US20140079344A1 - Bag with collapsible pocket - Google Patents

Abstract

A bag includes an interior compartment defined by front, rear, side, bottom, and top panels. A collapsible pocket is disposed in the interior compartment and is defined by a vertical divider, a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. The vertical divider is disposed between the front and rear panels and is slidable relative to the front and rear panels. The front wall is adjacent an inside surface of the front panel and is attached at opposite ends thereof to the one of the side panels and the vertical divider. The rear wall is adjacent an inside surface of the rear panel and is attached at opposite ends thereof to the side panel and the vertical divider. The collapsible pocket includes an expanded configuration the divider is spaced from the side panel and a collapsed configuration wherein the vertical divider is disposed adjacent the side panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/702,055, filed Sep. 17, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention is related to a bag including a collapsible compartment or pocket that in an expanded configuration divides the interior of the bag into separate compartments and in a collapsed configuration collapses against a wall of the bag such that the pocket does not divide the interior of the bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Bags or cases such a camera bags, backpacks, totes, courier/messenger bags, and other types of bags may have dividers to divide the interior compartment into small compartments. In particular, many bags used for camera equipment may have dividers to store and protect different cameras, lenses, and other accessories. Dividers for bags used for cameras and camera accessories generally are padded in some way to protect the camera equipment.
• The dividers used in bags as described above are generally attached to the bag with hook and loop fasteners or clips so that the dividers may be removed or the configuration of dividers in the bag may be changed. In this manner, the bag can be divided into smaller compartments to carry several pieces of equipment. Also, the dividers may be removed from the bag, or removed as dividers and laid against a surface of the bag, to provide an open interior to carry larger items in the bag. However, these dividers that are attached to bags with hook and loop fasteners or the like can be confusing for a user to properly install. Also, there is a tendency for the dividers to get lost or misplaced.
• Other dividers are more permanent, but are also not flexible. Therefore, the compartments formed by these relatively inflexible, permanent dividers cannot be changed or adjusted to accommodate different sized component.
• Accordingly, there is a need for a divider or pocket in a bag that can be used to create smaller separated compartments in the bag, wherein the divider or pocket can be easily moved or collapsed to create a large compartment in the bag, and also wherein the pocket can be easily expanded to create the multiple compartments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A bag includes an expandable and collapsible pocket. The pocket is defined by a side panel of a bag, a vertical divider spaced from the side panel, a bottom wall, a front wall, and a rear wall. The pocket, in the expanded configuration, divides an interior compartment of the bag into multiple compartments. The front and rear walls are attached at one side end to the side panel of the bag and at the opposite side end to the vertical divider. The front and rear walls are also attached to the bottom wall of the pocket. The bottom wall of the pocket is attached to the side panel of the bag at one side end of the bottom wall and the vertical divider at the opposite side end of the bottom wall. The bottom wall is also attached to the front and rear walls and front and rear ends of the bottom wall, respectively. An additional divider wall may divide the pocket into compartments. The additional divider wall may be disposed generally horizontally to divide the pocket into two compartments stacked one upon the other, or may be disposed generally vertically to divide the pocket into two compartments disposed horizontally adjacent to each other. The walls of the pocket are constructed such that the vertical divider can be pushed towards the side panel of the bag to collapse the pocket. The walls of the pocket fold such that minimal volume of the interior compartment of the bag is occupied by the collapsed pocket. A flap having a fastening means may extend from the side panel of the bag, over a top of the pocket, and extend down an outside surface of the vertical divider to a corresponding fastening means to hold the pocket in the collapsed configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a bag according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic front illustration of the bag ofFIG. 1 with an internal compartment or pocket in an expanded configuration, and with portions of the bag being shown transparent so that the interior of the bag is illustrated.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic front illustration of the bag ofFIG. 1 with the internal compartment or pocket in a collapsed configuration, and with portions of the being shown transparent so that the interior of the bag is illustrated.
• FIGS. 4-6 are schematic front illustrations of the bag ofFIGS. 1-3 showing the internal compartment or pocket converting from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration and with portions of the being shown transparent so that the interior of the bag is illustrated.
• FIGS. 7-9 are schematic cross-sections of a portion of a collapsible pocket showing the types of material that can be used to create folding areas in the walls of the collapsible pocket and an exemplary method showing how walls of the pocket can be collapsed.
• FIG. 10 is schematic cross-section of a portion of a collapsible pocket showing the folding areas in walls of the collapsible pocket.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective illustration of a courier or messenger type bag according to an embodiment hereof.
• FIGS. 12-14 are schematic front illustrations of the bag ofFIG. 10 showing the internal compartment or pocket converting from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration and with portions of the being shown transparent so that the interior of the bag is illustrated.
• FIGS. 15-17 are schematic front illustrations of a kit bag according to an embodiment hereof, showing the internal compartment or pocket converting from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, and with portions being shown transparent so that the interior of the bag is illustrated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although the description of embodiments hereof are in the context of an accessory case for holding camera accessories, such as lenses, flashes, batteries, cards, etc, the invention may also be used in any other applications where it is deemed useful. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
• Referring toFIGS. 1-6, an embodiment of abag100 is shown therein. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6,bag100 is a backpack type bag. However, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatbag100 can generally be any type of bag that is used to carry items such as, but not limited to, camera equipment.Bag100 generally includes afront panel102, arear panel104,side panels106,108, abottom panel112, and atop panel114. Although the panels are labeled in terms of direction, those skilled in the art would recognize that such terms are relative to the orientation of thebag100 and can be interchanged. Thefront panel102,rear panel104,side panels106,108,bottom panel112, andtop panel114 define aninterior compartment118. Azipper116 or other closure device may be provided as part of thetop panel104, and may extend toside panels106,108, to gain access tointerior compartment118. Thefront panel102,rear panel104,side panels106,108,bottom panel112, andtop panel114 may be formed integrally or may be separate panels attached to each other by stitching or other attachment mechanisms.
• A collapsible divider orpocket130 is disposed withininterior compartment118. Pocket130 includes avertical divider132 that extends betweenfront panel102 andrear panel104 withininterior compartment118. However,vertical divider132 is not attached tofront panel102 orrear panel104. Pocket130 further include afront wall138 and arear wall140.Front wall138 is disposed ininterior compartment118 and runs vertically along an inside surface offront panel102 whenpocket130 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 1.Front wall138 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel108 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider132. Similarly,rear wall140 ofpocket130 is disposed ininterior compartment118 and runs vertically along an inside surface ofrear panel104 whenpocket130 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 1.Rear wall140 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel108 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider132. Abottom wall134 runs horizontally along an inside surface ofbottom panel112 whenpocket130 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 1.Bottom wall134 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel108 and to the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider132. Further,bottom wall134 is attached at a front end thereof tofront wall138 and at a rear end thereof torear wall140. Thus,pocket130, in the expanded configuration shown inFIG. 1 is defined by an inside surface ofside wall108, front andrear walls138,140,bottom wall134, andvertical divider132. Further,pocket130 may be divided into twocompartments150,152 by ahorizontal dividing wall136, as shown inFIGS. 2-6. In particularhorizontal dividing wall136 is attached a one side end thereof toside panel108 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider132. Further,horizontal dividing wall136 is attached at a front end thereof tofront wall138 and at a rear end thereof torear wall140. The use of the term “attached” in this paragraph refers to a permanent type attachment, such as by stitching or adhesive. It does not refer to a temporary or removable attachment, such as hook and loop fasteners or clips.
• Aflap142 is disposed at the top ofpocket130.Flap142 is best shown inFIGS. 2-6 and is also shown inFIG. 11. AlthoughFIG. 11 shows a different type of bag, the pocket230 ofFIG. 10 is virtually identical to thepocket130 ofFIGS. 1-6. Further, theflap242 ofFIG. 11 is virtually identical to theflap142 ofFIGS. 1-6.Flap142 includes a hook orloop fastener patch144 disposed on an inside surface offlap142. Hook orloop fastener144 is configured to mate with loop orhook fastener patches146 or148 disposed on an outer surface ofvertical divider132, as will be explained in more detail below.Flap142 may be padded, as described in more detail below.
• As also shown inFIG. 1,side panel108 may include anopening110 to gain access topocket130. Opening110 may be opened and closed with azipper111 or similar device.
• The materials of the walls and dividers ofpocket130 are designed to allowpocket130 to convert from an expanded configuration shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 to a collapsed configuration shown inFIG. 3. For example, front andrear walls138,140,bottom wall134, and horizontal divider are generally formed from thin or flexible materials to allow them to fold into the collapsed configuration. However, it is also desirable for at least some of the walls that definepocket130 to be padded in order to protect potentially delicate equipment disposed therein, such as camera equipment. In an embodiment shown inFIGS. 7-9, the walls ofpocket130 may be formed from two layers of thin,flexible material160 with a soft,padding material162 disposed between the layers. At designated hinges orfolding areas164,166,168 there may be no soft,padding material162 between the layers of thin,flexible material160 such that the folding areas can easily fold, as shown inFIG. 7. In these folding areas, the two layers of thin,flexible material160 may be attached to each other, such as by stitching, adhesive bonding, or heat bonding. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 10, in thefolding areas164,166,168, the two layers of thin,flexible material160 may be attached to each other through soft,padding material162, thereby reducing the thickness the soft, padding material in these areas. In the non-limiting example shown inFIG. 10, the two layers of thin,flexible material160 are sewn to each other through the soft,padding material162 usingstitches170 to create thefolding areas164,166,168. The two layers of thin,flexible material160 may be attached to each other through soft,padding material162 to create the folding areas by other attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive bonding or heat bonding. In a non-limiting example, thin,flexible material160 may be a textile layer and soft,padding material162 may be foam, open or closed cell foam, cotton or polyester batting, or a bladder.
• As shown inFIGS. 7-9, asvertical divider132 is pushed towardsside panel108,folding areas164,166, and168 fold such thatbottom wall134 folds intocompartment150 ofpocket130. Asvertical divider132 approachesside panel108, pressure causes the soft,padding material162 in side panel109,bottom wall134 andvertical divider132 to compress such thatpocket130 occupies a minimal volume ofinterior compartment118 ofbag100.Flap142 with hook orloop fastener144 coupled to loop orhook fastener148, as shown inFIG. 6, keepspocket130 in the collapsed configuration. AlthoughFIGS. 7-10 showbottom wall134,horizontal dividing wall136 may be formed in a similar fashion. Further, front andrear walls138,140 ofpocket130 may also be formed in a similar fashion. Further, the quantity of folds forbottom wall134,horizontal dividing wall136 and front andrear walls138,140 may be varied. In another embodiment,front panel102 andrear panel104 ofbag100 are padded. Therefore, front andrear walls138,140 ofpocket130 need not be padded. Accordingly, front andrear walls138,140 may be formed from only thin,flexible material160, without soft,padded material162. This allows front andrear walls138,140 to fold easily and occupy little volume whenpocket130 is in the collapsed configuration.
• FIGS. 4-6show bag100 aspocket130 is converted from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.FIG. 4 showsbag100 withpocket130 in the expanded configuration. As can be seen,flap142 extends horizontally over the open top ofpocket130 and vertically down a portion of an outside surface ofvertical divider132 such that hook orloop fastener144 offlap142 is aligned with and connected to corresponding loop or hook fastener146 on the outside surface ofvertical divider132. This keepsflap142 in place to cover open top ofpocket130 when contents such as a camera and lens, as shown inFIG. 4, are disposed incompartments150,152. Asvertical divider132 is pushed towardsside panel108, as shown inFIG. 5,bottom wall134 andhorizontal dividing wall136 begin to fold, and shown, for example, inFIGS. 7-10.Vertical divider132 is pushed further towardsside panel108 until hook orloop fastener144 offlap142 aligns with and connects to corresponding loop orhook fastener148 on the outside surface ofvertical divider132. This connection keepspocket130 in the collapsed configuration shown inFIG. 6. However, those skilled in the art would understand that this connection is optional.Pocket130 can be kept in the collapsed configuration by items disposed ininterior compartment118, or by other mechanisms.
• Referring toFIGS. 11-14, an embodiment of abag200 is shown therein. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 11-14,bag100 is a courier or messenger type bag. However, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatbag200 can generally be any type of bag that is used to carry items such as, but not limited to, camera equipment.Bag200 generally includes a front panel202, a rear panel204,side panels206,208, abottom panel212, and a top panel214. Top panel214 is generally attached to rear panel214 and extends over a top opening ofbag200 and down a portion of front panel202. A removable connection mechanism may connect top panel214 to front panel202, as generally know in messenger or courier type bags. Although the panels ofbag200 are labeled in terms of direction, those skilled in the art would recognize that such terms are relative to the orientation of thebag200 and can be interchanged. The front panel202, rear panel204,side panels206,208,bottom panel212, and top panel214 define aninterior compartment218. The front panel202, rear panel204,side panels206,208,bottom panel212, and top panel214 may be formed integrally or may be separate panels attached to each other by stitching or other attachment mechanisms.
• A collapsible divider or pocket230 is disposed withininterior compartment218. Pocket230 includes avertical divider232 that extends between front panel202 and rear panel204 withininterior compartment218. However,vertical divider232 is not attached to front panel202 or rear panel204. Pocket230 further include a front wall238 and a rear wall240. Front wall238 is disposed ininterior compartment218 and runs vertically along an inside surface of front panel202 when pocket230 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 11. Front wall238 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel208 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider232. Similarly, rear wall240 of pocket230 is disposed ininterior compartment218 and runs vertically along an inside surface of rear panel204 whenpocket130 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 11. Rear wall240 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel208 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider232. Abottom wall234 runs horizontally along an inside surface ofbottom panel212 when pocket230 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 11.Bottom wall234 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel208 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider232. Further,bottom wall234 is attached at a front end thereof to front wall238 and at a rear end thereof to rear wall240. Thus, pocket230, in the expanded configuration shown inFIG. 11 is defined by an inside surface ofside wall208, front and rear walls238,240,bottom wall234, andvertical divider232. Further, pocket230 may be divided into twocompartments250,252 by ahorizontal dividing wall236, as shown inFIGS. 11-14. In particular,horizontal dividing wall236 is attached a one side end thereof toside panel208 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider232. Further,horizontal dividing wall236 is attached at a front end thereof to front wall238 and at a rear end thereof to rear wall240. The use of the term “attached” in this paragraph refers to a permanent type attached, such as by stitching or adhesive. It does not refer to a temporary or removable attachment, such as hook and loop fasteners or clips.
• Aflap242 is disposed at the top of pocket230, as shown inFIG. 11. An end offlap242 is attached toside panel208. Flap extends over an open top of pocket230 and extends a down a portion of an outer surface ofvertical divider232, as explained in more detail below.Flap242 includes a hook orloop fastener patch244 disposed on an inside surface offlap242. Hook orloop fastener244 is configured to mate with corresponding loop orhook fastener patches246 or248 disposed on an outer surface ofvertical divider232, as explained in more detail below.Flap242 may be padded, as described above.
• As also shown inFIG. 11,side panel208 may include anopening110 to gain access to pocket230. Opening210 may be opened and closed with a zipper211 or similar device.
• FIGS. 12-14show bag200 as pocket230 is converted from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.FIG. 12 showsbag200 with pocket230 in the expanded configuration. As can be seen,flap242 extends horizontally over the open top of pocket230 and vertically down a portion of an outside surface ofvertical divider232 such that hook orloop fastener244 offlap242 is aligned with and connected to corresponding loop orhook fastener246 on the outside surface ofvertical divider232. This keepsflap242 in place to cover open top of pocket230 when contents such as a camera and lens, as shown inFIG. 12, are disposed incompartments250,252. Asvertical divider232 is pushed towardsside panel208, as shown inFIG. 13,bottom wall234 andhorizontal dividing wall236 begin to fold, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7-10.Vertical divider232 is pushed further towardsside panel208 until hook orloop fastener244 offlap242 aligns with and connects to corresponding loop orhook fastener248 on the outside surface ofvertical divider232. This connection keeps pocket230 in the collapsed configuration shown inFIG. 14. However, those skilled in the art would understand that this connection is optional. Pocket230 can be kept in the collapsed configuration by items disposed ininterior compartment218, or by other mechanisms.
• The materials forbag200 may be the same as described above forbag100.
• Referring toFIGS. 15-17, an embodiment of abag300 is shown therein. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 15-17,bag300 is a kit type bag. This type of bag is generally a smaller bag that may be opened from the top by a zipper (not shown). However, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatbag300 can generally be any type of bag that is used to carry items such as, but not limited to, camera equipment, phones, laptop computers, tablet devices, etc.Bag300 generally includes a front panel (shown transparent), a rear panel (not shown),side panels306,308, abottom panel312, and atop panel314. Although the panels ofbag300 are labeled in terms of direction, those skilled in the art would recognize that such terms are relative to the orientation of thebag300 and can be interchanged. The front panel, rear panel,side panels306,308,bottom panel312, andtop panel314 define aninterior compartment318. The front panel, rear panel,side panels306,308,bottom panel312, andtop panel314 may be formed integrally or may be separate panels attached to each other by stitching or other attachment mechanisms.
• A collapsible divider orpocket330 is disposed withininterior compartment318.Pocket330 includes avertical divider332 that extends between the front panel and the rear panel withininterior compartment318. However,vertical divider332 is not attached to the front panel or the rear panel.Pocket330 further include a front wall338 and a rear wall (not shown). Front wall338 is disposed ininterior compartment318 and runs vertically along an inside surface of the front panel whenpocket330 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 15. Front wall338 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel306 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider332. Similarly, the rear wall ofpocket330 is disposed ininterior compartment318 and runs vertically along an inside surface of the rear panel whenpocket330 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 15. The rear wall is attached at one side end thereof toside panel306 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider332. Abottom wall334 runs horizontally along an inside surface ofbottom panel312 whenpocket330 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 15.Bottom wall334 is attached at one side end thereof toside panel306 and at the opposite side end thereof tovertical divider332. Further,bottom wall334 is attached at a front end thereof to front wall338 and at a rear end thereof to the rear wall ofpocket330. Thus,pocket330, in the expanded configuration shown inFIG. 15 is defined by an inside surface ofside wall306, front wall338, rear wall (not shown),bottom wall334, andvertical divider332. Further,pocket330 may be divided into twocompartments350,352 by an additionalvertical dividing wall336, as shown inFIGS. 15-17. In particular,vertical dividing wall336 is attached a one side end thereof to the rear wall (not shown) ofpocket330 and at the opposite side end thereof to front wall338. Further,vertical wall336 may be attached at a bottom end thereof tobottom wall334 ofpocket330. The use of the term “attached” in this paragraph refers to a permanent type attached, such as by stitching or adhesive. It does not refer to a temporary or removable attachment, such as hook and loop fasteners or clips.
• Aflap342 is disposed at the top ofpocket330, as shown inFIGS. 15-17. An end offlap342 is attached toside panel306.Flap342 may extend over an open top ofpocket330 whenpocket330 is in the expanded configuration, but alternatively may extend along an inner surface ofside panel306 whenpocket330 is in the expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 15.Flap342 includes a hook or loop fastener patch344 disposed on an inside surface offlap342. Hook or loop fastener344 is configured to mate with a corresponding loop or hook fastener346 disposed on an outer surface ofvertical divider332, as explained in more detail below.Flap342 may be padded, as described above.
• FIGS. 15-17show bag300 aspocket330 is converted from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.FIG. 15 showsbag300 withpocket330 in the expanded configuration. Asvertical divider332 is pushed towardsside panel306, as shown inFIG. 16,bottom wall334 and the front and rear walls ofpocket330 begin to fold, in the manner shown, for example, inFIGS. 7-10.Vertical divider332 is pushed further towardsside panel308 until hook or loop fastener344 offlap342 aligns with and connects to corresponding loop or hook fastener346 on the outside surface ofvertical divider332. This connection keepspocket330 in the collapsed configuration shown inFIG. 17. However, those skilled in the art would understand that this connection is optional.Pocket330 can be kept in the collapsed configuration by items disposed ininterior compartment318, or by other mechanisms.
• The materials forbag300 may be the same as described above forbag100.
• While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims (20)

1. A bag comprising:

an interior compartment defined by a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel; and

a collapsible pocket disposed within the interior compartment, wherein the collapsible pocket is defined by,

a vertical divider extending between the front panel and the rear panel and slidable relative to the front panel and the rear panel,

a front wall adjacent an inside surface of the front panel and having a first end attached to the second side panel and a second end attached to the vertical divider, and

a rear wall adjacent an inside surface of the rear panel and having a first end attached to the second side panel and a second end attached to the vertical divider,

wherein the collapsible pocket includes an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein in the expanded configuration the vertical divider is spaced from the second side panel and the collapsible pocket is defined by an inside surface of the second side panel, an inside surface of the front wall, an inside surface of the rear wall, an inside surface of the bottom panel, and an inside surface of the vertical divider, and wherein in the collapsed configuration the vertical divider is disposed adjacent the second side panel.

2. The bag ofclaim 1, further comprising a bottom wall adjacent an inside surface of the bottom panel and having a first end coupled to the second side panel and a second end coupled to the vertical divider, wherein in the expanded configuration, the collapsible pocket is defined by the inside surface of the second side panel, the inside surface of the front wall, the inside surface of the rear wall, an inside surface of the bottom wall, and the inside surface of divider.

3. The bag ofclaim 1, further comprising a horizontal dividing wall dividing the collapsible pocket into a first compartment and a second compartment.

4. The bag ofclaim 3, wherein the horizontal dividing wall is attached at a first side end thereof to the second side panel and at a second side end thereof to the vertical divider.

5. The bag ofclaim 4, wherein the horizontal dividing wall is attached at a front end thereof to the front wall and at a rear end thereof to the rear wall.

6. The bag ofclaim 3, further comprising an opening in the second side panel to gain access to the collapsible pocket, and a closure device for opening and closing the opening.

7. The bag ofclaim 6, wherein the closure device is a zipper.

8. The bag ofclaim 6, further comprising a flap disposed adjacent a top of the collapsible pocket, wherein a first end of the flap is attached to the first second side panel and a second end of the flap includes a removable fastener, and wherein with the collapsible pocket in the expanded configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel across an open top of the collapsible pocket and partially along an outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener at the second end of the flap is coupled to the outer surface of the vertical divider, and in the collapsed configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel to and along the outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener is coupled to the outer surface of the vertical divider at a location closer to the bottom panel than in the expanded configuration.

9. The bag ofclaim 1, further comprising an opening in the second side panel to gain access to the collapsible pocket, and a closure device for opening and closing the opening.

10. The bag ofclaim 9, wherein the closure device is a zipper.

11. The bag ofclaim 9, further comprising a flap disposed adjacent a top of the collapsible pocket, wherein a first end of the flap is attached to the second side panel and a second end of the flap includes a removable fastener, and wherein with the collapsible pocket in the expanded configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel across an open top of the collapsible pocket and partially along an outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener at the second end of the flap is coupled to the outer surface of the vertical divider, and in the collapsed configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel to and along the outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener is coupled to the outer surface of the flap at a location closer to the bottom panel than in the expanded configuration.

12. The bag ofclaim 11, wherein the removable fastener is a hook or loop material, and wherein a corresponding loop or hook fastener is attached to the outer surface of the vertical divider.

13. The bag ofclaim 1, wherein the bag is a backpack.

14. The bag ofclaim 1, wherein the bag is a courier or messenger bag.

15. The bag ofclaim 1, wherein the bag is a kit bag.

16. The bag ofclaim 15, further comprising a second vertical dividing wall dividing collapsible pocket into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the second vertical dividing wall is attached a first side end thereof to the rear wall and at a second side end thereof to the front wall.

17. The bag ofclaim 15, further comprising a flap disposed adjacent a top of the collapsible pocket, wherein a first side end of the flap is attached to the second side panel and a second end of the flap includes a removable fastener, and wherein with the collapsible pocket in the collapsed configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel to and along the outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener is coupled to the outer surface of the vertical divider to hold the vertical divider adjacent the second side panel.

18. The bag ofclaim 17, wherein with the collapsible pocket in the expanded configuration, the flap extends along an inside surface of the second side panel.

19. The bag ofclaim 17, wherein with the collapsible pocket in the expanded configuration, the flap extends from the second side panel across an open top of the collapsible pocket and partially along the outer surface of the vertical divider such that the removable fastener at the second end of the flap is coupled to the outer surface of the vertical divider at a location farther from the bottom panel than in the collapsed configuration.

20. The bag ofclaim 17, wherein the removable fastener is a patch of hook or loop material that is removably coupled to a corresponding patch of loop or hook material disposed on the outer surface of the vertical divider with the collapsible pocket in the collapsed configuration.

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