GB2226797A

GB2226797A - Flexible covers for shopping trolleys

Info

Publication number: GB2226797A
Application number: GB8830264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Hemper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-24
Filing date: 1988-12-24
Publication date: 1990-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-24
Also published as: GB8830264D0; GB2226797B

Abstract

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a cover 23 for a shopping trolley 10, which keeps shopping within the trolley dry whilst being transported from a shopping store to a waiting car during the rain, comprises a body of aerially extensive, water-impervious, flexible membraneous plastics material. The cover 23 has a shape and size, in relation to the shape and size of the top of the trolley 10, such that when, as shown, the cover is positioned so as to span the top 17 of the otherwise open top of the trolley, marginal portions 25 of the cover 23 then extend downwardly from the top 17 so as to embrace trolley side members 21. A rear marginal portion 25 of the cover 23 may embrace the handle 15 also, and a front marginal portion 25 has a depth such that it extends not only to embrace the frontal side of the body part 13 but also to underlap the body part. The marginal portions 25 of the cover 23 are elastically stretchable so that with the cover 23 fitted spanning the open top of the trolley 10, the marginal portions 25 are in tension gripping the trolley sides and the handle 15 in their embrace. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements in or relating to Covers for Shopping Trolleys This invention relates to covers for shopping trolleys.

According to the present invention, a cover for a shopping trolley comprises a body of water-impervious, flexible, aerially extensive membraneous material have such shape and size as to be positionable so as to span the structure defining the otherwise open top of the trolley.

The cover is preferably formed and constructed so as to extend downwardly from the said structure so as to embrace the sides of the trolley.

Preferably, marginal parts of the cover are adapted to extend downwardly as aforesaid and are elastically stretchable, and are of such shape and size as, under the action of stretching the cover, are able to embrace the trolley sides by the tension in the said marginal parts.

Preferably, also, an elastically stretchable marginal part adapted to extend around a transverse handle at the rear of the trolley is of such shape and size as, under action of stretching the cover to embrace the handle, to embrace the handle by tension in the said marginal handle embracing part.

Preferably, the cover has, or is adaptable to provide, an aperture through which the head and torso of a child, seated on a seat part integral with the troll, may protrude.

Preferably, also, the cover is so formed as, when fitted to tiie trolley, to permit access, by hand, to the handle.

Suitably, the body of membraneous material is of thin plastic, preferably transparent plastic, material.

The foregoing and other features of a cover for supermarket shopping trolleys are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a supermarket trolley, and Figure 2 is a sketch showing a cover in place protecting the interior of a trolley.

The shopping trolley 10 illustrated has a compliant part 11, a receptacle body part 13 supported cantilever fashion from the frame part 11, and a transverse handle 15 secured to the body part 13.

The body part 13 is of open construction, there being a tubular metal top defining structure 17, a tubular metal bottom defining structure 19 and, between the structures 17 and 19, a grid of wire members (not shown) constituting collectively the sides of the body part 13.

The cover 23 for the shopping trolley, which is for the purpose of keeping shopping within the receptacle body part 13 dry whilst being transported from store to car during the rain, comprises a body of aerially extensive, water-impervious, flexible membraneous material.

The cover 23 has a shape and size, in relation to the shape and size of the top of the trolley, such that when, as shown, the cover is positioned so as to span the top defining structure 17 of the otherwise open top of the body part 13, marginal portions 25 of the cover 23 extend downwardly from the said top defining structure 17 so as to embrace trolley side members 21.

As shown, a rear marginal portion 25 of the cover 23 embraces the handle 15 also, and a front marginal portion 25 has a depth such that it extends not only to embrace the frontal side of the body part 13 but also to underlap the body part.

The marginal portions 25 at least of the cover 23 are elastically stretchable so that with the cover 23 fitted sparking the open top of the receptacle body part 13, the marginal portions 25 are in tension gripping the trolley sides and the handle 15 in their embrace.

The cover 23 may be in a multiplicity of parts, the elastically stretchable marginal portions 25 being formed, as by welding or stitching, of elastic strip material to the central portion 27.

The central portion 27 of the cover may have an aperture A through which the head and torso of a child seated on the hinged seat integral with the body part 13 may protrude. Further, the elastically stretchable marginal part adapted to embrace the handle 15 may be apertured or cut-away (not shown) so as to permit access by hand to the handle 15.

The cover part may be cheaply produced in, for example, transparent polyethylene thin film or sheet material and may be stocked by the supermarket and provided to customers, at lo cost, when required.

The cover may be printed with advertising material.

lIhere aperture A is provided, the aperture may be 'formed by a push-out or tear-out panel, outlined, for exemple, by perforations.

Claims

C t A I N S

1. A cover for a shopping trolley comprising a body of waterimpervious, flexible, aerially extensive membraneous material having such shape and size as to be positionable so as to span the structure defining the otherwise open top of the trolley.

2. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, formed and constructed so as to extend downwardly from the said structure so as to embrace the sides of the trolley.

3. A cover as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein marginal parts of the cover are adapted to extend downwardly as aforesaid and are elastically stretchable, and are of such shape and size as, under the action of stretching the cover, are able to embrace the trolley sides by tension in the said marginal parts.

4. A cover as claimed in Claim 3, wherein an elastically stretchable marginal part is extendable around a transverse handle at the rear of the trolley and is of such shape and size as, under action of stretching the cover to embrace the handle, to embrace the handle by tension in the said marginal handle embracing part.

5. A cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, having, or is adaptable to provide, an aperture through which the head of a child, seated on a seat part of the trolley, may protrude.

6. A cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, formed so as, when fitted to the trolley, to permit access, by hand, to the handle thereof.

7. A cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the body of membraneous material is of thin plastics material.

8. A cover as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the plastics material is transparent.

9. A cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, printed with advertising material.

10. A cover for a shopping trolley substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.