Tote bag and method for forming its side walls

Abstract

The tote bag (B) comprises a collapsible container body made from a collapsible assembly of fabric panels joined together to form a bottom (15) and side walls (11-14), the side walls (11-14) including four sides (11, 12, 13, 14) which together define the internal storage volume when the collapsible container body (10) is extended. The side walls (11-14) include at least one vertical connection line (ST A It is formed from at least one side panel (10A) joined at the end along the ). The four sides (11, 12, 13, 14) are defined by pinching at least one side (10A) to form four vertical ridges that form the side walls (11-14) into four sides (11, 12, 13, 14), each vertical ridge extending not entirely to the bottom side (15) but from the bottom (15) to a first distance (d B The pinching line (ST) stops at ) CR It is formed by pinching at least one side panel (10A) along the vertical connection line (ST A ) are positioned along the side walls (11-14) at locations that do not coincide with any of the vertical ridges.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-purpose tote bag that is commonly used, for example, as a shopping bag, grocery bag, and / or laundry bag. [Background technology]

[0002] Tote bags are known in themselves within the field of the art.

[0003] International Publication No. 2014 / 068545 and related U.S. Patent No. 9,999,282, whose contents are incorporated herein by reference, disclose a tote bag having a foldable container body. The foldable container body comprises a foldable assembly of fabric panels joined to form a bottom, and side walls including four sides that together define an internal storage volume when the foldable container body is extended. The tote bag further comprises a removable swivel support assembly for rotatably supporting the foldable container body in the extended state, the removable swivel support assembly including a support plate and a plurality of caster wheels provided on the underside of the support plate. More specifically, the tote bag is configured such that the support plate is inserted into the internal storage volume and is detachably attached to the bottom of the foldable container body by a pair of internal fixing flaps. Furthermore, the bottom of the foldable container body has an opening that allows the caster wheels to pass through and protrude from the lower bottom of the foldable container body.

[0004] Tote bags employing the aforementioned design are sold under the product name HULKEN® and are available in various sizes and colors (see https: / / hulkenbag.com / ).

[0005] Yet another example of a similar tote bag with a removable rotational support assembly is disclosed in U.S. Design Patent No. 688,449. This tote bag is also configured such that the rotational support assembly can be inserted into the internal storage volume and removably attached to the bottom of the foldable insert body. Caster wheels project through corresponding openings from the bottom side to provide rotational support to the foldable insert body.

[0006] While the aforementioned solutions are quite satisfactory, there are certain limitations.

[0007] Specifically, the aforementioned HULKEN® bag has a side wall formed from one side panel, and the ends of this side panel are joined along a vertical joining line that coincides with one of the four vertical ridges of the tote bag. The remaining three vertical ridges are formed by pinching the side panel along three vertical pinching lines parallel to the vertical joining line. In other words, the vertical joining line and the three vertical pinches shape the side wall into the desired four sides. More specifically, the vertical joining line and the three vertical pinches each include one or more seams that extend from the top end to the bottom end over the entire height of the side wall. This structure is simple and robust, but it has the drawback that significant wear is particularly likely to occur at the four corners of the lower part of the foldable insert body. This is mainly due to the relatively sharp corners resulting from the aforementioned structure, where the corners are exposed to impacts and friction with surrounding objects and surfaces, which can ultimately lead to excessive local wear of the associated corners, particularly deterioration and rupture of the associated seams.

[0008] Another limitation in the existing HULKEN® bag is that when the foldable insert body is in the expanded state, a separate cover that is removably attached to the top of the tote bag is required to selectively close the internal storage volume.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2006 / 0198562A1 discloses a foldable insulated bag with a trailing member attachable to the bottom of the bag. The side walls of the bag are composed of two side panels, and these side panels are joined at their side edges along two vertical joining lines that respectively coincide with the corresponding one of the two vertical centerlines of the two short sides of the bag. No particular pinching of the side panels is contemplated to form a vertical ridge. Rather, each side panel forming the side wall (and the bottom panel forming the bottom of the bag) has a heat-insulating wall structure comprising outer and inner side wall sheets or webs and a heat-insulating layer pinched therebetween. In fact, the corners of the bag are not pinched or bent, and depending on the method of fixing the side panels to the bottom panel forming the bottom of the bag, it tends to have a more rounded shape, i.e., a shape with a large radius.

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 5,062,717 discloses a shopping bag with a handle, and this bag is essentially composed of a single panel forming the side wall and bottom of the bag. This single panel is joined at its side edges along a single vertical joining line that coincides with the vertical centerline of one of the two short sides of the bag. The four sides of the side wall of the bag are defined by pleating the single panel and forming creases at the four outer corners. These creases are pinched and reinforced by sewing between the top and bottom of the bag. Therefore, this bag has basically the same constraints as described above, i.e., a structure that is particularly prone to significant wear at the four corners of the bottom of the bag.

[0011] Therefore, an improved solution is still needed.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] A general object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag that solves the problems and limitations of known tote bags.

[0013] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a tote bag that improves abrasion resistance and tear resistance while maintaining the functionality and advantages of known HULKEN® bags.

[0014] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tote bag that is cost-effective to manufacture.

[0015] These and other objectives are achieved by the solutions set forth in the claims.

[0016] The present invention provides a tote bag having the features described in claim 1, namely, a collapsible container body made from a collapsible assembly of fabric panels joined to form a bottom and side walls, wherein the side walls include four sides that jointly define the internal storage volume when the collapsible container body is extended. The side walls are formed from at least one side panel joined at the ends along at least one vertical joint line. The four sides are defined by pinching the at least one side panel to form four vertical ridges that shape the side walls into the four sides. Furthermore, each vertical joint line is positioned along the side walls at a location that does not coincide with any of the vertical ridges. According to the present invention, each vertical ridge is formed by pinching the at least one side panel along a pinching line that does not extend all the way to the bottom but stops at a first distance from the bottom.

[0017] Preferably, the side wall includes a pair of opposing short sides and a pair of opposing long sides, and each vertical joint line is positioned to coincide with the corresponding vertical center line of one of the short sides. More specifically, in one embodiment, the side wall is formed from one side panel whose ends are joined along a single vertical joint line that coincides with the vertical center line of one of the short sides, and the side panel is pinched along four different pinching lines to form the four vertical ridges. According to another embodiment, the side wall is formed from two side panels, the ends of each side panel are joined along two vertical joint lines, each vertical joint line coincides with the corresponding vertical center line of the short side, and each of the two side panels is pinched along two different pinching lines to form the four vertical ridges.

[0018] Advantageously, the short sides of the foldable container body are provided with gusset folds designed to allow the opposing short sides to be folded outward to form a flat gusset portion, and each vertical connection line partially extends along a portion of the gusset fold. In this latter context, the foldable container body is preferably configured to be foldable flat such that the opposing short sides are folded outward along the gusset folds to form a flat gusset portion, the flat gusset portion being folded inward to cover the side portion of the first of the long sides, while the second of the long sides is folded inward so that its bottom aligns with the second long side.

[0019] The edges of at least one side panel are preferably sewn together along each vertical joint line, each vertical joint line including at least one seam extending substantially along the entire height of the side wall.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one side panel is sewn together along each pinch groove, each pinch groove including at least one seam that extends along only a portion of the total height of the side wall.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tote bag further comprises a removable cover panel forming an integral part of the foldable container body, the removable cover panel being positioned at the upper end of the side wall so as to allow selective closure of the internal storage volume when the foldable container body is extended. In this context, it is preferable that each pinching line stops at a second further distance from the upper end of the side wall. The removable cover panel may be permanently attached to one of the sides (particularly one of the long sides) and preferably detachably attached to the remaining side of the side by a zipper to close the internal storage volume.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the tote bag further comprises a rotating support assembly that rotates and supports the foldable container body in the extended state, the rotating support assembly comprising a support plate and a plurality of caster wheels provided on the underside of the support plate. In the latter context, the foldable container body preferably further comprises a retaining structure configured to securely hold the support plate on the underside of the bottom outside the internal storage volume.

[0023] Advantageously, the foldable container body may be configured such that the side walls have rounded corners below, preferably above, each vertical ridge.

[0024] At least one side panel may consist of at least two outer fabric pieces and an intermediate packaging piece, particularly a bubble sheet, interposed between the two outer fabric pieces, as taught in International Publication No. 2014 / 068545 and related U.S. Patent No. 9,999,282. Furthermore, the outer fabric pieces may consist of at least one woven sheet manufactured from a synthetic material such as polypropylene (PP) strands or a strand of a non-synthetic material, or may include at least one woven sheet. Preferably, one or each of the outer fabric pieces may further include an outer layer, such as a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, a cast polypropylene (CPP) film, or a polypropylene (PP) coating, which is applied to the outside of the woven sheet, for example by lamination or extrusion coating.

[0025] The present invention also claims a method for forming the side wall of a tote bag, the features of which are described in claim 24, namely, the method comprising: (i) the step of preparing one or two side panels; (ii) the step of joining the ends of the one or two side panels along one or two vertical joining lines to form the side wall; and (iii) four pinching lines (ST) that do not extend all the way to the bottom but stop at a first distance from the bottom. CR The method comprises the step of forming four vertical ridges that shape the side wall into four lateral sides by pinching one or two of the side panels along the ) and the joining of the ends of the one or two side panels includes positioning each vertical joint line so as not to coincide with any of the vertical ridges.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention. These descriptions are presented only as non-limiting examples and are illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

[0028] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a photograph of a tote bag according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a first viewing angle, showing the tote bag in an expanded state with its foldable container body extended. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figure 1A, viewed from a direction approximately perpendicular to one of the long sides of the tote bag. [Figure 1C] Figure 1C is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figure 1A-1B, viewed from the short side opposite to that shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 1D] Figure 1D is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 1A-1C, viewed from above, and illustrates the retractable cover panel of the tote bag, which, when extended, closes the internal storage volume of the foldable container body. [Figure 1E] Figure 1E is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 1A-1D, viewed from the top of the tote bag, showing the retractable cover panel of the tote bag in an open configuration, with the retractable cover panel folded into the internal storage volume of the foldable container body. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a photograph of one of the vertical ridges of the tote bag shown in Figures 1A-1E. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a close-up photograph of the upper part of the vertical ridge of the tote bag shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 2C] Figure 2C is a close-up photograph of the bottom of the vertical ridge of the tote bag shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 2D] Figure 2D is a magnified photograph of a portion of the back of the tote bag shown in Figure 1A-1E. [Figure 2E] Figure 2E is a close-up photograph of a portion of the top surface of the tote bag shown in Figure 1A-1E. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a tote bag according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the foldable container body of the tote bag in an extended state, removed from the rolling support assembly. [Figure 4]Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the tote bag from Figure 3 in a partially flattened and folded state, viewed from two opposite long sides. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a photograph of a tote bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a first viewing angle, and similarly, the foldable container body is shown in an extended state. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a photograph of the tote bag from Figure 5A, viewed from above, showing the open tote bag's open cover panel, which is folded into the internal storage volume of the foldable container body. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 5A-5B, viewed from the first of its two short sides. [Figure 5D] Figure 5D is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 5A-5C, viewed from the other of the two short sides. [Figure 5E] Figure 5E is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 5A-5D, viewed from above, and shows the retractable cover panel of the tote bag in an extended state, which closes the internal storage volume of the foldable container body. [Figure 5F] Figure 5F is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 5A-5E, with the openable cover panel closed, and shows a portion of the tote bag from the top, including the first short side. [Figure 5G] Figure 5G is a photograph of the tote bag shown in Figures 5A-5F, with the openable cover panel in a closed configuration, and shows a portion of the tote bag from the top, including the second short side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The present invention will be described in particular in relation to the various embodiments shown in Figures 1A-1E to 5A-5G. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses any combination and partial combination of the features of the present invention disclosed herein, as defined in the appended claims.

[0030] Figure 1A-1E is a photographic diagram of a tote bag B according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The tote bag B comprises a foldable container body 10, which is made of a foldable assembly of fabric panels joined together to form a bottom 15 and side walls 11-14, i.e., a pair of short sides 11, 13 and a pair of long sides 12, 14. The bottom 15 and the four side walls 11, 12, 13, 14 form an internal storage volume when the foldable container body 10 is extended, as shown in Figure 1A-1E. As shown in Figure 1A-1E, the side walls 11-14 are formed by four vertical ridges on the four lateral side walls 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0031] Tote bag B further comprises a rotating support assembly S that rotates and supports the foldable container body 10 in its extended state (as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 3). The rotating support assembly S comprises a support plate P and a plurality of caster wheels W provided on the underside of the support plate P. The caster wheels W are partially shown in Figures 1A-1C, and Figures 2A, 2C, and 2D.

[0032] The support plate P can be made from any material and structure. Lightweight materials and structures are preferred. In particular, the support plate P can be made from a composite material plate that includes a honeycomb spacer structure to ensure sufficient rigidity and strength while remaining lightweight.

[0033] The rotating support assembly S is preferably detachably attached to the underside of the tote bag B, i.e., below the bottom 15, by a releasable retaining structure 21-24 (one possible embodiment is shown in Figure 3). This constitutes the invention of European Patent Application Publication No. 23159231.2 of 28 February 2023 and the related concurrently pending U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 419,002 of 22 January 2024 (both titled “ROLLING TOTE BAG”) and will not be described in detail here. The contents of these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] In the illustrated example, multiple handles H1 and H2 are fixed to sides 11, 12, and 14. These include a pair of handles H2 fixed to opposing long sides 12 and 14, and a third handle H1 fixed to one of the short sides 11 and 13, i.e., short side 11 in the illustrated example, making it easier to roll the tote bag B when in use.

[0035] According to this first embodiment of the present invention, the side walls 11-14 are formed from one side panel indicated by 10A, the end of which is preferably a single vertical connecting line ST that coincides with the vertical centerline of one of the short sides 11, 13, i.e., the short side 13 in the illustrated example, as shown in Figures 1A, 1D, and 1E. A It is joined along the line.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the end of the side panel 10A is connected by a vertical connecting line ST. A They are sewn together along the vertical joint line ST, forming at least one seam that extends along almost the entire height of the side walls 11-14. In practice, if necessary, a vertical joint line ST is also sewn together. A Multiple seams can be made along the vertical joint line ST. A To further improve its resistance, it may be further fused and / or bonded. Although stitching is performed, other solutions are possible to ensure proper joining of the ends of the side panel 10A. However, stitching remains a particularly suitable solution for ensuring the desired robustness.

[0037] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the side panel 10A has four different pinching lines ST CR The pinching is performed along the lines to form four vertical ridges of tote bag B, shaping the side walls 11-14 into four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14, but the pinching is done in a specific manner which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2A-2E.

[0038] Also, FIGS. 1A-1E show a removable cover panel 17 that forms an integral part of the foldable container body 10. This removable cover panel 17 is provided at the upper ends of the side walls 11-14 and can selectively close the internal storage space when the foldable container body 10 is in the extended state as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. More specifically, the removable cover panel 17 is permanently attached to one of the side surfaces 11, 12, 13, 14 (here the long side surface 14), and is removably attached to the remaining side surfaces (i.e., side surfaces 11, 12, 13) to close the internal storage space. Preferably, the cover panel 17 is removably attached to the relevant side surface by a zipper ZP that is easily realized by the special structure of the tote bag B.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, each pinching line ST CR does not extend completely to the bottom 15 and stops at a (first) distance d B (see FIG. 2C) from the bottom 15. In the illustrated example, the same is true at the upper ends of the side walls 11-14, and each pinching line ST CR further stops at a (second) distance d T (see FIG. 2B) from the upper ends of the side walls 11-14 where the zipper ZP is disposed. The distances d B and d T are about 2 cm.

[0040] Preferably, the side panel 10A is stitched along each pinching line ST CR to form at least one seam line. This seam line extends only along a part of the full height of the side walls 11-14 as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, in contrast to the stitching done along the vertical joining line ST A . This is sufficient to properly pinch the side panel 10A and thereby form four vertical ridges that shape the side walls 11-14 into the four side surfaces 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0041] Pinching line ST CRBy stopping it just before the bottom 15 and the upper end of the side walls 11-14, the side walls 11-14 have rounded corners CR below and above each vertical ridge, as shown in Figures 2D and 2E. B CR T As shown, it becomes advantageous to further structure the foldable container body 10.

[0042] The foldable container body 10 is preferably configured such that the side panels 10A consist of at least two outer fabrics and an intermediate packing material (particularly bubble wrap) interposed between these two outer fabrics, as disclosed in International Publication No. 2014 / 068545 and related U.S. Patent No. 9,999,282. The contents of these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in this regard. This allows the foldable container body 10 to receive some structural reinforcement and maintain its expanded state while simultaneously being able to be folded into a compact shape for storage.

[0043] The outer fabric is made from or comprises at least one woven sheet manufactured from polypropylene (PP) strands. However, other synthetic or non-synthetic materials may also be considered without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Preferably, one or each of the outer fabrics further comprises an outer layer, such as a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, laminated to the outside of the woven sheet, thereby customizing the appearance of either or both the outer and inner visible sides of the foldable container body 10. While lamination of BOPP film is advantageously considered, the outer layer may also be applied in other suitable ways. Alternatives include lamination of cast polypropylene (CPP) film or application of a polypropylene (PP) coating by extrusion coating.

[0044] The foldable container body 10 is advantageous in that it retains the ability to be folded into a flat configuration, and each of the opposing short sides 11, 13 is advantageously provided with a gusset fold F (as schematically shown in Figure 3) designed to allow the opposing short sides 11, 13 to be folded outward to form flat folded gusset sections 11F, 13F, as schematically shown in Figures 4A and 4B. These flat folded gusset sections 11F, 13F are conveniently folded inward along the lateral section of the first side (here, side 12) of the long sides 12, 14, as schematically shown by the pair of arrows in Figure 4A, while the second opposite long side 14 of the foldable container body 10 is folded inward along a horizontal fold so that the bottom 15 and associated rolling support assembly S align with the second long side 14, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0045] Figures 5A-5G show tote bag B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. * This is a photographic illustration of tote bag B. * Similarly, the foldable container body 10 * It is equipped with this container body 10 * It consists of a collection of foldable fabric panels, which are joined together to form a bottom 15 and side walls 11-14 including sides 11, 12, 13, 14 (and a removable cover panel 17). These fabric panels form a foldable container body 10 as shown in Figures 5A-5G. * When extended, it jointly defines the internal storage space.

[0046] The main difference between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment described above is that the side walls 11-14 are 10A * and 10B * Formed from two side panels, the edges of these side panels are connected by two vertical connecting lines ST, each preferably coinciding with the vertical centerlines of the corresponding short sides 11, 13. A *It is located at the point where it is joined along the first vertical connection line ST. In other words, in the illustrated example, the first vertical connection line ST A * A second vertical connecting line ST is formed along the vertical centerline of the first short side surface 11. A * It will be understood that this is formed along the vertical centerline of the second opposite short side 13.

[0047] The advantage that this second embodiment has over the first embodiment is that both vertical coupling lines ST A * However, it extends partially along a portion of the associated gusset fold F. This allows the foldable container body 10 * A slightly hexagonal shape is given to it (for example, as shown in Figures 5A-5D), making it easier to fold the tote bag, as explained with reference to Figures 4A-4B. This is partially achieved in the first embodiment as well, but mainly on one side.

[0048] Various modifications and / or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. For example, while zippers are preferred for detachably attaching the cover panel to the corresponding side of the foldable container body, other solutions such as hook-and-loop fasteners or snap fasteners are also possible. Furthermore, the detachable cover panel, while a preferred configuration, is optional and can be omitted entirely.

[0049] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the vertical connection line may be positioned at a location other than the vertical ridge, potentially offset from the associated transverse vertical centerline.

[0050] List of reference numbers and symbols used in this specification B Tote bag (first embodiment) B * Tote bag (second embodiment) 10. Foldable (foldable) container body for tote bag B 10 *Tote bag B * The main body of the foldable (foldable) container 10A Side panels forming side walls 11-14 (first embodiment) 10A * , 10B * Side panels forming side walls 11-14 (second embodiment) 11 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * ) (First) short side (part of side wall 11-14) 12 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * ) (first) long side (part of side wall 11-14) 13 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * ) (the second) short side (part of side wall 11-14) 14 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * ) (the second) long side (part of side wall 11-14) F. Gusset folds formed on each short side 11, 13 11F A flat folded gusset portion formed by folding the short side 11 outward along the gusset fold F. 13F A flat folded gusset portion formed by folding the short side 13 outward along the gusset fold F. 15 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * ) bottom * 17 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * A removable cover panel (permanently attached to the long side 14) forms an integrated part of ). Zippers for attaching the ZP cover panel 17 to the remaining sides 11, 12, and 13 in a detachable manner. S Foldable container body 10 bottom (10, 10 each) * Rotary support assembly that is detachably attached to ) P Support Plate Caster wheels provided on the lower surface of support plate P H1, H2 handle 21-24 Foldable container body (10 each, 10 * Retaining structure for attaching the rotating support assembly S to the bottom of ) ST A Vertical connecting line to which the ends of the side panel 10A are joined (first embodiment) ST A * Side panel 10A * , 10B * A vertical connecting line to which the ends are joined (second embodiment) ST CR Side panel 10A and side panel 10A * , 10B * Pinching lines form vertical ridges and shape the side walls 11-14 into four sides 11, 12, 13, and 14. d B Pinching Line ST CR The (first) distance between the lower end and the bottom 15 d T Pinching Line ST CR The (second) distance between the upper end of the side wall 11-14 and the upper end of the side wall 11-14 CR B Rounded corners formed below the vertical ridge CR T Rounded corners formed on vertical ridges

Claims

1. Tote bag (B;B) ＊ ) and A foldable container body (10; 10) made from a foldable assembly of fabric panels joined to form a bottom (15) and side walls (11-14). ＊ The side walls (11-14) include four side faces (11, 12, 13, 14) that jointly define an internal storage volume when the foldable container body (10; 10) is in an extended state. The side walls (11-14) are formed from at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ ), 10B), which is joined at its ends along at least one vertical joining line (ST Ａ ; ST Ａ ＊ ),), and the foldable container body (10; 10) is provided with ＊ ＊ ). ＊ The four sides (11, 12, 13, 14) are connected to at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ The sides are defined by pinching them and forming four vertical ridges that make up the four sides (11, 12, 13, 14) of the sidewalls (11-14), Each vertical bond line (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ ) are positioned along the side walls (11-14) at locations that do not coincide with any of the vertical ridges, Each vertical ridge does not extend completely to the bottom (15) but extends a first distance (d) from the bottom (15). Ｂ The pinching line (ST) stops at ) ＣＲ Along the line, the at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ A tote bag characterized by being formed by pinching )

2. The tote bag according to claim 1 (B; B ＊ ) in The side wall includes a pair of opposing short sides (11, 13) and a pair of opposing long sides (12, 14), Each vertical bond line (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ A tote bag characterized in that the ) is positioned so as to coincide with the vertical center line of one of the corresponding short sides (13; 11, 13).

3. In the tote bag (B) described in claim 2, The side walls (11-14) have a single vertical connecting line (ST) that coincides with the vertical center line of one of the short sides (11, 13) (13). Ａ It is formed from one side panel (10A) whose ends are joined along the ), and the side panel (10A) has four different pinching lines (ST ＣＲ A tote bag characterized by being pinched along the ) to form the four vertical ridges.

4. In the tote bag (B) described in claim 2, The aforementioned side walls (11-14) consist of two side panels (10A ＊ , 10B ＊ ) is formed from, and the edges of each side panel are joined by two vertical connecting lines (ST Ａ ＊ The two side panels (10A) are joined along the same vertical connection line, and each vertical connection line coincides with the corresponding vertical center line of one (11, 13) of the short side (11, 13), and the two side panels (10A ＊ , 10B ＊ Each of the two pinching lines (ST ＣＲ A tote bag characterized by being pinched along the ) to form four vertical ridges.

5. In the tote bag (B; B*) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ Each of the short sides (11, 13) of the ) is provided with a gusset fold (F) designed to allow the opposing short sides (11, 13) to be folded outwards to form a flat gusset portion (11F, 13F), and each of the vertical connecting lines (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ A tote bag characterized by having a portion of the gusset fold (F) that extends along a part of it.

6. The tote bag according to claim 5 (B; B ＊ ) in The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ The tote bag is configured to be able to be folded flat such that the opposing short sides (11, 13) are folded outward along the gusset fold (F) to form flat gusset portions (11F, 13F), the flat gusset portions (11F, 13F) are folded inward so as to cover the side portion of the first side (12) of the long sides (12, 14), while the second side (14) of the long sides (12, 14) is folded inward so as to align the bottom portion (15) with the second long side (14).

7. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 6 (B; B ＊ ) in The at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ The ends of the vertical connecting lines (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ It is sewn along each vertical joint line (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ A tote bag characterized in that it includes at least one seam that extends along substantially the entire height of the side wall (11-14).

8. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 7 (B; B ＊ ) in The at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ ) each pinch grind (ST ＣＲ It is sewn along each pinch grate (ST ＣＲ The tote bag (B; B) is characterized by including at least one seam that extends along only a portion of the total height of the side wall (11-14). ＊ ).

9. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 8 (B; B ＊ ) in The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ The foldable container body (10; 10) further comprises a removable cover panel (17) that forms an integral part of the foldable container body (10; 10 ＊ A tote bag (B; B) is characterized in that the removable cover panel (17) is provided at the upper end of the side wall (11-14) so ​​that the internal storage volume can be selectively closed when the tote bag is in an extended state. ＊ ).

10. The tote bag according to claim 9 (B; B ＊ ) in Each pinching line (ST ＣＲ ) is a second distance (d) from the upper end of the side wall (11-14). Ｔ A tote bag characterized by its ability to stop at a specific point.

11. The tote bag according to claim 9 or 10 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that the removable cover panel (17) is permanently attached to one (14) of the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) and is removablely attached to the remaining sides (11, 12, 13) of the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) to close the internal storage volume.

12. The tote bag according to claim 11 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that the removable cover panel (17) is removablely attached to the remaining sides (11, 12, 13) of the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) by a zipper (ZP).

13. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 12 (B; B ＊ ) in the extended state, the foldable container body (10; 10 ＊ A tote bag further comprising a rotating support assembly (S) that rotates and supports the ) and the rotating support assembly (S) is characterized in that it includes a support plate (P) and a plurality of caster wheels (W) provided on the lower side of the support plate (P).

14. The tote bag according to claim 13 (B; B ＊ ) in The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ The tote bag is further characterized by comprising a retaining structure (21-24) configured to firmly hold the support plate (P) on the underside of the bottom (15) outside the internal storage volume.

15. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 14 (B; B ＊ ) in The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ ) The side walls (11-14) have rounded corners (CR) below each of the vertical ridges. Ｂ CR Ｔ A tote bag characterized by being configured to have ).

16. The tote bag according to claim 15 (B; B ＊ ) in The aforementioned foldable container body (10;10 ＊ Furthermore, the side walls (11-14) have rounded corners (CR) above each of the vertical ridges. Ｂ CR Ｔ A tote bag characterized by being configured to have ).

17. The tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 16 (B; B ＊ ) in The at least one side panel (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ A tote bag characterized in that it is composed of at least two outer fabric pieces and an intermediate packaging material piece interposed between the two outer fabric pieces.

18. The tote bag according to claim 17 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that the packaging material is bubble wrap.

19. The tote bag according to claim 17 or 18 (B; B ＊ ) in The tote bag is characterized in that the outer fabric piece is made from at least one woven fabric sheet manufactured from strands of synthetic or non-synthetic material, or comprises the woven fabric sheet.

20. The tote bag according to claim 19 (B; B ＊ ) and The tote bag is characterized in that the woven fabric is manufactured from polypropylene (PP) strands.

21. The tote bag according to claim 19 or 20 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that one or each of the outer fabric pieces further comprises an outer layer coated on the outside of the woven fabric sheet.

22. The tote bag according to claim 21 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that the outer layer is a laminate film or an extruded coating.

23. The tote bag according to claim 21 or 22 (B; B ＊ ) in A tote bag characterized in that the outer layer is a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, a cast polypropylene (CPP) film, or a polypropylene (PP) coating.

24. Tote bag according to any one of claims 1 to 23 (B; B ＊ A method for forming the side walls (11-14) of ), One or two side panels (10A; 10A) ＊ , 10B ＊ The steps to prepare ) and The one or two side panels (10A; 10A*, 10B ＊ The ends of the ) are joined by one or two vertical connecting lines (STA; STA ＊ The steps include joining them along the lines to form the side walls (11-14), does not extend completely to the bottom (15) and stops at a first distance (d Ｂ ) from the bottom (15), along four pinching lines (ST ＣＲ ), by pinching the one or two side panels (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ ), forming four vertical ridges that shape the side walls (11-14) into four lateral sides (11, 12, 13, 14); Equipped with, The one or two side panels (10A; 10A ＊ , 10B ＊ The joints at the ends of the ) are made by each vertical joint line (ST Ａ ST Ａ ＊ A method characterized by arranging the ) in a position that does not coincide with any of the vertical ridges.

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