GB2479718A

GB2479718A - A bag with handles arranged to close the bag as it is lifted

Info

Publication number: GB2479718A
Application number: GB201006098A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy Francis Charles Cowdry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-13
Filing date: 2010-04-13
Publication date: 2011-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-13
Also published as: GB2479718B; GB201006098D0

Abstract

A carrying bag 10 for carrying articles includes a pair of first and second side walls 12, 14 and a pair of first and second handles 20, 22. The second handle 22 is mounted to the first side wall 12. A handle attachment 28 slidably attaches the second handle 22 to the second side wall 14. An opening 18 defined between the side walls and permits access to the interior 16 of the bag 10. In use, as a lifting force is applied to the second handle 22, the second handle 22 exerts a closing force which acts to move the side walls towards each other, closing, or at least reducing in size, opening 18. A cover (40, fig.3) may be mounted to the first side wall 12 and to the second handle 22. When the bag is lifted the cover may be pulled across the opening to prevent access to the contents of the bag.

Description

I

A Carrying Bag The present invention relates to carrying bags, particularly but not exclusively, carrying bags for carrying articles.

Conventionally, bags such as handbags are used for carrying articles, and comprise side walls defining an interior. The side walls may be movable between open and closed conditions to permit or prevent access to the interior, or the bag may include a cover or flap which extends between or over the interior which is movable between open and closed conditions to respectively permit or prevent access to the interior. Often the bag includes a closure such as a clasp or zip or other fastener to fasten the side walls or cover in the closed condition. However, despite these features, it is common for bags to be left open through laziness or for convenience. The visibility of articles within the bag is an invitation and an opportunity for theft.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrying bag for carrying articles, the bag including a pair of first and second side walls and a pair of first and second handles, the bag defining an interior between the side walls, in an open condition the interior having an opening defined between the side walls which permits access to the interior, the second handle being mounted to the first side wall, the bag including a handle attachment which slidably attaches the second handle to the second side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the second handle, the second handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to a second condition, in which the opening is closed or at least reduced in size.

Possibly, in moving from the open condition to the second condition, the first and second side walls move towards each other.

Possibly, the first handle is mounted to the first side wall.

Possibly, the bag includes a first cover, which may be mounted to the first side wall, and the second handle may be mounted to the first side wall via the first cover. Possibly, in moving from the open condition to the second condition, the first cover moves across the opening to reduce the size of the opening, and may close the opening. Possibly, the closing force acts to move the first cover from the open to the second condition.

Possibly, the handle attachment defines one or more attachment passages, and may include one or more attachment members, which may define the passages. The second handle may extend through the or each attachment passage. Possibly, the second handle extends through a pair of spaced attachment passages, which may be defined by spaced attachment members.

Possibly, the bag includes a second cover, which may be mounted to the second side wall. Possibly, the second cover is located above the first cover.

Possibly, the first handle is mounted to the second side wall, and the bag includes a handle attachment which slidably attaches the first handle to the first side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the first handle, the first handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to the second condition.

Possibly, the second cover is mounted to the second side wall, and the second handle is mounted to the first side wall via the first cover.

Possibly, the bag includes a reinforcement member, which reinforces the first cover.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of deterring theft, preventing theft or reducing the likelihood of theft from a carrying bag for carrying articles, the method including providing a carrying bag, the bag including a pair of first and second side walls and a pair of first and second handles, the bag defining an interior between the side walls, in an open condition the interior having an opening defined between the side walls which permits access to the interior, the second handle being mounted to the first side wall, the bag including a handle attachment which slidably attaches the second handle to the second side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the second handle, the second handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to a second condition, in which the opening is closed or at least reduced in size.

The bag may include any of the features described in any of the paragraphs above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first carrying bag in an open condition; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the first carrying bag in a closed condition; Fig. 3 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of a second carrying bag in an open condition; Fig. 4 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the second carrying bag in a closed condition; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third carrying bag in a closed condition; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the third carrying bag in an open condition; Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the third carrying bag in a closed condition; Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the third carrying bag in an open condition; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the third carrying bag in an open condition in use; Fig. 10 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of a fourth carrying bag in an open condition; and Fig. 11 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the fourth carrying bag in a closed condition.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a carrying bag 10 for carrying articles, the bag 10 including a pair of first and second side walls 12, 14, and a pair of end walls 34, the bag 10 defining an interior 16 between the side walls 12, 14. The bag 10 includes a pair of first and second handles 20, 22. In an open condition, as shown in Fig 1, the interior 16 has an opening 18 defined between the side walls 12, 14 which permits access to the interior 16.

Both of the handles 20, 22 are mounted to the first side wall 10 by first and second mountings 24, 26 respectively. The bag 10 includes a handle attachment 28 in the form of a pair of spaced attachment members 30 which slidably attach the second handle 22 to the second side wall 14.

Each of the handles 20, 22 is elongate in form and includes two ends with a curved part therebetween. In each case, both of the ends of the respective handle 20, 22 are mounted via the respective first mounting 24 or the respective second mounting 26 to the first side wall 12.

The attachment members 30 are mounted to the second side wall 14.

Each attachment member 30 and the second side wall 14 together define an attachment passage 32. The bag 10 thus provides a pair of spaced attachment passages 32 through which the second handle 22 extends, the curved part of the second handle 22 being between the parts of the second handle 22 passing through the attachment passages 32.

The second handle 22 is formed of a flexible material.

The first and second side walls 12, 14 are movable between the open condition and a second condition, in which the size of the opening 18 is reduced.

In use, articles (not shown) can be loaded into the interior 16 with the bag 10 in the open condition through the opening 18. In this condition, no lifting force is applied to the second handle 22, and the second side wall 14 is relatively free to move, relative to the first side wall 12, only constrained by the overall length of the second handle 22 and the end walls 34.

For carrying, the bag 10 is lifted by a user gripping the handles 20, 22, and applying a lifting force. The lifting force applied through the first handle 20 is transmitted directly to the first side wall 12. The lifting force applied to the second handle 22, as shown by arrow A in Figs 1 and 2, is transmitted by the second handle 22 to the attachment members 30 and the first side wall 12 as a closing force (indicated by arrows B and C in Fig 1). The second handle 22 slides through the attachment passages 32, and the first and second side walls 12, 14 move towards each other to a second condition, in which the size of the opening 18 is reduced. Thus, the second handle 22 exerts a closing force which acts to at least reduce the size of the opening 18.

In one example, in the second condition, the opening 18 is substantially completely closed.

Advantageously, the closing force is applied automatically when the lifting force is applied to the second handle 22. The user does not have to remember to close the bag 10, since the act of lifting closes the bag 10.

Furthermore, the closing force continues to be applied as long as the lifting force is applied to the second handle 22, ensuring that the bag is always closed during carrying and thus reducing or removing the opportunity for theft of the articles from the bag. Much of such theft is opportunistic and occurs because the articles are visible within the bag. Providing a bag 10 which closes automatically during lifting and carrying substantially reduces the risk of theft.

A further advantage is that if a thief does try and open the bag to steal an article, the bag can only be opened by exerting a force against the closing force and hence against the lifting force. Thus it is made more difficult for the thief to access the interior of the bag, since a greater force must be applied to open the bag than would otherwise be the case, and any such attempt at access will be noticeable to the person carrying the bag, who will feel an additional force applied via the second handle.

A further advantage is that the user can access the interior 16 during carrying simply by removing the lifting force from the second handle 22, while continuing to support the bag by supporting the first handle 20, as shown in Fig 9 in relation to a later embodiment.

A further advantage is that no closure such as a clasp, strap or zip is required to keep the bag closed while the bag is being carried, reducing costs.

Closures such as zips are particularly prone to malfunction, and when broken can result in the bag being open so that articles in the bag are exposed to view.

The bag 10 could of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable materials. In one example, the side walls are formed of a rigid material and are hingedly joined together. Alternatively, the side walls could be formed of a flexible material. The bag could be formed without end walls.

The attachment members could be formed of any suitable material. In one example, the attachment members could be relatively rigid, and could be formed of metal. In one example, the attachment members could be in the form of rings. The handles could be of any suitable shape, and in particular, might not be curved. The bag could include any suitable number of handles.

Figs 3 to 11 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 and 2. Where features are the same or similar between embodiments, the same reference numerals will be reused and these features will not be described again in detail for the sake of brevity.

Figs 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a carrying bag 210, the bag 210 including a pair of first and second side walls 12, 14, a base 36 and a pair of end walls 34, the bag 10 defining an interior 16 between the side walls 12, 14. The bag 210 includes a first cover 40 and a cover mounting 42 which mounts the first cover 40 to the first side wall 12.

1 0 A first mounting 24 mounts the second handle 22 to the first cover 40.

Thus the second handle 22 is mounted to the first side wall 12 via the first cover 40.

The first cover 40 is movable between an open condition in which an opening 18 defined between the side walls 12, 14 permits access to the interior 16, and a second condition, in which the size of the opening 18 is reduced or closed.

In this example, in use, the side walls 12, 14 do not necessarily move (but could do so) as the bag 210 is lifted. Instead, as a lifting force indicated by arrow A is applied, the second handle 22 moves slidably and upwardly through the attachment passages 32, exerting a closing force on the cover 40 as indicated by arrows B, pulling the cover 40 across the opening 18 to reduce or close the opening 18. Thus, the closing force acts to move the first cover 40 from the open to the second condition.

In this example, in the second condition, the first cover 40 abuts the underside of the attachment members 30, in which condition, the lifting force is then transmitted to the second side wall 14.

As in the previous embodiment, advantageously, the closing force is applied automatically as the user lifts the bag 210, and continuously as the bag 210 is carried.

Optionally, the bag 210 could include one or more reinforcement members 44 located on the first cover 40 at or close to the second mounting 26. In the second condition, the or each reinforcement member 44 could abut the underside of the attachment members 30. The or each reinforcement member 44 helps protect the first cover 40 from damage in the second condition, as in this condition a proportion of the weight of the bag 210 is transmitted through the second mounting 26 to the first cover 40, and thence to the second side wall 14.

Figs 5 to 9 show a third embodiment of a carrying bag 310. As in the previous embodiment, the bag 310 includes a first cover 40 and a cover mounting 42 which mounts the first cover 40 to the first side wall 12. The first cover 40 is also mounted to the end walls 34. In this embodiment, the bag 310 includes a second cover 46 which is mounted to the second side wall 14 above the attachment members 30, and to the end walls 34.

In use, the bag 310 operates similarly to the previous embodiments, except that as the lifting force is applied to the second handle 22, the closing force acts to draw the first cover 40 across the opening 18 and underneath the second cover 46. This further reduces the visibility of articles within the interior 16 in the second condition, while not requiring the closing of the first cover 40 to be precise. The second cover 46 also hides the second mountings 26 from view, so that the bag 310 looks similar to a conventional bag.

The mounting of the covers 40, 46 to the end walls 34 provides further security, as there are no gaps between the covers 40, 46 and the end walls 34.

In this embodiment, the attachment members 30 are formed of a flexible material, and could be formed of a material similar to or the same as the material of the bag 310.

Figs 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of a carrying bag 410. As in the previous embodiments, the second handle 22 extends through the attachment passages 32 and is mounted to the first cover 40. However, in this embodiment, the first handle 20 is similarly arranged to the second handle 22, in that it extends through a pair of spaced attachment passages 32 defined by attachment members 30 mounted to the first side wall 12 and is mounted to the second cover 46. In use, as a lifting force is applied to both of the handles 20, 22 as shown in Fig 10 by the arrows A, the handle 20, 22 move slidably and upwardly through the attachment passages 32, each exerting a closing force on its respective cover 40, 46 as indicated by arrows B, pulling the covers 40, 46 across the opening 18 to reduce or close the opening 18. Thus, the closing force acts to move the covers 40, 46 from the open to the second condition.

The double covers 40, 46 provide additional security against the bag opening inadvertently and hence against theft. If one handle 20, 22 breaks, is lost or slips, the coverage of the interior 16 is still secure.

The location of the attachment members 30 on each of the side walls 12, 14 is offset from the opposite. The mountings 42 of the covers 40, 46 are discontinuous to accommodate the attachment members 30.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the first embodiment could be similarly modified so that both handles act to move one of the side walls.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The bag could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material, or combination of materials.

The first cover and the second cover could be formed of any suitable material. The first cover and the second cover could be flexible, or could be rigid. The second cover could be located above the first cover. The first cover and the second cover could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be mounted in any suitable way.

The handle attachment could be different. For example the handle attachment could be any suitable sliding attachment.

Any of the features of any of the embodiments shown and/or described above could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall

disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided a carrying bag for carrying articles which automatically closes when a lifting force is applied, and remains closed during carrying while the lifting force continues to be applied. The user has the assurance that while being carried, articles within the bag are safe from prying 1 5 eyes, removing the invitation to thieves and reducing the opportunity for theft.

Claims

Claims 1. A carrying bag for carrying articles, the bag including a pair of first and second side walls and a pair of first and second handles, the bag defining an interior between the side walls, in an open condition the interior having an opening defined between the side walls which permits access to the interior, the second handle being mounted to the first side wall, the bag including a handle attachment which slidably attaches the second handle to the second side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the second handle, the second handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to a second condition, in which the opening is closed or at least reduced in size.
2. A bag according to claim 1, in which, in moving from the open condition to the second condition, the first and second side walls move towards each Q other. C')
3. A bag according to claims 1 or 2, in which the first handle is mounted to the first side wall.
4. A bag according to any of the preceding claims, in which the bag includes a first cover.
5. A bag according to claim 5, in which the first cover is mounted to the first side wall.
6. A bag according to claims 4 or 5, in which the second handle is mounted to the first side wall via the first cover.
7. A bag according to any of claims 4 to 6, in which, in moving from the open condition to the second condition, the first cover moves across the opening to reduce the size of the opening, and may close the opening.
8. A bag according to any of claims 4 to 7, in which the closing force acts to move the first cover from the open to the second condition.
9. A bag according to any of the preceding claims, in which the handle attachment defines one or more attachment passages, and the second handle extends through the or each attachment passage.
10.A bag according to claim 9, in which the handle attachment includes one or more attachment members, which define the passage(s).
11.A bag according to claim 10, in which the second handle extends through a pair of spaced attachment passages, which are defined by spaced attachment members.

T 15
12.A bag according to any of the preceding claims, in which the bag includes a second cover.

Q
13.A bag according to claim 12, in which the second cover is mounted to the CO second side wall. 20
14.A bag according to claims 12 or 13, in which the second cover is located above the first cover.
15.A bag according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first handle is mounted to the second side wall, and the bag includes a handle attachment which slidably attaches the first handle to the first side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the first handle, the first handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to the second condition.
16.A bag according to claim 15 when dependent on claims 13 or 14, in which the second cover is mounted to the second side wall, and the first handle is mounted to the second side wall via the second cover.
17.A bag according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the bag includes a reinforcement member, which reinforces the first cover.
18.A method of deterring theft, preventing theft or reducing the likelihood of theft from a carrying bag for carrying articles, the method including providing a carrying bag, the bag including a pair of first and second side walls and a pair of first and second handles, the bag defining an interior between the side walls, in an open condition the interior having an opening defined between the side walls which permits access to the interior, the second handle being mounted to the first side wall, the bag including a handle attachment which slidably attaches the second handle to the second side wall, so that in use, as a lifting force is applied to the second handle, the second handle exerts a closing force which acts to move the bag to a second condition, in which the opening is closed or at least -15 reduced in size.

Q
19.A method according to claim 18, in which the bag includes any of the C1) features defined in any of claims ito 17.
20.A carrying bag for carrying articles substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
21.A method of deterring theft, preventing theft or reducing the likelihood of theft from a carrying bag for carrying articles substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.