BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common practice when shopping, such as at a grocery store or other retail store, to place the food or merchandise within a bag to transfer the food or merchandise from the store to one's home. In some cases, particularly in the past, plastic bags were provided by the grocery store or retailer to place the food or merchandise therein in order to leave the store and transport the food or merchandise to the purchaser's home.
However, more recently, many cities, counties, and even states have issued laws and regulations which impact the use of such plastic bags at checkout. Such plastic bags are either offered to the shopper at a cost or are not available for use whatsoever. These laws or regulations are intended to curb the amount of plastic which ends up in landfills and otherwise reduce the amount of plastic which can be harmful to the environment.
Thus, shoppers have become accustomed to bringing their own shopping bags to the store. Such shopping bags are typically reusable and comprised of a cloth or plastic material. The user stores the bags in their home or automobile, and upon arriving at the store bring the bags into the store and after the merchandise has been purchased the merchandise or food is placed into the bags so that the shopper may transport the merchandise or food, such as back to their house.
However, such shopping or tote bags have various drawbacks. For instance, the shopping bags are unsightly as they are crumpled until used. The bags provide no thermal insulation, which can adversely impact various food products, such as frozen foods, dairy products, etc. as they are transported from the store to the shopper's home. Also, such bags do not have any rigidity or support, and when the bags full of food or merchandise are placed on a surface, such as the shopping cart, ground, or trunk or other interior area of the shopper's car, food or merchandise can fall out of the shopping bag.
There are instances other than going to the store when items must be transported from one location to another. Tote bags or the like are often used for such transportation purposes. However, these tote bags suffer many of the same drawbacks as mentioned above when using shopping bags to go to the grocery store or purchase other merchandise at other retail stores.
When transporting temperature sensitive items, such as temperature sensitive food, which might be frozen or intended to be kept cooler, insulated, rigid portable coolers are often large, unwieldy and heavy. Such coolers are not collapsible and take up a tremendous amount of storage space in one's car or garage.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a reusable tote bag that overcomes the drawbacks of the bags, totes and other containers mentioned above. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a shopping tote bag which is reusable and enables a user to transport food, or other merchandise, from the store back to the user's house. Preferably, the shopping tote bag is collapsible from an unfolded state to a folded state. Preferably, the shopping tote bag is sufficiently rigid so as to remain upright or even stacked upon one another. Also, preferably, the shopping tote bag includes a lid so as to selectively have access to inserts or retrieve items from within the tote bag or close the tote bag so as to retain the items therein.
A shopping tote bag embodying the present invention generally comprises a base. The base may be comprised of a fabric material. A peripheral wall extends upwardly from the base. The base and the peripheral wall form a box structure defining a cavity having an opening when in an unfolded state.
The tote bag is collapsible from the box structure in the unfolded state to a folded state with opposite walls of the peripheral wall being disposed adjacent to each other so that the bag is generally flat. Fasteners may be used to retain the tote bag in the folded flat state. The peripheral wall may include first and second wall fasteners that attach to one another when the tote bag is collapsed to retain the tote bag in a folded and generally flat state. The fasteners may comprise strips of hook and loop tape. First and second base fasteners may be attachable to one another when the tote bag is collapsed to retain the tote bag in the folded and flat state.
First and second lid members are pivotally attached to opposite upper edges of the peripheral wall. The first and second lid members are selectively movable from an extended position away from the opening of the cavity, and into engagement with one another in a closed position above the cavity opening to cover the cavity opening and into the cavity adjacent opposite interior walls thereof.
The first and second lid members each include first and second flaps extending therefrom. The first flap has a first flap fastener attachable to the first wall fastener, and the second flap has a second flap fastener attachable to the second wall fastener when the first and second lid members are in the closed position. The first lid member may include a first lid fastener and the second lid member may include a second lid fastener, the first and second lid fasteners being attachable to one another when the first and second lid members are brought into engagement in the closed position.
A base member is pivotally movable from a position adjacent to an interior surface of the peripheral wall within the cavity to a position over an interior surface of the base. The base member may be rigid or semi-rigid. The base member may be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid panel disposed within a fabric material.
At least a portion of the peripheral wall is preferably semi-rigid or rigid. The peripheral wall may be comprised of first and second side walls and front and back walls. The front and back walls may be rigid or semi-rigid. Rigid or semi-rigid panels may be disposed within a fabric material comprising the front and back walls. The first and second side walls are collapsible when the tote bag is moved into the folded state. Two rigid or semi-rigid panels may be disposed adjacent to one another within the fabric material comprising each of the first and second side walls.
First and second handles may extend from opposite sides of the peripheral wall. The first and second handles may comprise elongated fabric loops which are extendable over the tote bag. The tote bag may also include third and fourth handles extending from generally opposite sides of the peripheral wall.
At least one of the base, base member, peripheral wall, and first and second lid members may comprise an insulating material.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a shopping tote bag embodying the present invention in an unfolded and assembled state;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a shopping tote bag embodying the present invention in a folded and flat state;
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the shopping tote bag of FIG. 2 being unfolded;
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an unfolded shopping tote bag embodying the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an unfolded shopping tote bag embodying the present invention, having lid members in an open position away from a cavity opening, and a base member disposed between a base and inner surface of a peripheral wall of the tote bag;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a cross-sectional view of an arrangement similar to FIG. 5, of internal panel members, used in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top view of a tote bag in an unfolded state, with lid members disposed within the cavity and handles being disposed over the open cavity;
FIGS. 8-9 are top perspective views illustrating the closing and securement of lid members in order to close the cavity of the tote bag, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a sectioned diagrammatic view of panels, similar to FIG. 6, when the tote bag is in an unfolded and closed state; and
FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of two unfolded shopping tote bags in stacked relation to one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, the present invention is directed to a reusable shopping tote bag container, generally referred to herein by the reference number 100, that, when in use, functions as a combination tote bag and box and, when not in use, folds flat for storage.
With reference now to FIG. 1, a shopping tote bag 100 embodying the present invention is illustrated in a fully unfolded and assembled state. The tote bag 100 comprises a base 102 and a peripheral wall 104 extending upward from the base 102. Typically, the base 102 is of a quadrilateral configuration, such as a rectangular or square. Thus, the tote bag 100 when in an unfolded state, as illustrated in FIG. 1, has a generally box-like structure. As will be explained more fully herein, at least a portion of the peripheral wall 104 has rigidity, such as being comprised of a semi-rigid or rigid material, or having panel inserts therein. Thus, when in an unfolded and assembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tote bag 100 will stand uprightly and be able to support this posture when items are added therein.
The peripheral wall 104 is comprised of generally opposite first and second side walls 106 and 108 and front and back walls 110 and 112. The side walls 106 and 108 and front and back walls 110 and 112, along with the base 102 cooperatively form the box structure of the tote bag 100.
Preferably, the tote bag 100 includes at least one lid member so as to enable the closure of an opening of the cavity of the tote bag 100. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the lid comprises first and second lid members 114 and 116 which are pivotally attached to opposite upper edges of the peripheral wall, typically along upper edges of the front and back walls 110 and 112. The first and second lid members 114 and 116 are pivotally movable from a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to an open position extending away from an opening of the cavity, and even into the cavity and adjacent to internal walls of the peripheral wall 104, typically the front and back walls 110 and 112.
Typically, the tote bag 100 is generally comprised of a flexible fabric or material, such as non-breathable vinyl. The flexible material enables the tote bag 100 to be folded and unfolded. Portions of the tote bag 100 that are semi-rigid or rigid, such as the incorporation of semi-rigid or rigid panels provides a rigidity mentioned above.
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, first and second handles 118 and 120 extend from generally opposite sides of the peripheral wall 104. Such first and second handles 118 and 120 may comprise elongated fabric loops extendable over the tote bag 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which enables the tote bag 100 to be carried. The fabric loop of the respective handles 118 and 120 may extend substantially a length of the wall, such as the front and back walls 110 and 112, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A third handle 122 and a fourth handle 124 may extend from generally opposite sides of the peripheral wall 104, typically on the side walls 106 and 108. Such handles 122 and 124 may also comprise fabric loops. In this case, however, the loops forming the handles 122 and 124 are shorter and form hand grips so the user can grab and lift the tote bag 100 as necessary. The first and second and third and fourth handles 118-124 may be comprised of a vinyl webbing material or the like, although any appropriate material or handle composition is contemplated by the invention. A band 126, which may be comprised of fabric, such as vinyl webbing material or the like, may extend around the periphery of the wall 104 to reinforce and support the handles 118-124. Such band 126 also provides a convenient and reliable attachment point, particularly to the third and fourth handles 122 and 124.
With reference now to FIG. 2, the tote bag 100 is illustrated in its fully folded and generally flat state. Such a folded state is useful, for example, when storing or transporting the tote bag 100. This is particularly the case when storing or transporting multiple tote bags 100 at the same time. The handles 118 and 120 may be used to hang one or more tote bags 100 from a hook or the like, such as on a wall within a user's home. The handles 118 and 120, when positioned over the tote bag 100, as illustrated in FIG. 2, can be used by the user to carry one or multiple tote bags 100, such as when entering a store. Multiple folded tote bags 100 can be stored within the cavity of an unfolded tote bag for storage purposes.
Fasteners may be used to retain the tote bag 100 in its folded and generally flat state. The fasteners may comprise strips of hook and loop tape, although other fasteners could be used instead.
With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to unfold the tote bag 100, such as for inserting items into the tote bag 100, such as when shopping, the fasteners are detached from one another. This may be, for example, by pulling away front and back walls 110 and 112 from one another, causing fasteners to decouple from one another. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the fasteners include first and second wall fasteners 128 and 130 which may comprise loop and hook strips which are detached from one another as the front and back walls 110 and 112 are manually moved away from one another. This causes side walls 106 and 108, which were previously folded, to unfold. It can be seen that strips of hook 128 and loop 130 are disposed adjacent to one another, enabling them to be fastened together when the tote is folded. Lid members 114 and 116 may be pivoted outwardly from a position within the cavity to outside of the cavity.
With reference to FIG. 4, the base 102 is comprised of a fabric material which enables the base 102 to be folded upon itself. An exterior surface of the base 102 may also include fasteners, such as first and second base fasteners 132 and 134, which may be comprised of corresponding strips of hook and loop tape or the like. As front and back walls 110 and 112 are pulled away from one another, the first and second side walls 106 and 108 unfold and expand outwardly, the fasteners 132 and 134 also detach from one another enabling the base 102 to unfold to create the box structure in the unfolded state.
With reference now to FIG. 5, a top perspective view of the unfolded and partially assembled tote bag 100 is illustrated. Lid members 114 and 116 have been pivoted outwardly into an open position away from the opening and cavity of the tote bag 100. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a base member 136 is pivotally movable from a position adjacent to an interior surface of the peripheral wall, typically adjacent to either the interior surface of the front or back wall 110 or 112 within the cavity to a position over an interior surface of the base 102. The base member 136 is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. This may be, such as in a particularly preferred embodiment, a rigid or semi-rigid panel disposed within a fabric material. The substantially rigid base member 136 provides structure and support to the base of the tote bag 100 when it is in its unfolded state and when items are to be inserted therein. This assists the tote bag 100 in retaining its generally box-like structure when in use and as items are inserted into the cavity of the tote bag 100.
With reference now to FIG. 6, a sectioned diagrammatic view of semi-rigid or rigid inserts, such as panels, used in connection with the present invention are shown. Panel 138 would comprise the base member 136, or more typically be inserted within the fabric material of the base member 136. Panels 140 and 142 comprise the front and back walls, or more typically are inserted or otherwise disposed within the fabric material comprising the front and back walls 110 and 112. These panels 140 and 142 may be substantially the size of the front and back walls 110 and 112.
As illustrated and mentioned above, the first and second side walls 106 and 108 must be collapsible and foldable in order for the tote bag 100 to be folded into a generally flat state, as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, it is still desirable that the side walls 106 and 108 have rigidity so as to support the unfolded box structure of the tote bag 100 when in use. Accordingly, each of the first and second side walls 106 and 108 include a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid panels, such as the illustrated two rigid or semi-rigid panels 144 and 146 which are disposed adjacent to one another within the fabric material. When in the unfolded state, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the panels 144 and 146 are disposed generally co-planar and adjacent to one another along elongated edges thereof. However, when collapsed and folded, the panels 144 and 146 are able to overlap with one another, such as being above and below one another.
Preferably, the lid members 114 and 116 are also comprised of a semi-rigid or rigid material or more typically, are comprised of a fabric material having panels 148 and 150 comprised of semi-rigid or rigid material therein. The panels 138-150 may be comprised of polypropylene or the like material.
With reference now to FIG. 7, the tote bag 100 in its unfolded state, first and second lid members 114 and 116 may be pivoted inwardly into the cavity of the tote bag 100, adjacent to inner surfaces of opposing peripheral walls, typically front and back walls 110 and 112. Thus, when the user is carrying the tote bag, such as grasping handles 118 and 120 above the tote bag 100, or otherwise using the tote bag 100 to put items therein, the lids 114 and 116 are conveniently tucked within the cavity. In this manner, the lid members 114 and 116 are not in the way when inserting or removing items within the cavity, and are not disposed above or to the sides of the tote bag 100, which can present inconvenience to the user. When folding the tote bag 100, the lid members 114 and 116 are moved into an internal position, as illustrated in FIG. 7, before folding the tote bag 100, such as by pushing front and back walls 110 and 112 towards one another to collapse and fold the tote bag, in steps taken which are the opposite of steps taken in FIGS. 3 and 4.
With reference now to FIG. 8, when desiring to close the opening to the tote bag 100, lid members 114 and 116 are positioned over the opening to the cavity. A finger tab 152, which may be comprised of a loop fabric material, may be attached to one or more of the lid members 114 and 116 in order to move the lid members 114 and 116 from within the cavity to outside of the cavity. The first and second lid members 114 and 116 may comprise fasteners for fastening the lid members 114 and 116 to one another in a closed position. Such fasteners 154 and 156 may comprise strips of hook and loop tape, such as on the inner surface along an edge of one of the lid members and another strip of corresponding hook or loop material on an outer surface of the lid member, such as when the lid members are brought into contact with one another the fasteners, illustrated as hook and loop tape, engage one another. The finger tab 152 may be used to hold the second lid member 116 in place as the first lid member 114 is pressed downwardly and secured onto the second lid member 116.
With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the first and second lid members 114 and 116 have flaps 158 and 160 extending therefrom, typically from side edges thereof. In order to more securely attach the lid members 114 and 116 in a closed position and to create the fully assembled and supportive box structure, the flaps 158 and 160 have fasteners associated therewith, such as hook or loop tape, which corresponds with the corresponding hook or loop tape wall fastener 128 and 130. Thus, as the lid members 114 and 116 are moved into a closed position, the flaps 158 and 160 are moved downwardly and fastened to the corresponding side wall fastener 128 and 130. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the side wall fasteners 128 and 130 are corresponding strips of hook and loop tape. Thus, the fastener associated with the flap 158 or 160 is a corresponding strip of hook or loop tape, such that the flap can become engaged with and fastened to the upper wall fasteners 128 and 130. When in fully unfolded and assembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tote bag 100 is very supportive and the items therein are retained safely therein. When the tote bag 100 is placed in one's car, or even on a floor surface, even when having multiple items therein, the tote bag 100 will remain erectly stable. Thus, when arriving home, the tote bags 100 will typically not have tipped over or opened and thus the contents thereof will remain within the tote bag 100, as placed therein. Thus, each tote bag 100 can be easily removed from the car or other area and moved within the house or other desired location in order to remove the contents within the tote bag.
With reference now to FIG. 11, given the rigidity of the tote bag 100 when in an unfolded state, such as by the incorporation of the panels discussed above, including panels 138-150 in FIGS. 6 and 10, when in a fully unfolded and assembled state, with the panels 138-150 positioned as shown in FIG. 10, and the tote bag being in the state illustrated in FIG. 1, the tote bag has enough rigidity and supportive strength so as to be stacked upon one another, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Thus, when the tote bags 100 are used in a small space, such as a relatively narrow area behind a back seat of an SUV or car, the tote bags can be stacked upon one another in order to accommodate all of the tote bags 100, and the items contained therein, such as when grocery shopping or the like. The tote bags 100 could also be placed upon a floor, counter, etc. in stacked position without the tote bags 100 collapsing under the weight of themselves and the contents therein, so as to protect the contents within the cavity of the tote bags 100.
The tote bag 100 may have insulating properties. At least one of the base, base member, peripheral walls and first and second lid members may comprise an insulating material. Preferably, multiple, or even all, of these components are comprised of or include an insulating material. Such an insulating material may include, for example, an insulative paint or layer, such as a reflective layer, on a surface facing the interior cavity of the tote bag 100. The fabric material comprising the tote bag 100 may be comprised of a material that has insulative properties, such as the non-breathable vinyl, so as to add to the insulation of the tote bag 100. As the peripheral wall 104, lid members 114 and 116, base 102 and/or base member 138 may be comprised of walls having interior and exterior layers, such as where the panels 138-150 are inserted therebetween, the air gap between these interior and exterior layers forming these walls and other structures may also contribute to the insulative materials of the tote bag 100. Thus, for example, refrigerated or even frozen food items which are purchased at the store may retain a cold state, even in warm weather, while being transported from the store to the user's house or other desired end location.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20250176684
