GB2454288A

GB2454288A - Shopping bags

Info

Publication number: GB2454288A
Application number: GB0814119A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carol Elizabeth Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-23
Filing date: 2008-08-01
Publication date: 2009-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-01
Also published as: GB2454288B; GB0807360D0; GB0814119D0; US20110103715A1

Abstract

A reusable, strong and smart set of shopping bags designed for unisex appeal, to be used instead of plastic carrier bags. The set starts off as several slightly smaller bags being carried in one main larger bag. The smaller bags collapse flat and fit in a large pocket within the larger bag. The front and back and bottom of all the bags are quite rigid, being lined with rigid material. The side panels are flexible and fold into the bag enabling the bag to easily collapse flat The rigid section in the bottom flips up to allow them to fold flat. On filling, the bottom drops down to give the bag a boxy rigidity. When the bags are collapsed flat they slide easily into the larger bag ready for reuse yet requiring no reshaping and remaining smooth and smart.

Description

Page 1

Product Description

Shopping Bags

Background

The aim of Bags of life' This product is aimed to provide a practical yet stylish solution to tackling the overuse of plastic bags. Some Local Governments have started to restrict the issuing of plastic bags and in the budget 13th March 2008, the chancellor stated that he wants supermarkets to charge for plastic bags. The monetary cost of resources is one reason why Bags of Life' are a much needed product however, the ultimate reason is to help stop the mountain of plastic bags clogging up landfill sites as they do not breakdown very quickly.

Why Bags of Life are needed * Single reusable bags are available, but one is not enough.

* They have little style and often look quite tatty * They need reshaping after use * They are difficult to get out to load * It is easy to drop or lose a bag when you have many different single bags.

* Plastic bags are often transparent or translucent therefore displaying it's contents, which may be better kept private.

To Solve this Problem Bags of Life' Shopping Bags Product Profile of Bags of Life' * A set of four reusable bags * Tough yet light * Smart and stylish * Three smaller bags slide out of one larger one and they are ready to go.

See Illustrations Page 5 of 7 * For grocery shopping or general shopping and more.

* Require no reshaping and are easy to slide away for the next use * Easy to load as they stand up and pop open to provide a boxy shape * Enable product categories to be put into separate bags eg cleaning products in one bag so that other food doesn't get contaminated * Maxim ise the use of space when loaded into a shopping trolley or car boot * Unisex appeal * Protect carriers hand with hand protectors See IllustratIons page bof 7 * Two shopping bags secured together to prevent losing a bag.

* Competitively priced * Can be manufactured and marketed for several different market sectors.

* The ethics behind the product would be beneficial to any brand associated with Bags of life' Page 2

Detailed Description

A reusable, smart, stylish set of bags designed to be carried by men or women from all walks of life, for the purpose of carrying grocery shopping, shopping from a mall, a picnic and any other use that plastic bags are currently used for. The aim is to provide a manageable carrying system that is easy to get out, easy to fill and easy to fold away for the next use and yet be versatile enough to be attractive with any style worn by the carrier. The set start off as several slightly smaller bags being carried in one main larger bag mother bag' (see fig). The smaller bags collapse flat and fit in a large pocket within the larger bag, still allowing room to cany Items. The front and back of all the bags are quite rigid, being lined with plastic/card. The side panels are flexible, constructed out of the outer material only, and the side panels fold into the bag, between the front and back rigid panels. The bottom panel is flexible with a plastic panel inside, that will fold up to be flat and automatically fold down to make the bag into a tough boxy' shape when opened out See Illustrations page 4 ot 1, The plastic rigid structure enables the bags to be collapsed flat and then slide easily into the larger mother bag ready for reuse and as creasing is not possible on the semi rigid front and back panels, the bags will remain smart and are easy to fold flat without reshaping before sliding back into the mother bag.

One set of four bags will be carrying space enough for an average couples weekly shop and two sets will provide carrying space for shopping for an average family of four. The boxy shape of the opened and filled bags will enable the bags to be arranged in a trolly or car boot to give the most efficient use of space.

Other Features Two hand protectors will come attached to t of the bags with each set. The hand protectors have soft beads sewn into the bottom to ensure the most comfort when carrying heavy bags (See Illustrations page 7 of 7). They will fit over the handles of two bags at a time, locking them together with Velcro, thus minimising the chance of the carrier from hurting their hands from the handles cutting Into their skin when the bags are fully laden. This also provides extra security, stopping a bag being mistakenly dropped and also making it more difficult for someone to snatch shopping.

There is a large pocket that the additional 3 bags slide into and a further smaller pocket inside for keys, change, mobile phone, etc. Page3 Construction Material -Outside -Strong flexible material.

Inside -Semi rigid material, stitched and/or glued to outer material for the front, back and bottom (See IllustratIon 7 of 7) Cleaning -Outside and inside wipe clean.

The bag design can be made with a variety of different quality materials depending upon the lifespan required and cost required to be attractive to the chosen target market

Claims

Page 4 Claims The main largest bag is referred to as the mother bag.' 1. The general construction of the bag which enables it to fold flat and still remain uncreased for the purpose of sliding the smaller bags into the mother bag.'.
2. The bags constructed according to claim I to slide in and out of the pocket in the mother bag.'
3. The bags according to claim 2 that slide into the mother bag' can be of any number or combinations of size.
4. There is no claim on colour or pattern applied to the outside of the bags..
5. The hand protectors for the purpose of holding multiples of bags together. lp

Amendment To The Claims Have Been Filed As Follows Claims 1.

rried, wherein i bag s coILiprd t ftICI fiat and ou.uprses rigid or semi rigid panels on the front and back cunriecled by flexible side panels that fold into the bag beten the front and back panels, and by a flexible bottom panel with a semi rigid panel seared h'side ab i cbh whdi also folds between the front and back pand&