Patent Publication Number: US-2009236379-A1

Title: bag having a shopping trolley insert

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates to a bag having a shopping trolley insert. The invention also relates to a shopping trolley insert. 
     2. Related Art 
     The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. 
     Shopping trolleys (known also as shopping carts) are supplied by shops, and in particular supermarkets, for use by customers to carry merchandise while shopping. Shopping trolleys may incorporate a seating arrangement for carrying a small child (commonly called a toddler) while a customer is shopping. Typically, such a seating arrangement is of collapsible construction for movement between a collapsed condition so as to not occupy unnecessary space within the shopping trolley when not required and an erected condition to receive a small child. 
     The term toddler as used herein is intended to include any infant or child carried in the seating arrangement of a shopping trolley. 
     The inventors have previously developed a shopping trolley insert comprising padded material shaped to line the toddler seat of a shopping trolley to provide comfort for the toddler and also provide protection from germs and bacteria which may be present on parts of the trolley with which the toddler could make contact. The insert can also be used as a pillow, a change mat or an insert for baby seats for trolleys. 
     The present invention seeks to provide a product which provides further advantages to the above insert. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a bag having a shopping trolley insert attached thereto adapted to substantially cover internal surfaces of a toddler seat of the shopping trolley in use, the bag having a pocket into which the insert can be received. 
     Preferably, the insert is foldable to assume a compact configuration for reception in the pocket. 
     The insert is preferably attached adjacent a bottom portion of the bag. The pocket preferably has an opening at or adjacent the bottom portion of the bag. 
     Preferably, the bag is configured to be received on a backrest portion of the toddler seat. For this purpose, the pocket is preferably configured to receive the backrest portion. 
     The present invention also provides a shopping trolley insert for substantially covering internal surfaces of a toddler seat of the shopping trolley in use, the insert having a base portion, a back portion and a front portion extending from opposite sides of the base portion, and a pocket formed at one side of the back portion, an opening of the pocket being adjacent the base portion such that the base portion and the front portion can be inserted into the pocket. 
     Preferably, the base portion and the front portion are adapted to be folded for insertion into the pocket. 
     The insert preferably includes side portions extending from lateral sides of the base portion. An internal side of the insert preferably substantially consists of flat padded material. An elasticised pocket is preferably formed at one of the side portions. 
     The back portion is preferably rectangular in shape and extends from two corners of the base portion. The side portions preferably each include side edges that extend from a corner of the base portion. The respective side edges preferably diverge from each other from the base portion. One or more attachment elements, such as hook straps, are preferably attached to each of the edges of the side portions. Alternatively, one side edge of the side potions is preferably attached to the front portion. 
     The front portion preferably includes a leg section adjacent the base portion and a handlebar section extending from the leg section. The leg section preferably includes side edges which extend from the base portion, inwardly from corners of the base portion. The side edges preferably diverge from each other until they join the edges of the handlebar section which is rectangular. Leg apertures are preferably formed in the leg section, which are substantially covered by flaps extending from a side of the aperture adjacent the base portion. 
     The internal side of the insert is preferably shaped to cover the internal surfaces of a shopping trolley seat for a toddler. 
     An external side of the handlebar section of the front portion preferably includes one or more attachment elements, such as hook fasteners and loop straps, for attaching around a handlebar of a trolley. 
     The bag preferably includes the back portion which is connected to a front panel by side panels and a top panel thus forming a volume there between. This volume is preferably partly covered by a bottom panel which extends from the front panel to about halfway toward the back panel. An internal panel preferably extends vertically upward from the bottom panel and joined by a joining panel which extends to the back panel to partly close the volume and thus form an internal bag volume. A part of the volume which is not closed forms an upside down pocket accessible via a bottom opening which is the gap between the bottom panel and the back panel. This pocket is thus bounded by the back portion, the internal panel, the joining panel and portions of the side panels. 
     The front panel at its outside surface preferably includes storage pockets as desired. The side panels preferably include attachments for attaching a shoulder strap thereto. The top panel preferably includes a zip for accessing the internal bag volume. A further closure panel preferably extends from the back portion and substantially covers the top panel and the front panel when attached to the front panel via buckles. A hand strap is preferably attached to the closure panel. 
     In folding the insert for transport, the front portion, side portions and base portion are preferably folded to fit into the space of the pocket. Preferably, the insert when folded has the appearance of a bag and can be carried as such via a hand strap or shoulder strap. 
     In one embodiment, the insert is detachable from the bag. The detachable connection is preferably by means of a zip, hook and loop fastener (VELCRO) or button connection between the bag and the insert. 
     In use, the insert is unfolded and inserted into a toddler seat of a shopping trolley such that the backrest portion of the toddler seat is inserted into the space of the pocket. The base portion covers the base portion of the toddle seat. The side portions cover the sides of the toddler seat and extend over the side edges of same. An attachment element (such a hook strap) on the side portion can then be attached to a corresponding attachment element (such as a loop strap) on the back section. The front portion leg section covers the front portion of the toddler seat which the toddler faces in use. The apertures in the leg section correspond to the leg apertures of the toddler seat and the flaps will extend through the leg apertures in use. The handlebar section extends over the handlebar of the trolley. Attachment elements (such as hook straps) on the side portions are attached to corresponding attachment elements (such as loop straps) on the front portion to secure the insert to the toddler seat. 
     The insert can also be modified to include a safety belt. The safety belt will prevent a toddler from standing from the toddler seat. Further, the safety belt can include an electronic monitoring system, where unauthorised tampering or removing of the safety belt or any attempts to do such will trigger an alarm carried by the parent. The alarm can include a flashing light or vibrations produced by a module attached to the wrist of the parent. This will notify the parent/guardian immediately of any such attempted tampering or removal of the safety belt, which may also include attempts by the toddler. 
     The alarm can also be activated if the parent&#39;s module moves beyond a predetermined desired distance from the toddler in the insert. The alarm will stop once the parent&#39;s module is within the desired distance. When the safety belt is fastened around the toddler, a light in the parent&#39;s module will indicate that the unit is operational. The safety belt is desirably only undone by having the parent&#39;s module in close proximity to the safety belt. 
     The present invention provides a shopping trolley insert having a base portion, a back portion and a front portion extending from opposite sides of the base portion, and a pocket formed at one side of the back portion or the front portion, an opening of the pocket being adjacent the base portion such that the base portion and the other of the back portion and the front portion can be folded and inserted into the pocket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shopping trolley with a toddler seat ready to receive a bag assembly comprising a bag having a trolley insert according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the assembly when installed in the shopping trolley. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the bag assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the bag assembly. 
         FIGS. 6 to 12  show the sequential steps in folding the insert and positioning it in a stowed condition within the bag. 
         FIG. 13  shows a rear perspective view of the bag when the insert is assembled for use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     Referring to the drawings there is shown a bag assembly  20  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bag assembly  20  is intended for use with a shopping trolley  100  (known also as a shopping cart) comprising a wheeled base  102  supporting a basket portion  104  and a handle portion  106  for controlling and manoeuvring the shopping trolley, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The basket portion  104  comprises a front wall  108 , a rear wall  110  and side walls  112 , and incorporates a collapsible toddler seat  114 . The toddler seat  114  comprises a seat portion  116  and a backrest portion  118  which cooperate for swinging movement between collapsed and operative conditions. The backrest portion  118  has an upper free end  120 . Leg apertures  121  are incorporated in the toddler seat  114  through which the legs of the toddler can extend when in the seated position. The handle portion  106  is located at the rear of the shopping trolley  100  and includes a handle bar  122   
     The bag assembly  20  according to the embodiment comprises a bag  15  having an insert  16  attached thereto. The insert  16  has stowed and operative conditions, as will be explained in more detail later. In the stowed condition, the insert  16  is accommodated within the bag  15 . In the operative condition, the insert  16  extends from the bag  15  so that the insert and the bag can be so positioned as to substantially cover the internal surfaces of the toddler seat  114  as well as portions of the trolley, including nearby top edges of the basket portion  104  and the handlebar  122 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an internal side  22  of the trolley insert  16 . The trolley insert  16  includes a rectangular base portion  26  attached at one longitudinal side thereof to a back portion  24  of the bag  15 . Extending from the other longitudinal side of the base portion  26  is a front portion  28  and side portions  30  extend from lateral sides of the base portion  26 . The insert  16  substantially consists of flat padded material. An elasticised pocket  32  is formed at one of the side portions  30 . 
     The back portion  24  of the bag  15  is rectangular in shape and extends from two corners of the base portion  26 . The side portions  30  each include side edges  34 ,  35  that respectively extend from corners of the base portion  26 , the side edges  34 ,  35  diverging from each other from the base portion  26 . One side edge  35  of each side portion  30  is attached to the front portion  28 . Hook straps  36  of hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO™) are attached to each of the free edges  34 , the use of which will be described below. 
     The front portion  28  includes a leg section  38  adjacent the base portion  26  and a handlebar section  40  extending from the leg section  38 . The leg section  38  includes side edges  41  which extend from the base portion  26 , inwardly from corners of the base portion  26 . The side edges  41  essentially diverge from each other until they join the edges of the handlebar section  40  which is rectangular. 
     The side edge  35  of each side portion  30  is spaced from the adjacent side edge  41  of the leg section  38  and is connected to the handlebar section  40  at junction  43 . 
     Leg apertures  42  are formed in the leg section  38 , which are substantially covered by flaps  44  extending from a side of the aperture  42  adjacent the base portion  26 . 
     Essentially, the internal side  22  of the insert  16 , together with the bag back portion  24  is shaped to cover the internal surfaces of the shopping trolley seat  114  for a toddler as will be further explained below. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an external side  50  of the trolley insert  16 . The external side  50  substantially corresponds to the internal side  22 . The external side  50  of the handlebar section  40  includes a strip of hook fastener  52  adjacent its distal end  53  and a strip of loop strap  54  parallel and spaced from the fastener  52  adjacent the leg section  38 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  also show the bag  15  which includes the back portion  24  which is connected to a front panel  60  by side panels  62  and a top panel  64  thus forming a volume there between. This volume is partly covered by a bottom panel  63  which extends from the front panel  60  to about halfway toward the back panel  24 . An internal panel (not shown) extends vertically upward from the bottom panel  63  and joined by a joining panel (not shown) which extends to the back panel  24  to partly close the volume and thus form an internal bag volume. A part of the volume which is not closed forms an inverted pocket  74  accessible via a bottom opening  76  defined by the gap between the bottom panel  63  and the back panel  24 . This pocket  74  is thus bounded by the back portion  24 , the internal panel, the joining panel and portions of the side panels  62 . 
     The front panel  60  at its outside surface  61  includes storage pockets  66  as desired. The side panels  62  include attachments  73  for attaching a shoulder strap  72  thereto. The top panel  64  includes a zip  65  for accessing the internal bag volume. A further closure panel  67  extends from the back portion  24  and substantially covers the top panel  64  and the front panel  60  when attached to the front panel  60  via buckles  69 . A hand strap  70  is attached to the closure panel  67 . The side panels  62  also include loop straps  72  the purpose of which is explained below. 
       FIGS. 6 to 11  sequentially show the steps in folding the insert  16  into the pocket  74  for transport. In particular,  FIG. 6  shows the insert  16  lay such that its internal side  22  faces upwardly.  FIG. 6  also shows the bottom opening  76  of the pocket  74 .  FIG. 7  shows the step of folding the side portions  30  generally on top of the front portion  28 .  FIG. 8  shows the step of folding the handlebar section  40  generally onto itself.  FIG. 9  shows the step of folding the folded front portion  28  on top of the side portions  30  and base portion  26 .  FIG. 10  shows the insertion of the folded front portion  28 , side portions  30  and base section  26  into the pocket  74  through the opening  76 , and  FIG. 11  shows these portions fully inserted into the pocket  74 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the insert  16  is substantially fully inserted into the pocket  74 , the bag assembly  20  has the appearance of a normal bag which can be carried as such via the hand strap  70  or shoulder strap  72 . 
     In use, the insert  16  is withdrawn from the pocket  74  within the bag  15  and is unfolded substantially as shown in  FIG. 4 . The insert  16  is installed into the toddler seat  114  of the shopping trolley  100  and the bag  15  is located on the backrest portion  118  of the toddler seat  114 . More particularly, the bag  15  is positioned on the back rest portion  118  by presenting the opening  76  of the pocket  74  to the upper end  120  of the backrest portion  118  and lowering the bag  15  onto the backrest portion  118  such that the latter is received within the pocket  74 . The base portion  26  covers the seat portion  116  of the toddle seat  114 . The side portions  30  cover the sides of the toddler seat  114  and extend over the side edges of same, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The hook straps  36  of the side portion edges  34  adjacent the back section  24  can then be attached to loop straps  74  of the side panels  62  (see  FIG. 13 ). The front portion leg section  38  covers the front portion of the toddler seat  114  which the toddler faces in use. The apertures  42  correspond to the leg apertures  121  of the toddler seat  114  and the flaps  44  will extend through the leg apertures in use to provide covering and cushioning. The handlebar section  40  extends over the handlebar  122  of the trolley  100 . The hook straps  52  are used to engage the loop straps  54  of the handlebar section  40  to secure same in place over the handlebar  122 . 
     It can be seen that the embodiment provides a bag assembly  20  which is in the form of a combined bag  15  and insert  16 , and which substantially completely covers the internal surfaces of the toddler seat  114 , as well as adjacent portions of the trolley  100  including the top edges of the toddler seat and the handlebar  122 , which the toddler may touch, lick, bite or otherwise contact when seated thereon. As the insert  16  is padded, the toddler is provided with a comfortable seat as well as protection from likely dirty portions of the trolley  100 . The insert  16  can also be folded and inserted into the pocket  74  in a manner which allows the bag  15  to be easily carried and used. In addition, the bag  15  provides an internal bag volume and a number of pockets which are easily accessible whether the bag assembly  20  is being used as a bag only or in a trolley. The internal bag volume and pockets can be used to store items such as nappies, wipes, and toys, thereby reducing the number of bags required to be carried. 
     The bag  15  can be made from any suitable material as desired. The padded insert  16  can be made from flexible fabric material having a soft material insert made from foam, gel, high density polyurethane or similar suitable material. The bag and insert material are preferably durable, stain and water resistant, and the bag and insert can be printed with a design or logo. The bag volume can also be expanded as desired. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that the invention can be embodied in other forms or that modification can be made to the above embodiments. For example, the pockets can be made bigger or the side portions  30  can include further pockets. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the invention can mainly consist of the insert but having a pocket formed in the back portion or front portion such that the remainder of the insert can be folded and inserted into the pocket. 
     In another possible modification, the insert  16  can be removably attached (detachable) to the bag  15  such as via a zipper, hook and loop fasteners or buttons to allow the insert to be washed if required or be used as a change mat. 
     The insert  16  can also be modified to include a safety belt. The safety belt will prevent a toddler from standing from the toddler seat. Further, the safety belt can include an electronic monitoring system, whereby unauthorised tampering or removing of the safety belt, or any attempt to do such, will trigger an alarm carried by the carer of the toddler. The alarm can include a flashing light or vibrations produced by a module attached to the wrist of the carer. This will notify the carer immediately of any such attempted tampering or removal of the safety belt, which may also include attempts by the toddler. 
     The alarm can also be activated if the carer&#39;s module moves beyond a predetermined desired distance from the toddler in the insert. The alarm will stop once the carer&#39;s module is within the desired distance. When the safety belt is fastened around the toddler, a light in the carer&#39;s module will indicate that the unit is operational. The safety belt is desirably only undone by having the carer&#39;s module in close proximity to the safety belt. 
     Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.