AU2005100979A4 - A carry bag - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: A carry bag The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Melbourne 004742425 004741974 S2 A carry bag 0 C Field of the invention This invention relates to a bag for carrying and storing a load such as beverage containers. In particular, the invention relates to a bag for carrying and storing a large retail pack of beverage containers.

In 0Background of the invention The task of transporting a large number of beverage containers from home or a retail outlet is often facilitated by the use of a rigid cooler box container. While these containers are well suited to transporting a large number of beverage containers, they do have a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the size of the containers makes storage and transport of these devices cumbersome. Secondly, the shape of these containers is typically not designed to efficiently store the beverage containers, thus adding excessive bulk to these types of containers. Furthermore, the unused storage space in the rigid container causes the beverage containers to shift around during transport, thus promoting the uncontrollable and undesirable effervescent discharge of the beverage upon opening. Due to the abovementioned deficiencies of rigid cooler box containers, slabs are frequently manually carried, without the assistance of a carrying device, directly to a social event. This is typically achieved through either nurturing the slab to the abdominal region of the body or balancing the "slab" on a shoulder. In addition to the generally poor insulating properties of secondary packaging when used in isolation, the ergonomics involved in the lifting the weight of a slab (about 10 kg) is also undesirable.

While the invention will be described in relation to the carrying and storage of beverage containers, it would be readily understood by the person skilled in the art that other contents may be carried with the invention without departing from the inventive concept.

Accordingly, a bag is needed which is not only capable of storing and transporting large quantities of beverages containers, but a bag which also addresses at least some of the deficiencies of the abovementioned beverage transport devices.

004741974 3 Summary of the invention 0 Z In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention these is provided a bag for 1 the storage and transport of beverage containers including: a) a bag body having a substantially rectangular top panel and a substantially 0 5 rectangular bottom panel with four side panels; b) a fastening device for fastening said panels between a loading configuration; an access configuration and a closed configuration; the loading configuration having at least the top panel hingedly separated from the bag body; the access configuration having a side wall panel at least partially separated from the bag body; and c) a carrying means securely disposed on the bag body, wherein the fastening device in the loading configuration enables the bag's interior to readily receive a load; the fastening device in the closed configuration enables the bag to be transported by said carrying means; and the fastening device in the access configuration enables limited access to the interior of the bag.

An advantage of the present invention is that it enables the load, preferably a large quantity of beverage containers, such as a slab of soft drink, beer or ready to drink (RTD) beverages, to be readily deposited into the bag; with the bag then able to be closed and conveniently transported by the user. Preferably the large quantity of beverage containers is conveniently deposited into the bag in its existing secondary packaging, thus avoiding the need to unpack the containers, disposing of the packaging, and then reloading the containers into the bag. In the case where the 004741974 4

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secondary packaging comprises a corrugated box, the secondary packaging also

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Z provides another layer of insulation to the beverage containers.

When a beverage container is required to be retrieved from the bag, rather than opening up the top of the bag to gain access to the bag's contents, the fastening device 0 5 can be moved from the closed position to the access configuration, thus enabling a 0 single beverage container to be conveniently removed from the bag's interior by peeling back a side panel. The addition of the access port provides limited access to the bag interior as a means to conveniently retrieve individual beverage containers from the bag's interior without having to completely unfasten the bag. The access port also minimises exposure of the bag's contents to the external atmosphere when retrieving a beverage and hence minimises temperature change to the bag's contents. As a result, cold beverage containers stored in the bag stay colder longer.

Preferably the access configuration is at an intermediate position between the loading configuration and the closed configuration, such that slider is required to be moved a minimal distance from the closed configuration to the access configuration.

The fastening device preferably is a zip mechanism comprising a first and a second tooth edged band and at least one slider. The tooth edged bands are preferably disposed on the perimeter of the panels, such that the at least one slider can be moved to engage the tooth edged bands between the closed and opened (access or loading) configurations.

The slider may optionally be secured to another slider or anchor point on a panel by means of a locking device such as a padlock or the like. This added security feature 004741974 may be especially advantageous in social environments where communal beverage 0 Z supplies start to run low.

Brief description of the drawings C* Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable bag of the present C 5 invention in an access configuration.

0 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bag in Figure 1 in a loading configuration.

Figure 3 is a sectional view depicting the approximate panel dimensions of one embodiment of the bag.

Detailed description of the invention Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a bag for the storage and transport of a load. The load is preferably beverage containers, but may also consist of any other load in which easy loading and convenient access is required. The bag comprises a bag body 1 having a substantially rectangular top panel 2 and a substantially rectangular bottom panel 3 with four side panels 4-7. The bag body interior, in the loading configuration, has sufficient dimensions to securely receive a large quantity of beverage containers (i.e at least 12 containers, preferably 24 containers or at least containers holding 5kg net weight, preferable about 9-10kg net weight). Preferable panel dimensions are similar to those provided in Figure 3, with the top/bottom panels being marginally larger than the largest planar dimension of the beverage containers' secondary packaging. However, it will be appreciated that panel dimensions will vary depending upon the dimensions of individual containers and the number of containers which the bag is designed to hold. Preferably the bag dimensions are designed to cater for retail packs containing 24 (330 to 375ml) individual beverage containers (cans, bottles, Tetrapacks T M and the like). The bag's interior 8 is preferably designed to securely accept packs of 24 beverage containers, commonly referred to as "slabs". A large quantity of beverage containers may include as little as 12 containers (half or mini "slab") to 30 containers ("block") or more.

004741974 6 O The bag's panels 2 7, are preferable made from a nylon sheeting exterior layer (eg.

S 70D nylon material) and a waterproof polymer sheeting interior layer, such as PVC. An z insulating material is preferable positioned between the external and interior layers to insulate the interior of the bag from temperature which the exterior of the bag is exposed to. The sheeting material is preferably resilient such that the bag can cater for slight variations in the dimensions of the beverages' primary and/or secondary packaging. Secondary packaging dimensions may vary with some secondary packaging comprising a corrugated cardboard box encompassing the beverage Scontainers. Alternatively, secondary packaging may consist of a cardboard tray on which the beverage containers are shrunk wrapped with thermoplastic sheeting.

As illustrated in Figures 1 2, the fastening device 9 typically comprises a first (travelling along the path A1, B1, Cl, D1, El and Fl) and a second tooth edged band 11 (travelling along the path A2, B2, C2, D2, E2 and F2) and at least one slider 12, as that are common to conventional zip mechanisms. However, it would be appreciated that other fastening devices such as press rivets or VelcroTM style fastening devices may also be used.

The tooth edged bands 10, 11 are preferably disposed on the perimeter of the panels, such that the at least one slider can be moved to engage the tooth edged bands between the closed and opened loading or access) configurations. The slider 12 may be optionally secured to another slider or anchor point on a panel (not shown) by means of a locking device (not shown) such as a padlock or the like, thus securing the bag in the closed configuration.

A carrying means 14 is securely disposed on the bag body. The carrying means may comprise two handles 14 attached to the bottom panel which enable the bag to be carried in a similar manner to that of a suitcase. The handles preferably also function as straps enabling the bag to be carried in a similar matter to that of a backpack. Thus, the bag may be carried in a style which is most applicable to the situation. carry bag as a suitcase for short distances and as a backpack for longer distances).

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The top panel of the bag may contain a plastic sleeve which is adapted to receive S posters, photos, advertising material or the like. For instance, the user may insert a poster relating to their favourite football team when taking the bag to a social event involving watching the football. Alternatively, advertising material may be inserted into the sleeve when the bag is given as a corporate gift to a client.

In use at least one of the bag sliders may be moved into a loading configuration which exposes the interior of the bag to readily receive a package containing a large quantity C of beverage containers. While the loading configuration may involve the panels being unfastened to their fullest extent as illustrated in Figure 2, the loading configuration may also include the top panel being hingedly open, in a similar fashion to that of a suitcase with an open lid. Thus, in either loading configuration, a package of 24 beverage containers may be placed vertically downward onto the interior surface of the bottom panel 3. The bottom panel 3 is preferably permanently attached to two adjoining wall panels thus providing a fixed three dimensional corner 20. This fixed corner 20 may be used to position the containers into place during the loading of the bag in addition to the three dimensional framework facilitating the formation of the bag in the closed configuration from the loading configuration.

Once the package is in position, one of the sliders 12 is moved along the first and second tooth edged bands 10, 11 which are disposed on the perimeter of the panels.

As the slider moves along the tooth edged bands the panel sides are progressive joined together, with Al from the side panel joining with A2 from the bottom panel; B1 joining B2 and so on until F1 is joined F2 and the bag is in the closed configuration. As will be appreciated, two sliders could be used co-currently such that the location at which the sliders join may vary. Preferably, the sliders join together in the closed configuration on a side panel 17. This enables the sliders to be efficiently moved to the access configuration or position as illustrated in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that to access configuration enables the user to access the interior of the bag to retrieve a beverage container. As such, the side panels may only need to be partially separated from the tooth edged bands along their longitudinal edge, as would be the case if the slider positions were at 15 and 16 respectively (Figure 1).

004741974 8 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or 0 modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments Swithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the access configuration is at an intermediate position between the loading configuration and the closed configuration.
2. 3. The bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening device comprises a first tooth edged band and a second tooth edged band and at least one slider.
3. 4. The bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tooth edged bands are disposed on the perimeter of the panels. The bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load comprises a package containing a large quantity of beverage containers. Dated 25 November 2005 Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Patent Trade Mark Attorneys for the Applicant: L.T. Williams Pty Ltd