US20110103715A1

US20110103715A1 - Bags of Life

Info

Publication number: US20110103715A1
Application number: US12/778,592
Authority: US
Inventors: Carol Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-08
Filing date: 2010-07-30
Publication date: 2011-05-05
Also published as: GB2454288B; GB2454288A; GB0814119D0; GB0807360D0

Abstract

A combination of shopping bags designed to be used instead of plastic carrier bags. The set start off as several slightly smaller subsidiary bags being carried in one main larger bag. The smaller bags collapse flat and fit within the larger bag. The front and back and bottom of all the bags are quite rigid, being lined with semi rigid/rigid material. The side panels are flexible and fold into the bag enabling the bag to easily collapse flat by pushing the bottom semi rigid/rigid panel up. The semi rigid/rigid section secured in the bottom of the bags 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 require no reshaping and they slide easily into the larger bag ready for reuse.

Description

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. Governments across the world and have started to restrict the issuing of 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
What is wrong with single use bags and reusable bags available.

- Single reusable bags are available, but one is not enough.
- They often quickly look quite tatty due to them being creased.
- They need reshaping after use
- They are difficult to get out.
- Difficult to load.
- 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 reusable bags
- Available to take shopping in one bag.
- Construction enables the bags to fold flat.
- Creasing of the bags is not possible due to semi rigid front, back and bottom of the bags
- Any number of subsidiary bags from 1 to the number that the largest bag will hold can be carried See Illustrations Page 5 of 6
- The bags can be any size or shape.
- For grocery shopping or general shopping and more.
- Require no reshaping due to semi rigid front, back and bottom see (See page 4 of 6) and are easy to slide away when folded flat into the larger or largest bag ready for the next use. (See Page 5 of 6)
- Easy to load as they stand up and pop open to provide a boxy shape due to their semi rigid front back and bottom. (See page 2 of 6 FIG. 1)
- Enable product categories to be put into separate bags eg cleaning products in one bag so that other food doesn't get contaminated
- Maximise the use of space when loaded into a shopping trolley or car boot due to box shape when the bag/s are opened out. (See page 1 of 6)

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 (See page 5 of 6, FIGS. 1,2,3,4). The bags collapse flat from front to back and fit within the larger bag, still allowing room to carry items. The front and back of all the bags are quite rigid, being lined with plastic/card or similar. 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 semi rigid/rigid panel secured inside, that will easily fold up to be flat when pushed when the bag is empty, but will easily fold down to make the bag into a tough ‘boxy’ shape when opened out (See Illustrations page 4 of 6) . The plastic rigid structure enables the subsidiary bags to be collapsed flat and then slide easily into the larger 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 largest bag.
Construction
Material—Outside—Strong flexible material.
Inside—Semi rigid/rigid material, attached, stitched and/or glued to outer material for the front, back and bottom (See Illustration 6 of 6)
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

1. A set of shopping bags comprising a larger bag in which smaller bags are carried, wherein each bag is collapsible to fold flat and comprises rigid or semi rigid panels on the front and back connected by flexible side panels that fold into the bag between the front and back panels, and by a flexible bottom panel with a semi rigid panel secured inside along its centre which also folds between the front and back panels.