Assisted storage container

Abstract

A bag with automated assistance features having, in one embodiment, an exterior surface, an actuator, and an automatic assisted opening connected to the actuator, enabling an electrically assisted opening of the bag. In other embodiments, the bag has an exterior surface, an actuator, and an automatic strap connected to the actuator, allowing the strap to automatically loosen and constrict, enabling a user to easily don and doff the bag without the need for manual strap adjustment. In many embodiments the bag further has an interconnected sensor and controller, the sensor being able to detect a user-imitated cue and, along with the controller, automatically activate actuator to adjust the strap or opening.

1 . A bag comprising:
 an exterior surface   an assisted opening comprising:
 a first and a second surface; 
 a car connected to said first surface; and 
   an interior enclosed by said exterior surface and said assisted opening;   an actuator connected to said car;   wherein said actuator is configured to adjust said car to create an opening between said first and said second surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein said actuator is located within said interior. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein said first surface is located approximately parallel to said second surface. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising an activation mechanism connected to said actuator and configured to reversibly activate said actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein said car reversibly pulls said first surface away from said second surface and wherein said first surface is configured to fold upon itself. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1  further comprising a compartment within said interior; and wherein said actuator is disposed within said compartment. 
     
     
         7 . A method of closing a bag, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the bag of  claim 1 ;   (b) activating said actuator; and   (c) creating an opening between said first and said second surface by adjusting said first surface, with said car.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said bag further comprises an activation mechanism connected to said actuator; and wherein said actuator activation is performed by said activation mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of (e) reversing said actuator; and (f) eliminating said opening by adjusting said first surface with said actuator and said car. 
     
     
         10 . An assisted bag, comprising:
 an exterior surface enclosing an interior;   an actuator; and   a strap having a first end connected to said actuator;   wherein said actuator is configured to adjust said strap.   
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 10  wherein said exterior surface further comprises an opening, said actuator is disposed within said interior and said strap first end passes through said opening. 
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 10  further comprising a controller connected to said actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 12  further comprising a sensor connected to said controller and configured to produce sensor information relating to a force placed on the sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 13  wherein said controller is configured to activate said actuator in response to said sensor information. 
     
     
         15 . A method of adjusting a bag, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the bag of  claim 10 ;   (b) moving said strap past said actuator in a first direction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of (c) moving said strap past said actuator in a second, reverse direction. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said bag further comprises a controller and a sensor informationally connected to said controller; wherein said sensor is configured to produce sensor information relating to a force on the sensor; and wherein said controller is connected to said actuator and is configured to activate said actuator in response to said sensor information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of (d) producing sensor information with said sensor in response to a user-initiated cue; and (e) activating said actuator with said controller in response to said sensor information; wherein steps (d) and (e) occur before step (b). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the steps of (f) producing additional sensor information with said sensor in response to a second user-initiated cue; (g) activating said actuator with said controller in response to said additional sensor information and (h) moving said strap through said actuator in a second, reverse direction; wherein steps (f) and (g) occur before step (h). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said second end is connected to said exterior surface or to a second actuator.