Patent Publication Number: US-2020281335-A1

Title: Single use gauze grocery bag

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation in part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/503,381, filed on Jul. 3, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/814,074, filed Mar. 5, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to shopping bags and, more particularly, to a single use gauze grocery bag. 
     Shopping bags are used by shoppers to carry home their purchases. “Single use Plastic bags” are intended as mass production single-use disposable products; others are designed as reusable shopping bags. 
     Mass production refers to the production of a large scale for a low price usually by machinery. Plastic bags that are considered as mass production are now an omnipresent global product. Many countries are introducing legislation to ban plastic bags, because plastic never fully breaks down. 
     Reusable grocery bags that are present in today&#39;s market are thicker, heavier, and more expensive. Further, multiple uses can cause a hygiene issues since they become dirty with time and are brought into food selling establishments, thus heightening the danger of spreading food-borne illness. 
     The average plastic bag pick up at the grocery store, or carry takeout in, has a lifespan of about 12 minutes but is made out of a material that lasts for a long period of time. When discarded, plastic bags clog sewage and storm drains, entangle and kill an estimated 100,000 marine mammals every year, and degenerate into toxic micro plastics that fester in our oceans and landfills for up to 1,000 years. 
     Despite this, shoppers collectively use around 500 billion single-use plastic bags every year, (100 billion/year in the US alone). That&#39;s 150 bags per person, per year, for every single person on Earth—or enough to circle the globe 4,200 times. 
     In 1997 the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was discovered, and this began to change how people viewed plastics. It was still another decade before San Francisco took that first stand against single-use plastic bags, but the effort has only gained momentum since then. Efforts to ban single-use plastic bags have spread across the world as people are beginning to understand that plastic is bad for the planet. 
     In the United States, there is a growing concern about the negative impact of single use plastic bags on human health and the environment. Several local and subnational governments have implemented bans on the use of plastic bags as a result of this concern. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a single use Echo-friendly biodegradable bag for grocery shopping that can be utilized in multiple other applications thereby solving at least some of the problems described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a grocery bag comprises: a body made of a cotton gauze material and comprising an internal compartment defined in between a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a top, and a bottom, wherein the internal compartment is accessed through an opening at the top. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing grocery bags comprises: providing a plurality of grocery bags comprising: a body made of a cotton gauze material and comprising an internal compartment defined in between a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a top, and a bottom, wherein the internal compartment is accessed through an opening at the top; and hanging the grocery bags from hooks of supermarket check-out lanes. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention includes a cotton based biodegradable bag that solves the problems caused by single-use plastic bags as mentioned above, as well as issues of hygiene that result from reusable grocery bags, and thereby effectively replacing the need for both products altogether. The present invention provides an effective design that turns an environmentally friendly gauze cheesecloth fabric into a sturdy single use grocery bag that can be used later as a cleaning cloth and a trash bag. The present invention may be made in mass production and further includes the following properties: the fabric is biodegradable, recyclable and disposable; light weight cotton fabric providing environmental benefits such as less water needed to grow the cotton in the field, less energy to manufacture it and less fuel required for its transportation and distribution; water absorption properties so it can be reused at home as a cleaning cloth, which replaces some of the needs currently filled by traditional paper-towels saving the user money and providing a beneficial effect on the environment by reducing reliance on trees for paper products, thus increasing its efficiency; inexpensive, thin, and light, with the ability to be waterproofed with wax coat treatment, which enables the bag to function as a trash holder; a design that allows for large scale and low cost mass production; a design that can easily fit onto existing traditional plastic grocery bag hooks allowing a quick and cost-effective transition in supermarkets from a single use plastic bag to a single use eco-friendly bag; a design that can easily unfastened to be adapted as a cleaning cloth at home after being used as a bag, due to the material being soft, thin and light the bag requires very little storage space, making it convenient to save on the kitchen drawer as a cleaning cloth when needed. 
       FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7 , illustrate an exemplary grocery bag  100  for providing a sanitary use of a grocery bag and subsequent additional uses. The grocery bag  100  is useful for reducing the costs of cotton-based reusable grocery bags, the cost of the reusable bags is a leading reason for consumers declining using these reusable grocery bags. The grocery bag  100  is further useful in having additional uses once the initial use of carrying groceries or other items has occurred, these activities may include cleaning furniture, cleaning counter tops, washing dishes, etc. 
     The grocery bag  100  is preferably made of a natural, 100% cotton gauze material, but other materials are hereby contemplated including, but not limited to, 100% cotton absorbent medical bleached gauze, kitchen cotton cheese cloth, mutton cloth, etc. Cotton Gauze Cheesecloth fabric is available in at least seven different grades that vary from open to an extra-fine weave which are distinguished by the number of threads per inch in each direction. The grades can be #10, #40, #50, #60, #80 and #90. The lower the grade of gauze fabric uses less cotton to make the bag. This satisfies both the consumers&#39; needs and leaves a smaller footprint on the environment. A bag made with cheesecloth grade #10-#50 weighs only about 0.3 to about 0.5 oz./bag and can carry up to about 10 pounds. A bag made with cheesecloth grade #60-#90 weighs about 0.6 to about 0.9 oz. and can carry up to about 20 pounds. 
     The grocery bag  100  has a body  101 . The body  101  of the grocery bag  100  has an internal compartment  102 , a first side  103 , a second side  104 , a third side  105 , a fourth side  106 , a top  107 , and a bottom  108 . The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  100  is useful for holding items  6  such as groceries, clothes, health and beauty aids, automotive supplies, etc. The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  100  is accessible by the top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  100 . The top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  100  is an opening. 
     A first loop  117  is securely coupled to a top corner of the body  101 . A second loop  116  is securely coupled to an opposing top corner of the body  101 . The first loop  117  and the second loop  116  may be about two inches in length and may be sewn or glued on the top corners of the body  101 . The first loop  117  and the second loop  116  provide a way to hang the grocery bags  100  onto the hooks of supermarkets check-out lanes. The first loop  117  and the second loop  116  may also be used to hang the grocery bag  100  from a support rod  7 . 
     The bottom side  108  may include a fold  13  of about 2.5 inch upward. By folding the bottom side  108  in this manner, the bottom side  108  of bag  100  is doubled to 5 inches when filled with groceries. This simple design feature enables the bag  100  to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag well. The first side  103  and the third side  105  may also include a fold  2  that is folded about 1.2 inches onto itself. In certain embodiments, a gap  5  may be formed through the top half of the first side  103  and the top half of the third side  105 . The gaps  5  may be about 6 inches in length and are located on both sides of the grocery bag  100 , directly below the bag opening. The gap  5  may act as a handle for the grocery bag  100  and allow the user to carry the grocery bag  100  with a firm grip. 
     The grocery bag  100  may include a self-finished edge  14 . The self-finished edge  14  is incorporated at the opening of the grocery bag  100 . The self-finished edge  14  prevents the fabric from fraying when wet and used as a cleaning cloth. The term “self-finished” (also known as “selvage”) means that the edge does not require additional finishing to prevent fraying edges thus the cost of production is immediately reduced making product easier for mass production. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a grocery bag  110  that has the body  101 . The body  101  of the grocery bag  110  has an internal compartment  102 , a first side  103 , a second side  104 , a third side  105 , a fourth side  106 , a top  107 , and a bottom  108 . The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  110  is useful for holding items such as groceries, clothes, health and beauty aids, automotive supplies, etc. The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  110  is accessible by the top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  110 . The top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  110  is an opening. 
     The bottom side  108  may include a fold  13  of about 2.5 inch upward. By folding the bottom side  108  in this manner, the bottom side  108  of bag  110  is doubled to 5 inches when filled with groceries. This simple design feature enables the bag  110  to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag well. The first side  103  and the third side  105  may also include a fold  2  that is folded about 1.2 inches onto itself. In certain embodiments, a gap  5  may be formed through the top half of the first side  103  and the top half of the third side  105 . The gaps  5  may be about 6 inches in length and are located on both sides of the grocery bag  110 , directly below the bag opening. The gap  5  may act as a handle for the grocery bag  110  and allow the user to carry the grocery bag  110  with a firm grip. 
     The grocery bag  110  may include a self-finished edge  14 . The self-finished edge  14  is incorporated at the opening of the bag. The self-finished edge  14  prevents the fabric from fraying when wet and used as a cleaning cloth. The term “self-finished” (also known as “selvage”) means that the edge does not require additional finishing to prevent fraying edges thus the cost of production is immediately reduced making product easier for mass production. 
     Two small pre-cut holes  3  at around 1 inch in diameter and around 6 inches away from each other are located on each top lip of the top side  107  of the grocery bag  110 . A fray stop spray may be applied to the holes  3  to prevent the holes  3  from fraying. The holes  3  allow the grocery bag  110  to hang onto the hooks of supermarket check-outlines. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a grocery bag  120  that has a body  101 . The body  101  of the grocery bag  120  has an internal compartment  102 , a first side  103 , a second side  104 , a third side  105 , a fourth side  106 , a top  107 , and a bottom  108 . The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  120  is useful for holding items such as groceries, clothes, health and beauty aids, automotive supplies, etc. The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  120  is accessible by the top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  120 . The top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  120  is an opening. 
     The bottom side  108  may include a fold  13  of about 2.5 inch upward. By folding the bottom side  108  in this manner, the bottom side  108  of bag  120  is doubled to 5 inches when filled with groceries. This simple design feature enables the bag  120  to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag well. The first side  103  and the third side  105  may also include a fold  2  that is folded about 1.2 inches onto itself. A cut out handle  16  may also be formed on the top  107 . The cut-out handle  16  may be removed and the remaining opening may be used as a handle. 
     The present invention may also be used as a trash bag. In such embodiments, the present invention may include a wax layer  15  applied to an outer surface of the grocery bag  120 . In order for the grocery bag  120  to be cost effective, the wax layer  15  may be applied to the bottom section of the grocery bag  120  up until around 10 inches from bottom, i.e. where the liquids tend to gather. In such embodiments, the present invention may further include strings  8  extending from opposing top corners of the grocery bag  120 , allowing the grocery bag to be tied off and thereby function as trash bag. The strings  8  may be about 5-inches long and allow users to tie the top of the trash bag together once trash is ready to be disposed of. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a basic grocery bag  130  that has a body  101 . The body  101  of the grocery bag  130  has an internal compartment  102 , a first side  103 , a second side  104 , a third side  105 , a fourth side  106 , a top  107 , and a bottom  108 . The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  130  is useful for holding items such as groceries, clothes, health and beauty aids, automotive supplies, etc. The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  130  is accessible by the top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  130 . The top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  130  is an opening. 
     The first side  103  and the third side  105  may also include a fold  2  that is folded about 1.2 inches onto itself. In certain embodiments, a gap  5  may be formed through the top half of the first side  103  and the top half of the third side  105 . The gaps  5  may be about 6 inches in length and are located on both sides of the grocery bag  130 , directly below the bag opening. The gap  5  may act as a handle for the grocery bag  130  and allow the user to carry the grocery bag  130  with a firm grip but may also be used to hang the grocery bag  130  on the hooks of supermarket check-out lanes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the grocery bag  140  has a body  101 . The body  101  of the grocery bag  140  has an internal compartment  102 , a first side  103 , a second side  104 , a third side  105 , a fourth side  106 , a top  107 , and a bottom  108 . The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  140  is useful for holding items  6  such as groceries, clothes, health and beauty aids, automotive supplies, etc. The internal compartment  102  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  140  is accessible by the top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  140 . The top  107  of the body  101  of the grocery bag  140  is an opening. 
     The grocery bag  140  may be made of a tubular gauze fabric. While the previous alternative has both sides of the bag sewn and a gap creates handles, for this embodiment only the bottom  108  is sewn. Additionally, a first handle  122  and a second handle  124  of about 5 inches are sewn or glued at opposing top corners of the bag  140 . When the tubular gauze fabric is cut as result the top  107  of the bag  140  has no self-finished edges and in order to prevent the fabric from fraying, the fray stop spray may be applied to the top section. After The bottom  108  has been sewn to create the bag a fold  13  of 2.5 inch upward may be incorporated. By folding the bottom in this manner, the bottom  108  of bag  140  is doubled automatically to about 5 inches when filled with groceries. This simple design feature enables the bag  140  to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag  140 . 
     The present invention may also be used as a trash bag. In such embodiments, the present invention may include a wax layer  15  applied to an outer surface of the grocery bag  140 . In order for the grocery bag  140  to be cost effective, the wax layer  15  may be applied to the bottom section of the grocery bag  140  up until around 10 inches from bottom, i.e. where the liquids tend to gather. The first handle  122  and the second handle  124  may act as draw strings on both top corners of the bag  140  which serve to tie the top of the trash bag together once trash is ready to be disposed of. 
     The gauze fabric used for the present invention may include any of the following: 100% cotton absorbent medical (bleached and sterilized) gauze, used for medical purposes to cover or wrap wounds due to its ability to allow wounds to “breathe” while rapidly absorbing fluids; 100% pure natural cotton cheesecloth (bleached) is used in the cheesemaking industry to remove whey from cheese curd and helps to hold the curd together while the cheese is formed; and 100% kitchen cotton cheesecloth (bleached or unbleached, used for all purpose cleaning such as dish washing, automobiles, and any other type of household surfaces. 
     In certain embodiments, a lower grade of gauze fabric may be used with the present invention. Lower grade cheesecloth fabric is thin, lightweight and has tiny holes which allow air and water to flow thus providing for high water-absorption and sanitary properties which enables the present invention to efficiently function as a household cleaning cloth. 
     A method of making the present invention may include the following. The present invention includes a cost-effective mass production advantage. Due to its uniquely simple design, the gauze roll may be cut and developed into a bag by automated industrial machines in the exact location where the fabric itself is also manufactured. This major advantage serves to eliminate shipping and transportation costs. The process of developing the bag may be achieved using the following steps: a gauze cheesecloth roll (preferably treated with starch), with a standard width of 1 yard (or 100 cm), and self-finished edges on both sides may be cut into 20 inches pieces; the insides of the 1 yard fabric that has loose fray edges are folded into 1.2 inches in order to prevent the edges from unraveling; fold the fabric to create the shape of the “bag” around 20 inches×20 inches; perform the automatic sewing or gluing of both sides of the bag from top to bottom by leaving a 6 inch gap on the top corners, and continue sewing or gluing to the bottom; before finished sewing, fold the bottom of the bag 2.5 inches upward. By folding the bottom in this manner, the bottom of bag will be doubled of 5 inches automatically when filled with groceries, thus enables the bag to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag well 
     Moving now to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart  200  illustrates the creation of the grocery bag. 
     At  205 , the process starts. At  210  it is determined if there is enough fabric or any fabric available to make the grocery bag  100 . If at  215  if it is determined that there is not enough fabric or no fabric, then the consumer obtains enough fabric to produce the grocery bag  100 . The fabric is preferably a natural, 100% cotton gauze material, but other materials are hereby contemplated including, but not limited to, 100% cotton absorbent medical bleached gauze, kitchen cotton cheese cloth, mutton cloth, etc. 
     After it has been determined at  210  that enough fabric is available or the fabric has been obtained at  215 , then at  220  the fabric is cut to a fifty centimeter by one hundred-centimeter (50 cm×100 cm) dimension. The fabric utilized for the opening at the top  107  of the grocery bag preferably has self-finishing edges which prevent the edges from fraying when cut (also known as “selvage”). Further, the self-finishing edges reduce costs of production of the grocery bag. 
     At  225 , the cut fabric is folded to create a fifty-centimeter by fifty-centimeter (50 cm×50 cm) bag. Each side of the bag is then folded one and two tenths (1.2) inches on an inside. 
     At  230 , the loop is placed between each folded top corner and the corner is sewn to securely coupled the loops to the bag. Alternatively, the holes are cut or the strips are sewn to the bag, 
     At  245 , a gap of 6 inches left and sewn straight towards the bottom of the bag. Prior to sewing the bottom of the bag, fold the bottom of the bag two and one-half (2.5) inches upward and then continue, at  240 , sewing to the bottom of the bag. By folding the bottom in this manner, the bottom of bag is doubled to 5 inches when filled with groceries, thus enabling the bag to carry objects more steadily and firmly while holding the shape of the bag well. 
     Once the sewing of the bottom of the bag has been completed at  240 , the bag has been made and then at  245  the process for creating the grocery bag has ended and thus the grocery bag can be used. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.