AU2006100140A4

AU2006100140A4 - Carry Bag Storage Means

Info

Publication number: AU2006100140A4
Application number: AU2006100140A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Vernon Brockman; Cindy Marie Smith
Original assignee: CINDY SMITH; DAVID BROCKMAN
Current assignee: CINDY SMITH; DAVID BROCKMAN
Priority date: 2005-02-28
Filing date: 2006-02-23
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-23

Description

AUSTRALIA

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for service: Carry Bag Storage Means Cindy Marie Smith David Vernon Brockman Cindy Marie Smith David Vernon Brockman WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- Carry Baq Storage Means" Field of the Invention This invention relates to a storage means for carry bags.

Background Art In recent times the traditional plastic bags which was used by shoppers when collecting goods from stores as fallen out of favour. However, the alternative to the plastic bag can prove to be particularly inconvenient. Generally the alternative comprises a cloth or fabric bag which can be folded but the size of the folded bag does not lend itself to convenient storage. As a result it is a common occurrence that a shopper will arrive at a store check out and find that they have forgotten their carry bag, and they are required to use a plastic bag. Or alternatively the shopper will be involved in an extensive shopping expedition and carrying of the non-disposable bags during that expedition prior to making the purchases can be inconvenient.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, the invention resides in a carry bag storage means comprising a body having an inner face whereby the body can be folded rolled or similarly manipulated to substantially enclose the inner face, the inner face having a plurality of receiving means which are configured to receive and accommodate folded storage bags.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the body is formed as a panel wherein the inner face comprises one face of the panel and the panel can be folded rolled or similarly manipulated to cover the inner face. According to a preferred feature of the invention, the receiving means are located in a spaced array across the inner face.

-3- According to a preferred feature of the invention the receiving means comprises an elastic strip which are fixed to the inner face at spaced intervals across the inner face whereby the portions of the elastic strip between the fixings provides a receiving means.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the body is provided with a handle. According to a preferred feature the handle is removable.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention the carry bag storage means further comprises a set of carry bags which are formed of a light weight fabric wherein the carry bags are each readily capable of being folded to occupy a small volume to be receivable in the receiving means when folded and where the fabric has suitable strength characteristics to be utilised as a carry bag.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a carry bag storage means according to the first embodiment in the open condition; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the carry bag storage means according to the first embodiment in the folded condition; Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of a carry bag storage means according to the second embodiment in the open condition; and Figure 2 is an isometric view of the carry bag storage means according to the second embodiment in the folded condition.

-4- Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments The first embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a carry bag storage means which is configured such that it is able to accommodate a plurality of carry bags and when in the folded position and accommodating the folded storage bags is of a size such that it can readily be accommodated in a handbag or similar means, or a pocket in a person's clothing.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the carry bag storage means comprises a panel body 11 formed of a suitably flexible but resistant material or composite of materials. The panel body 11 has an inner face 13 which is provided with a pair of transverse fold lines 15 which divides the inner face into three panels A, B and C where one outermost panel A is foldable along the transverse fold line connecting itself with the intermediate panel B such that the inner face of the one outer most panel A will overly the inner face of the central panel B and the other outermost panel C can be folded to overly the exterior face of the one outermost panel A as shown at Figure 2. Suitable press studs or the like are be provided between the inner face of the other outermost panel C and the outer face of the one outermost panel A such that when the panel body 11 is in folded position as shown at Figure 2, panels A and C can be fixed together to hold the panel body 11 in the folded condition.

The inner face of the intermediate panel B and the one outermost panel A is provided with a set of receiving means 17 which are defined by a length of elastic material which extends across the panel intermediate of the width of the prospective panels B and A and is fixed to the respective inner face at spaced intervals along the respective panels. As a result of the fixing the free portion of the elastic material between each fixing defines a loop which comprises the receiving means 17.

The panel body 11 is associated with a set of carry bags 18 formed of a suitable light weight, thin but strong fabric which are able to be readily folded to form an item having a small volume and which can be readily accommodated in the receiving means 17.

In use, the panel body 11 together with the folded carry bags 18 has a configuration and a size such that it will be readily accommodated in a handbag or a pocket. As a result when a shopper is required to use a carry bag 18 the shopper is readily able to access the carry bag 18 by opening the panel body 11 and retrieving the carry bag 18. Furthermore, the panel body 11 and carry bags 18 are formed of a material which is readily washable so that in the event that the carry bags 18 and or panel body 11 becomes soiled they can be readily washed.

Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a carry bag panel body 11a. The panel body 11 a has an inner face 13a which is provided with a pair of transverse fold lines 15a which divides the inner face into three panels A, B and C. The inner faces of the panels A and C are provided with a set of receiving means 17 similar to that for the panel body 11 for receiving and accommodating folded carry bags 18.

Panels A and C are foldable along their respective fold line 15a connecting same with the intermediate panel B, such that the inner face of panel A will overly the inner face of the panel C as shown at Figure 4. One half of a zipper 20 is attached to the outer periphery of panel A and the other half of zipper 20 is attached to the outer periphery of panel C such that the Panels A and C can be fixed together to hold the panel body 11a in the folded condition. Closing the zipper 20 also substantially encloses the inner face 13a which further retains the carry bags 18 therein.

A further alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a body which is similar to that of the first embodiment but where the receiving means comprise a set of pockets formed in the inner faces of the panels.

According to another embodiment the body is provided with a handle. According to one alternative the handle is removable.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood -6to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A carry bag storage means comprising a body having an inner face whereby the body can be folded, rolled or similarly manipulated to substantially enclose the inner face, the inner face having a plurality of receiving means which are configured to receive and accommodate folded storage bags.

2. The carry bag storage means of claim 1 wherein the body is formed as a panel wherein the inner face comprises one face of the panel and the panel can be folded rolled or similarly manipulated to cover the inner face.

3. The carry bag storage means of claim 1 or 2 wherein the receiving means are located in a spaced array across the inner face.

4. The carry bag storage means of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the receiving means comprises an elastic strip which is fixed to the inner face at spaced intervals across the inner face whereby the portions of the elastic strip between the fixings provides a receiving means.

5. The carry bag storage means of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the carry bag storage means further comprises a set of carry bags which are formed of a light weight fabric wherein the carry bags are each readily capable of being folded to occupy a small volume to be receivable in the receiving means when folded and where the fabric has suitable strength characteristics to be utilised as a carry bag. Dated this Twenty Third day of February 2006. Cindy Marie Smith David Vernon Brockman Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s)