Bag with variable volume

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag that includes a shell having a predetermined maximum volume. A channel is connected to the shell. An elongated strip has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed within the channel, and the second portion is exposed from the channel. The strip is moveable with respect to the channel thereby causing the volume of the shell to vary from a maximum volume to a plurality of volumes less than the maximum value.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bag of variable volume comprising: 
 a shell having a predetermined maximum volume;    a channel being connected to said shell;    an elongated strip having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being disposed within said channel, said second portion being exposed from said channel;    wherein said strip is moveable with respect to said channel causing a portion of said first portion to be exposed from said channel and the volume of said shell to vary from said maximum volume to a plurality of volumes less than said maximum volume.    
     
     
         2 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said elongated strip is a strap which forms a handle for said shell.  
     
     
         3 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said channel is formed on the exterior of said shell.  
     
     
         4 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said channel is formed on the interior of said shell.  
     
     
         5 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said shell is formed of two plies of material, wherein said channel is formed by sewing said two plies together to thereby form said channel to receive said strip.  
     
     
         6 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said strip is a cord that is selectively locked in position by a cord lock.  
     
     
         7 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said strip is a strap that is selectively locked in position by a snap.  
     
     
         8 . The bag according to    claim 7   , wherein said snap includes one mating half mounted on said strap and another mating half mounted in said channel.  
     
     
         9 . The bag according to    claim 7   , wherein said snap has alternating mating halves mounted thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The bag according to    claim 1   , further comprising a handle being attached to said shell.  
     
     
         11 . The bag according to    claim 10   , wherein said handle has a length that remains essentially constant regardless of said volume of said shell.  
     
     
         12 . The bag according to    claim 1   , wherein said shell has an opening, said strip is secured to said shell at a location remote from said opening.  
     
     
         13 . The bag according to    claim 1   , further comprising at least a second channel connected to said shell, and a second elongated strip of material having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of said second strip being disposed within said second channel, and said second portion of said second strip being exposed from said second channel, wherein and said second strip is moveable with respect to said second channel causing the volume of said shell to vary from said maximum volume to a plurality of volumes less than said maximum volume.  
     
     
         14 . The bag of    claim 13   , wherein said first and second strips are approximately disposed at a right angle with respect to each other.  
     
     
         15 . The bag of    claim 14   , wherein said first and second strips are approximately disposed at an acute angle with respect to an opening in said shell.  
     
     
         16 . The bag of    claim 15   , wherein said acute angle is approximately 45°.  
     
     
         17 . The bag of    claim 13   , wherein said first strip is approximately disposed at approximately a 90° angle with respect to an opening in said shell.  
     
     
         18 . The bag of    claim 1   , wherein said channel is formed by sewing a strip of fabric to said shell to thereby form said channel to receive said strip.  
     
     
         19 . The bag of    claim 1   , wherein said bag has a selectively openable and closable opening, said strip being moveable independent of said selectively openable and closable opening.  
     
     
         20 . The bag of    claim 1   , wherein said channel is formed in a plurality of circumferences around said shell.  
     
     
         21 . The bag of    claim 2   , wherein said strap extends around a bottom portion of said shell to support said shell and gathers a bottom portion of said shell to snugly fit around contents of said bag, thereby the weight of said contents is transferred substantially directly to said strap.