SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR DELIVERY CONTAINER

Abstract

Delivering items to users by a delivery organization, or for transporting items purchased at a merchant location, comprises a delivery container assembly. The delivery container assembly is utilized to deliver non-standard items that are not suitable for a standard paper bag. The delivery container assembly includes an outer paper bag. The paper bag may optionally include integrated handles for transporting the delivery container assembly. A rigid support structure is placed inside the bag to support the bag, prevent rupturing of the bag, prevent overturning of the bag, and/or to keep the bag in an open position. The support structure may be composed of a rigid cardboard or other stiff, yet pliable, material. In certain examples, the bag and the support structure may be composed of one or more recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose, or other suitable materials.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to improving the delivery of heavy or cumbersome items in a supported container. The products in a delivery bag are supported by a rigid support structure to prevent bag rupture or tearing. The supported bag can allow a shipper to deliver products in a bag that would typically require a more substantial container.

BACKGROUND

When shippers and other delivery companies deliver products to a user, or a user purchases items at a merchant location, the most cost effective shipping container is typically a bag, such as a paper bag. Some items may not be conducive to transport in a bag, such as heavy items, sharp/pointed items, or rolling items. These items, and any other items not suitable for shopping bags, may cause the bag to rupture, tear, topple over, or deform. If this happens, the items may be damaged or lost. Some of these cumbersome items can be more safely transported in a box or other more substantial container. However, boxes and other rigid containers may be cost prohibitive compared to a bag.

Current applications for delivering products do not allow a bag to be structurally supported to protect the transported items and the user.

SUMMARY

Assemblies and methods described herein provide a delivery container for delivering items to users by a delivery organization, or for transporting items purchased at a merchant location. The delivery container can be utilized to deliver non-standard items that are not suitable for a standard paper bag. The delivery container includes an outer paper bag. The paper bag may optionally include integrated handles for transporting the delivery container. A rigid support structure is placed inside the bag to support the bag, mitigate rupturing of the bag, mitigate the risk of the assembly overturning, and/or to keep the bag in an open position. The support structure may be composed of a rigid cardboard or other stiff, yet pliable, material. In certain examples, the bag and the support structure may be composed of one or more recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose, or other suitable materials.

In certain other example aspects described herein, methods to prepare the container are provided.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the example embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrated example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of a delivery bag and a support structure, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of the support structure being deposited into the delivery bag, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of the support structure inside the delivery bag, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a cross section of the support structure inside of the delivery bag, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of a delivery bag with a top portion of the delivery bag sealed, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

The example embodiments described herein provide a delivery container that includes a delivery bag supported by a rigid structure to help prevent bag rupture or tearing. The supported delivery bag can allow a shipper or user to deliver products in a bag that would typically require a more substantial container.

In an example, a delivery organization receives an order to deliver one or more products to a user. In an example, the user has ordered products from a merchant to be delivered to the residence of the user. Alternatively, the delivery organization is a merchant and is delivering products sold by the delivery organization. Alternatively, the delivery organization receives products to ship from one user to a second user. In another example, the user purchases items from a merchant location and transports the items home from the location in the delivery container.

One or more of the products for delivery may require more support for transportation than a paper bag is capable of providing. For example, the items may be heavy items, pointed items, rolling items, or other non-standard items that are not configured to be carried in a paper bag. These items, and any other such items, may cause the bag to rupture, tear, topple over, or deform. If any of these failures happen, the items in the bag may be damaged or lost. For example, a bag of potatoes may be heavy enough to rupture the bag, creating a hole through which the potatoes and other items may fall and be damaged. In another example, a metal object may have a pointed or sharp region that pierces or cuts the bag and creates a hole. In another example, a round melon may be unstable in a bag because the melon will tend to roll. The rolling may cause a bag to overturn or deform and allow the melon and other items to spill from the bag.

The delivery organization determines the size of the delivery bag required for to deliver the items. The delivery organization determines the type and/or amount of support that the bag will require based on the items to be delivered. For example, if the items are not heavy, round, or pointed, the deliver organization may select a typical paper bag without any support. If the items are larger, then a larger bag may be selected. However, if the items are heavy, round, or pointed, the deliver organization may select a paper bag and a support structure for the delivery bag.

In the example, a support structure is a box that fits inside the delivery bag. The support structure is sized to fit snugly inside the delivery bag without wasting storage space inside the delivery bag. For example, the support structure may be sized so that the outer perimeter of the support structure is incrementally smaller than the inside perimeter of the delivery bag. When the support structure is inside the delivery bag, the support structure causes the delivery bag to be open to the delivery bag's full volume.

In the example, the support structure is constructed with a bottom surface and four sidewalls. In the example, the support structure is not constructed with a top. Therefore, when the support structure is placed in the delivery bag, the support structure is open to receive items that are placed in the delivery bag.

Since the support structure does not have a top, the delivery bag may be used to seal any items in the container when desired. When the items are placed in the delivery bag, and thus in the support structure that is in the delivery bag, the delivery bag may be folded over, cinched shut, sealed with an adhesive, or in any suitable manner sealed shut. For example, the delivery bag may have creased folds to indicate where a user should fold the delivery bag for sealing. The delivery bag may be folded along the creases and then taped, stapled, glued, or otherwise sealed shut, if desired. The delivery bag may include handles, straps, or other suitable devices for carrying the delivery bag.

The material of the support structure and the delivery bag are selected based on the characteristics of the items to be delivered. For example, if the items are heavier, then materials for the delivery bag and the support structure may be selected based on each of the materials having a higher strength. If the items have sharper points, then material for the support structure may be selected based on the material having a higher hardness. If the items are likely to leak fluids, then materials for the delivery bag and/or the support structure may be selected based on each of the materials having a water resistant coating or lining. If the items are likely to be heavier at the top creating a likelihood that the items will cause the delivery bag and support structure to topple over, then materials for the support structure may be selected based on each of the materials being more rigid to provide greater support higher up the delivery bag. Any other delivery bag and support structure materials may be mixed or matched to create a delivery container suited to the characteristics of the items being delivered.

In a typical example, the delivery bag is constructed of a thick paper material, similar to a traditional paper bag from a grocery. The support structure is constructed of a thicker, more rigid paper. Alternatively, the support structure may be constructed of a corrugated cardboard material to provide even greater rigidity. In certain examples, the delivery bag and the support structure may be composed of one or more recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose, or other suitable materials.

The support structure may be manufactured with a folding pattern that allows the support structure to be delivered in a flat configuration. The support structure may be expanded, unfolded, or in any suitable manner opened to a five-sided box configuration. The flat configuration allows the support structure to save space during shipping and storage until the support structure is to be used.

When the delivery organization is ready to use the delivery bag, the delivery bag is opened by a user to its full volume. The support structure is expanded to its full volume as a five-sided box without a top. The support structure is placed into the delivery bag. The user ensures that the support structure outer bottom surface rests on the inner bottom surface of the delivery bag. In an example, the user may be required to push the support structure down into the delivery bag to overcome the effects of friction that may hold the support structure off the bottom surface of the delivery bag. After the support structure is placed in the delivery bag, the delivery container will freely stand without any further support and will be open to the full volume of the delivery bag.

The user may then place the items for delivery into the delivery container and seal the bag shut as described herein. The delivery bag with the support structure containing the items is thus ready for delivery.

By using and relying on the methods and systems described herein, the delivery container enables the user to deliver items that are not suitable for a traditional paper bag. As such, the assemblies and methods described herein may reduce the number of ruptures, tears, spills, and capsizes of the delivery bag due to heavy, bulky, sharp, or rolling items. The systems and methods will reduce waste, spilled products, and user frustration because products will be delivered or transported safely.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like (but not necessarily identical) elements throughout the figures, example embodiments of the present technology are described in detail.

FIG. 1 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of a delivery bag 100 and a support structure 110.

In an example, a delivery organization receives an order to deliver one or more products to a customer. In an example, the customer has ordered products from a merchant to be delivered to the residence of the customer. Alternatively, the delivery organization is the merchant and is delivering products sold by the delivery organization. Alternatively, the delivery organization receives products to ship from one user to a second user. In another example, the customer purchases items from a merchant location and transports the items back home from the location.

In the example, the items for delivery may require more support for transportation than a paper delivery bag 100 is capable of providing. The delivery bag 100 is shown opened without a support structure 110. Thus, the delivery bag 100 is not open to the full volume of the delivery bag 100. The delivery bag 100 is shown with a handle 101. One or more handles 101 may be used to carry the delivery bag 100 after filling. In the example, the handles 101 may be placed in an upright position extending above the top surface of the delivery bag 100 when the top portion of the delivery bag 100 is folded over and sealed.

The support structure 110 is shown beside the delivery bag 100. The support structure 110 is illustrated as a five-sided box without a top surface. The support structure 110 is sized to be incrementally smaller than the delivery bag 101 such that the support structure 110 fits snugly inside the delivery bag 101 without wasting storage space inside the delivery bag 101. The height of the sidewalls of the support structure 110 may be any reasonable size, but the height is typically one-third to one-half the height of the delivery bag 101. When the support structure 110 is inside the delivery bag 101, the support structure 110 causes the delivery bag 101 to be open to the full volume of the delivery bag 101.

In a typical example, the delivery bag 101 is constructed of paper, similar to a traditional paper bag from a grocery store. The support structure 110 is constructed of a thicker, more rigid paper. Alternatively, the support structure 110 may be constructed of a corrugated cardboard material to provide even greater rigidity and strength. In certain examples, the delivery bag 101 and the support structure 110 may be composed of one or more recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose, or other suitable materials.

The support structure 110 may be in the shape of a box. That is, the support structure 110 may have four side walls and a bottom surface. The support structure 110 may have the sidewalls glued together with each other and/or the bottom surface to form the box. Any other suitable construction technique to form a box-like structure may be utilized. Any other suitable shape support structure 110 may be utilized in other examples. For example, a box that has a round bottom surface and a cylindrical sidewall may be utilized for a cylindrical bag. A box that has for sidewalls meeting at the a seam on at the bottom may be utilized for a delivery bag 101 that does not have a flat bottom surface. Any other suitable shape support structure 110 may be used to conform to the shape of the delivery bag 101.

FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of the support structure 110 being deposited into the delivery bag 100, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

When the delivery organization is ready to use the delivery bag 100, the delivery bag 100 is opened by a user to its full volume. The support structure 110 is expanded to its full volume as a five-sided box without a top. The support structure 110 is placed into the delivery bag 100. The user ensures that the support structure 110 rests on the inside bottom surface of the delivery bag 100. In an example, the user may be required to push the support structure 110 down into the delivery bag 100 to overcome the effects of friction that may hold the support structure 110 off the bottom surface of the delivery bag 100. After the support structure 110 is placed in the delivery bag 100, the delivery bag 100 will freely stand without any further support and will be open to the full volume of the delivery bag 100. In an example, the support structure 110 is adhered to the inside of the delivery bag 101 to prevent slippage or separation. For example, a hot melt or other adhesive may be applied to the inside of the delivery bag 101 and/or the outside of the support structure 110. When the support structure 110 is placed inside the delivery bag 101, the adhesive bonds the delivery bag 101 to the support structure 110.

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of the support structure 110 inside the delivery bag 100, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

As shown, the support structure 110 is inside the delivery bag 100 and the delivery bag 100 is opened to the full volume of the delivery bag 100. The flat bottom surface of the support structure 110 assists the delivery bag 100 with standing solidly without tipping over. The outer perimeter of the support structure 110 is shown as being marginally smaller than the inside perimeter of the delivery bag 100 so that the delivery bag 100 is held open and minimal space inside the delivery bag 100 is wasted.

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a cross section of the support structure 110 inside of the delivery bag 100, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

The cross section illustrates that the support structure 110 fits snugly inside the delivery bag 100. The support structure 110 is also shown with a thicker cross section of the material of construction than the delivery bag 100. The support structure 110 is typically constructed of a thicker material to ensure that the delivery bag 100 is supported when delivering items that are not suitable for a traditional bag.

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a perspective view of a delivery bag 100 with the top portion of the delivery bag 100 sealed, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

After the support structure 110 is placed inside the delivery bag 100 and items are placed inside the support structure 110, the top portion of the delivery bag 100 may be folded and sealed. The folding of the delivery bag 100 may be performed in any suitable manner. For example, the delivery bag 100 may have a series of creases that allow the top portion delivery bag 100 to be folded in a precise manner to form a preferred seal. The top portion of the delivery bag 100 may be shaped with cutouts or flaps to allow the delivery bag 100 to be folded and secured via friction. The top portion of the delivery bag 100 may have an adhesive or other material deposited on the surface of the delivery bag 100 to allow the delivery bag 100 to be sealed. A user of the delivery bag 100 may tape, glue, or otherwise seal the top portion of the delivery bag 100 closed. The support structure 110 inside the delivery bag 100 is completely enclosed inside the delivery bag 100 to prevent items placed in the structure from escaping if the delivery bag 100 is overturned or dropped.

In certain examples, the handles 101 are exposed, raised, supported, or otherwise made available to a user when the delivery bag 100 is sealed closed. In alternate examples, the handles may be available for use even when the delivery bag 100 is not closed or sealed.

The example systems, methods, and acts described in the embodiments presented previously are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments, certain acts can be performed in a different order, in parallel with one another, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different example embodiments, and/or certain additional acts can be performed, without departing from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly, such alternative embodiments are included in the inventions described herein.

Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are not intended as required or essential elements unless explicitly stated otherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or acts corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.

Claims

1. A container assembly to contain items, comprising:

a bag comprising a bag bottom surface and four bag side walls, the bag being constructed of pliable material; and

a structural support comprising a structural support bottom surface and four structural support side walls, the structural support being constructed of a material that is more rigid than the pliable material of the bag,

wherein the structural support is positioned inside the bag such that an exterior of the structural support bottom surface is in contact with an interior of the bag bottom surface, and

wherein the structural support sidewalls are one-third to one-half as tall as the bag sidewalls.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising handles integrated with the bag for transporting the bag.

3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag is opened substantially to the maximum volume of the bag by the structural support.

4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support is constructed of corrugated cardboard.

5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support is constructed of a water-resistant material.

6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support is placed into the bag before items are placed in the bag.

7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein an open top of the bag is sealed closed after the items are added to the bag.

8. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag is constructed of a plastic material.

9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support comprises a waterproof liner inside a perimeter of the structural support.

10. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support is adhered to an inside surface of the bag.

11. (canceled)

12. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural support is a five-sided box without a top section.

13. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the cardboard of which the structural support is constructed is selected to be capable of transporting non-standard items.

14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the non-standard items comprise items that are one or more of heavier than a standard item or sharper than a standard item.

15. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the non-standard items comprise items that are prone to rolling.

16. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the four structural support side walls are in contact with the four bag side walls.

17. A method to assemble and pack a delivery container, comprising:

receiving one or more items that do not pack well in a paper bag;

selecting an appropriately sized delivery bag forming a bottom surface and four sidewalls;

selecting a structural support comprising a structural support bottom surface and four structural support side walls that is constructed of a rigid material capable of transporting the one or more items, wherein the structural support side walls are one-third to one-half as tall as the delivery bag sidewalls,

positioning the structural support inside the delivery bag, the structural support being positioned such that the structural support bottom surface is in contact with the delivery bag bottom surface; and

depositing the one or more of items in the delivery bag for transportation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising sealing the bag after the one or more items are placed into the delivery bag.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the delivery bag is opened substantially to the maximum volume of the delivery bag by the structural support.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the structural support is constructed of corrugated cardboard.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the corrugated cardboard of which the structural support is constructed is selected to be capable of transporting non-standard items.