Patent Application
20220175101
This patent specification relates to the field of bags and other object holding devices. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a reusable shopping bag which provides improved convenience in loading, unloading, and transporting.
A relatable U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,411 B1 includes a reusable shopping bag that has sleeve components to slide onto existing t-shirt bag racks or fixtures. The disadvantage of that bag is that it contains handles that protrude and become easily entangled while placing items or goods into the bag, and the opening does not prevent items from falling out of the bag. That bag is also not compact and includes a numerous amount of parts to construct the bag.
Bags commonly provided by a merchant are intended for single use and are typically mass produced and do not readily biodegrade. Single use plastic bags require 12 million barrels of oil, as the U.S. uses over 380 billion bags/wraps yearly, a staggering 1,500 bags used by the average American household, as less than 5% are recycled. Littering more than parks, roadsides, storm and overflow drains, as rain sends plastic bags into rivers, lakes and oceans, further compromising our environment, plant and animal life. Legislation is increasing in many countries to ban single use bags, as some communities spend over one million dollars annually to remove plastic bags and litter. At the same time, merchants are increasingly assessing a charge for bags they may have available at their point-of-sale counter.
Reusable shopping bags on the present market are typically heavier, thicker, and inconvenient to launder. Additionally, at the common checkout counter a typical reusable bag does not sufficiently address convenient support or assist to inhibit entangling accessories of the bag while items are being placed inside the average bag. Therefore, a need exists for a novel shopping bag device which does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks.
A reusable shopping bag is provided which provides the ability to suspend the bag with channels attached to the sides that slide onto bagging rack arms or rack support arms from either direction to an existing t-shirt bag rack available at a typical checkout counter. In some embodiments, the bag may include a base forming the bottom of the device that creates a flattened area to efficiently arrange added items. An internal drawstring may be extended through one or more drawstring apertures to provide handles and to prevent items from getting caught while filling and unloading the bag. Also, the drawstring may be positioned to assist in attaching the bag easily to the rack, such as to a rear rack support tab, from more than one direction and presents the ability to remove the bag, which may be full of groceries or the like, and transport it with one hand.
In some embodiments, the bag may include a base and a sidewall having a lower continuous perimeter and an upper continuous perimeter, and the lower perimeter may be coupled to the base to form an interior cavity. A first sleeve may be coupled to a first exterior surface of the sidewall to form a first rack channel between the first sleeve and first exterior surface, and a second sleeve may be coupled to a second exterior surface of the sidewall to form a second rack channel between the second sleeve and second exterior surface. A drawstring may be coupled to the sidewall proximate to the upper perimeter, the drawstring configured to govern the size of the upper perimeter.
In further embodiments, the bag may include a base and a sidewall having a lower continuous perimeter and an upper continuous perimeter, and the lower perimeter may be coupled to the base to form an interior cavity. A first sleeve may be coupled to a first exterior surface of the sidewall to form a first rack channel between the first sleeve and first exterior surface, and the first sleeve may be coupled to the sidewall so that the first sleeve is positioned between the drawstring and the lower perimeter. A second sleeve may be coupled to a second exterior surface of the sidewall to form a second rack channel between the second sleeve and second exterior surface, and the second sleeve may be coupled to the sidewall so that the second sleeve is positioned between the drawstring and the lower perimeter. A drawstring may be coupled to the sidewall proximate to the upper perimeter, the drawstring configured to govern the size of the upper perimeter, and the drawstring may be disposed within a drawstring channel. The drawstring may be accessible via a first drawstring aperture, and the first drawstring aperture is substantially equidistant to the first sleeve and the second sleeve.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 20% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.
A new shopping bag device is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.
The bag 100 may comprise a base 11 and a sidewall 11 of any size and shape which may be coupled together to form an interior cavity 15 of any size and shape. Generally, a base 11 may form a portion of the bag 100 that may support the weight of one or more objects placed in the interior cavity 15, while the sidewall 12 may extend above the base 11 and maintain the positioning of the objects above the base 11.
In some embodiments, a base 11 and sidewall 12 may be formed from a single unit of material, that may be sewn or otherwise coupled together to form the base 11 and sidewall 12. In further embodiments, a base 11 may be sewn or otherwise coupled to a sidewall 12. Any suitable coupling and manufacturing method may be used to couple or otherwise form a base 11 and sidewall 12. For example, the base 11 and sidewall 12 may be made from a unit of material that may have a generally tubular or cylindrical shape, optionally using a singular seam or multiple seams, and the base 11 of the bag 100 may comprise a rectangular shape from the formation of pleats or folds formed into the unit of material that may be closed using a singular seam or multiple seams.
In some embodiments, the sidewall 12 may comprise one or more exterior surfaces 16, 17, 18, 19, which may be form surfaces of the sidewall 12 that may be approximately 90 degrees relative to each other. For example, a first exterior surface 16 may form a left side surface, a second exterior surface 17 may form a right side surface, a third exterior surface 18 may form a front surface, and a fourth exterior surface 19 may form a rear surface of the sidewall 12.
In some embodiments, the sidewall 12 may comprise one or more panels, such as a first panel 20, second panel 21, third panel 22, and fourth panel 23, that may enable the sidewall 12 to be self-supporting and/or easily folded into a compact shape. Preferably, a first panel 20 may have or form a first exterior surface 16, a second panel 21 may have or form a second exterior surface 17, a third panel 22 may have or form a third exterior surface 18, and a fourth panel 23 may have or form a fourth exterior surface 19. Optionally, panels 20, 21, 22, 23, may be formed into the sidewall 12 or used to form the sidewall 12, using stitching, adhesive, or other coupling method, by permanently pressing folds into the sidewall 12, or any other manufacturing technique or method. In preferred embodiments, a sidewall 12 may comprise a first panel 20, second panel 21, third panel 22, and fourth panel 23 each have a rectangular shape. In further preferred embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a base 11 having a rectangular shape, and the base 11, first panel 20, second panel 21, third panel 22, and fourth panel 23 may be coupled together to form a rectangular prism shaped interior cavity 15.
The bag 100 may comprise one or more sleeves 31, 33, which may form all or portions of a rack channel 32, 34. Generally, a rack channel 32, 34, may be sized and shaped to receive a rack support arm 202, 203, as are commonly found on t-shirt bag racks 201 or similar fixtures commonly found in the bagging area or checkout area of stores. In some embodiments, a sleeve 31, 33, may form a rack channel 32, 34, by having the sleeve 31, 33, configured as a loop, cylinder, or other shape through which a rack support arm 202, 203, may be inserted, and a portion of the sleeve 31, 33, may be coupled to the sidewall 12. In preferred embodiments, a sleeve 31, 33, may be coupled to an exterior surface 16, 17, of the sidewall 12 to form a rack channel 32, 34, between the sleeve 31, 33, and the exterior surface 16, 17.
Sleeves 31, 33, may be configured in any size and shape to form rack channels 32, 34, of any size and shape. For example, a sleeve 31, 33, may comprise a generally rectangular shape and opposing edges of the sleeve 31, 33, which may be positioned generally parallel with the base 11 or upper perimeter 14 may be coupled to the sidewall 12 while the two opposing edges of the sleeve 31, 33, which may be positioned generally perpendicular with the base 11 or upper perimeter 14 may not be coupled to the sidewall 12 to form a generally rectangular (or “D” shaped) rack channel 32, 34.
In some embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise two sleeves 31, 33, which may be coupled to opposing sides of the sidewall 12, such as by being coupled to opposing exterior surfaces 16, 17, and/or by being coupled to opposing panels 20, 21. In further embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a first sleeve 31 that may be coupled to the sidewall 12 so that the first sleeve 31 may be positioned between the drawstring 41 and the lower perimeter 13, and a second sleeve 33 that may be coupled to the sidewall 12 so that the second sleeve 33 may also be positioned between the drawstring 41 and the lower perimeter 13.
The bag 100 may comprise a drawstring 41 that may be coupled to the sidewall 12 proximate to the upper perimeter 14, and the drawstring 41 may be configured to govern the size of the upper perimeter 14. By tightening the drawstring 41 the size of the upper perimeter 14 may be decreased an even closed off to block access to the interior cavity 15. By loosening the drawstring 41 the size of the upper perimeter 14 may be increased or opened to allow access to the interior cavity 15. Optionally, a drawstring 41 may be coupled to the sidewall 12 proximate to the upper perimeter 14 by being coupled to the upper perimeter 14. Any suitable coupling method may be used to couple a drawstring 41 to the sidewall 12 so that the drawstring 41 may be used to govern the size of the upper perimeter 14. For example, one or more portions of a drawstring 41 may be contained within a drawstring channel 42 which may comprise or be formed by a bilayered structured casing, such as a portion of the sidewall 12 distal to the lower perimeter 13 being sewn or otherwise coupled back to itself (forming a drawstring panel 24), which may surround the majority of the length of the drawstring 41 to eliminate entangling of items or goods placed into the interior cavity 15 of the bag 100.
In some embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a cord lock 46 which may be coupled to a portion of the drawstring 41 that may be exterior to the drawstring channel 42. A cord lock 46 may be repositionably coupled to a plurality of location on the drawstring 41 to control how much drawstring 41 may be positioned in the drawstring channel 42. In preferred embodiments, a cord lock 46 may include a barrel, toggle (or plunger), and a spring where a user presses down to release the tension of the spring to adjust the position of the cord lock 46. In further preferred embodiments, a cord lock 46 may have a width or length dimension greater than the drawstring aperture 43, 45, 46, that it may be positioned proximate to in order to prevent the cord lock 46 from passing through the drawstring aperture 43, 45, 46, and into the drawstring channel 42. In some embodiments, a knot 47 or other fastener or fastening method may be disposed on the drawstring 41 and may be used to secure a cord lock 46 or other fastener onto the drawstring 41. A cord lock 46 or other fastener preferably provides the ability to constrict the opening of the bag 100, formed by the upper perimeter 14 to inhibit placed items from falling out of the interior cavity 15 while transporting the bag 100.
In preferred embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise one or more drawstring apertures 43, 44, 45, formed in a drawstring panel 24 which may allow a length or portion of the drawstring 41 to be positioned outside of the drawstring channel 42 so that a user may access and manipulate the drawstring 41 through the one or more drawstring apertures 43, 44, 45. Drawstring apertures 43, 44, 45, may comprise any shape and size.
In preferred embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a first drawstring aperture 43, and a first portion of the drawstring 41 may be accessible through the first drawstring aperture 43. In further preferred embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a second drawstring aperture 44, and a second portion of the drawstring 41 may be accessible through the second drawstring aperture 44. In further preferred embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a third drawstring aperture 45, and a third portion of the drawstring 41 may be accessible through the third drawstring aperture 45.
In some embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a first drawstring aperture 43 and a second drawstring aperture 44, and the first drawstring aperture 43 may be opposingly positioned on the sidewall 12 relative to the second drawstring aperture 44, such as by being coupled to opposing exterior surfaces 18, 19, and/or by being coupled to opposing panels 22, 23. In further embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a first drawstring aperture 43 that may be substantially equidistant from the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 33. By being equidistant, a first drawstring aperture 43 may be positioned substantially equally (an equal distance) on the sidewall 12 between the first 31 and second 33 sleeve. In further embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a second drawstring aperture 44 that may be substantially equidistant from the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 33. By being equidistant, a second drawstring aperture 44 may be positioned substantially equally (an equal distance) on the sidewall 12 between the first 31 and second 33 sleeve. Preferably, a first drawstring aperture 43 or a second drawstring aperture 44 that is substantially equidistant from the first sleeve 31 and the second sleeve 33 may enable a third portion of the drawstring 41 to be placed around a rear rack support tab 204, as shown in
In further embodiments, the bag 100 may comprise a third drawstring aperture 45 that may be substantially equidistant from the first drawstring aperture 43 and the second drawstring aperture 44 with the first 43 and second 44 drawstring apertures substantially positioned opposite to each other. By being equidistant, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned substantially equally (an equal distance) on the sidewall 12 between the first 43 and second 44 drawstring apertures. In further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned on the same panel 20 and/or exterior surface 16 as a first sleeve 31. In further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned on the same panel 21 and/or exterior surface 17 as a second sleeve 32. In further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned proximate, such as by being positioned above the first sleeve 31. In further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned proximate, such as by being positioned above the second sleeve 32. In still further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned between the upper perimeter 14 and a first sleeve 31. In still further embodiments, a third drawstring aperture 45 may be positioned between the upper perimeter 14 and a second sleeve 33.
In some embodiments, a base 11 and/or sidewall 12 may be made from or may comprise a fabric material. In preferred embodiments, a base 11 and/or sidewall 12 may be made from or may comprise a polyester and cotton blend fabric material, preferably having a higher polyester content. In further embodiments, a base 11 and/or sidewall 12 may be made from or may comprise synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, spandex blends, and Kevlar, and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, hemp, jute, canvas, flax, leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic fabric material including combinations of materials. In further embodiments, a base 11 and/or sidewall 12 may be made from or may comprise various types of flexible plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, natural or synthetic rubber, silicone, or any other material.
While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the bag 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the base 11, sidewall 12, sleeves 31, 33, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the bag 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the bag 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, sewing or stitching, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the bag 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the bag 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the bag 100.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/121,288, filed on Dec. 4, 2020, entitled “Reusable shopping bag”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63121288 | Dec 2020 | US |
