UTILITY BAG

Abstract: A carrier bag 1 has therewithin a self-supporting smaller bag 3. The bags 1 and 3 are joined together 5 along their common base 4. The smaller bag 3 has a closeable opening which is readily accessible to a user through the mouth of the carrier bag 1. A smaller bag 3 can be used very simply for accessories, including valuables but with security because it is essentially invisible.

Description: This invention relates to a carrier bag assembly suitable to be held by the hand or carried over the shoulder of a user, comprising an outer bag and within the outer bag a self-supporting smaller bag having a closable opening accessible to the user through the mouth of the outer bag. Such a bag assembly is known from GB-A-1 571 047 and from GB-A-649 858. The invention is applicable to sports bags, beach bags, shopping bags and other carrier bags. Utility bags adapted to be carried by either hand or shoulder straps are well known and may be constructed of a relatively lightweight flexible material, e.g. paper or thin plastics, or of a relatively durable material, such as a thicker plastics material, e.g. heavy grade nylon, plastics-coated fabric, leather or canvas material. Such bags will be referred to herein as "carrier bags". A shopper or other user often carries both a carrier bag and another bag, for accessories, e.g. a handbag. The accessories may comprise purse, wallet, loose money, credit cards, cheque book, mirror, make-up etc. Carrying two bags is cumbersome. It is also open to abuse because a "bag-snatcher" (or pick-pocket) can immediately see the handbag/accessories bag and easily remove it, especially if the user is concentrating on holding a relatively heavy load in the carrier bag. The combination of bags of different capacities is known. For example, US-A-3 543 825 discloses a pocketbook including a bellows-type multiple-pocket insert and a relatively narrow coin purse, removably affixed in a cover. GB-A-649 858 and GB-A-1 571 047 each discloses a foldable carrier bag having a smaller bag fixed at its open mouth; the earlier combination can be folded to form a handbag. GB-A-1 505 298 discloses a handbag having a number of external pouches. GB-A-0 592 321 discloses a briefcase, having rigid walls, and a removable pocket inside. None of the known bags combines ease of use and security. A conventional carrier bag equipped with an inside pocket either secured to or adjacent the mouth of the bag (and which for that reason is often quite noticeable), or incorporated in one of the walls of the bag, is also open to abuse, because the inside pocket is close to the mouth of the carrier bag and is thus too easily accessible to a pick-pocket. Particularly in the case of conventional carrier bags where a small inside pocket is attached by only one of its sides (usually the upper edge) to or near the mouth of the carrier bag and depends downwardly into the interior, the danger exists that the pocket can be ripped off or cut off by a bag-snatcher. According to the present invention, the carrier bag assembly initially defined is characterized in that: the two bags are joined together along their respective bases ; and a space is defined on each side of the smaller bag, between each said side and the respective adjacent side-wall of the outer bag. In the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier bag assembly embodying the invention, and showing a smaller bag and also an open-ended sleeve in outline; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the base of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows an outer carrier bag 1 having handles 2. A smaller bag 3 and an open-ended sleeve 5 are shown in outline (dashed lines). The two bags 1,3, are joined together along their common base 4. The outer bag 1 and the sleeve 5 therewithin are joined together along their common side 6. Fig. 2 shows the base of a preferred carrier bag assembly which has a configuration such that spaces 7,8 are defined not only between the sides of the smaller bag 3 and the respective adjacent side-walls (not shown in Fig. 2) of the assembly, but also at the side ends of the smaller bag. The configuration is defined by seams 9,10,11. The smaller bag 3, having a slidable fastener 12, is sewn along its base within the seam 11. The carrier bag assembly is, for example, 250 to 600 mm long and 250 to 600 high (excluding handles). As illustrated in Fig. 2, it has a base which defines a certain side-to-side width, e.g. 50 to 200 mm. The smaller bag may be, for example, 80 to 250 mm high, and is preferably less than half the height of the outer bag; its length may be the same as or, as illustrated in Fig. 2, less than that of the outer bag. In the latter case, and as shown in Fig. 2, there are spaces between the respective side ends of the bags in addition to the spaces 7,8. The smaller bag and preferably also the outer bag are of a self-supporting material, such as a plastics-coated fabric. Although the invention allows the use of flexible carrier bag material, e.g. the plastics material commonly used in supermarkets in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, bags according to the invention are not usually intended for single use, and it is desirable that they should have some durability. Once the outer bag wears out, the user can easily remove the functional smaller bag, e.g. for use as a small utility bag or cosmetics bag in a conventional way. The two bags may be adapted to be detachable, e.g. by being clipped or joined together by a slidable fastener. Alternatively, and as will often be preferred, the bags are sewn together or otherwise fixed (non-releasably) along their respective bases. The smaller bag may be closed along its top by a slidable fastener or any other suitable type of fastening such as a flap and corresponding closure members or devices affixed to the flap and the outside of one wall of the smaller bag, respectively. A slidable fastener could conveniently be associated with a lock, if desired, in order to maximize the problems for a potential pick-pocket. If desired, the holding function of the smaller bag can be ignored. When empty, it can by choice easily be flattened against the base and/or a side-wall of the outer bag. Whether or not the smaller bag is used, the "carrying volume" available to the user is little affected. The open-ended sleeve 5 of the outer bag is of a self-supporting material, and is joined along a side thereof to one of the sides of the outer bag on the same principle as the small accessories bag, i.e. being clipped or sewn together, or attached by a slidable fastener. Such a sleeve has various purposes. Firstly, it provides support for cumbersome long items of shopping or objects for personal use, e.g. an umbrella, in order to keep them in place and to prevent them from distorting the shape of the carrier bag. Secondly, it allows in particular persons accompanied by small children instant access to a baby bottle containing milk or fruit juice, without having to search for it among their other carried belongings. Thirdly, it provides easy access to, say, an umbrella or rolled-up magazine/newspaper without upsetting the contents of the carrier bag. When the sleeve is not in use, it can be flattened against a side of the outer bag, with no effect on the "carrying" volume available to the user. The bag assembly may perhaps be seen most simply as a combination of a conventional carrier bag and a conventional accessories bag. However, the combination provides important advantages. Firstly, although the smaller bag is inside the outer bag, the fact that it stands upright within the outer bag means that it is readily accessible to the user through the open mouth of the carrier bag assembly. Secondly, the position of the smaller bag, firmly secured in the interior to the base of the outer bag, minimizes the risk of abuse by a bag-snatcher or a pick-pocket and thus provides security for items of personal use in an essentially insecure, unfolded carrier bag with an open mouth. Any unauthorized removal of any of the contents inside the smaller bag is greatly impeded, whether or not the user is paying particular attention to the load and whether or not the carrier bag assembly contains goods. Thirdly, the smaller bag is usually invisible to a potential bag-snatcher. There is nothing on the outside (no seams, studs, clips etc.) indicating that the carrier bag assembly serves any purpose other than the carrying of goods and that it, in fact, conceals therewithin another bag which functions as a substitute handbag and may contain valuables. Fourthly, even if the smaller bag contains valuables and is noticed by a bag-snatcher, it cannot be removed without difficulty and without the awareness of the user.

Claims: A carrier bag assembly suitable to be held by the hand or carried over the shoulder of a user, comprising an outer bag (1) and within the outer bag (1) a self-supporting smaller bag (3) having a closable opening accessible to the user through the mouth of the outer bag, characterized in that: the two bags (1,3) are joined together along their respective bases; and a space (7,8) is defined on each side of the smaller bag (3), between each said side and the respective adjacent side-wall of the outer bag. A carrier bag assembly according to claim 1, in which the outer bag and the smaller bag are each of self-supporting material. A carrier bag assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the height of the smaller bag (3) is less than half the height of the outer bag. A carrier bag assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the outer bag (1) additionally includes therewithin an open-ended sleeve (5), said sleeve (5) being joined along a side thereof to one (6) of the side ends of the outer bag. A carrier bag assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the outer bag has a seam (11) along the base thereof. A carrier bag assembly according to claim 5 wherein the smaller bag is secured in said seam. A carrier bag assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the smaller bag is detachably secured in the outer bag.

Inventors: MACIEOWITZ, ELISABETH THERESIA
Applicants: MACIEOWITZ, ELISABETH THERESIA
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A45C3
IPC codes: A45C3, A45C13