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.

Description

PREVIOUS FILING

This application emanates from a previous provisional filing dated May 17, 2010; application No. 61/345,374

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to bags, specifically to bags used as toy containment or tote bags or open mouth receptacles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag that is easily carried.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag which employs a drawstring closure to secure its contents.

A toy bag that uses a drawstring, grommet, and wooden ball system to gather a circular piece of cloth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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.

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.