Decoratable and Re-decoratable Bag
One embodiment of an improved flexible bag that easily displays decorations placed beneath its outer sheer layer (110a) by inserting the decorations in a bag that is a slip cover for another bag or by inserting them through a gap (118) in the fabric or in the adhesive-agent (116). The aesthetic of the bag varies widely, as a broad range of materials are able to be sourced to make the bag fabric (110a-d, 710a-b), handles (112a-b, 1010a-b, and 1410a-d), and adhesive agent (116). The layers of the bag may be embellished by decoration, such as trim, various fabrics, and a closure device. Depending on the material used, an embodiment is easily compressed and carried for reuse and carries loads upward of 10 kgs. over and over, thereby conserving resources.
This application claims the benefit in part of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/769,451, filed Feb. 26, 2013 by the present inventor.
BACKGROUND Prior ArtThe following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:
U.S. Patents
- Jeffrey Ball, The Wall Street Journal, “Paper or Plastic? A New Look at the Bag Scourge” (Jun. 12, 2009)
- Ellen Gamerman, Wall Street Journal, “An Inconvenient Bag” (Sep. 26, 2008)
Bags come in scores of shapes and sizes, some disposable, some reusable. Bags are so common, many of us do not consider the wide range of benefits derived from, nor possible improvements to be made to, this long-used ubiquitous tool.
Oddly enough, the reusable bag craze is somewhat of a throw-back to a time before the manufactured disposable bag was brought to market. Barely over 150 years ago, paper bags were invented by Francis Wolle, as a by-product of the paper bag making machine, U.S. Pat. No. 9,355 (1852). Paper bags were, and still are, a value add to stores and their customers by providing a tool for customers to carry and, yes, buy more goods. Currently, however, paper bags are under scrutiny for the amount of natural resources required to keep their up their production. (See article by Ellen Gamerman cited above.)
Paper bags have been also used by consumers for decades, albeit in the smaller size, for packing their children's lunches. However, consumers are limited by time and resources for a way to label their child's bag to differentiate it from the lunch bags of others, or perhaps to personalize their child's bag with a special token of affection.
Plastic bags are also well known and useful. Invented in 1965 by Gustaf Thulin Sten for the Swedish company Celloplast Ab, U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,557 A, they were a product of the mid-century's fascination with plastics, and were touted as tree savers. Like their paper counterparts, plastic bags come in small sizes, too. Despite their tree-saving benefit, Jeffrey Ball of the Wall Street Journal observed in 2009 that “[plastic bags] caught on so well that hundreds of billions are dispensed each year, creating a modern menace that often winds up nestled in trees, stuck in sewers, and drifting in oceans.”
Current times now see a resurgence in reusable bags with astounding variations from a simple mesh bag (U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,176 A (1967) Geller) to an entire systems of bags (U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,860 (1991) Brennan). They are all designed to be supremely functional, but are also bulky and lacking in grace and elegance.
One thing paper, plastic and reusable bags have in common is the tradition of being decorated. For example, retailers print their bags with motifs, but once a brand has changed or a special is over, unused bags are no longer relevant and the retailer tosses them out. Then the retailer spends considerable money on another round of bags to reflect what is current.
Consumers often adorn paper, plastic, and reusable bags by simply writing on their surface or possibly adhering various decorations, for example, to distinguish their child's lunch from another's, or to personalize as gift wrap. On the one hand a decoration like a child's name may not take too much time, but it doesn't lend itself to any unique art quality either. Or if someone does decorate a bag with a complex design, like for a birthday, it is of a permanent nature, and the bag is frozen in that motif, unable to be stripped and reused by the end-user as a gift that keeps on giving by its ability to be redecorated. Unfortunately, no bag in the market, whether paper, plastic, or reusable, is made for retailers and consumers alike to easily personalize and re-personalize.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one embodiment, a flexible bag that comprised so that it is decoratable and re-decoratable, as the decoration is inserted beneath and viewed through a sheer outer layer.
AdvantagesAccordingly, several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide a bag that is easily decoratable and re-decoratable. A bag can be made in a vast array of styles, such as varying in color, handle type, shape, and closure type Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
In the drawings, closely related components have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
One embodiment of the bag is illustrated in
Various materials can be used to make the bag. The sheer fabric can be made of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, mesh, tulle, voile, chiffon, batiste, muslin, vellum, gauze, webbing, netting, and cheesecloth. The handles can be made of the materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources having common names including, but not limited to, folded fabric, buckles, buckles, cord, wire, strapping, rawhide, twine, rope, trim, laces, string, yarn, zip-ties, metal, fasteners, tape, belt, and tubing. Adhering the layers of fabric are by methods including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, melting, attaching, riveting, sealing, stapling, and latching. The adhesive-agent is made of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, tape, thread, upholstery thread, studs, tacks, snaps, buttons, rivets, cord, strapping, wire, mesh, folded fabric, buckles, buckles, strips of fabric, twine, and rawhide.
Compartments 114a to 114b allow the insertion of items, in addition compartment 114b is for the placement goods.
The size of the bag and handles vary depending on particular needs. Even the number of handles can vary, or not exist, as will be shown in other embodiments.
In addition, gap 116 could be incised in the sheer fabric.
Operation—FIGS. 4, 5, 6The manner of using the embodiment to display a decoration or plurality of decorations is unique among bags in present use.
The ramification of this embodiment and subsequent embodiments is that a decoratable and re-decoratable bag is assembled to be able to easily display a decoration or plurality of decorations, take them out, and re-decorate the bag.
FIGS. 7 to 45 Additional EmbodimentsThere are various possibilities with regard to an embodiment's inner layers of fabric being made of an opaque material, as illustrated in
Opaque fabric can be made of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common material names including, but not limited to, canvas, parachute, linen, silk, acetate, woven, paper, rubber, plastic, and sack cloth. Opaque fabric decoration can be created by various methods including, but not limited to, silkscreening, weaving, attaching a decoration by an adhesive-agent, embroidery, and writing.
There are various possibilities of handle types on a bag made to enclose another bag. An alternative embodiment of the bag is illustrated in
Another of many possibilities for handles of a bag made to enclose another bag follows in
There are various possibilities with regard to a bag being made to stand freely as seen in
Supports can be made of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common material names including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, and carbon fiber.
Alternatively, rectangle frames could be adhered into place to make a free standing bag. For example if supports 1810d, 1810e, 1810g, and 1810l were attached at their ends to compose a rectangle and adhered into place. Another rectangle would be formed by supports 1810b, 1810f, 1810h, and 1810j and adhered into place, then horizontal supports would be inserted in seams along the sides of the bag. A further alternative would be the insertion of metal that would compress, similar to pop-open laundry hampers.
There are various possibilities with regard to how the layers of a bag may be assembled; some examples are shown in
There are various possibilities with regard to a bag having different handle configurations; some examples are seen in
There are various possibilities with regard to embellishment inherent in the composition of a bag; some examples follow in
There are various possibilities with regard to the shape of bag; some examples follow in
There are various possibilities with regard to placement of an adhesive-agent; some examples follow in
There are various possibilities with regard to closure at the top of the bag, whether closing gaps in the adhesive or leaving the gaps open.
There are various possibilities with regard to placement of an additional piece of decoration.
There are various possibilities with regard to the compression of a bag.
There are various possibilities with regard to the amount of weight a bag can carry.
From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my sheer decoratable and re-decoratable bag become evident:
(a) A business and consumer can decorate a bag with unparalleled ease.
(b) A bag can be made in myriad of shapes and sizes.
(c) The color combination possibilities of a bag are vast, thus it can be made of specific color combinations to appeal to the branding needs of a business and aesthetic needs of a consumer.
(d) Depending on the material used for a bag, it can weigh as little as a few ounces.
(e) Depending on the material used for a bag, the look can be sheer and elegant, an aesthetic not normally associated with disposable or reusable bags.
(f) Depending on the material used for a bag, it can be compressed into a small shape making it easy to transport, which encourages reuse.
(g) If a bag is made of a lightweight easy to compress material, consumers will be more likely to reuse it—benefitting society at large by:
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- (1) Saving consumers money by not having to purchase bags where local law mandates charging for disposable bags.
- (2) Saving consumers money by decreasing their refuse costs, as they will not be throwing out as many disposable bags.
- (3) Saving the environment by not requiring as many disposable bags to be manufactured and put into landfill after their usefulness has terminated.
(h) If a bag is made to be strong enough to carry upwards of 10 kg., consumers will be more likely to reuse it—benefitting society at large as discussed above (saving money and the environment).
(i) If a bag is made to be carried over the shoulder, thereby freeing the hands, consumers will be more likely to reuse it—benefitting society at large as discussed above (saving money and the environment).
(j) A consumer with artistic talent may decorate the bag in unique ways and sell them, thereby infusing the market with new business.
(k) A bag can be made to accommodate bags.
(l) There are several benefits to a retailer who chooses to use the is bag:
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- (1) Decreased cost of promotional printing, as the bag will remain, but the inserts, which are less costly to print, will change.
- (2) Free advertising, as the retailer who chooses to use this revolutionary bag will spark intrigue amongst those who are exposed to the bag, causing a conversation about the retailer.
- (3) The retailer will benefit from the use of specific color combination that aligns with their brand because of:
- a) Continued presence of a brand as the consumer will reuse it and be reminded of the brand at each reuse.
- b) Free advertising as the brand will be showcased with the consumer's continued use of the bag, so that viewers will be reminded of the brand as well.
Accordingly the reader will see that, according to one embodiment, I have provided a bag that is easy to decorate and re-decorate, benefitting society by enlivening artistic expression, energizing the economy, cutting waste, decreasing consumer expenses, retailer expenses, and saving natural resources.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any embodiment, but as merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. Varying widely, for example, are the design of a compartment or plurality of compartments, the shape and size of the bag, handles style and length, and fabric used, especially considering layering sheer layers and shear over opaque fabric with graphics.
Thus the scope should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.
Claims
1. A flexible bag, comprising
- a. a layer or plurality of layers of material of predetermined size and
- b. a means for joining said layer or plurality of layers providing the user a compartment or plurality of compartments in which
- c. to carry an object or plurality of objects and
- d. to easily display and remove a decoration or plurality of decorations through said layer or plurality of layers of material.
2. The flexible bag of claim 1, wherein said layer or layers of material are composed of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, mesh, tulle, voile, chiffon, batiste, muslin, vellum, gauze, webbing, netting, and cheesecloth, canvas, parachute, linen, silk, acetate, woven, paper, rubber, plastic, and sack cloth.
3. The flexible bag of claim 1, wherein said means for joining said layer or plurality of layers are by methods including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, melting, attaching, riveting, sealing, stapling, and latching.
4. The flexible bag of claim 1, wherein said means for joining said layer or plurality of layers are by materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, tape, thread, upholstery thread, studs, tacks, snaps, buttons, rivets, cord, strapping, wire, mesh, folded fabric, buckles, strips of fabric, twine, and rawhide.
5. The flexible bag of claim 1, further including handles made of the materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources having common names including, but not limited to, folded fabric, buckles, cord, wire, strapping, rawhide, twine, rope, trim, laces, string, yarn, zip-ties, metal, fasteners, tape, belt, and tubing.
6. The flexible bag of claim 1, further including handles integrated by design into the fabric of the bag.
7. The flexible bag of claim 1, further including adhesive-agent applied to secure the placement of an insertable-decoration or a plurality of insertable decorations.
8. A flexible bag, comprising
- a. a compartment or plurality of compartments of predetermined size composed of at least one outer sheer layer of fabric, with the compartment or plurality of compartments of predetermined size having been created as a means for
- b. carrying objects and
- c. to easily display and remove a decoration or plurality of decorations.
9. The flexible bag of claim 8, wherein the compartment or plurality of compartments is comprised of a layer or plurality of layers of fabric, the outermost of which is sheer.
10. The flexible bag of claim 8, wherein said layer or layers of material are composed of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, mesh, tulle, voile, chiffon, batiste, muslin, vellum, gauze, webbing, netting, cheesecloth, canvas, parachute, linen, silk, acetate, woven, paper, rubber, plastic, and sack cloth.
11. The flexible bag of claim 8, wherein said means for joining said layer or plurality of layers are by methods including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, melting, attaching, riveting, sealing, stapling, and latching.
12. The flexible bag of claim 8, wherein said means for joining said layer or plurality of layers are by materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, tape, thread, upholstery thread, studs, tacks, snaps, buttons, rivets, cord, strapping, wire, mesh, folded fabric, buckles, strips of fabric, twine, and rawhide.
13. The flexible bag of claim 8, further including handles made of the materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources having common names including, but not limited to, folded fabric, buckles, cord, wire, strapping, rawhide, twine, rope, trim, laces, string, yarn, zip-ties, metal, fasteners, tape, belt, and tubing.
14. The flexible bag of claim 8, further including handles integrated by design into the fabric of the bag.
15. The flexible bag of claim 8, further including adhesive-agent applied to secure the placement of an insertable-decoration or a plurality of insertable decorations.
16. A flexible bag, comprising
- a. a compartment or plurality of compartments of predetermined size composed of at least one outer sheer layer of fabric, with the compartment or plurality of compartments of predetermined size.
17. The flexible bag of claim 16, wherein the compartment or plurality of compartments is comprised of a layer or plurality of layers of fabric, wherein said layer or plurality of layers of fabric are composed of materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, mesh, tulle, voile, chiffon, batiste, muslin, vellum, gauze, webbing, netting, cheesecloth, canvas, parachute, linen, silk, acetate, woven, paper, rubber, plastic, and sack cloth.
18. The flexible bag of claim 16, wherein the layer of fabric or plurality of layers of fabric further comprising adhesive-agent derived from animals, plants or man-made sources, having common names including, but not limited to, tape, thread, upholstery thread, studs, tacks, snaps, buttons, rivets, cord, strapping, wire, mesh, folded fabric, buckles, strips of fabric, twine, and rawhide.
19. The flexible bag of claim 16, further including handles made of the materials derived from animals, plants or man-made sources having common names including, but not limited to, folded fabric, buckles, cord, wire, strapping, rawhide, twine, rope, trim, laces, string, yarn, zip-ties, metal, fasteners, tape, belt, and tubing.
20. The flexible bag of claim 16, further including handles integrated by design into the design of the bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 26, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 27, 2015
Inventor: Beth Verdekal (San Rafael, CA)
Application Number: 14/191,419