Patent Application
20140117687
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to supporting containers. More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to supporting multiple containers simultaneously.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that plastic shopping bags, carrier bags or plastic grocery bags are a type of shopping bag made from various kinds of plastic. Plastic shopping bags are sometimes called single-use bags, referring to carrying items from a store to a home.
Typically, shopping is an activity in which a customer browses the available goods or services presented by one or more retailers with the intent to purchase a suitable selection of them. After completing the shopping and purchasing the desired items, the customer often carries the purchased goods from the store in shopping bags.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
There are various types of container support assemblies that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the container support assembly may support and transport multiple containers simultaneously. The container support assembly may provide a rod portion for supporting the at least one container. In some embodiments, the rod portion includes a cylindrical shape that forms a surface efficacious for gripping. The rod portion may be sufficiently linear and rigid enough to support the weight of the at least one container and the contents of each container. In some embodiments, the rod portion may extend and terminate with a pair of rod ends that function to support and transport the at least one container.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of support portions that engage with at least one container handle may join with the pair of rod ends. The pair of support portions may be configured to secure the at least one container handle to the container support assembly. In this manner, the at least one container handle may serve as a bridge between the at least one container and each support portion. The pair of support portions may be configured to have smooth radius curves that minimize shearing of the at least one container handle. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings will recognize that the at least one container handle may include plastic shopping bags, which are relatively thin. Any sharp edges on the pair of support portions may shear or cut the plastic.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each support portion may include a proximal support portion for joining with the pair of rod ends. The proximal support portion may also provide a border for defining each support portion. In some embodiments, the proximal support portion may include a proximal feeder surface for guiding the at least one container handle. The proximal feeder surface may include a proximal angle configured to allow the at least one container handle to traverse towards a slit. In one embodiment of the present invention, each support portion may include a distal support portion that positions opposite from the proximal support portion. In some embodiments, the distal support portion may include a distal feeder surface for guiding the at least one container handle towards the slit. The distal feeder surface may include a distal angle configured to allow the at least one container handle to traverse towards the slit. In one embodiment, the distal feeder surface may position higher than the proximal feeder surface. In this manner, the distal feeder portion may provide a larger surface area for guiding the at least one container handle towards the proximal support portion and the slit. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings will recognize that the distal feeder surface and the proximal feeder surface work in conjunction to funnel the at least one container handle towards the slit.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each support portion may include an aperture for retaining the at least one container handle. The aperture may be positioned to receive the at least one container handle after the at least one container handle passes through the slit. The aperture may be sized and dimensioned to fully enclose the at least one container handle. However, in some embodiments, the at least one container handle may be too large to pass through the slit, and into the aperture. In this manner, the at least one container handle may position towards a narrow end of the proximal angle, and a narrow end of the distal angle. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings will recognize that the at least one container handle may be removed from the aperture by forcing the at least one container handle through the slit, and beyond the pair of support portions.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each support portion may include a proximal support portion for joining with the pair of rod ends. The proximal support portion may be configured to engage a hollow cylinder in the pair of rod ends. However, the proximal support portion may join with the pair of rod ends through other means, including, without limitation, a bolt, a screw, a magnet, an adhesive, and a threaded aperture. The proximal support portion may also provide a border for defining each support portion. In some embodiments, the proximal support portion may include a proximal feeder surface 308 for guiding the at least one container handle. In some embodiments, the proximal feeder surface may include a smooth, angled longitudinal axis that is efficacious for allowing the at least one container handle to slide along. The proximal feeder surface may include a proximal angle 310 configured to allow the at least one container handle to traverse towards a slit. The slit may include a narrow end of the proximal angle, and measure 1 millimeter in width. However, in other embodiments, the slit may be wider or narrower.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each support portion may include a distal support portion that positions opposite from the proximal support portion. The distal support portion may position higher than the proximal support portion. In some embodiments, the distal support portion may include a distal feeder surface 304 for guiding the at least one container handle towards the slit, similarly to the proximal distal feeder surface. In this manner, the distal feeder surface may provide a larger surface area for orienting the at least one container handle towards the proximal support portion and the slit. The distal feeder surface may include a distal angle 306 configured to allow the at least one container handle to traverse towards a slit. In some practical embodiment, approximately 25 and 335 degree angles may be suitable for sliding the bag handles down towards the hole. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings will recognize that, the distal feeder surface and the proximal feeder surface may work in conjunction to funnel the at least one container handle towards the slit.
All the features or embodiment components disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features or components serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent, suitable, or similar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s) providing a similar function by virtue of their having known suitable properties for the intended purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent, or suitable, or similar features known or knowable to those skilled in the art without requiring undue experimentation.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a container support assembly that supports multiple containers simultaneously according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the container support assembly that supports multiple containers simultaneously may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the container support assembly that supports multiple containers simultaneously described in the foregoing were principally directed to a container support assembly with a rod that joins with bag handles from the rod ends implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to supporting construction supplies while working at high elevations, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
