WO2008102108A2

WO2008102108A2 - Storage handle and bag

Info

Publication number: WO2008102108A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Benedetti; Graham Sharp
Original assignee: Benedetti International PLC
Current assignee: Benedetti International PLC
Priority date: 2007-02-19
Filing date: 2008-02-15
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-19
Also published as: WO2008102108A3

Abstract

A combined bag and storage handle, which allows comfortable carrying of the bag, and wherein the storage handle is mounted on a portion of the bag to allow carrying of the bag via the storage handle, wherein the storage handle comprises a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate the bag.

Description

Storage Handle and Bag

The present invention relates to a combined bag and storage handle. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention provides a combined bag and storage handle which provides a reusable shopping bag having a comfortable handle to assist carrying of said bag when in use to carry items.

Plastic shopping bags are supplied by most supermarkets, the world over, for consumers to package their groceries in, and to transport from the store to their home. The over use of these plastic shopping bags has a significant environmental impact as they are used in very large numbers and take a long time to biodegrade. Various schemes have been put into practise to reduce consumers' use of these plastic bags, such as charges being made for the bags and loyalty point schemes for consumers reusing their plastic shopping bags. However, the convenience of obtaining a new plastic shopping bag at point of purchase has meant that use of plastic shopping bags has remained high. These bags are not often reused, can prove difficult to recycle and often end up adding to landfill waste. Disposable bags are also used in a number of other fields, and in general the level of re-use is very low, and thus similar problems of high waste occur.

An additional problem with conventional carrier bags is that the handles are relatively thin and can be uncomfortable to carry, particularly when heavily loaded.

Reusable handles for carrying bags are known in the art. Such handles are described in United States patent number 5,085,825 and United States application number 11/410,735. In these documents reusable handles are disclosed for making the carrying of filled grocery bags more comfortable. However, such reusable handles are not widely used.

There is therefore a need for systems or products which encourage the re- use of bags. This is especially relevant in the present era of increased environmental awareness. Such systems of products would ideally make the reuse of bags more convenient and make it more appealing to the user. Additionally, improvements in the comfort of carrying bags are highly desirable.

According to the present invention there is provided a combined bag and storage handle, wherein the storage handle is mounted on a portion of the bag to allow carrying of the bag via the storage handle, and wherein the storage handle comprises a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate the bag.

Typically the bag is a shopping bag, though other types of bags, such as waste disposal bags, garden refuse bags, water carrying bags and the like may equally be used. In general such bags are made of a membranous material, e.g. a plastics material, although nets or the like are also widely accepted forms. Generally the present invention is directed to reusable bags, as in such cases the increased materials and expense in providing the storage handle is justified by the repeated use of the bag and handle.

The use of a storage handle means it is possible to store one or more bags conveniently and neatly within the storage handle when not in use. This provides a number of advantages, such as:

The combined bag and handle can be made aesthetically pleasing and compact. This increases the likelihood of a user purchasing the reusable bag in the first place. It increases the likelihood of a user reusing the bag, e.g. they are more likely to leave it in a hand bag or car, and they are likely not to discard the bag as it will not create a mess in the same way as a conventional bag and will be perceived as a valued product. - The handle provides a unique opportunity for providing branding or aesthetic design features.

In many cases bags for use in shopping and other such areas are provided with a handle or handles. These will be referred to as bag handles to differentiate from the storage handle referred to above. Known shortcomings of such bag handles include that they are thin and can cut into a user's hand when the bag is loaded. Nevertheless they are a conventional feature of current bags. The bag handles may take the form of loops of the polymeric material, this being the most common form in disposable plastic "carrier bags" or they may be formed from a piece of additional material provided on the bag, such as a length of string or cord. Where such bag handles are provided on the bag it is convenient to mount the storage handle on the bag handle. This means that the storage handle is inherently positioned in the correct location for a user to use it to carry the bag. If such handles are not present, the bag may be mounted onto the storage handle in a more direct fashion, e.g. to an edge of the opening at the top of the bag.

In a preferred embodiment the storage handle is slidably mounted on a bag handle. By "slidably mounted" it is meant that the storage handle is able to slide along the bag handle. This provides additional advantages that will become clear.

The storage handle of the present invention may conveniently comprise a substantially tubular portion. This tubular portion may provide a number of functions. The tubular portion may provide the mounting mechanism for mounting the storage handle on the bag. In one embodiment the storage handle is mounted on the bag by passing the bag handle through the tubular portion.

The tubular portion may alternatively or additionally provide the hollow portion in which the bag may be stored. This allows the body of the bag to be stored inside the cavity of the storage handle.

The tubular portion may alternatively or additionally provide the portion of the storage handle which the user grips.

It should be noted that the term tubular is not limited to tubes of a particular cross-section, e.g. circular. The tubular portion may be of any suitable cross-section, and the cross-section may vary in size and shape along the length of the tubular section. For example, the tubular portion may be relatively narrow in the middle of the tubular section and may then taper to a wider cross-section towards the ends of the tubular portion.

Thus in one embodiment, the storage handle comprises a tubular portion, wherein the lumen of the tubular portion provides a cavity for a bag to be stored inside, and wherein a portion of the tubular portion is shaped and sized to be suitable for holding by a user. Preferably the tubular portion is flared (i.e. outwardly tapered) towards at least one end such that the end of the storage handle provides relatively large hollow portion to accommodate the bag, while the portion to be held by the user is of a size which is comfortable to hold. Optionally the tubular body is flared towards both ends, with a relatively narrow portion in the middle. It should be noted that although the term "storage handle" is used it should be understood that the portion which is held by the user need not necessarily actually accommodate the bag. The storage and holding portions may in fact be separated structurally or spatially. However, it is envisaged that the portion which is to be held and the storage portion will be structurally linked.

The storage handle of the present invention should be able to store at least one bag, though in some embodiments it may be desirable that it is able to store two or more bags.

It is a preferable embodiment of the present invention that the bag be specifically designed to accompany the storage handle. This allows the bag to be of a suitable size to fit into the storage handle and also to provide a good balance between the durability of the bag and the volume that the bag takes up in the storage handle. It is preferable that the bag is formed of a membrane material, and more preferably the membranous material comprises polyester. Desirably the polyester is of a relatively low denier to provide a bag that is strong whilst still being light. However, it will be appreciated that the storage handle may be suitable for use with non-specifically designed bags.

It is preferable that the storage handle is formed predominantly from a relatively rigid material, typically of a plastics or rubber material. In preferred embodiments the storage handle is formed predominantly or entirely from a plastics material, in particular polypropylene has suitable properties for use in the storage handle. It may be desirable that the storage handle is formed as a one-piece unit as this may facilitate cheaper and faster production as the need to assemble or manufacture multiple parts is avoided. However, it may be more appropriate to make the storage handle as a number of parts which are then joined together to form the complete storage handle.

As mentioned above, the storage handle may comprise a tubular portion which may serve as the mounting means for the bag. In such a situations, it may be disable that the tubular portion be openable such that a closed loop, i.e. a bag handle, can be threaded through the tubular portion. To achieve this, the tubular portion may be provided with a longitudinal slit extending the length of the tubular portion. This slit allows the tubular portion to be opened and closed as required.

In one embodiment of the invention the tubular portion can be opened and closed by means of a hinge. It is preferable that such a hinge, if present, be provided by means of a living hinge, though other forms of hinge may be suitable. A living hinge has no moving parts, and is typically provided by a thin section of material which bends to allow the hinging action. Thus the hinge may be provided by a longitudinal thinned portion generally opposite to the longitudinal slit to facilitate opening of the tubular portion. The tubular portion may be held in a closed conformation by the action of a catch or clip which holds the two sides of the slit together. Suitable clips or catches will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Where the tubular portion is openable it also allows a worn or damaged bag to be conveniently removed from the handle and be replaced by another suitable bag.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the storage handle may be provided with one or more apertures through which the bag handle can be attached. Said one or more apertures may conveniently be provided in a wall of a generally tubular portion which is adapted to contain the bag when not in use. The bag may be connected to the storage handle via the one or more apertures in any suitable means, e.g. by tying a knot or using a clip mechanism. In a preferred embodiment two apertures are provided in the tubular portion of the storage handle. Conveniently the two apertures are provided relatively close together. In such an embodiment the bag handle can be passed though a first aperture and then pass back through a second aperture such that the bag handle is looped around the region of the storage handle between the two slots. Thus the bag handle is retained by being passed around a region of the storage handle. It will be clear that in order for the bag handle to pass through two apertures as set out above, either the handle must be split, or the apertures must be capable of being modified such that the partition between the apertures is removed while the bag handle is passed through and replaced afterwards. In general the former approach is preferred; a split handle being threaded though the apertures as required, and then being joined, e.g. by stitching, gluing or welding. Preferably the apertures are slots which are sized and shaped to correspond to the dimensions of the bag handle.

In an alternative embodiment the storage handle may be provided with a pin, clip or similar engagement means with which the bag can be mounted within the tubular portion. Such engagement means may be selectively engageable, e.g. by withdrawing a pin.

It may be desirable that the hollow portion of the storage handle be provided with a closure mechanism, such as a cap. This provides a means to more securely and neatly retain the bag within the storage handle. Where the bag is stored within a tubular portion, caps can be provided at one other or both ends of the tubular portion. One or other, or both of the caps may be openable. In some embodiments it may be preferable that, when the ends are capped, a gap is left to allow the bag handle to pass out of the hollow portion; this is desirable in certain embodiments as a loop of bag handle will extend from one end of the tubular portion to the other while the bag itself is stored within. This is a result of the way in which the bag is mounted on the handle in those embodiments. An end cap may conveniently be attached to the storage handle via a hinge (e.g. a living hinge) and held in the closed conformation via a clip or catch.

The storage handle may comprise one or more hanging means. Hanging means may provide a point of attachment for the second bag handle, i.e. where one bag handle is mounted on the storage handle the other bag handle is hung from the hanging means to allow the bag to be closed and carried in a manner resembling the conventional use of a shopping bag. However, a significant advantage of the storage handle of the present invention over a conventional bag is that the thin bag handles are supported by the storage handle and thus do not cut into a users hand. This in turn allows the bag handles to be made thinner than a conventional bag, thus reducing the volume of the bag. Hanging means may be alternatively or additionally used to hang one or more additional bags. It may often be necessary for a user to carry more than two bags, i.e. more than can be easily be carried if both hands are holding a storage handle. The storage handle may therefore be used as a hanger from which additional bags may be hung. These additional bags may be conventional disposable bags, or may be additional bag and storage handles in accordance with the present invention.

Where an additional bag with its own storage handle is to be hung from a storage handle, it will be apparent that the storage handle of the additional bag could interfere with the hanging, i.e. the storage handle of the additional bag may not be easy to hang from the first storage handle and, even if it were hangable, the combined size of two connected handles would be difficult for a user to hold. This problem is mitigated where the storage handle of the additional bag is slidably mounted on the bag handle. In such an embodiment the storage handle of the additional bag can be slid out of the way and the additional bag hung via the bag handle itself, with the storage handle slid out of the way. This slidable mounting of the bag handle provides significant advantages where more than one bag and storage handle according to the present invention are to be carried in one hand.

The hanging means for additional bags may be the same as used for hanging the second bag handle, or it may be separate hanging means.

In a preferred embodiment, the hanging means may be provided by one or more recesses provided in the top of the storage handle (when orientated as in use). Preferably the hanging means comprises a pair of transverse slots provided on the storage handle, one slot near to each end of the storage handle.

Alternative or additional hanging means may be hooks or pegs provided at suitable points on the storage handle.

In certain embodiments it may be desirable to provide retention means to retain a bag handle within or on the hanging means. This is particularly useful to prevent the bag handle from disengaging the hanging means when the bag is placed on a surface, i.e. weight is taken off the hanging means. Suitably the retention means may comprise a selectively engageable member, which is movable from a bag handle retaining position to an open position. In a preferred embodiment the retention means is provided by a slidable member located at the top of a slot provided on the handle, which is slidable from a position in which the top of the slot is closed off (a retaining position) to a position where the top of the slot is open. Conveniently the slidable member is adapted such that a user can easily manually slide the member between the two positions. Other forms of retaining member will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, e.g. a sprung clip or catch.

The storage handle may be at least partially coated with a soft and/or grippy material to aid the hand comfort and grip of the user. Suitably such a coating will be a soft rubber.

The storage handle may be provided with ergonomically shaped portions to aid in secure and comfortable gripping.

In one embodiment the storage handle apparatus may be adapted to be assembled in a stacking arrangement. This may be achieved by providing protrusions and corresponding recesses on the storage handle. Where two storage handles are stacked, protrusions on one storage handle are adapted to fit into corresponding recesses on another identical storage handle, such that the storage handles are in cooperation with each other. The connection between two storage handles in a stacked relationship may be in the nature of a clip, i.e. the two handles will tend to remain connected unless urged apart by a threshold level of force, or the connection may be less significant, i.e. there is no clipping. The stacking arrangement may provide an attractive and neat method of displaying the storage handles to consumers in stores, or for storing in the home or the like. Suitably the protrusions which allow cooperation may also serve as hanging means.

It is preferable that the storage handle and bag can be detachably mountable in a mounting bracket. It is preferable that this mounting bracket be suitable to be fixed onto a surface in a place where the storage handle apparatus is likely to be stored for use on shopping trips, e.g. on to wall, kitchen appliance and/or car interiors. Accordingly in a further aspect the present invention provides a bag and storage handle in association with a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may be fitted with additional attachment means for the attachment of, for example, car keys, shopping lists or the like. Additionally or alternatively the mounting bracket may be provided with trolley mounting means to attach the bracket onto a shopping trolley or basket. Additionally or alternatively the bracket or storage handle may be provided with a token suitable for releasing a shopping trolley from a locked storage area.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a storage handle adapted to be mounted on a bag, the storage handle comprising a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate the bag. Preferred features of the storage handle are set out above.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a kit comprising a storage handle as set out above, provided in combination with one or more reusable bags.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings provided, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a storage handle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown carrying a shopping bag. - Figure 2b shows a the bag and handle of Figure 2a being brought into a carrying position.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage handle of the present invention in a stacking arrangement. - Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the bag handle hanging means is provided by transverse slots provided at both ends in the storage handle.

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the storage handle of Figure 4 showing slots for attachment of the bag handle.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the storage handle of Figs 4 and 5. - Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the storage handle of Figs 4 to 6 showing a bag handle attached via slots provided in the bottom, of the storage handle.

Throughout the following description, and in the accompanying drawings, similar components with identical functions have been designated with identical numbers.

A bag 1 has bag handles 9 and 17. Bag handle 9 is mounted on a storage handle 3. The bag 1 is essentially a conventional shopping bag made of a suitable material, e.g. polyester, polythene or a netting material. Any material which is relatively flexible, thin and string would in principle be suitable. A high denier polyester bag is preferable.

In one embodiment the storage handle 3 comprises a tubular portion which has a relatively narrow portion at its middle, suitable to be held in the hand of a user, and tapers to a larger diameter at its two ends. The tubular portion is of sufficient internal volume to accommodate the bag.

The bag handle 9 is mounted through the tubular portion of the storage handle 3. This is conveniently achieved by opening the tubular portion and threading the bag handle 9 through and then closing the tubular portion. The tubular portion is opened via a longitudinal slit which is provided along the length of the tubular portion. When opened the tubular portion opens along a living hinge which is formed from a length of thinned material formed along the opposite side of the tubular portion. This thinned portion allows the handle to flex into an open position. The tubular portion is held in a closed position by a clip or catch (not shown). Such clip arrangements are well known in the art. Alternatively, the tubular portion may be in a non-openable form, and the bag handle is threaded through before being formed into a closed loop. However, for convenience it is simpler if the storage handle is openable. Conveniently, the storage handle can be made, e.g. by moulding, in a single piece which may then be folded via the living hinge to form the tubular portion.

The end of the tubular portion of the storage handle are provided with end caps 5. The end caps 5 are connected to the storage handle via living hinges and are held in a closed position, i.e. blocking off the majority of the open end of the tubular portion, by a clip or catch (not shown). A notch 7 in the end cap 5 allows a gap in the end cap 5 through which the bag handle 9 can pass.

The bag handle 9 is able to slide within the tubular portion of the storage handle 3. The storage handle is further provided with hanging means 11. Hanging means 11 may be suitable hooks formed on the sides or ends of the storage handle. Four hooks 11 are provided, a pair on each side of the storage handle 3, one of the pair near one end of the storage handle 3, the other near the other end.

The storage handle 3 is provided with protrusions 15 which protrude upwards from the ends of the storage handle 3. The storage handle 3 is also provided with corresponding recesses 19 which are provided on the underside of the ends of the storage handle 3. The protrusions 15 and recesses 19 are adapted such that when two or more storage handles 3 are provided one upon the other the protrusions 15 and recesses 19 interact to provide a relatively stable stack (see Fig. 4). The protrusions and recesses 19 may be configured such that the two or more storage handles 3 clip together.

To store the bag when not in use the bag 1 is stuffed into the lumen of the tubular portion of the storage handle 3. Conveniently the bag 1 can be at least initially inserted in the storage handle 3 by pulling on the bag handle 9 to draw the bag into the storage handle 3, the rest of the bag may then be stuffed inside. When the bag 1 is stowed inside the storage handle 3 the end cap is closed. At least a portion of the bag handle 9 will be left outside the storage handle 3, extending from one end to the other. The bag handle 9 is allowed to pass through a gap in the end of the storage handle 3 provided by a notch 7 in the end cap 5.

To use the bag 1 , it is removed from the storage handle 3. The end cap 5 is opened and the bag 1 can be pulled out. This may be aided by initially pulling on the bag handle 9. Once the bag has been removed from the handle it can be filled with material as desired, e.g. shopping. Once the material has been placed in the bag 1 , the other bag handle 17 is brought up and into engagement with the hanging means 11. The storage handle 3 can then be used to carry the bag 1.

Once the bag 1 has been emptied the bag 1 can be stowed inside the storage handle 3.

If more than one bag is required, it is possible to hang such bags on the hanging means 11. With conventional carrier bags the handles can simply be hung on the hanging means 11 ; either the same as used for the bag handle 17, or other hanging means 11 may be used. With additional bags according to the present invention, it may be necessary to slide the storage handle 3 of the additional bag out of the way such that the handles of the additional bag can be engaged with the hanging means 11. Thus the storage handle 3 of the present invention can be used to carry multiple bags in comfort in one hand. It should be noted that the protrusions 15 of the storage handle 3 can act as hanging means 11.

When a bag 1 is worn or damaged it is possible to replace the bag 1 by opening the storage handle 3. The storage handle 3 can be opened, the damaged bag removed, and the handle of a replacement bag inserted into the storage handle. The storage handle can then be closed.

The storage handle 3 can be manufactured by conventional techniques, e.g. injection moulding, from conventional materials such as polypropylene.

In an alternative embodiment the storage handle 3 comprises a generally tubular portion for receiving and storing a bag. One end of the storage handle 3 is capped with a cap 5. The other end of the handle is open. Near this open end are provided a pair of slots 24,26 in the lower (as in use) wall of the tubular portion of the storage handle 3. The slots are transversely orientated and are suitably spaced about 5-10mm apart. A bag handle 7 is looped though the two slots 24,26, such that the bag handle is secured with by the piece of material between the slots. To enable the bag handle 9 to be looped through the slots 24,26 it is initially in an open form, which is then sewn to form a closed loop bag handle 9 once it has been looped through the slots 24,26.

The storage handle 3 is provided with a pair of transverse slots 20, one slot near each end of the storage handle 3. These slots 20 provide hanging means for bag handles to be hung in. The slot 20 furthest from the open end of the storage handle 3 provides a convenient means for hanging the other handle 17 of the bag which is mounted, via its first handle 9 on the storage handle 3. Additional bags can be hung on the storage handle using the slots 20. Slidable tabs 22 are provided at the upper opening of the slots 20, which are adapted to be slid across the top of the slots 20 into retaining position (not shown), thus preventing a bag handle within a slot 20 from inadvertently coming out of the slot, e.g. if the carrier handle 3 and bag is placed on a surface.

Claims

1. A combined bag and storage handle, wherein the storage handle is mounted on a portion of the bag to allow carrying of the bag via the storage handle, and wherein the storage handle comprises a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate the bag.

2. The bag and storage handle of claim 1 wherein the storage handle is mounted on the bag handle.

3. The bag and storage handle of claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage handle is slidably mounted on the bag handle.

4. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein the storage handle comprises a substantially tubular portion.

5. The bag and storage handle of claim 4 wherein the storage handle is mounted on the bag by passing the bag handle through the tubular portion.

6. The bag and storage handle of claim 4 or 5 wherein the tubular portion provides the hollow portion in which the bag may be stored.

7. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the tubular portion provides a portion of the storage handle which the user grips.

8. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the tubular portion is flared towards at least one end such that the end of the storage handle provides a relatively large hollow portion to accommodate the bag, while the portion to be held by the user is of a size which is comfortable to hold.

9. The bag and storage handle of claim 8 wherein the tubular body is flared towards both ends, with a relatively narrow portion in the middle.

10. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the tubular portion is openable.

11. The bag and storage handle of claim 10 wherein the tubular portion can be opened and closed by means of a hinge.

12. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein the storage handle is provided with one or more apertures through which the bag handle can be attached.

13. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein said one or more apertures are provided in a wall of a generally tubular portion.

14. The bag and storage handle of claim 12 or 13 wherein the bag is connected to the storage handle via the one or more apertures.

15. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the one or more apertures comprise two apertures provided relatively close together.

16. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the apertures are slots which are sized and shaped to correspond to the dimensions of the bag handle.

17. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein the hollow portion of the storage handle is provided with a closure mechanism.

18. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein the storage handle comprises one or more hanging means.

19. The bag and storage handle of claim 18 wherein the hanging means is provided by one or more recesses provided in the top of the storage handle.

20. The bag and storage handle of claim 18 or 19 wherein the hanging means comprises a pair of transverse slots provided on the storage handle, one slot near to each end of the storage handle.

21. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the hanging means comprises hooks or pegs provided at suitable points on the storage handle.

22. The bag and storage handle of any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein retention means are provided to retain a bag handle within or on the hanging means.

23. The bag and storage handle of claim 22 wherein retention means comprises a selectively engageable member, which is movable from a bag handle retaining position to an open position.

24. The bag and storage handle of any preceding claim wherein the storage handle is adapted to be assembled in a stacking arrangement.

25. A bag and storage handle according to any preceding claim in association with a mounting bracket.

26. A bag, storage handle and bracket according to claim 25 wherein the mounting bracket is fitted with additional attachment means.

27. A bag, storage handle and bracket according to claim 25 or 26 wherein the mounting bracket is provided with trolley mounting means to attach the bracket onto a shopping trolley or basket.

28. A bag, storage handle and bracket according to any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein the bracket or storage handle is provided with a token suitable for releasing a shopping trolley from a locked storage area.

29. A storage handle adapted to be mounted on a bag, the storage handle comprising a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate the bag.

30. A kit comprising a storage handle comprising a hollow portion having sufficient volume to accommodate a bag provided in combination with one or more reusable bags.