COLLAPSIBLE BAG CLOSED BY DRAWSTRING AND ZIPPER

Abstract

The collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper is capable of assuming the configuration of items carried therein. The bag includes a reinforced hem and multiple handles. Generally circular in configuration when laid out, the bag is designed with a missing sector. A drawstring and a zipper are provided to secure the bag in the closed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/465,587, filed Mar. 22, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to receptacles, and particularly to a collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper for transporting food.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] For many years, the question posed by the cashier at the end of the checkout line at the grocery store or the like has been "paper or plastic?" These are the receptacles of choice available to the consumer for transporting groceries, take-out food, or other merchandise. In recent years, however, because of the costs of paper bags and the difficulty in disposing of plastic bags, consumers have been encouraged to furnish their own personal, reusable bags for transporting the above mentioned items. As a result, there are a plethora of reusable bags available for personal use by the consumer. Unfortunately, the aforementioned reusable bags have proven to be somewhat less than satisfactory in that they are relatively stiff and do not readily conform to the items carried therein. Such bags can be difficult to close and cumbersome to carry, often resulting in spillage. The receptacle industry would certainly welcome a bag that is of a flexible design to permit the bag to readily conform to the items carried therein, and that can he easily and securely closed to prevent spillage. Thus, a collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper is a collapsible bag capable of assuming the configuration of items carried therein. The bag includes a reinforced bottom area and multiple carrying handles. Generally circular in configuration when laid out, the bag is designed with a missing sector to enhance closing. A drawstring and a zipper are provided to secure the bag in a closed position.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention presents a reusable "tote bag" that is rugged, versatile and easy to carry. The walls of the bag are flexible and readily conform to the shape of the items carried in the bag. The bag is easily closed and secured. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0008] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TINE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper according to the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper according to the present invention, shown in the closed position.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper according to the present invention, shown in an opened, laid-out position.

[0012] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the collapsible bag closed by drawstring and zipper is generally indicated at 10. The bag 10 is fabricated from a suitable rugged, flexible material, preferably canvas, and is adapted to be easily transported by a user P. When open and laid-out, as shown in FIG. 3, the bag 10 is of circular configuration and has a reinforced peripheral hem 12 joining circular top and bottom sheets forming the bag 10. A plurality of handles 14, which are fabricated from a rugged webbing material, is evenly spaced around and attached to the reinforced peripheral edge 12. A rigid base plate 16 is disposed at a central portion of the bag 10 and is covered by the bottom sheet, or may be enclosed in a pocket in the bottom sheet. The base plate 16 is fabricated from a die-cut styrene material and enhances the structural integrity of the bag 10.

[0014] A triangular or pie-shaped sector of the top and bottom sheets forming the bag 10 has been removed, defining radial edges 18, 18a that diverge towards the periphery of the bag 10. The vertex of the cutout sector does not extend all the way to the center of the top and bottom sheets, but is offset from the base plate 16 by an inch or two. The cutout sector defines an arc of between about 60°-90° that has been removed from the periphery of the circular bag 10. The cutout sector makes it easier to insert a food plate, pie or cake plate, bowl, an open food container, etc. into the bag 10 through the side or peripheral edge of the bag 10 so that the bottom of the plate, bowl, pan, or other food container rests on the rigid base plate 16.

[0015] A fastener member 20 functions to close the radially extending diverging edges 18, 18a. Although a zipper is the preferred fastener member 20, it should be recognized that other fastener devices (hook and loop, buttons, etc.) could be employed, if found suitable. The peripheral hem 12 is tubular and encapsulates a drawstring 22 therein. The drawstring 22 also functions to close the bag 10 in a conventional manner to provide for a secure and manageable carrying device. A conventional barrel lock 24 is employed to fasten the drawstring in a desired position. Opposite ends of the drawstring 22 extend across the open cutout sector and are joined by the barrel lock 24, so that the drawstring 22 tightens the peripheral hem 12 of the circular bag 10. Preferably, the bag 10 has four handles 14 extending from the peripheral hem 12, the handles 14 being radially spaced apart by about 90° so that the peripheral edges can be folded up to support a plate or bowl upright without tipping the plate or bowl and spilling its contents.

[0016] In use, the bag 10 is laid-out on a flat surface; and the item or items to be transported are placed in the center of the bag 10 through the cutout sector in the peripheral edge of the bag 10, the items being supported on the base plate 16. The radial edges are zipped or fastened, and the bag 10 is then pulled up around the items. The drawstring 22 is then pulled tight, thereby cinching the bag 10 to secure the items held therein.

[0017] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible bag, comprising: a body member having substantially circular, flexible walls defining a bag, a central area, and a circular periphery, the body member having a triangular cutout sector defining an opening into the bag, the opening having opposed diverging, radially extending edges; a rigid base plate positioned at the central area of one of the circular walls; a reinforced hem extending around the periphery of the body member; and a fastener disposed on the diverging, radially extending edges for optionally securing the edges together to close the opening in the bag.

2. The collapsible bag according to claim 1, further including a plurality of handles extending from said reinforced hem.

3. The collapsible bag according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of handles comprises four handles radially spaced apart by about 90.degree., whereby the body may be folded and grasped by the four handles to pick up and carry an open container resting on the base plate without tipping and spilling contents of the container.

4. The collapsible bag according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of handles is fabricated from webbing material.

5. The collapsible bag according to claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a zipper.

6. The collapsible bag according to claim 1, wherein said body member is fabricated from canvas.

7. The collapsible bag according to claim 1, wherein said base plate is fabricated from die-cut styrene.

8. The collapsible bag according to claim 1, wherein said reinforced hem is tubular, the bag further including a drawstring encapsulated in said reinforced hem, the drawstring having opposite ends extending across the cutout sector in said body member.

9. A collapsible bag, comprising: a body member having substantially circular, flexible walls defining a bag, a central area, and a circular periphery, the body member having a triangular cutout sector defining an opening into the bag, the opening having opposed diverging, radially extending edges, the body member being made from canvas; a rigid base plate positioned at the central area of one of the circular walls; a reinforced hem extending around the periphery of the body member; a plurality of handles extending from the reinforced hem and spaced evenly therearound; and a fastener disposed on the diverging, radially extending edges for optionally securing said edges together to close the opening in the bag.

10. The collapsible bag according to claim 9, wherein said fastener is a zipper.

11. The collapsible bag according to claim 9, wherein said base plate is fabricated from die-cut styrene.

12. The collapsible bag according to claim 9, wherein said reinforced hem is tubular, the bag further including a drawstring encapsulated in said reinforced hem, the drawstring having opposite ends extending across the cutout sector in said body member.

13. The collapsible bag according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of handles is fabricated from nylon webbing.

14. A collapsible bag, comprising: a body member having substantially circular, flexible walls defining a bag, a central area, and a circular periphery, the body member having a triangular cutout sector defining a side opening into the bag, the opening having opposed diverging, radially extending edges, the body member being made from canvas; a rigid base plate made from die-cut styrene positioned at the central area of one of the circular walls; a reinforced tubular hem extending around the periphery of the body member; a plurality of handles extending from the reinforced hem and spaced evenly therearound; a zipper disposed on the diverging, radially extending edges for optionally securing the edges together to close the opening in the bag; and a drawstring encapsulated in said reinforced hem, the drawstring having opposite ends extending across the cutout sector in the body member.

15. The collapsible bag according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of handles is fabricated from nylon webbing.

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