Abstract:
An ultra compact, lightweight, sturdy bag holder that comprises an elongated shaped body of rigid material having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and strength that can easily be carried in the palm of ones&#39; hand (FIG.  25 ; FIG.  25 A). The bag holder further comprises a predetermined number of apertures (FIG.  1/21 ; FIG.  2/21 , FIG.  3/22 ) or a predetermined number of grooves (FIG.  8/23 ; FIG.  9/23 ; FIG.  10/23 ) or a vertical cut at either end of the bag holder (FIG.  5/24 ) or a combination of two apertures (FIG.  4/21 ) and one groove (FIG.  4/23 ), or one aperture (FIG.  6/22 ) and two cuts (FIG.  6/24 ) or one groove (FIG.  7/23 ) and two cuts (FIG.  7/24 ). The aperture(s), cuts and groove(s) are designed to allow the integrally formed loop handle of shopping bags to be attached to the bag holder and depending on the configuration of the bag holder to keep the shopping bag closed and to prevent the content from spilling when placed on a flat surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to shopping bag holders, specifically to an improved method of carrying plastic shopping bags and closing shopping bags during travel. 
         [0005]    Supermarkets and other merchandisers often utilize plastic bags for packaging consumer products. These bags include integrally formed loop handles that permit a user to carry a bag with its content with ease and reliability by simply gripping the handles and carrying these bags in one&#39;s hand. However, while these plastic bags may facilitate a reliable means of transporting goods, the bag loop handles have a tendency to bite into the customer&#39;s fingers causing discomfort. This is especially the case when a bag needs to be carried over a long distance and when the content of the bag is heavy. Furthermore, the plastic bag tend to collapse when placed on a surface like a car seat, a bus floor, a car boot or other surface, with the result that its content frequently spills out. 
         [0006]    Many attempts have been made to overcome some or all of the above discussed problems by utilizing bag holders to carry bags and bag holders that can also maintain the bag in a closed position when placed on a surface like the floor of an autobus. 
         [0007]    The applicant has found many different patents of shopping bags holders and 136 patents that he has identified as being the most relevant to his application are shown below. Because of the sheer volume, discussing all of the patents as prior art, would be quite time consuming. The applicant has identified three main categories. He will indicate which those categories are and discuss patents from each category with regard to his present invention. 
         [0008]    The first category he has identified comprises those bag holders that are light weight and of limited life span manufactured from textile, cardboard, vinyl and similar materials. Examples of these but to mention a few are:
   Bourgeois et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,582; Jan. 30, 1996   Franko, U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,029; Aug. 19, 1997   Tipp, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,757; Jul. 7, 1998   Lisbon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,522; Sep. 8, 1998   
 
         [0013]    All four bag holders have limited usefulness in reducing discomfort when carrying a shopping bag with three out of the four keeping the shopping bag closed when placed on a flat surface. However, the choice of material reduces greatly the amount of bags that these bag holders are able to take and the load these bag holders can withstand and even the weather condition that one of them can be used in, as it is made out of carton. All in all, they are very restrictive in their use and their ease of use apart from their cost price and longevity because of the choice of materials like hook and pile type fastener (Bourgeois), a clumsy tab to be inserted in a slot (Franko), a vinyl type material lacking strength and the ability to close the bag (Tipp) and the use of carton (Lisbon). Especially U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,582, Bourgeois et al, Jan. 30, 1996, could well be expensive to make as it appears that manufacturing would require considerable labor input. 
         [0014]    The second category the applicant has identified comprises those bag holders that are still reasonable simple of design and mainly manufactured from plastic type materials. Many have in common that they have a groove where the handles of the shopping bag have to be inserted into and are designed to take the bags ‘lengthwise’, that is to say that the handles of the shopping bag run in a direction across the palm of the hand. Some have little cuts or hooks or even a number of hooks to hang bags on. Most will require initial outlay to make a mold if manufactured. Some will not be very sturdy and all large enough as to extend past both sides of the palm of a hand to allow for room for bag handles beyond that point. Very few can keep the shopping bag closed when placed on a surface and the ones that do can be difficult to operate and expensive to manufacture. Also, when the length of a bag holder increases, it will become more difficult to carry a heavy load. Examples of these but to mention a few are:
   Fink, U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,596; Jun. 27, 1989   Schulten, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,355; Jan. 2, 1990   Nobakht, U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,060; Feb. 20, 1990   Dieterich, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,926; Jul. 9, 1991   Blocker et al, Pat. No. Des. 323,968; Feb. 18, 1992   Du Buisson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,494; Jul. 18, 1995   Giocanti, U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,266; Sep. 16, 1997   LeRoux, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,803; Nov. 30, 1999   Palmer, U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,735; Dec. 4, 2007
 
and many more.
   
 
         [0024]    The third category of bag holders that the applicant has identified comprises larger sized bag holders. They usually consist of a carrying handle and attached to the carrying handle a separate construction where the bags are attached to, rather than to the carrying handle itself. Their main disadvantage is their large size that makes it inconvenient to carry them along when going shopping. Because of their size and often much more complicated construction, especially when designed to keep the bags closed when placed on a surface, most or all will be quite expensive to manufacture. Examples of these but to 101 mention a few are:
   Griffin, U.S. Pat. No. 1,572,006; Feb. 9, 1926   Montoya, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,757; Jan. 26, 1993   Daigle, Pat. No. Des. 340,863; Nov. 2, 1993   Richardson et al, Pat. No. Des. 386,682; Nov. 25, 1997   Gurry et al, Pat. No. Des. 388,326; Dec. 30, 1997   Randall, Pat. No. Des. 400,785; Nov. 10, 1998   Seibel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,388; May 18, 1999   DiMeo et al, Pat. No. Des. 417,393; Dec. 7, 1999   LeRoux, Pat. No. D441,653; May 8, 2001   LeRoux, Pat. No, D483,668; Dec. 16, 2003   
 
         [0035]    A number of patents that the applicant has studied and that he found relevant to his application are: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
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                 Kempshall 
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                 Nakamura 
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                 Griffin 
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                 Worth 
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                 Wolf 
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                 Crary 
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                 Santa Maria et al 
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                 Elliott 
                 2,444,558 
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                 Laus 
                 2,448,894 
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                 Elliott 
                 2,506,781 
                 Jun. 25, 1948 
               
               
                 # 18 
                 Herbert et al 
                 2,519,186 
                 Apr. 12, 1949 
               
               
                 # 19 
                 Schulte 
                 2,684,797 
                 Jul. 27, 1954 
               
               
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                 Taipale 
                 2,717,411 
                 Mar. 19, 1954 
               
               
                 # 21 
                 Poryle 
                 2,778,555 
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                 Charlick 
                 2,846,714 
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                 Dills 
                 3,149,367 
                 Dec. 4, 1962 
               
               
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                 Wilson 
                 3,207,397 
                 Dec. 9, 1963 
               
               
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                 Stauffer 
                 3,800,361 
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                 3,912,140 
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                 Richards et al 
                 3,913,172 
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                 4,004,722 
                 Jan. 25, 1977 
               
               
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                 Taylor et al 
                 4,420,178 
                 Dec. 13, 1983 
               
               
                 # 30 
                 Enersen 
                 4,590,640 
                 May 27, 1986 
               
               
                 # 31 
                 Kroll 
                 4,621,855 
                 Nov. 11, 1986 
               
               
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                 Holem 
                 4,657,295 
                 Apr. 14, 1987 
               
               
                 # 33 
                 Parry et al 
                 4,772,059 
                 Sep. 20, 1988 
               
               
                 # 34 
                 Rimland 
                 4,796,940 
                 Jan. 10, 1989 
               
               
                 # 35 
                 Fink 
                 4,841,596 
                 Jan. 27, 1989 
               
               
                 # 36 
                 Leonard 
                 4,846,519 
                 Jul. 11, 1989 
               
               
                 # 37 
                 Schulten 
                 4,890,355 
                 Jan. 2, 1990 
               
               
                 # 38 
                 Nabakht 
                 4,902,060 
                 Feb. 20, 1990 
               
               
                 # 39 
                 Sweeny 
                 4,932,702 
                 Jun. 12, 1990 
               
               
                 # 40 
                 Rutens 
                 4,991,894 
                 Feb. 12, 1991 
               
               
                 # 41 
                 Lunsford 
                 5,005,891 
                 Apr. 9, 1991 
               
               
                 # 42 
                 Dieterich Jr. 
                 5,029,926 
                 Jul. 9, 1991 
               
               
                 # 43 
                 Phillips 
                 5,060,998 
                 Oct. 29, 1991 
               
               
                 # 44 
                 Montoya 
                 5,181,757 
                 Jan. 26, 1993 
               
               
                 # 45 
                 Howell 
                 5,199,758 
                 Apr. 6, 1993 
               
               
                 # 46 
                 Torres 
                 5,356,190 
                 Oct. 18, 1994 
               
               
                 # 47 
                 Bartocci 
                 5,364,148 
                 Nov. 15, 1994 
               
               
                 # 48 
                 Normann 
                 5,368,393 
                 Nov. 29, 1994 
               
               
                 # 49 
                 Roberts 
                 5,411,307 
                 May 2, 1995 
               
               
                 # 50 
                 Du Buisson 
                 5,433,494 
                 Jul. 18, 1995 
               
               
                 # 51 
                 Goddard 
                 5,441,323 
                 Aug. 15, 1995 
               
               
                 # 52 
                 Bourgeois et al 
                 5,487,582 
                 Jan. 30, 1996 
               
               
                 # 53 
                 Randels 
                 5,527,076 
                 Jun. 18, 1996 
               
               
                 # 54 
                 Van Davelaar 
                 5,599,052 
                 Feb. 4, 1997 
               
               
                 # 55 
                 Marley et al 
                 5,615,921 
                 Apr. 1, 1997 
               
               
                 # 56 
                 Kosteniuk 
                 5,645,306 
                 Jul. 8, 1997 
               
               
                 # 57 
                 Bystrom et al 
                 5,651,575 
                 Jul. 29, 1997 
               
               
                 # 58 
                 Franko 
                 5,658,029 
                 Aug. 19, 1997 
               
               
                 # 59 
                 Giocanti 
                 5,667,266 
                 Sep. 16, 1997 
               
               
                 # 60 
                 Robinson Sr. et al 
                 5,697,661 
                 Dec. 16, 1997 
               
               
                 # 61 
                 Fan 
                 5,738,401 
                 Apr. 14, 1998 
               
               
                 # 62 
                 Tipp 
                 5,775,757 
                 Jul. 7, 1998 
               
               
                 # 63 
                 Lisbon 
                 5,803,522 
                 Sep. 8, 1998 
               
               
                 # 64 
                 Harper 
                 5,855,403 
                 Jan. 5, 1999 
               
               
                 # 65 
                 Good 
                 5,881,432 
                 Mar. 16, 1999 
               
               
                 # 66 
                 Brown 
                 5,894,972 
                 Apr. 20, 1999 
               
               
                 # 67 
                 Seibel 
                 5,904,388 
                 May 18, 1999 
               
               
                 # 68 
                 LeRoux 
                 5,992,803 
                 Nov. 30, 1999 
               
               
                 # 69 
                 Moses 
                 6,045,019 
                 Apr. 4, 2000 
               
               
                 # 70 
                 Leonardi 
                 6,049,948 
                 Apr. 18, 2000 
               
               
                 # 71 
                 Lyon 
                 6,247,739 
                 Jun. 19, 2001 
               
               
                 # 72 
                 Miller Jr. 
                 6,347,822 
                 Feb. 19, 2002 
               
               
                 # 73 
                 Bozlee 
                 6,354,645 
                 Mar. 12, 2002 
               
               
                 # 74 
                 Greenlee 
                 6,378,925 
                 Apr. 30, 2002 
               
               
                 # 75 
                 Oien 
                 6,395,319 
                 May 28, 2002 
               
               
                 # 76 
                 Wickson 
                 6,623,056 
                 Sep. 23, 2003 
               
               
                 # 77 
                 Flynn 
                 6,499,781 
                 Dec. 31, 2002 
               
               
                 # 78 
                 Graham 
                 6,824,182 
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                 # 79 
                 Scholes 
                 7,024,730 
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                 # 80 
                 Hajianpour 
                 7,125,061 
                 Oct. 24, 2006 
               
               
                 # 81 
                 Orefice 
                 7,232,168 
                 Jun. 19, 2007 
               
               
                 # 82 
                 Palmer 
                 7,302,735 
                 Dec. 4, 2007 
               
               
                 # 83 
                 Sharpe 
                 7,387,324 
                 Jun. 17, 2008 
               
               
                 # 84 
                 Miano 
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                 # 85 
                 Marshall 
                 Des. 266,488 
                 Oct. 12, 1982 
               
               
                 # 86 
                 Gagnon 
                 Des. 269,253 
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                 # 87 
                 O&#39;Neill 
                 Des. 305,297 
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                 # 88 
                 Preciutti 
                 Des. 314,150 
                 Jan. 29, 1991 
               
               
                 # 89 
                 Cloonan et al 
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                 Jul. 16, 1991 
               
               
                 # 90 
                 Clark 
                 Des. 319,569 
                 Sep. 3, 1991 
               
               
                 # 91 
                 Blocker et al 
                 Des. 323,968 
                 Feb. 18, 1992 
               
               
                 # 92 
                 Sweeny 
                 Des. 325,156 
                 Apr. 7, 1992 
               
               
                 # 93 
                 Montoya 
                 Des. 325,169 
                 Apr. 7, 1992 
               
               
                 # 94 
                 Schuttinga 
                 Des. 329,973 
                 Oct. 6, 1992 
               
               
                 # 95 
                 Fleming 
                 Des. 332,918 
                 Feb. 2, 1993 
               
               
                 # 96 
                 Oden 
                 Des. 337,053 
                 Jul. 6, 1993 
               
               
                 # 97 
                 Daigle 
                 Des. 340,863 
                 Nov. 2, 1993 
               
               
                 # 98 
                 Kennedy et al 
                 Des. 359,235 
                 Jun. 13, 1995 
               
               
                 # 99 
                 Meyers et al 
                 Des. 362,181 
                 Sep. 12, 1995 
               
               
                 # 100  
                 Muchnick 
                 Des. 363,664 
                 Oct. 31, 1995 
               
               
                 # 101  
                 Halpin et al 
                 Des. 367,817 
                 Mar. 12, 1996 
               
               
                 # 102  
                 Kitazaki 
                 Des. 369,745 
                 May 14, 1996 
               
               
                 # 103  
                 Kirkwood 
                 Des. 372,425 
                 Aug. 6, 1996 
               
               
                 # 104  
                 Stowell et al 
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                 Aug. 20, 1996 
               
               
                 # 105  
                 Salazar Jr. 
                 Des. 374,621 
                 Oct. 15, 1996 
               
               
                 # 106  
                 Hepworth 
                 Des. 384,279 
                 Sep. 30, 1997 
               
               
                 # 107  
                 Risser 
                 Des. 385,788 
                 Nov. 4, 1997 
               
               
                 # 108  
                 Richardson et al 
                 Des. 386,682 
                 Nov. 25, 1997 
               
               
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                 Gurry et al 
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                 Dec. 30, 1997 
               
               
                 # 110  
                 Henderson 
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                 May 19, 1998 
               
               
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                 Randall 
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                 Ball 
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                 Selig et al 
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                 DiMeo 
                 Des. 417,393 
                 Dec. 7, 1999 
               
               
                 # 115  
                 Le Roux 
                 Des. 423,348 
                 Apr. 25, 2000 
               
               
                 # 116  
                 Lademann, III 
                 Des. 429,454 
                 Aug. 15, 2000 
               
               
                 # 117  
                 Folmar 
                 Des. 430,029 
                 Aug. 29, 2000 
               
               
                 # 118  
                 Manseau et al 
                 D436,036 
                 Jan. 9, 2001 
               
               
                 # 119  
                 Ellers 
                 D440,492 
                 Apr. 17, 2001 
               
               
                 # 120  
                 Le Roux 
                 D441,653 
                 May 8, 2001 
               
               
                 # 121  
                 Bozlee 
                 D442,085 
                 May 15, 2001 
               
               
                 # 122  
                 Pruitt et al 
                 D442,487 
                 May 22, 2001 
               
               
                 # 123  
                 Quintana 
                 D446,652 
                 Aug. 21, 2001 
               
               
                 # 124  
                 Nakagawa 
                 D447,947 
                 Sep. 18, 2001 
               
               
                 # 125  
                 Bargsten et al 
                 D448,992 
                 Oct. 9, 2001 
               
               
                 # 126  
                 Lalande 
                 D456,264 
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                 # 127  
                 Foster 
                 D458,120 
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                 # 128  
                 Ronne et al 
                 D458,130 
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                 # 129  
                 Taylor 
                 D467,498 
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                 # 130  
                 Putnam 
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                 # 131  
                 Le Roux 
                 D483,668 
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                 # 132  
                 Baum 
                 D528,413 
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                 # 133  
                 Palmer 
                 D528,414 
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                 # 134  
                 Williamson 
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                 Novakovich et al 
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       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    In accordance with the present invention my mini bag holder and bag closure combination for plastic shopping bags has the following attributes: light, strong, ultra compact, durable, cheap to produce, made from a renewable source, able to take advertising, able to keep the bag closed when put down on a flat surface, able to be produced easily in different colors, able to take several bags at a time, taking the load in a central position so that it extends from the arm and therefore the load becomes easier to carry and small enough that it will fit in a shirt pocket or a small purse. 
         [0037]    Accordingly several objects and advantages of my invention are:
   (a) to provide a bag holder that is compact measuring not more than 10 cm in length and not more than 2 cm in diameter;   (b) to provide a bag holder that is light, weighing only approximate 16 gram when made out of dry wood;   (c) to provide a bag holder that is strong and able to carry loads in excess of 40 pounds   (d) to provide a bag holder that is durable and will serve for many years;   (e) to provide a bag holder that is user-friendly;   (f) to provide a bag holder made from a renewable source like pine timber;   (g) to provide a bag holder that can be produced from many other materials like recycled plastic;   (h) to provide a bag holder that is cheap to manufacture;   (i) to provide a bag holder that holds a bag closed to prevent the content from spilling when placed on a flat surface;   (j) to provide a bag holder that can take several bags like up to 4 or 5 at a time;   (k) to provide a bag holder that lays pleasant in the hand;   (l) to provide a bag holder that is so designed that the centre of the load becomes like an extension of the arm making it easier to carry a load;   (m) to provide a bag holder that can take a logo or advertising;   (n) to provide a bag holder that can be produced in a natural timber look or in any other desired color;   (o) to provide a bag holder that has no moving parts;   (p) to provide a bag holder that can be of benefit to countless people, especially those that lack the luxury of a car;   (q) to provide a bag holder that is so small that shoppers can easily take along two bag holders when shopping, allowing for shopping bags to be carried and balanced in two hands;   (r) to provide a bag holder that is so small that a person can hold two bag holders in one hand if a free hand is needed for example when unlocking a car or when boarding a bus;   (s) to provide a bag holder that can be ‘hung’ of an arm when two free hands are needed;   (t) to provide a bag holder that, when made from timber, is not likely to cause sweating of the hand when carrying it in warm weather;   (u) to provide a bag holder that is cheap to distribute;   (v) to provide a bag holder that requires a minimum amount of packaging;   (w) to provide a bag holder that can be sold in pairs in a little pouch/key ring avoiding altogether the need for individual packaging material;   (x) to provide a bag holder that is innovative and attractive.   
 
         [0062]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0063]    In the drawings closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetical suffixes. 
         Page 1/7 
         [0064]      FIG. 25  shows a front elevation of cylindrical body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm ( FIG. 25A ) that forms the basic structure of all embodiments in this patent application. 
         Page 2/7 
         [0065]      FIG. 1  shows a bag holder with 1 aperture (perspective) 
           [0066]      FIG. 2  shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective) 
           [0067]      FIG. 3  shows a bag holder with 3 apertures (perspective) 
           [0068]      FIG. 4  shows a bag holder with 2 apertures and 1 groove (perspective) 
         Page 3/7 
         [0069]      FIG. 2A  shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective) 
           [0070]      FIG. 2B  shows a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective) 
           [0071]      FIG. 2C  shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective) 
           [0072]      FIG. 2D  shows part of an integrally formed loop handle of a shopping bag being attached to or being removed from a bag holder with 2 apertures (perspective) 
         Page 4/7 
         [0073]      FIG. 2E  shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 apertures being carried in a hand and showing the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag exiting from between the fingers of the hand being a vital feature that enables the compact design of the bag holder (perspective) 
         Page 5/7 
         [0074]      FIG. 5A  shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts (top plan) 
           [0075]      FIG. 5  shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts (perspective) 
           [0076]      FIG. 6  shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts and 1 aperture (perspective) 
           [0077]      FIG. 7  shows a bag holder with 2 vertical cuts and 1 groove (perspective) 
           [0078]      FIG. 5B  shows part of a shopping bag attached to a bag holder with 2 (perspective) vertical cuts being carried in a hand and showing the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag firmly held in place as they exit from between the fingers of the hand being a vital feature that enables the compact design of the bag holder (perspective) 
         Page 6/7 
         [0079]      FIG. 8  shows a bag holder with 1 vertical groove (perspective) 
           [0080]      FIG. 9  shows a bag holder with 2 vertical grooves (perspective) 
           [0081]      FIG. 10  shows a bag holder with 3 vertical grooves (perspective) 
         Page 7/7 
         [0082]      FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  show how to make a simple knot to attach a shopping bag to a bag holder with one or more grooves when the requirement exists for the bag to remain closed when put down on a flat surface (perspective) 
       
    
    
     NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0000]    
       
           11  Body of a bag holder with one aperture 
           12  Body of a bag holder with two apertures 
           13  Body of a bag holder with three apertures 
           14  Body of a bag holder with two apertures and one groove 
           15  Body of a bag holder with two cuts 
           16  Body of a bag holder with two cuts and one aperture 
           17  Body of a bag holder with two cuts and one groove 
           18  Body of a bag holder with one groove 
           19  Body of a bag holder with two grooves 
           20  Body of a bag holder with three grooves 
           21  Oval aperture 
           22  Round aperture 
           23  Groove 
           24  Cut 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0097]    It will be readily understood that the lay-out of my bag holder as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus the following more detailed description of the bag holder, the different configurations of the bag holder and methods of attaching and carrying bags as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention but is merely representative of the bag holder. 
         [0098]    A preferred embodiment of the bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 2  on drawing page 2/7,  FIG. 2A , in  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  on drawing page 2/7 and in  FIG. 2E  on drawing page 3/6. The bag holder comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two oval shaped apertures of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the apertures with the edges of the apertures being rounded and with the centers of both apertures being at a distance of 2.5 cm from both outer ends of the bag holder. 
         [0099]    A second additional embodiment of the bag holder of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1  on drawing page 2/7. The bag holder comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and having one oval shaped aperture of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture with the edges of the aperture being rounded and having a distance from the centre of the aperture to both outer ends of the bag holder of 5 cm. 
         [0100]    A third additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 3  on drawing page 2/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises three apertures with a diameter of approximate 1 cm perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the apertures and the edges of the apertures being rounded. The centers of the three apertures are at a distance of 2.5 cm from each other and the centers of the two outer apertures have a distance of 2.5 cm to both outer ends of the bag holder. 
         [0101]    A fourth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 4  on drawing page 2/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two oval apertures of approximate 1.5 cm long and 1 cm wide perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture and the edges of the apertures being rounded. The centers of both apertures are at a distance of 2.5 cm from both outer ends of the bag holder. In addition the bag holder comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger. 
         [0102]    A fifth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body. 
         [0103]    A sixth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 6  on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body and further comprises one aperture with a diameter of approximate 1 cm perpendicular to the length of the bag holder in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body leaving 0.5 cm material on either side of the aperture with the edges of the aperture being rounded and having a distance from the centre of the aperture to both outer ends of the bag holder of 5 cm. 
         [0104]    A seventh additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 7  on drawing page 5/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body and in addition the bag holder comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger. 
         [0105]    An eighth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 8  on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises one groove of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep in the middle of the bag holder with the two edges of the groove being rounded and with the running direction of the groove being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger. 
         [0106]    An ninth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 9  on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises two grooves of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep with the two edges of each groove being rounded and with the running direction of the grooves being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger, the centre of both grooves being 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body. 
         [0107]    A tenth additional embodiment for this bag holder is illustrated in  FIG. 10  on drawing page 6/7 and comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a length of approximate 10 cm and a diameter of approximate 2 cm and further comprises three grooves of approximate 1 cm wide and 0.2 cm deep with the two edges of each groove being rounded and with the running direction of the grooves being around the bag holder like a ring around a finger, the centre of two grooves being 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body and the third groove being in the middle of the bag holder. 
         [0108]    From the description above, a number of advantages of my shopping bag holder become evident:
   (a) It is cheap to construct.   (b) It may be manufactured in a variety of materials.   (c) It may be manufactured in a variety of colors.   (d) It may be manufactured in a variety of shapes, like round, half round or oval.   (e) It may be manufactured in a variety of other dimensions, like 11 cm or 12 cm long.   (f) It may be manufactured in a variety of diameters, like 2.5 cm or 3 cm diameter.   (g) It may be manufactured in a variety of models to cater for individual needs   
 
       Process of Using the Invention 
       [0116]    The preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 2  on drawing page 2/7,  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2C  and  FIG. 2D  on drawing page 3/7 and in  FIG. 2E  on drawing page 4/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two apertures. The procedure to attach shopping bags to the bag holder is as described bellow.
   1 Firstly feed one integrally formed loop handle of a shopping bag through one aperture of the bag holder as shown in  FIG. 2D  on drawing page 3/7.   2 Secondly pull the integrally formed loop handle of the shopping bag up and in an open spread position around the end of the bag holder so that the end comes to rest below the bag holder as shown in  FIG. 2D  on drawing page 3/7.   3 Pull the shopping bag firmly down to secure the shopping bag to the bag holder.   4 Repeat this procedure for the second integrally formed loop handle of the shopping bag using the second aperture of the bag holder with the result showing in  FIG. 2C  on drawing page 3/7 and  FIG. 2E  on drawing page 4/7.   
 
         [0121]    Any bag thus attached will be firmly secured to the bag holder and will not detach itself from it even when put down, held upside down or tossed around. 
         [0122]    If keeping the bag closed is not a requirement when just walking a short distance, one can simply hang a few bags over the bag holder, especially over the recessed area where the apertures are, and carry the bags using the bag holder. 
         [0123]    A second additional embodiment of the bag holder of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1  on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with one aperture. One can attach one or two bags to the bag holder by feeding all integrally formed loop handles through the one aperture and pulling all handles in open spread position over and around one end of the bag holder and securing the bags by pulling the bags down. If keeping the bag closed is not a requirement when just walking a short distance, one can simply hang one or more bags over the recessed area where the aperture is, and carry the bag(s) using the bag holder. 
         [0124]    A third additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 3  on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with three apertures. If one expects to require more than say three shopping bags, one can attach one or two bags first to the bag holder by feeding all integrally formed loop handles through the middle aperture and pulling all handles in open spread position over and around one end of the bag holder and secure the bags by pulling the bags down. After that, one can proceed by attaching more bags to the bag holder as described above in the 4 steps for attaching bags to the preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 2D  and  FIG. 2C  on drawing page 3/7. 
         [0125]    A fourth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 4  on drawing page 2/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two apertures and one groove in the middle of the bag holder. 
         [0000]    Firstly one can simply hang one or more bags in the groove of the bag holder. 
         [0126]    The bag or bags will be held in place as their handles are held between the middle finger and the ring finger of the hand. 
         [0000]    Secondly one can secure shopping bags to the bag holder in the following way: Take a shopping bag in the left hand and the integrally formed loop handles of the shopping bag in the right hand. Push thumb and index finger through the opening of the loop handles of the shopping bag and push thumb and index finger apart as shown in  FIG. 10A  on drawing page 7/7. Now surrounding the loop handles of the shopping bag close the thumb and index finger until they touch. Hold firmly and pull the straps up a bit and past the point where they have the appearance of the handle of a pair of scissors and create a double loop opening as shown in  FIG. 10B  on drawing page 7/7 and insert the bag holder into this opening with the double loop opening surrounding the middle of the bag holder. Pull the bag down till firmly settled in the groove of the bag holder. Further bags can be attached to the bag holder as described above in the 4 steps for attaching bags to the preferred embodiment of the bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 2D  and  FIG. 2C  on drawing page 3/7. 
         [0127]    A fifth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body. To attach shopping bags to the bag holder simply lead the handles of one or more bags through both the cuts of the bag holder. The cuts being 2.5 cm deep will cause the handles to settle at that distance of 2.5 cm from both ends of the bag holder and when carried, the handles of the shopping bag(s) will be securely held between the index finger and middle finger and between middle finger and ring finger of the hand carrying the bag holder as shown in  FIG. 5B  on drawing page 5/7. 
         [0128]    A sixth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 6  on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body as well as one aperture in the middle of the bag holder. Firstly one can attach one or two bags to the bag holder as described in the instructions of the third embodiment. Further bags can be attached to the bag holder as described in the instructions for the fifth embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5B  on drawing page 5/7. 
         [0129]    A seventh additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 7  on drawing page 5/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with a vertical cut of approximate 2.5 cm deep and 0.5 cm wide at both ends in the centre of the cylindrical shaped body as well as one groove in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the groove of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four and to attach one or more bags utilizing the cuts of the bag holder proceed as described in the instructions for the fifth embodiment. 
         [0130]    An eighth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 8  on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with one groove in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the groove of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four. 
         [0131]    A ninth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 9  on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with two grooves 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body. To attach one or more bags utilizing the grooves of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four. 
         [0132]    A tenth additional embodiment for this bag holder as illustrated in  FIG. 10  on drawing page 6/7 comprises a rigid cylindrical shaped body with three grooves having one groove 2.5 cm from both the ends of the cylindrical shaped body and the third groove being in the middle of the bag holder. To attach one or more bags utilizing the grooves of the bag holder proceed as described in both instructions for embodiment four.