Side-loading reusable shopping bag

Abstract

A reusable side-loading bag having front, rear, base and two side panels. The bag also includes a pair of handles and a pair of sliding mechanisms. The side-load bag allows for items, for example, food containers to slide in from the side, fit securely, provide ample clearance to stack multiple containers, be carried flat to eliminate the risk or ruining the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag having a top, bottom and at least one side, the bag comprising:
 a front panel;   a rear panel opposed to the front panel;   a first side panel;   a second side panel opposed to the first side panel;   a base panel connected to the front panel, the rear panel, the first side panel and the second side panel forming a storage compartment having an opening opposed to the base panel;   first and second handles, wherein each of said handles is attached at a first end to a first attachment portion on the rear panel, and at a second end to second attachment portion on the front panel;   first and second sliding mechanisms corresponding to each of the first and second handles, wherein the first and second sliding mechanisms are attached to the front panel and wherein each of the first and second sliding mechanisms slidingly receives one of the first and second handles, wherein each of said first and second handles is moveable between a first position in which a first portion of each of the first and second handles between the first attachment portion and the corresponding one of the first and second sliding mechanism is fully extended, and a second position in which a second portion of each of the first and second handles between the second attachment portion and the corresponding one of the first and second sliding mechanism is fully extended, wherein when the first and second handles are in the first position the bag is operable as a top-loading bag with the base panel on the bottom of the bag, and when the first and second handles are in the second position the bag is operable as a side-loading bag with the rear panel on the bottom of the bag.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a closeable top panel disposed at the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 2 , further comprising a zipper for securing the closeable top panel. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3 , wherein the bag is insulated. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag comprises a material selected from laminated non-woven, laminated woven polypropylene, laminated RPET, nylon, canvas and plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein when the first and second handles are in the second position, the first and second handles are crossable with each other.