Expandable Bag

Abstract

An expandable bag includes a body having a lower portion defining a closed bottom and a generally upstanding lower sidewall having an upper rim and an upper portion defining an upper sidewall having a lower edge coupled adjacent to the upper rim of the lower portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening. The upper portion is movable between a folded position, in which the upper sidewall is folded within the lower sidewall such that the upper rim of the upper portion and the top opening thereof is disposed generally adjacent to the upper edge of the lower portion to define an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended position, in which the upper portion is unfolded and extended upwardly, thereby extending the height of the body and creating an interior compartment of greater size.

1 . An expandable bag comprising:
 a body having a lower main portion having a closed bottom and a pair of generally upstanding, lower opposing sidewalls defining an upper rim and an upper secondary portion having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each having a lower edge coupled to said lower main portion generally adjacent to said upper rim of said lower main portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening, said upper secondary portion being movable between a folded position, in which said sidewalls thereof are folded within said lower sidewalls such that said upper rim of said upper portion and said top opening thereof are disposed generally adjacent to said upper rim of said lower portion, thereby defining an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended position, in which said upper portion is unfolded and extended upwardly, thereby extending the height of said body and, in turn, said bag, creating an interior compartment of a greater size;   a pair of handles, each coupled to an opposite side of said upper portion; and   means for releasably coupling said handles to said lower main portion which serves to prevent movement of said upper secondary portion from said folded to said extended position when so coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits upward extension of said upper secondary portion.   
     
     
         2 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for releasably coupling comprises at least one spring-clip coupled to said lower main portion and at least one first ring coupled to said upper secondary portion adjacent to said upper rim thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The bag according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for releasably coupling includes a second ring coupled to said upper secondary portion but spaced below said at least one first ring. 
     
     
         4 . The bag according to  claim 3 , wherein at least four spring-clips, four first rings and four second rings are provided. 
     
     
         5 . The bag according to  claim 4 , wherein said handles each have a pair of opposite ends which are each joined to one of said first rings. 
     
     
         6 . The bag according to  claim 5 , wherein said opposite ends of said handles each have a closed loop through which one of said first rings passes. 
     
     
         7 . The bag according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said rim of said upper portion is provided with four pairs of closed loops through one pair of which one of said first rings passes.   
     
     
         8 . The bag according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a zipper with two sliders coupled to said upper rim of said upper portion for opening and closing said top opening thereof.   
     
     
         9 . The bag according to  claim 1 , additionally including means for magnetically coupling said upper secondary portion to said lower main portion. 
     
     
         10 . The bag according to  claim 9 , wherein said means for magnetically coupling includes at least one magnetic snap on said lower main portion and at least one magnetic snap on said upper secondary portion. 
     
     
         11 . The bag according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said lower portion is provided with four vertical reinforcing belts, each of said spring clips being coupled to one of said belts.   
     
     
         12 . The bag according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 each belt has an outstanding loop to which one of said spring clips is coupled.   
     
     
         13 . The bag according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 said upper portion has four rings coupled to said upper sidewall closer to said lower edge thereof than said top opening, said four rings of said upper portion being engagable by said four spring clips when said upper portion is in said extended position.   
     
     
         14 . An expandable bag comprising:
 an outer portion having a side wall defining a top and a bottom, said bottom being closed;   a flexible inner portion having a side wall defining a top and a bottom, said bottom of said inner portion being coupled to said top of said bottom portion and said top of said inner portion defining an opening to said bag;   said flexible inner portion being movable from a first position wherein it is substantially contained within said outer portion to a second extended position wherein it is substantially out of said lower portion and located above said outer portion; and   first releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said inner portion is in said first position, said first releasable coupling means including a magnetic snap.   
     
     
         15 . A bag according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 said first releasable coupling means includes two magnetic snaps, each at an opposite end of said bag.   
     
     
         16 . A bag according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 one magnetic snap is located on said outer portion and the other of said magnetic snap located on said inner portion.   
     
     
         17 . A bag according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 second releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said inner portion is in said first position, said second releasable coupling means including a first ring and a spring clip.   
     
     
         18 . A bag according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 said ring is coupled to said inner portion and said spring clip is coupled to said outer portion.   
     
     
         19 . A bag according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 third releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said inner portion is in said second position, said third releasable coupling means including a second ring and said spring clip.   
     
     
         20 . A bag according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said second ring is vertically spaced apart from said first ring.   
     
     
         21 . A bag according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said first and second rings are coupled to said inner portion and said spring clip is coupled to said outer portion.