Abstract:
A device for carrying items that functions as a tote bag and is convertible into a securely held backpack or a shoulder sling. A user may utilize closed loop drawstrings as armhole loops and perforatedly attached straps for securing the tote around the user&#39;s waist.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from the disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/737,278, entitled “Disposable Convertible Backpack Tote.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates, in general, to devices for carrying items and, more particularly, to a disposable device that functions as a “tote” type bag and is convertible into a securely held backpack.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Plastic bags, that is bags formed of thermoplastic synthetic resin film, for example polyethylene, have come into common usage as produce bags, grocery bags, general and specialty merchandise bags, and the like. Such bags are produced in a variety of configurations and constructions with one of the most widely known forms of bag being what is usually generally referred to in the industry as a T-shirt bag.  
         [0004]     Attendees at conventions, tradeshows, and similar events may collect a substantial amount of literature samples and other items provided by vendors displaying their goods and services at the event. Each trade sponsor may have a separate hand-held bag for its literature or giveaway items, and the convention goer may end up with several different bags all carried by the straps, loops or handles of the bag, all in one hand.  
         [0005]     Yet further, visitors to amusement parks, theme parks, national parks, museums, sporting events, water parks, or other similar tourist attractions may be inundated with things to carry or tote around. The least of which may likely include handheld bags for souvenirs, paper products or literature, extra clothing (swim wear, jacket, etc.), or the like.  
         [0006]     Plastic bag manufacturers have explored various avenues for carrying these bags. Some bags, for instance, have incorporated loop handles, while others have slits or cut-out holes. Additionally, some have wood, metal, or other material incorporated to create a handle.  
         [0007]     Some of the disposable plastic bags that are currently available allow users to hold the bag with their hands and wear the bags on their backs. However, some of these bag designs involve elaborate, intricately interwoven corded rope systems that attach at the top, the bottom, the left side, and the right side of the bag. As a result, a user may not be able to simply or easily convert from handheld usage to shoulder “sling” tote to backpack usage without tangling the ropes, drawing the bag into a new configuration from its original flat shape, or requiring instructions for usage.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     This application discloses a new disposable convertible bag that functions as a hand-held tote and is convertible into a “sling” type tote, worn on either shoulder, and into a securely held backpack. Embodiments of the invention may employ one or more of the following features disclosed herein either singly or in combination. These embodiments may facilitate the emerging technologies discussed in the background above, as well as the technologies yet to come.  
         [0009]     Embodiments of the invention may provide a disposable plastic or similar material bag with at least two closed loop drawstrings incorporated within at least one hem at the top of the bag. The tote may be carried in the user&#39;s hand utilizing the drawstrings in several different manners. In one example, the drawstrings may be pulled together from the top center notch of the tote providing a handle of approximately one half of the total length of each drawstring. In another example, the user may pull both drawstrings from the end notches only, and hold the tote in his hand in this orientation.  
         [0010]     Additionally, the user may pull each of the drawstrings in opposing lateral directions, such that the full length of each of the closed loop drawstrings are exposed through either end notch and utilize the resulting loops as armholes, with one arm going through both loops. The tote is then worn slung over either of the user&#39;s shoulders. Further, the user may also project each arm through a respective loop, one on each side, with the open top end of the tote resting upon the user&#39;s back in a back-pack fashion.  
         [0011]     An embodiment of the invention may provide attached plastic straps across the bottom of the tote bag, parallel to the closed bottom end. The attached straps are located one per side and perforatedly detachable. The user may detach the perforated straps and tie both ends around his waist to secure the tote while in use as a backpack. The user may further tighten or loosen his waist straps according to his preferences. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     In order that the invention may be more readily understood, particular embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary tote.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a partial plan view depicting a corner region of the tote of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view depicting a corner and middle region of the tote of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4   a  shows a perspective view of a user holding the tote of  FIG. 1  in an exemplary handheld mode.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   b  shows a perspective view of a user holding the tote of  FIG. 1  in an exemplary slung-over shoulder mode.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a tote of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the tote of  FIG. 5  being worn as a backpack in exemplary fashion.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a tote of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a partial plan view of a corner region of the tote as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
       [0022]     These figures are intended to be exemplary of the present invention, and not limiting thereof.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     Turning to the figures, wherein like numerals denote like components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is generally directed to a device for carrying items. The device can be disposable and convertible. Embodiments of the invention enable a user to conveniently convert a handheld tote into a shoulder “sling” or a backpack, and optionally secure it to his waist.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment, as further represented by  FIG. 1 , there is shown a disposable, convertible tote  10  having at least two sides  12  (only one side shown), and an open top end  18  and a closed bottom end  19 . The tote  10  may be made from a film of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, but may be made from any suitable material, including paper or cloth as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art.  
         [0025]     In the present example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one hem  16  is provided on each side  12  of the backpack tote  10  at the open top end  18 , and at least two closed loop drawstrings  22 ,  24  are provided within each of the at least one hem  16  (only one hem per side is shown). The closed loop drawstrings  22 ,  24  are generally formed to have circumferences which are at least similar in length to the circumference of the top opening of the backpack tote  10 , but may be longer.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the tote  10  is formed with end notches  26 ,  27 , at each end of each hem  16 , and with at least one center notch  28  near the center of each hem  16 . Either the center notch  28  or the end notches  26 ,  27  will allow the bag to be carried handheld. If both drawstrings are pulled together from either the center notch  28  or the end notches  26 ,  27 , the user uses approximately one half of the drawstring loop&#39;s length, as shown in  FIG. 4   a  for example. In this example, both drawstrings  22 ,  24  are pulled together from the end notches  26 ,  27 . The center notch  28  need not be located in the center of the hem, it may be offset to one side or the other. Additional notches may also be present in the hem.  
         [0027]     The tote  10  may also be slung over the user&#39;s shoulder with each drawstring  22 ,  24  pulled in an opposing lateral direction, such that substantially the full length of each of the closed loop drawstrings are exposed through either end notch  26 ,  27 . The resulting loops  32 ,  34  are utilized as armholes in the present example, with one arm going through both loops  32 ,  34 , as shown in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment regarding conversion of the tote  10  into a backpack is shown in which the closed loop drawstrings  22 ,  24  are each pulled in an opposite direction through the end notches  26 ,  27  forming armhole loops  32 ,  34 . With the closed loop drawstrings pulled, the user simply projects one arm through each armhole loop  32 ,  34 , oriented so that the tote  10  rests on the users back with the open top end  18  of the tote  10  positioned above the closed bottom end  19 , as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0029]     In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each tote  10  may have a strap  40  on each side  12  of the backpack tote  10  that allows the user to secure the backpack tote  10  around his waist. Each strap  40  may be oriented parallel to and in close proximity with the closed bottom end  19 , and may have first and second ends  42 ,  44 . The first and second ends  42 ,  44  may be perforated  46  near either end  42 ,  44  of the strap, such that when detached (while being worn on the user&#39;s back), one strap end  42 ,  44  hangs down on either side of the user, so that a strap  40  may be tied around the user&#39;s waist. The user may tighten or loosen the tied straps  40  according to his preference.  
         [0030]     Each tote  10  may have a logo or design on either or both sides  12  that allows manufacturers or licensees to advertise. Similarly, the tote  10  may be manufactured in various sizes and shapes, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. Further, this backpack tote  10  can be re-used as a user of the tote  10  saw fit.  
         [0031]     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the scope, spirit and intent of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0032]     Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.