of carrying the bag and is useful when the user wishes to hold the bag close to their body, perhaps in densely populated areas such as underground train stations to avoid pickpocketting. 
         [0033]    The bag may further comprise a shoulder strap releasably attached to the upper surface of the bag. Again, this provides an alternative mode of carrying the bag and may be more comfortable to the user when carrying particularly heavy loads. The strap is releasably attached to the bag and may be removed for stowage if its use is infrequent. 
         [0034]    The bag may have a third releasable fastening disposed on the or each movable external wall accessible when the bag is in the extended position. This means that the bag made be carried in at least a backpack mode when the volume of the bag is increased. This feature maximises the number of carrying positions available in a single bag. 
         [0035]    A single bag may combine any of the above features to achieve a bag that is both versatile in size, volume and carrying position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective front view of a first embodiment of bag in an expanded state; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic perspective front view of the bag of  FIG. 1  in a contracted state; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic front view of the bag of  FIG. 1  being opened from the contracted state to the expanded state; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic rear view of the bag of  FIG. 1  in the contracted state, with rucksack straps attached for use; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic rear view of the bag of  FIG. 1  in the expanded state, with rucksack straps attached for use; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic rear view of the bag of  FIG. 5  in the contracted state, with a single strap attached for use as a bum-bag or chest bag; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic rear view of the bag of  FIG. 5  in the contracted state, with the straps stowed; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic front view of a second embodiment of bag in the contracted state; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic front view of the bag of  FIG. 8  in an expanded state with strap attached; 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic plan view of the bag of  FIG. 8  revealing the internal main chamber; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic front view of a third embodiment of bag, in an expanded state with a strap attached to a side portion; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic perspective front view of the bag of  FIG. 11  in a contracted state. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , a variable volume bag is indicated generally at  10 . The bag is shown in an expanded state in  FIG. 1  and in a contracted state in  FIG. 2 . With reference in particular to  FIG. 1 , the bag includes a front  12 , rear  14 , left side  16 , right side  18 , an upper side  20  and a lower side  22 . The bag  10  is made from a plurality of panels, which are joined either at seams, or at zip fasteners. Other types of fastener may be utilised, but zip fasteners are considered to be most effective. The bag  10  is multipurpose and is intended to be used as a small hand bag, which can be expanded into a larger bag, if necessary, to carry additional wares. The bag  10  can also be carried in a number of different ways, as will be described below. 
         [0050]    The external wall  24  of the bag  10  encloses a main chamber extending across the entire width of the bag in the expanded state. In order to reduce the bag from the expanded state, as shown in  FIG. 1  to the contracted state as shown in  FIG. 2 , side portions of the bag, indicated at  26  and  28  are collapsed and folded inwardly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , and are retained to a central region of the bag, indicated at  30 , by zip fasteners  32 ,  34 . In order to facilitate the folding, each side portion  26 ,  28  includes a side panel  36 , a rear panel  38  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), a front panel  40  and a further connecting panel  42  extending from the rear upper side of the bag between the side panel  36  and the front panel  40  and to the rear lower side of the bag. In other words, a thin strip of fabric is provided between the front panel  40  and side panel  36  which is connected to the other panels by seams  44  and/or zip fastener. These seams and/or zip fasteners  44  extend across the front side of the bag and lie at or around the fold line when the bag is moved to the contracted state as shown in  FIG. 2 . The positioning of the seams  44  facilitates the collapse of the side portions  26 ,  28 , because the fabric tends to naturally fold inwards along the length of the seams  44 . 
         [0051]    The various methods of carrying the bag will now be described. Firstly, a handle  46  is attached to the upper side of the bag to the central portion  30 . This handle  46  can be used to carry the bag when it is in either of the enlarged or reduced states. With reference in particular to  FIG. 4 , a pair of adjustable rucksack straps  48 ,  50 , are attached to the external wall of the bag on the rear side  14  and the attachment point is disposed inside a sleeve  52  with open ends  54 ,  56  at the upper and lower ends of the bag. The other ends of the rucksack straps  48 ,  50  are each provided with the male part of a snap fit connector. Corresponding female parts of the connector  58  are disposed towards the lower side of the bag on the rear face  14  on either side of the central portion  30 . The female connectors  58  are themselves disposed within small pockets on the external face of the bag and can be exposed for use or hidden within the pockets. By use of the female connectors  58 , the bag  10  can be used as a rucksack in its contracted state. It will be appreciated that any suitable connector or fastener can be utilised. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , if the bag is to be carried by the handle alone in the contracted state, the straps  48 ,  50  can be detached from the female connectors  58  and can be inserted into the sleeve  52  and hidden from view. By stowing the straps in this way, the straps do not tend to catch on furniture and loose items, in use. A zipable pocket  60  is also provided on the external surface of the sleeve  52 . 
         [0053]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , the bag  10  can also be used as a rucksack in the expanded state. Further female fasteners  62 , shown in  FIG. 3 , are provided on the side panels  36  of the left and right sides  16 ,  18  of the bag  10 . 
         [0054]    The bag  10  can also be carried in the manner of a bum-bag as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this arrangement, one of the rucksack straps  48  is withdrawn from the sleeve  52  and is attached to a further female fastener disposed on a flap  64  which extends from the area of the lower side of the bag. The flap  64  not only provides a mounting point for the female fastener but also increases the comfort of the bag  10  when worn around the waist in the manner of a bum-bag. 
         [0055]    The bag  10  may be provided with a number of internal and external pockets as required. They may be closable by way of magnets, VELCRO®, poppers, zip fastener or the like. In the embodiments shown, first and second pockets  66 ,  68  are disposed on the central portion of the bag on the front wall  12   9  as shown in  FIG. 2 ). Further pockets  70 ,  72  are provided on the rear of the bag when in the expanded state, which move to the sides of the bag when in the contracted state. A pocket is provided in the top of the bag on the rear side  14  below the handle  46 . A webbed pocket  76  is also provided on the side panel  36 , which is accessible when in the expanded state. Numerous pockets may be attached to the inside surface of the external wall of the bag  10  as desired, and various options may be provided for gaining access to the main internal compartment of the bag. For example, a zipped entry may be provided between the central portion  30  and the right hand portion  28 . It will be appreciated that the arrangement of pockets disclosed has been optimised to provide the maximum number of pockets for the storage of small items such as keys, wallets and passports. However, any one of these pockets could be altered or omitted if desired. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , a second embodiment of the bag is indicated generally at  80 . The bag  80  is similar in design to that of the bag  10  and common reference numerals will be used to designate parts in common with the bag  10 . As in the first embodiment of the bag, the bag  80  has side portions  26 ,  28 , as seen in FIG.  9 , which can be folded inwardly about the rear of the bag and retained with zip fasteners to achieve a bag of reduced size as indicated in  FIG. 8 . The structural design of the side portions  26 ,  28  is similar, in that each side portion  26 ,  28  includes a side panel  36 , a front panel  40  and a further connecting panel  42  extending from the rear upper side of the bag between the side panel  36  and the front panel  40  to the rear lower side of the bag. Two pockets  82 ,  84  (see  FIG. 8 ) are disposed on the front central portion of the bag  80 , one above the other, and are accessed through zip fasteners. A handle  46  is provided at the top of the central portion of the bag as in the previous embodiments. 
         [0057]    A significant difference between the bags  10 ,  80  is the way in which the main chamber of the bag is accessed. In the case of the bag  80 , a zipped opening  86  extends across the rear of the bag  14  substantially across the full width of the bag when in the extended position. Conveniently, the same zip opening  86  can be utilised when the bag is in the reduced size mode, because the zip extends around the sides of the bag, thereby enabling the upper side  20  of the bag to be folded upwards about the top of the front  12  of the bag in the reduced state mode. 
         [0058]    In this particular embodiment as shown, there are no rucksack straps, but rather triangular shaped loops  88  are provided on the upper external face of the bag on the side portions  26 ,  28  of the bag and are accessible when the bag is in either state. A strap  90  can be attached to the triangular members  88  in conventional manner using a spring loaded catch. Pockets  92 ,  94  can be stitched to the inside of the external wall of the bag as desired (see  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a third embodiment of bag is indicated generally at  100 . Common reference numerals will be used to describe parts in common with the two previous embodiments of bag  10 ,  80 . The bag  100  includes folding side portions  26 ,  28  constructed in exactly the same way as the side portions of the previous two embodiments. However, this bag is much smaller in size. 
         [0060]    A single pocket  102  is provided on the front of the bag  12 , which is accessed by a single zip. Other carrying options include a single strap  104  which cooperates with a flap  106  at the lower side  22  of the bag. Both the strap  104  and flap  106  may be tucked away inside the sleeve  52 , which is similar to that of the first embodiment, and the strap and flap are held together by a male and female connector. A further method of carrying the bag is by means of a shoulder strap  108 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , which attaches in conventional manner to triangular shaped loops  88  provided on the upper and lower sides of the side portion  28 . These are only accessible, when the side portion  28  is in the extended state. 
         [0061]    It will be appreciated that in all of the embodiments disclosed, either one or both of the side portions can be provided in the folded or extended state. The elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be omitted, and least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments. 
         [0062]    The bag is advantageous because it has multiple potential uses due to its versatility in size, volume and carrying position and is thus able to meet the ever changing demands of everyday life. It obviates the need to purchase multiple bags for different uses or environments, thereby reducing costs for the user. It also avoids items such as keys and mobile telephones, being forgotten in a bag when the bag is substituted for another as the user moves from one activity or environment to another. The user quickly and easily rearranges the bag to the desired arrangement as required. It has been designed with safety in mind, proving room for concealed stowage of the straps when not in use.