U.S. patent application number 13/108990 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-17 for toy bag.
Invention is credited to Scott David Nelson.
Application Number | 20110280500 13/108990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44911824 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110280500 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Scott David |
November 17, 2011 |
Toy Bag
Abstract
The invention relates to a a toy bag that gathers up equally at
the edges to contain toys involving many little pieces such as
building blocks, etc. and provides a play area when completely
extended on the ground. These characteristics are not found in a
typical canvas tote bag or toy bin.
Inventors: |
Nelson; Scott David; (Sierra
Madre, CA) |
Family ID: |
44911824 |
Appl. No.: |
13/108990 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61345374 |
May 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/16 ; 383/119;
383/24; 383/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
3/00 20130101; A63H 33/006 20130101; A45C 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/16 ; 383/24;
383/72; 383/119 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/12 20060101
B65D033/12; B65D 33/02 20060101 B65D033/02; B65D 33/28 20060101
B65D033/28 |
Claims
1. A multi-purpose mat and storage bag comprising: a body portion,
the body portion having a top layer and a bottom layer, the top
layer and the bottom layer comprised of a flexible material and
enclosing an interior region; means for providing structural
support located within the interior region; and means for closing
the body portion located substantially around the perimeter of the
body portion.
2. The multi-purpose mat and storage bag of claim 1, wherein the
means for providing is structural support is a hub and two or more
spokes coupled to the hub.
3. The multi-purpose mat and storage bag of claim 1, wherein the
means for providing structural support is a hub and two or more
spokes surrounding the hub.
4. The multi-purpose mat and storage bag of claim 3, wherein the
hub and two or more spokes are comprised of a flexible
material.
5. The multi-purpose mat and storage bag of claim 3, wherein the
hub is separated from the two or more spokes by stitching.
Description
PREVIOUS FILING
[0001] This application emanates from a previous provisional filing
dated May 17, 2010; application No. 61/345,374
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to bags, specifically to bags used
as toy containment or tote bags or open mouth receptacles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There was a need for a toy bag that gathers up equally at
the edges to contain toys involving many little pieces such as
building blocks, etc. and provides a play area when completely
extended on the ground. These characteristics are not found in a
typical canvas tote bag or toy bin.
[0004] Drawstring or drawcord bags are well known. They are used in
plastic bags as well as fabric bags. Drawstring plastic bags are
commonly used as shopping bags, trash bags and disposable laundry
bags.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,583 shows a plastic bag having a
drawcord closure in which the drawcord functions as a handle. A
disadvantage of this bag is that a drawcord handle is uncomfortable
to use for the same reasons a bail handle is uncomfortable, as
discussed previously. Another disadvantage is that three seams are
required to construct the bag. As in the fabric drawstring bags,
this bag is constructed of a sheet of material; the bags must be
seamed on the sides and at the mouth to contain the drawstring.
Generally, a seam creates a weakness in the bag wall. Also
additional seams can add to the cost of production.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,230 shows a bag with tubular plastic
material so that side seams are not required. Also the closure,
which functions like a drawstring closure to gather the bag mouth,
is created by lacing the ties through slots cut in the bag near the
mouth. The advantage of this feature is that an additional seam is
not required. A disadvantage is that the slots weaken the
material.
[0007] Bags formed of tubular plastic mesh are also well known.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,967 shows a bag which is primarily designed to
have high load-bearing strength. The bag takes advantage of the
tube material; a double wall is created by partially inverting the
tube. By vertically slitting through the fold at the mouth of the
bag a suspension loop is created. The patent recognizes the
advantages of a circular woven polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene
(PE) material, stating that sacks made of such fabrics are chemical
resistant, insusceptible to water, hygienic, non-decomposable, and
have good breathing properties. Tubular plastic mesh is also strong
and inexpensive. These features make it a common material for
packaging.
[0008] An example of mesh of this type can be seen in U.S. Pat. No.
4,174,416. That patent shows mesh which stretches only
transversely. An advantage is that bags constructed of this mesh
would not elongate when loaded. Other tubular mesh materials
stretch longitudinally as well as transversely.
[0009] At present, many recyclable materials are added to landfills
which are already overcrowded. This is partly due to the fact that
collection of these materials relies primarily on the voluntary
efforts of the consumer, and it is inconvenient to sort the
materials and transport them to the recycling centers. A solution
is to provide the consumer with a product that will aid in the
collection process. A few products have recently emerged. For
example, there are stacking bins which are labeled "glass,"
"newspaper" and "cans." A disadvantage of these bins is that they
are space consuming. Also they are difficult to carry; generally
only one or two can be carried at a time.
[0010] An additional consideration for a shopping bag or a
container that is to be used in a recycling program, is that it
serve as a promotional item. If a reusable shopping bag were
provided by a retail store, that store would want to have
advertising in return for its expense. Likewise, a container
provided for a recycling program by a community or a corporate
sponsor, should serve as a promotional item for that community or
corporation through printed advertising. The advantage is that the
consumer would have the use of the container at little or no cost
in exchange for advertising the program or the services of the
sponsor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A bag of the present invention is formed of tubular fabric,
preferably mesh, which is inverted upon itself to form a double
wall. The inversion, or fold, is located at the top, and contains a
drawstring and handle. The bottom is formed by lacing together the
ends of the tube in a novel way. The bag features a semirigid
drawstring closure formed of a material such as plastic tubing, a
hollow handle and a shoulder strap. Bags of the present invention
may be entirely and readily assembled by hand from commercially
available materials. Even the bottom seam can be hand woven.
Therefore the product can be introduced to the market without the
additional expense of special machinery. Also the product can be
assembled in sheltered workshops by workers with handicaps.
Further, it can be sold in kit form for assembly by the end
user.
[0012] A circular piece of canvas fabric with metal grommets around
the periphery through which a drawstring is run. The drawstring is
kept tight when the bag is drawn up by a wooden ball with a hole,
through which the drawstring also runs. The wooden ball puts enough
friction on the string to maintain the closed position of the
bag.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag
which combines advantages of specific bags, in order to function as
a multiple use bag and toy organization.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
the consumer with a product useful for quickly and easily
collecting toys more successful.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
bag which hangs from a hook or doorknob and simultaneously performs
as an open mouth receptacle without the aid of a separate rigid
support.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
bag that is easily carried.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
bag which employs a drawstring closure to secure its contents.
[0018] A toy bag that uses a drawstring, grommet, and wooden ball
system to gather a circular piece of cloth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] While I have shown and described only two embodiments in
accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the
same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes
and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I
therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ENABLING AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] The illustrations and examples provided herein are for
explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the
appended claims, as those skilled in the art will make
modifications to the invention for particular uses.
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