Device with attached storage pouch

Abstract

An article, such as a bag, with an attached storage pouch or pocket is disclosed. The pouch can be directly attached to the article through an attachment, placing the pouch within close proximity, or coincident with a portion of the article. The pouch can be made from an elastic, flexible material. The pouch can be attached in an inverted state to an article. A user can place a portion of his hand in the pouch, compress the article with both hands, and then invert the pouch while encapsulating the compressed article in the pouch. The pouch can have a flap attached to the pouch. The flap can be used to close the opening of the pouch.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible carrying device comprising:
 a bag, wherein the bag is compressible and flexible;   a strap having a strap first end and a strap second end, wherein the strap first end and the strap second end extend from the bag; and   an elastic pocket fixedly attached to the bag at a direct attachment; wherein the pocket has an opening and wherein the pocket comprises a substantially elastic first panel and a substantially elastic second panel, and wherein the first panel is directly attached to the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a pad. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the pad is located equidistant from the strap first end and the strap second end. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second panel is an integral portion of the bag. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the direct attachment comprises a fixed attachment. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the fixed attachment comprises a stitch. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the first panel is integral with the bag. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first panel is heat-sealed to the bag. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises a flap. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the pocket is sewn directly to the bag. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible carrying device comprising:
 a bag, wherein the bag is compressible and flexible;   a strap having a strap first end and a strap second end, wherein the strap first end and the strap second end extend from the bag; and   an elastic pocket, wherein the pocket has an opening and wherein the pocket comprises a substantially elastic first panel, a substantially elastic second panel, and a substantially elastic flap, and wherein the first panel is directly attached to the second panel; and   a first stitch attaching the first panel to the bag adjacent to the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the wherein the strap comprises a pad, and wherein the pad is located equidistant from the strap first end and the strap second end. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a second stitch attaching the first panel to the bag at a location away from opening, wherein the bag is not attached to the pocket at a first section between the first stitch and the second stitch. 
     
     
         14 . A method of storing a collapsible carrying device comprising a bag, a strap, and an elastic pocket, wherein the bag is fixedly attached directly to the pocket, wherein the pocket comprises a first elastic panel and a second elastic panel, wherein the first elastic panel is attached to the second elastic panel, comprising:
 compressing the bag and the strap;   pushing the bag and the strap into the pocket;   inverting the pocket; and   maintaining the bag and the strap in a compressed configuration in the pocket; wherein the pushing comprises pushing the bag and the strap adjacent to the pocket directly into the pocket.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein compressing comprises scrunching the bag. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein compressing comprises folding the bag. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the compressing is at least partially concurrent with the pushing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein inverting comprises inverting the bag into an inside-out configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first panel comprises a flap and further comprising closing the flap over the pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising releasing the bag from the pocket, wherein releasing comprises uninverting the pocket.