Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for storing and carrying content, which can be expanded to provide additional storing space therein, comprising: at least one expanding wall such that the boundary of the device occupies a smaller volume before it is expanded, than after its expansion; restricting elements positioned inside said walls; an expansion mechanism; and carrying-aid accessories; wherein said restricting elements prevent uneven inflation along said walls and against excessive inflation of said walls.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to traveling and/or storing equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to carrier bags, specifically with regard to methods and devices for expanding bags. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are many types and sizes of traveling bags, starting from small hand-bags, up to large suitcases, but sometime there is a need for an adjustable bag in order to make new room for additional content. 
         [0003]    According to the prior art, there are some methods for enlarging the size of a suitcase. Many expandable objects get their expansion ability from telescopic parts that are combined with each other and are suitable to be pulled out, to form a new and longer structure. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,409, a suitcase provided with a telescopic frame is adjustable, but such mechanism suffers from abrasion of the telescopic parts, when sliding one inside the other, and the frame is under constant pressure and bending stress that can eventually cause the breakage of the frame. 
         [0004]    Other mechanical problems are caused when using springs or lifting mechanism, like in EP2077080. When operating a mechanism repeatedly, the material suffers from fatigue, which is an effect on a material as a result of a cyclical stress over time that will eventually cause cracks in the material. 
         [0005]    In addition to the aforementioned mechanical problems, in WO2006039725 there is another possible malfunction: when a system comprises several components with a mechanical motion-relationship, if a single component is out of order, broken, or not in place, the whole system becomes dysfunctional, and it is more likely to experience such problems as the number of components increases. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,891 is an example of several discussed disadvantages in a single device: abrasion, pressure and bending stress, as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,409, fatigue, as in EP2077080, and a large number of components, as in WO2006039725. It is a complex structure that in addition, has local weak points, which make the structure prone to breakage. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a device and a method, that meet with the following requirements: low friction between components, a small number of components, and refraining from both cyclic motion that causes fatigue and from local weak points. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention relates to a device for storing and carrying content, which can be expanded to provide additional storing space therein, comprising: at least one expanding wall, an expansion mechanism, and carrying-aid accessories. The device can be in the shape of a briefcase, a suitcase, or any other shape suitable for a storing device. The term “expanding wall” is mean to indicate a boundary of the device, which occupies a smaller volume before it is expanded, than after its expansion. It can be built of one piece or of two or more pieces, as the case may be. 
         [0009]    The expansion process can be performed by inflation, and the expansion mechanism can comprise a pump. In such cases, the pump can be integral with a carrying handle, it can be manual, electrical, hydraulic, or any other type of pump. The device can further comprise a pressure regulator. 
         [0010]    The expanding walls can surround the whole storage space, or just a part of it, and in some exemplary embodiment not all wall are expandable. The expanded walls can host shelves that are placed between them, which can be built-in or placed as desired and then removed. 
         [0011]    Two examples of carrying-aid accessories are: wheels, and handles; however, any other carrying-aid accessories can be added, as in any other storage device suitable for carrying. 
         [0012]    The invention also relates to a method for storing and carrying content, using an expanded device that allows additional storing space after the expansion, comprising: providing at least one expanding wall, an expanding mechanism, and carrying-aid accessories. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For better understanding of the drawings, the directions are determined as follows: 
           [0014]    In the First embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1-6 :
       The front of the device is the surface that houses the handle system.   The bottom of the device is the smaller surface comprising the wheels.   (Therefore, the right, left, top, and back sides of the device are also known).       
 
           [0018]    In the second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, shown respectively in  FIGS. 7-8, 9-10, 11-14, and 15 :
       The top of the device is the surface that houses the handle system.   The front of the device is the wider surface, in line with the top of the handle.       
 
           [0021]    In the sixth embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 16-18 :
       The top of the device is the surface comprising both the small carrying handle and the larger handle.   The back of the device is the vertical surface comprising both poles of the large handle.       
 
           [0024]    In the seventh, eighth, and ninth embodiments, shown respectively in  FIGS. 19-24, 25, and 26 :
       The top of the device is the surface that houses the handle system.   The front surface is the surface parallel to the expanding direction, from which both handle and wheels are shown.       
 
           [0027]    In the drawings: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the handle is pulled out; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the handle is pulled out; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a back view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the handle is pulled out; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a back view of the device, according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the device, according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a back view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the device, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a back view of the device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the device, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 16A  is a side view of the device in a pre-expanded state, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16B  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a post-expanded state; 
           [0045]      FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a pre-expanded state; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17B  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a post-expanded state; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18A  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a pre-expanded state; 
           [0048]      FIG. 18B  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a post-expanded state. 
           [0049]      FIG. 19  is a front view of the device, in a slightly open and pre-expanded state, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 20  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 19 , in a partially expanded state; 
           [0051]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 20 , showing a built-in pump; 
           [0052]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 21 , in an almost final expanded state; 
           [0053]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 19 , in an expanded state, where a part of the device was cut out in order to reveal the inner structure of the walls of the device; 
           [0054]      FIG. 24  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 23 , after a horizontal cross-section was performed; 
           [0055]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the device in an expanded state, according to the eighth embodiment of the invention, where a front cover is attached to the left side of the device; and 
           [0056]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the device, according to the ninth embodiment of the invention, where the device comprises shelves. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0057]    The invention relates to an expandable bag and a method for expanding bags, while transforming the walls of a bag, in such way that allows it to expand. 
         [0058]    In the context of this description, a bag can be any device suitable to store contents. It can be for example in the shape of a suitcase, briefcase, hand bag, or backpack. The bag can be provided with the following parts: any number of wheels, carrying handles, extendable handles, and any other components common in ordinary bags, such as zippers. 
         [0059]    While several exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and in the description, they are only provided for the purpose of illustration and are not meant to limit the invention in any way. For instance, the drawings only show some examples of the original smaller shape, before the expansion, and the larger shape, after the expansion, but intermediate sizes are also possible. For instance, the walls can be divided into sections that expand separately, in order to let the user decide the actual final size. 
         [0060]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device, according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, and it shows a bag in the shape of a briefcase  101 .  FIG. 2  shows the device of  FIG. 1  in a side view, showing wheels  201  at the bottom of the briefcase. A better view of wheels  201  is shown in  FIG. 3 , which is a back view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 4-6  show different views of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the handle  401  is in an extended state as shown at  402 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective front view,  FIG. 5  is a side view, and  FIG. 6  is a front view. 
         [0062]    One method for expanding a bag is by inflating its walls. When the walls are filled with enough gas (such as air), There is sufficient pressure inside the walls to keep them as firm and resistant at least as in an ordinary bag. Since the structure is adjustable, the pressure inside the walls can be adjusted according to the pressure of the surroundings, in order to endure in different conditions, such as airplane pressure at different heights. The adjustments of the pressure can be performed in advance, if the conditions are predictable, but it can also be performed automatically by using a pressure regulator. 
         [0063]    The configuration of the device is determined by many factors, such as the thickness of the walls and the space inside and between them, the materials from which the device is made, the initial and final sizes of the bag, the desired use of the bag, and any other factors effecting the resistance of the bag or the safety of its contents. 
         [0064]    The walls can be inflated also by using different kinds of gases instead of air, or by using liquid, foam or solid, that will fill the walls up to a satisfactory level of strength. When the walls are inflated, they can be used as a shock-absorbing unit, to prevent the contents from being damaged on impact. The inflation can be performed by a manual device, electrical appliances, or in any other way that provides the ability to insert or compress a desired material into the space in the walls of the bag. 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  shows a bag, similar to the one of  FIG. 1 , after the walls have been inflated, turning the bag into larger bag, such as suitcase  701 . According to the new configuration shown in  FIGS. 7-15 , the top of the device is the surface comprising the extension system  702  (similar to  402  of  FIG. 4 ) coupled to handle  703 , and the front of the device is the wider inflated surface  704 , in line with the top of the handle.  FIG. 7  is a front view of the device, according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein all four sides of the bag have been inflated.  FIG. 8  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 7 , showing the other two walls after the expansion of the bag. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  is a perspective back view of the device, according to the third exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein only two walls are inflated. It is also possible to allow the user to choose which walls to expand. The advantages of such configuration will become apparent in the description of the fourth exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 11-14 .  FIG. 10  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  illustrates the use of a bag in which only two walls are expanded, allowing the placement of shelves  1101  between them, according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; such structure can be useful while traveling since it can be used as a small closet when one is not provided, or save the time of moving everything into the hotel closet. 
         [0068]    According to this embodiment, the sides, where the walls have not been inflated can be shielded by a sheet  1102  or by some kind of a protective surface. The cover of the sides will prevent the entry of dust or other undesired particles or insects. The device of  FIG. 11  is shown in additional views:  FIG. 12  is a front view,  FIG. 13  is a side view, and  FIG. 14  is a top view. 
         [0069]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the device, according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the expansion process is similar to the one in  FIG. 7 , with the difference that the top rigid part  1501  of the suitcase is connected to the edge  1502  of one of the inflated walls with an axis, allowing the top rigid part  1501  to open, leaving surface  1503  underneath it, to be used as a table. Such application is extremely useful, for example, when wanting to use a laptop while traveling. 
         [0070]    The rigid part of the suitcase  1501  can also be fully removed, and then serve as a separate bag or an extra briefcase. It allows the user to carry valuable objects close by, without having to carry the entire extra luggage as well. 
         [0071]    All the above examples demonstrated an expansion in which the distance between the front and the back surfaces of the bag increases, as a result of the expansion, but the same expansion can occur between any two parallel surfaces, or even in an expandable wall of different shape, e.g., an elliptically-shaped expanding wall.  FIG. 16A  is a side view of the device, according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention, in its pre-expanded state, and  FIG. 16B  shows the device of  FIG. 16A  in a side view, in its post-expanded state, wherein the distance between the top surface  1601  and the bottom surfaces  1602  of the bag increases, as a result of the expansion.  FIGS. 17A and 17B  are perspective back views of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a pre-expanded state, and in a post-expanded state, and FIGS.  18 A and  18 B are front views of the device of  FIG. 16A , in a pre-expanded state, and in a post-expanded state. 
         [0072]    For better adjustment after the expansion, the wheels can be relocated, since the weight and size have been altered. The re-location can be effected, e.g., using a rail through which the wheels travel. 
         [0073]      FIG. 19  is a front view of the device, in a slightly open pre-expansion state, according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention, where walls  1901  are not inflated and loose inside the inner space of bag  1902 . Walls  1901  can also be temporarily fixed to the inner walls of bag  1901 , while they are not inflated, to leave room for storage.  FIG. 20  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 19 , in a partially expanded state. The partially expanded state is caused by inserting air into walls  1901 , for example, but without completely filling the space inside the walls. 
         [0074]    The expanding of walls  1901  can be performed also by a built-in pump, as shown in  FIG. 21 . According to this embodiment, a pump  2101  is located inside the top part  2102  of bag  1902 . The air can flow from pump  2101 , through pipes  2103  that end inside walls  1901 , and into the space inside walls  1901 .  FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 21 , in an almost final expanded state 
         [0075]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 19 , in an expanded state, where a part of the device was cut out in order to reveal the inner structure  2301  of walls  1901 . The inner structure  2301  comprises restricting elements, designed to prevent an uneven inflation along the walls of bag  1902 . 
         [0076]    In general, the restricting elements can be of any shape and material, as long as they limit a substantial change in the volume of the expanding wall(s) of the bag. In  FIG. 23  the restricting elements are polyester fibers  2302 , connected to each inner side of wall  1901 , and since they have a given length, they prevent the walls from being wider than this length.  FIG. 24  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 23 , after a horizontal cross-section was performed. 
         [0077]    Another possible shape of the restricting element can be a hive-shaped net, which is geometrically strong and more likely to endure pressure. Another example of a material from which the restricting elements are made of is nylon. The shape and material of the restricting element are chosen to provide a strong inner structure that will keep the shape of the walls when inflated, and be lightweight. 
         [0078]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the device in an expanded state, according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention, where a front cover  2501  is attached to the left side of the device. A cover, such as front cover  2501 , can be used when not all walls are inflated, or when not all walls are inflatable. A cover can be attached to the device by e.g., a zipper. 
         [0079]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the device, according to the ninth embodiment of the invention, where the device comprises shelves  2601 , similar to the device of  FIG. 11 , but with three inflated walls  2602 ,  2603 , and  2604 . 
         [0080]    As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the device of the invention does not have to be monolithic and, in fact, can be made of a plurality of independently-expanding parts, which can be assembled to create a closed structure. 
         [0081]    All the above description has been provided for the purpose of illustration and is not meant to limit the invention in any way. The invention presents significant advantages over the existing art. For example, avoiding the use of a rigid expanding mechanism for the walls, that often suffers from friction, erosion and breakage of different parts. In addition the invention provides a simple solution that can be easily executed. Moreover, the expansion of the wall by inflation provides added strength to the resulting structure. The device according to the invention can be used also in non-expanded form, thus providing much user flexibility. Additionally, it is possible to cause the device to expand when in filled state, thus adapting the size of the device (e.g., a travel bag) to the contents.