BAG REINFORCEMENT

Abstract

A reinforcement for a bag or a sack is described. The reinforcement has an elongate body with a thinner mid-section than its ends. The reinforcement also has a locking clip slidingly engaged with the second middle portion. It is configured to slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from a first position, where the locking clip is not aligned with the bag fold line and where the bag and the elongate body are permitted to fold along the bag fold line, to a second position, where the locking clip is substantially aligned with the bag fold line and the body fold line, where the locking clip substantially prevents the bag and the elongate body from folding and substantially maintains the bag in an open position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bag reinforcement system and, more specifically, the present invention relates to a reinforcement system to be used with a bag, sack or other container to maintain the container in the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When shoppers and others are using bags, at times it is desirable to maintain the bag in the open position to enable ingress and egress of materials into and out of the bag. Various stiffeners and inserts have been developed, but many of them are inconvenient and/or not reusable.

It remains desirable in the art to provide a bag reinforcement for bags and sacks that addresses the limitations associated with known systems, including but not limited to those limitations discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a reinforcement for a bag or a sack. The reinforcement comprises an elongate body having a thinner mid-section than its ends. The reinforcement also comprises a locking clip slidingly engaged with the second middle portion. It is configured to slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from a first position, where the locking clip is not aligned with the bag fold line and where the bag and the elongate body are permitted to fold along the bag fold line, to a second position, where the locking clip is substantially aligned with the bag fold line and the body fold line, where the locking clip substantially prevents the bag and the elongate body from folding and substantially maintains the bag in an open position. As can be appreciated, in the second position, the locking clip reinforces the elongate body at the bag fold line to substantially prevent it from folding and keeping the bag maintained in the open position.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is front elevational view of one aspect of bag reinforcement, showing the locking clip in the first position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bag reinforcement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bag reinforcement of FIG. 2, cut along line X-X;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bag reinforcement of FIG. 2, cut along line Y-Y;

FIG. 5 is a partially transparent front perspective view of a bag comprising th e bag reinforcement of FIG. 1 in the first position;

FIG. 6 is a partially transparent front perspective view of a bag comprising the bag reinforcement of FIG. 1 in the first position and the bag in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a partially transparent front perspective view of a bag comprising the bag reinforcement of FIG. 1 in the second position, holding the bag in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, and claims, and their previous and following description. Before the present system, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known aspect. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the aspects described, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “plate” includes aspects having two or more plates unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

Terms used herein, such as “exemplary” or “exemplified,” are not meant to show preference, but rather to explain that the aspect discussed thereafter is merely one example of the aspect presented.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

Additionally, descriptive terms, such as “first” or “second” do not necessarily connote plural referents. Alternatively, these terms are merely used to differentiate one object from another or to simply describe a single object. They are not necessarily to be considered in numerical order. For example, a “first object” could just as easily be named “object A” or the like.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In one aspect, described herein is a reinforcement 10 for a bag 100 or a sack 100. This can be a paper bag, a cloth bag, or the like. The bag generally has an interior sidewall 110 defining an interior cavity 120 and a bag fold line 130 for collapsing the bag 100.

In an exemplified aspect, the reinforcement 10 comprises an elongate body 200 having a thinner mid-section than its ends. The elongate body 200 can be mounted thereon a portion of the interior sidewall 110 of the bag. The mounting can be performed with any suitable adhesive means, such as industrial glue. In one aspect, the elongate body 200 has a length L, a first end portion 210 having a first height H₁, a second middle portion 220 having a second height H₂, and a third end portion 230 having a third height H₃. These heights will generally vary with the size of the bag, as well. In this aspect, the second height H₂ is shorter than the first and third heights, which may or may not be equal. The length L of the elongate body 200 can vary with the size of the bag to which is to be applied. In still another aspect, the elongate body, at some point in the second middle portion 220, is foldable substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_L along a body fold line 240 that is substantially collinear with the bag fold line 130.

In one aspect, the reinforcement 10 also comprises a locking clip 300 slidingly engaged with the second middle portion 220. It is configured to slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A_L from a first position within the second middle portion, where the locking clip 300 is not aligned with the bag fold line and where the bag and the elongate body are permitted to fold along the bag fold line, to a second position, where the locking clip is substantially aligned with the bag fold line and the body fold line, where the locking clip substantially prevents the bag and the elongate body from folding and substantially maintains the bag in an open position. As can be appreciated, in the second position, the locking clip reinforces the elongate body at the bag fold line to substantially prevent it from folding and keeping the bag maintained in the open position. In one aspect, the body fold line is positioned a distance E away from the third end portion, where E is less than the width of the locking clip W1. In yet another aspect, the locking clip can be formed of a single sheet of material, wrapped around the second middle portion 220, and fastened at a fastening point 310. In this aspect, the thickness T2 of the locking clip is slightly larger than the thickness T of the second middle portion 220 of the body. In one aspect, the locking clipped is fastened together at the fastening point with industrial glue.

As can be appreciated, the reinforcement, both the elongate body and the locking clip may comprise any suitable material of manufacture. For example, and not meant to be limiting, one or both of these components may comprise metal, paperboard, cardboard, chip board, or plastic. As one can appreciate, it may be beneficial to manufacture the reinforcement from biodegradable materials in order to facilitate ease of disposal. In one aspect, the elongate body is die cut from chip board, but other methods of manufacture are contemplated.

In still another aspect, the second middle portion 220 of the elongate body comprises a dimple 250 to restrain the locking clip 300 from sliding. In an exemplified aspect, the dimple 250 is positioned a distance W1 from first end portion. W1, in one aspect, is less than the width W of the locking clip. This can be especially helpful to keep the locking clip from sliding during installation of the reinforcement onto the bag. In one aspect, the reinforcement is placed on the interior sidewall of the bag during bag manufacture.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A reinforcement for a bag having an interior sidewall defining an interior cavity having a bag fold line, the reinforcement comprising:

an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, the elongate body mounted thereon a portion of the interior sidewall and having a length, a first end portion having a first height, a second middle portion having a second height and being foldable substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a body fold line that is substantially collinear with the bag fold line, and a third end portion having a third height, wherein the second height is shorter than the first and third heights; and

a locking clip slidingly engaged with the second middle portion, the locking clip configured to slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from a first position, where the locking clip is not aligned with the bag fold line and where the hag and the elongate body are permitted to fold along the bag fold line, to a second position, where the locking clip is substantially aligned with the bag fold line and the body fold line, where the locking clip substantially prevents the bag and the elongate body from folding and substantially maintains the bag in an open position.

2. The reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is comprised of metal.

3. The reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is comprised of chip board.

4. The reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is substantially biodegradable.

5. The reinforcement of claim 1, where in the locking clip is comprised of metal.

6. The reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the locking clip is comprised of chip board.

7. The reinforcement of claim 1, wherein the second middle portion of the elongate body comprises a dimple to restrain the locking clip from sliding.