Abstract:
The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bag or a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but not exclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat for storage and transportation and open out for use. The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allows the user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing for bottles, cups and the like to be supported.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bag or a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but not exclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat for storage and transportation and open out for use. 
         [0002]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/042,819 relates to a bag for carrying bottles, cups and other liquid containers. There is shown a foldable insert that has at least one container-receiving aperture in the form of a circular cut-out region, into which bottles, cups or other such containers can be fitted, in use. However, the bag, as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/042,819, does not allow easily for further items that the user may wish to put in the bag. A portion of the bag is not available for use when the aperture is folded to a position that allows the bottles to be stored. 
         [0003]    The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allows the user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing for bottles, cups and the like to be supported. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In a first aspect of the invention, the present invention provides an insert for a bag, wherein the insert is of a foldable construction, comprising a first panel having a first section and a second section, wherein, in a first position, the insert is generally flat and wherein the second section is arranged to be folded relative to the first section, from a first position to a second position, such that the first and second sections define a receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in which the insert is folded out. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises three sections, in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of  FIG. 2A  in which the insert is folded in various ways to form a receptacle. 
           [0011]      Fig. 2C  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of  FIG. 2B  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2D  is a top view of an embodiment of  FIG. 2B  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is an example of an insert where a panel has two sections. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is an top view of an example of  FIG. 3A  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is another example of an insert in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of an example of  FIG. 4A  in which the insert is inside the bag. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  is another example of an insert in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of an example of  FIG. 5A  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises three sections, in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of an example of  FIG. 6A  in which the insert is inside a bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups etc. The insert is configured to have an essentially flat, first configuration for storage, transportation etc. and a second, open configuration defining a receptacle for the item(s) to be carried. Thus, the insert can be provided in a flat form separate from, or inside, a bag (which may also be folded flat). In use, the bag is opened out and the insert is also opened out, inside the bag, to form the receptacle in the bag. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert for a bag. Alternatively, the insert may be placed in a box, and the box may be made from cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, paperboard etc. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the insert may be a piece of cardboard that is folded to form two panels  1  and  2  that, in a closed position, may be folded together. In a preferred embodiment, the cardboard is corrugated cardboard, as this reinforces the bag on the side and the base of the bag. Alternatively, the insert may be made from paper, bendable plastic, paperboard or card. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is folded to form two panels. Alternatively, the insert may have only one panel or more than two panels, and the insert may be a piece of folded cardboard etc. or may be two or more pieces of cardboard etc. attached to each other so as to be moveable relative to each other. 
         [0024]    In use, the insert may be free-standing inside the bag. In a preferred embodiment, however, panel  1  may be attached to the inside of a bag. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is attached by adhesive means such as glue or paste. Alternatively, the adhesive means may be double sided tape, or the insert may be attached by fixing means e.g. staples etc. In an open position, panel  2  may be moved to an opened out position, preferably substantially perpendicular to panel  1  (as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C ), so as to rest on or adjacent a lower surface of the bag (as shown in  FIG. 1C ). Such an insert forms a receptacle within the bag. 
         [0025]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2A , in a more preferred embodiment, panel  1  may have three sections, a middle section  1 A and two end sections  1 B and  1 C. Whilst in a preferred embodiment the panel  1  has three sections, the panel may, alternatively, have more, or less, than three sections. 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIG. 2B , the lower edges of sections  1 B and  1 C may be detached from panel  2 . This allows them to be folded relative to the middle section and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position and allows the insert to have a substantially flat appearance when the insert is in a closed position. Sections  1 B and  1 C may be folded towards the middle section  1 A and over panel  2 , so as to provide receptacles for bottles and cups. In a preferred embodiment sections  1 B and  1 C are detached from panel  2 . Alternatively, either one of sections  1 A,  1 B or  1 C may be detached from panel  2 . In  FIGS. 2C and 2D , only section  1 A is attached to the bag by adhesive means or the like. It is to be understood that any of the sections  1 A,  1 B, or  1 C may be attached to the bag. 
         [0027]    Whilst panel  2  provides support at the bottom of the bag, the insert might just comprise panel  1  having two or more sections foldable relative to each other. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  shows an alternative panel  1 , in which panel  1  comprises two sections  10 A and  10 B. As can be seen in  FIG. 3B , section  10 A is attached to a bag and section  10 B may be folded relative to section  10 A and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section  10 B may be attached to the bag and section  10 A may be folded relative to section  10 B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show an alternative way of forming a receptacle using the panel shown in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 4B  shows that section  1 B is attached to the bag and sections  1 A and  1 C may be moved relative to section  1 B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section  1 C maybe attached to the bag and sections  1 A and  1 B may be moved relative to section  1 C and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an alternative way of forming a receptacle using the panel shown in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 5B  shows that section  1 B is attached to the bag and sections  1 A and  1 C may be moved relative to section  1 B and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively, section  1 C maybe attached to the bag and sections  1 A and  1 B may be moved relative to section  1 C and to the second panel when the insert is in an open position. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an alternative panel  100 , in which panel  100  comprises three sections  100 A,  100 B and  100 C. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , section  100 B can be moved relative to section  100 A and a side of the bag when the insert is in an open position. Also, section  100 C can be moved relative to section  100 A and another side of the bag when the insert is in an open position. 
         [0032]    The present invention, in various positions, allows the user to utilise the whole of the bag for carrying groceries and, in addition, to allow for the carrying of bottles and cups. The invention may provide receptacles where bottles can be kept separate from other groceries or bottles, in use. This is particularly advantageous should any liquid leak from bottles and cups, and the receptacles prevent the bottles from knocking against each other and, therefore, reduces the risk of the bottles smashing while being transported. Another advantage of the present invention, in preferred embodiments, is that the panels can reinforce the sides and bottom of the bag and, therefore, the bag may take a defined structure and may be more resilient when carrying heavy items and bottles. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a receptacle to carry bottles or cups. Alternatively, the receptacles may be adapted to carry flasks, cans, tins, delicate objects, glass bottles, plastic bottles, cosmetics, bottles containing hazardous material, bottles containing medicines, paper cups, plastic cups, wine bottles, bottle containing alcoholic spirits, aluminium bottles, jars etc.