AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATIVE PATENT A SUPERMARKET SHOPPING BAG AID The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of utilising it known to me.
2 A SUPERMARKET SHOPPING BAG AID The drive to phase out plastic bags used by supermarkets has seen a number of shoppers using the polypropylene type shopping bag commonly sold by the major supermarket chains. It would seem that most shoppers would take with them into the store two to six 5 of the said bags. One or two bags would be carried under the shoppers arm, or for a large number of bags, generally within.one of the bags. Although the before said methods of carrying the said bags are reasonably 10 practical, the problem is that the bags tend to present themselves in a floppy and annoying manner. This is not only whilst being carried, but also in handling at the supermarket check-out counter. Another drawback in their use is that when the bags are unpacked 15 at home, they are not designed to be stored neatly, ready for the next shopping trip. This invention has been devised to overcome the present said disadvantages, and the general object of the present invention is to 20 provide a device that will aid in the use and storage of the said supermarket shopping bags. A device that is simple, light, and can be produced at low cost. 25 A supermarket shopping bag aid in accordance with this invention comprising a structure consisting of two vertical members, spaced apart. The top of each said member being formed into hooks projecting outward from the rear of the device, the lower part of each said hooks being joined together by a horizontal member, said 30 members being employed to hang the device onto the handle bar or the front framework of a shopping trolley. A loose strap is affixed to the top part of the said hooks being used to carry the device. The base of the device is formed by two horizontal parallel members projecting towards the front of the device from the 35 bottom of each said vertical members, at a pre-determined distance, covered by the number of shopping bags the device is designed to carry. The said base members would then be seen to project vertically upwards at their outer end for a short distance, the top of said members being joined together by a horizontal pivot 40 bar, said member projecting past said vertical base members a short distance. The said projections are threaded at each end. A gate-like structure is formed to pivot on said pivot bar extensions, the lower part of said gate structure vertical members being formed into eyes, around the pivot bar extensions, thus forming 45 part of the gate's pivoting arrangement. The remainder of the pivoting assembly (looking at one side) would comprise flat metal 3 washers, on either side of the said gate eye member. A robust rubber washer and a self-locking adjustable nut are separated by another metal washer. The necessary pressure by the top horizontal gate member against the shopping bags to hold them in 5 place onto the device is achieved by adjusting the said nuts inwards until the desired pressure on the gate pivoting eyes is reached. A tab affixed to the centre part of the top horizontal gate member is employed to open the gate's top area, thus releasing the shopping bags for use. 10 Means for receiving such items as a mobile phone, note pad and pen would be seen affixed to the front area of the said gate structure, in the form of a pouch consisting of an oblong piece of suitable flexible material, of which the longer sides would have 15 their edge folded over and sown. The material, in turn, would be folded again with the back edge positioned slightly higher than the front edge, the length of the pouch material being long enough to allow each end to be folded around the vertical side gate members, to such an extent as to allow said extensions to be brought against 20 the front section of pouch material and sown together, or similar. A framework at the rear base of the device is designed to hold one of the larger type thermal shopping bags, said frame consisting of two vertical members joined at the top by a horizontal member, 25 thus forming the rear part of the structure, projecting inward from the lower part of said vertical members, two horizontal members would be seen to extend into sockets or tubes arranged on the inside of the before said main frame base members, thus allowing the unit to be retracted inwards when not required, a stop at the 30 end of each extension to control the extended movement of the device. The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of the components of the invention as follows: 35 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the supermarket shopping bag aid (the pouch being removed for clarity); Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device with a full load of shopping 40 bags; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device loaded with shopping bags (the pouch being removed for clarity); and 45 Fig. 4 is a slightly enlarged view of the right hand side gate pivoting assembly, the pivot bar and gate vertical member being shortened.
4 Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device showing the pouch in place on the pivoting gate structure, the dotted lines on each side representing where the front and back of the pouch material are sown together. The shorter dotted lines represent the pen pouch. 5 The device shown is comprised of two vertical members (1), base members (2), a carrying strap (8), affixed to the top part of the hanging hooks (7), a hinged gate-like structure (3) having eyes (9) formed on the lower part of its vertical members (3-A), said eyes (9) arranged to pivot on the pivot bar (5), and a release tab (4) 10 affixed to the centre part of the gates top horizontal member (3). Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of the right hand side gate (3) pivoting assembly, comprising the pivot bar (5), vertical gate member (3-A), gates eyes (9), base member (2), metal washers 15 (11), rubber washer (12), and self locking nut (13). The necessary force to push or pull the top of the gate (3) is achieved by adjusting the nuts (13) inward until said force has been achieved. A sliding frame (15), of which the two base 20 members (16) are arranged to slide into sockets or tubes (17) of the main frame, allowing the unit to be retracted inwards when not required, stop lugs (19) limiting the extended movement of the said frame. 25 A pouch (14) affixed to the said gate members (3-A) is arranged to house a note pad, pen, mobile phone, or the like. By inserting the note pad covers behind the top gate member (3), the shopper can easily read the notes while shopping. 30 In normal operation the tab (4) is pulled back to expand the top part of the gate (3). The shopping bags (10) are folded and then placed into the device. The top of the gate is then pushed inward against the top part of the said bags, securing them against the vertical members (1). The said procedure is reversed to withdraw a 35 bag or bags. The device is carried by the straps (8). On arrival at a supermarket the device can be hung onto the handle bar of a shopping trolley, or if need be hung onto the front of the trolley's framework, by 40 means of the hooks (7). It is important to mention that the device is equally useful at home. After the shopping is unpacked, the bags can be returned to the device for storage. It could be wall mounted for instance, making 45 storage much tidier, and be ready for the next shopping trip, lessening the chance of the bags being left at home.
5 The note pad can be conveniently read whilst shopping by inserting the pad covers behind the gate top member (3). A possible modified version of the device in which the said base members (2) could be converted into an adjustable telescopic arrangement, could give the device a variation in carrying capacity. 5 A second pouch could be affixed to the two upright frame members (1) and (1), near the top front area of the device, said pouch being affixed in a like manner as before said gate pouch. (14) 10 15 25 30 35 40 45