Patent Publication Number: US-2020297101-A1

Title: Garment and accessory with bag pulling system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to garments and accessories having a pulling system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to garments and accessories, such as a belt, that are configured to retain a pulling system. The pulling system can include a configuration to dispense at least one object, such as a plastic bag, from a container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The consumption of plastic bags has exponentially increased due to factors such as population growth, proliferation of consumer society, and lack of practical alternatives. For example, use of paper bags as an alternative to plastic bag causes depletion of trees. Moreover, it takes approximately 13% more energy to make a single paper bag than to make two plastic bags. 
     One easy way to reduce the number of plastic bags produced each year, is to re-use the bags. However, carrying one or multiple bags in a person&#39;s pocket, wallet or purse takes precious space. Accordingly, there is a need to carry plastic bags without the plastic bag occupying precious space in the user&#39;s pocket, wallet, purse, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect, a garment or accessory includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are configured to form a space therebetween; and a pulling system incorporated into at least one of garment or accessory and in communication with the space formed between the first layer and the second layer. 
     In an aspect, the first layer and the second layer are made of at least one of a same material or a different material. 
     In an aspect, the pulling system comprises a spring configured to be directly or indirectly connected to an object. 
     In another aspect, when the spring is configured to be indirectly connected to an object, the spring is connected to a string that is connected to the object. 
     In a further aspect, the string is made of at least one of polymer, metal, and fabric. 
     In a further aspect, the spring is at least one of compression spring, extension spring, torsion spring, constant force spring, and Belleville spring. 
     In yet another aspect, the pulling system comprises a locking device actuator configured to lock or unlock at least one of a spring or a string of the pulling system. 
     In an aspect, the pulling system comprises a hook configured to be connected to an object being dispensed. 
     In a further aspect, the garment or accessory further includes a container configured to be positioned within at least a portion of the space between the first layer and the second layer and wherein the container comprises at least one object. 
     In an aspect, the at least one object is a plastic bag. 
     In an aspect, the container is configured to rotate around a vertical axis. 
     In another aspect, the container includes an opening and is configured to hold at least one object. 
     In a further aspect, the pulling system includes a locking device actuator and wherein the accessory is a belt having a belt buckle. 
     In yet another aspect, the belt buckle includes a bar and a prong and wherein the bar is connected to the locking device actuator. 
     In an aspect, the locking device actuator is configured to be connected to a movable clamp. 
     In another aspect, a bag that includes two handles and a loop positioned on a portion of the bag. 
     In a further aspect, the loop is made of the same material as the bag. 
     In yet another aspect, the bag is a plastic bag. 
     In an aspect, the loop is configured to withstand a force of at least 250 N. 
     In another aspect, one of the loops is smaller than the remaining two loops. 
     Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure in its several aspects and embodiments can be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary belt having a pulling system and a plastic bag, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cutaway of  FIG. 1A  at location  1 B, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary belt having a pulling system and a plastic bag, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cutaway of  FIG. 2A  at location  1 B, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a plastic bag having a loop and a container, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary pulling system, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movable clamp in an open position and a locking device actuator being actuated by a bar of a belt buckle; according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movable clamp in a closed position and the locking device actuator being actuated by a bar of a belt buckle; according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top cutaway of an exemplary pulling system with the movable clamp in a closed position and the locking device actuator being actuated by a push button; according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an exemplary pulling system and a belt buckle, wherein the pulling system is activated by a push button, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a is a top view of an exemplary pulling system and a belt buckle, wherein the pulling system is activated by a prong of the belt buckle, according to an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a plastic bag container, according to an example of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  is an alternative plastic bag container, according to an example of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Throughout this specification and figures like reference numbers identify like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. 
     The phrase “Accessory,” as used herein, refers to any item that can be carried or be worn by a consumer, such as a belt, purse, wallet, eyeglass case, etc. 
     Although the present application specifically refers to a belt, the present invention can be incorporated into any accessory or garment. 
     In its broad and varied embodiments, disclosed herein a device which allows users to re-use objects, such as plastic bags; thereby reducing the number of plastic bags produced each year. The majority of world&#39;s population use plastic bags for different purposes, such as carrying groceries, picking up pet waste, etc., the same population do not have a plastic bag when in a grocery store or use new plastic bags when picking up pet waste. The present device allows the world population to have immediate access to a previously used plastic bag; thereby reducing the need to continue producing new plastic bags. 
     In an example, an object, such as a bag can be placed in a portion of a garment or an accessory. In an example, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , belt  10  can include a bag  16 . In this example, the belt  10  can include an outer layer (first layer)  12 A and an inner layer (second layer)  12 B. The first layer  12 A and the second layer  12 B are configured to create a space  14 . Furthermore, the first layer  12 A and the second layer  12 B can be the same or can be different. For example, both the first layer  12 A and the second layer  12 B can be made of a material such as leather, canvas, rubber, or recycled material, such as recycled rubber, etc. In another example, when the first layer  12 A is different from the second layer  12 B, then the first layer  12 A can be made of a material that is traditionally used in making the accessory, such as a belt, and the second layer  12 B can be of a less expensive material. For example, the first layer  12 A can be leather and the second layer  12 B can be cotton or even a stretchable material. 
     In an example, the belt  10  can include a first opening  13 A, a second opening  13 B, a pulling system  20  having a spring mechanism that can be connected to a string  24  and hook-like device  26 . In operation, to take out the bag  16  that is positioned in the space  14 , a user can reach to the first opening  13 A, where an end of the bag  16  is positioned in the vicinity of the first opening  13 A and/or peeking out from the first opening  13 A. The user can then grab the end of the bag  16  peeking out of the first opening  13 A and pull the bag  16  out of the space  14 . By pulling the bag  16  out of the first opening  13 A, the user, inherently, also pulls out the hook-like device  26 . The user can then disconnect a loop  18  of the bag  16  from the hook-like device  26 . In one example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , in order to prevent the hook-like device  26  from retracting back to the space  14 , the hook-like device  26  can be secured to a securing device  15 . The securing device  15  can be any device that is capable of temporarily or removably connect the hook-like device  26  to a vicinity of the first opening  13 A. For example, the securing device  15  can be a hook. 
     To insert a new bag  16  in to the space  14 , the user can disconnect the hook-like device  26  from the securing device  15  and connect the loop  18  portion of the new bag  16  onto the hook-like device  26 . In an example, the hook-like device  26  can include a cut to create two ends substantially facing one another. The two ends can be configured such that they can be twisted or pulled apart to allow the loop  18  be inserted into the hook-like device  26 . Once the bag  16  has been connected to the hook-like device  26 , the spring mechanism in the pulling system  20  can cause the bag  16  that is connected to the hook-like device  26  to be pulled back into the space  14 . In one example, the belt  10  can include an optional second opening  13 B. This optional second opening  13 B can be used to insert the string  24  and the hook-like device  26  of the pulling system into the space  14  of the belt  10 . Once inserted, the second opening  13 B can be closed. In another example, once the string  24  and hook-like device  26  of the pulling system have been inserted into the space  14 , the second opening  13 B can remain open. 
     The first and/or second openings  13 A,  13 B can be positioned anywhere on the belt  10 . For example, each of the first and second openings  13 A and  13 B can be placed on the first layer  12 A or on the second layer  12 B. Additionally, each of the first and second openings  13 A and  13 B can be placed at the vicinity of each end of the belt  10  or at any other location on the belt  10 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1A , the first and second openings  13 A and  13 B are placed on the second layer  12 B and at the vicinity of each end of the belt  10 . 
     Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In this exemplary embodiment, belt  10  can include at least one opening, such as the first opening  13 A and/or the second opening  13 B. In one example, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the first opening  13 A can be used to place the bag  16  and/or a container  19  containing at least one bag into the space  14  within the belt  10 . To place the bag  16  into the space  14 , the hook-like device  26  can be extended within the space  14  such that the hook-like device  26  is positioned in proximity of the first opening  13 A. One end of the bag  16  having loop  18  can be connected to the hook-like device  26 . Once connected, the pulling system can pull the bag  16  into the space  14 , such that an end of the bag  16  is positioned in the vicinity of the second opening  13 B for the user to grab and pull out, when needed. In one example, when the container  19  includes a plurality of bags  16 , each bag  16  is connected to an end of the next bag  16 . Therefore, when the first bag  16  is pulled out, the end of the next bag  16  is positioned at the vicinity of the second opening  13 B for the user to pull out, when needed. Thus, the pulling system  20  can be used to take out the first bag and may not be required for the remaining bags to be pulled out of the container  19 . The first and/or second openings  13 A,  13 B can be positioned anywhere in the belt  10 . For example, they can be placed on the first layer  12 A or on the second layer  12 B. In the example shown in  FIG. 2A , the first and second openings  13 A and  13 B are placed on the second layer  12 B and at approximately at each end of the belt  10 . 
     In one example, to more conveniently position a bag  16  in the space  14 , a connecting device, such as a zipper or a tong and hook device can be placed on the inner layer  12 B that extends from the first opening  13 A to the second opening  13 B. In this example, a user can open the zipper and pull the string  24  and the hook-like device  26  from the second opening  13 B towards the first opening  13 A. The hook-like device  26  can then be temporarily secured to the securing device  15  so that the user can close the zipper, such that the string  24  is within the space  14 . The user can then secure an end of the bag  16  onto the hook-like device  26  so that the pulling system  20  can pull the bag  16  into the space  14 . 
     The bag  16  can be any type of bag, such as a plastic bag that are traditionally used in the grocery stores. In one example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 3 , bag  16  can be a modified grocery bag, which includes a loop  18 . Loop  18  can be positioned anywhere on the bag  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , loop  18  can be connected to a portion of the bottom of the bag  16 . However, it can also be connected or be part of the handles  16 A and/or  16 B or the side of the bag  16 . Loop  18  can be used to connect the bag  16  to a portion of a pulling system  20 . Loop  18  can be part of a bag when it was first manufactured or can be added to the bag as an add-on feature. When the loop  18  is an add-on feature, it can be made of any material, such as plastic, leather, cotton, etc. and it can be sewn or glued on to the bag. When the container  19  includes a plurality of bags  16  having loop  18 , the loop  18  of the first bag  16  can be connected to a portion of the pulling system  20 . Additionally, the handles  16 A and/or  16 B of the first bag  16  can be connected or attached to the loop  18  of the next bag  16 . In one example, the loop  18  is smaller than the handles  16 A and/or  16 B. In another example, loop  18  can be the same size or even larger than the handles  16 A and/or  16 B. The loop  18  can be configured to withstand a force of at least 50N, such as a force of at least 100N, for example, a force of at least 200N, or a force of at least 250 N. 
     In an example, if the bag  16  does not include a loop  18 , a part of the bag  16  can be connected to a portion of the pulling system  20 . For example, one or more of the handles  16 A and  16 B can be connected to a portion of the pulling system  20 . In one example, when the container  19  includes a plurality of bags  16 , the first handle  16 A can be connected to a portion of the pulling system  20  and the second handle  16 B can be connected to the first handle  16 A of the next bag. If the bag does not include at least one handle, then each bag can be continuously connected to the next bag. In this example, each bag is separated from the next bag by perforation lines. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5C , the pulling system  20  can include a spring  30  that can be connected to a string  24  that can include a hook-like device  26 . The string  24  can be made of any material, such as cotton, nylon, and/or metal. In one example, the string  24  can be made of nylon material. In one example, the spring  30  can be directly connected to the hook-like device  26 . The spring  30  can be in a form of any spring, such as a compression spring, an extension spring, a torsion spring, a constant force spring, and a belleville spring to name a few. The examples shown in  FIGS. 4-5C  illustrate a constant force spring. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the spring  30  and/or the string  24 , if the pulling system also includes a string  24 , can be locked in a position by a button  32 . Alternatively or additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , if the pulling system  20  is used in a belt, the spring  30  and/or the string  24 , if the pulling system also includes a string  24 , can be locked in a position by a bar  42  of a buckle  40 . 
     The spring  30  can be in a form of a coiled spring metal having its inner end fixed to the center post  56  and its outer end connected to the inner end of the string  24 . (For purposes of discussion, the present invention only refers to string  24 ; however, if the pulling system does not include a string  24 , then spring  30  will also act as the string  24 . Therefore, spring  30  can be substituted for the string  24 ). The string  24  can be wound within the case and can include a hook-like device  26  used for connecting the string  24  to a portion of the bag  16 , such as the loop  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , a clamping mechanism can be positioned within the case, adjacent to the slot through which the string  24  protrudes. The clamping mechanism can include a ledge  54  that is configured such that the end portion of the ledge  54  includes a thickness that is greater than the thickness at the base of the ledge  54 . The clamping mechanism can also include a movable clamp  50  having an upwardly protruding mass  51  adapted to engage the string  24  to lock the string  24  against the end portion of the ledge  54 . A locking device actuator  46  can, at least partially, be positioned inside the case body  60  through opening  62 . The locking device actuator  46  enables a user to move the protruding mass  51  to an unlock position, as shown in  FIG. 5A  or a lock position as shown in  FIG. 5B . In one example, the locking device actuator  46  can be biased to its released condition by a spring  25 , which can be located between the locking device actuator  46  and the sidewall of the case body  60 . Spring  25  can be fixed to the locking device actuator  46 . In another example, the locking device actuator  46  can be biased to its closed condition by a spring  25 . 
     The locking device actuator  46  can be manually operated by the button  32 , as shown in  FIG. 6  or, in case of a belt, by the bar  42  of the buckle  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7 . 
     When the locking device actuator  46  is manually operated by the button  32 , the locking device actuator  46  can be engaged with the button  32  that can protrude at an end of the case body  60 , as shown in  FIG. 5C , or can protrude on top of the case body  60 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In an example, where the pulling system  20  is incorporated into a belt, the locking device actuator  46  can be operated by the bar  42  of the buckle  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In this example, the end portion of the locking device actuator  46  can be connected to the bar  42 . As such, as shown in  FIG. 5A , when the user pulls a prong  44  of the buckle  40  away from the buckle  40 , (i.e., the prong  44  is perpendicular to the core of the user) it causes the bar  42  to rotate, thereby, pulling on the locking device actuator  46  in the direction A. Accordingly, the protruding mass  51  moves back towards the base of the ledge  54  that includes a thickness less than the end of the ledge  54 , thereby releasing the string  24 . Referring to  FIG. 5B , when the user is wearing the belt  10 , the prong  44  of the buckle  40  is not pulled back (i.e., the prong  44  is parallel to the core of the user), thus, the locking device actuator  46  is pushed-in, which causes the protruding mass  51  to also be pushed-in towards the end of the ledge  54 , thereby securing the string  24  in its position. 
     In one example, if the string  24  is incorporated into the pulling system  20 , a hook-like device  26  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), at one end, can be connected to the string  24 . The other end of the hook-like device  26  can be connected to the bag  16 . In another example, if the string  24  is not incorporated into the pulling system  20 , the hook-like device  26 , at one end, can be connected to the spring  30  and the other end of the hook-like device  26  can be connected to the bag  16 . 
     In operation, a user can place the container  19  having at least one bag  16  in the space  14  via the first opening  13 A. In one example, the at least one bag  16  can be pulled through space  14 , such that the loop  18  of the at least one bag  16  is within the vicinity of the second opening  13 B. The hook-like device  26  of the pulling system  20  can then be connected to the loop  18 . Alternatively, once the container  19  has been placed in the space  14  via the first opening  13 A, the user can feed the hook-like device  26  of the pulling system  20  through the space  14  from the second opening  13 B to the vicinity of the first opening  13 A. The user can then connect the hook-like device  26  to the loop  18  of the bag  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 6 , in one example, to dispense at least one of the bags  16  from the belt having the container  19  and the pulling system  20 , the user can press on the button  32  to retract the movable clamp  50 , thereby releasing the string  24 . Once the string  24  has been released, the spring  30  retracts and collects the string  24  and the hook-like device  26 , which is connected to the loop  18  of the bag  16 . As a result, the bag  16  is pulled through the space  14  of the belt  10  and out of the belt  10  through the second opening  13 B. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7 , once the belt  10  is worn and the user needs the bag  16 , the user can pull the prong  44  of the buckle  40  to retract the movable clamp  50 , thereby releasing the string  24 . Once the string  24  has been released, the spring  30  retracts and collects the string  24  and the hook-like device  26 , which is connected to the loop  18  of the bag  16 . As a result, the bag  16  is pulled through the space  14  of the belt  10  and out of the belt  10  through the second opening  13 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in one example, the contain  19  can include an opening  192 . Depending on the size of the container  19 , one or more of bags  16  can be placed inside of the container  19 . If more than one bag  16  is placed inside the container  19 , then each bag  16  needs to be connected to its adjacent bag  16 , such that when the user pulls out the first bag  16 , a portion of the second bag  16  is exposed through the second opening  13 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in one example, the contain  19  can include an axle  194  at each end of the container  19  to allow the container  19  to rotate around a vertical axis. One or more bags  16  can be wrapped around the container  19 . As the first bag  16  is pulled by the pulling system  20 , the container  19  can rotate to release the bag  16 . As before, if more than one bag  16  is wrapped around the container  19 , then each bag  16  needs to be connected to its adjacent bag  16 , such that when the user pulls out the first bag  16 , a portion of the second bag  16  is exposed through the second opening  13 B. 
     From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. 
     The scope of this disclosure is to be broadly construed. It is intended that this disclosure disclose equivalents, means, systems and methods to achieve the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein. For each device, article, method, mean, mechanical element or mechanism disclosed, it is intended that this disclosure also encompass in its disclosure and teaches equivalents, means, systems and methods for practicing the many aspects, mechanisms and devices disclosed herein. Additionally, this disclosure regards a coating and its many aspects, features and elements. Such a device can be dynamic in its use and operation, this disclosure is intended to encompass the equivalents, means, systems and methods of the use of the device and/or article of manufacture and its many aspects consistent with the description and spirit of the operations and functions disclosed herein. The claims of this application are likewise to be broadly construed. 
     The description of the inventions herein in their many embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.