Foldable bag

A bag, comprising a tube having a closed end and an open end, wherein:

• the tube is made of a fabric;
• the tube comprises at least one set of pleats;
• the at least one set of pleats comprises at least five parallel longitudinal folds in alternating directions that extend from the closed end to the open end of the tube;
• and
• the longitudinal folds of the at least one set of pleats are secured in place at the closed end of the tube, wherein the sections of fabric on opposite sides of each longitudinal fold are the one on top of each other in a folded state of the at least one set of pleats,
• the tube is provided at the open end thereof with at least one handle for carrying the bag;
• and
• the at least one handle is provided by a handle opening in the fabric of the tube at the open end of the tube,
• a handle plate is arranged on the fabric around the handle opening for reinforcing the handle opening,
• two sets of pleats extend from the closed end to the open end of the tube;
• along the cross-sectional circumference of the tube the two sets of pleats are separated on either side by a respective un-pleated section of fabric that extends between the respective end folds of the sets of pleats;
• in each of the un-pleated sections of fabric separating the two sets of pleats a handle opening is arranged at the open end of the tube,
• the sections of fabric that extend between two longitudinal folds each comprise at least three parallel transverse folds in alternating directions that extend transverse relative to the pleats;
• in the folded state of the at least one set of pleats, the transverse folds of adjacent sections of fabric are arranged in a nesting relationship such that each set of nested transverse folds provide a combined transverse fold and the sets of nested transverse folds provide at least three parallel combined transverse folds in alternating directions;
• a respective handle plate is arranged on the fabric around each handle opening;
• and
• the handle plates cover the section of fabric bounded by the end folds of the two sets of pleats, the edge of the open end of the tube, and, the transverse fold in the section of fabric that is closest to the open end of the tube.