INSERT FOR A BAG

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bag or a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but not exclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat for storage and transportation and open out for use. The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allows the user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing for bottles, cups and the like to be supported.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bag or a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but not exclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat for storage and transportation and open out for use.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/042,819 relates to a bag for carrying bottles, cups and other liquid containers. There is shown a foldable insert that has at least one container-receiving aperture in the form of a circular cut-out region, into which bottles, cups or other such containers can be fitted, in use. However, the bag, as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/042,819, does not allow easily for further items that the user may wish to put in the bag. A portion of the bag is not available for use when the aperture is folded to a position that allows the bottles to be stored.

The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allows the user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing for bottles, cups and the like to be supported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, the present invention provides an insert for a bag, wherein the insert is of a foldable construction, comprising a first panel having a first section and a second section, wherein, in a first position, the insert is generally flat and wherein the second section is arranged to be folded relative to the first section, from a first position to a second position, such that the first and second sections define a receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in which the insert is folded out.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of FIG. 1A in which the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 2A is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises three sections, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an embodiment of FIG. 2A in which the insert is folded in various ways to form a receptacle.

Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of FIG. 2B in which the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 2D is a top view of an embodiment of FIG. 2B in which the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 3A is an example of an insert where a panel has two sections.

FIG. 3B is an top view of an example of FIG. 3A in which the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 4A is another example of an insert in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a top view of an example of FIG. 4A in which the insert is inside the bag.

FIG. 5A is another example of an insert in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an example of FIG. 5A in which the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 6A is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises three sections, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of an example of FIG. 6A in which the insert is inside a bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups etc. The insert is configured to have an essentially flat, first configuration for storage, transportation etc. and a second, open configuration defining a receptacle for the item(s) to be carried. Thus, the insert can be provided in a flat form separate from, or inside, a bag (which may also be folded flat). In use, the bag is opened out and the insert is also opened out, inside the bag, to form the receptacle in the bag.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert for a bag. Alternatively, the insert may be placed in a box, and the box may be made from cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, paperboard etc.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the insert may be a piece of cardboard that is folded to form two panels 1 and 2 that, in a closed position, may be folded together. In a preferred embodiment, the cardboard is corrugated cardboard, as this reinforces the bag on the side and the base of the bag. Alternatively, the insert may be made from paper, bendable plastic, paperboard or card. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is folded to form two panels. Alternatively, the insert may have only one panel or more than two panels, and the insert may be a piece of folded cardboard etc. or may be two or more pieces of cardboard etc. attached to each other so as to be moveable relative to each other.

In use, the insert may be free-standing inside the bag. In a preferred embodiment, however, panel 1 may be attached to the inside of a bag. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is attached by adhesive means such as glue or paste. Alternatively, the adhesive means may be double sided tape, or the insert may be attached by fixing means e.g. staples etc. In an open position, panel 2 may be moved to an opened out position, preferably substantially perpendicular to panel 1 (as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C), so as to rest on or adjacent a lower surface of the bag (as shown in FIG. 1C). Such an insert forms a receptacle within the bag.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, in a more preferred embodiment, panel 1 may have three sections, a middle section 1A and two end sections 1B and 1C. Whilst in a preferred embodiment the panel 1 has three sections, the panel may, alternatively, have more, or less, than three sections.

As seen in FIG. 2B, the lower edges of sections 1B and 1C may be detached from panel 2. This allows them to be folded relative to the middle section and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position and allows the insert to have a substantially flat appearance when the insert is in a closed position. Sections 1B and 1C may be folded towards the middle section 1A and over panel 2, so as to provide receptacles for bottles and cups. In a preferred embodiment sections 1B and 1C are detached from panel 2. Alternatively, either one of sections 1A, 1B or 1C may be detached from panel 2. In FIGS. 2C and 2D, only section 1A is attached to the bag by adhesive means or the like. It is to be understood that any of the sections 1A, 1B, or 1C may be attached to the bag.

Whilst panel 2 provides support at the bottom of the bag, the insert might just comprise panel 1 having two or more sections foldable relative to each other.

FIG. 3A shows an alternative panel 1, in which panel 1 comprises two sections 10A and 10B. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, section 10A is attached to a bag and section 10B may be folded relative to section 10A and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section 10B may be attached to the bag and section 10A may be folded relative to section 10B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternative way of forming a receptacle using the panel shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 4B shows that section 1B is attached to the bag and sections 1A and 1C may be moved relative to section 1B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section 1C maybe attached to the bag and sections 1A and 1B may be moved relative to section 1C and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an alternative way of forming a receptacle using the panel shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 5B shows that section 1B is attached to the bag and sections 1A and 1C may be moved relative to section 1B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section 1C maybe attached to the bag and sections 1A and 1B may be moved relative to section 1C and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an alternative panel 100, in which panel 100 comprises three sections 100A, 100B and 100C. As can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, section 100B can be moved relative to section 100A and a side of the bag when the insert is in an open position. Also, section 100C can be moved relative to section 100A and another side of the bag when the insert is in an open position.

The present invention, in various positions, allows the user to utilise the whole of the bag for carrying groceries and, in addition, to allow for the carrying of bottles and cups. The invention may provide receptacles where bottles can be kept separate from other groceries or bottles, in use. This is particularly advantageous should any liquid leak from bottles and cups, and the receptacles prevent the bottles from knocking against each other and, therefore, reduces the risk of the bottles smashing while being transported. Another advantage of the present invention, in preferred embodiments, is that the panels can reinforce the sides and bottom of the bag and, therefore, the bag may take a defined structure and may be more resilient when carrying heavy items and bottles.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a receptacle to carry bottles or cups. Alternatively, the receptacles may be adapted to carry flasks, cans, tins, delicate objects, glass bottles, plastic bottles, cosmetics, bottles containing hazardous material, bottles containing medicines, paper cups, plastic cups, wine bottles, bottle containing alcoholic spirits, aluminium bottles, jars etc.

Claims

1. An insert for a bag, wherein the insert is of a foldable construction, comprising a first panel having a first section and a second section, wherein, in a first position, the insert is generally flat and wherein the second section is arranged to be folded relative to the first section, from a first position to a second position, such that the first and second sections define a receptacle.

2. The insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first section of the insert is affixable to a bag, in which the insert, in use, is provided.

3. The insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a second panel attached to a lower edge of the first section of the first panel.

4. The insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second panel, in a first position is substantially adjacent the first panel when the insert is not in use.

5. The insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second panel may be moved from a first position adjacent the first panel to a second position that is substantially perpendicular the first panel.

6. The insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel further comprises a third section.

7. The insert as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third section may be folded relative to the first and/or second section from a first position to a second position to form a receptacle

8. The insert as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second panel of the insert is restable, in use, against a base of the bag.

9. The insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert is made from corrugated board.

10. A bag manufactured of recyclable material, comprising an insert as claimed in claim 1.

11. A bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bag is a paper bag or a bag manufactured from lightweight card.

12. A bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bag and insert are collapsible for storage and transportation.

13. A bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bag is sized to carry containers.

14. A bag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bag and insert are collapsible for storage and transportation.

15. A bag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bag is sized to carry containers.