Abstract:
A system for sorting and carrying a plurality of shopping bags or totes. The invention also includes collapsible bags or totes having non-skid features, and truck or SUV organizers for holding bags during transport.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claimed priority pursuant to 35 USC §119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/203,202, filed Dec. 19, 2008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to methods, apparatus, and kits useful in reducing the number of disposable paper and plastic bags manufactured and disposed per year. Rather than utilizing non-renewable resources, the present invention involves the reduction of paper and plastic bags from landfill and the environment. Additionally, the present invention is concerning with conserving non-renewable and limited resources such as fossil fuels and wood. In particular the present invention involves bags for shopping, such as grocery bags and bags often used by department stores, shops, and the like, which are completely recyclable, and washable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various types of tote bags and shopping bags are known in the art. For grocery shopping the most common types of bags are the ubiquitous brown paper bag and thin, lightweight plastic bags having finger loops for transporting groceries. In shops, department stores, and the like thicker bags having better quality paper and/or heavier thicker plastics are sometimes used. However, all of these bags are essentially “one-use” conveyances. In certain stores, such as the Apple Store, the plastic bags have been combined with a drawstring or cord and can serve the dual purposes of providing an opportunity to close the bag using the drawstring and covering the drawstring into two “backpack” type straps, thus permitting repeated use of the bag if the user so desires. However, these bags are not strictly designed for multiple use and still involve the use of a large quantity of plastics which are essentially non-biodegradable. 
         [0004]    In recent years, “green-conscious” grocery stores and other places of business have offered canvas or other similar bags or sacks for recyclable transport of purchased goods. While such bags have enjoyed a modest level of success, these bags tend to be rather bulky. Additionally, when shopping for groceries it is not uncommon for a shopper to require from four to twelve bags or more to transport the goods from the store to, for example, a car, and/or from the car into the home. Canvas bags become all the more unwieldy (and even heavy) when a shopper must carry, for example, eight to twelve of these bags around the store. Heretofore, the only practical way to carry a large number of canvas bags is to place the majority of the bags folded or crumpled inside one tote bag. This results in the tote bag into which the remaining bags have been placed becoming distended and even more bulky. Because of this inconvenience, many shoppers have not adopted the use of canvas bags. 
         [0005]    Another associated problem heretofore associated with the use of canvas and similar reusable grocery or tote bags is the fact that storage of these containers when they are not in use is often inconvenient. These containers may occupy a considerable amount of space, and even when, for example, unused bags are stored inside another bag, the resulting bag may be somewhat rigid and stiff and not easily moldable or accommodating. In order to be conveniently available when the user wishes to utilize the bags, the containers are optimally stored in an automobile for future use. However, in a small automobile storing sufficient of these containers for a typical amount grocery shopping may require using significant trunk or passenger space, if available. 
         [0006]    Lightweight garment hampers comprising webbing stretched between a flexible continuous loop frame are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,533 to Ziglar. These garment hampers have a top and may comprise a funnel for gravity-induced filling and unfilling of the hamper. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188, to Kellogg et al., a garment hamper is described made of webbing having a frame forming a continuous loop. The disclosures of these and all other patents, patent applications, and publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as part of this specification. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present patent application is directed to and includes reusable, lightweight and compact grocery bags, and/or totes, kits containing multiple such bags and/or totes, and methods for the production and use of such bags, totes and kits. It will be understood that the term “containers” includes bags and totes in this application. 
         [0008]    The grocery bags or totes of this invention comprise lightweight fabric panels comprising three or more (preferably four) twistable hoops of wire or plastic, each of which has a top, a bottom, a right side and a left side. The panels are configured so that the right side of each panel is connected to a left side of another panel. The panels may be approximately circular in shape; preferably the panels are approximately oval in shape, wherein the sides are longer than the top and bottom portions. Each panel is connected to at least two other panels by stitching, webbing, or material joining the right side of a first panel with the left side of a second panel, and the left side of the first panel with the right side of a third panel. 
         [0009]    Additionally the grocery bag and/or tote has a bottom. The bottom is preferably a panel of material connecting the bottoms of the three or more panels comprising the sides of the bag such that when the hoops within the panels are fully unrestrained the panels define three or more sides to an open bag or tote. The material preferably substantially completely covers the portion of the connected hoops below the midline of the bag or tote. When the container is in an open configuration the bottom panel also preferably keeps the hoops substantially symmetrically aligned. 
         [0010]    Importantly, in this aspect of the invention the bags or totes are capable of being collapsed or otherwise reduced in size for facile storage. This fact also permits multiple bags or totes to be packaged together in one or more compact kits that can easily be carried in a car (such as in a glove compartment), shopping cart, office, desk, or even in a purse until one or more bag or tote is needed. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment a kit is made comprising two or more, or four or more, six or more, or 8 or more bags or totes in collapsed form, and retained together within a case or clutch. In a particularly useful form, a kit contains bags or totes of at least two different sizes, or at least thee different sizes, or at least four different sizes. In this way, the user can choose a bag or tote of a size appropriate to the item or items to be carried. 
         [0012]    Preferably, but not invariably, at least one bag or tote has a size substantially similar to the size of a standard paper grocery bag. For example, one standard paper bag size is 16″ H×12″ W×8″ D (volume=1536 cubic inches (ci). A standard plastic bag has a volume of about 722 cubic inches (corresponding approximately to dimensions of 14.5H×11.5 W×4.25 D); this may be the volume and/or dimensions of another size of the bag or tote of the present invention. The approximate dimensions of another size of bag or tote used in the present invention is 14.5′ H×11.5′ W×6.5′ D (corresponding to a volume of 1083 cubic inches). It will be understood that the collapsible bags or totes may have substantially similar dimensions as plastic or paper bags, substantially similar volumes, or may have unique dimensions or volumes; all such embodiments are embraced by the current specification. 
         [0013]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, a bag or tote of the present invention has the dimensions 10″ D×10″ W×12″ H. Of course, the reusable bags and totes of the present invention can be made in any convenient size or variety of sizes. 
         [0014]    Although the bags and totes of the present invention may have three or more sides, preferably the bags and totes have four sides of equal or approximately equal height and width, thus forming a square footprint. However, as indicated above, the depth of the bags (representing the width of two opposing panels or hoops) may be less than the width of the front and back panels or hoops. In this case the footprint of the open, extended bag or tote is rectangular rather than exactly square. Either way, such footprints assist the user in arranging open, extended bags on a surface, such as within a car trunk, on the back seat of a car, or in the rear of a station wagon or sports utility vehicle during use and in maximizing the number of such bags or totes on the surface. 
         [0015]    An optional, yet particularly desirable and convenient feature is that two or more panels or hoops of the open, extended bags or totes of the present invention have an integrated handle sewn or affixed thereto. In this way the bags or totes may be easily carried from one location to another, or more than one such bag or tote may be carried at one time. The integrated handle may be a simple loop of material (or a more structured handle) affixed or sewn to opposing sides and/or panels of the bag or tote. Less preferably, the handle may comprise a reinforced hole in opposing panels of the bag or tote. In another currently less preferred embodiment, the handle may comprise one or more strap in which one end of the strap is sewn or otherwise affixed to one panel or side of the bag or tote and the other end of the strap is sewn or otherwise affixed to the opposing pane or side. Such a handle could be used as either a handle or a shoulder strap if sufficiently long. A pair of such straps located at the right and left sides of the opposing panels may comprise a pair of handles for hand carrying the bag. 
         [0016]    The fabric which comprises the bottom of the bag, the panel or hoop and/or the sides of the bag or tote can be any suitable material. However, very preferably the fabric is not a netting, but is an opaque fabric material. For example, an opaque nylon, rayon, or other polymeric material may be perfectly suitable. In another embodiment, the material may be denim or canvas. A particularly interesting high quality material, both strong and lightweight, is pack cloth, such as (without limitation) reinforced 400 or 600 denier nylon pack cloth. Such cloth is lightweight, strong, highly flexible, and low in cost. In certain embodiments the cloth may be coated on one side, e.g., with polyurethane or another suitable polymer, for water resistance. 
         [0017]    In many cases it is not important whether the fabric is waterproof or not. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric is not waterproof; in another preferred embodiment the fabric may be waterproof. A leakproof bag or tote may be particularly preferred when transporting groceries in a vehicle. Additionally, the material may be of any color or pattern, including tan, black, or any other solid or patterned color. Preferably, although not exclusively, the bags or totes of the present invention are tan with black trim, and are made to generally resemble a paper bag. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments the bottom of the bag or tote is made with a material having a non-slip outside surface. For example, the bottom fabric may be “rubberized” or treated with a layer of latex or polyurethane. As another alternative, the bottom of the bag or tote may be fitted with bottom grip strips made of a non-skid material, such as rubber, rubberized plastic, or (particularly when the trunk or back of the vehicle is carpeted) the “hook” portion of a hook and loop, VELCRO®-type fastener. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments of the invention, the bags or totes may be made with outside pockets (for example, structured to hold for example, a wallet, keys, or shopping list). 
         [0020]    In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the bags or totes of the invention are provided with an attached retainer, such as an attached elastic ring for securing the bag in the collapsed configuration. Such an elastic ring may be, for example, sewn into the upper inner seam of the tote. Moreover, a plurality of collapsed bags or totes are contained within a clutch or container. The clutch may be made from PVC, nylon (including pack cloth) or any convenient and sufficiently strong and durable material. The clutch is sized to accommodate, without limitation, two, or four or six shopping bags or totes, for example as a “2 pack”, a “4 pack” or a “6 pack”. The clutch also preferably has a handle or strap for easy carrying while shopping. The clutch is preferably slim and sized to fit in the glove compartment of a car. Double-thick clutches are also contemplated, in which the length and height of the clutch may be identical to those mentioned above, but wherein the depth of the clutch will accommodate two collapsed bags or totes. In this case, the capacity of the clutches is doubled. Thus, a double thick clutch having a length and height identical to that of a “2 pack” may a “4 pack”, which a clutch having the height and length of a “6 pack” is actually a 12 pack. 
         [0021]    In particular aspects, the clutch to be used for storing collapsed bags or totes may contain other additional elements, such as a pen or pencil holder, a pocket for lists, coupons, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the additional elements are contained on the inside of the clutch. 
         [0022]    In yet another aspect, the invention of the present application concerns a trunk or SUV organizer for securely holding shopping bags or totes e.g., in the back of an SUV or station wagon, or in the truck of a car. These may comprise “bagprints” or shaped, bordered outlines or frames for placement in the trunk, of the bottom dimensions of one or a multiple of the bags or totes. Preferably the shape of the bagprint is rectangular, but the shape of the bagprint may be triangular or the shape of any other polygon or geometric form, depending on the dimentions of the bag or tote. 
         [0023]    The bagprints may lay for example, in the rear of an SUV or in the trunk of a car. The bagprint may have a raised border of, for example, up to about 6 inches or about 8 inches or about 10 inches or amount 12 inches or more and permit the placement of one or more of the unfolded bags or totes of the present invention (or conventional bags) within them. The raised border may comprise a cardboard or plastic lip that may optionally be covered with fabric. In a particular embodiment the bagprint may also comprise a bottom or floor. The bottom or floor of the bagprint may comprise a hook or a loop portion of a hook and loop-type fastener; in such a case the bottom of the bag may comprise the other portion of the hook and loop type fastener; when in use this feature may prevent or reduce shifting or tipping of the bags when in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is drawn to an embodiment of a collapsible bag of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a two-pack clutch of the present invention containing two collapsed bags or totes. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3A  shows an oblique view of a clutch of the present invention having expandable sides. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3B  shows an oblique view of the same clutch when it contains collapsed bags or totes of the present invention, in which the sides have expanded. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  shows a trunk organizer or bagprint arranged in rectangular sections for holding bags or totes. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  shows a trunk organizer or bagprint arranged in triangular sections for holding bags or totes. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  shows a bottom view of the bottom panel of a bag or tote with skid-resistant strips attached. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  shows a skid-resistant strip comprising a hook outer texture. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5C  shows a skid-resistant strip comprising a rubberized ripple strip for increasing friction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The following embodiments of the invention are non-exclusive, and the invention is defined solely by the claims. The present invention is drawn to reusable, lightweight and collapsible shopping bags or totes, kits containing such bags and totes, and apparatus for retaining such bags and totes, both in the collapsed and the expanded form. Thus, the invention also includes a case or clutch for storing 2 or less, or 4 or less, or 6 or less, or 8 or less, or 10 or less, or 12 or less, or greater than 12 collapsed shopping bags or totes. The invention also includes a bagprint, organizer, or holder or retainer for use in a car, SUV or other vehicle for bags while they are in use. 
         [0034]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , pictured is a “cube” tote ( 10 ) having four panels comprising front and back panels ( 12  and  14 ) and side panels ( 16  and  18 ) of equal dimensions. These dimensions may be any convenient size; in the embodiment shown the dimensions of the panels are 10″ W×10″ L×12″ H. The bag shown has two web handles ( 20 ) sewn to the side panels. The length of the handles can be any convenient length. In this case the handles are 18″. It will be understood that the handles can be made in any convenient manner. Preferably the handles are not “cut out” spaces in the body of the bag, as this prevents holding one or more bag in the same hand. For example, in other embodiments a strap may connect the 2 corners of the bag or tote. 
         [0035]    The cube tote of  FIG. 1  has a flexible wire frame sewn within a sleeve defining the perimeter of each of the four panels ( 22 ). The sleeve at the upper edge of one of the panels has a retaining elastic band ( 24 ) sewn to it for holding the collapsed bag in a flattened position. In  FIG. 1 , the loop is made of ¾ inch wide, non-roll elastic. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 2  is shown a front view of a two-pack clutch ( 50 ) containing two collapsed bags or totes ( 54 ). The clutch may be made of any convenient material, such as canvas, PVC or another polymer, nylon, or pack cloth. Preferably the material is a heavy-duty, durable material. The clutch comprises a fold-over top ( 52 ) which optionally can be fastened; possible fasteners include a zipper, a clasp, one or more buttons, a hook and loop fastener such as a VELCRO®-type fastener, or any other suitable fastening system. The dimensions of the fastener may be, for example and without limitation, about ⅞″ wide, and 1½ inches long. 
         [0037]    Within the clutch of  FIG. 2  are shown in outline two collapsed bags or totes ( 54 ), each with its retaining elastic band ( 24 ). Not shown is an optional inner pocket, such as an inner mesh pocket. Preferably the pocket may be located on the top edge of the clutch flush with the face of the shell. Also not shown is an optional pen loop for retaining a pen or pencil. 
         [0038]    It will be understood that the four-pack and six-pack clutches of the present invention will usually resemble the clutch shown in  FIG. 2 , except for its size, particularly, although not exclusively, its length. It will also be understood that the clutches of the present invention may be structured to fit 2 or more collapsed shopping bags or totes of various dimensions (or, in collapsed form, different diameters). 
         [0039]    As shown, the clutch may also contain a strap ( 56 ) for easy carrying. The handle may comprise, for example, web tape (e.g., web tape having a width of about 1 inch) sewn to the spine of the clutch. 
         [0040]    In other, less preferred embodiments the clutch may contain an outer zipper pocket and/or an inner divider or pocket in the interior of the bag. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a logo, trademark, or product name may be embroidered, embossed, silkscreened or otherwise placed on the outside surface of the clutch. An inner label, woven into the clutch may also be considered. 
         [0042]    In certain embodiments of the invention the side of the clutch may be structured to expand when the bags or totes of the present invention are added to them. In a particular embodiment, for example, the sides of the clutch are made of flexible expandable material. In another embodiment the sides of the clutch are made of an “accordion” or folded panel capable of expanding when the clutch is filled. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3A  is a side perspective of an embodiment of the clutch of the invention, in which the sides of the clutch are made to be expandable. As shown in  FIG. 3A  the clutch is unfilled, the sides of the clutch are made in an accordion-like manner ( 102 ) like an expanding file. In  FIG. 3B  the clutch is filled with four collapsed bags or totes ( 54 ) held in place with an elastic band ( 24 ) and the sides of the clutch ( 102 ) have expanded to accommodate two rows of two collapsed bags or totes laying side by side. Thus, the clutch shown in  FIG. 3B  is a four-pack clutch having the width of a two pack clutch. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4A  shows a “bagprint” trunk or SUV organizer. As shown, when the bags have four panels and a rectangular footprint, the bagprint organizer is arranged to fit each bag or tote snugly trough a rectangular frame ( 202 ) structured to separate the bags from one another (or to hold a group of bags or totes snugly together) through the use of horizontal frame separators ( 204 ) and vertical frame separators ( 206 ).  FIG. 3A  only shows four spaces for the bags or totes to be retained; depending upon the size of the bags or totes, this number may vary. The frame separators are generally at least one inch, or at least 2 inches, or at least 4 inches, or at least 6 inches high. They may be made from cardboard or plastic, and may be covered with material or plastic film. In one embodiment, the ends of the frame separators may comprise a fastener means to affixing the frame separators to each other and to the frame ( 202 ). This fastening means may include a series or grooves on the inside face of the frame; and/or on the faces of the frame separators themselves, into which the ends of the frame separators may fit. Alternatively, the inside face of the frame and the faces of the frame separators may be at least partly covered with a hook or loop material, and the ends of the frame separators at least covered with a hook or a loop material so that the frame separators may be moved and adjusted as the user wishes. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 4B  the bagprint trunk organizer is made to accommodate bags or totes comprising three panels rather than four, thus forming a triangular footprint. In this case the frame ( 202 ) contains at least one horizontal frame separator ( 204 ) and a plurality of diagonal frame separators ( 208 ). In the embodiment shown (depending on the shape and size of the bags relative to the frame) one, three or nine bags or totes having an equilateral footprint may be securely retained within each triangular footprint. However, if the footprint of the bags or totes is not equilateral, different combinations, for example, two, four, or eight bags may be retained within each triangular footprint. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment the frame separators can be moved from a rectangular to other polygonal shapes by moving 
         [0047]    the frame separators and affixing them to the frame using the fastening means as described above: 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 5A  the bottom panel ( 502 ) of a four panel bag or tote of the present invention is shown in a bottom view. In this embodiment the outside bottom surface of the bag or tote comprises a plurality of skid resistant pads ( 504 ). 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 5B  a skid-resistant pad is shown having a hook texture ( 506 ) for affixing to a loop texture (not shown) comprised on, for example, the bottom surface of a trunk organizer or frame of the present invention, or to the carpeting of, for example, an automobile trunk or SUV. Alternatively, the surface may comprise the hook portion and the bottom of the bag or tote the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 5C  a skid-resistant pad is shown having rubberized ripples designed to increase the frictional coefficient of the bag when placed on a surface. 
         [0051]    Of course, other skid resistant methods exist, such as polymer coated bottom panel materials, which do not employ skid resistant pads, but may also be effective to prevent slippage. 
         [0052]    The examples shown in the figures are non-exclusive, and illustrate but do not limit the invention. The claims that follow this specification solely define the invention.