Articles Having an Expandable Storage Cavity

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus including a primary storage cavity and an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity. The secondary cavity may be selectively attachable, and/or may include one or more rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a handbag, purse, tote, or clutch. In some examples, the apparatus includes a secondary storage cavity defining a first volume when a secondary access mechanism is closed, and a pliable material that is at least partially contained above an inversion boundary, and where the secondary cavity defines a larger, second volume when the secondary access mechanism is open, and the pliable material is at least partially below the inversion boundary. In certain examples, the apparatus includes a primary and secondary container with connection components configured to releasably attach the containers when they are aligned and brought into close proximity to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a primary storage cavity defined by at least a first primary side wall and a divider, wherein the divider defines a bottom wall of the primary storage cavity;   a primary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the primary storage cavity through the top or side of the apparatus;   an expandable and collapsible secondary storage cavity;
 wherein the secondary storage cavity is disposed below the primary storage cavity when expanded; 
 wherein the secondary storage cavity is defined by the divider, at least one secondary side wall, and a secondary bottom wall when expanded; and 
 wherein the at least one secondary side wall is permanently connected to the divider and the secondary bottom wall; and 
   at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, each reinforcing structure being configured to be selectively secured adjacent to a secondary side wall on the opposing side of the secondary cavity from the other member of the pair, wherein the reinforcing structures span the distance between the divider and the secondary bottom wall when secured.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary side walls comprise a pliable material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;
 wherein the first edge is attached to a wall defining the secondary cavity on or near the connection of a secondary side wall and either the divider or the secondary bottom wall;   wherein the first edge defines a rotation axis and the reinforcing structures can be rotated about the axis from an unsecured position to a secured position; and   wherein the reinforcing structures are substantially parallel to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the unsecured position, and the reinforcing structures are adjacent to a secondary side wall and substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall when in the secured position.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the primary storage cavity is defined by the first primary side wall, the second primary side wall, a third primary side wall, a fourth primary side wall, and the divider, and wherein the secondary storage cavity, when expanded, is defined by the first secondary side wall, the second secondary side wall, a third secondary side wall, a fourth secondary side wall, the divider, and the secondary bottom wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structures and secondary storage cavity comprise a securing mechanism configured to automatically secure the reinforcing structures in a secured position when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to one of the secondary side walls and are substantially perpendicular to the divider and secondary bottom wall. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises hook and loop fasteners positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to a secondary side wall, a deformable tab and corresponding groove positioned to automatically engage each other when the reinforcing structures are positioned adjacent to a secondary side wall, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structures comprise a thermoplastic material, a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pliable material is leather, artificial leather, canvas, suede, polyvinylchloride or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a primary container comprising a primary storage cavity defined by at least an external wall, at least one primary side wall and a primary connection wall;   a secondary container comprising a secondary storage cavity defined by at least an external wall, at least one secondary side wall and a secondary connection wall;   wherein the primary connection wall and the secondary connection wall each comprise or are operably connected to one or more connection components, wherein the connection components are configured to releasably attach the primary and secondary containers when the primary connection wall and the secondary connection wall are aligned and brought into close proximity to each other;   wherein at least one of the primary container and the secondary container comprises a fastening mechanism configured to engage to fasten the at least one side wall in a collapsed or compressed position, and being configured to disengage to allow the at least one side wall to move into an extended position such that the storage cavity is expanded; and   wherein at least one rigid reinforcing structure contained within the storage cavity of the expandable and collapsible container that is configured to be selectively secured adjacent to at least one of the walls of the cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of claim  10 , wherein the connection components comprise one or more magnets attached to or contained within the connection walls. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of claim  10 , wherein each container comprises the fastening mechanism and the at least one rigid reinforcing structure, 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of claim  10 , wherein the connection wall of the primary container is a back wall of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the connection wall of the secondary container is a back wall of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of claim  10 , wherein the containers each comprise one or more orientation indicators positioned such that, when the orientation markings on each container are aligned, the connection components are properly aligned to releasably attach the containers. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a primary storage cavity defined by at least a first primary side wall, a second primary side wall, and a divider, wherein at least a portion of the divider acts as bottom wall of the primary storage cavity;   a primary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the primary storage cavity;   a secondary storage cavity defined by a pliable material, wherein an edge of the pliable material is attached to at least a portion of at least one primary side walls to define an inversion boundary; and   a containment access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the pliable material defining the secondary storage cavity;   wherein the secondary storage cavity defines a first volume when the secondary access mechanism is closed, and the pliable material is at least partially contained above the inversion boundary; and   wherein the secondary storage cavity defines a larger, second volume when the secondary access mechanism is open, and the pliable material is at least partially below the inversion boundary.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the pliable material comprises the divider. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a secondary access mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the secondary storage cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary storage cavity comprises at least one pair of rigid reinforcing structures contained within the secondary storage cavity, each reinforcing structure being configured to be selectively secured to reinforce the secondary storage cavity when it is defining the second volume. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the pliable material is leather, artificial leather, canvas, suede, polyvinylchloride or a combination thereof.