REUSABLE MULTI-ACCESS SHOPPING BAG APPARATUS
A reusable multi-access shopping bag apparatus is presented. The invention relates to a reusable, flat fold, multipurpose bag that is usable for carrying groceries, shopping/carrying, restaurant take out, or carrying any other desired type of items. The bag includes one or more flaps with fasteners on one or more of the front wall, back wall or side walls. The multi-access opening provides for direct vertical or horizontal access to items inside the bag.
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relates to the field of portable flexible containers. More specifically, the invention relates to a reusable shopping bag apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is no doubt that the manufacture and disposal of single use paper and plastic bags has a profoundly negative effect on our environment. One hundred billion paper and plastic bags go into landfills every year in the U.S. alone. When we are asked to choose between “paper or plastic?”, our enthusiastic answer should be “neither!”.
Plastic bags contribute to litter and endanger wildlife. They are not biodegradable but photodegradable and this process can take hundreds of years. And though less energy is used in recycling plastic bags, it is frustratingly inconvenient to do so.
The manufacture of single use paper bags creates tremendous air and water pollution, consumes more fuel and water than even that of paper bags and produces large amounts of solid waste. It takes more energy to recycle paper than plastic and studies have shown that paper doesn't degrade that much faster than plastic.
Furthermore, hundreds of cities across America and worldwide have instated ordinances banning altogether or charging for single use bags. One would think that these reasons alone would spur the consumer to remember and use their reusable bags and totes. Alas, it doesn't seem to be enough as we regularly see shoppers utilizing vendor supplied single use bags.
This brings us to the subject of the importance of convenience. This invention contains unique features that will add to the ease, comfort and convenience of the shopper thereby motivating them to continually remember and use the multi-access bag system resulting in less pollution, the conservation of natural resources, wildlife preservation and a reduction of waste in landfills.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne or more embodiments of the invention are directed a reusable multi-access bag apparatus. The invention relates to a reusable, flat fold, multipurpose bag that is usable for carrying groceries, shopping/carrying, restaurant take out, or carrying any other desired type of items. Conventional bags, e.g. shopping bags, tote bags, and carrying bags, only have an opening at the top for placing and removing items. In one or more embodiments of the invention, in addition to the conventional top opening further comprises one or more vertical and, or horizontal multi-access openings on one or more of the front wall, back wall or side walls. In one or more embodiments, the multi-access opening comprises a flap. The multi-access opening provides for direct vertical or horizontal access to items inside the bag thus eliminating having only access to reach down inside for placing and removing the items vertically from the top opening.
Items can be placed inside the shopping/carrying multi-access bag with the flap either open or closed. In addition to the multi-access flap, one or more embodiments of the invention further comprises a see-through viewing window on the front wall, back wall or side walls in order to view items inside to determine the level at which the multi-access flap can be opened to prevent the contents of the bag from spilling out.
In one or more embodiments, the flaps are secured by zippers. However, those of skill in the art would appreciate that different types of fasteners may be used for securing the multi-access flap to the bag that would provide secure opening and closing of the flap on the front wall, back wall or side walls of the multi-access bag systems. Also, the opening and closing of the multi-access flap may be collaborated with the see-through viewing window.
The multi-access flap will make removing items from the multi-access bag more efficient, timely and with less physical effort when compared to only having access from the top opening of a conventional bag system. Users of the multi-access flap bag systems will be more conscientious to remember to bring their bag(s) when shopping, knowing the convenience they receive when returning home to unpack their bag(s). And that this is helping to lessen the amount of vendor supplied paper and plastic bags into the environment while conserving resources.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following Figures wherein:
The present invention comprising a reusable multi-access shopping bag apparatus will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. Furthermore, although steps or processes are set forth in an exemplary order to provide an understanding of one or more systems and methods, the exemplary order is not meant to be limiting. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the steps or processes may be performed in a different order, and that one or more steps or processes may be performed simultaneously or in multiple process flows without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention.
For a better understanding of the disclosed embodiment, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation.
The term “first”, “second” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with references to accompanying
The invention relates to reusable shopping/carrying bag systems which offer an efficient method of placing items into the bag systems, being able to view the items in the bag systems and taking items conveniently out of the bag systems. The invention is an improvement to existing conventional collapsible or foldable bag systems that may incorporate, in addition to the existing opening at the top of conventional bags, one or more multi-access flap openings to the front wall, back wall or side walls of the bag. The multi-access flap opening may be vertical or horizontal in configuration. The opening/access will make removing items from the multi-access bag system more efficient, timely and with less physical effort when compared to only having access from the top opening of a conventional bag. The multi-access bag can be filled with the multi-access flap either open or closed.
In addition to a multi-access flap, one or more embodiments of the multi-access bag may incorporate a see-through window(s) of plastic, mesh, netting or screen material on the front wall, back wall or side walls in order to view items inside to determine the level at which the multi-access flap openings can be opened while preventing spill out of the contents of the bag. The window will also allow for identifying the bag with the desired items that first need to be removed, i.e. frozen and refrigerated items.
One or more embodiments comprise fasteners for securing the multi-access flap. For instance, fasteners may include, but are not limited to, zipper(s), Velcro, snaps, buttons, pull string, zip lock for the opening and closing of the multi-access bag that would close and secure the multi-access flap openings on the front wall, back wall or side walls of the multi-access bag system. There are multiple ways in which the multi-access flap openings would be collaborated with the viewing window(s).
The multi-access bag systems can be of varying sizes suitable for carrying or storing items purchased including, but not limited to, groceries, clothing, restaurant take out and personal items. The shopping/carrying bag systems, when stored, may be collapsible or foldable into a flat and space minimizing form. Based on the shopping/carrying bag system features and designs, users will be more conscientious to remember to bring the shopping/carrying bag system when shopping/carrying based on the convenience provided thereby decreasing the number disposable paper and plastic bags disbursed by vendors.
An additional aspect of the invention is eliminating the top opening of a conventional bag where items are placed in the compartment through the front wall flap opening. This feature is beneficial to either hot or cold food items where heat or cold cannot escape through a top opening sealing the items inside. This vertical/horizontal placement is also helpful that the items placed or taken out are not compromised by potentially tipping and spilling. The fasteners of the flap would have additional interior coverage to assist in helping to keep items hot or cold as desired. Appropriate materials would be utilized in these bags to enhance the hot and cold benefits.
Shopping/carrying bag 100 further comprises a set of handles 34 attached to either the opposed front and back walls 22 and 24 or side walls 26 and 28, or possibly constructed within the front wall 22 and side wall 26 and the back wall 24 and the opposed side wall 28 themselves. The set of handles 34 may be provided in different lengths (for example, but not limited to, 8 inches to 20 inches) to offer a choice of lengths to make carrying groceries more efficient and require less effort. According to one aspect of the invention, the shopping/carrying bag may contain two fasteners 38 and 40, creating a flap 42, where the fasteners 38 and 40 open from their tops to bottom, such as, but not limited to, zipper(s), Velcro, snaps, buttons, draw pull string or zip lock materials provided on the front 22 wall or a top close flap (not shown) which will allow the shopping/carrying bag to be closed.
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims
1. A reusable multi-access shopping bag comprising:
- a front wall, a first side wall, a back wall, and a second side wall, coupled to a bottom wall to form a compartment for carrying items;
- an opening to said compartment comprising a flap on one or more of the front wall, first side wall, back wall, and second side wall;
- at least one fastener to secure said flap; and
- a see-through window in said flap for viewing items in said compartment.
2. The reusable multi-access shopping bag of claim 1, wherein said fastener is selected from a group consisting of zipper(s), Velcro, snaps, buttons, pull string, and zip lock.
3. The reusable multi-access bag of claim 1, wherein said see-through window is plastic material.
4. The reusable multi-access shopping bag of claim 1, wherein said see-through window is a mesh.
5. The reusable multi-access shopping bag of claim 1, wherein said flap runs from a top of said compartment to approximately said bottom wall.
6. The reusable multi-access shopping bag of claim 1, further comprising a second see-through window located on one of said front wall, first side wall, back wall, and second side wall.
7. The reusable multi-access shopping bag of claim 1, further comprising a top wall coupled to said front wall, first side wall, back wall, and second side wall.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 13, 2015
Publication Date: Sep 15, 2016
Inventors: Arthur Willard Chaffee (Glendale, CA), Jami Denise Cordry (Glendale, CA), Vatche Chorbajian (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 14/657,895