Bag

Abstract

A bag 10 is provided for carrying personal items such as money, keys and train tickets. The bag is expandable, having one or more collapsible portions 26, 28 about a main chamber which unfold into an extended position thereby providing additional volume for further personal items as and when required. The bag 10 may be carried in a number of different ways by the user and when any straps are not required, a sleeve is provided for their concealed stowage.

1 . A variable volume bag comprising a main chamber, the main chamber having an external wall with an inside face and an outside face, at least part of the external wall being moveable between at least one folded position, in which the useable volume of the main chamber and the external size of the bag is reduced, and at least one extended position in which the useable volume of the main chamber and the external size of the bag is increased, a material join disposed substantially at or proximate a fold position for facilitating movement to the folded position, and retaining means for securing the external wall in the folded position. 
     
     
         2 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means is a zip fastener. 
     
     
         3 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the external wall is moveable in two positions located on a left side of the bag and on a right side of the bag. 
     
     
         4 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 3 , wherein each movable part of the external wall includes a side panel of the bag, and a portion of the front, rear, lower side and upper side of the bag. 
     
     
         5 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 4 , wherein a continuous seam is provided around the side panel. 
     
     
         6 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 4 , wherein a continuous seam is provided around at least part of the periphery of the side panel and the remaining part of the periphery of the side panel is releasably fastened for providing access to the main chamber when the at least part of the external wall is in an extended position. 
     
     
         7 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 6 , in which the remaining part of the periphery of the side panel is releasably fastened by a zip fastener. 
     
     
         8 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 5 , wherein the front portion of the or each moveable part is provided in two panels, joined at a continuous seam, the continuous seam running substantially parallel to a fold line of the folded position. 
     
     
         9 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 8 , wherein the seam is a bound seam, the binding of the seam being disposed on the inside face. 
     
     
         10 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 1 , wherein an opening closed by a zip fastener is provided in the external wall for providing access to the main chamber, the opening extending around at least part of the periphery of the main chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the opening is provided across the rear side of the bag and the zip is accessible when the or each part of the external wall is in either of the folded or extended positions. 
     
     
         12 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 10 , wherein the opening extends substantially across the full width of the rear of the bag. 
     
     
         13 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 1 , wherein an external sleeve is provided on the external wall, and at least one strap is provided, the at least one strap having a free end and a fixed end attached to the bag, the at least one strap being moveable in use between a stowed position in which the free end and substantially the length of the strap is stowed in the sleeve and an operative position in which the free end and substantially the length of the strap is removed from the sleeve and is releasably attached to the bag. 
     
     
         14 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve is disposed on a rear side of the bag, the sleeve being oriented in longitudinal alignment with a longitudinal axis of the bag and with an aperture disposed at least one end thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 13 , wherein the fixed end of the strap is attached to the bag proximate a mouth of an aperture of the sleeve and proximate an upper side of the bag. 
     
     
         16 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 13 , wherein the free end of the at least one strap is releasably attached to the bag by a releasable fastening. 
     
     
         17 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 15 , wherein a releasable fastening is disposed on a flap extending from the junction of an under side of the bag and the rear side of the bag. 
     
     
         18 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 16 , wherein a pair of second releasable fastening are disposed at the junction of the rear side of the bag with a side of the bag, proximate to the junction of the under side of the bag and the rear side of the bag. 
     
     
         19 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one carrying strap includes a padded section. 
     
     
         20 . A variable volume bag according to  claim 16 , wherein a third releasable fastening is disposed on the or each movable external wall and is accessible when the bag is in the extended position.