GB2449472A

GB2449472A - A shopping basket

Info

Publication number: GB2449472A
Application number: GB0709916A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dean Vincent Dorrell
Original assignee: Redbus Outdoor Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Redbus Outdoor Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-23
Filing date: 2007-05-23
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-23
Also published as: GB0709916D0; GB2449472B

Abstract

A shopping basket comprises a basket portion 2 and a handle 4 attached to the basket portion by a connection 6, comprising an upwardly extending notch 61, allowing rotation of the handle about a pivotal axis in a lowered configuration, and an engagement portion 41, locatable in the notch, which prevents rotation of the handle when in a deployed configuration, the engagement portion being spaced below the pivotal axis when the handle is in the deployed configuration. The handle may further comprise a guide portion 40 spaced apart from the engagement portion and an upwardly extending channel 67 having a wide section 69, a narrow section 68 and an intermediate tapered section 70. The guide portion is engageable in the narrow section of the channel to prevent rotation of the handle when in the deployed configuration.

Description

SHOPPING BASKET

The present invention relates to a shopping basket. In particular, a shopping basket which is stackable with other identical or similar shopping baskets.

Shopping baskets which are stackable are well known in the art. Traditionally, shopping baskets have been made from wire mesh. More recently, plastic moulded shopping baskets have been found to be cheaper to manufacture and lighter in use.

A common type of shopping basket is a plastic shopping basket with a single handle. Such baskets are frequently stacked in supermarkets, for example adjacent to a check-out when shopping has been completed. In order to stack, the majority of a basket portion is shaped to be received within a basket portion of an identical or similar shopping basket.

A rim at the top of the basket is not received within the basket below. The number of shopping baskets which can be stacked in a particular vertical height is determined in part by the height of the rim.

It is known to have a handle rotatably attached to a basket portion. The handle can be rotated down until it is substantially horizontal and level with the top of the basket portion. In one known embodiment of a plastic shopping basket, a ledge is formed on an interior or exterior surface of the basket. The ledge supports the handle in a horizontal position. The ledge forms part of the rim and therefore adds to its height. The rim extends a relatively large amount of approximately 30mm above the top of another basket on which it is stacked.

The large vertical extent of stacked baskets reduces the number of baskets which can be stacked together in a particular vertical space, before a supermarket employee must collect the stacked baskets because that space is full.

This problem did not apply to wire baskets, since only a narrow rim is required on a wire baskets. In a wire basket, the handle or handles often rest on top of the rim.

Although this reduces how many baskets can be stacked in a particular vertical space, a large number of baskets could still be stacked and so this was not considered to be a problem.

The handle may be pivotally attached to the basket using a simple pivot having a circular cross-section. The design of pivot currently in use in shopping baskets is one which is able to retain the handle in an upright position, thereby preventing pivotal movement between the handle and the basket when in normal use by a shopper. Such a pivotal connection is provided by an upwardly tapering opening on each side of the basket, and an upwardly extending notch substantially at the middle of the upwardly tapering opening to receive the handle in a deployed configuration. When picked up by a shopper, the handle effectively pivots within the opening and locates in the notch. It is only dislodged when the basket is set down whereupon it can be pushed out of the notch, or falls out of the notch under gravity.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a shopping basket comprising: a basket portion; a handle attached to the basket portion by at least one connection allowing rotation of the handle about a pivotal axis in a lowered configuration, the or each connection comprising an upwardly extending notch; the handle provided with an engagement portion locatable in the notch to prevent rotation of the handle in a deployed configuration, wherein the engagement portion is spaced below the pivotal axis when the handle is in the deployed configuration.

Preferably, the notch is defined by two ribs, each rib having a curved upper surface to guide the engagement portion around the pivotal axis.

This ensures that the engagement portion can rotate smoothly whilst the handle is in the lowered configuration to a point where the handle extends vertically, and can be lifted into the notch.

Preferably, the engagement portion is supported on an arm, and extends from the arm away from the handle.

Preferably, the notch has a constant width along its length.

Preferably, the handle is further provided with a guide portion spaced apart from the engagement portion; and the pivotal connection further comprises an upwardly extending channel, the guide portion and channel arranged to prevent rotation of the handle in the deployed configuration.

The guide portion and engagement portion both act to lock the handle in the upright, deployed, configuration.

Preferably, the channel has a wide section, narrow section and an intermediate tapered section. The tapered section can act to urge the handle into the exact upright position.

Preferably, the guide portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis. Preferably, the guide portion is substantially square or rectangular, and preferably has chamfered edges.

Preferably, the guide portion is intermediate the engagement portion and the handle.

Preferably, a bearing portion is nioveable in an upwardly extending slot in the pivotal connection to inhibit lateral movement of the handle. Preferably, the bearing portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis.

Preferably, the bearing portion is intermediate the guide portion and the handle.

Preferably, the basket portion has a rim to which the handle is pivotally attached, the rim comprising an outwardly extending portion leading to a downwardly extending lip, the basket portion and handle being formed of moulded plastic; wherein discrete protrusions on the handle or on the rim engage with corresponding recesses on the other of the handle or rim to support the handle.

Preferably, the connection is formed in a rim of the basket portion, and the connection does not project above or below the rim.

The present invention provides, in a second aspect, a shopping basket having a basket portion with a rim to which a handle is pivotally attached, the rim comprising an outwardly extending portion leading to a downwardly extending lip, the basket portion and handle being formed of moulded plastic; wherein discrete protrusions on the handle or on the rim engage with corresponding recesses on the other of the handle or rim to support the handle.

By using discrete protrusions on the handle or the lip of the rim, the ledge is eliminated. The overall height of the rim can therefore be reduced allowing more baskets to be stacked in the same vertical space.

Preferably, when the handle is in the supported position it does not project above or below the downwardly extending lip. This provides a low profile handle and is a simple way of ensuring that, when stacked, one handle does not interfere with the handle of an adjacent basket.

The handle may be pivotally attached to an inner surface of the rim. However, preferably, the handle is pivotally attached to an outer surface of the rim and the protrusions or recesses are on an outwardly facing surface of the lip. Preferably, when the handle is in the supported position it does not project above or below the downwardly extending lip.

In many applications, shopping baskets are required to be extremely robust in that they are used many times in the course of a day and must carry heavy loads. If the size of the rim is reduced as we are contemplating, the space available for the pivotal connection on the rim is reduced thereby tending to weaken the basket around the pivotal connection.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of the shopping basket without the handle; Fig. 2 is a perspective end view of the shopping basket; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above having one corner of the basket; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from below showing a portion of the abutment housing; Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of a hinge of the present invention; Fig. 6 is an underneath perspective view of the hinge of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an underneath perspective view of the hinge of the present invention Fig. 8 is a cut-away perspective view of the hinge of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a cut-away perspective view of the hinge; and Fig. 10 is a front view of the handle of the shopping basket.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the shopping basket comprises a basket portion 2 with a planar substantially rectangular base 20. Side walls 22 extend upwardly from the base 20, and have radiussed corners. The side walls 22 are inclined outwardly from the base 20, in order to allow similar shopping baskets to stack.

The base 20 and side walls 22 define a plurality of apertures 34. The apertures 34 reduce the weight of the shopping basket and allow any water or other liquid to drain through the base 20.

The side walls 22 define two substantially planar areas 32, without any apertures 34. The planar areas 32 can be used to receive advertising material.

The shopping basket 1 has a handle 4 moveably attached to the basket portion 2. Preferably, the handle 4 is rotatably attached to the basket portion 2. The handle 4 is attached to the side walls 22 by two hinges 6 as described in greater detail below. The handle 4 comprises a grip section 4a supported by two arm sections 4b.

The side walls comprise a rim 12 around the periphery of the side walls 22 distal from the base 20. The rim 12 is a flange extending outwardly from the adjoining part of side walls 22, in a plane substantially parallel to the base 20.

The rim 12 further comprises a downwardly depending lip extending substantially parallel to and adjacent to an adjoining part of the side walls 22. The rim 12 acts to increase the rigidity of the basket 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the rim 12 is provided with at least one recess 14 to engage with the studs 16. The recesses are shaded differently from the remainder of the basket. It therefore appears that the recesses are provided inserts fitted into the rim 12. However, this is not the case and the recesses are actually formed directly in the rim in the moulding process. Preferably, there are twice as many recesses 14 as studs 36, to allow the handle to engage with either side of the basket.

The handle 4 is therefore supported in a lowered position outside of the basket 2, and adjacent to the outside of the rim 12. The handle 4 is thus on a laterally exterior side of the rim, and projects outwardly beyond the support. The handle 4 is substantially horizontal in this lowered configuration, parallel to the base 20. The vertical extent of the rim 12 is not affected by the provision of the recesses 14, and so the vertical extent of the rim 12 can be minirnised. In particular, the rim 12 does not have a ledge extending along the width of the basket to support the handle 4. Such a ridge would increase the vertical height of the rim 12.

The base 20, side walls 22 and rim 12 are preferably integrally formed. The base 20, side walls 22 and rim 12 are preferably formed of a plastics material. The basket portion 2 and handle are preferably formed by injection moulding.

The vertical extent of the rim 12 is approximately 20mm. The width of the handle, that is the vertical extent of the handle in the lowered position, is substantially the same or less than that the rim 12. The handle does not extend above or below the lip. Thus, when two baskets 1 are stacked, the top of the upper basket extends approximately 20mm above the top of the lower basket.

The hinge arrangement is shown in greater detail in Figs. 5 to 10. Two hinges 6 are provided in the centre of the basket, with one on either side of the basket. Each hinge is formed entirely within the rim 12. The hinges do not extend above or below the rim.

The hinges 6 allow the handle 4 to be pushed towards the basket in a lowered configuration. In the lowered configuration, the handle can be rotated between an upright position and a stored position alongside the rim. The hinges 6 allow the handle 4 to move into a deployed configuration, when the handle is upright and pulled away from the basket.

The handle 4 is prevented from rotating in the deployed configuration, allowing it to be easily used to carry the basket containing shopping.

The hinge 6, or pivotal connection, comprises an opening 60 on the basket in which the handle 4 is received.

The opening 60 is in the form of an elongate slot extending vertically, i.e. perpendicularly to the plane of the base 20. The hinge further comprises a notch 61 defined between two ribs 65. The notch 61 extends upwardly, i.e. perpendicularly to the plane of the base 20. The two ribs 65 have curved upper surfaces. The curved upper surfaces may define a constant radius about a point adjacent the top of the notch 61.

-10 -A channel 67 of variable width also extends upwardly, between the slot 60 and notch 61. The channel 67, slot 60 and notch 61 are aligned.

The handle 4 is provided with a bearing portion 38 and a guide portion 40. An arm 42 extends from the guide portion 40, and is provided with an engagement portion 41.

The bearing portion 38 has a substantially circular cross-section, and engages with the interior of the slot 60.

The guide portion 40 has a substantially square or rectangular cross-section with chamfered corners. The guide portion is located within the channel 67.

The engagement portion 41 is substantially square or rectangular in front view, and is dimensioned to fit snugly in the notch 61. The arm 42 connects the engagement portion 41 to the guide portion 40. The arm 42 supports engagement portion 41 spaced away from the pivotal axis of the handle, which can be considered as the bearing portion 38. The engagement portion 41 is spaced below the handle 4 when the handle 4 is upright in a deployed position. The engagement portion 41 extends from the arm 42 away from the handle 4.

The engagement portion 41 can contact the curved upper surfaces of the ribs 65. The curved upper surfaces of the ribs 65 are shaped to guide the engagement portion 41 in an arc around the pivotal axis. The curved upper surfaces of the ribs 65 assist in locating the engagement portion 41 in the notch 61.

-11 -Figure 5 shows the handle 4 in a lowered position. The handle 4 can freely rotate into or from the lowered position, in which the handle 4 is substantially parallel to the plane of the rime 12. The bearing surface 38 is rotatable in the slot 60, engaged with or adjacent to a lower end of the slot.

Figure 6 shows the handle 4 brought into a vertical orientation, substantially perpendicular to the plane to the rim 12 and base 20 of the basket. The engagement portion 41 has been rotated around the adjacent rib 65, and is adjacent to an end of the notch 61. The bearing surface 38 is adjacent to the lower end of the slot 60, as in Figure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 show the handle 4 in a deployed position. The handle 4 is secured in a vertical orientation, perpendicular to the plane of the rim 12. The handle 4 has been moved upwardly, such that the bearing portion 38 has slid along slot 60. The engagement portion 41 has entered into the notch 61. The ribs 65 engage with the engagement portion 41 to prevent lateral movement of the engagement portion 41, and hence inhibit rotational movement of the handle 4, in this deployed position.

Figure 9 shows only part of the hinge 6, and does not show the slot 60. The hinge 6 further comprises a tapered channel 67, as shown most clearly in Figure 9. The tapered channel has a width which varies along its length.

Tapered channel 67 has a narrow section 68 at its upper end, and a wide section 69 at its lower end. The wide -12 -section 69 has a width larger than the narrow section 68. A tapered section 70 of varying width is between the narrow section 69 and wide section 69.

The guide section 40 is located within the tapered channel 67. The guide section 40 has a width only slightly smaller than the narrow section 68. When the handle 4 is in a deployed configuration, the guide section 40 is within the narrow section 68 such that rotation of the handle 4 is inhibited by the engagement of the guide section 40. When the handle 4 is in a lowered configuration, the guide section 40 is in the wide section 69, adjacent to the tapered section 70. The guide portion 40 engages with the tapered section 70 as the handle 40 begins to move from the lowered configuration to the deployed configuration, assisting in guiding the engagement portion 41 into the notch 60. The guide portion 40 is in the narrow section 68 when the handle 4 is in the deployed section, inhibiting rotational movement of the handle 4.

In the deployed position, the handle 4 is therefore preferably maintained in an upright position by two spaced apart features, namely engagement portion 41 in notch 61 and guide portion 40 in channel 67.

The handle 4 and side walls 22 are configured to inter-engage to support the handle 4 in a lowered position. The lowered position is preferably parallel to the base 20, and the top of the rim 12. The handle 4 and rim 12 are provided with engaging means. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the handle 4 is preferably provided with at least one stud or protrusion 16. Preferably, there are two studs 16, or -13 -alternatively there may be more than two studs 16. The studs 16 protrude inwardly from the arm sections 4b. The studs 16 extend approximately 4.5mm. The handle can therefore be supported alongside of, and outside of, the rim.

Figure 10 shows the handle 4 with associated parts for attaching to the basket. The handle 4, bearing portion 38 guide portion 40, arm 42 and engagement portion 41 are preferably integrally formed of a plastics material.

In use, a customer will extend the handle 4 into an upright position, with arm sections 4b substantially vertical when the base 20 is substantially horizontal. The hinges 6 will lock the handle 4 in this position when the handle 4 is pulled upwards. The lock is achieved by guide portion 40 engaging with the channel 67 and/or engagement portion 41 engaging in notch 61. The weight of the basket pulls the basket downwardly to maintain the handle 4 in the deployed position. When the customer wishes to stack the shopping basket 1, the handle 4 can be pushed towards the basket 2, allowing relative rotation between the basket 2 and handle 4. The engagement portion 41 is moved downwardly out of the notch 61. Simultaneously, guide portion is moved downwardly out of the narrow section 68 of the channel 67.

The handle 4 is then rotated in either direction until the studs 16 engage against the restraining surfaces 18 on the recesses 14. Further baskets 1 can then be stacked on top of that basket.

The hinge arrangement described provides a pivotal connection of the handle to the basket, which allows -14 -rotation of the handle in the lowered position, and prevents rotation of the handle in the deployed (upright) position.

The hinge is able to f it within a smaller rim depth than conventional hinges. In particular, this is because the S handle has a portion spaced apart from the pivotal axis which allows a reliable lock to be achieved in a smaller space. Further, the handle is also secured by a guide portion, so that the handle is secured by two spaced apart elements. The smaller rim depth, achieved by securing to the outside of the rim, allows improved stacking.

In an alternative embodiment, a recess (not shown) may be provided for receiving the arm 42 of the handle 4. The recess may be formed in the hinge, adjacent to the notch 61 and channel 67. The recess may have a shape complementary to a top surface of the arm 42 and spaced from the engagement portion 41. The recess may be located such that when the handle 4 is in the deployed position (i.e. when the engagement portion 4 is in the notch 61), the arm 42 is in the recess. The engagement of the arm 42 in the recess further resists rotation of the handle 4 in the deployed position.

The above shopping basket has been described as having a single handle. Alternatively, the basket may comprise two handles. The handles may be rotatably attached to the basket, at positions offset in opposite directions from a centre point of a long side of the basket. The handles would be able to rotate in the same plane, and fold down in opposite senses. Studs on each handle would engage with the rim on opposite sides of the basket.

-15 -The studs have been described as located on the handle.

Alternatively, the studs may be located on the rim. The studs may be engageable with a restraining surface on the handle.

An improved hinge design has been described above. The shopping basket may alternatively have a handle secured to the outside of the rim, with a hinge as will now be described. Such a hinge may be a pivotal connection on each side of the basket, provided by an upwardly tapering opening, and an upwardly extending notch substantially at the middle of the upwardly tapering opening to receive the handle in a deployed configuration, the notch being defined by a wall on either side of the notch, each wall being supported by at least one reinforcing rib extending substantially perpendicularly away from the notch. By providing the reinforcing ribs, a more robust notch can be provided in the reduced space, without unduly increasing the material cost and weight of the basket.

Each reinforcing rib may simply blend into the rim structure. However, preferably, each reinforcing rib is supported at the end opposite to the notch by a reinforcing wall extending substantially perpendicularly to the reinforcing rib.

The pivotal connection may extend slightly above and below the lip, in which case, it must be configured to stack with an adjacent basket. However, preferably, the pivotal connection does not project above or below the downwardly extending lip. Part of the handle 4 may extend below the lip or rim, when the handle 4 is in a lowered position and -16 -orientated vertically upright. In this position, the arm 42 and engagement portion 41 may extend below the rim. The arm 42 and engagement portion 41 will not project below the rim or lip when the handle is in a lowered position and alongside the rim, or when the handle is in the upright deployed position.

Any of the described embodiments may be used with any other of the embodiments. In particular, the shopping basket preferably has the handle supported outside of the rim, and uses the described hinges 6. Each described feature can alternatively be used by independently of other features.

Claims

-17 - CLLAIMS

1. A shopping basket comprising: a basket portion; a handle attached to the basket portion by at least one connection allowing rotation of the handle about a pivotal axis in a lowered configuration, the or each connection comprising an upwardly extending notch; the handle provided with an engagement portion locatable in the notch to prevent rotation of the handle in a deployed configuration, wherein the engagement portion is spaced below the pivotal axis when the handle is in the deployed configuration.

2. The shopping basket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the notch is defined by two ribs, each rib having a curved upper surface to guide the engagement portion around the pivotal axis.

3. The shopping basket of claim 1 or 2 wherein the engagement portion is supported on an arm, and extends from the arm away from the handle.

4. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the notch has a constant width along its length.

5. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is further provided with a guide portion spaced apart from the engagement portion; -18 -and the pivotal connection further comprises an upwardly extending channel, the guide portion engageable in the channel to prevent rotation of the handle in the deployed configuration.

6. The shopping basket of claim 5 wherein the channel has a wide section, narrow section and an intermediate tapered section.

7. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of claim 5 to 6 wherein the guide portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis.

8. The shopping basket as claimed in claims 5 to 7 wherein the guide portion is substantially square or rectangular, and preferably has chamfered edges.

9. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the guide portion is intermediate the engagement portion and the handle.

10. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a bearing portion is nioveable in an upwardly extending slot in the pivotal connection to inhibit lateral movement of the handle.

11. The shopping basket as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bearing portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis.

12. The shopping basket of claim 10 or 11 wherein the bearing portion is intermediate the guide portion and the handle.

-19 -

13. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket portion has a rim to which the handle is pivotally attached, the rim comprising an outwardly extending portion leading to a downwardly extending lip, the basket portion and handle being formed of moulded plastic; wherein discrete protrusions on the handle or on the rim engage with corresponding recesses on the other of the handle or rim to support the handle.

14. A shopping basket as hereinbefore described and as * ** *,, shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings. * * **** * S.. *. S.. *.. * S* S. I I..

14. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the connection is formed in a rim of the basket portion, and the connection does not project above or below the rim.

15. A shopping basket having a basket portion with a rim to which a handle is pivotally attached, the rim comprising an outwardly extending portion leading to a downwardly extending lip, the basket portion and handle being formed of moulded plastic; wherein discrete protrusions on the handle or on the rim engage with corresponding recesses on the other of the handle or rim to support the handle.

16. A shopping basket according to claim 15, wherein when the handle is in the supported position it does not project above or below the downwardly extending lip.

17. A shopping basket according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the handle is pivotally attached to an outer surface Zo of the rim and the protrusions or recesses are on an outwardly facing surface of the lip.

18. A shopping basket according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein a pivotal connection does not project above or below the downwardly extending lip.

19. A shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there are a plurality of apertures in the basket portion and at least one substantially planar area having no apertures for receiving advertising material.

20. A shopping basket as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the vertical extent of the lip is approximately 20mm.

21. A hinge for a shopping basket having a basket portion and a handle attached to the basket portion by at least one pivotal connection allowing rotation of the handle about a pivotal axis in a lowered configuration, the hinge comprising: a pivotal connection having an upwardly extending notch; an engagement portion on the handle locatable in the notch to secure the handle in a deployed configuration, wherein the engagement portion is spaced apart from the pivotal axis.

22. A shopping basket as hereinbefore described and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

82O884 AP.HB; SNW Amendments To The Claims Have Been Filed As Follows

CLAI MS

1. A shopping basket comprising: a basket portion; a handle attached to the basket portion by at least one connection allowing rotation of the handle about a pivotal axis in a lowered configuration, the or each connection comprising an upwardly extending notch; the handle provided with an engagement portion locatable in the notch to prevent rotation of the handle in a deployed configuration, wherein the engagement portion is spaced below the pivotal axis when the handle is in the deployed configuration; wherein the handle is further provided with a guide portion spaced apart from the engagement portion; I., the connection of the basket portion further comprises *::::* an upwardly extending channel; and wherein the channel has a wide section, narrow section and an intermediate tapered section, the guide portion * engageable in the narrow section of the channel to prevent rotation of the handle in the deployed configuration. * **.

5. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis.

6. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide portion is substantially square or rectangular, and preferably has chamfered edges.

7. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the guide portion is intermediate the engagement portion and the handle.

8. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a bearing portion is moveable in an upwardly extending slot in the pivotal connection to inhibit lateral movement of the handle.

9. The shopping basket as claimed in claim 8 wherein the bearing portion is co-axial with the pivotal axis. * ** . *. 1'**

10. The shopping basket of claim 8 or 9 wherein the bearing portion is intermediate the guide portion and the handle.

11. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the basket portion has a rim to which the handle is pivotally attached, the rim comprising an outwardly extending portion leading to a downwardly is extending lip, the basket portion and handle being formed of moulded plastic; wherein discrete protrusions on the handle or on the rim engage with corresponding recesses on the other of the handle or rim to support the handle.

12. The shopping basket as claimed in any one of the precedinq claims wherein the connection is formed in a rim of the basket portion, and the connection does not project above or below the rim.

13. A shopping basket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there are a plurality of apertures in the basket portion and at least one substantially planar area having no apertures for receiving advertising material.