U.S. patent application number 12/287422 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for compact foldable shopping bag.
Invention is credited to Mona Van Diepen.
Application Number | 20100086237 12/287422 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42075886 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100086237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diepen; Mona Van |
April 8, 2010 |
Compact foldable shopping bag
Abstract
An expandable, foldable compact shopping bag that includes a
decorative outer face that converts into a pocket that holds
further expandable, foldable compact shopping bags. The bag decor
can match any other article of clothing or bags used by the
consumer. The bag can include a thermal layer for the transport of
perishable foodstuffs or made of an anti-microbial material. The
bag is secured shut when folded through attachment means, such as
magnets, snaps, buttons, zippers, hook and loop systems and the
like.
Inventors: |
Diepen; Mona Van; (Simi
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SANDRA LEE LIPKIN A LAW CORPORATION
P.O.Box 3518
VENTURA
CA
93006
US
|
Family ID: |
42075886 |
Appl. No.: |
12/287422 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/12 ; 383/105;
383/110; 383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/12 20130101;
B65D 81/3888 20130101; A45C 3/04 20130101; A45C 7/0077 20130101;
B65D 81/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/12 ; 383/38;
383/110; 383/105 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/06 20060101
B65D033/06; B65D 30/22 20060101 B65D030/22; B65D 30/08 20060101
B65D030/08; B65D 33/00 20060101 B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. An expandable, foldable reusable bag that converts from a first
folded position into a second expanded position comprising an outer
surface having a first end and a second end that surrounds said bag
when said bag is in said first folded position; an interior bag
that folds compactly inside of said outer surface when said bag is
in said first folded position; wherein said outer surface is
securely attached to said interior bag so as to create a pocket
between said outer surface and said interior bag when said bag is
in said second expanded position.
2. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
further comprising an attachment means that allows said bag to
remain folded when in said first folded position by attaching said
first end of said outer surface to said second end of said outer
surface.
3. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
wherein said interior bag is made of a thermal insulating
material.
4. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
wherein said interior bag further comprises one or more handles
attached to said interior bag to allow for ease in carrying said
bag when in use in said second expanded position.
5. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 2
wherein said attachment means is one or more snaps.
6. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 2
wherein said attachment means is one or more buttons.
7. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 2
wherein said attachment means is a zipper.
8. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 2
wherein said attachment means is a hook and loop system.
9. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 2
wherein said attachment means is magnets.
10. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
wherein one or more expandable, foldable reusable bags can be
stored in said pocket.
11. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
wherein said outer surface is made of a decorative material that
can be accessorized with other items, such as a purse, backpack,
item of luggage or man-purse.
12. The expandable, foldable reusable bag as defined in claim 1
wherein said interior bag is made of an anti-microbial material.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of provisional
application 60/190,979, filed Sep. 3, 2008 entitled COMPACT
FOLDABLE SHOPPING BAG by Mona Van Diepen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
reusable shopping bags, and particularly toward a compact, stylish,
reusable, foldable, retractable, expandable bag that can include a
thermal protective layer and further includes a pocket for the
housing of further compact reusable bags, the entire device then
being capable of being carried in a purse, backpack, luggage, murse
("man purse) or other larger carrier item with the outer design of
the shopping bag when in the folded position having a stylish look
that can be coordinated to match the carrier item.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] More and more commonly consumers, while shopping, are
choosing to utilize re-usable bags to carry home their groceries or
other purchased goods rather than using disposable plastic or paper
bags. In the near future, it is expected that consumers will be
charged a fee for each disposable bag provided by the retailer.
[0006] The use of reusable bags by consumers has been on the
increase, but current available bags and systems have some inherent
drawbacks. The primary drawback is the likelihood that the consumer
will not remember to bring the bag with him or her while shopping.
Often, more than one bag is needed for a particular shopping
excursion. Even when only one bag is needed, the shopper more often
than not forgets to bring along the bag or bags. When the shopper
does remember, there is also the likelihood that there is no
convenient way to carry multiple bags. The carrying along in a
convenient place of more than one reusable bags, such as in a
handbag or a car, is not easy to do when the quantity of bags
results in a bulky and cumbersome package.
[0007] In the prior art, there exists foldable bags that fit into
the purse or bag of a consumer, but these foldable bags are
singular and are not part of a system that includes more than one
bag. More often than not, one bag is not sufficient for the
shopping excursion. Furthermore, these bags are generally designed
to advertise either the store that sold them or some other product.
It would be desirable to have a reusable bag that is more generic
and even stylish enough to match the outer bag in which it is
carried, such as a handbag, backpack, item of luggage or murse.
Additionally, the addition of a thermal layer to the bag would be
desirable in the case of shopping for groceries that should be at
least partially protected from ambient conditions, such as
refrigerated or frozen foods items. Some examples of the prior art
regarding the use of a multiple reusable bag carrying system
include U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,860 to Brennan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,895
to Lugo and U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,385 to Ledesma. Each of these prior
art patents include devices and systems of use that utilize an
outer bag that includes folded smaller bags. None of these,
however, includes an outer bag that is also is compact and
foldable, nor do any of these prior art patents include a thermal
layer and none of them are designed to be stylish and to match the
outer carrying container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches an
expandable, foldable reusable bag that converts from a first folded
position into a second expanded position comprising an outer
surface having a first end and a second end that surrounds the bag
when the bag is in said first folded position; an interior bag that
folds compactly inside of the outer surface when the bag is in the
first folded position wherein the outer surface is securely
attached to the interior bag so as to create a pocket between the
outer surface and the interior bag when the bag is in the second
expanded position.
[0009] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that an attachment means that allows the bag to remain folded when
in the first folded position by attaching the first end of the
outer surface to the second end of the outer surface.
[0010] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the interior bag is made of a thermal insulating material.
[0011] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the interior bag further comprises one or more handles
attached to the interior bag to allow for ease in carrying the bag
when in use in the second expanded position.
[0012] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the attachment means is one or more snaps.
[0013] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the attachment means is one or more buttons.
[0014] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the attachment means is a zipper.
[0015] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the attachment means is a hook and loop system.
[0016] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the attachment means is a magnet.
[0017] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that one or more expandable, foldable reusable bags can be stored
in said pocket.
[0018] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the outer surface is made of a decorative material that can be
accessorized with other items, such as a purse, backpack, item of
luggage or man-purse.
[0019] The above embodiment can be further modified by defining
that the interior bag is made of an anti-microbial material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] This invention can better be understood by reference to the
drawings, provided for exemplary purposes, and in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention in its
retracted, folded position.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the invention in the
first unfolded position.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the invention in the
second unfolded position.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the invention in the
third unfolded position.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the invention fully
unfolded.
[0026] FIG. 6 is taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.
[0027] FIG. 7A is a front view of the invention fully unfolded.
[0028] FIG. 7B is a front view of the invention with the invention
in the first folded position.
[0029] FIG. 7C is a front view of the invention with the invention
the second folded position.
[0030] FIG. 7D is a front view of the invention with the invention
in the third folded position.
[0031] FIG. 7E is a front view of the invention with the invention
in the fully retracted, folded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] The instant invention describes a foldable reusable shopping
that bag that is compact and that also includes a pocket that
houses yet more bags. The entire system folds up compactly and is
easily stored in a single place, such as a purse, backpack, article
of luggage, man-purse ("murse") or a glove box, for easy access by
the consumer when needed.
[0033] The outer portion of the bag can be highly decorative and
could be manufactured to complement the decor desired by the
consumer, such as the look, feel and appearance of the user's purse
or other outer carrying item. The outer portion of the bag contains
the decorating styling. The interior bag could be composed of a
thermal insulating material that works well when purchasing
perishable or otherwise thermally sensitive items. Additionally,
the interior bag could be composed of an anti-microbial
material.
[0034] The foldable device would be made so that the material
retained its folds for ease of refolding. The bags contained in the
pouch of the main bag could match the outer bag or have an entirely
different look altogether.
[0035] Once folded, an optional magnetic close or other attachment
device could be included to keep the entire apparatus folded and
held together.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached
drawings, a compact, foldable bag 10 that easily fits into an outer
bag, such as a backpack, purse, murse and the like is described. In
the fully folded position, the bag 10 includes an outer surface 11
that can include decor that matches the purse, handbag, murse,
backpack or other bag into which it is put for transport. As can be
seen in FIGS. 1-2, the bag 10 is held together by one or more
attachment means, illustrated here as snaps that include a female
portion 12b and a male portion 12a. It is to be understood that
this is shown for demonstration purposes only and the attachment of
the bag 10 could be achieved through any known other attachment
means. Other attachment means could include a zipper, buttons, a
hook and loop system, magnets and the like. As seen in FIG. 2, once
the snaps 12 are disengaged, the bag 10 begins to unfold into the
fully expanded position.
[0037] The bag 10 in its folded position includes a top 18, a front
face 14, a front flap 24 that folds over the front face 14 and
folded portions of the interior bag that can be divided into three
lateral portions, the top portion 13, the middle portion 20 and the
bottom portion 19. The interior bag can be made of a thermal
material that allows for the safe transport of perishable
foodstuffs. The perimeter of the interior bag is seen from the side
when the bag is in the folded position.
[0038] Once the top flap 24 is opened to expose the inner face 23,
the front face 14 can be folded away from the interior bag portion
and form the configuration shown in FIG. 3. Once the front face 14
is folded away, the interior bag is exposed with the top portion 13
and the bottom portion 19 both folded over the middle portion 20.
Attached to the top portion 13 are a pair of handles 15 that will
assist the user in carrying the bag when in use.
[0039] As seen in FIG. 4, the top portion 13 is then folded away
from the middle portion 20 while the bottom portion 19 is also
folded away from the middle portion 20 forming half of the bag.
Then, as seen in FIG. 5, the bag is folded in a lateral direction
exposing the interior bag having a two outer walls 22, 25 that
together form the parameters of the bag. The back side of the bag
22, as shown here, is non-descript while the front side of the bag
25 has attached thereto the decorative portion of the device 10
that can now be used as a storage pocket 16 that houses one or more
bags 17 that expand and collapse in the same manner as the interior
bag defined herein. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the handle 15 is
attached to the back side 22 and includes an inner wall 21 that can
be composed of any thickness of material to provide variable
amounts of insulation for housing perishable foodstuffs or other
thermally sensitive items, if necessary.
[0040] FIGS. 7A-7E show the sequence as the interior bag is folded
back into its compact, retracted position. FIG. 7A shows the bag
divided roughly into six panels that define where the bag folds
back into place. The views shown in FIGS. 7A-7B begin with the back
side 22 of the bag (the side without the pocket) facing the viewer.
First, the bag is folded in half (seen in FIG. 7B) laterally. Then
the top portion 13 and the bottom portion 19 are folded in a
vertical direction (see FIG. 7C). In FIG. 7D we then see that the
front face with the snaps 14 folds vertically upward toward the top
18 of the bag. In FIG. 7E, the entire closed system is again seen
as it started in FIG. 1.
[0041] The illustrations and examples provided herein are for
explanatory purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope
of the appended claims. This disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention and/or
claims of the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will
make modifications to the invention for particular applications of
the invention.
[0042] The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve
as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the
specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments
possible and alternatives are implicit. Also, this discussion may
not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not
explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be
representative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly
included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in
device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly
performs a function. It should also be understood that a variety of
changes may be made without departing from the essence of the
invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the
description. These changes still fall within the scope of this
invention.
[0043] Further, each of the various elements of the invention and
claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This
disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,
be it a variation of any apparatus embodiment, a method embodiment,
or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly,
it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements
of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by
equivalent apparatus terms even if only the function or result is
the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms
should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each
element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to
make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention
is entitled. It should be understood that all actions may be
expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which
causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed
should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which
that physical element facilitates. Such changes and alternative
terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the
description.
* * * * *