Backpack that is foldable into a bag

Abstract

A backpack that is foldable into a compact configuration. The straps on the backpack are made of a lightweight, thin material, allowing the backpack to be rolled into the compact configuration. A compressible storage bag is included in a pouch of the backpack, into which the rolled backpack may be placed. The storage bag may be tethered to the backpack so that it cannot be misplaced. In use, the storage bag is tucked into a pouch so that it does not take internal space in the backpack. When the backpack is emptied, the storage bag is removed from the pouch and the backpack is rolled or compressed into the compact configuration. The compressed backpack is then placed into the storage bag.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A backpack comprising: 
 a shoulder harness;    an outer shell attached to the shoulder harness and comprising a flexible material and reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the backpack is expanded and the shoulder harness may be placed on the shoulders of a user and a second configuration in which the outer shell is compressed; and    a storage bag into which the backpack may fit when the outer shell is in the second configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a tether that attaches the storage bag to the outer shell.  
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 2 , further comprising a pouch associated with the outer shell and into which the storage bag is stored when the outer shell is in the first configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 3 , wherein the tether is attached at a first end to the inside of the pouch.  
     
     
         5 . The backpack of  claim 4 , wherein the tether is attached at an opposite end to the storage bag.  
     
     
         6 . The backpack of  claim 3 , wherein the pouch comprises a closure flap.  
     
     
         7 . The backpack of  claim 6 , wherein the pouch and the closure flap are configured so that the storage bag may be stored in the pouch when the outer shell is in the second configuration, and the closure flap may be closed so that the storage bag is not visible from the outside of the outer shell.  
     
     
         8 . The backpack of  claim 7 , wherein the pouch is located inside the outer shell.  
     
     
         9 . The backpack of  claim 3 , wherein the pouch is located on a bottom panel of the outer shell.  
     
     
         10 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a pouch associated with the outer shell and into which the storage bag is stored when the outer shell is in the first configuration.  
     
     
         11 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a side panel, a front panel, a back panel, and a bottom panel.  
     
     
         12 . The backpack of  claim 11 , wherein the side panel, the front panel, the back panel, and the bottom panel each comprise a soft material.  
     
     
         13 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder harness comprises a mesh material.  
     
     
         14 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein the shoulder harness comprises two shoulder straps, each of which comprises mesh material.  
     
     
         15 . The backpack of  claim 13 , wherein the shoulder harness is formed primarily of mesh material.  
     
     
         16 . The backpack of  claim 1 , wherein the second configuration comprises rolling the backpack into a compressed configuration.  
     
     
         17 . A backpack comprising: 
 a shoulder harness comprising a flexible, soft material;    an outer shell attached to the shoulder harness and comprising a flexible, soft material and reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the backpack is expanded and the shoulder harness may be placed on the shoulders of a user and a second configuration in which the outer shell is compressed;    a storage bag into which the backpack may fit when the outer shell is in the second configuration; and    a tether attaching the storage bag to the outer shell.    
     
     
         18 . The backpack of  claim 17 , further comprising a pouch associated with the outer shell and into which the storage bag is stored when the outer shell is in the first configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein the shoulder harness comprises a mesh material.  
     
     
         20 . The backpack of  claim 19 , wherein the shoulder harness comprises two shoulder straps, each of which comprises mesh material.  
     
     
         21 . The backpack of  claim 20 , further comprising a waist belt formed of a mesh material.  
     
     
         22 . The backpack of  claim 17 , wherein the second configuration comprises rolling the backpack into a compressed configuration.