Patent Grant
11345516
This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/713,628, filed Aug. 2, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to recyclable containers generally and, more particularly, to a method and/or apparatus for implementing a recyclable container carrying bag.
Storage and transportation of empty soda, beer and other cans and bottles can be troublesome. A collection of many recyclable containers over time consumes a considerable amount of storage space. Moving a large number of containers from the storage space to a recycling center commonly involves garbage bags. Full garbage bags can be heavy and difficult to lift and carry. The garbage bags are also tied closed to avoid spilling the recyclable containers during transpiration. The knots at the end of the garbage bags are sometimes difficult to untie at the recycling center.
It would be desirable to implement a recyclable container carrying bag.
The invention concerns an apparatus including a housing, first handles, second handles and zippers. The housing may be (i) made of a flexible material and (ii) have compartments. The first handles may be (i) attached to an end of the housing and (ii) configured to hang the housing in an upright orientation. The second handles may be attached to another end of the housing. The housing is generally configured to bend such that the first handles are aligned with the second handles to facilitate carrying of the housing. The zippers may be configured to provide an opening into a corresponding compartment suitable to pass recyclable beverage containers. Each compartment may have (i) a zipper proximate a top end of the compartment to insert the recyclable beverage containers and (ii) another zipper proximate a bottom end of the compartment to remove the recyclable beverage containers.
Embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims and drawings in which:
Embodiments of the present invention include providing a recyclable container carrying bag that may (i) occupy a small foot print while accumulating containers, (ii) provide handles for hanging, (iii) provide handles for easy carrying, (iv) include resealable openings along a bottom for quick removal of the containers, (v) provide multiple compartments for keeping different types of containers separated and/or (vi) be implemented with a flexible materials.
Referring to
The component 102 may implement a housing. The housing 102 may include multiple (e.g., two) compartments. Each compartment of the housing 102 may be operational to store, transport and discharge multiple beverage containers 90 to 92. In normal use, the beverage containers 90 to 92 may be empty. In various embodiments, the housing 102 may be used with full containers 90 to 92. The multiple compartments of the housing 102 generally allow for the separation of different types of containers 90 to 92. For example, some types of containers (e.g., containers 90) may be stored and transported in one compartment while other types of containers (e.g., containers 92) may be stored and transported in another compartment. In various embodiments, the housing 102 may be fabricated of a flexible material including, but not limited to plastic, vinyl, leather, nylon, rubber or any combination of the materials. Other materials may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Each component 104a to 104d may implement a handle. Each handle 104a to 104d may be attached to a corresponding side of the housing 102. In an example embodiment, two of the handles 104a and 104b may be attached at one end of the housing 102 (e.g., a top end as illustrated in the figure). The other two handles 104c and 104d may be attached at another end of the housing 102 opposite the handles 104a and 104b (e.g., a bottom end as illustrated in the figure). The handles 104a to 104d may be used to hang the housing from a hook or peg on a wall, door, cabinet, coat rack or other structure suitable to hold the weight of the apparatus 100 when filled with recyclable containers 90 to 92. In various embodiments, the handles 104a to 104d may be fabricated with plastic, vinyl, leather, nylon, chord, rubber, or any combination of materials. Other materials may be used to meet the design criteria of a particular application. The handles 104a to 104d may also be created in different styles and/or shapes other that as shown in the figure. In various embodiments, the handles 104a to 104d may be configured for ease of hanging. For example, the handles 104a to 104d may be integrated to fit into a top of a door frame and still allow the door to close. In other embodiments, the handles 104a to 104d may be configured for ease of carrying.
The components 106a to 106g may implement rivets. The rivets 106a to 106g are generally operational to fasten the handles 104a to 104d to the housing 102. In various embodiments, each end of each handle 104a to 104d may be attached to the housing with a rivet 106a to 106g. In other embodiments, other numbers of rivets 106a to 106g may be used to secure the handles 104a to 104g to the housing 102.
The components 108a to 108d may implement zippers. The zippers 108a to 108d are generally operational to enable passage of the containers 90 to 92 into and out of the compartments of the housing 102. In various embodiments, the zipper 108a may be located in a sidewall of the housing 102 at the compartment near the handle 104a. The zipper 108c may be located in the sidewall of the housing 102 at the compartment near the handle 104c. The zippers 108a and 108c are generally opened to allow insertion of the containers 90 to 92 into the housing 102. The zippers 108a and 108c may be closed during transportation of the assembly 100 to a recycling center to keep the containers 90 to 92 from falling out of the housing 102.
The housing 102 generally has a height dimension, illustrated as 114a+114b+114c. In various embodiments, each dimension 114a and 114b may be approximately two feet (e.g., 20 to 28 inches). The dimension 114c may be a few inches (e.g., 3 to 7 inches). The housing 102 may have a width dimension 116. In an example embodiment, the dimension 116 may also be approximately 2 feet (e.g., 24 to 30 inches). In an example embodiment of 27 inches wide by 53 inches high by 6 inches deep, the assembly 100 may hold approximately a hundred cans 90 among the two compartments. Other dimensions may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Referring to
The handles 104a and 104b may be located parallel to each other at one end of the compartment 110a. The handles 104c and 104c may be located parallel to each other at an opposite end of the compartment 110b. The zippers 108a and 108b may open into the compartment 110a. The zippers 108c and 108d may open into the compartment 110b.
The housing 102 may have a depth 118. In various embodiments, the depth 118 may be a few inches (e.g., 5 inches to 16 inches). Other depths may be implemented to meet the criteria of a particular application.
In various embodiments, the zippers 108a to 108d and the compartments 110a to 110b may be configured to hold different types of beverage containers 90 to 92. In an example embodiment, the zippers 108a and 108b and the compartment 110a may be sized to hold beverage-can type containers 90. While beverage-can type containers are illustrated, other types of containers may be stored and transported inside the compartment 110a. The zippers 108c and 108d and the compartment 110b may be sized to hold beverage bottle sized containers 92. While beverage-bottle type containers are illustrated, other types of containers may be stored and transported inside the compartment 110b. In other embodiments, the zippers 108a to 108d and the compartments 110a to 110b may be configured to hold the same type of beverage container 90 to 92.
Referring to
The component 120 may implement a glove pouch. The pouch 120 is generally attached to an outer surface of the housing 102. An opening in the pouch 120 may allow one or more pairs of gloves to be inserted and removed from the pouch 120.
The handle 104b may be attached to the housing 102 in alignment with the handle 104a. The handle 104d may be attached to the housing 102 in alignment with the handle 104c.
The zipper 108b may open to the compartment 110a near the center of the housing 102. As such, any containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110a may be easily removed through an open zipper 108b. During storage and transportation, the zipper 108b may be closed to keep the containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110a.
The zipper 108d may open to the compartment 110b near the handle 104d. As such, any containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110b may be easily removed through an open zipper 108d. During storage and transportation, the zipper 108d may be closed to keep the containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110b.
In an example storage operation, the assembly 100 may be hung from a peg using the handles 104a and/or 104b. In an example embodiment, an “S” hook may be used between the peg and the handles 104a and/or 104b. The hanging orientation places the zippers 108a and 108c at the top of the compartments 110a and 110b, respectively. Open zippers 108a and 108c generally allow the containers 90 to 92 to be inserted into the compartments 110a and 110b for storage. The bottom zippers 108b and 108d may be closed to retain the containers 90 to 92 inside the housing 102.
In an example transportation operation, the open zippers 108a and 108c may be closed. The assembly 100 may subsequently be removed from the peg. A height of the assembly 100 may be reduced by folding the housing 102 along the middle section causing the four handles 104a to 104d to align with each other. The assembly 100 may thus be transported by holding the handles 104a to 104d in one or two hands.
In an example emptying operation, the assembly 100 may be hung up again (as shown in the figures). The zippers 108b and 108d may be opened and the containers 90 to 92 allowed to fall out of the housing 102. In another example emptying operation, the assembly 100 may remain folded in half. With the assembly 100 being held up by the handles 104a to 104d, the zippers 108b and 108c may be opened to allow the containers 90 to 92 to be removed from the bottom of the compartments 110a and 110b.
Referring to
The component 102a may implement a housing. The housing 102a may be a shorter version of the housing 102. The housing 102a may be fabricated from the same material as the housing 102. The housing 102a may have a height 114d and a width 116a. In various embodiments, the height 114d may be approximately two feet (e.g., 20 to 28 inches). The width 116a may be may also be approximately 2 feet (e.g., 24 to 30 inches). In an example embodiment of 27 inches wide by 25 inches high by 6 inches deep, the assembly 100a may hold approximately twenty-five cans 90. Other dimensions may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Referring to
The housing 102a may have a depth 118a. In various embodiments, the depth 118a may be a few inches (e.g., 5 inches to 16 inches). Other depths may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Referring to
The component 120 may implement a glove pouch. The pouch 120 is generally attached to an outer surface of the housing 102a. An opening in the pouch 120 may allow one or more pairs of gloves to be inserted and removed from the pouch 120.
The handle 104b may be attached to the housing 102a in alignment with the handle 104a.
The zipper 108b may open to the compartment 110c near the far end of the housing 102a, opposite the handles 104a and 104b. As such, any containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110c may be easily removed through an open zipper 108b. During storage and transportation, the zipper 108b may be closed to keep the containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110a.
Referring to
Referring to
In an example storage operation, the assembly 100a may be hung from a peg or door handle using the handles 104a and/or 104b, or placed on a surface such as a table or counter. The hanging/placed orientation may result in the zippers 108a and 108e being at the top of the compartment 110c. Open zippers 108a and/or 108e generally allow the containers 90 to 92 to be inserted into the compartment 110c for storage. The bottom zippers 108b and 108f may be closed to retain the containers 90 to 92 inside the housing 102a.
In an example transportation operation, the open zippers 108a and 108e may be closed. The assembly 100a may subsequently be removed from the peg/door handle or picked up off the table/counter. The assembly 100a may be transported by holding the handles 104a to 104d in one or two hands.
In an example emptying operation, the assembly 100a may be hung up again. The zippers 108b and/or 108f may be opened and the containers 90 to 92 allowed to fall out of a bottom of the housing 102a. In another example emptying operation, the assembly 100a may be placed on a counter. Thereafter, the zippers 108a and/or 108e may be opened to allow the containers 90 to 92 to be removed through the top of the housing 102.
Referring to
The housing 102b may be a variation of the housing 102. The housing 102b may be fabricated from the same material as the housing 102.
The additional handles 104e and 104f (only handle 104e is shown) may be attached to the housing 102b via the rivets 106g to 106j. The handle 104e may be located approximately halfway between the handles 104a and 104c.
The zippers 108a and 108b and a compartment formed in the housing 102b may be sized to enable insertion and removal of larger beverage containers 94 (e.g., 2-liter plastic bottles). The zippers 108a and 108b may also accommodate the smaller containers 90 and 92.
The housing 102b may have a height 114e and a width 116b. In various embodiments, the height 114d may be approximately five feet (e.g., 54 to 66 inches). The width 116b may be approximately 2 feet (e.g., 24 to 30 inches). Other dimensions may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
In an example embodiment of 27 inches by 60 inches by 5 inches deep, the assembly 100b may hold approximately a hundred and fifty can-type containers 90, approximately eighty-five bottle-type containers 92, approximately sixty 2-liter type containers 94 or a combination of any two or three types of the containers 90 to 94.
Referring to
The housing 102b may have a depth 118b. In various embodiments, the depth 118b may be a few inches (e.g., 5 inches to 16 inches). Other depths may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Referring to
The zipper 108b may open to the compartment 110d near the handle 104d. As such, any containers 90 to 94 within the compartment 110d may be easily removed through an open zipper 108b. During storage and transportation, the zipper 108b may be closed to keep the containers 90 to 94 within the compartment 110d.
In an example storage operation, the assembly 100b may be hung from a peg using the handles 104a and/or 104b. The hanging orientation places the zipper 108a at the top of the compartment 110d. Open zipper 108a generally allows the containers 90 to 94 to be inserted into the compartment 110d for storage. The bottom zipper 108b may be closed to retain the containers 90 to 94 inside the housing 102b.
In an example transportation operation, the open zipper 108a may be closed. The assembly 100b may subsequently be removed from the peg. The assembly 100b may be rotated until the handles 104e and 104f are upright. The assembly 100b may be subsequently transported by holding the handles 104e to 104f in one or two hands.
In an example emptying operation, the assembly 100b may be hung up again (as shown in the figures). The zipper 108b may be opened and the containers 90 to 94 allowed to fall out of the compartment 110d.
Referring to
The housing 102c may be fabricated from the same material as the housing 102. The housing 102c may be fabricated in a shape of a bottle. Other shapes of the housing 102c may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application. Logos, messages and/or artwork may be displayed on a face of the housing 102c.
The handles 104a and 104b may be located proximate a narrower “neck” portion of the housing 102c. In various embodiments, the zipper 108a may be located below the neck portion of the housing 102c. In other embodiments, the zipper 108a may be located along the neck portion of the housing 102c.
The housing 102c may have a height 114f and a width 116c. In various embodiments, the height 114f may be approximately five feet (e.g., 54 to 66 inches). The width 116c may be approximately 2 feet (e.g., 24 to 30 inches). Other dimensions may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
In an example embodiment of 27 inches by 60 inches by 6 inches deep, the assembly 100c may hold approximately a hundred and twenty-five can-type containers 90, approximately sixth-five bottle-type containers 92, approximately forty 2-liter type containers 94 or a combination of any two or three types of containers 90 to 94.
Referring to
The housing 102c may have a depth 118c. In various embodiments, the depth 118c may be a few inches (e.g., 5 inches to 16 inches). Other depths may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.
Referring to
The zipper 108f may open to the compartment 110e near the handle 104d. As such, any containers 90 to 94 within the compartment 110e may be easily removed through an open zipper 108f During storage and transportation, the zipper 108f may be closed to keep the containers 90 to 92 within the compartment 110d.
In an example storage operation, the assembly 100c may be hung from a peg using the handles 104a and/or 104b. The hanging orientation places the zipper 108a at the top of the compartment 110e. Open zipper 108a generally allows the containers 90 to 94 to be inserted into the compartment 110e for storage. The bottom zipper 108f may be closed to retain the containers 90 to 94 inside the housing 102b.
In an example transportation operation, the open zipper 108a may be closed. The assembly 100c may subsequently be removed from the peg. The assembly 100c may be transported by holding the handles 104e to 104f in one or two hands.
In an example emptying operation, the assembly 100c may be hung up again (as shown in the figures). The zipper 108f may be opened and the containers 90 to 94 allowed to fall out of the housing 102c.
The terms “may” and “generally” when used herein in conjunction with “is(are)” and verbs are meant to communicate the intention that the description is exemplary and believed to be broad enough to encompass both the specific examples presented in the disclosure as well as alternative examples that could be derived based on the disclosure. The terms “may” and “generally” as used herein should not be construed to necessarily imply the desirability or possibility of omitting a corresponding element.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200039695 A1 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62713628 | Aug 2018 | US |
