Compressible and Storable Bags and Items

Abstract

Compressible bags, towels, blankets, and apparel are disclosed. In one embodiment, a compressible bag includes a generally circular channel on one sidewall. A flexible, elongate member or drawstring extends through the channel and protrudes from an opening in it. The bag can be compressed by folding toward the area defined by the channel and pulling the drawstring, causing the area defined by the channel to be drawn up and around the bag, thereby compressing and encapsulating it. In an alternate embodiment, a channel with a drawstring may extend around the circumference of the bag. Towels, blankets, and apparel according to embodiments of the invention also have a generally circular channel on at least one wall with a flexible, elongate member therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag, comprising:
 first and second side panels, the first and second side panels being directly or indirectly joined together to define a storage space with an opening, each of the first and second side panels being made of a flexible material;   a generally circular channel in one of the first or second side panels and defining an area therein, the generally circular channel having a diameter in a defined proportion to a dimension of the first and second side panels and including at least one channel opening therein; and   a flexible, elongate member positioned within the generally circular channel and extending through substantially the entirety of the circumference of the generally circular channel such that at least an exposed portion of the elongate member protrudes from the at least one channel opening;   wherein the generally circular channel is proportioned and arranged such that if the bag is folded inwardly toward the area defined by the generally circular channel with the generally circular channel facing outwardly and the exposed portion of the flexible, elongate member is pulled, the area defined by the generally circular channel is drawn out of plane as the generally circular channel contracts, causing the bag to be releasably compressed within an enclosure having the area defined by the generally circular channel as an outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material of which the first and second side panels are made comprises fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second side panels comprise an outer layer of fabric and an inner lining layer of fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the generally circular channel is defined between the outer layer of fabric and the inner lining layer of fabric and the at least one opening is in the outer layer of fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the generally circular channel is defined by an annular piece of fabric sewn to an outer surface of the first or second side panel. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the generally circular channel encloses an area of about 23% to about 35% of an area of one of the first or second side panels. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material of which the first and second side panels are made comprises a fabric having a thickness, weight and density allowing the bag to be compressed into the area defined by the generally circular channel. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are indirectly joined together along their bottom edges by a bottom that is interposed therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are indirectly joined together along their left and right edges by left and right sidewalls, respectively, that are interposed therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elongate member comprises an essentially flat satin ribbon. 
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 10 , wherein the flat satin ribbon is from about one-half inch to about two-thirds of an inch wide. 
     
     
         12 . A bag, comprising:
 first and second side panels, the first and second side panels being directly or indirectly joined together to define a storage space with an opening, each of the first and second side panels being made of a flexible material;   a channel extending around and defining a closed area in one or more of the first and second side panels, the generally circular channel being removed in location from the opening of the bag and including at least one opening therein; and   a flexible, elongate member positioned within the generally circular channel and extending through substantially the entirety of the circumference of the channel such that at least an exposed portion of the elongate member protrudes from the at least one opening of the channel;   wherein the channel is proportioned and arranged such that if the bag is folded toward the area defined by the channel and the exposed portion of the flexible, elongate member is pulled, the bag is releasably compressed within itself.   
     
     
         13 . A compressible and storable item, comprising:
 at least one sheet of flexible material;   a generally circular channel in the sheet of flexible material, the generally circular channel defining an area substantially centered on a side of the sheet of material and having an exterior channel opening, the generally circular channel having a size in defined proportion to one or more dimensions of the sheet of flexible material; and   a flexible, elongate member positioned within the generally circular channel and extending through substantially the entirety of the circumference of the channel such that at least an exposed portion of the elongate member protrudes from the opening of the channel;   wherein the generally circular channel is proportioned and arranged such that if the sheet is folded inwardly toward the area defined by the generally circular channel with the generally circular channel facing outwardly and the exposed portion of the flexible, elongate member is pulled, the area defined by the generally circular channel is drawn out of plane as the generally circular channel contracts, causing the sheet to be releasably compressed within an enclosure having the area defined by the generally circular channel as an outer surface.   
     
     
         14 . The compressible and storable item of  claim 13 , wherein the item is a blanket. 
     
     
         15 . The compressible and storable item of  claim 13 , wherein the item is a towel. 
     
     
         16 . The compressible and storable item of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one sheet of flexible material is substantially round. 
     
     
         17 . The compressible and storable item of  claim 13 , wherein the item is a bag.