AU2016100710A4 - Shopping aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A shopping aid (2) comprises a neck portion having a neck hole (16) for placing around the neck of a user, an expanse of material (10) coupled to the neck portion and extending from the neck portion, and one or more pockets (6) disposed on the expanse of material (10). Each of the one or more pockets (6) may have transparent or semi-transparent pocket walls such that items (20) that have been placed within the pockets (6) are visible from outside. The apron body (4) may have shoulder straps (14) and is made of lightweight mesh material. Adjustable straps (8) connect the front portion (10) to the rear portion (12). Figure 1

Description

SHOPPING AID

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to shopping aids.

[0002] Typically, shopping baskets (i.e. baskets supplied by a shop, for use by customers inside that shop, for transporting items offered for sale by that shop e.g. from the shop shelves to a check-out counter) have to be carried by a user in one, or both, of that user's hands.

[0003] Many people require their hands to hold onto walking aids (e.g. crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, etc.) while walking around a shop and therefore find it difficult or impossible to carry a conventional shopping basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a shopping aid which will overcome the disadvantages in prior art.

[0005] According to the invention there is provided a shopping aid comprising: a neck portion having a neck hole, the neck portion being for placing around the neck of a user such that the user's neck is through the neck hole, an expanse of material coupled to the neck portion and extending from the neck portion, and one or more pockets disposed on the expanse of material, each of the one or more pockets comprising transparent or semi-transparent pocket walls such that items that have been placed within the pockets are visible from outside the pockets.

[0006] In another preferred embodiment, the pockets walls are made of a mesh material.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment, the expanse of material is transparent or semi-transparent such that objects on one side of the expanse of material are visible when viewed from another side of the expanse of material.

[0008] In another preferred embodiment, the shopping aid further comprising one or more straps, each strap having an adjustable length, the one or more straps being for holding the expanse of material against the torso of a user.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the shopping aid comprises at least two straps, each strap extending between one edge of the expanse of material and an opposite edge of the further expanse of material, each strap having an adjustable length such that the distance between the expanse of material and the further expanse of material is adjustable.

[0010] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an embodiment of a shopping aid; [0012] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing an example use of the shopping aid; and; [0013] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a further embodiment of a shopping aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In this embodiment, the shopping aid 2 comprises an apron body 4, a plurality of pockets 6, and two adjustable straps 8. The apron body 4 comprises a front portion 10 and a rear portion 12 connected together by shoulder straps 14. A hole 16 through the apron body 4 is located between the shoulder straps 14. Thus, the front portion 10 and the rear portion 12 are located on the apron body 4 on opposite sides of the hole 16.

[0015] In this embodiment, the apron body 4 (i.e. the front portion 10, the rear ortion 12, and the shoulder straps 14) is made of a lightweight mesh, or netting, material. Examples of appropriate mesh materials include, but are not limited to, meshes made of polyester, nylon, spandex or any blend thereof.

[0016] In this embodiment, the pockets 6 are located on an outermost surface of the front portion 10 of the apron body 4. The pockets 6 are located on the outermost surface of the front portion 10 between the end of the front portion 10 that is nearest to the hole 16 and the end of the front portion 10 that is furthest away from the hole 16. For each pocket 6, the opening of that pocket 6 is at the edge of that pocket 6 that is nearest to the hole 16. Also, for each pocket 6, the closed end of that pocket 6 (i.e. the closed end of the pocket 6 that is opposite to the opening of that pocket 6) is at the edge of that pocket 6 that is furthest from the hole 16. In this embodiment, the pockets 6 are arranged in two rows. A first row of pockets 6 comprises three pockets 6. The three pockets 6 in the first row are arranged side-by-side such that the first row of pockets 6 spans from at or proximate to one side edge of the first portion 10 to at or proximate to the opposite side edge of the first portion 10. The pockets 6 in the first row are substantially the same size as each other. A second row of pockets 6 comprises a single pocket 6. The single pocket 6 in the second row is arranged such that it spans from at or proximate to one side edge of the first portion 10 to at or proximate to the opposite side edge of the first portion 10. Thus, the single pocket 6 in the second row is wider than each of the pockets 6 in the first row. In this embodiment, the first row of pockets 6 is located, on the front portion 10 of the apron body 4, "above" the second row of pockets 6 (when the shopping aid 2 is viewed as shown in Figure l).In other words, the pockets 6 in the first row are is located closer to the hole 16 than the pocket 6 in the second row. In this embodiment, the material that is used to form the pockets 6 is a lightweight mesh material. In other words, the walls of the pockets 6 are formed from a lightweight mesh material. Examples of appropriate mesh materials include, but are not limited to, meshes made of polyester, nylon, spandex or any blend thereof. The pockets 6 may be formed from the same, or a different material, to that from which the apron body 4 is made.

[0017] In this embodiment, the adjustable straps 8 are located at opposite sides of the apron body 4. Each adjustable strap 8 connects a side edge of the front portion 10 to a side edge of the rear portion 12. In other words, for each adjustable strap 8, a first end of that strap 8 is connected to a side edge of the front portion 10 and a second end of that adjustable strap 8 (opposite to the first end) is connected to a side edge of the rear portion 12. The first end of each adjustable strap 8 is connected to the front portion 10 at a point along a respective side edge of the front portion 10 that is between the end of the front portion 10 that is nearest to the hole 16 and the end of the front portion 10 that is furthest away from the hole 16. Similarly, the second end of each adjustable strap 8 is connected to the rear portion 12 at a point along a respective side edge of the rear portion 10 that is between the end of the rear portion 12 that is nearest to the hole 16 and the end of the rear portion 12 that is furthest away from the hole 16. In this embodiment, the lengths of each of the adjustable straps 8 may be shortened (thereby moving the front and rear portions 10, 12 closer together) or lengthened (thereby allowing for the front and rear portions 10, 12 to be moved further away from one another). The adjustable straps 8 may be made of any appropriate material, such as a fabric. The adjustable straps 8 may be adjusted using any appropriate adjustment means, for example, a buckle.

[0018] In this embodiment, the length of the front portion 10 if the apron body 4 (i.e. a distance between the end of the front portion 10 that is nearest to the hole 16 and the end of the front portion 10 that is furthest away from the hole 16) is approximately 0.5m to 0.7m e.g.0.6m. Also, in this embodiment, a width of the apron body 4 (i.e. a distance between one side edge of the front portion 10 and an opposite side edge of the front portion 10) is approximately 0.4m to 0.5m e.g.0.45m. In other embodiments, the shopping aid 2 may have different appropriate dimensions.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing an example use of the shopping aid 2. Figure 2 shows a user 18 wearing the shopping aid 2. The user 18 may put on (i.e. wear) the shopping aid 2 as follows. Firstly, the user 18 moves their head and neck through the hole 16 such that: (i) the shoulder straps 14 are in contact with the shoulders of the user 18; (ii) the front portion 10 is located directly in front of the user 18 (in contact with the front of the user's torso); (iii) the rear portion 12 is located directly behind the user 18 (in contact with the user's back); and (iv) the pockets (6) are located on the outermost surface of the front portion 10 (i.e. the pockets 6 are located on the surface of the front portion 10 that is opposite to the surface of the front portion 10 that is in contact with the user's torso). The material of the apron body 4 that surrounds the hole 16 (i.e. the shoulder straps 14 and the uppermost parts of the front and rear portions 10, 12) may be thought of as a "neck portion". The shopping aid 2 is worn by the user 18 by placing the neck portion around the neck of the user 18 (i.e. such that the user's neck is through the neck hole 16).

[0020] Secondly, the user] 8 moves their arms such that the adjustable straps 8 are beneath the user's arms. Thus, the apron body 4 and the adjustable straps 8 define two "arm holes" through which the user 18 places their arms. Thirdly, the user 18 adjusts the lengths of the adjustable straps 8 so that the front and rear portions 10, 12 of the apron body are held against the user's body. Thus, a method of by which the shopping aid 2 may be "put on" and worn by the user 18 is provided. In other embodiments, the user 18 may put on, or wear, the shopping aid 2 in a different appropriate way. The shopping aid 2 is advantageously easy for a user to put on and wear. Advantageously, wearing the wearable shopping aid 2, the user 18 may move around e.g. a shop and place items they wish to purchase (indicated in Figure 2 by the reference numerals 20) in any of the pockets 6. In other words, the user 18 may arrive at a shop and put on (i.e. wear) the shopping aid 2. The shopping aid 2 may be provided or offered for use by the shop, e.g.by an owner or an employee of the shop. The user 18 may then move about the shop and place items 20 that are offered for sale by the shop (i.e. items 20 that the user wishes to purchase, e.g. items stored on shop shelves) into one or more pockets 6 of the shopping aid 2. The user 18 may, in the pockets 6 of the shopping aid 2, transport those items 20 to a check-out counter of the shop. The user 18 may then remove the items 20 from the pockets 6 of the shopping aid 2 and purchase those items 20.

[0021] Thus, a method of shopping in a shop is provided. The above described shopping aid advantageously tends to facilitate or enable some consumers, e.g. those who find it difficult or impossible to carry a conventional shopping basket, to go shopping. For example, people who use crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, etc. typically require one or both of their hands to hold onto their walking aid whilst they walk. Thus, walking using a walking aid and, at the same time, carrying a conventional shopping basket tends to be difficult or impossible. The above described wearable shopping aid advantageously tends to overcome this problem as both of the user's hands are free to hold onto a walking aid. Also for example, people who have suffered arm, shoulder, and/or neck injuries may find it painful, or difficult, to carry a conventional shopping basket. Similarly, people who suffer from arthritis or other conditions, diseases or disabilities may find it painful, or difficult, to carry a conventional shopping basket. The above described shopping aid advantageously tends to overcome or alleviate this problem. This tends to be because whereas conventionally, when carrying a shopping basket, the basket load is mainly borne by a user's arm and shoulder, when using the above the described wearable shopping aid, the load is not mainly borne by a user's arm and shoulder. Also, conventional shopping baskets tend to be carried by a user in one of their hands, i.e. at one side of that user's body. By carrying or holding a heavy shopping basket at one side of their body, a user risks straining or injuring their back (e.g. their lower back). The above described shopping aid advantageously tends to overcome or alleviate this risk. This tends to be because the items placed in the shopping aid are held in front of the user (as opposed to at one side), and close to the user's body (i.e. close to the user's centre of mass).

[0022] Also, a user carrying items in the shopping aid (e.g.as shown in Fig.2) tends to be more balanced and stable compared to a user carrying items in a conventional shopping basket. Thus, the likelihood of a user over, dropping a shopping basket, etc. tends to be reduced. The above described shopping aid advantageously provides that a user may have both of their hands free whilst shopping. Whilst shopping, parents of young children (for example) may prefer to wear the above described shopping aid so that their hands are free to hold onto their children, a pushchair, etc. The above described shopping aid tends to be advantageously easy to manufacture. Also, the above described shopping aid tends to be advantageously cheap to manufacture. The above described shopping aid tends to be advantageously easy to store, e.g.by a shop such as a supermarket. For example, a number of the shopping aids can be located at a shop's entrance, e.g. hung on coat hooks or folded and placed in a pile. Thus, the shopping aids may be conveniently stored such that they are easily accessible to those consumers/customers that wish to use them, whilst at the same time not causing an obstruction. The ability to fold the shopping aid advantageously tends to facilitate its storage and transportation. In the above embodiments, the shopping aid is container supplied by a shop, for use by customers of that shop, for use inside that shop, for transporting items within that shop (e.g. from the shop shelves to the check-out counter). In other embodiments, the shopping aid could be provided by the customer of the shop (i.e. a user may bring their own shopping aid to a shop to facilitate that user shopping at that shop).

[0023] In the above embodiments, the pockets of the shopping aid are made of a mesh material. In other words, the walls of the pockets have multiple transparent portions. This allows a person (e.g. a security guard of a shop, the operator of a shop check-out counter, or another employee of a shop) to see the items that have been placed in the pockets of the shopping aid. Also, this allows a person (e.g. a security guard, the operator of a check-out register, or another employee of a shop) to easily see whether or not the pockets of a shopping aid are empty or not. This advantageously tends to reduce the likelihood of a user leaving items in the pockets of the shopping aid, and leaving a shop with those items having not paid for them. Thus, the likelihood of the shopping aid being used to shoplift advantageously tends to be minimized.

[0024] In the above embodiments, the pockets of the shopping aid are made of a mesh material. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the pockets of the shopping aid is made of a different appropriate material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each pocket is transparent or semi-transparent such that it is possible to determine whether or not that pocket contains an item (from outside that pocket). For example, in some embodiments, one or more pockets comprise a clear plastic portion (i.e. a clear plastic window) through which the contents of that pocket may be viewed. However, in other embodiments, one or more pocket may not comprise a transparent or semi-transparent portion. In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets has an opening that may be sealed (e.g. by means of a zipper, or buttons, etc). In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets is made of a waterproof material. This may, for example, be such that items placed within the pocket are kept dry (e.g. if it is raining). Also, this may, for example, be such that a liquid from an item placed within the pocket (e.g. liquid leaking from a product, or water condensing on the surface of a product) is retained within that pocket and not, e.g., transferred onto a user's clothes. In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets is made of a thermally insulating or heat-resistant material. This tends to be advantageous for transporting items that have been either heated or refrigerated. In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets comprises a reinforced portion (e.g. a reinforced pocket bottom). This tends to be advantageous for transporting heavy items. In the above embodiments, the shopping aid comprises four pockets arranged in two rows as described in more detail above and shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, in other embodiments, the shopping aid comprises a different number of pockets. In other embodiments, the arrangement of the pockets of the shopping aid is different to that described above, e.g. in some embodiments, the pockets of the shopping aid are arranged in a different number or rows (e.g.as a single row or as more than two rows). In the above embodiments, the apron body of the shopping aid is made of a mesh material. In other words, the apron body has multiple transparent portions. This allows a person (e.g. a security guard of a shop, the operator of a shop check-out register, or another employee of a shop) to see objects that are covered by the apron body, i.e. objects that are under the shopping aid. Thus, a person is able to check that a user is not carrying or concealing items beneath the shopping aid. This advantageously tends to reduce the possibility of a user hiding items beneath the apron body of the shopping aid so as to shoplift those items. In the above embodiments, the apron body of the shopping aid is made of a mesh material. However, in other embodiments, the apron body is made of a different appropriate material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the apron body is transparent or semi-transparent such that it is possible to determine whether or not an item is being concealed beneath the apron body. For example, in some embodiments, the apron body is made of clear plastic. However, in other embodiments, the apron body is not transparent or semi-transparent. In some embodiments, the shopping aid comprises a padded portion, or padding. For example, in some embodiments, a soft, padded portion is disposed opposite to the pockets on an inner surface of the front portion of the apron body. In other words, padding may be placed behind the pockets. Also for example, in some embodiments a padded portion may be disposed along the shoulder straps and/or around the hole. Such padded portions tend to make wearing the shopping aid a more comfortable experience for a user.

[0025] In the above embodiments, the shopping aid comprises adjustable straps that may be used to secure the front and rear portions of the shopping aid against a user's body. However, in other embodiments, the shopping aid comprises different means for securing the front and rear portions to a user's body (e.g. a belt, an elastic portion, e.g. an elastic waistband etc.). In some embodiments, the shopping aid does not comprise any means using which the front and/or rear portions may be secured to a user's body. In the above embodiments, the shopping aid comprises front and rear portions. However, in other embodiments, the shopping aid does not comprise a rear portion. An example of such an embodiment is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a further embodiment of a shopping aid, hereinafter referred to as the "further shopping aid" and indicated in Figure 3 by the reference numeral 100. The further shopping aid 100 comprises an apron body (hereinafter referred to as the further apron body 102), a plurality of pockets (hereinafter referred to as the further pockets 104), and an adjustable strap (hereinafter referred to as the further adjustable straps 106).

[0026] The further apron body 102 comprises a front portion (hereinafter referred to as the further front portion 108) and shoulder straps (hereinafter referred to as the further shoulder straps 110) that define a hole (hereinafter referred to as the further hole 112). The further hole 112 is of such a size that a human user may move their head and neck through the further hole 112. The further pockets 104 are coupled to the further front portion 108 in the same way as the pockets 6 are coupled to the font portion 10 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a first end of the further adjustable strap 106 is coupled to a first edge of the further front portion 108, and a second end of the further adjustable strap 106 (opposite to the first end of the further adjustable strap 106) is coupled to a second edge of the further front portion 108 (opposite to the first edge of the further front portion 108). The further apron body 102 and further pockets 104 may be made of the same material as that which the apron body 4 and pockets 6 (described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2) are made of.

Claims (5)

1. A shopping aid (2) comprising: a neck portion having a neck hole (16), the neck portion being for placing around the neck of a user (18) such that the user's neck is through the neck hole (16); an expanse of material (10) coupled to the neck portion and extending from the neck portion; and one or more pockets (6) disposed on the expanse of material (10), each of the one or more pockets (6) having a transparent or semi-transparent pocket wall such that items (20) that have been placed within the pockets (6) are visible from outside the pockets (6).

2. A shopping aid as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pockets walls are made of a mesh material.

3. A shopping aid according to claim 1, wherein the expanse of material (10) is transparent or semi-transparent such that objects on one side of the expanse of material (10) are visible when viewed from another side of the expanse of material (10).

4. A shopping aid according to claim 1, wherein the shopping aid (2) further comprising one or more straps (8), each strap (8) having an adjustable length, the one or more straps (8) being for holding the expanse of material (10) against the torso of a user (18).

5. A shopping aid according to claim 1, wherein the shopping aid (2) comprises at least two straps (8), each strap (8) extending between one edge of the expanse of material (10) and an opposite edge of the further expanse of material (12), each strap (8) having an adjustable length such that the distance between the expanse of material (10) and the further expanse of material (12) is adjustable.