Bag with attached foldable mat

Abstract

A bag for carrying items such as food items, the bag having an attached foldable mat that may be selectively opened or closed by the user. When in the open position the mat provides a surface usable by the user for eating or the like. When in the closed position the mat is secured against the enclosure and out of the way of the user.

1 . A bag for carrying items comprising
 a. an enclosure comprising a cavity for carrying items and an opening for placing items into the cavity and removing items from the cavity;   b. a foldable mat attached to the enclosure; and   c. securing means for securing the foldable mat in a closed position.   
   
   
       2 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the mat is fixedly attached to the enclosure. 
   
   
       3 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the mat is removably attached to the enclosure. 
   
   
       4 . The bag of claim wherein the mat is attached to the enclosure along an edge of the enclosure to form a hinge assembly and allow the mat to pivot with respect to the enclosure along the hinge assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the mat comprises a plurality of sections adjoined along at least one hinge, wherein the sections may be folded with respect to each other. 
   
   
       6 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the mat comprises:
 a left flap comprising a near left section and a far left section adjoined by a left flap hinge;   a center flap comprising a near center section and a far center section adjoined by a center flap hinge; and   a right flap comprising a near right section and a far right section adjoined by a right flap hinge;   wherein said left flap adjoins said center flap along a left lengthwise hinge, and said right flap adjoins said center flap along a right lengthwise hinge;   wherein said left flap is foldable on top of said center flap along the left lengthwise hinge, and said right flap is foldable on top of said center flap along the right lengthwise hinge;   wherein said far left section, said far center section, and said far right section are then foldable on top of said near left section, said near center section, and said near far right section along the left flap hinge, the center flap hinge, and the right flap hinge in order to form a folded mat; and   wherein the folded mat is securable by the securing means against the enclosure in a closed position.   
   
   
       7 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a hook and loop attachment device. 
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the securing means comprises a flap under which the foldable mat may be secured. 
   
   
       9 . The bag of claim wherein the mat is attached to the enclosure along an edge of the enclosure to form a hinge assembly and allow the mat to pivot with respect to the enclosure along the hinge assembly.