Abstract:
The present invention is an elongated compartment for storing reusable bags, with at least one open end, presenting a flat plane on an exterior side, with fasteners on the flat plane capable of supporting the compartment on a shopping cart. The invention provides for carrying straps and an exterior pocket for storage of small items.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/919101, filed Dec. 20, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a receptacle that may contain bags, particularly reusable bags for shopping. The field of this invention is tools to carry, store, and transport reusable shopping bags. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are many products, both manufactured and home made, that provide for the storage of reusable bags. These items typically are designed for either the home or the car and assist in bag organization and maintenance. Some examples include a larger bag that can store an abundance of other reusable bags. Also, many reusable bags are designed to fold up into a compact pouch that fits into a purse. 
         [0004]    Carrying tubes, and the like, are typically designed with a particular product in mind including architectural designs, fishing rods, sporting apparatus or a poster. They are designed as a source of transport, but also serve as a protective container for a fragile or easily damaged product. For use while shopping, shopping cart bags are designed to sit in the carriage collecting food items as shoppers maneuver through the store. Or, consumers may use a bag that doubles as a cart complete with a handle and wheels. These are a one-size fits all product that limit personalized organization and productivity. 
         [0005]    The difference between products such as these and the present invention is the structure. The invented receptacle is designed to accommodate reusable bags of varying shapes, sizes, and functions. It has external features that allow for securely attaching it to a variety of objects—shopping cart, backpack, car trunk, and bicycle—and protecting its contents from the elements. 
         [0006]    This year, California became the first state in the Union to ban single-use, carry-out plastic shopping bags and legislation is pending in several other states. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are among some states that have imposed, or are actively considering, a tax on the distribution of single-use bags. These developments come more than a decade after other countries, such as Ireland and Bangladesh and parts of Australia, which have significantly reduced single-use shopping bag use. 
         [0007]    Forty-five percent of Americans have purchased reusable bags, in an effort to mitigate the negative impact single-use plastic bags have on the environment. While this is a promising percentage, only 12% of people who purchased said bags actually use them. Why? Convenience is noted as a major obstacle to a consumer&#39;s consistent use of reusable shopping bags. Among the main reasons cited for not using reusable shopping bags is forgetfulness and management. Often, consumers will neglect to bring their reusable bags from the house to the car and/or from the car to the store. 
         [0008]    Urban residents often rely on public transportation for their shopping needs, making reusable bag use an undesired burden. If they do remember, the often unwieldy nature of rolled up, non-conforming bags creates a mess in the vehicle and in the shopping cart while in the store. Well planned or spur of the moment shopping trips can be environmentally friendly with the use of the present invention, which will allow users to carry bags in varied shapes, sizes and functions. The present invention is capable of carrying a variety of different types of bags including: children&#39;s bags, shopping bags, grocery bags, makeup bags, school bags, and travel bags. 
         [0009]    The unwieldy nature of several bags poses an organizational conundrum and health risk. Placing your reusable bag supply in the cart may take up valuable space for grocery items. The bags will then need to be dug out from under the groceries at check out. In the cart, where previous meat, poultry or fish purchases were made, cross contamination may occur. Baggers complain reusable bags are difficult to access, often presented by customers as a wad of mismatched and wrinkled up masses of plastic or fabric. Also, more often than not, customers do not come with an adequate supply, leading to the use of single-use bags anyway. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is an elongated compartment with at least one open end, presenting a flat plane on an exterior side, with fasteners on the flat plane capable of supporting the compartment on a shopping cart. The invention keeps reusable shopping bags organized, transportable, accessible and clean, and is designed to hold and carry multiple reusable bags. A variety of structural shapes and sizes allows a consumer to determine which shape and capacity the present invention may fit their needs, while options for adjusting and adapting the present invention&#39;s purpose increase its functionality for individuals. Accessibility features and external attachments increase the present invention&#39;s functionality. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1 . is a front view of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2 . is a front view of the invention, showing an alternate configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3 . is a rear view of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    The invention preferably consists of an elongated hollow receptacle  100  with at least one flat external side  101  and at least one opening  10  at an end. In alternate embodiments, openings  10  may be located at both ends, or along on the side  11 . The cross-section of receptacle  100  can vary to accommodate consumer preferences, including such shapes as cylinder, cylindania, rectangle, or triangle. 
         [0015]    Receptacle  100  is suitable for over the shoulder carrying and/or attachment to a backpack. The main body of receptacle  100  may be made of a rigid material or may be a flexible or pliable material. When composed of a flexible or pliable material, receptacle  100  may be more comfortable for a user to carry, and may be capable of being folded or compressed for travel in smaller containers, such as luggage. 
         [0016]    As a cylindania, triangle or rectangle or other shape with at least one flat side  101 , receptacle  100  is capable of being attached to the side of a shopping card for use during shopping. The flat side  101  allows receptacle  100  to be attached or placed adjacent to other items with a flat surface, such as a car trunk, bicycle basket or backpack. The flat side  101  also aids in keeping the receptacle from rolling when stored in a closet or in a car trunk. 
         [0017]    Support fasteners  50  are located on flat side  101  and allow receptacle  100  to be removably attached to a shopping cart. Support fasteners  50  may also be used to retain receptacle  100  within a vehicle for secure transport, or may also be used to store receptacle  100  at the home when not in use. 
         [0018]    The length and depth of the receptacle  100  may vary to accommodate the size and type of bags preferred by the consumer. Since the average shopper requires approximately 8 bags per shopping trip, a length between 18 and 36 inches can accommodate this need for typical reusable bags. As an optional feature, an adjustable length, such as a telescope-like extension, can expand to increase capacity and accommodate more bags. Where the receptacle is composed of a flexible or pliable material, such material may be capable of expansion to allow for greater capacity. 
         [0019]    The present invention is intended to be portable, and may include a strap or handle  5 . Strap fasteners  31  affixed to the exterior of receptacle  100  allow a strap or handle  5  to be attached to the receptacle  100 . The invention allows for multiple strap fasteners  31  in various locations giving a user flexibility in selecting a preferred configuration. Straps  5  may be adjusted to provide any number of options, including single, double (backpack) tote, and may be adjustable or retractable. A retractable strap can be accessed when carrying is preferred or put away for storage, travel, or to use an attachable handle. The strap fasteners  31  could be designed as clips, hooks, closable or force resistant. 
         [0020]    The width of the top or bottom opening  10  of the receptacle  100  is preferably between four and eight inches, allowing the width of an average sized hand to enter the receptacle to place bags into or pull bags from the receptacle. Cover  20  closes or covers opening  10 . Cover  20  can be removable, but is preferably attached by a hinge  2 . Alternate means of attaching cover  20  to receptacle  100  include hook and eye closures, such as 
         [0021]    Velcro®, zippers, or having cover  20  fit into or around opening  10 , held on by friction as is well known in the art.  FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of a removable cap  30  at the opposite end from cover  20 . 
         [0022]    The present invention can have a single opening  10  into which the consumer reaches into the receptacle  100  to extract a bag. This works well for a large volume of bags with similar shapes and sizes to minimize hunting and searching for a specific bag. Double ended accessibility will assist the consumer in grabbing a bag easily from either opening  10 , or organizing two different sized bags—grouped at each end—an organizational feature. This also allows accessibility while shopping by the customer and during checkout by the bagger or cashier. 
         [0023]    An optional side opening along the length of product, secured with either Velcro® or a zipper, can allow for horizontal accessibility, so a user can view the different bags and chose one that fits a specific need. 
         [0024]    Optional external features may increase the usability of the present invention. Examples of such external features include: an exterior pocket  6  for storage of mobile phones, coupons, money or credit cards; a ring or clip to retain items such as member or shopping cards (for discounts), pedometer, whistle, or keys; and an erasable writing surface for shopping lists or note taking. In addition, the external surface may be used for advertising or marketing purposes. 
         [0025]    While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.