The present application relates generally to containers, bags, sacks, carrying coolers, carrying heat retention devices, and other carrying devices for transporting foods or other items. More particularly, the present application relates to carrying devices adapted for delivering food goods. Still more particularly, the present application relates to delivery bags for carrying and delivering pizzas contained in pizza boxes.
Food delivery can take on many forms and may include the use of crates, bins, bags, or other carrying devices. In the case of pizza delivery, pizza delivery bags are commonly used. The bags may be sized to accommodate common pizza box sizes and, as such, may be generally rectangular or square and may allow for one or more pizzas to be stacked inside the bag.
In the case of delivery of a large number of pizzas, particularly for school orders or parties where anywhere from 2-30 pizzas or more may be delivered, the stacks of pizzas may get relatively tall. Some pizza delivery bags, for example, may be provided and be capable of carrying 8-15 pizzas for example. When the pizza boxes get loaded with pizza and the pizza boxes get stacked on top of one another, the lower pizza boxes in the stack may have a tendency to buckle, collapse, or otherwise deform under the load of the upper pizzas.
In one embodiment, a delivery bag is provided and may include a flexible housing portion configured for housing contents and having a bottom, an intermediate support portion arranged within the housing and in spaced apart relation relative to the bottom, and a support system configured for maintaining the spaced apart relationship of the intermediate support and the bottom under the load of the contents, the support system comprising a suspension system in tensile relation with the intermediate portion and a load bearing system in compressive relation with the intermediate portion, where, at least the suspension system supports the intermediate portion when carrying the delivery bag and at least the load bearing portion supports the intermediate portion when the delivery bag is resting on a surface.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are for purposes of example and explanation and do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The present application, in some embodiments, relates generally to carrying devices. More particularly, the present application, in some embodiments, relates to carrying devices having separators arranged therein. In one embodiment, the present application relates to a pizza delivery bag. The bag may be configured for housing multiple pizzas and for carrying the multiple pizzas for delivery, for example. The pizza delivery bag may include a shelf positioned within the bag for isolating the load from upper pizzas on lower pizzas. The shelf may be secured to the sidewalls of the bag. Stiffeners may be provided in the sidewalls for supporting the shelf and straps and a handle may also be provided for carrying the bag.
The bag may be loaded with pizzas arranged above the shelf and below the shelf. When the bag is resting on a surface, the load from the pizzas above the shelf may be transferred to the sidewalls of the bag by the shelf and the sidewalls may be secured to the top of the bag. The stiffeners in the sidewalls may then transfer that load down the sidewalls to the surface the bag is resting on. When the bag is carried by the handle, the load from the pizzas above the shelf may still be transferred to the sidewalls of the bag by the shelf. However, in this case, the resulting load in the sidewalls may be transferred into the strap system via the sidewalls. In both cases, the shelf may receive the load of the upper pizzas and transfer the load to the person or structure supporting the bag through stiffened side walls. Accordingly, the load from the upper pizzas may not be transferred to the lower pizzas and crushing, buckling, or otherwise damaging the lower pizzas may be avoided.
Referring now to
The housing portion 102 may be configured for housing one or more items. The housing 102 may be particularly adapted for climate control and, as such, may include insulating materials and vents for controlling moisture. The housing 102 may be in the form of a bag, box, or other container and may include several portions configured to surround or encapsulate the item being housed. For example, in one embodiment, the housing 102 may be in the form of a generally rectangular or square bag. The bag may include a bottom portion, a top portion, two opposing side portions, a front portion and a back portion. The several portions may be constructed of the same or similar materials or differing materials may be used for selected portions.
The housing 102 and/or the several portions of the housing 102 may be constructed of one or more layers. The layers may include, for example, an outer layer, an insulation layer, and an inner layer. A reinforcing lining may also be provided on portions of the housing where the intermediate portion 104 is attached. In some embodiments, the outer layer of one or more portions of the housing may be constructed of 600 denier polyvinyl chloride sheet, fabric polyester, or polyurethane coated nylon. The inner layer of one or more portions of the housing may be constructed of a more breathable material such as a nylon material including 210 denier polyurethane coated nylon, for example. The insulation layer may include poly batting insulation. The reinforcing lining may be provided on portions of the housing where the intermediate portion 104 is attached to provide strength for the attachment. The reinforcing lining may be positioned on inward facing surfaces of the housing 102, for example. In some embodiments, the reinforcing lining may be constructed of a 70 polyvinyl chloride nylon, for example.
In some embodiments, the outer and inner layers and the insulation layer may be breathable materials such that moisture may escape from the housing through the materials. For example, in some embodiments, the layers of the top and bottom portions of the housing may be constructed of breathable materials such as 210 denier polyurethane coated nylon. Alternatively or additionally, one or more portions of the bag may include a vent or vents for allowing moisture to escape from the housing. In some embodiments, for example, the top portion of the housing may include an opening for venting of steam or other gases. Other materials and/or systems may also be used to make the housing 102 and control temperature and moisture within the housing.
As shown in
The housing 102 may be provided in a range of sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the housing 102 may be approximately 16″ wide by approximately 16″ long by approximately 20-24″ high. In other embodiments, the housing 102 may be approximately 17½″ wide by approximately 17 W′ long by approximately 20-24″ high. In still other embodiments, the housing 102 may be approximately 19¼″ wide by approximately 19¼″ long by approximately 20-24″ high. Other suitable sizes may be selected and used based on the contents being stored, carried, or otherwise housed in the system.
Referring again to
The intermediate portion 104 may be in the form of a shelf as shown and may extend across the housing 102 from one side portion to an opposing side portion. As shown, the intermediate portion 104 may be secured to at least the side portions. The intermediate portion 104 may be secured to the side portions with webbing material 118 that is approximately 2″ wide, for example, to facilitate transfer of the load from the intermediate portion 104 to the side portion without tearing. The shelf may also be secured to the back portion as shown. In other embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the shelf may also be secured in the bag with hook and loop, buttons, zippers, or some other removable/replaceable securing system. The shelf may include a relatively rigid material configured to span across the width of the bag 100 and support the load of contents placed on the shelf. For example, the shelf may include a plastic, processed wood, or similar material. The shelf may also include a padding portion and an outer portion arranged around the plastic, processed wood, particle board, plywood, or other more rigid core.
While the intermediate portion 104 has been described as a shelf supported off of the side portions, the intermediate portion 104 may also be suspended from the top portion or supported with struts or columns off of the bottom portion. Other arrangements for supporting the intermediate portion 104 in spaced apart relationship with the bottom portion may also be provided. In addition, while single intermediate portion has been shown, multiple intermediate portions may be provided. That is, multiple shelves such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more shelves may be provided.
With continued reference to
As shown in
As shown in
The stiffeners may be inserted into respective portions of the housing 102 through the openings 114 and may be removable through the openings 114. The stiffeners may be made from a relatively rigid material and may be constructed from the same or similar material as the core of the intermediate portion 104. That is, the stiffeners may be plastic, processed wood, particle board, or plywood, for example, or another relatively stiff material may be used. The stiffeners may be sized similarly to the respective portion the stiffener is associated with. That is, for example, the stiffeners shown in
The suspension system 108 may include one or more straps secured to the housing 102 and may also include a top handle and a pair of side handles 110. The strap or straps may be secured to the housing 102 in one or more locations. In some embodiments, the straps may be secured to the housing 102 along the side portions at a point at or near the position of the attachment of the intermediate portion 104. As shown, the straps may extend from a top handle portion across the top of the housing and downward along the side portions and across the bottom of the housing or bag. The straps may be sewn, adhered, or otherwise secured to the housing 102 at one or more locations as the straps extend down the side portion. In some embodiments, the straps may be secured near the location of the intermediate portion attachment. In still other embodiments, the attachment of the strap as it passes along the side portion may be substantially continuous and may be reinforced periodically along the length of the straps. In some embodiments, the attachment of the strap or straps to the side portion may include securing the strap or straps to the outer layer of the housing, but not the inner layer, so as to allow placement of the stiffener within the respective portion of the housing 102. The strap may include a pair of straps where one strap extends down each side of the bag 100 and across the bottom or, as shown, the straps may include two pairs of straps where two straps extend down each side of the bag 100 and across the bottom and are spaced apart by a separation distance.
The side handles 110 may be arranged at or near the location of the intermediate portion 104 or another location and may be positioned between the two straps extending down the side of the bag 100. The side handles 110 may be secured to the side portion at the same location as the two straps and may overlap and be sewn, adhered, or otherwise affixed to the side portion together with the straps.
In use, the embodiment of
In this at rest position, for example, load of the contents of the bag 100 acting on the intermediate portion 104 may be transferred to the reinforcing lining of the side portions. The reinforcing lining may be sewn, fastened, or otherwise secured at the top of the side portions and/or back portion. As such, the reinforcing lining of the side portions may transfer the load through tension to the top of the side portion supported by the stiffener. The load may then be transferred through compression through the stiffener and down to the supporting surface.
When it is time to move the bag, the top handle, for example, may be grasped and the bag may be lifted from the supporting surface. As with the at rest position, the load from the contents on the intermediate portion 104 may be passed to the reinforcing lining of the side portion of the bag. The reinforcing lining may transfer the load through tension to the top of the side portion. Here, the load may pass into the stiffener and the stiffener may transfer the load via compression to the bottom of the side portion and the outer layer of the side portion may transfer the load through tension to the straps secured to the outer layer of the side portion. (Note: resistance to spread of the bottom of the side portions may be resisted through tension in the bottom portion) The straps may then transfer the load through tension to the handle carried by the user. Where the side handles 110 are used, the load may be transferred directly from the outer layer of the side portions to the handles 110.
In both of the above cases, a positive load path may be established between the one or more intermediate portions 104 and the supporting surface or carrier and, as such, the load from the contents supported by the intermediate portion 104 may be supported and imparting the load on the contents below the intermediate portion 104 may be avoided.
As suggested, the embodiment, of
In other embodiments, the bag 100 may be collapsed, and consequently expanded, in a different manner. For example, in some embodiments, the stiffeners may be factory installed, for example, and be sewn into or otherwise more permanently secured within the side portions. In this embodiment, where, for example, the intermediate portion 104 is secured to the side portions and the back portion, the bag may not readily collapse due to the lateral rigidity offered by the back portion in stabilizing the side portions. As such, in this embodiment, the bag 100 may be shipped in an expanded state. In another embodiment, where the stiffeners are factory installed, the intermediate portion 104 may be secured to the side portions, but not the back portion. Accordingly, in this embodiment, for purposes of shipping, the side portions may be tipped (e.g., racking motion like dominos) the same direction to cause the bag 100 to lay flat. In still other embodiments, the intermediate portion 104 may include a hook and loop, button, or zipper attachment to the side portion and/or back portion and, as such, may be removable and replaceable. In this embodiment, for purposes of shipping, the intermediate portion 104 may be removed and the side portions may be tipped the same or opposite directions to cause the bag 100 to lay flat. Upon arrival at its destination and in preparation for use, the intermediate portion may be installed in the bag 100 via the hook and loop, button, or zipper attachment.
In another embodiment, as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In contrast to the embodiment of
It will be appreciated that when loading the bag of the embodiment of
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some other embodiments, the portions of the housing that include stiffeners may include additional reinforcing fabric around the stiffeners to protect against wear over time. For example, an additional layer of fabric may be provided along the top edge and bottom edge of the stiffeners. In other embodiments, the additional fabric may be arranged near the corners. In some embodiments, the additional fabric may be internal and in other embodiments, it may be arranged on the exterior of the bag.
It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context or particular embodiments. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/496,598, filed Jun. 14, 2011, the contents of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61496598 | Jun 2011 | US |