Shopping tote bag

Abstract

A reusable shopping tote bag may be unfolded from a generally folded and flat state to an unfolded box structure defining a cavity in an open end. One or more lid members may be moved to close the open end of the cavity. At least a portion of a peripheral wall of the tote bag is semi-rigid or rigid to support the tote bag upright in an unfolded state. Internal panels within one or more walls of the tote bag may be used to provide the rigidity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shopping tote bag, comprising:
 a base comprised of a fabric material;   a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the base and the peripheral wall form a box structure defining a cavity having an opening when in an unfolded state;   first and second lid members pivotally attached to opposite upper edges of the peripheral wall, wherein the first and second lid members are selectively movable from an extended position away from the opening of the cavity, and into engagement with one another in a closed position above the cavity opening to cover the cavity opening, and into the cavity adjacent opposite interior walls thereof;   wherein the tote bag is collapsible from the box structure in the unfolded state to a folded state with opposite walls of the peripheral wall disposed adjacent to each other so that the tote bag is generally flat.   
     
     
         2 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 1 , wherein fasteners retain the tote bag in the folded and flat state. 
     
     
         3 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 2 , wherein the peripheral wall includes first and second wall fasteners that attach to one another when the tote bag is collapsed to retain the tote bag in a folded and generally flat state. 
     
     
         4 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second lid members each include first and second flaps extending therefrom, the first flap having a first flap fastener attachable to the first wall fastener and the second flap having a second flap fastener attachable to the second wall fastener when the first and second lid members are in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first lid member includes a first lid fastener and the second lid member includes a second lid fastener, the first and second lid fasteners being attachable to one another when the first and second lid members are brought into engagement in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The shopping tote of  claim 1 , including a base member pivotally movable from a position adjacent an interior surface of the peripheral wall within the cavity to a position over an interior surface of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 6 , wherein the base member is rigid or semi-rigid. 
     
     
         8 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 7 , wherein the base member is comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid panel disposed within a fabric material. 
     
     
         9 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the peripheral wall is semi-rigid or rigid. 
     
     
         10 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 9 , wherein the peripheral wall is comprised of first and second side walls and front and back walls. 
     
     
         11 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 10 , wherein the front and back walls are rigid or semi-rigid. 
     
     
         12 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 11 , including rigid or semi-rigid panels disposed within a fabric material comprising the front and back walls. 
     
     
         13 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second side walls are collapsible when the tote bag is moved into the folded state. 
     
     
         14 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 13 , including first and second rigid or semi-rigid panels disposed adjacent to one another within fabric material comprising each of the first and second side walls. 
     
     
         15 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 1 , including first and second handles extending from opposite sides of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         16 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second handles comprise elongated fabric loops extendable over the tote bag. 
     
     
         17 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 15 , including third and fourth handles extending from generally opposite sides of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         18 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 2 , including first and second base fasteners attachable to one another when the tote bag is collapsed to retain the tote bag in the folded and flat state. 
     
     
         19 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the base, base member, peripheral wall, and first and second lid members comprises an insulating material. 
     
     
         20 . The shopping tote bag of  claim 2 , wherein the fasteners comprise strips of hook and loop tape.