Reusable card-bag and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a reusable bag that is compact and capable of being constantly kept-on hand by a consumer without being an impediment to a consumer's everyday activities. In a preferred embodiment, a disclosed reusable bag may be folded into a wallet-fitting card that may be kept on-hand in a persons' wallet, purse, or apparel pockets. In another preferred embodiment, the disclosed reusable bag defines a wallet-fitting card (e.g., credit card sized) that unfurls to become a reusable bag.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Reserved for a later date, if necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter is in the field of reusable bags.

Background of the Invention

Traditional shopping involves the public's purchasing of consumer goods or other items from “brick-and-mortar” retail stores. For instance grocery stores sell food to consumers. In the typical shopping scenario, the consumer carries out purchased goods in a disposable paper or plastic bag.

Paper and plastic bags are considered by many to be deleterious to the environment. So, many state and local governments throughout the United States of America have passed referendums that impose a tax or penalty on customers that carry out goods purchased from retail stores in disposable bags. See, e.g., California's proposition 67 that passed circa late 2016. Therefore, a need exists for reusable bags that may be used to carryout consumer goods purchased at brick-and-mortar retail stores.

Reusable fabric or plastic technologies are well known. However, such reusable bags are bulky and are only used every-so-often by any given consumer. So, it comes as no surprise that reusable bags are not typically kept on-hand by the average consumer. Unfortunately, not having a bag on-hand subjects many consumers to penalties when goods are purchased impromptu or when a consumer's bags are forgotten in storage prior to the consumer's trip to the store. Additionally, an on-hand bag can be convenient to a consumer for carrying other non-good type items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose a reusable bag that is compact and capable of being constantly kept-on hand by a consumer without being an impediment to a consumer's everyday activities. In a preferred embodiment, a disclosed reusable bag may be folded into a wallet-fitting card that may be kept on-hand in a persons' wallet, purse, or apparel pockets. Structurally, the bag may be defined by a rectangular front panel and a rectangular back panel that are connected at three of the four rectangular sides to produce a pocket-type bag. In one embodiment, the front and back panel may be defined by eight (8) rows and three (3) columns of card-shaped tiles. Suitably, one or two card-shaped tiles on each of the front and back panels may suitably be reinforced. In one mode of operation, the front panel and back panel may be interfaced to flatten the pocket so that the rows and columns of the front and back panels are stacked. Continuing the preferred mode of operation, the front and back panels of card shaped tiles may suitably be accordion folded seven (7) lengthwise times (by row), and then accordion folded two (2) widthwise times (by column) so that all of the card shaped tiles are positioned in a stack of forty-eight (48) tiles. In a preferred embodiment, the stack may be roughly the thickness of three to four credit cards and be fit into a credit card or identification slot of any wallet, purse or apparel pocket. In one embodiment, the reinforced tile of the front panel is positioned on the top of the stack while the reinforced tile of the back panel is positioned on the bottom of the stack. In one embodiment, the reinforced tiles may both be on the front panel or both be on the back panel so that the two reinforced tiles are respectively on the top and bottom of the stack. Suitably, one tile on each of the front and back panel may feature a hand-hold so that the bag may be easily carried.

In another preferred embodiment, the disclosed reusable bag defines a wallet-fitting card (e.g., credit card sized) that unfurls to become a reusable bag. Structurally, the wallet fitting card may be defined by the stack of forty-eight tiles described above. Suitably, the card may be unfurled by enacting the above described operation in reverse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a bag 1000;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bag 1000 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a first lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a second lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a third lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a fourth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the bag 1000 after four lengthwise accordion folds;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a fifth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a sixth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a seventh lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a two widthwise accordion folds of the bag 1000 after it has been through seven lengthwise accordion folds;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the accordion folds shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the bag 1000 after it has been through seven lengthwise accordion folds and three widthwise accordion folds;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of the bag 1000 in a card configuration;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a first lengthwise accordion fold of an alternate embodiment of a bag 2000 with ninety-six tiles 2100 setup in six columns and eight rows;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a second lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a third lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a fourth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a fifth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 18;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of a sixth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a seventh lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic of a first widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of a second widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 is a schematic of a third widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 23;

FIG. 25 is a schematic of a fourth widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 24;

FIG. 26 is a schematic of a fifth widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 25; and,

FIG. 27 is a schematic of the bag 2000 in a card configuration.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is a reusable bag that is compact and capable of being constantly kept-on hand by a consumer without being an impediment to a consumer's everyday activities. In a preferred embodiment, a disclosed reusable bag may be folded into a wallet-fitting card that may be kept on-hand in a persons' wallet, purse, or apparel pockets. In another preferred embodiment, the disclosed reusable bag defines a wallet-fitting card (e.g., credit card sized) that unfurls to become a reusable bag. The more specific details of the disclosed bag are disclosed in connection with the figures, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the bag.

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a bag 1000 shown in an open configuration. FIG. 2 is a front view of the bag 1000 of FIG. 1. As shown, the bag 1000 may preferably be defined by a rectangular front panel 1100 and a rectangular back panel 1200 that are connected at three of the four rectangular sides to produce a pocket-type bag. In the figure, the front and back panel may be defined eight (8) rows and three (3) columns of card-shaped tiles (1110 on the front panel 1100 and 1210 on the back panel 1200). See FIG. 2. Suitably, one card-shaped tile (1120 on the front panel 1100 and 1220 (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2) on the back panel 1200) on each of the front and back panels may suitably be reinforced. In one embodiment, the reinforced tiles 1120/1220 may both be on the front panel 1100 or both be on the back panel 1200. Suitably, one tile (1130 on the front panel 1100 and 1230 on the back panel 1200) on each of the front and back panel 1100/1200 may feature a hand-hold so that the bag may be easily carried.

In one mode of operation, the front panel 1100 and back panel 1200 may be interfaced to flatten the bag 1000 so that the rows and columns of the front and back panels 1100/1200 are stacked one on the other. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 2. Continuing the preferred mode of operation and referring to FIGS. 3 through 14, the front and back panels 1100/1200 of card shaped tiles may suitably be accordion folded seven (7) lengthwise times (by row), and then accordion folded two (2) widthwise times (by column) so that all of the card shaped tiles are positioned in a stack of forty-eight (48) tiles. In a preferred embodiment, the stack may be roughly the thickness of three to four credit cards and be fit into a credit card or identification slot of any wallet, purse or apparel pocket. In one embodiment, the reinforced tile of the front panel is positioned on the top of the stack while the reinforced tile of the back panel is positioned on the bottom of the stack.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a first lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIG. 2. Referring to those figures, the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 8 (FIG. 2) are interfaced with the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 7. FIG. 4 is a schematic of a second lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring to those figures, the tiles of front panel 1100 ROW 7 are interfaced with the tiles of front panel 1000 ROW 6. FIG. 5 is a schematic of a third lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 4. Referring to those figures, the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 6 are interfaced with the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 5. FIG. 6 is a schematic of a fourth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. Referring to those figures, the tiles of front panel 1100 ROW 5 are interfaced with the tiles of front panel 1100 ROW 4. FIG. 7 is a front view of the bag 1000 after four lengthwise accordion folds. FIG. 8 is a schematic of a fifth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 6. Referring to those figures, the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 4 are interfaced with the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 3. FIG. 9 is a schematic of a sixth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 8. Referring to those figures, the tiles of front panel 1100 ROW 3 are interfaced with the tiles of front panel 1100 ROW 2. FIG. 10 is a schematic of a seventh lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 2 through 9. Finally, referring to those figures, the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 2 are interfaced with the tiles of back panel 1200 ROW 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a two widthwise accordion folds of the bag 1000 after it has been through seven lengthwise accordion folds. FIG. 12 is a schematic of the accordion folds shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the front panel 1100 tile of ROW 1 COLUMN 2 is interfaced with the front panel 1100 tile of ROW 1 COLUMN 1 while the front panel 1100 tile of ROW 8 COLUMN 2 is interfaced with the front panel 1100 tile of ROW 8 COLUMN 3 on the backside of the configuration shown in FIG. 7. Referring to back to FIG. 3, the reinforced tiles may be the tiles of front panel ROW 1 COLUMN 3 and front panel 1100 ROW 8 COLUMN 1 so that, when folded as described, the outside tiles of the stack are said reinforced tiles.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the bag 1000 after it has been through seven lengthwise accordion folds and three widthwise accordion folds. FIG. 14 is a schematic of the bag 1000 in a card configuration. In these figures, the disclosed reusable bag 1000 defines a wallet-fitting card (e.g., credit card sized) that unfurls to become a reusable bag. Structurally, the wallet fitting card may be defined by the stack of forty-eight tiles described above. Suitably, the card may be unfurled by enacting the above described operation in reverse.

In a preferred embodiment, the front panel 1100 and back panels 1200 are defined by sheets of fabric. Suitably, where the panels 11000 are fabric, the tiles 1110/1210 may be defined by creases in the fabric, as shown. In other embodiments, the tiles may be individual fabric pieces (not shown). Suitably, the fabric tiles may be reinforced with thin sturdy plastic.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. For instance, the number of tiles, rows and columns may vary. In one embodiment, the number of tiles is ninety-six with eight rows and six columns. FIG. 15 is a schematic of a first lengthwise accordion fold of an alternate embodiment of a bag 2000 with ninety-six tiles 2100 setup in six columns and eight rows; FIG. 16 is a schematic of a second lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIG. 15; FIG. 17 is a schematic of a third lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 16; FIG. 18 is a schematic of a fourth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 17; FIG. 19 is a schematic of a fifth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 18; FIG. 20 is a schematic of a sixth lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 19; FIG. 21 is a schematic of a seventh lengthwise accordion fold of the bag 1000 shown in FIGS. 15 through 20; FIG. 22 is a schematic of a first widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIG. 21; FIG. 23 is a schematic of a second widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22; FIG. 24 is a schematic of a third widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 23, where the folded bag may be positioned inside the money holding portion of a tri-fold wallet or further folded down and shown in the later figures to a card configuration; FIG. 25 is a schematic of a fourth widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 24; FIG. 26 is a schematic of a fifth widthwise accordion fold of the bag 2000 shown in FIGS. 21 through 25; and, FIG. 27 is a schematic of the bag 2000 in a card configuration.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A reusable bag that may be folded into a wallet-fitting card that may be kept on-hand in a persons' wallet, purse, or apparel pockets.

2. The bag of claim 1 defined by a front panel and a back panel that are connected to produce a pocket-type bag.

3. The bag of claim 2 where the front and back panel are defined by tiles.

4. The bag of claim 2 where the front and back panel are defined by eight (8) rows and three (3) columns of tiles.

5. A method of carrying items comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining a bag defined by a front and back panel that are connected at edges to produce a pocket of the bag, where the front and back panel are each defined by eight (8) rows and (3) columns of tiles;

b. placing items in the pocket of the bag between the front and back panels;

c. carrying the items via the bag;

d. removing the items from the bag;

e. interfacing the front panel and back panel to flatten the pocket so that the rows and columns of the front and back panels are stacked;

f. accordion folding the bag seven (7) lengthwise times (by row);

g. accordion folding the bag two (2) widthwise times (by column);

h. wherein all of the tiles are positioned in a stack of forty-eight (48) tiles.

6. The method of claim 5 where the stack has a thickness in the range of three to four credit cards.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of placing the stack in a credit card or identification slot of any wallet, purse or apparel pocket.

8. The method of claim 7 where two tiles on the front panel are reinforced.

9. The method of claim 8 where the two reinforced tiles are respectively on the top and bottom of the stack.

10. The method of claim 5 where one tile on each of the front and back panel may feature a hand-hold so that the bag may be easily carried.