Abstract: A system and method for providing a baffler between contents transported in a shopping cart and potential pathogens and contaminates on the shopping cart upper surface. The invention is a cart liner which is placed between the contents and the shopping cart's upper surface to prevent the contents from contacting the surface. The shopping cart liner may be converted to a baglike structure for transporting the contents following transport.

Abstract: A wheeled cart, such as a shopping cart, has ski elements on the wheels thereof. The ski elements can be moved between stored and use positions.

Abstract: A shopping cart having knobs, ridges or other protrusions upon which plastic store bags can be hung by their handles. It may also be thought of as the method of providing such a cart to a shopper or shoppers, and may include the further step, performed by a shopper, of hanging store bags from the protrusions. The invention may also encompass a shopping cart having bag hangers that are positioned and adapted to retain a tray, and the method of positioning a tray on a shopping cart.

Abstract: A shopping cart having a juvenile restraining apparatus is provided. The juvenile restraining apparatus has shoulder straps, belt segments, and a chest panel. The shoulder straps each have first and second ends and are positionable over the juvenile's shoulders. The first ends of the shoulder straps are selectively attachable to the shopping cart. The second ends of the shoulder straps are attached to the chest panel. The belt segments also have first and second ends with the first ends of each of the belt segments attached to the chest panel. The belt segments extend from the chest panel and are positionable about the torso of the juvenile and are selectively attachable to each other.

Abstract: A device for mounting on a shopping cart that holds small items being purchased which otherwise could fall through openings in the shopping cart while shopping. The device includes a basket member made from a predetermined material and having a predetermined configuration. There is at least one aperture formed through a wall of the basket member. There is also a mechanism connectable through the at least one aperture and an opening between bars of a sidewall of the shopping cart for mounting the basket member one of inside and outside such shopping cart on one of the bars.

Abstract: A shopping cart liner is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the shopping cart liner includes a flexible, plastic liner body having a bottom panel and a rear portion, a pair of side portions and a front portion extending from the bottom panel. In some embodiments, at least one liner partition extends from the bottom panel. A method of preventing contaminants on a shopping cart from contacting items placed in the shopping cart is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided for covering a shopping cart handle. The sleeve includes a generally cylindrical hollow member having a slit along the length thereof. The member is made of sufficiently flexible plastic material so as to permit it to receive the cart handle and to closely conform to the shape of the cart handle to cover the cart handle during use and to permit the sleeve to be removed from the cart handle after use. The process of fabricating the sleeve, as well as apparatus for displaying packaged sleeves and collection used sleeves, are also described.

Abstract: A work station insert for a shopping cart has a large table top useful for writing on, and storage drawer beneath the table top. The insert hooks over the push handle of the cart, so that the insert cannot move rearward or tip forward; it is supported near its center by the seat back of a cart having a folding child seat, or by a tube which supports the back of a fixed seat. The storage drawer can be pulled out forward from beneath the table top, and a trash deflector is provided beneath a cutout at the rear of the table top to direct trash into the shopping cart receptacle. Alternative embodiments are provided for different styles of shopping carts.

Abstract: A nestable shopping cart formed to at least partially receive a second nestable shopping cart. The nestable shopping cart includes a frame, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame, and a basket coupled to the frame. A body is coupled to the frame and a seat is coupled to the body to at least partially define a seat portion and a nest space. The nest space is positioned to receive at least a portion of the second nestable shopping cart.

Abstract: An elastically deformable cover adapted to selectively engage a shopping cart handle. In some embodiments, the cover can include a single color and/or multiple colors. In some embodiments, the cover can include a message space adapted to receive and/or include a massage.

Abstract: A child seat assembly for use in a shopping cart and secured to the hinged rear gate of the shopping cart that is configured for lifting to expose a rear opening for nesting like carts. The child seat is secured in a lower portion of the shopping cart basket by hinged connections such that the seat assembly is movable between a use and a non-use configuration, and the of the seat back is attached to the rear gate wall and positioned within the basket. The rear gate wall has a void region an extent below the basket top which is configured to provide a space for a child's upper body to be exposed from the basket chamber. The seat back of the child seat is connected to the rear gate wall by at least one strut member located above the seat bottom, the strut member being connected to the gate wall and the seat back.

Abstract: A handle shield (22, 50) is provided for placement about the handle (20) of a conventional shopping cart. The handle shield is formed of sheet material that forms a sleeve (26) that surrounds the handle to shield the hands of the user of the cart from contacting the handle, and a hang tag (28, 54) is suspended from the handle that bears advertisements, coupons, and/or bar codes for displaying to the shopper the different goods available in the store and for redeeming at the checkout counter of the store.

Abstract: A shopping cart has a wire basket, which comprises generally horizontal and generally vertical wires defining two side walls, defining a front wall, and defining multiple apertures in each of the side and front walls, and in which the front wall meets each of the side walls along a generally vertical front corner. A bumper, which is installed on the wire basket, along the front corner, has an elongate body, which wraps around the front corner and which has two lateral edges. Along a lower portion of each lateral edge, the bumper has a wing projecting into at least one of the apertures of the side and front walls. The wing has a recess, which accommodates a given one of the horizontal wires of the wire basket, and portions of the wing project into apertures above and below the given one of the horizontal wires.

Abstract: A shopping cart that supports shopping bag dispenser(s) to enable shoppers to package goods as they shop. Shopping bag dispensers may be connected to fixtures that support goods to enable shoppers to obtain shopping bags while shopping.

Abstract: An insulating compartment is combined with a type grocery cart characterized by an open basket having forwardly-tapering sidewalls and bottom wall which terminate in a common front wall, as well as having a top-hung rear flap-panel that swings up when the nose of a like grocery cart's basket pushes inside from the rear to enter and dock inside the basket space of the first grocery cart. The insulating compartment is limited in extent to generally the front portions only of the grocery cart's basket. Preferably, the insulating compartment comprises a front wall that matches flush against substantial portions of the basket's front wall. It also comprises abbreviated sidewalls and bottom wall arranged to match flush against front portions of the basket's sidewalls and bottom wall. Thus, the insulating compartment provides insulation service to cold or frozen food and beverage merchandise during grocery shopping trips.

Abstract: The utility cart has a first pair of corner posts, a second pair of corners posts, a shelf, a front support bar, a pair of parallel side support bars, and a back support bar, which is particularly suited for supporting a drawstring garment bag for receiving garments being dispatched from a conveyor dryer. For added support and rigidity, the utility cart is also provided with a pair of parallel side support bars, each side support bar extending from a first corner post to a second corner post. For added ease of movement, the utility cart can also be provided with swivel-wheel caster assemblies on each of the four posts. The utility cart and drawstring garment bag can be provided as a kit along with a wedge member and a set of size separators.

Abstract: The present invention teaches and discloses method and apparatus for alerting a grocery store check out cashier of merchandise placed on the bottom tray of a typical grocery shopping cart. A passive RFID transponder is incorporated into the structure of the cart which when interrogated by an associated reader, located at the cashier's check out station, responds with a signal verifying the presence, or absence, of an unseen item upon the carts bottom tray.

Abstract: A seat liner may be used in a shopping cart. The liner may be sufficiently resilient to maintain its shape. The liner may display advertisements. The liner may also be disposable and stackable.

Abstract: A vertically swingable rear gate assembly for closing an open rear side of a shopping cart basket. The gate assembly includes a monolithic one-piece plate-like molded plastic gate member sized to substantially close off the rear side of the basket. A rigid one-piece connecting frame is disposed primarily adjacent a rear side of the gate member and includes a pair of generally transversely aligned top hinge parts for vertical hinged connection to the shopping cart. The connecting frame, adjacent an upper edge, has a downwardly-opening, transverse channel structure which engages over and confines an upper edge portion of the gate member. The lower part of the connecting frame is fixedly joined to the gate member at a location adjacent the bottom edge thereof.

Abstract: A sanitation handle for carts and railings comprising an open tubular flexible sleeve member which is expandable for receiving at least a portion of the main handle member of a cart, said flexible sleeve member having a first open end and a second open end and a slit formed longitudinally along length of flexible sleeve member.

Abstract: A shopping cart modified for vehicle transport and advertising method provides shoppers with a personal shopping cart they keep and use to transport groceries from the store to their home without unloading the groceries out of the cart multiple times, it includes a shopping cart modified with a locking support assembly comprising a rigid horizontally deposed inter support member with a connection plate member. The inter support member slides horizontally inside of a horizontal outer support member connected to a base plate that is connected to the lower side of a shopping cart basket whereby the shopping cart can be lifted and transported by locking the shopping cart onto a carrier means coupled to a receiver hitch of a vehicle. The advertising method comprises the steps of providing at least one removably attached advertising placard on a surface of the front wall, rear wall, and opposed side walls.

Abstract: A cart includes a frame and a rigid base section horizontally registered above a ground level and oriented parallel thereto. Casters are mated to opposed corners of the base section. An upper section is pivotally conjoined to opposed corners of the base section and is offset along a vertical plane. The upper section is spaced from the casters. A collection bin is centrally housed within the upper section and seated on the base section. The bin is arranged so that the upper section abuts proximal and distal top ends of the bin. Clamping arms are anchored to a distal end of the base section and spaced from the upper section respectively. The upper section and the clamping arms are simultaneously and independently articulated during operating conditions.

Abstract: A cupholder, which is mountable to a wall of a basket of a shopping cart, comprises a continuous wire having two lowermost portions, between and to which the outer mounting plate is mounted, two intermediate portions, which define a cup-supporting level and on which a cup-supporting plate is seated, and an uppermost portion, which is shaped to embrace a cup being held by the cupholder. The continuous wire has two lower connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to one of the intermediate portions, and two upper connecting portions, each of which connects one of the intermediate portions to the uppermost portion.

Abstract: A cupholder, which is mountable to a wall of a basket of a shopping cart, comprises a continuous wire having two lowermost portions, between and to which the outer mounting plate is mounted, two intermediate portions, which define a cup-supporting level and on which a cup-supporting plate is seated, and an uppermost portion, which is shaped to embrace a cup being held by the cupholder. The continuous wire has two lower connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to one of the intermediate portions, and two upper connecting portions, each of which connects one of the intermediate portions to the uppermost portion.

Abstract: A cupholder, which is mountable to a wall of a basket of a shopping cart, comprises a continuous wire having two lowermost portions, between and to which the outer mounting plate is mounted, two intermediate portions, which define a cup-supporting level and on which a cup-supporting plate is seated, and an uppermost portion, which is shaped to embrace a cup being held by the cupholder. The continuous wire has two lower connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to one of the intermediate portions, and two upper connecting portions, each of which connects one of the intermediate portions to the uppermost portion.

Abstract: A cupholder is mountable to a wall of a basket of a shopping cart by an outer mounting plate, an inner mounting plate, and a fastener, which is adapted to pass though an aperture in the wall for fastening the mounting plates to each other. The aperture is one of a pattern of apertures, which are defined by substantially horizontally extending wires and by substantially vertically extending wires. The cupholder comprises a continuous wire having two lowermost portions, between and to which the outer mounting plate is mounted, two intermediate portions, which define a cup-supporting level and on which a cup-supporting plate is seated, and an uppermost portion, which is shaped to embrace a cup being held by the cupholder. The continuous wire has two lower connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to one of the intermediate portions, and two upper connecting portions, each of which connects one of the lowermost portions to the uppermost portion.

Abstract: A guide wheel assembly adapted to retrofit a shopping cart having a guide wheel capable of only rotating in the intended direction of travel of the shopping cart and a flexible one piece mechanism possessing strong material memory such that constant contact between the guide wheel and a traveling surface is maintained. The guide wheel assembly is configured to allow the nesting of multiple carts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sanitizing a handle on a mobile push cart which includes the steps of positioning, in at least one preselected location, a storage container capable of holding a predetermined plurality of covers, obtaining, from the storage container one cover and detachably positioning the cover onto the handle of the mobile push cart. The invention also provides a method of advertising product or event in combination with the mobile push cart, wherein advertising information is provided on the cover which is detachably positioned onto the handle of the mobile push cart. The invention additionally provides a novel protective cover for the mobile push cart which includes provisions for supporting various accessories usable in a supermarket and the like.

Abstract: A mobile dispensing display, method for conversion of shopping cart into dispensing display and a method of advertising and dispensing products involves the use of a conventional shopping cart. The shopping cart is provided from a store where the promotional activity is to be conducted and converted into a mobile dispensing display by mounting an advertising display onto the basket and mounting a product sample support panel on the shopping cart over the child seat. The mobile display may be moved intermittently to advantageous locations throughout the store where shoppers congregate. Product to be sold and/or sampled, as well as coupons or other promotional materials may be placed in the cart, whereby the cart becomes a mobile promotional and sales display as the user functions as a shoppers assistant providing information, samples or coupons. The user is not restricted to a single location, and may maintain personal and promotional items under direct supervision.

Abstract: A basket for a shopping cart comprising a single unitary member molded from a plastic material. The basket includes a frame including a plurality of generally vertical upright frame members spaced apart from each other, with each frame member including a generally smooth outer surface without holes. A front panel extends generally vertically and laterally across the front portion of the single unitary member between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. A pair of side panels extends generally vertically, being generally parallel to each other and spaced from each other. Each side panel extends from a front portion to a rear portion of the basket between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. The front panel and each side panel comprise a generally flat portion defining a plurality of holes and have a substantially uniform thickness at least about two times less than a thickness of the generally vertical upright frame members.

Abstract: A shopping cart includes a base, a pair of masts, and a basket. The base extends generally horizontally between a front portion and a rear portion of the cart and including a plurality of wheels. The pair of masts extends generally vertically upward from the base in a generally singular plane extending laterally across the rear portion of the cart. Each mast includes a rear portion facing the rear portion of the cart and defining a generally straight surface, and a front portion facing in a direction generally opposite the rear portion of the respective mast and defining a generally concave curved portion. The basket includes a front portion and a rear portion with the rear portion of the basket connected to the base via the pair of masts to support the front portion of the basket in a vertically spaced relationship over the base adjacent the front portion of the cart.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member includes a generally curved concave portion having an apex adjacent the gate and a generally straight portion on a side of the seat member opposite the apex of the generally curved concave portion.

Abstract: In a shopping cart, which is nestable with similar carts, a transverse extending member bridges two longitudinally extending members, each mounting a cam-engaging member. Two cams are mounted to the transversely extending members. When engaged by the cam-engaging members of a following cart being nested into the shopping cart, the cams lift a back end of the shopping cart, so as to lift rear casters of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A cupholder for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of a shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a generally horizontal position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member defines a child seat portion and a cupholder positioned laterally of the child seat portion.

Abstract: A handle for a shopping cart includes a frame defining a unitary member in a substantially continuous loop. At least one connection portion extends from the frame for securing the frame to a basket of a shopping cart and is configured to position the loop of the frame to be generally parallel to and spaced from an upper portion of a basket of the shopping cart.

Abstract: An improved shopping cart, the improvement comprising a pair of brackets attached to the side of the cart. One of the brackets is positioned towards a front of the cart, while the other is positioned towards a rear. Each bracket comprises a rigid straight inner attachment slab attached to the basket, and an L-shaped slab. The L-shaped slab has a horizontal portion, a horizontal portion and a vertical portion having a free upper end. A non-curved or boxy U-shaped portion of the bracket is formed by an intersection of the horizontal portion, a lower part of the vertical portion and a second middle portion of the straight inner attachment slab. The brackets are spaced apart sufficiently to allow a long object to rest securely on the U-shaped portion of each bracket. Present invention also includes the removable accessory variant of the same improvement.

Abstract: A load leveler is disclosed that is used with a nesting type cart having a basket with a tapered front to provide a level surface for safely carrying loads that are longer than the length of the cart basket and must sit on top of the cart basket in order to be transported. The load leveler comprises spaced vertical pieces on top of the larger rear of the tapered basket to restrain a long load from sliding to the side and off the cart basket, and also comprises a pivoting member that is attached to the top of the front of the tapered basket. The pivoting member provides a raised surface for supporting a long load in a horizontal orientation with the top rear of the basket, and also has vertical members for helping restraining a long load from sliding to the side and off the cart. The pivoting member is lowered and rests against the inside of the front wall of the basket to permit nesting of the carts in a known manner.

Abstract: An attachment/side car to a shopping cart/basket attached to the framework of the cart/basket in a perpendicular position which enables the consumer to carry/transport tall, long items such as drapery rods, fishing poles, wood trim, shovels, rakes purchase throughout the store safely avoiding injury to one self or other consumers.

Abstract: A disposable sanitary sheath for a shopping cart handle featuring a sheet wrappable about the handle having a length and width so as to cover at least the portion of the handle coming into contact with a user's hands, an adhesive strip positioned about one side of a surface of the sheet for securing the sheet about the handle, a perforated pull-away strip disposed along the length of the sheet, and a pull tab accommodated on the pull-away strip. Other embodiments include disposable sanitary sheaths for shopping cart handles with a sheet wrappable about the handle wherein the sheet is made of one of the following materials: paper, polyethylene, rubber, polypropylene, vinyl, mylar, Teflon, polycarbonate, Kynar, Uvex, butyrate, F.E.P. (tetraflourethyleneperflourpropylene,) and polyester. The sheath may also be made up of two or more sheaths that are used in conjunction to cover one or more portions of a handle. Additionally, a sanitizing compound such as an antibacterial agent can be applied to the sheath.

Abstract: A shopping cart handle and sanitizing apparatus and method includes a housing with a santizing fluid reservoir mounted to slidably encircle the cart handle and dispense the fluid onto the handle from applicators in the housing that contract the handle as the housing is moved to and fro. A pump mechanism transfers fluid from the reservoir to the applicators.

Abstract: A handle assembly for converting a conventional yard cart for use in the manner of a wheelbarrow includes an L-shaped handle including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. A socket member is connected to the yard cart tow bar which is normally coupled to a garden tractor. The handle member is connected to the socket member after the tow bar is uncoupled from the garden tractor thereby enabling the yard cart to be guided and moved by an operator in the manner of a wheelbarrow.

Abstract: The various aspects of the present invention are directed to moving carts and moving cart assemblies. One embodiment comprises a moving cart assembly with a plurality of interlocking, vertically stackable, storage modules. The modules of this embodiment comprise a frame, preferably having at least four sides, e.g., a top, a back, a right side and a left side. Each module also comprises something to enclose the interior space, such as a pair of doors or a drawer which is selectively slidable into the frame. The needs of a particular office can be readily accommodated by using greater or fewer numbers of drawer modules and/or cabinet-type modules.

Abstract: A shopping trolley (1) with a basket (2) includes a small-item tray (13) fixed to the inside (4) of its end wall (3). The end wall (3) of the shopping trolley, starting from its upper edge (7), has an indentation (11) on which the small-item tray (13) is supported, and in that a clamping strip (20) is provided for closing the indentation (11) and for additionally securing the small-item tray (13).

Abstract: A tether system for shopping carts in which a plurality of carts each have an anchor member at a location which is exposed when another cart is nested into the rear of the cart. An elongated tether of pliable material can be secured to the rear cart of a nested series of carts with the tether extending forwardly and looped around the anchor on the forward cart of the series of carts in order to secure the carts together.

Abstract: A shopping cart has a wire basket, which comprises generally horizontal and generally vertical wires defining two side walls, defining a front wall, and defining multiple apertures in each of the side and front walls, and in which the front wall meets each of the side walls along a generally vertical front corner. A bumper, which is installed on the wire basket, along the front corner, has an elongate body, which wraps around the front corner and which has two lateral edges. Along a lower portion of each lateral edge, the bumper has a wing projecting into at least one of the apertures of the side and front walls. The wing has a recess, which accommodates a given one of the horizontal wires of the wire basket, and portions of the wing project into apertures above and below the given one of the horizontal wires.

Abstract: The present invention is a paper cover having a curl, for placement on an elongated handle of a shopping cart so that the user of the cart does not have to touch the handle of the cart that may have come in contact with germs or dirt of a prior user, the cover is designed to have a curl such that the paper material will tend to conform to the handle of the cart, the cover may include an antimicrobial material.

Abstract: A child seat assembly for use in a shopping cart and secured to the hinged rear gate of the shopping cart that is configured for lifting to expose a rear opening for nesting like carts. The child seat is secured in a lower portion of the shopping cart basket by hinged connections such that the seat assembly is moveable between a use and a non-use configuration, and the hinged connection of the seat back is within a sliding track arrangement with the support strut such that the hinged connection of the seat bottom and seat back travels in an upward arcuate path as the seat assembly is moved from a use position to a non-use position. The rear gate having at least one lower leg opening and an upper void region between the basket top and the seat bottom. The seat bottom at least partially covering the leg opening and the seat back covering the upper void region when the seat is in the non-use configuration.

Abstract: The present invention, a Disposable Sanitary Shopping Cart Handle Cover for publicly used carts, carry baskets, and rental strollers, addresses the health risks consumers face by providing a barrier between the shoppers hands and the thousands of strains of germs/bacteria present on the surface of said handles. The preferred embodiment is a relatively thin rectangle of material, consisting of a double sided sheet composed of a front/top side, possibly made of a tissue type material with an attached back/bottom side, possibly made of an isolating plastic material which attaches directly to the handle in use, thereby providing germ-conscious individuals with an option to solve the problem of bacteria exposure, in a way not previously afforded to the public.

Abstract: An improved plastic basket shopping cart includes a cart base having an upwardly extending rear frame section with a handle and at least three wheels rotatably mounted on the cart base. A generally rectangular box shaped plastic basket is mounted on the cart base, and includes a base wall, left and right side walls and a front wall, the side walls and the front wall having a plurality of generally rectangular wall openings having a height greater than their width, excepting those wall openings adjacent the base wall being generally square in shape for improved structural strength. Rear flange sections extend outwards and rearwards from the side walls to substantially cover the gaps between the side walls and the rear frame section. Finally, a basket rim support wire extends circumferentially around and through upper portions of the side walls and front wall and connects to the rear frame section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shopping cart seat covers for comfort and safety of one or two children when seated in the shopping cart. The present invention is particularly adaptable for providing a safe area for seating one or two children inside the extending platform of shopping carts. The present invention can be used in conjunction with any shopping cart that has a pivoting or extending platform, including large shopping carts, which are designed/made to seat two children, or smaller shopping carts, which are designed/made to seat only one child.