Shopping Bag

Abstract

A shopping bag includes first and second generally planar sides, each side having opposed ends, a top, and a bottom. The shopping bag also includes a carrying strap having opposed ends coupled to the first side, one strap end being relatively adjacent the first side top, another strap end being relatively adjacent the first side bottom. The first side bottom is joined with the second side bottom and the first side ends are respectively joined with the second side ends to define a cavity between the first and second sides. The cavity is accessible through an opening collectively defined by the first side top and the second side top. The first and second sides are deformable to allow said cavity to selectively expand and contract. The bag may include a second carrying strap such that the first and second carrying straps may be coupled to a user's arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bags and, more particularly, to a shopping bag wearable by a consumer that is adapted to hold multiple bags or articles while in the process of shopping.

One of the biggest challenges shoppers encounter is carrying all of their purchases from store to store until returning to their car. This is especially the case when a consumer is shopping at a mall where a large number of stores are connected or grouped together but at a distance from the consumer's vehicle. Carrying and keeping track of multiple bags of merchandise obtained from multiple stores is difficult.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for carrying items of merchandise. For example, shopping carts are routinely used in grocery stores. Large bags with handles may be provided for holding merchandise from clothing stores and the like. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a reusable bag for holding multiple shopping bags and that is wearable by a user.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a shopping bag that is removably wearable on the shoulder or back of a user. Further, it would be desirable to have a shopping bag that will hold multiple bags of merchandise. In addition, it would be desirable to have a shopping bag that can secure the multiple shopping bags from inadvertently falling out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A shopping bag according to the present invention includes first and second generally planar sides, each side having opposed ends, a top, and a bottom. The shopping bag also includes a carrying strap having opposed ends coupled to the first side, one strap end being relatively adjacent the first side top, another strap end being relatively adjacent the first side bottom. The first side bottom is joined with the second side bottom and the first side ends are respectively joined with the second side ends to define a cavity between the first and second sides. The cavity is accessible through an opening collectively defined by the first side top and the second side top. The first and second sides are deformable to allow said cavity to selectively expand and contract. The bag may include a second carrying strap such that the first and second carrying straps may be coupled to a user's arms for positioning the bag on the user's back.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a shopping bag for holding multiple other bags or articles while a consumer travels between stores while shopping.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shopping bag, as aforesaid, in which the shopping bag may be attached to a user's arm and positioned on the user's shoulder or attached to both of the user's arms and positioned on the user's back.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shopping bag, as aforesaid, having a drawstring for selectively securing the contents in the shopping bag.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shopping bag, as aforesaid, having at least one compartment suitable for holding cold items or items that need to be insulated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a shopping bag, as aforesaid, that is economical to produce and user-friendly to use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shopping bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shopping bag as in FIG. 1 taken from another angle;

FIG. 3 is an elevated view of the shopping bag as in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the shopping bag as in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A shopping bag according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, the shopping bag 100 includes a flexible container 110 and a shoulder strap 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible container 110 has an open top end 112 and a cavity 115 accessible at the top end 112. The top end 112 is uncovered, and the container 110 is configured to hold at least one object in the cavity 115. The container 110 may include first and second sides 114, 116; each side 114, 116 may have opposed ends 114a, 116a, a top 114b, 116b, and a bottom 114c, 116c; and the sides 114, 116 may collectively define the cavity 115. More particularly, to define the cavity 115 between the first and second sides 114, 116, the first side bottom 114c may be joined with the second side bottom 116c and the first side ends 114a may be respectively joined with the second side ends 116a. The first side top 114b and the second side top 116b may collectively define an opening 118 for accessing the cavity 115, and the opening 118 may extend uncovered between the first side top 114b and the second side top 116b. It should be understood that “joined with” as used herein may refer to elements formed separately and actually coupled together or alternately to elements formed in a continuous manner such that no coupling is required; either way, the elements are unitary.

The first and second sides 114, 116 may be deformable to allow the cavity 115 to selectively expand and contract, and a draw string 119 may be coupled to the container 110 adjacent the top end 112 (i.e., coupled to the first side top 114b and the second side top 116b) to selectively restrict access to the cavity 115. Before deformation, the sides 114, 116 may be generally planar, which may ease manufacture. The sides 114, 116 may be constructed of cloth (e.g., canvas, muslin, etc.), plastic, and/or any other appropriate material.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the shoulder strap 120 (also referred to herein as a “carrying” strap) has opposed ends 122a, 122b coupled to the container 110 (i.e., to the first side 114) so that end 122a is relatively adjacent to the top end 112 of the container 110 (i.e., relatively adjacent the first side top 114b) and end 122b is relatively distant to the top end 112 (i.e., relatively adjacent the first side bottom 114c). A second shoulder strap 130 (also referred to herein as a “carrying” strap) having opposed ends 132a, 132b may also be coupled to the container 110 (i.e., to the first side 114) so that end 132a is relatively adjacent to the top end 112 of the container 110 (i.e., relatively adjacent the first side top 114b) and end 132b is relatively distant to the top end 112 (i.e., relatively adjacent the first side bottom 114c). The shoulder strap 120 and the second shoulder strap 130 may be collectively configured to be respectively coupled to a user's arms so that the container 110 may be worn on a user's back. It is understood that a single shoulder strap may be coupled to a single arm of a user such that the shopping bag 100 may be positioned over a single shoulder of a user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ends 122a, 122b of the carrying strap 120 are respectively coupled to the first side 114 at first and second points 128, 129, and the ends 132a, 132b of the carrying strap 130 may be coupled to the first side 114 at third and fourth points 138, 139. The length of the carrying strap 120 may be longer than a distance between the first and second points 128, 129 so that the carrying strap 120 extends away from the first side 114, and the length of the carrying strap 130 may be longer than a distance between the third and fourth points 138, 139 so that the carrying strap 130 extends away from the first side 114. The carrying strap 120 and the second carrying strap 130 may extend generally perpendicular to the first side bottom 114c, as shown in FIG. 2.

One or more flexible partition 140 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be located inside the container 110 (i.e., extending between the sides 114, 116) to separate the cavity 115 into two or more distinct portions 115a, 115b. The partition 140 may be insulated to impede heat transfer between the cavity portions 115a, 115b.

In use, a user may bring the shopping bag 100 to a store, or a store may provide the user with the shopping bag 100. Items (e.g., purchases, etc.) may be placed through the opening 118 into the cavity 115, and the draw string 119 may be used to close the opening 118 and secure the items in the cavity 115. The shoulder strap 120 and/or the second shoulder strap 130 may be used to couple the container 110 to the user's back, and the user may continue shopping in other stores or otherwise transport the items. Use of the shopping bag 100 may be especially advantageous if the user is going to transport the items for extended periods of time or over extended distances, e.g. while shopping at a shopping mall. Multiple items may be separated in the shopping bag by the partition 140, and hot and cold items may be transported inside the shopping bag 100 with minimal heat transfer if placed on opposite sides of the partition 140 and the partition 140 is insulated.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A shopping bag, comprising: first and second generally planar sides, each said side having opposed ends, a top, and a bottom; anda carrying strap having opposed ends coupled to said first side, one said strap end being relatively adjacent said first side top, another said strap end being relatively adjacent said first side bottom;wherein said first side bottom is joined with said second side bottom and said first side ends are respectively joined with said second side ends to define a cavity between said first and second sides;wherein said cavity is accessible through an opening collectively defined by said first side top and said second side top; andwherein said first and second sides are deformable to allow said cavity to selectively expand and contract.

2. The shopping bag of claim 1, further comprising a draw string coupled to said first side top and said second side top to selectively restrict access to said cavity.

3. The shopping bag of claim 2, further comprising: a second carrying strap having opposed ends coupled to said first side, one said second strap end being relatively adjacent said first side top, another said second strap end being relatively adjacent said first side bottom;wherein said carrying strap and said second carrying strap are collectively configured to be respectively coupled to a user's arms.

4. The shopping bag of claim 3, further comprising a flexible partition extending between said first and second sides to separate said cavity into distinct portions.

5. The shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said partition is insulated to impede heat transfer between said cavity portions.

6. The shopping bag of claim 3, wherein: said ends of said carrying strap are respectively coupled to said first side at first and second points;said ends of said second carrying strap are respectively coupled to said first side at third and fourth points;a length of said carrying strap is longer than a distance between said first and second points; anda length of said second carrying strap is longer than a distance between said third and fourth points.

7. The shopping bag of claim 1, wherein said opening extends uncovered between said first side top and said second side top.

8. The shopping bag of claim 7, further comprising: a draw string coupled to said first side top and said second side top to selectively restrict access to said cavity; anda flexible partition extending between said first and second sides to separate said cavity into distinct portions;wherein said ends of said carrying strap are respectively coupled to said first side at first and second points; andwherein a length of said carrying strap is longer than a distance between said first and second points.

9. The shopping bag of claim 8, wherein: said partition is insulated to impede heat transfer between said cavity portions; andsaid first and second sides are constructed of at least one of cloth and plastic.

10. A shopping bag, comprising: a flexible container having an open top end and a cavity accessible at said top end, said top end being uncovered and said container being configured to hold at least one object in said cavity;a shoulder strap having opposed ends coupled to said container, one said strap end being relatively adjacent to said top end of said container, another said strap end being relatively distant to said top end of said container; anda draw string coupled to said container adjacent said top end to selectively restrict access to said cavity.

11. The shopping bag of claim 10, further comprising a second shoulder strap having opposed ends coupled to said container, and wherein: one said second strap end is relatively adjacent to said top end of said container;another said second strap end is relatively distant to said top end of said container; andsaid shoulder strap and said second shoulder strap are collectively configured to be respectively coupled to a user's arms.

12. The shopping bag of claim 11, further comprising a flexible partition inside said container, said partition separating said cavity into distinct portions.

13. The shopping bag of claim 12, wherein said partition is insulated to impede heat transfer between said cavity portions.

14. The shopping bag of claim 13, wherein: said ends of said shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said container at first and second points;said ends of said second shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said container at third and fourth points;a length of said shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said first and second points; anda length of said second shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said third and fourth points.

15. The shopping bag of claim 10, further comprising a flexible partition inside said container, and wherein: said partition separates said cavity into distinct portions; andsaid partition is insulated to impede heat transfer between said cavity portions.

16. A shopping bag, comprising: first and second sides, each said side having opposed ends, a top, and a bottom; anda shoulder strap having opposed ends coupled to said first side, one said strap end being relatively adjacent said first side top, another said strap end being relatively adjacent said first side bottom;wherein said first side bottom is unitary with said second side bottom and said first side ends are respectively unitary with said second side ends to define a cavity between said first and second sides;wherein said first side top and said second side top collectively define an opening for accessing said cavity;wherein said first and second sides are deformable to allow said cavity to selectively expand and contract; andwherein a draw string is coupled to said first side top and said second side top to selectively restrict access to said cavity.

17. The shopping bag of claim 16, further comprising a flexible partition extending between said first and second sides to separate said cavity into distinct portions.

18. The shopping bag of claim 17, wherein said partition is insulated to impede heat transfer between said cavity portions.

19. The shopping bag of claim 18, further comprising a second shoulder strap having opposed ends coupled to said first side, and wherein: one said second strap end is relatively adjacent said first side top;another said second strap end is relatively adjacent said first side bottom;said shoulder strap extends generally perpendicular to said first side bottom;said second shoulder strap extends generally perpendicular to said first side bottom;said ends of said shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said first side at first and second points;said ends of said second shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said first side at third and fourth points;a length of said shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said first and second points; anda length of said second shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said third and fourth points.

20. The shopping bag of claim 16, further comprising a second shoulder strap having opposed ends coupled to said first side, and wherein: one said second strap end is relatively adjacent said first side top;another said second strap end is relatively adjacent said first side bottom;said shoulder strap extends generally perpendicular to said first side bottom;said second shoulder strap extends generally perpendicular to said first side bottom;said ends of said shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said first side at first and second points;said ends of said second shoulder strap are respectively coupled to said first side at third and fourth points;a length of said shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said first and second points; anda length of said second shoulder strap is longer than a distance between said third and fourth points.