Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/292,488, filed on December 22, 2021, entitled “EXPANDABLE TOTE BAG,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to storage containers and more specifically to storage containers with expandable side and/or top portions.

Background of Invention

[0003] Consumers frequently take food and cold beverages from their home and consume them while “on-the-go.” However, consumers often do not consume such items right away, particularly if they are engaging in a day-long activity while camping, at a beach, at a park, or other locations. Consumers typically store the food and cold beverages in containers or coolers filled with ice such that the food and cold beverages can maintain a relatively constant temperature. Many such coolers are “soft-shell” coolers with collapsible sides, which may make the coolers more convenient for the consumer to store. Other coolers may include a “hard-shell” surface constructed of a durable material (e.g., plastic) that may provide additional protection for the contents stored within the cooler.

[0004] Unfortunately, these coolers present various issues for their users. Generally, the coolers only provide storage space for items which consumers wish to insulate from the outside environment (e.g., food and drinks). This presents problems for active families that have many other items to carry in addition to cold beverages or food (e.g., towels, chips, sunscreen, hats, and toys). In addition, hard-shell coolers may take up a large volume of space, making the coolers inconvenient for consumers to use, transport, and store.

[0005] Thus, the market calls for a cooler that may provide a non-insulated storage portion that may also open and close easily, giving consumers flexibility in both usage and storage of the cooler and items associated with the cooler.

Summary of Invention

[0006] The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above. The invention described includes several embodiments of an expandable storage container including, by way of example, an expandable tote bag, an expandable backpack, and an expandable cooler (for convenience, collectively referred to hereinafter as a “tote bag”). The tote bag may include at least one side portion coupled to a center portion of the tote bag. The center portion may be insulated such that a consumer can store cold food items or beverages therein and maintain the items at a relatively constant temperature. The at least one side portion may be placed in an open configuration and a closed configuration, as desired by the user. When the at least one side portion is open, it may extend away from the center portion such that items may be stored within a body of the at least one side portion. Thus, the tote bag represents a significant advance over prior art coolers, because it may provide both an insulated portion and at least one-non insulated portion for storing items.

[0007] The at least one side portion may comprise a floor panel and a latching panel. When the at least one side portion is opened by the user, the floor panel may fold downwardly and away from the tote bag while the latching portion may move upwardly and outwardly from the center portion. Conversely, when the at least one side portion is returned to a closed position, the floor panel may fold upwardly and towards the tote bag and the latching panel may fold downwardly and inwardly towards the tote bag.

[0008] When the at least one side portion is not in use (e.g., when the at least one side portion is in the closed position), the at least one side portion may be affixed or coupled to the center portion. The at least one side portion and the center portion may be coupled via a hook and latch, a zipper mechanism, a button, a buckle, or other mechanisms that are known or foreseeable in the art.

[0009] The general design of the expandable tote bag may be extended to many other embodiments. For example, the insulated center portion and the expandable side portions may be integrated into backpacks, wheeled coolers, and the like.

[0010] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable tote bag including a center portion and side portions in a closed configuration;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the expandable tote bag of Fig. 1 including a side portion in a partially opened configuration;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the expandable tote bag of Fig. 1 including two side portions in an open position;

[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective view a second embodiment of the expandable tote bag including side portions in a closed configuration;

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the expandable tote of Fig. 4 with the side portions in an open position; [0016] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention wherein an insulated center portion and an expandable side portion are provided in a backpack;

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention wherein an insulated center portion and an expandable side portion are provided in a wheeled, luggage style cooler; and

[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention wherein an insulated center portion and an expandable side portion are provided in a wheeled, hauler style cooler.

[0019] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0020] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

[0021] Generally, the invention is provided as an expandable storage container including a center portion and at least one collapsible side portion coupled thereto. In various embodiments of the invention, the expandable storage container may be provided as a tote bag, a backpack, a cooler, or other storage containers that are known in the art. The at least one collapsible side portion can be coupled to any surface of the center portion (e.g., a top surface, a bottom surface, or sidewalls of the center portion). When opened, the at least one collapsible side portion may increase the overall volume of the storage container such that additional items may be held within the storage container. Further, while the center portion may be insulated to help maintain the temperature of the items stored therein, the collapsible side portion may hold items that need not be maintained at a relatively constant temperature.

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates an expandable tote bag 1 (hereinafter, the tote bag 1) with a center portion 5 adapted to allow a user store beverages or food items therein. The center portion 5 may be provided in the form of a bottom surface 6, a lid 7, and sidewalls 8 that extend upwardly from the bottom surface 6 and couple to the lid 7. The center portion 5 may be insulated from the outside environment such that it may help the items stored within maintain a constant temperature. Further, the center portion 5 may be substantially leakproof such that, if the center portion 5 is loaded with ice, leaking of water from the center portion 5 may be substantially prevented. Preferably, the center portion 5 is constructed out of a durable, hard-shell style material (e.g., plastic) such that the center portion 5 protects the items stored within while also allowing the center portion 5 to maintain its shape. In other embodiments of the invention, the center portion 5 may be constructed out of a soft-shell style material (e.g., nylon) such that the center portion 5 may collapse in on itself, allowing for more convenient storage of the tote bag 1. The lid 7 of the center portion 5 may be selectively opened and closed by the user. The lid 7 may allow the user to access the interior (not illustrated) of the center portion 5 so the user can place items within or remove items from the center portion 5 as he or she desires.

[0023] Straps or handles 10 may be affixed or coupled to the center portion 5. For example, the handles 10 may be coupled to any of the sidewalls 8 of the center portion 5. The handles 10 may assist a user in carrying the tote bag 1. The handles 10 may be constructed of a flexible material (e.g., nylon), and the size and shape of the handles 10 may be adapted such that the user may easily carry the tote bag 1 with his or her hands, arms, or over his or her shoulders. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the handles 10 may be positioned and located elsewhere on the tote bag 1, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0024] Advantageously, the tote bag 1 may include at least one expandable and collapsible side portion 15 (hereinafter, the “side portion 15”). Unlike the center portion 5, in at least one embodiment, the at least one side portion 15 may store items that do not need to be insulated from the outside environment. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a first side portion 15a and a second side portion 15b are collapsed and coupled to the center portion 5. The user may collapse the first and second side portions 15a, 15b in this manner to decrease the overall size of the tote bag 1, which may allow for more convenient storage or transport of the tote bag 1. [0025] The at least one side portion 15 may be coupled to the center portion 5 via a variety of mechanisms. For example, the at least one side portion 15 may be coupled to the center portion 5 via a securing member such as a snap fastener 20. The snap fastener 20 may help the user couple the at least one side portion 15 with the center portion 5 such that the at least one side portion 15 does not open while the user is transporting the tote bag 1. If the user wishes to open the at least one side portion 15 (and expand its volume such that it can store items therein) the user may pull on the at least one side portion 15 and release the snap fastener 20. In other embodiments of the invention, instead of the snap fastener 20, the securing member may be provided in the form of a hook and latch, hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, a button, a buckle, or other coupling mechanisms that are known or foreseeable in the art.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side portions 15 a, 15b are provided on sidewalls 8 that are positioned and located on opposite sides of the center portion 5. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first and second side portions

15a, 15b may be coupled to any of the sidewalls 8 and/or the lid 7 that are provided as part of the center portion 5.

[0027] Turning to Fig. 2, the tote bag 1 is illustrated wherein the first side portion 15a is in a partially open position. From this partially open position, the user may continue unfolding or opening the first side portion 15a by moving a latch panel 25 and a floor panel 30 in the directions indicated by the arrows. To facilitate the opening and closing of the at least one side portion 15, the latch panel 25 and the floor panel 30 may be rotatably coupled to the center portion 5. Moving the latch panel 25 upwardly and the floor panel 30 downwardly may allow a body 35 of the at least one side portion 15 to expand outwardly and away from the center portion 5. Once the user completely opens the at least one side portion 15 by moving the floor panel 30 a predetermined distance, the user may store items within the interior volume of the body 35 of the at least one side portion 15.

[0028] If the user wishes to fold or close the at least one side portion 15, the user may move the latch panel 25 and the floor panel 30 in the opposite manner as described above. Specifically, the user may move the floor panel 30 upwardly and towards the center portion 5 while also positioning the latch panel 25 over the floor panel 30. When the latch panel 25 and the floor panel 30 are substantially flush or parallel with the center portion 5, and the latch panel 25 is positioned over at least a portion of the floor panel 30, the user may engage the snap fastener 20 and secure the at least one side portion 15 in the closed position.

[0029] The snap fastener 20 may operate via known mechanisms to help secure the at least one side portion 15 in the closed position. For example, the snap fastener 20 may have a protrusion (not illustrated) coupled to latch panel 25 that may releasably couple to a socket portion 37 of the snap fastener 20 affixed to the floor panel 30. The protrusion may be secured in the socket portion 37 via a friction fit. When this friction fit is established, the at least one side portion 15 may be releasably coupled to the center portion 5.

[0030] In Fig. 3, the first and second side portions 15a, 15b of the tote bag 1 are illustrated in the open position. In this configuration, the floor panel 30 may be substantially perpendicular to the sidewall 8 of the center portion 5 such that an interior 40 of the body 35 may be formed to receive items therein. Further, the latch panel 25 may be substantially parallel to the sidewall 8 of the center portion 5 such that it does not impede the user’s placement of items into and out of the interior 40.

[0031] Advantageously, the at least one side portion 15 may be opened in closed independently of one another. Thus, while the first and second side portions 15a, 15b are illustrated in the open position in Fig. 3, a user may open a single side portion 15 if he or she desires. For example, if the user only has a few items to place into the interior 40, the user may decide to only open one of the first and second side portions 15a, 15b. In addition, if the user wishes to save space, the user may decrease the overall footprint of the tote bag 1 by only opening one side portion 15. Further, in embodiments of the invention that include more than two side portions 15, the user may independently open and close any of the side portions 15 as he or she desires.

[0032] The body 35 of the at least one side portion 15 may be constructed of a flexible material (e.g., nylon) that may help facilitate the opening and closing of the at least one side portion 15. The body 35 of the at least one side portion 15 may also be composed of a mesh-like material such that air can easily circulate through the at least one side portion 15. Air circulation may be particularly important to the user if the user places damp or wet items (e.g., a damp beach towel or a wet shirt) in the interior 40 of the first side portion 15a because the air circulation helps the items dry. In addition, the air circulation may also prevent moisture from becoming trapped within the at least one side portion 15. As a further benefit, composing the body 35 from a mesh-like material may allow the user to easily see items that he or she has placed within the at least one side portion 15. In alternative embodiments of the invention, instead of being composed of a mesh-like material or a flexible material, the at least one side portion 15 may be constructed of a solid piece of material or a rigid material as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0033] The floor panel 30 may be constructed of a solid piece of material or fabric to help prevent items from falling out of the at least one side portion 15 when the tote bag 1 is being carried. The floor panel 30 may also be reinforced with a supporting material (not illustrated) to help prevent the floor panel 30 from tearing or ripping when large or heavy objects are placed in the interior 40. The supporting material may be entirely or partially contained within the interior of the floor panel 30, or the supporting material may be coupled to a surface of the floor panel 30. The supporting material may be a thin metal plate, a thin piece of carboard, or other appropriate materials as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the floor panel 30 may be configured in a mesh-like form, which may help facilitate additional circulation of air through the at least one side portion 15.

[0034] When the at least one side portion 15 is in the open position, side surfaces or sides 45 of the at least one side portion 15 may be revealed. The sides 45 may be coupled to an outer edge 47 of the floor panel 30 and extend upwardly and away from the floor panel 30, thereby defining the interior 40 of the at least one side portion 15. The sides 45 may comprise a flexible material (e.g., nylon) such that, as the at least one side portion 15 is opened, the sides 45 can expand outwardly and away from the center portion 5. In addition, when the at least one side portion 15 is closed, the sides 45 may be moved toward the center portion 5, stowed under the latch panel 25 and the floor panel 30, and adjacent or proximate to the center portion 5. [0035] When the user wishes to close the at least one side portion 15, the user may fold the at least one side portion 15 against the center portion 5 and reengage the snap fastener 20. There are a variety of manners in which the user may fold the at least one side portion 15 when the user wishes to close the at least one side portion 15. For example, the user may push the sides 45 of the at least one side portion 15 inwardly and into the interior 40. This may allow the sides 45 to be retained in the interior 40 while the user lifts the floor panel 30 upwardly and towards the center portion 5. The user may then position the floor panel 30 substantially parallel to the center portion 5, position the latch panel 25 over at least a portion of the floor panel 30, engage the snap fastener 20, and secure the at least one side portion 15 in the closed position. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other processes for closing the at least one side portion 15 are foreseeable.

[0036] Turning to Fig. 4, an alternative embodiment of the invention, a tote bag 100, is illustrated. The tote bag 100 may have a center portion 105 with a lid 107 that functions similarly to the lid and center portion previously described with reference to the tote bag 1. In addition, the tote bag 100 may have straps or handles 110 to assist the user in carrying the tote bag 100.

[0037] The tote bag 100 may also include at least one side portion 115. The at least one side portion 115, like the side portions 15 provided in the tote bag 1, may be selectively opened and closed as the user desires. The tote bag 100 may include a zipper mechanism 120 that helps secure the at least one side portion 115 in the closed position. One half of the zipper mechanism 120 may be positioned and located along the handle 110 and a curved surface 125 of the center portion 105, and the second half of the zipper mechanism 120 may extend substantially around a floor panel 130. As would be appreciated by those having skill in the art, the zipper mechanism 120 may be positioned and located elsewhere on the tote bag 100, and the zipper mechanism 120 may be opened and closed by the user via known mechanisms.

[0038] When the user wishes to place the at least one side portion 115 in the open position (which may allow the user may store items within the at least one side portion 115), the user may open the zipper mechanism 120. Opening the zipper mechanism 120 may allow the user to move the floor panel 130 downwardly and away from the center portion 105 until the floor panel 130 is substantially perpendicular to the center portion 105. The opening and closing process for the at least one side portion 115 may be substantially similar to the process described for the tote bag 1 herein. Alternatively, the opening and closing of the tote bag 100 may take place in another manner that would be foreseeable to one skilled in the art.

[0039] Fig. 5 illustrates the tote bag 100 when the at least one side portion 115 are in the open position. A user may store items within a body 135 of the at least one side portion 115 by placing the items within an interior 140 of the at least one side portion 115. Similar to the tote bag 1 (not illustrated), the body 135 of the at least one side portion 115 may be constructed from a solid piece of material, or the body 135 may be constructed out of a meshlike material. The floor panel 130 may also contain or be coupled to a supporting material to help prevent the floor panel 130 from ripping or tearing when items are placed in the at least one side portion 115. Furthermore, as previously described herein, each of the at least one side portion 115 may be opened and closed independently as desired by the user.

[0040] When a user wishes to close the at least one side portion 115, the user may push sides 145 inwardly and into the interior 140 of the at least one side portion 115. This may allow the user to fold the sides 145 into the interior 140 so that the user can lift the floor panel 130 upwardly and towards the center portion 105. If the sides 145 are retained within the interior 140 as the at least one side portion 115 are collapsed into the closed position, the user may position the floor panel 130 substantially parallel to the center portion 105, engage the zipper mechanism 120, and secure the at least one side portion 115 in the closed position. [0041] Turning to Fig. 6, an additional embodiment of the invention, a backpack 200, is illustrated. The backpack 200 includes a storage portion 205 that may store items (e.g., books, toys, and nonperishable food items) as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the storage portion 205 may be insulated to help maintain the items placed therein at a relatively constant temperature. In some embodiments, the storage portion 205 may be substantially leakproof. The backpack 200 may also include straps 210 that may assist the user in transporting the backpack 200 from place to place.

[0042] The backpack 200 may include at least one side portion 215 that can be selectively opened and closed by the user. The side portion 215 may be secured in the closed position via a securing member such as a zipper mechanism 220. The zipper mechanism 220 may be engaged and disengaged by a user via known mechanisms. When the zipper mechanism 220 is disengaged, a surface (not illustrated) within the side portion 215 may move outwardly and away from the storage portion 205 of the backpack 200, opening the side portion 215 in a similar manner as compared to the previous embodiments of the invention. When the side portion 215 is open, the user may store items therein. While not illustrated, the backpack 200 may include side portions 215 on any of its sides.

[0043] In Fig. 7, an additional embodiment of the invention, a cooler 300, is illustrated. The cooler 300 may include a storage portion 305 within which a user can store food, beverages, or other items. The storage portion 305 may be insulated such that the items therein are maintained at a relatively constant temperature, and the storage portion 305 may be substantially leakproof. In addition, a lid 307 may be coupled to the storage portion 305 such that the storage portion 305 may be selectively opened and closed by the user. [0044] The cooler 300 may also include a handle or handles 310. The handle 310 may assist the user in transporting or carrying the cooler 300. Further, the cooler 300 may have wheels 312 to help make transport of the cooler 300 easier. For example, the user may tilt the storage portion 305, balance the cooler 300 on the wheels 312, and roll the cooler 300 from place to place.

[0045] Advantageously, the cooler 300 may further include a top portion 315 that may be selectively opened and closed by the user. The top portion 315 may function similarly to the collapsible side portions of the other embodiments of the invention described herein. The top portion 315 may be secured in the closed position via a securing member (not illustrated) such as a hook and latch mechanism, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snap fasteners, zippers, buttons, or other means known or foreseeable in the art. When the top portion 315 is open, as illustrated, a body 335 of the top portion 315 may extend upwardly and away from the storage portion 305 such that items may be stored within the body 335. The body 335 may be composed of a solid piece of fabric, a mesh-like material, or other materials as would be known and appreciated by those skilled in the art. The body 335, and the top portion 315 as a whole, may be manipulated between the open and closed positions via similar mechanisms and methods as those previously described for the previous embodiments of the invention.

[0046] Turning to Fig. 8, an additional embodiment of the invention, a cooler 400, is illustrated. The cooler 400 may have a storage portion 405 within which a user can store food, beverages, or other items. The storage portion 405 may be insulated such that the items therein are maintained at a relatively constant temperature, and the storage portion 405 may be substantially leakproof. In addition, a lid 407 may be coupled to the storage portion 405 such that the storage portion 405 can be opened and closed by the user. [0047] The cooler 400 may also include a handle or handles 410. The handle 410 may assist the user in transporting the cooler 400 from place to place. Further, the cooler 400 may have wheels 412 to help make transport of the cooler 400 easier. For example, the user may tilt the storage portion 405, balance the cooler 400 on the wheels 412, and roll the cooler 400 from place to place by applying a pulling or pushing force to the handle 410.

[0048] Advantageously, the cooler 400 may include at least one side portion 415 that may be selectively opened and closed by the user. The side portion 415 may be secured in the closed position via a securing member (not illustrated) such as a hook and latch mechanism, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snap fasteners, buttons, or other means known in the art. When the side portion 415 is open, as illustrated, a body 435 of the side portion 415 may extend outwardly from the storage portion 405 such that items may be stored within the body 435. The body 435 may be composed of a solid piece of fabric, a mesh-like material, or other materials as would be known and appreciated by those skilled in the art. The body 435, and the side portion 415 as a whole, may be put into the open and closed positions via similar processes as those previously described for the previous embodiments of the invention.

[0049] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention is not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses in applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventions which are limited only by the claims which follow.