This present invention relates to a bag.

Ch-A-182847 discloses a basket with two compartments which are pivotally mounted.

FR-A-2777757 discloses two pivotal inserts.

Items which are placed in a conventional bag tend to move around so that they end up in a different place in the bag to that in which they were originally placed. This means that users who place a number of items in their bag may spend a lot of time looking for those items or wondering if certain items are lost.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to mitigate that disadvantage.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bag which contains therein a plurality of cases each of which is pivotally mounted so that it can be individually rotated without the other cases. The other cases will remain sturdy in a uniform style.

Having a plurality of cases means that items may be placed in each of those cases where they will remain until they are required once again. The cases may be individually rotated, thereby facilitating easy access to each case.

The cases are mounted in a stack so that they can be rotated so as to be positioned one on top of the other. The arrangement is such that the cases are in alignment when positioned one on top of the other. Such an arrangement is particularly compact, and allows maximum use to be made of the space within the bag.

Each case may be pivotally mounted by means of a unique hinge.

There may be a pivot for the hinges.

The bag may comprise a detachable insert for dividing a case into smaller compartments. Such inserts may be useful for, for example, mobile hairdressers who may need to divide the cases into sections for hair clips, pins and other hair accessories.

The bag may comprise a detachable insert for retaining an item on the interior of the bag.

The bag comprises two openings which allow access to the cases from two different sides of the cases.

The cases may be made of any suitable material. For example, the cases may be made of waterproof fabric. At least one of the cases may comprise a substantially transparent lid. This will allow the items in that case to be viewed before the case is opened.

The cases may be of any suitable size. For example, for a standard sized backpack, the cases may be such that there is adequate room for items such as a mobile telephone, bag of crisps, make-up bag, keys, a purse and other everyday items.

The bag may be made of any suitable material. For example, the bag may be made of waterproof fabric.

The bag may be of any suitable size, and may perform any suitable function. For example, the bag may be a backpack (large or small), a briefcase, a suitcase or a trolley case.

Further advantages and characteristics will be made more apparent from a specific embodiment of the invention, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

• Figure 1 shows a front view of a bag according to the invention in its open position with the cases in a first position;
• Figure 2 shows a front view of the bag of Figure 1 in its open position with the cases in a second position;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the bag of Figure I in its closed position.
• Figure 4 shows a rear view of the bag of Figure 1.
• Figure 5 shows a plan view of the detachable insert with the bag of Figure 1; and
• Figure 6 shows a plan view of a second detachable insert for use with the bag of Figure 1.

The bag shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a bag 1 which contains therein a plurality of cases 2 each of which is pivotally mounted so that it can be individually rotated without the other cases 2. The other cases may remain sturdy in a uniform style.

The bag 1 is in the form of a backpack, and comprises a body 3 having a front opening 4 and a top opening 5. Each opening is fastenable by means of a zip 6,7. The bag 1 comprises a removable shoulder strap 8 and two adjustable back straps 9. For simplicity, the hooks and buckles that are used for these functions are not illustrated. The bag is made from waterproof fabric, and is sufficiently large as to accommodate a newspaper, a magazine or an A4 file.

The bag 1 contains four cases 2, each having an opening 10 which is fastenable by means of a zip 11. The lid 12 of each case 2 is transparent in order to allow the items in that case 2 to be viewed before the container 2 is opened. The rest of the case 2 is made of the same fabric as the bag 1.

The cases 2 are placed one on top of the other to form a stack in which the cases 2 are in alignment with each other. Each case 2 is pivotally mounted on the bag 1 by means of a fabric hinge 13 which allows that case 2 to be individually rotated without the other cases 2. Each of the hinges 13 has a unique pivot in the form of a rod 14 which is fully covered by fabric to prevent injury, and which is attached to one side of the bag 1.

Figure 1 shows the four cases 2 in a first position in which they have been rotated so that they are in alignment. In this position, the front opening 4 may be closed and zip 6 fastened. The bag 1 may then be carried by the user using either the shoulder strap 8 or back straps 9.

Figure 2 shows the four cases 2 in a second position in which two alternate cases 2 have been rotated by 180°. In this position, the lids 12 of each case 2 are accessible so that the cases 2 can be opened by the user, and items may be placed in the cases 2 or removed therefrom, as desired.

Figure 5 shows a detachable insert 15 which can be placed in each case 2 in order to divide the case into smaller compartments 16. The insert 15 extends to a level just beneath the level of the zip 11.

Figure 6 shows a detachable insert 17 having three flaps 18 each covered with Velcro^™ which may be attached to the inside of the bag 1 and used for carrying an item such as a can of drink.