Patent Application
20120087601
This disclosure relates generally to reusable shopping bags or carriers and more particularly to a system of modular, recombinable, reusable shopping bags and kits therefore.
Paper or plastic? At one time this question was so ubiquitous that it became a punch line. Now, however, it has taken on almost sinister overtones as awareness has grown over the environmental challenge of millions of non-biodegradable plastic bags choking our landfills and pantries. Concern over the environmental impact of so many plastic bags has led some municipalities or grocers to ban plastic grocery bags. City-based plastic bag bans are forcing retailers to reduce, recycle, and provide alternatives. With the recent announcement of a high end supermarket banning plastic bags and 13 cities proposing plastic bag bans, competitive pressure challenges retailers to provide alternatives to plastic bags, and shoppers are demanding more. Paper bags are not considered a good alternative due to worry about deforestation and other environmental concerns arising from the mass production of paper.
In view of the problems recited above, a suitable alternative to disposable bags would be useful. An attractive alternative to disposable shopping bags is bags that can be reused. Reusable shopping bags have been known for centuries but they have never really been adequately adapted for use in a big modern grocery store, for example, where a single weekly trip to the market for a family can easily fill half a dozen bags. One deficiency of many reusable bags, for example, is that the bags are soft-sided so that they do not maintain an upright shape when the bag is set down on the ground. Another deficiency is that a single bag is not enough. Although sets of reusable bags have been described or are available, such sets either do not fit together in a compact transportable manner or the bags do not have all of the advantageous features that a shopper might desire. For example, many reusable bags have a single set of fixed handles to be held by either the hand or slipped over the shoulder. Alternatively some bags have two handles with one longer for over the shoulder use and the other shorter for hand carrying, however such dual handle arrangements can be annoying or look unfashionable. A reusable bag with handle straps adaptable to allow hand or shoulder carrying modes would be useful to provide more than one mode of carrying the bag. Still another drawback of many reusable bags is that they are too bulky to conveniently keep about the house or in the car.
Survey data indicates that 53% of respondents own a reusable bag; 47% do not but almost 90% of respondents say the primary reason they do not use a reusable bag every time they shop is because they forget. Other responses included:
“They don't seem clean. I don't like carrying them around the store and I don't like storing them at home”
“It is hard enough to make shopping lists without trouble of rounding up bags—and I use a lot of grocery bags as I try to go only once a week”
“I need the plastic bags for dog poop and diapers”
“The cloth bags get dirty and when washed they lose their shape.”
Bulkiness and comfort seem to be primary factors that people would like to improve on their reusable bags. Specific responses include:
“I would prefer if I could carry them comfortably over my shoulder. Some of them have shorter type straps.”
“Because it is soft-sided, the groceries sometimes get smashed, there is no firm bottom”
“Seems to have little structure. The same reason I don't like plastic bags. I have kids and need to set down the bags during the transport from the car to house.”
There is a need, therefore for a system of reusable shopping bags that provides a plurality of conveniently storable and reusable bags with a variety of features advantageous for modern shopping.
A system of modular, recombinable, soft-bodied carriers advantageously provides a variety of carriers of varying attributes, each of which is modularly attachable to all of the other carriers or the system. The modular attachment features is advantageous because it enables a user to keep a set of carriers together so that the individual component carriers are maintained as a set. Keeping the carrier components attached to each other makes it less likely that an individual component will get lost. A particular advantage is that carriers for defined combinations of articles can be kept together as a set, and this helps a user be sure that the defined combination has been completed. For example, a picnic combination includes a sandwich carrier, a produce carrier, a grocery carrier for bread and wine, for instance, and a pod carrier for cheese. All the various carriers can be linked together and helps the user be sure that all the picnic items have been obtained.
A system of reusable shopping bags provides an assortment of reusable and selectively collapsible bags and carriers suitable for the various types of goods a shopper encounters at, for example, a grocery store. Specific embodiments provide one or more large insulated bag for frozen goods, one or more grocery bags for sundries, one or more veggie bag for vegetables and fruits, one or more pod, and at least one carrying pak to stow the other components. Grocery bags and veggie bags are stowable in the pak or the freezer bag, depending on the specific embodiment. The insulated and grocery bags may have adjustable handles or fixed handles, depending on the embodiment, and specific embodiments provide a shoulder cushion pad selectively mountable on the handles. Information, such as instructions, allows customized bag systems to be assembled from modular component carriers.
A preferred system of the present disclosure may provide one or more of the following types of reusable carriers:
Zip-type carriers: these bags have a zipper closure and preferably and least one translucent or transparent panel that allows the content inside to be at least partially seen. Specific embodiments include a zip snack bag (small), a zip lunch bag (medium) and a zip bulk bag (large).
Box-type carriers or soft-bodied shaped containers: these items are soft bodied but are manufactured to have at least partially upright or erect sides so as to provide a box-like shape when substantially expanded to provide an interior receptacle to hold a container. The top panel has a zipper enclosure along all but one side and a non-zippered side, or segment, that acts as a hinge when the zippers are open. Preferably the body provides insulation to help maintain the temperature of the contents. The box preferably is sized so that the interior receptacle accommodates a reusable storage container. Preferred embodiments provide small, medium and large sizes.
Pod-type carriers: a pod is a bag that folds in on itself or into an integrated or attached pouch so as to form into a spheroidal or pod-like configuration. Preferred embodiments provide a clip so that the pod can be clipped to another component bag of the system or to a purse or belt loops and the like. Specific embodiments provided a cross-body tote (when opened) that rests on the hip and a mesh bag (when opened) suitable for fruits and vegetable that benefit from a ventilated carrier. The cross-body tote preferably provides an integrated pouch into which the body of the bag collapses for storage. The mesh bag preferably provides an attached drawstring pouch into which the body of the bag collapses for storage.
Tote-type carriers: totes are bags or carriers having shoulder straps and a main body compartment with a top opening. Preferred embodiments provide a messenger-style bag and, also preferred, insulated panels, a lunch tote that is preferably collapsible, and a large all-purpose insulated carrier tote.
Pak-type carriers: a pak, as defined herein, is a reusable bag or carrier suitable for sandwiches. Preferably the pak is machine washable and has a closeable, latchable, flap over the top to retain the contents.
Each of the above types of carriers provides either at least one attached clip or at least one integrated clip loop so that each bag can be attached with a clip to any of the other others bags of the system. Typically, an integrated clip loop is attached to its component carrier by being sewn to the fabric of the carrier; however, the present disclosure contemplates integrated clip loops consisting of a D-ring attached to its component carrier. Clips contemplated as suitable for a system of carriers of the present disclosure include without limitation key clips, carabiners, spring latch clips, and the like.
Information about the modular reusable carrier system of the present disclosure is available to the users or end consumer. Information includes without limitation descriptions of each type of component carrier, suggestions for various modular combinations of carriers for particular purposes such as shopping or taking lunch to work, illustrations of the component carriers that, in particular, show where the clips or clip loops are located on each carrier, and instructions for clipping component carriers to each other. Specific embodiments of one or more of the component carriers have one or more hang tags which provide some or all of the information. Information in specific embodiments further includes coupons and special offers pertaining to the system. Alternative embodiments provide one or more Quick Response codes also known colloquially as QR codes, that are associated with the system and which can be scanned by a user with a mobile device which device has a camera, an installed web browser application, and a suitable scanning application installed on the device. Scanning the QR code with the mobile device causes the web browser to open to a web page which has at least some portion of the information pertaining to the carrier system.
A QR code consists of two-dimensional black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of any kind of data (e.g., binary, alphanumeric, or Kanji symbols). The pattern is scanned in a manner similar to the well known scanning of bar codes, except that typically the QR code is scanned with a camera smart phone that is connected to the Internet and which has the capacity to open a web browser such as Explorer™, Firefox™, Safari™ or Chrome™. The information can include a Universal Resource Locator (URL) such as a website address.
A preferred system includes the following features:
1. Functionality/engineering not currently available in the market
2. Washable/wipeable
3. Durable (lasting approximately 1 year)
4. Easily portable/collapsible;
5. Poses as a free-standing structure
6. Short & Long Handles
7. Chic/Ultra Hip Design
8. Retail Friendly—Kit can be displayed easily and shows features and functionality in a retail friendly way. Cute and collapsible—not taking up too much space.
Additional features may include:
A carrier system of the present disclosure provides a plurality of carriers and bags which are inter-connectable to each other and which can be modularly combined and recombined into sets or configurations of carriers suitable to a users needs. For convenience, as used herein, the terms “bag” and “carrier” are interchangeable.
For a more complete understanding of a reusable bag system of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In specific embodiments, messenger tote 120 is structurally sufficiently sturdy to maintain a substantially erect and stable posture when selectively expanded into an open state and put on a supporting surface such as floor or table or, most usefully, within the bin of grocery cart where bag 120 maintains an at least partially open posture for easy access to the reservoir of the internal void. Tote 120 may be fabricated from a polyester microfiber exterior with a vinyl lining so that the interior surface can be cleaned by wiping with a cloth or paper towel or the like. A vinyl lining also provides leak resistance. Specific exemplary embodiments of a kit or system of bags of the present disclosure provide at least 2 messenger totes 120 for each carrier tote 110.
Similarly, rear loop strap 220b is disposed through rear apertures (not shown) corresponding to front apertures 221,222, and extends through slot 227b formed by rear strap leaf 225b and rests on the top of body 112.
Turning our attention back to the front, selectively expandable/collapsible pouch 230 provides pouch flap 240 with fastener 250.
Specific embodiments of freezer bag 110 consist of panels that define an interior volume within body 112, front, a top and a back, as well as having an external pouch 230 for holding other components of the system such as one or more veggie bags. Specific embodiments of the panels of freezer bag 110 contain insulation or insulating material, such as one or more air pockets, insulating foam or other suitable materials to enhance the maintenance of the temperature of the contents of bag 110, such as frozen food or milk.
Drawstrings 316B,C are at least partially housed in hem 314B,C and extend outside of hem 314B,C so that the top of the produce bag 310B,C can be selectively cinched by pulling the drawstring to close the bag and contain the contents. Other closure means are contemplated, including Ziplock®, Velcro®, laces, snaps, buttons and so forth. For the purposes simplicity in the present disclosure, the term drawstring shall refer to any suitable closure mechanism for the pod-type carriers of the present system.
Pod-type bags 310B,C fold or roll up for stowage in pouch 230 of tote 110. Alternatively, pod-type bags 310B,C may be carried in a pocket or a purse independently of tote 110. An exemplary embodiment of a system or kit of the present invention provides at least one tote-type carrier 110 and at least one pod-type carrier 314B,C. Pouch 230 holds at least one pod-type bag 310B,C and preferably two or more.
Describing
Pod-type bag 460 provides interior 470 suitable for carrying one or more food items or other items of contents. Preferred embodiments provide handle 480. Specific embodiments are configured with pouch 420 attached to bag 460 such that bag 460 may be selectively collapsed or stuffed into pod 420 through seal 430. Clasp 450 attached to pouch 420 for clipping pod 410 to a key chain, purse, grocery cart and so forth, is provided in specific embodiments.
Referring to
Slidable and selectively fastenable shoulder pad 580 is provided in specific alternative embodiments. Shoulder pad 580 is integrated into handle 570 is certain embodiments, but may be provided as a separate, manually attachable component of the present system in specific alternative embodiments.
Carrier tote 610 provides internal pouches or compartments 640 and 650 to selectively house one or more pod-type bag 310 and messenger tote 120, respectively, for example. One or more component bag 680 may be stowed on the internal bottom 660 of tote 610. Specific embodiments of component bag 680 provide one or more handles suitable for mounting shoulder pad 580 while other embodiments provide a wipable interior surface for easy cleaning.
Survey data confirms that shoppers are looking for an easily portable and collapsible product that encompasses durability, volume and style. Most shoppers use between 10-15 plastic bags per week and want a product that will continue to fulfill this volume while embracing organization in the grocery shopping experience (ie. using the specified bags in the cart to facilitate the shopping and bagging experience). While shoppers expect to buy this in a variety of outlets, 70% expect to buy this at the grocery store. Therefore, the showcasing of the product becomes as important as collapsibility, durability, style and volume.
While some shoppers may own one or more reusable bags few have actually sought out a reusable bag. Shoppers may have received a reusable bag as a gift from a friend, from a conference, or purchased one at a grocery store. However, many shoppers forget them and do not realize enough of an importance of the bags to shift purchasing behavior. Of those shoppers who regularly remember bags, they do so because they are fashionable, compact and fit in a purse or are otherwise easy to carry.
Most shoppers do one big shopping trip during the week during which they would use all components of the present system, and do an additional “pick-up” trip during the week where they might only use one of the bags. Thus modularity (the ability to use only those components that are needed) as well as compactness is advantageous.
Environmental concern (85%), Cost Savings (29%), and Guilt (24%) ranked as the top reasons to prompt people to buy a reusable shopping bag.
Data indicates that if shoppers are just using the bags for grocery shopping, they are not as concerned with style, but very concerned with the bulkiness and functionality of the bags. However, if they are using the bags for other purposes, they are more concerned with style.
Shoppers want a bag that moves from the old-school “hippy” look and feel of the canvas or hemp bag to a more modern feel of a “hip” bag. Therefore, the compactness of the pod-type bags, for instance, so as to fit in a pouch or pod may be advantageous.
The double handle feature that provides two short handles that carry like a bag and one long handle that can fit over your shoulder) gives a shopper the advantageous ability to carry one or more bags of the present system in different ways depending on their needs such as holding a child, carrying other things, digging for car keys and so forth.
Durability, volume and compactness are also important. Shoppers like to have everything in its place and appreciated the organizational structure of the present system such as dedicated vegetable bags, for example, which enhances that experience. The flexibility to use the carryall for other shopping experiences (the mall, drugstore, and the like) is a further advantage of the present system. The organizational structure may include the feature that bags of the present system may have enough structure to stand on their own for baggers to bag or to have straps that tie over grocery cart bars for the plastic bags.
A major concern among users of existing reusable bags is that because they hold so much, baggers throw goods in to the bags willy nilly and the milk may end up crushing the eggs. Baggers may appreciate how each bag has a clear purpose to simplify the bagging process.
Even where bags may be bulky, such big bags may be used in their fully deployed mode in the interior of the shopping cart during shopping such that the big bags actually facilitate and enhance the shopping experience. A full cart of weekly grocery shopping may fit into the various bags of the system.
Features and specifications for specific exemplary embodiments of the bags of the present system are summarized in the following table:
The present disclosure contemplates kits for assembling a system of reusable shopping bags. An exemplary embodiment of such a kit consists of a selection of modular component reusable soft-bodied carriers, for example:
one or more Zip-type carrier comprising an integrated clip loop; one or more Box-type carrier comprising an integrated clip loop; one or more Pod-type carrier comprising an integrated clip loop; one or more Tote-type carrier comprising an integrated clip loop; one or more Pak-type carrier comprising an integrated clip loop, and one, or more clips, all of the component carriers of the system are selectively attached, one to another, with one or more of the clips attached to the clip loop of each carrier, respectively.
Specific alternative embodiments provide a modular reusable carrier system having one or more connectable component carriers; information pertaining to the system of carriers; and a QR code associated with the system to access at least some of the information pertaining to the system.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the bag system of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This disclosure is a continuation-in-part of, relates to, claims priority from and the benefit of co-pending U.S. non-provisional utility patent application Ser. No. 12/470,447, filed May 21, 2009, entitled “Shopping Bag System,” and provisional utility patent application Ser. No. 61/055,195, filed Apr. 22, 2008, entitled “Shopping Bag System,” by the same inventors, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61055195 | May 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12470447 | May 2009 | US |
| Child | 13247074 | US |
