IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BAGS

Abstract

The invention provides a hybrid bag which comprises a strap, a bag body, a lid, and a bag sleeve wherein the hybrid bag has a first configuration where the bag body houses the lid and the bag sleeve and a second configuration where the lid and the bag sleeve are extended from the bag body; wherein the bag body has one or more wheels; and wherein the bag sleeve is arranged between the bag body and the lid to form a container which may be accessed through the lid.

Claims

1. A hybrid bag which comprises a strap, a bag body, a lid, and a bag sleeve wherein the hybrid bag has a first configuration where the bag body houses the lid and the bag sleeve and a second configuration where the lid and the bag sleeve are extended from the bag body; wherein the bag body has one or more wheels; and wherein the bag sleeve is arranged between the bag body and the lid to form a container which may be accessed through the lid.

2. The hybrid bag as defined in claim 1 wherein the lid comprises an outer lid.

3. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an inner lid body.

4. The hybrid bag of claim 3, wherein on each side of the inner lid body, a lid strap loop is formed which each receive the strap such that the lid is moveable along the strap.

5. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an inner lid flap; preferably the inner lid flap forms an inner lid pocket; preferably the lid comprises an outer lid which is hinged to the inner lid flap; preferably the outer lid and the inner lid flap are removable from the hybrid bag such they may be used as a separate storage device.

6. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the bag body is formed from a body wall and a body base which form a cavity which is shaped to receive the bag sleeve and the lid.

7. The hybrid bag of claim 6, wherein the body base forms a foot on its lower surface wherein the foot is shaped to support the hybrid bag.

8. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the bag body has a body strap button for securing the hybrid bag in its first configuration.

9. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the lid has one or more lid strap loops for receiving the strap and wherein the bag body forms one or more body wall cut outs which are shaped to receive the lid strap loop such that lid is flush with bag body in the first configuration; preferably the strap loops are friction fit strap loops to help position the lid.

10. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has one or more strap supports to which the strap is attached or through which the strap is threaded.

11. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein lid is slidably mounted on the strap; preferably the bag strap comprises an external strap such that the lid is slidable on the strap.

12. The hybrid of claim 1, wherein the strap is a partially external strap where the strap is external to an upper part of the sleeve or a fully external strap.

13. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the strap is fixed on the sleeve or on the bag body.

14. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the strap has a shoulder support; preferably the shoulder support has a thickness which is larger than the lid strap loops such that the shoulder support forms a grab handle; preferably the shoulder support has a handle to facilitate handling of the hybrid bag.

15. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the lid forms one or more outer or inner clips for engaging the bag body; preferably the bag body forms one or more corresponding slots for receiving the one or more outer or inner clips of the lid.

16. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein the strap comprises a shoulder strap and a pair of straps for linking the shoulder strap to the lid and optionally the bag body; preferably the lid is slideably mounted on the straps.

17. The hybrid bag of claim 1, wherein each strap comprises an upper and a lower loop for taking up slack in the straps as the lid is moved; preferably one end of each loop may be fixed to the lid; preferably the uppermost point of the upper loop is threaded through a buckle on the shoulder strap; preferably the lowermost point of the lower loop is threaded through a cord strap slot on the sleeve such that the sleeve forms an adjustable upper container between the cord strap slot and the lid.

18. The hybrid bag of claim 1, which includes a gather cord for taking up slack in the sleeve when the lid is arranged in a lower position; preferably the gather cord is threaded through a gather cord slot positioned at an upper end of the sleeve where the length of the gather cord which extends through the gather cord slot may be fixed.

Description

[0022] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic rear view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its first configuration where the outer lid is open;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a lower small container is formed;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a schematic front view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a large container is formed;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a large container is formed;

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a large container is formed and where the hybrid bag is rotated such that it may be wheeled;

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the hybrid bag according to a first embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a large container is formed;

[0033] FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0034] FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention in its first configuration;

[0035] FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention in its first configuration where the outer lid is open;

[0036] FIG. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a large container is formed;

[0037] FIG. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention in its second configuration where a small container is formed;

[0038] FIG. 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention without its base and in its second configuration where a large container is formed; and

[0039] FIG. 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the hybrid bag according to a second embodiment of the invention without its base and in its second configuration where a small container is formed.

[0040] A first embodiment of a hybrid bag according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 on FIGS. 1-10. Hybrid bag 10 comprises a bag strap 20, a bag body 30, a lid 40, and a bag sleeve 60.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 40 has an outer lid 42, an inner lid body 46, and an inner lid flap 48. The outer lid 42 is rotatably mounted on the inner lid body 46 by outer lid hinge 54. In an alternative embodiment, the outer lid 42 may be rotatably mounted on the inner lid flap 48 by outer lid hinge 54.

[0042] The outer lid 42 may be secured to an upper side of the inner lid body 46 by a friction fit. Outer lid 42 has an outer lid tab 44 to allow the outer lid 42 to be lifted away from the inner lid body 46. The inner lid flap 48 is secured to a lower side of the inner lid body 46 by inner lid flap closure 52 which is in the form of a zip closure. The use of the inner lid flap closure 52 permits the outer lid 42 and inner lid flap 48 to be removed (where the outer lid 42 is rotatably mounted on the inner lid flap 48 by outer lid hinge 54) and to be carried on their own as a lightweight handbag. The inner lid flap closure 52 is partially circumferential such that an inner lid hinge 58 is formed between each end of the inner lid flap closure 52. Inner lid hinge 58 is arranged to be proximal to outer lid hinge 54 for convenience. On each side of the inner lid body 46, a lid strap loop 56 is formed which each receive each side of strap 20 such that the lid 40 is moveable along strap 20. The inner lid flap 48 forms an inner lid pocket (not shown) on its inner side which is accessible by inner lid pocket closure 50 is a zip closure. In an alternative embodiment, inner lid flap closure 52 may be a clasp closure, a hook and loop closure, or a friction fit closure instead of a zip closure. In a further alternative embodiment, the inner lid flap closure 52 may be omitted. In an alternative embodiment, the inner lid pocket (not shown) may be omitted.

[0043] Bag body 30 is formed from a body wall 12 and a body base 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the body wall 12 and body base 14 form a body cavity 16 which is shaped to receive the bag sleeve 60 and the lid 40. The lower side of the body base 14 is generally placed on or near the ground or the floor when the hybrid bag 10 is configured in its second configuration. On the lower surface of bag base 14, a pair of wheels 32 are provided to allow the hybrid bag 10 to be wheeled when its second configuration and a foot 34 is formed which is shaped to support the hybrid bag 10 when the bag base 14 is horizontal. On each side of the bag body 30, a body strap button 36 is provided on the body wall 12 which is shaped to engage with a slot (not shown) on each side of the strap 20. In the middle of each side of bag body 30 on the upper end of body wall 12, a body wall cut out 31 is formed which is shaped to receive each lid strap loop 56 such that bag lid 40 is flush with bag body 30 in the first configuration where the bag sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are retracted into the bag body 30.

[0044] The bag sleeve 60 has an upper end 62 which is mounted on the inner lid body 46 of the lid 40 and a lower end 64 which is mounted on bag body 30. On each side of bag sleeve 60, a sleeve strap slot 66 is provided through which each side of strap 20 is threaded. The bag sleeve 60 is tubular and is formed from low-stretch fabric material.

[0045] Each side of bag strap 20 has a U-shaped loop comprising an outer strap 20 which is positioned on an outer side of sleeve 60 and inner strap 21 which is positioned on an inner side of sleeve 60. Each end of inner strap 21 is attached to a strap support 28 on an inner side of sleeve 60 at its upper end 62. The inner strap 21 exits from the bag sleeve 60 at sleeve strap slot 66. From each sleeve strap slot 66 to each corresponding strap loop 56, each side of strap 20 is positioned on an external side of bag sleeve 60. Each side of strap 20 runs through each strap loop 56. The strap 20 and/or the strap loop 56 are shaped such that the strap loop 56 has a friction fit on the strap 20. Strap 20 has an upper u-shaped shoulder support 22. Shoulder support 22 is provided on the u-shaped part of strap 20 which is positioned above the lid strap loops 56. The shoulder support 22 has a thickness which is larger than the lid strap loops 56 such that the shoulder support 22 forms a grab handle for the hybrid bag 10 in the second configuration. Shoulder support 22 has a handle 24 to further facilitate the wheeling of the hybrid bag 10 in the second configuration.

[0046] In the first configuration of hybrid bag 10, the hybrid bag 10 may be used as a handbag. In the first configuration of hybrid bag 10, the body sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are retracted into bag body 30. The strap 20 is positioned to be parallel with body base 14 by being folded at fold 26 and secured to body strap button 36. In the first configuration, the inner lid pocket (not shown) may be opened and closed by inner lid pocket closure 50 and used to store valuables such as credit cards and/or a mobile phone.

[0047] In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, the hybrid bag may be used as a wheeled shopping bag. In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, the body sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are extended from the bag body 30 such that the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 by sleeve 60. The bag body 30, sleeve 60, and lid 40 may form a lower small container 68 illustrated in FIG. 6 where the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 approximately to the level of the sleeve strap slots 66 such that the upper part of the sleeve 60 from the level of the sleeve strap slots 66 to its upper end 62 is collapsed. Alternatively, the bag body 30, sleeve 60, and lid 40 may form a large container 70 illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 where the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 by the full length of sleeve 60. Large container 70 is formed from the lower small container 68 and an adjustable upper container 72 which has a variable volume determined by the position of the lid 40 on the strap 20.

[0048] In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, the inner lid flap closure 52 may be opened such that the inner lid flap 48 may be folded down into the container 68,70 to give access to the container 68,70 through inner lid body 46 whilst the inner lid pocket (not shown) still provides accessible secure storage of valuables such as credit cards and/or a mobile phone.

[0049] In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, it may be moved by wheeling on a surface, as illustrated in FIG. 9 where body base 14 of bag body 30 is inclined to the horizontal such that bag body foot 34 is lifted and the hybrid bag 10 rests on its wheels 32.

[0050] A second embodiment of a hybrid bag according to the invention is indicated generally at 110 on FIGS. 11-17. Like features of the second embodiment to the first embodiment are identified by like reference numerals. Hybrid bag 110 comprises a shoulder strap 20, a pair of buckles 74, a pair of cord straps 120, a bag body 30, a lid 40, and a bag sleeve 60.

[0051] Hybrid bag 110 has two configurations which are a first configuration illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 where it is in the form of a handbag and a second configuration where it is in the form of a wheeled bag as illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17. Where the hybrid bag 110 is in its first configuration, bag sleeve 60 is retracted into the bag body 30. Where the hybrid bag 110 is in its second configuration, the bag sleeve 60 is extended from the bag body 30 to form a large bag 70 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 or a small bag 68 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 or a medium sized bag having a volume between the large bag 70 and the small bag 68.

[0052] The bag body 30 and lid 40 are connected to shoulder strap 20 by cord straps 120 on each side of the bag body 30 and lid 40. Each end of shoulder strap 20 forms a bag strap loop 23 on which the buckle 74 is mounted. Buckle 74 comprises a buckle loop 76 and a lower clip 78 which is mounted on the buckle loop 76 by a swivel joint. Bag strap loop 23 is threaded through the buckle loop 76. Each cord strap 120 is looped through each lower clip 78.

[0053] Shoulder strap 20 has an upper inverted u-shaped shoulder support 22. Shoulder support 22 is provided on the u-shaped shoulder strap 20 which is positioned above the buckles 74. The shoulder support 22 is wider than the shoulder strap 20 and forms a grab handle for the hybrid bag 110 in the second configuration. Shoulder support 22 has a handle 24 to further facilitate the wheeling of the hybrid bag 110 in its second configuration.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 13, the lid 40 has an outer lid 42, an inner lid body 46, and an inner lid flap 48. The outer lid 42 is rotatably mounted on the inner lid body 46 by outer lid hinge 54. In an alternative embodiment, the outer lid 42 may be rotatably mounted on the inner lid flap 48 by outer lid hinge 54.

[0055] The outer lid 42 may be secured to an upper side of the inner lid body 46 by magnets 45 mounted on the inner lid body 46. Outer lid 42 has an outer lid tab 44 to allow the outer lid 42 to be lifted away from the inner lid body 46. The inner lid flap 48 is secured to a lower side of the inner lid body 46 by a friction fit. The inner lid flap 48 has an inner lid hinge 58. Inner lid hinge 58 is arranged to be proximal to outer lid hinge 54 for convenience. The inner lid flap 48 forms an inner lid pocket (not shown) on its inner side which is accessible by inner lid pocket closure 50 which is a zip closure. In an alternative embodiment, inner lid flap 48 may be secured by a hook and loop closure or by sewing. In a further alternative embodiment, the inner lid flap closure 52 may be omitted. In an alternative embodiment, the inner lid pocket (not shown) may be omitted.

[0056] Each side of inner lid body 46 forms a central outer guide 90 and an inner clip 91 to each side of the outer guide 90 for engaging with the bag body 30. Each side of the inner lid body 46 also forms a lid strap loop 56 which is positioned between the outer guide 90 and one of the inner clips 91. Each side of the inner lid body 46 further forms a lid body slot 82 through which one end of the cord strap 120 is threaded and then secured by a cord knot 83 inside the inner lid body 46. Lid body slot 82 is positioned between the central outer guide 90 and the other of the inner clips 91. On each side of inner lid body 46 on a lower surface which is inside sleeve 60 in use, a strap support 28 is provided for attaching the other end of the cord strap 120 to the inner lid body 46. In an alternative embodiment, the end of cord strap 120 which is threaded through lid body slot 82 may be secured by gluing, with a stopper, or by being tied to the other end of cord strap 120.

[0057] Bag body 30 is formed from a body wall 12 and a body base 14. As shown in FIG. 5 for the first embodiment, the body wall 12 and body base 14 form a body cavity 16 which is shaped to receive the bag sleeve 60 and the lid 40. The lower side of the body base 14 is generally placed on or near the ground or the floor when the hybrid bag 110 is configured in its second configuration. On the lower surface of bag base 14, a pair of wheels 32 are provided to allow the hybrid bag 110 to be wheeled when in its second configuration and a foot 34 is formed which is shaped to support the hybrid bag 110 when the bag base 14 is horizontal. On each side of the bag base 14, a loop 86 is provided and on each cord 120, a hook 88 is provided which is shaped to clip to loop 86 such that the bag body 30 is balanced when hanging from cord 120 in the first configuration of hybrid bag 110. This is because loop 86 and hook 88 ensure that the bag body 30 is supported from its front and rear sides.

[0058] On each outer side of the upper end of body wall 12, a central outer guide slot 99 is provided for receiving lid body outer guide 90. On each inner side of the upper end of body wall 12, inner clip slots 100 are provided to each side of central outer guide slot 99. The inner clip slots 100 are for engaging the lid body inner clips 91 to secure the hybrid bag 110 in its first configuration.

[0059] On each side of bag body 30 on the upper end of body wall 12, a body wall cut out 31 is formed which is shaped to receive each cord strap 120 as it exits lid strap loop 56 such that bag lid 40 is flush with bag body 30 in the first configuration where the bag sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are retracted into the bag body 30. Body wall cut out 31 is positioned between the central outer guide slot 99 and one of the inner clip slots 100.

[0060] On each side of bag body 30 on the upper end of body wall 12, a lid body slot cut out 33 is also formed which is shaped to receive each lid body slot 82 such that bag lid 40 is flush with bag body 30 in the first configuration where the bag sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are retracted into the bag body 30. Lid body slot cut out 33 is positioned between the central outer guide slot 99 and the other of the inner clip slots 100.

[0061] The bag sleeve 60 has an upper end 62 which is mounted on the inner lid body 46 of the lid 40 and a lower end 64 which is mounted on bag body 30. On each side of bag sleeve 60, a slot 66 and a sleeve strap guide 80 are provided through which each cord strap 120 is threaded. The bag sleeve 60 is tubular and is formed from low-stretch fabric material. On the front and rear of the bag sleeve 60, a gather cord 92 is provided for gathering up the sleeve 60 when the hybrid bag 110 forms a small container 68 (or medium container) in its second configuration. Gather cord 92 is attached at gather cord fixings 96A,96B to the inner side of the sleeve 60. At the front of hybrid bag 110, gather cord 92 is attached at gather cord fixing 96A which is at a level approximately a third of the vertical distance between the level of sleeve strap slot 66 and the lid 40. At the rear of hybrid bag 110, gather cord 92 is attached at gather cord fixing 96B which is at the level of the sleeve strap slot 66. The advantage of providing a different level for the gather cord fixing 96A at the front of the hybrid bag 110 is that it helps to increase the flexibility of the sleeve 60 when the hybrid bag 110 is wheeled in its second configuration, particularly when the hybrid bag 110 forms a small container.

[0062] At the upper end 62 of sleeve 60, gather cord slots 95 are formed. Each gather cord 92 is threaded through the respective gather cord slot 95. An outer end of each gather cord 92 is knotted and a gather cord stopper 93 is provided on the gather cord 92 between the knot and gather cord slot 95 for tensioning the gather cord 92. When the hybrid bag 110 is in its second configuration and where the lid 40 is positioned on cord strap 120 to form a small container 68, the sleeve 60 may be gathered by pulling each gather cord 92 through each gather cord slot 95 and secured using gather cord stopper 93 to form a shortened sleeve 60A shown in FIGS. 15 and 17.

[0063] Each cord strap 120 forms two U-shaped loops 94,98 which are an upper inverted U-shaped loop 94 formed by outer cord strap 120 and a lower U-shaped loop 98 formed by outer cord strap 120 and inner cord strap 121. Upper inverted U-shaped loop 94 is formed by outer cord strap 120 as it is threaded from lid body slot 82, through buckle clip 78 to lid strap loop 56. Lower U-shaped loop 98 is formed by outer cord strap 120 from lid strap loop 56 as it is threaded through sleeve strap guide 80 to sleeve strap slot 66 and by inner cord strap 121 from sleeve strap slot 66 to strap support 28.

[0064] Advantages of the cord strap 120 having two U-shaped loops include that the height of the shoulder support 22 above the ground level remains fairly constant even when the height of the inner lid body 46 of the lid 40 above bag body 30 is altered to change the capacity of the hybrid bag 110. With the first embodiment of the hybrid bag 10, where the lid 40 is lowered to form a small container 68, the height of the shoulder support 22 above ground level is increased because there is no upper inverted U-shaped loop formed by strap 20 to take up any slack in strap 20. With the second embodiment of the hybrid bag 110, when the inner lid body 46 is lowered to form a small container, the height of the shoulder support 22 above ground level remains substantially the same as the upper inverted U-shaped loop 94 formed by cord strap 120 takes up the slack in the cord strap 120.

[0065] In the first configuration of hybrid bag 10, the hybrid bag 10 may be used as a handbag. In the first configuration of hybrid bag 10, the body sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are retracted into bag body 30. The cord strap 120 is arranged in an inverted V-shape by being threaded from lid body slot 82 via cord loop 86 through buckle clip 78 to lid strap loop 56. In the first configuration, the inner lid pocket (not shown) may be opened and closed by inner lid pocket closure 50 and used to store valuables such as credit cards and/or a mobile phone.

[0066] In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, the hybrid bag may be used as a wheeled shopping or travel bag. In the second configuration of hybrid bag 10, the body sleeve 60 and the lid 40 are extended from the bag body 30 such that the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 by sleeve 60. The bag body 30, sleeve 60, and lid 40 may form a lower small container 68 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 17 where the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 approximately to the level of the shortened sleeve 60A where the upper end of shortened sleeve 60A is spaced from the sleeve strap slots 66 by gathered sleeve 97. Alternatively, the bag body 30, sleeve 60, and lid 40 may form a large container 70 illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16 where the lid 40 is spaced from the bag body 30 by the full length of sleeve 60. Large container 70 is formed from the lower small container 68 and an adjustable upper container 72 which has a variable volume determined by the position of the lid 40 on the cord strap 120 where the adjustable upper container 72 is fully expanded. Alternatively, the bag body 30, sleeve 60, and lid 40 may form a medium sized container where adjustable upper container 72 is not fully expanded nor is it fully contracted.