Bag and method of use

Abstract

A bag includes a rigid base. The bag includes a first rigid collapsible wall in pivotal relationship with the base. The bag includes a second rigid collapsible wall in pivotable relationship with the base and in spaced relation with and opposing the first rigid wall. The bag includes a skin disposed about the first wall and the second wall and connected to the base. The base, skin, first wall and second wall forming a storage space when they are in an expanded state where the first and second walls are maintained in a flat planer orientation essentially perpendicular with the base, and the storage space is essentially eliminated when they are in a compressed state where the first wall and the second wall are each folded up onto and essentially in parallel with the base. A method for using a bag.

1 . A bag comprising: 
 a rigid base;    a first rigid collapsible wall in pivotable relationship with the base;    a second rigid collapsible wall in pivotable relationship with the base and in spaced relation with and opposing the first rigid wall; and    a skin disposed about the first wall and the second wall and connected to the base; the base, skin, a first wall and second wall forming a storage space when they are in an expanded state where the first and second walls are maintained in a flat planer orientation essentially perpendicular with the base, and the storage space is essentially eliminated when they are in a compressed state where the first wall and the second wall are each folded up onto and essentially in parallel with the base.    
     
     
         2 . A bag as described in  claim 1  including a third wall and a fourth wall opposing the third wall, and a top opposing the base, the third and fourth walls and the top forming a box with the first and second walls and the base when they are in the expanded state, and folding together onto and within the perimeter of the base when they are in the compressed date.  
     
     
         3 . A bag as described in  claim 2  wherein the third wall and the fourth wall have a restraining mechanism to hold the first, second, third and fourth walls, and the top onto the base in the collapsed state.  
     
     
         4 . A bag as described in  claim 3  wherein the first and second walls each comprise a first element, a center element, a first hinge connecting the first element and the center element, a second element, and a second hinge connecting the center element and the second element.  
     
     
         5 . A bag as described in  claim 4  wherein the first element and the second element each have a first recess and a second recess, respectively, and a length that is disposed in each recess, the length being bendable but when the length is flat the length is rigid.  
     
     
         6 . A bag as described in  claim 5  wherein the first recess and the second recess extend between the first element and the center element, and the second element and the center element, respectively, and intersect the first and second hinges, respectively.  
     
     
         7 . A bag as described in  claim 6  wherein the first and the second hinges each have posts which allow the first and the second hinges to only fold in one direction.  
     
     
         8 . A method for using a bag comprising the steps of: 
 forming a storage space with a base, a first rigid collapsible wall in pivotable relationship with the base, a second rigid collapsible wall in pivotable relationship with the base and in spaced relation with and opposing the first rigid wall, and a skin disposed about the first wall and the second wall and connected to the base where the first and second walls are maintained in a flat planer orientation essentially perpendicular with the base; and    folding the first wall and the second wall onto and essentially in parallel with the base and essentially eliminating the storage space.    
     
     
         9 . A method as described in  claim 8  wherein the forming step includes the step of forming a box about the storage space with a third wall and a fourth wall opposing the third wall, a top opposing the base, and the first and second walls and the base; and wherein the folding step includes the step of folding together the first, second, third and fourth walls and the top onto and within the perimeter of the base.  
     
     
         10 . A method as described in  claim 9  including the step of holding the first, second, third and fourth walls, and the top onto the base with a restraining mechanism in a collapsed state.  
     
     
         11 . A method as described in  claim 10  wherein the folding step includes the steps of folding the first wall onto itself as it is folded onto the base, and folding the second wall onto itself as it is folded onto the base.