MAGIC BAGS

Abstract

A grocery storage system includes two or more bags having retractable members whose faces comprise connecting means such as Velcro material allowing the bags to connect to one another. The bags can be placed inside a shopping trolley in an accordion fashion facilitating separation of different grocery items and convenience of portability. The retractable members facilitate use of the storage system in shopping trolleys of different sizes. The bags include different type pockets which can be used for different items, such as bottles, fragile items such as eggs, and personal items such as the shopper's wallet or smartphone. Grips which may include Velcro patch coupled with two distal bags are used to secure the storage system within the shopping trolley. Bags can be made from fabric having lower sections made from fish-net or transparent material. One of the bags maybe, selectively, made from heat-insulating material facilitating control of temperature of grocery items.

Description

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a grocery storage system comprising two or more bags having retractable members whose faces comprise connecting means, such as Velcro material, allowing the bags to connect to one another and placed in a shopping trolley. The bags facilitate separation of different grocery items and convenience of portability. The bags include different type pockets and two distal bags include grips to secure the system to the shopping trolley.

BACKGROUND

Use of reusable grocery bags has become popular. In fact, some grocery stores encourage their customers to use reusable bags by applying a fee for use of disposable bags. Some municipalities have all-together banned the use of plastic bags. Certain reusable bag systems having multiple bags have been disclosed in the International Pat. App. No. WO2010031854 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,366. However, these reusable bags cannot be used for different size shopping trolleys and lack other features which are discussed more fully in the present disclosure.

The present invention provides for a more desirable grocery storage system. In particular, the present invention discloses a grocery storage system with multiple bags which incorporate retractable members allowing it to be used with different size shopping carts. In addition, each retractable member includes three (3) member-connecting means such as Velcro material on both its front and rear faces so that the bags can be connected to one another and further allowing closure of individual bags. The bags can be placed inside a shopping trolley in an accordion fashion making it easy to separate different grocery items and convenience of portability. The bags further include different type pockets for different articles, such as bottles, fragile items such as eggs, and personal items such as the shopper's wallet or smartphone. Grips which may include Velcro patch coupled with two distal bags are used to secure the storage system within the shopping trolley to the transversal edges of the shopping trolley. Bags can be made from fabric having lower sections made from fish-net or transparent material. One of the bags maybe, selectively, made from heat-insulating material facilitating control of temperature of grocery items.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a grocery storage system is disclosed comprising two or more bags, wherein the two or more bags comprise a first distal bag and a second distal bag, and wherein each of the two or more bags has a generally cuboid shape having a bag-front face, a bag-rear face, a bag-right face, a bag-left face, and a bag-bottom face, and wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises two retractable members coupled with two top edges of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face, wherein each of the two retractable members has a generally cuboid shape comprising a member-front face and a member-rear face, and wherein each of the member-front face and member-rear face includes three member-connecting means, and wherein at least one of the two or more bags further comprises at least one of one or more beverage-content pockets coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-right face, and the bag-left face and a first rigid compartment coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face.

Preferably, each of the two or more bags further comprises a first strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-rear face and a second strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-front face.

Preferably, each of the two or more bags further comprises a first pocket coupled with one of outside surface and inside surface of one of the bag-front face, the bag-rear face, the bag-right face, and the bag-left face.

Preferably, a lower section of at least one of the bag-left face and bag-right face is made from at least one of a fish-net material and transparent material.

Preferably, an upper section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a first trolley-connecting means and a lower section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a system-connecting means.

Preferably, the first trolley-connecting means comprises a first button and a first Velcro patch and the system-connecting means comprises a second button.

Preferably, an upper section of outside surface of the bag-front face of the second distal bag comprises a second trolley-connecting means.

Preferably, the second trolley-connecting means comprises a second Velcro patch.

Preferably, the system further comprises a trolley and wherein the two retractable members are disposed on two axial edges of the trolley.

Preferably, each of the three member-connecting means comprises a Velcro strip, wherein the first trolley-connecting means is wrapped around a first transversal edge of the trolley and the first Velcro patch is coupled with a first center Velcro strip of the member-rear face of the first distal bag, and wherein the second trolley-connecting means is wrapped around a second transversal edge of the trolley and the second Velcro patch is coupled with a second center Velcro strip of the member-front face of the second distal bag.

Preferably, each of the two or more bags is made from fabric.

Preferably, at least one of the two or more bags is made from heat-insulating material.

Preferably, the rigid compartment is made from hard plastic.

Preferably, height of consecutive bags decreases by a predetermined percentage.

Preferably, the predetermined percentage is equal to 5%.

In another aspect, a method of storing grocery is disclosed, comprising providing for a grocery storage system, said system comprising two or more bags, wherein the two or more bags comprise a first distal bag and a second distal bag, and wherein each of the two or more bags has a generally cuboid shape having a bag-front face, a bag-rear face, a bag-right face, a bag-left face, and a bag-bottom face, and wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises two retractable members coupled with two top edges of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face, wherein each of the two retractable members has a generally cuboid shape comprising a member-front face and a member-rear face, and wherein each of the member-front face and member-rear face includes three member-connecting means, and wherein at least one of the two or more bags further comprises at least one of one or more beverage-content pockets coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-right face, and the bag-left face and a first rigid compartment coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bag which is used in a grocery storage system, where the bag includes two retractable members having three Velcro strips on each of the front and rear faces of each of the two retractable members, a rigid compartment, two straps, and a convenient pocket disposed on the right face of bag, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a right view of a preferred embodiment of a grocery storage system having four bags including two distal bags, where the first distal bag includes a first trolley-connecting means and a system-connecting means and the second distal bag comprises a second trolley-connecting means, further showing connection of the retractable members of each bag for closure of individual bags and further illustrating how the height of consecutive bags decrease, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows the grocery storage system of FIG. 2A connected to one another by the retractable members, further illustrating, via the directional arrow, how the system-connecting means of the first distal bag is utilized to wrap the four bags and connect the system-connecting means to the first trolley-connecting means for convenient carrying of the grocery storage system, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a bag, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows the right view of the bag in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a bag, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows a right view of a preferred embodiment of a bag, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, further showing two beverage-content pockets securing a bottle, a rigid compartment which includes a lid, and a pocket for shopper's personal items, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B shows a partial view of the bag in FIG. 5A to provide details of the Velcro strips on the retractable member and a button which is use as the system-connecting means.

FIG. 5C shows a cutaway view of a lower portion of a bag utilizing transparent material on its lower portion instead of the fish-net material used in the bag shown in FIG. 5A, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows a right view of a preferred embodiment of a grocery storage system coupled with a shopping trolley via a first trolley-connecting means of a first distal bag and a second trolley-connecting means of a second distal bag, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows a partial view of the grocery storage system in FIG. 6A to provide details of a Velcro patch that may be used on the first trolley-connecting means to connect with Velcro strip used on a member-connecting means.

FIG. 6C shows a partial view of the grocery storage system in FIG. 6A to provide details of a Velcro patch that may be used on the second trolley-connecting means to connect with Velcro strip used on a member-connecting means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a system and method for a grocery storage system. In particular, retractable members allow use of the system in different size shopping trolleys. Two connecting means, such as grips having trolley-connecting means such Velcro material, are connected to two distal bags of the grocery storage system so as to facilitate connecting the system to the trolley. A system-connecting means which may include a first button is used to package the entire system by connecting to a second button included in the first trolley-connecting means of the first distal bag. Different type pockets are used for different type articles. Multiple member-connecting means such as Velcro strips are utilized to connect the two or more bags of the grocery storage system to one another and further allow closure of the individual bags. Individual bags may be made from fabric and one or more of the bags may include heat-insulating material fur grocery items which may require temperature control.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a bag 100 which is used in a grocery storage system, where the bag 100 includes two retractable members 108 and 112. The retractable members may be made from plastic, metallic, or other materials. In one configuration, the rails may be covered by fabric material. The bag 100 has a generally cuboid shape having a bag-front face 102, a bag-rear face 106, a bag-right face 104, a bag-left face 138, and a bag-bottom face (not seen in this view). A bag-top face does not exist and the space is provided for the user to place the items inside the bag 100. Each of the members 108 and 112 has generally a cuboid shape. A lower section of the bag-right face 104 in this preferred embodiment is made from a fish-net material 136. The bag 100 can be made from fabric and the lower fish-net material can be made from nylon. In an alternative embodiment, the lower section is made from transparent nylon.

The retractable member 108 has three Velcro strips 130, 132, and 134 on its front face and three Velcro strips on its rear face (not seen in this view). The retractable member 112 also has three Velcro strips 124, 126, and 128 on its front face and three Velcro strips on its rear face (not seen in this view). The members 108 and 112 have retractable parts such as the retractable parts 110 and 114 which deploy outwardly in a telescopic manner to lengthen the members 108 and 112 so as to facilitate use of the bag 100 in trolleys of different size when the members 108 and 112 are placed on the two axial edges of the trolley (see, for instance, FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C).

The bag 100 further includes a rigid compartment 122 on the inside surface of its bag-rear face 106. The rigid compartment 122 may be used for fragile grocery items such as eggs. The bag 100 includes one or more beverage-content pockets (seen in FIG. 5A) coupled with inside surface of the bag-right face 104 and/or the bag-left face 138 which may be used to hold bottles within the bag 100. A first strap 118 and a second strap 116 are connected to the outside surface of the bag-rear face 106 and bag-front face 102, respectively. A pocket 120 is coupled with outside surface of the bag-right face 104 of the bag 100.

FIG. 2A shows right view of a preferred embodiment of a grocery storage system having four bags 200, 202, 204, and 206, where the bag 200 is designated as the first distal bag and the bag 206 is designated as the second distal bag. The first distal bag 200 includes a first trolley-connecting means 216 and a system-connecting means 222. The second distal bag 206 comprises a second trolley-connecting means 234. The first trolley-connecting means 216 has a Velcro patch 218 and a first button 220. The system-connecting means 222 has a second button 224. The first trolley-connecting means 216, the second trolley-connecting means 234, and the system-connecting means 222 can be made from fabric. The first-trolley connecting means 216 is used to connect the system to a trolley. For instance, the first-trolley connecting means 216 is wrapped around a first transversal edge of the trolley and the second-trolley connecting means 234 is wrapped around a second transversal edge of the trolley in order to secure the grocery storage system within the trolley (see FIG. 6A, 6B, and 6C).

The four bags 200, 202, 204, and 206, each have two retractable members. The first bag 200 has two retractable members 238 and 240. The member 238 is coupled with top edge of the bag-rear face of the bag 200 and the member 240 is coupled with top edge of the bag-front face of the bag 200. The member 238 has three member-connecting means on its front and three member-connecting means on its rear face. One of the member-connecting means 208 of the member 238 on the rear face of the member 238 and one of the member-connecting means 210 of the member 238 on the front face of the member 238 are shown in this figure. Similarly, the member 240 has three member-connecting means on its front and three member-connecting means on its rear face. One of the member-connecting means 212 of the member 240 on the rear face of the member 240 and one of the member-connecting means 214 of the member 240 on the front face of the member 240 are shown in this figure. The second bag 202 has two retractable members 242 and 246. One of the member-connecting means 228 of the member 242 on the rear face of the member 242 connects to member-connecting means 214 of the first bag 200. The third bag 204 and the fourth bag 206 also have two retractable members 248, 250, and 252 and 254. The first bag 200 has a height H at 230. Consecutive bags, i.e., bags 202, 204, and 206 have consecutively smaller height. In one preferred embodiment, the height H of the first bag 200 is 2.50 feet and the height of the second bag 202 is decreased by 5% at 232.

FIG. 2B shows the grocery storage system of FIG. 2A connected to one another by the retractable members. The directional arrow 226 illustrates how the system-connecting means 222 of the first distal bag 200 is utilized to wrap the four bags 200, 202, 204, and 206. In particular, after the bags are so wrapped, the second button 224 is buttoned to the first button 220 providing a compact configuration of the bags 200, 202, 204, and 206 for conveniently carrying the grocery storage system.

FIG. 3A shows a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a bag 300, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, designated to be the first distal bag. In this figure, the distal bag 300 has a first retractable member 302. The retractable member 302 has extending components 304 and 306 which telescopically extend outwardly so as to lengthen the member 302. As discussed above, this allows for the grocery storage system to be usable in different size shopping carts. Three member-connecting means, such as Velcro strips 308, 310, and 312 are attached to the rear face of the member 302. The bag 300 is a first distal bag and as such it includes a first trolley-connecting means 314 and a system-connecting means 320.

The first trolley-connecting means 314 has a square shape Velcro patch 318 in a first button 316. The system-connecting means 320 has a second button 322. Although in the present disclosure, the first button 316 and the second button 322 are referenced separately, the two components are part of a single fastener. In other words, the first button 316 may be a generally circular metallic part which is sewn onto the first trolley-connecting means 314 and the second button 322 would be its metallic counterpart sewn onto the system-connecting means 320 which connects, via press fit, to the first button 316. Other forms of fastener for the first and second buttons 316 and 322 are contemplated. The bag 300 further includes two straps, one of which, a strap 324 is shown in this figure.

FIG. 3B shows the right view of the bag 300 in FIG. 3A. In this figure, a lower section of the bag-right face is made from fish-net material design 334 so as to provide a window to the content of the bag 300. The bag 300 includes the strap 324 coupled with outside surface of the bag-rear face, and a strap 326 coupled with outside surface of the bag-front face. One of the three member-connecting means, i.e., the member-connecting means 328 can be connected to one of the three member-connecting means of the other retractable member, i.e., member-connecting means 330, to close the bag 300.

FIG. 4 shows top view of a preferred embodiment of a bag 400, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, designated to be the first distal bag. In this top view, the bag 400 includes two retractable members 402 and 404 attached to the top edge of the bag-rear face and bag-front face, receptively. The first member 402 comprises a retractable component 406 which can extend out to increase its length. Similarly, the second member 404 comprises a retractable component 408 which can extend out to increase its length. The other sides of the members 402 and 404 have similar member extending components.

The first member 402 has three member-connecting means 410, 412, and 414 attached to its rear face. The first member 402 also has three member-connecting means 420, 418, and 416 attached its front face. The second member 404 has three member-connecting means 422, 424, and 426 attached to its rear face. The second member 404 also has three member-connecting means 432, 430, and 428 attached its front face. In a preferred embodiment, each of the six member-connecting means is a Velcro strip.

A first trolley-connecting means 434 is attached to the bag rear face. The first trolley-connecting means 434 has a square shape Velcro patch 436 and a first button 438. The first trolley-connecting means 434 is wrapped around a first transversal edge of a trolley (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C) and the square shape Velcro patch 436 is connected to the center Velcro strip 412.

In this top view, a pocket 440 is attached to the inside surface of the bag-front face of the bag 400 (similar to the item 524 in FIG. 5A) which may be used for holding shopping receipts, coupons, and/or shopper personal items such as wallet or smartphone. The top view of a rigid compartment 442 (similar to the item 516 in FIG. 5A) is shown. Four pockets 448, 450, 446, and 444 which are coupled with inside surface of the bag-right face 452 and the bag-left face 454 of the bag 400 are also shown. These pockets can be made from flexible material to hold beverage-content articles such as wine bottles. Strap 456 and strap 458 are attached to the front face and rear face of the bag 400, respectively.

FIG. 5A shows right view of a preferred embodiment of a bag 500, such as the bag shown in FIG. 1, designated to be the first distal bag. In this right view, one can clearly see a rigid compartment 516 which includes a lid 518. Motion arrow 520 illustrates how the led pivots around a point a closes the compartment 516. The rigid compartment is ideal to store easily breakable articles such as eggs. A pocket 524 is shown attached to inside surface of the bag-front face of the bag 500 which may be used for the shopper's personal items. In this right view, two beverage-content pockets 526 and 528 are also shown. A bottle 422 is shown in dashed lines, which is secured in the pocket 528. A lower section of the bag-right face of the bag 500 is made from fish-net material 538. As a distal bag, the bag 500 includes a first trolley-connecting means 510 having a first button 514 and Velcro patch 512 which is attached to the bag 500. As a distal bag, the bag 500 also includes a system-connecting means 530 which includes a second button 532.

FIG. 5B shows a partial view of the bag in FIG. 5A. It provides details of Velcro strips 506 and 508 on both rear face and front face of the retractable member 540. The first button 514 connects to the second button 532, thereby, wrapping all the bags providing a compact configuration for conveniently carrying the grocery storage system.

FIG. 5C shows a cutaway view of a lower portion of a bag utilizing transparent material 542 on its lower portion instead of the fish-net material used in the bag shown in FIG. 5A. In this preferred embodiment, the bag is a distal bag which includes a system-connecting means 534 having a fastener 536.

FIG. 6A shows right view of a preferred embodiment of a grocery storage system 600 coupled with a shopping trolley 628 via a first trolley-connecting means 616 of a first distal bag 602 and a second trolley-connecting means 618 of a second distal bag 608. The grocery storage system 600 includes four bags 602, 604, 606, and 608, the bag 602 and 608 are designated as the distal bags. In this embodiment, the first distal bag 602 further includes a rigid compartment 630 and a convenience pocket 632. The second bag 604 comprises two beverage-content pockets 634 and 636. The bag third 606 is made from heat-insulating material which would be ideal to contain hot and cold articles so as to maintain their temperatures.

FIG. 6B shows a partial view of the grocery storage system in FIG. 6A to provide details of a Velcro patch 614. The Velcro patch 614 is attached to the first trolley-connecting means 616, preferably via an adhesive and it connects to a Velcro strip 612 on a retractable member 610. The first trolley-connecting means 616 is wrapped around a first transversal edge of the shopping trolley 628.

FIG. 6C shows a partial view of the grocery storage system in FIG. 6A to provide details of a Velcro patch 620. The Velcro patch 620 is attached to the second trolley-connecting means 618 of the second distal bag 608, preferably via an adhesive and it connects to a Velcro strip 622 on a retractable member 624. The second trolley-connecting means 624 is wrapped around a second transversal edge of the shopping trolley 628.

The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, and discussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understanding this invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of it and are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A grocery storage system, comprising two or more bags, wherein the two or more bags comprise a first distal bag and a second distal bag, and wherein each of the two or more bags has a generally cuboid shape having a bag-front face, a bag-rear face, a bag-right face, a bag-left face, and a bag-bottom face, and wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises: (a) two retractable members coupled with two top edges of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face, wherein each of the two retractable members has a generally cuboid shape comprising a member-front face and a member-rear face, and wherein each of the member-front face and member-rear face includes three member-connecting means; andwherein at least one of the two or more bags further comprises at least one of:(b) one or more beverage-content pockets coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-right face, and the bag-left face; and(c) a first rigid compartment coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises: (d) a first strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-rear face; and(e) a second strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-front face.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises: (f) a first pocket coupled with one of outside surface and inside surface of one of the bag-front face, the bag-rear face, the bag-right face, and the bag-left face.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a lower section of at least one of the bag-left face and bag-right face is made from at least one of a fish-net material and transparent material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein an upper section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a first trolley-connecting means and a lower section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a system-connecting means.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first trolley-connecting means comprises a first button and a first Velcro patch and the system-connecting means comprises a second button.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein an upper section of outside surface of the bag-front face of the second distal bag comprises a second trolley-connecting means.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the second trolley-connecting means comprises a second Velcro patch.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a trolley and wherein the two retractable members are disposed on two axial edges of the trolley.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the three member-connecting means comprises a Velcro strip, wherein the first trolley-connecting means is wrapped around a first transversal edge of the trolley and the first Velcro patch is coupled with a first center Velcro strip of the member-rear face of the first distal bag, and wherein the second trolley-connecting means is wrapped around a second transversal edge of the trolley and the second Velcro patch is coupled with a second center Velcro strip of the member-front face of the second distal bag.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more bags is made from fabric.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more bags is made from heat-insulating material.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the rigid compartment is made from hard plastic.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein height of consecutive bags decreases by a predetermined percentage.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the predetermined percentage is equal to 5%.

16. A method of storing grocery, comprising: (i) providing for a grocery storage system, said system comprising two or more bags, wherein the two or more bags comprise a first distal bag and a second distal bag, and wherein each of the two or more bags has a generally cuboid shape having a bag-front face, a bag-rear face, a bag-right face, a bag-left face, and a bag-bottom face, and wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises:(a) two retractable members coupled with two top edges of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face, wherein each of the two retractable members has a generally cuboid shape comprising a member-front face and a member-rear face, and wherein each of the member-front face and member-rear face includes three member-connecting means; andwherein at least one of the two or more bags further comprises at least one of:(b) one or more beverage-content pockets coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-right face, and the bag-left face; and(c) a first rigid compartment coupled with inside surface of at least one of the bag-front face and the bag-rear face.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises: (d) a first strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-rear face; and(e) a second strap coupled with outside surface of the bag-front face.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the two or more bags further comprises: (f) a first pocket coupled with one of outside surface and inside surface of one of the bag-front face, the bag-rear face, the bag-right face, and the bag-left face.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein a lower section of at least one of the bag-left face and bag-right face is made from at least one of a fish-net material and transparent material.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein an upper section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a first trolley-connecting means and a lower section of outside surface of the bag-rear face of the first distal bag comprises a system-connecting means.