WO2004047586A1

WO2004047586A1 - A bag adapted to be carried on the back and/or shoulders

Info

Publication number: WO2004047586A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/005353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thérèse Von Holstein Rathlou
Original assignee: Von Holstein Rathlou Therese
Priority date: 2002-11-27
Filing date: 2003-11-24
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: EP1659897A1; AU2003302366A1; WO2004047586A8

Abstract

These bags are to be carried on the shoulder or on the back. Ideal for shopping or personal use and anatomically constructed so as to cause the least discomfort to the user. They are designed out of one piece of material for maximum simplicity in the cutting and sewing, having few seams. They are original and can be produced in different types of material and sizes. Two models in particular are conceived for the plastic bag sector and designed for mass production by machine. Particularly useful in department stores, where customers often find that they have several bags to carry. This model would therefore allow hands to be free, facilitating continued shopping. Supermarket customers would also benefit from this added convenience, especially in countries where the bicycle for many is a mode of transport.

Description

A BAG ADAPTED TO BE CARRIED ON THE BACK AND/OR SHOULDERS

Shopping bags, particularly for groceries and the like, have become increasingly popular both as a matter of convenience, providing greater strength and handling capability The known shopping bags are normally opening upwardly and include opposed loop handles for convenient carrying

However, it is known that, a heavy loaded shopping bag will, when carried by the loop handles, cause strain and weariness upon the palms of a user when the items contained in the bag are heavy. This is due to the fact, that the loop handles of an ordinary shopping bag will fold themselves into thin "strings" when carrying heavy groceries and cause pain in the long run One way to solve this problem is to use handles as described in US patent no. 5,615,921, which discloses handles means adapted to be used as ergonomic carrying handles Thereby, the user will carry the bag by a handle instead of the handle loops.

However, as such handles means are not an integral part of shopping bags they may not always be available to the user. Furthermore, the insertion of such handles means into the opposed loop handles may be difficult, which may result in the user misplacing the handles means, thereby limiting the advantages obtained. The invention aims at providing a low- cost, easy to reproduce, shopping bag which seeks to remedy the disadvantages of known bags.

In accordance with the present invention a shopping bag is provided, which bag comprises preferably: - a tubular member having a closed end and an open end, at least one elongated member extending from the open end of said tubular member and to the closed end of the tubular member or in a vicinity thereof, thereby adapting the bag to be carried upon at least one shoulder.

The invention thereby provides a carrying tool, a bag, that is easy, cheap and which can be made environmental-friendly in its manufacture by a proper choice of material. The invention further provides a cheap, easy accessible distress and pain-relieving shopping aid, that fulfils the shortcomings of existing shopping bags, shoulder bags and backpacks

The objects, advantages, and construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a frontal view and a rear view of a shopping bag part according to the present invention,

Figure 2 shows a rear exploded view of a shopping bag part according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an assembled shopping bag according to the present invention,

Figure 4 shows a rear view of an assembled shopping bag according to the present invention,

Figure 5 indicates the tubular member of an preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 6 shows a front view of another embodiment of the invention

Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of the present invention with only one strap,

and

Figure 9 shows a T-shirt bag with opposed loop handles.

Figure 10 shows a rear view of another embodiment of the invention

Figure 11 shows

Figure 12 shows a side view of the embodiment in figure 10

Figure 13 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention

Figure 14 shows the bag in figure 13 in an unfolded state

Figure 15 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention

Figure 16 shows the bag in figure 15 in an unfolded state

Figure 17 shows a front view of another embodiment of the invention

Figure 18 shows the bag in figure 17 in an unfolded state.

Figure 19 shows folding details for the bag in figure 17.

Figure 20 shows a front view of another embodiment of the invention

Figure 21 shows a 3/4 front view of the embodiment in figure 20

Figure 22 shows another embodiment of the bag in figure 20 and 21 in an unfolded state Figure 23 shows he bag m figure 20 and 21 in an unfolded state.

Figure 24 shows the present invention with one strap (fig.8) 3/4 view front or back with added folds.

Figure 24a indicates where folds are applied.

Figure 26 shows side view of the invention when carried.

Figure 27 shows 3/4 frontal view when carried.

The invention relates preferably to a plastic-type shopping bag with at least one prolonged carrying strap The prolonged strap is fastened to or is integral with the bottom of the shopping bag, thereby providing for a system that makes it possible for the user to use it as a shoulder bag The use of a shopping bag as a shoulder bag will exclude the weariness and pain caused by the loop-handles of an ordinary shopping bag. Further, the shoulder bag concept will provide for an easy transportation of e g groceries when the user is utilising e.g. a bicycle as transport means

The present invention relates to a shopping-type bag that incorporate a carrying system aimed to ease the utilisation of shopping bags. The bag is preferably manufactured from a lightweight material, such as plastic, potato starch, cloth, or the like. The bag is closed at the bottom, front, back and opposite sides. The bag also has a normally open mouth through which articles are received in and removed from the bag.

FIGS. 1 4 illustrate embodiments of a shopping bag constructed in accordance with the present invention. The bag comprises a tubular member 20, comprising, a front part 1 and a rear part 10, assembled by welded seams 8 attaching the front part 1 and rear part 10 to each other. The top 16 of the bag is formed as an open mouth 4 and the bottom 5 is formed by attaching the front part 1 and rear part 10 to each other by welded seams. The top part of the bag having elongated parts 2 adapted to serve as carrying means of the bag.

Figure 1 shows a frontal view and shows in particular the bag part 1, formed in a plastic material such as PELD, PEHD, potato starch or the like, comprising two elongated parts 2, serving as carrying straps, a main body 3 of the shopping bag, a bag opening 4, an illustrated reinforcement part 5 of the carrying means 2, a bottom 5 of the shopping bag, and top ends 6 of the carrying straps. The carrying means are formed in the same piece as the mam body part 3, but they are at least substantially made in double layers of material. In addition, a reinforcement of at least a substantial part within the inner peripheral part 13 of the carrying means is made. The reinforcement can be either further layers of material, woven reinforcements, or other choices of reinforcement techniques

The length 7 of the frontal part 1 and the rear part 10 is chosen to fulfil the length of a average-sized adult person, thus the length typically varies within a range of 110cm to 130cm With the same average-sized adult person in mind, the width 8 of the frontal and the rear part is chosen to lie within a range of 35cm to 45cm, the height 9 of the main body part within a range of 35cm to 45cm, the width 14 of the opening within a range of 10cm to 15cm, the width 11 of the top ends 6 within a range of 12cm to 15 cm.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a tubular shaped shopping bag, comprising a frontal part 1, a rear part 10, two elongated parts 2 adapted to serve as carrying means, top ends 6 of the elongated parts, fastening points 18, an outer peripheral part 12, an inner peripheral part 13, a bottom part 5 and fastening points 19. The top ends 6, the outer peripheral part 12 and the bottom 5 of the frontal part 1 are welded together with the top ends 6, the outer peripheral part 12 and the bottom 5 of the rear part 10, thereby providing a tubular member having a closed end and an open end adapted to receive and hold articles placed therein. The opening is defined by an open inner peripheral part 13. The top ends 6 are welded by their fastening points 19 to the fastening points 18of the bottom 5, thereby providing shoulder carrying means.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the shopping bag of figures 1 and 2, comprising a tubular member 20, comprising, a frontal part 1, a rear part 10, two elongated parts, serving as carrying means 2, a main body 3 of the shopping bag, a bag opening 4. The shopping bag as illustrated is formed when the edges 12 of the frontal and the rear part are welded together. The welding covers at least the substantial outer peripheral part of the shopping bag but not the inner peripheral part 13, which forms the bag opening 4. Furthermore, the carrying means 2 are welded by their top ends 6 in adjacent to the bottom 5 of the bag, thereby providing a system for carrying the shopping bag as a backpack. In order to maintain the strength of the carrying means, a choice of at least double layer fabrication has been made. The bottom 5 and the edges 12 of the bag can include an inwardly folded portion 14 to facilitate expansion of the bag at its bottom and outer peripheral edge when materials are later placed therein.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the shopping bag of figures 1, 2 and 3, comprising a rear part 10, two elongated parts 2, serving as carrying means, a main body 3 of the shopping bag, a bag opening 4. The shopping bag as illustrated is formed when the edges 12 of the frontal part 1 and the rear part 10 are welded and/or sealed together by an appropriate welding and/or sealing technique. The welding covers at least the substantial outer peripheral part of the shopping bag but, preferably, not the inner peripheral part 13, which forms the bag opening 4. Furthermore, the carrying means 2 are welded by their top ends 6 in a position adjacent to or at the bottom 5 of the bag, thereby providing a bag that can be carried upon both shoulders, resting to the back of the user.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag is formed by extrusion of a plastic tube and is transversely cut to form the bag. The cut-out forming the opening 4 is either provided before extrusion or after extrusion of the plastic tube. The bag comprising a main body part 3, a bottom 5 of the main body part, and two elongated parts 2, top ends 6 of the elongated parts. The elongated parts 2 are formed in the same piece of material as the main body part 3. The top ends 6 are to be fastened in a position adjacent to or at the bottom 5 thus forming carrying means. The bottom 5 of the main body part is to be joined by its edges in order to facilitate a bottom that can hold articles later placed therein. The joining is preferably done by welding, but is not restricted thereto. if there is an opening as then the bag can be used as a normal shopping bag in combination with a backpack shopping bag. Figure 3 and 9 further discloses an additional feature, loop handles, embodied within the carrying straps.

Figure 6 show a front view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. This bag comprises one carrying mean which extends from one side in the top to the opposite side in the bottom.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises two elongated parts (2a), (2b), extending from the top of the bag.

Figure 8 shows the same bag unfolded. The extending parts (2a), (2b), now serving as one strap to go over shoulder .

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises a main body (3), two loop handles (15) and means (2) for carrying the bag on the back, extending out from the main body. Welding lines (17) is applied on the carrying means (2) extending out from the main body, forming loop handles ( 15)

Figure 10 show a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises a main body and means for carrying the bag on the back. These means also functions as closing means for closing the opening of the main body, as well as carrying means. Furthermore, holes (21) for alternative mounting of the carrying means can be provided in the vicinity of the top of the main body, as shown in fig 10. The carrying mean can penetrate these holes (21) in different combinations in order to obtain desired result of the closing The carrying means have blocking means in the ends.

Figure 11 show how the bag preferably is carried.

Figure 12 shows a side view of the embodiment in figure 10, disclosing in particular the mounting of the carrying means in the vicinity of the bottom (5) of the main body (3)

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises two main bodies (3) and carrying means (2) for carrying on one shoulder. The bottom part(5) of the mam body can either be divided forming two main bodies (as shown in figure 13), or it can be made out from one piece, (fig 14). By dividing the mam body in to two main bodies the person carrying the bag will be able to adjust the distance between the two main bodies, by using adjusting means (23). Thus the distance can be adjusted depending on the hip size of the person. (Unisex bag or one size fits all) If the main body is made out of one piece, tie means can be applied in the middle of the main body. By doing this more space for the hip is provided, also a more stable storage of the objects being carried is obtained. Furthermore, the division of the main body into two, makes it easier for the person using the bag to achieve a comfortable fit by being able to distribute the load. Figure 14 shows the bag in figure 13 unfolded. This embodiment of the bag is made out of a tubular member, which have two slits in each end of the tube. The ends (25a) and (26a) are welded together, and the ends (25b) and (26b) are welded together, in order to form the embodiment in figure 13. The tubular member can be welded along the dashed middle line (27), which results in two tubes. This embodiment may be preferred by people e.g. carrying beer cans, since the circumference of the tubes now are close to the circumference of a beer can. Furthermore a welding line (28) can be added in the middle of the mam body and perpendicular to the length of the tubular body, resulting in four storage spaces. This makes it easier to distribute the load, resulting in a comfortable fit of the bag.

Figure 14a shows the bag in figure 13 unfolded. This embodiment of the bag is made out of a tubular member.

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises two mam bodies (3) for storage and carrying means (2) for carrying on one shoulder. The bottom (5) of the storage spaces in each main body is wedge-shaped which forces the stored object in to the centre of the storage space. Since the openings (4) of each mam body are towards the body of the carrying person this feature closes the bag when the bag is carried, thus preventing stored objects to fall out of the bag. The shape of the bag also makes it possible for the bag to extend away from the body of the person carrying the bag.

Figure 16 shows the bag in figure 15 unfolded. This embodiment is made out from a flat layer of preferably plastic material, which is sewn or welded together along each side ( 12) of the main bodies (3). The end points (27) and (28) are attached to each other.

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a shopping bag. The bag comprises two mam bodies (3), which are connected to each other by carrying means (2). The main bodies further comprise clip rings (29) and openings (4).

Figure 18 shows the bag in figure 17 unfolded. The bag can be made out from a flat layer of preferably plastic material, which is formed by sewing or welding the different edges together in order to form the bag according to figure 15.

Figure 19 shows folding and sewing details of the bag in figure 17

Figure 20 shows a front view of another embodiment of a shopping bag for carrying on two shoulders. The bag comprises two mam bodies, one on the back of the carrying person and one on the front, and two carrying means.

Figure 21 shows a perspective view of the embodiment in figure 20. Figure 22 shows another unfolded view of the bag in figure 20 and 21. The bag can be made out of two flat layers of preferably plastic material, which is arranged on top of each other and welded together according to the description in figure 23.

Figure 23 shows the bag in figure 20 and 21 unfolded A welding line (32) can be added in the middle for the separation of the two main bodies (3). The ends (30a) and (31a) are welded together, and the ends (30b) and (31b) are welded together, in order to form the embodiment in figure 20

Figure 24 and 24a shows an adaptation of bag from figure 8, by folding the "wings" on each side inwards making the bag narrower, therefore easier to carry on the shoulder or across the chest when full. Figure 25 shows where the folds are applied.

Figure 26 shows how this bag looks when carried over one shoulder and figure 27 show it when carried across the chest when full.

Claims

1. A shopping bag comprising a tubular member having a closed end and an open end, - at least one elongated member extending from the open end of said tubular member and to the closed end of the tubular member or in a vicinity thereof, thereby adapting the bag to be carried upon at least one shoulder.

2. A shopping bag according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises, a front part ( 1) and a rear part ( 10), joined to one another to form the tubular member, the front part and rear part each comprising a main body part (3), from which at least one elongated member (2) extends and wherein the mam body part and the elongated member are formed in one piece.