Abstract:
A shopping cart composed of biodegradable elements to allow for reusability and easy disposability. The frame of the cart is comprised of interconnected elements to create a sturdy and durable structure. The basket forms in the interior of the frame and is also composed of biodegradable material. The wheels are connected to the frame through a wheel bolt, and both the wheel and wheel bolt are also composed of biodegradable material.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to biodegradable products and specifically to a disposable and reusable shopping cart for enabling multiple items to be pushed while shopping. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Presently, shopping carts are an on-going cost to the shops that utilize them. Shopping carts tend to disappear from the shops that utilize them due to either abandonment or theft. The replenishment of shopping cart reserves may be potentially costly to the shops, based on the relatively high price of carts (approximately $75-$200). Additionally, current shopping carts have rigid dimensions that make modifications difficult. 
     The present invention relates to a disposabte and reusable shopping cart that is not limited to one standard size, make or model. The present invention is largely biodegradable and is meant to be disposable after a limited life cycle. Due to the economics of the manufacture and production of the present invention, the present invention is more cost effective than current shopping carts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a disposable and reusable shopping cart. The various embodiments are differentiated by the ability to modify the size, make, or model of the present invention. In most embodiments, the present invention includes a top frame and a bottom frame, each crafted from a plurality of cardboard shafts that are positioned relative to each other and connected by a plurality of longitudinal cardboard shafts, forming the frame of the shopping cart. All joints are comprised of a waterproof adhesive. Each of the cardboard shafts is treated with a waterproofing agent that provides strong, durable, waterproof support. Each of the longitudinal shafts is also connected to a cardboard wheel by a cardboard bolt enabling the shopping cart to roil as needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed view illustrating the attachment of a basket to a frame in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a wheel attachment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a wheel attachment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a wheel of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the shopping cart comprises a frame F, a basket X, and four wheels W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , W 4 . All components are made from a biodegradable, yet durable material, such as honeycomb cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, or some other suitable material. Each component is coated, impregnated, or otherwise treated with a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate or high density polyethylene, to provide strong, durable, waterproof support. 
     In this embodiment, the frame F consists of twelve interlocking biodegradable elements: top left A 1 , top right A 2 , top handle B 1 , top middle B 2 , top front B 3 , four longitudinal vertically affixed shafts C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4 , bottom right D 1 , bottom front D 2 , and bottom left D 3 . In the preferred embodiment, the top handle B 1 , top middle B 2 , top front B 3 , and the four longitudinal vertically affixed shafts C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  elements have rectangular cross-sections, and the top left A 1 , top right A 2 , bottom right D 1 , bottom front D 2 , and bottom left D 3  elements have circular cross-sections. 
     Alternative embodiments may have different cross-sections assigned to the various elements, including oval, elliptical and polygonal. In different embodiments, the frame may consist of more or less biodegradable elements based on desired stability and functionality of the shopping cart. 
     To form the frame, the top right A 1  and top left A 2  elements are laid parallel to each other and connected by top handle element  81  at their proximal ends and top front element  83  at their terminal ends. The top middle element B 2  is placed parallel to the top handle R 1  and top front elements  83 , at a medial point between the ends of A 1  and A 2  thus defining the opening length for basket X. The distance between the elements may be altered to serve the desired purpose of the shopping cart. All connections are to be adhered by a suitable waterproof adhesive such as Titebond III® waterproof glue or other similar products such as Elmer&#39;s Wood glue Max or Gorilla Glue. 
     The bottom of the frame is created by placing the bottom right D 3  and bottom left D 1  elements parallel to each other. The two elements both attach at their terminal end to the bottom front element D 2 . The distance between the bottom right D 3  and bottom left element D 1  is variable based on the desired stability and size of the shopping cart. As with the top of the frame, all connections are to be adhered by a suitable waterproof adhesive. 
     In the described embodiment, the top and bottom portion of the frame occupy parallel horizontal planes. The portions are connected by four longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  that extend down from the top portion to the bottom portion. In the present embodiment, the four longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  are equally separated apart to maximize stability, but in other embodiments the spacing between the longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4 , and the number of longitudinal elements may vary. The bottom portion of the frame should be adhered to the longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  in a manner that allows the longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  to extend beyond the bottom portion of the frame. This extra portion along the longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  is to be utilized to allow wheels to be attached to the ends of the longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4 . As with above, all connections are to be adhered by a waterproof adhesive. 
     Four wheels W 1  W 2  W 3  W 4  are provided at the base of the four longitudinal elements C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the wheels are comprised of two identical circular discs W 11 , W 12  of biodegradable material, such as the material used to form the frame. The two circular faces of the wheels are adhered to each other with a waterproof adhesive, such as such as the adhesives designated above. A strip of corrugated biodegradable material W 13  the length of the circumference of the circular biodegradable materials is wrapped around, and adhered to, the circumference of the attached circular faces W 11 , W 12  with a waterproof adhesive. As with all of the elements of the frame, the entire wheel, including the corrugated material is to be treated with a thermoplastic material. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the bottom of each longitudinal element C 1  C 2  C 3  C 4  is provided with a wheel axis hole. A Wheel bolt Z 1  is provided to attach each wheel W 1  to each longitudinal element C 1 . Each wheel bolt is treated with a thermoplastic material similar to that discussed in connection with the other parts. The wheel bolt will go through the longitudinal element and have a portion of the wheel bolt, sticking out from both sides of the longitudinal element. In one embodiment, the wheel bolt will have a biodegradable spacer S 1  placed on the wheel bolt, against the outer side of the longitudinal element. The spacer helps ensure that the wheel does not rub against the longitudinal element. The remainder of the outer side wheel bolt will go through a small hole in the center of each wheel. In this embodiment, the wheel bolt protrudes out of the wheel. The extended portions of the wheel bolt, both outer portion through the wheel and the inner portion, are capped by a thicker piece of biodegradable material that covers each end of the wheel bolt Z 1 , forming a wheel bolt cap Y 11  Y 12 . The wheel bolt caps Y 11  Y 12  are glued to the ends of the wheel bolts Z 1  with a waterproof adhesive. The wheel bolt caps Y 11  Y 12  ensure that the wheel bolt does not come out of place, dislodging the wheel. In another embodiment of the shopping cart, the wheel may be placed on the inner side of the longitudinal shaft, rather than on the outer side. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the basket X is formed from a biodegradable material, similar to the material used for the frame, such as honeycomb cardboard, fiberboard, or paperboard. The basket is generally shaped like an open-topped box and is suspended along the interior sides of the op middle B 2 , top right A 1  top A 2 , and top front elements B 3 . A preformed lip along the edges of the basket will be glued with a waterproof adhesive, similar to the adhesive described above, to the interior sides of the elements. The lip along the edges of the basket will allow the basket to suspend into the frame of the shopping cart. In this embodiment, the basket will generally form a hexahedron with the top side open. Other possible embodiments of the basket include interwoven strips of biodegradable material that form a web, or biodegradable fabric netting, such as cotton, may be used as the basket.