U.S. patent application number 12/157220 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for plastic bag stand.
Invention is credited to Jack P. Hall.
Application Number | 20090001230 12/157220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40159204 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090001230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; Jack P. |
January 1, 2009 |
Plastic bag stand
Abstract
A stand is described for supporting one or more plastic bags
while in transit in a vehicle. The stand utilizes a single piece of
material folded into a useful, "A" frame shape and secured by
fasteners. The stand is described with and without a handle for
carrying the stand with bags attached.
Inventors: |
Hall; Jack P.; (Del Mar,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jack P. Hall
P.O. Box 1006
Del Mar
CA
92014
US
|
Family ID: |
40159204 |
Appl. No.: |
12/157220 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60937402 |
Jun 26, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 67/1205 20130101;
B65B 67/1227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/97 |
International
Class: |
B65B 67/12 20060101
B65B067/12 |
Claims
1. A stand for supporting one or more plastic shopping bags with
contents during transportation comprising: A single piece main body
that is folded and held by fastening means to itself; A structure
that is generally pyramidal in form having an "A" shaped side view;
A shape that incorporates one or more cleats for the purpose of
retaining the integral handles of plastic bags.
2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand is a static part and is
not collapseable.
3. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand is collapseable to a
flat form.
4. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1
and 6 bags.
5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1
and 12 bags.
6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1
and 18 bags.
7. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the
main body of the structure is plastic.
8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the
main body of the structure is a combination of plastic and
cardboard.
9. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the
main body of the structure is cardboard.
10. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand has a handle.
11. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand has a slip resistant
base.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/937,402 filed on Jun. 26, 2007. The disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
PRIOR ART CITED
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,131 [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,945
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,102 [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,288
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,189 [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,971
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,499 [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,612
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,825 [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,041
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,743 [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,295
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,512 [0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,534
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,348 [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,056
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,656 [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,519
[0020] D 371,023 [0021] D 302,062
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0022] NONE
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0023] NONE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention relates to a stand used to stabilize
one or more plastic shopping bags during transportation in a
vehicle and prevent contents within the bags from escaping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following discussion is provided solely to assist the
understanding of the reader, and does not constitute an admission
that any of the information discussed or references cited
constitute prior art to the present invention.
[0026] Grocery stores and other retail stores are favoring plastic
shopping bags over paper bags for their customers. Plastic bags are
less costly than paper bags and have environmental advantages such
as conservation of forest lands, reduced weight and therefore less
fuel emissions to transport the bags. Plastic bags however, present
a problem when transported in a vehicle. Thin walled plastic
shopping bags are limp and do not adequately support their
contents. When a vehicle turns, or excellerates, or stops these
types of bags can open and the contents spill out.
[0027] The present invention relates to an apparatus that can be
used to support a plurality of plastic bags of various sizes,
holding various contents, during transportation within a vehicle.
The present device is designed to be used with bags that are
equipped with integral handles.
[0028] The present invention is independent of the vehicle in which
it is placed. The device may be placed within the vehicle passenger
compartment, the vehicle trunk, the vehicle cargo area or the
vehicle bed. When placed on the seat of a vehicle, the present
device may be secured by use of the vehicle's seatbelt.
[0029] The invention is made of a single piece of material that can
be easily folded into the desired form for use; and the invention
can be easily folded flat when not in use. Preventing the problems
of plastic bag spillage during transit has been the subject of
prior invention. However no prior art has been found that addresses
the collective functions of the present device. Prior inventions
address the primary function but not in the same manner or to the
same degree as the present invention. Patents such as U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,375,131, 4,723,743, 4,364,534 and D371,023 describe plastic
bag holders that each support only a single bag, whereas the
present invention provides support for multiple bags. U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,226,348 and 5,427,288 describe bag holders designed to
support multiple bags however they rely on the vehicle itself to
provide support or mounting for the device. The present invention
does not rely on the motor vehicle for mounting.
[0030] An area divider is known in accord with patents such as U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,226,348, 4,189,056 and 3,986,656. These inventions do
not hold the bag handles in an upright position and therefore the
limp, plastic grocery bags are allowed to open and the contents
escape. The present invention secures the handles in an upright
position and prevents bags from opening.
[0031] Other devices such as those taught by U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,129,612, 4,746,041, 4,372,512 and 4,305,519 were designed to
retain paper bags and do not support thin walled plastic bags.
[0032] There are other examples of prior art that describe rigid
structures for supporting plastic bags such as U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,375,131, 6,041,945, 5,366,189 and 5,287,971 however these designs
do not fold flat when not in use. The present invention is able to
easily fold flat when not in use.
[0033] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
contents of the plastic bag rest upon the base of the stand and
thereby provide ballast for the stand. A subset of the prior art,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,226,348, 4,657,295, 5,050,825 and 5,464,102 embody
designs wherein the weight of the bags rest on the base of the
device, however these examples are not able to be retained by a
seatbelt. The present invention allows a seatbelt to be passed
through the device.
[0034] Designs D302,062, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,131,499, 4,723,743 and
4,364,534 describe holders for dispensing and filling plastic bags
in a store environment and are not designed to be used in a motor
vehicle.
[0035] With respect to all prior inventions of this type, no other
device uses a single piece of material that is folded and fastened
to itself, as in the case of the present invention. The direct
advantages of the single piece construction are lower cost and ease
of assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The shortcomings of prior art are overcome by the present
invention whereby a stand for supporting plastic bags is made of a
single piece of plastic or other suitable material that is fastened
to itself and includes a cleat that allows the integral handles of
each plastic bag to be hooked over the cleat and thus prevent each
bag from opening and contents of each bag escape during transport
in a vehicle.
[0037] The invention therefore provides a number of distinct
advantages over devices taught in prior inventions, including for
example, the following: [0038] a) The support stand is made of a
single piece of material held in shape with fasteners. [0039] b)
The stand can be easily folded into its useful configuration, and
unfolded for storage. [0040] c) The stand can be held on a car seat
with a seat belt. [0041] d) The stand is self supporting and does
not rely on the vehicle for mounting or for support. [0042] e) The
stand embodies an "A" frame configuration for strength. [0043] f)
The stand is light weight and inexpensive to ship. [0044] g) The
support stand is completely waterproof. [0045] h) The stand may
have an optional slip resistant base. [0046] i) The stand may be
fitted with an optional handle allowing bags to be lifted and
carried while on the stand.
[0047] Thus, in a first aspect the invention provides a stand that
is made from a single piece of material and folded into a sturdy
"A" shaped configuration. The material is formed with living hinges
indented at each folding line.
[0048] The erected stand provides one or more cleats near the top
of the stand that are used to hang plastic bags. The integral
handles of the bags are placed over the cleats thus keeping the
handles together and securing the bag in a closed configuration. In
particular embodiments the stand may hold 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6
plastic bags filled with contents.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the single piece of material is a
thermoplastic such as expanded polypropolene sheet or expended
polyethelyne sheet, or fluted polypropolene sheet, or fluted
polyethelyne sheet. In other embodiments the material may be a
rigid plastic material. In other embodiments the material may be
plastic coated cardboard or plastic coated corrugated
cardboard.
[0050] In certain embodiments, the material may be selected from a
group of thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, or ABS.
[0051] In certain embodiments, the material may comprise, or
consist essentially of a material selected from the group or rigid
elastomers comprised of polyurethane, or rubber.
[0052] In a particular embodiment, the single piece of material
comprising the main body of the stand is a thermoplastic having an
average thickness of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 millimeters.
[0053] A related aspect concerns the manner in which the single
piece of material is held in position after it is folded into
shape. Mechanical means such as a hook-and-loop fabric (Velcro) or
snaps may be used to secure the material in place. In other
embodiments a screw type fastener or quarter turn fastener may be
used.
[0054] In another aspect the invention provides methods for joining
the material to itself with a more permanent joining method such as
heat fusing or solvent bonding.
[0055] In a further related aspect, the invention may be
manufactured by die cutting the single piece of material and heat
forming hinge lines into it.
[0056] Thus, in another aspect, the invention concerns a stand that
has a slip resistant base. The slip resistant base protects the
stand from slippage along a horizontal axis. Likewise the ability
to utilize a seatbelt when the stand is placed on a car seat
further secures the stand, preventing it from sliding.
[0057] In certain embodiments, the stand includes more than two
cleats for hanging plastic bags.
[0058] The term "thermoplastic" is used to refer to a material that
can be molded onto the desired shape of the invention.
[0059] As used herein, the term "fluted sheet" refers to a
construction material having a corrugated or fluted inner sheet
joined to a liner sheet on one or on both sides. The term "cleat"
is used to refer to a substantially rigid feature that can be used
to hang or anchor the handles of a plastic bag. The "cleat" may
have any shape that facilitates placing the integral handles of a
plastic bag around it.
[0060] In the present context, the term "plastic bag" refers to a
thin walled plastic bag that includes integral handles at the open
end.
[0061] In connection with the present invention, the term "A" frame
means that the side view of the structure resembles the letter
"A".
[0062] Additional embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed
Description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] The drawings provided are for purpose of illustration and
description and not limit the scope of the invention.
[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the plastic bag stand in
its assembled configuration.
[0065] FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembled plastic bag stand
having an "A" shaped configuration.
[0066] FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the plastic bag stand in
its flat, unassembled configuration.
[0067] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the folding procedure.
[0068] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show fastening techniques that may be
used to secure the stand in its assembled configuration.
[0069] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a cross section drawing depicting a
typical living hinge.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing showing several bags
supported on the stand.
[0071] FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate different cleat shapes that
may be used to hold the bag handles.
[0072] FIG. 9 shows an optional slip resistant material attached to
the base of the stand.
[0073] FIG. 10 illustrates an optional carry handle attached to the
stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0074] The present invention provides advantageous structure for
supporting plastic bags while in transit in a motor vehicle. The
device described herein utilizes a single piece of material folded
into a useful, "A" frame shape and secured by fasteners.
[0075] The advantage of the device is to support plastic bags while
in transit and to prevent these plastic bags from tipping over and
spilling their contents when the vehicle excelerates, turns, and
stops.
[0076] An additional advantageous feature of the invention relates
to its ability to be held on the seat of a motor vehicle by using
the vehicle seatbelts. The open "A" frame construction allows a
seatbelt to be passed through the center of the device.
Furthermore, the device may be employed without a seat belt and may
sit upon the seat, floor, trunk or bed of the vehicle.
[0077] As discussed in the Background, a number of techniques by
previous inventors have been taught for supporting plastic bags
while in transit. Many of those techniques include a hook or a post
utilized to secure each plastic bag by its integral handle. Other
inventors have taught the use of side walls to surround and support
the bag(s). Additionally, some prior art has used both side walls
and a hook or post as means of preventing spillage. The present
invention utilizes a cleat that is similar to the hook or post used
in prior art and allows the bag handles to be looped over the cleat
thus keeping the open end of the bag together and maintaining the
bag in an upright position.
[0078] The present invention is collapseable and able to be stored
in a flat configuration such that several of the stands may be
stored in a very small space.
[0079] Any of a number of thermoplastic materials may be used such
as ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane. In most cases a
material such as polypropylene, having excellent living hinge
properties, will be preferred.
[0080] In other embodiments a handle is incorporated into the
device allowing the device to be picked up with the plastic bags
attached.
[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
single piece of flat material is made of a rigid material such as
ABS plastic with living hinge lines molded into it. The single
piece is folded along the hinge lines and then fastened to itself.
The resulting form resembles an "A" frame or stand.
[0082] In some cases, for the purpose of providing a more slip
resistant stand, a slip resistant base made of a softer material
may be added to the stand.
[0083] As pointed out in the Summary above, the present invention
provides a number of advantages over conventional devices for
supporting plastic bags. These include: [0084] a) The simplicity of
having only one piece construction. [0085] b) The ability to use a
seatbelt to secure the stand to a car seat. [0086] c) The sturdy
"A" frame construction.
[0087] The present invention is further illustrated by the
drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. With reference to the figures like elements have been
given like numerical designation to facilitate an understanding of
the present invention. Wherever an alphabetic suffix is appended to
such reference numerals, it indicates a variation of the same
reference numeral.
[0088] As shown in perspective view in FIG. 1, a single piece of
material I is folded into an "A" shaped stand shown in FIG. 2. The
stand is held in position by tabs 2 and has cleats 3 near the top
of the structure to retain the handles of plastic shoping bags.
[0089] When not in use the stand may be flattened as illustrated in
FIG. 3 allowing ease of storage. Several rigid materials will work
in this invention including polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS,
polyurethane. Plastics may be expanded, having porosity. Plastics
may be corregated, having a fluted core attached to outer walls.
Cardboard may be used however to withstand the adverse effects of
moisture a plastic coating should be applied.
[0090] Living hinges 4 are made an integral part of the single
piece structure. To assemble the stand, the single piece is folded
along the hinge lines 4 as shown in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b. The tabs 2
used to hold the stand in position are secured by fasteners 5.
[0091] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show various fastening methods including
hook and frabric, mechanical snaps and screw type fasteners.
[0092] Various types of hinges may be used to facilitate assembly
of the stand. The desired construction method as mentioned above
includes living hinges 4. Living hinges are formed as an integral
part along with the single piece of material comprising the main
body of the product. Living hinges allow the single piece
construction to be folded in a predictable manner as shown in FIGS.
6a and 6b.
[0093] Several bags 6 may be supported on the stand as in FIG. 7.
The integral bag handle is put onto the cleat 3 near the top of the
stand. The bottom of the bag rests against the stand 1.
[0094] Several different cleat shapes may be used to effectively
hold the bag handles as illustrated in FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c.
[0095] In FIG. 9 an optional slip resistant surface 7 has been
attached to the base of the stand 1.
[0096] Additionally an optional carry handle 8 may be added to the
stand 1 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0097] All patents and other references cited in the specification
are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in
their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same
extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in
its entirety individually.
[0098] One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods,
variances, and compositions described herein as presently
representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not
intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes
therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art,
which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are
defined by the scope of the claims.
[0099] It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that
varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the
invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. For example, variations can be made to the
shape of the tab used to hold the plastic bag handles other than
those illustrated (such as oval, "L" shaped, asymmetric, etc.); the
number of tabs per stand may be one, two or several; the method of
attaching the single piece of material to itself may be
accomplished in a number of ways; the container may be fitted with
a handle or not; the handle may have other shapes than those
illustrated, the container may have a slip resistant base. Thus,
such additional embodiments are within the scope of the present
invention and the following claims.
[0100] The invention illustratively described herein suitably may
be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation
or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. The
terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of
description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that
in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any
equivalents of the features shown and described or portions
thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should
be understood that although the present invention has been
specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional
features, modification and variation of the concepts herein
disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that
such modifications and variations are considered to be within the
scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0101] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are
described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of
alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual
member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other
group.
[0102] Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various
numerical values or value range endpoints are provided for
embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any 2
different values as the endpoints of a range or by taking two
different range endpoints from specified ranges as the endpoints of
an additional range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the
described invention. Thus, additional embodiments are within the
scope of the invention and within the following claims.
* * * * *