Abstract:
A tote bag assembly that comprises a primary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto and a secondary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto. The secondary tote bag is in a rolled up condition, and the primary tote bag is in a rolled up condition so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag. The primary tote bag has a single strap affixed thereto so as to be mediate of the handle. The single strap is attachable to itself, the single strap being in either: a secure condition wherein the single strap encircles the rolled up primary tote bag and the rolled up secondary toe bag and the single strap being attached to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag and secondary tote bag in the rolled up condition; or an unsecure condition wherein the strap is not attached to itself.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a single primary tote bag, as well as a tote bag system that comprises a plurality of tote bags wherein there is the primary tote bag and one or more secondary tote bags. More specifically, the invention pertains to a single primary tote bag, as well as to the above-mentioned tote bag system, wherein the primary tote bag has at least one pocket and a single strap so as to secure the primary tote bag (or the tote bag system) in a compact, self-contained condition so that the primary tote bag (or tote bag system) is easy to transport and store.  
         [0002]     In the past, tote bags have been used for a variety of purposes, and particularly, by individuals desiring to transport small items from one place to another. For example, tote bags have been used by individuals to transport and store knitting materials and to transport items such as suntan lotion, towels and radios to and from a beach or lake. In light of heightened environmental concerns due to the use of the throwaway paper and/or plastic shopping bags, the use of tote bags by shoppers, in lieu of the conventional paper and plastic shopping bags provided by the store, has been advocated and encouraged as environmentally friendly. The basic premise is that by providing their own reusable shopping bags, shoppers/consumers will lessen the demand for paper and plastic shopping bags. As a result, fewer trees will need to be cut down to make paper shopping bags and less garbage will be created as a result of the disposal of paper and/or plastic shopping bags after their use.  
         [0003]     One principal inconvenience that was associated with reusable tote bags has been that these tote bags tended to be awkward and cumbersome to transport and store. One solution was set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,699 to Duty for a TOTE BAG WITH STRAPS. The Duty patent disclosed a tote bag and tote bag system wherein there was a primary tote bag with a pair of straps and one or more plain strapless secondary tote bags. The primary tote bag encircled or encompassed one or more of the secondary tote bags so as to contain a plurality of tote bags in one bundle or roll. The straps were then secured to secure the bundle of tote bags.  
         [0004]     While the tote bag and tote bag system disclosed in the Duty patent are useful, there remains a desire to improve upon the tote bag and tote bag system such as shown and disclosed in the Duty patent. In this regard, it would be desirable to provide an improved tote bag and tote bag system that is easier to secure and does not use two straps. It also would be desirable to provide an improved tote bag and tote bag system that provides the shopper with the ability to carry a wallet or other items in the tote bag without getting these items mixed up with the purchased items. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide an improved tote bag and tote bag system that is a more complete shopping system or kit wherein it relieves the shopper from carrying a separate purse or receptacle by providing pockets for storage. In this regard, the pocket or pockets are always accessible and conveniently provide a place for storage of a wallet, checkbook, pen, keys, shopping list, or the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In one form thereof the invention is a tote bag assembly that comprises a primary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto and a secondary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto. The secondary tote bag is in a rolled up condition, and the primary tote bag is in a rolled up condition so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag. The primary tote bag has a single strap affixed thereto so as to be mediate of the handle. The single strap is attachable to itself, the single strap being in either: a secure condition wherein the single strap encircles the rolled up primary tote bag and the rolled up secondary toe bag and the single strap being attached to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag and secondary tote bag in the rolled up condition; or an unsecure condition wherein the strap is not attached to itself.  
         [0006]     In yet another form thereof, the invention is a tote bag assembly of a primary tote bag and at least one secondary tote bag. The assembly comprises a primary tote bag that defines a top opening. The primary tote bag is capable of being in an expanded condition wherein the primary tote bag defines an interior volume that is accessible through the top opening. The primary tote bag is capable of being in a collapsed condition wherein the primary tote bag does not define an interior volume. The primary tote bag further includes a single strap that is attachable to itself. The assembly further includes a secondary tote bag that defines a top opening. The secondary tote bag is capable of being in an expanded condition wherein the secondary tote bag defines an interior volume that is accessible through the top opening and the secondary tote bag is capable of being in a collapsed condition wherein the secondary tote bag does not define an interior volume. The tote bag assembly is capable of being placed in a portable condition wherein the primary tote bag is collapsed and encircles the collapsed secondary tote bag in a collapsed condition wherein the strap encircles the assembly of the primary tote bag and the secondary tote bag and is secured to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag about the secondary tote bag.  
         [0007]     In still another form thereof the invention is a tote bag assembly that comprises a primary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto and a secondary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto. The secondary tote bag is in a rolled up condition and the primary tote bag is in a rolled up condition so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag. The primary tote bag has a single strap affixed thereto so as to be mediate of the handle wherein the single strap is attachable to itself. The single strap is in either: a secure condition wherein the single strap encircles the rolled up primary tote bag and the rolled up secondary toe bag and the single strap being attached to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag and secondary tote bag in the rolled up condition; or an unsecure condition wherein the strap is not attached to itself. The primary tote bag presents an exterior surface that has at least one pocket. The pocket is accessible when the primary tote bag and the secondary tote bag are in a rolled up condition.  
         [0008]     In still another form thereof, the invention is a tote bag assembly that comprises a primary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto and a secondary tote bag that has at least one handle affixed thereto. The secondary tote bag is in a rolled up condition. The primary tote bag is capable of being in an unrolled condition or a rolled up condition wherein in the rolled up condition the primary tote bag encompasses the rolled up secondary tote bag. The primary tote bag has a single strap affixed thereto so as to be mediate of the handle, and the single strap is attachable to itself. The single strap is in either: a secure condition wherein the single strap encircles the rolled up primary tote bag and the rolled up secondary toe bag and the single strap being attached to itself so as to maintain the primary tote bag and secondary tote bag in the rolled up condition; or an unsecure condition wherein the strap is not attached to the strap is not attached to itself. The primary tote bag presents an exterior surface that has at least one pocket, and the pocket is accessible when the primary tote bag and the secondary tote bag are in a rolled up condition. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The following is a brief description of the drawings that form a part of this patent application:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tote bag of the present invention in an unfolded condition wherein the single strap extends downward and is twisted to show the “loops” portion of the “VELCRO” type material and a flap on one of the pockets is flipped up so as to expose the VELCRO® loops on the flap and the VELCRO® hooks on the tote bag;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tote bag of  FIG. 1  in a folded condition wherein the single strap is secured around the tote bag and ready to be attached to itself and each one of the pair of pockets is in a closed condition;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a tote bag system or assembly wherein a single strapless tote bag (i.e., a secondary tote bag) is rolled up and is encompassed by a primary tote bag (that has a single strap and pockets) in a rolled condition with the single strap secured about both the primary tote bag and the secondary tote bag;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a strapless secondary tote bag that has a pair of handles; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tote bag system or assembly wherein a pair of strapless secondary tote bags are rolled up and are encompassed by a primary tote bag (that has a single strap and pockets) in a rolled condition with the single strap secured about both the primary tote bag and the pair of secondary tote bags; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a pattern for the pliable material to make the primary tote bag. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a specific embodiment of a primary tote bag (generally designated as  20 ) of the present invention. Primary tote bag  20  is made from a man-made material or natural fiber material or a combination of a man-made material and natural fiber material that can present any one or more of a number of different colors and designs. The material is pliable. As is shown in  FIG. 6  hereof, the basic body of the primary tote bag is made from one piece of pliable material. However, applicant contemplates that the tote bags may be made from multiple pieces and multiple types of material.  
         [0017]     For example, one of more of the handles, the strap, the pockets and the basic body of the tote bag may be made from different materials. Hence, the fact that the preferred way to make the basic body of the tote bag is from one piece of material is not intended to be restrictive on the scope of the invention. Although it may vary depending upon the specific material, there is an advantage in the pliable material allowing air to easily enter into the volume defined within the primary tote bag  20 . Primary tote bag  20  is strong and attractive.  
         [0018]     Referring to the basic structure of the primary tote bag  20 , primary tote bag  20  comprises a first panel  22  that has a generally rectangular or square shape. First panel  22  presents an interior surface and an exterior surface  26 . Primary tote bag  20  also has a corresponding opposite second panel  24  that has a generally rectangular or square shape. Second panel  24  presents an interior surface  30  and an exterior surface (not illustrated). The primary tote bag  20  also has a bottom portion  32 . The first panel  22  and the second panel  24  and the bottom portion  32  comprise what may be considered the basic body of the primary tote bag  20 .  
         [0019]     One handle  36  is attached to the interior surface  24  of the first panel  22  near the top edge thereof Another handle  38  is attached to the interior surface  30  of the second panel  28  near the top edge thereof. The first panel  22 , second panel  24  and the bottom panel define the interior volume of the tote bag  20 .  
         [0020]     The primary tote bag  20  also has a pair of pockets  44 . Pockets  44  are the same so that a description of one of the pocket  44  will suffice for the description of the other both pocket  44 . However, applicant contemplates that the pockets may be different depending upon the intended use of the pockets. Applicant also contemplates that there may be more than a pair of pockets.  
         [0021]     Pocket  44  is on the exterior surface  26  of the first panel  22 . Pocket  44  is located near the top edge of the first panel  22  of the primary tote bag  20 . Pocket  44  has an exterior surface  46  that presents a section of VELCRO® loop material  48 . Pocket  44  has a flap  50  that has an interior surface  52  wherein the interior surface  52  has a section of VELCRO® hook material  54 . When in a closed condition, the flap  50  is folded down so that the VELCRO® hooks  54  engage the VELCRO® loops  48  SO that the flap  50  (and hence the pocket  44 ) is secured in the closed condition. It should be appreciated that the pockets  44  are located near the top edge of the first panel  22  SO that the pockets  44  remain accessible even when the primary tote bag  20  is rolled up as described hereinafter. Thus, the pockets  44  are always accessible when the primary tote bag  20 .  
         [0022]     Primary tote bag  10  is also provided with a single strap  56  attached to the exterior surface  26  of the first panel  22  at a location generally midway between the handles  36  and  38  and toward the upper edge of the first panel. The single strap  56  has a first end  58  and a second distal end  60 . Single strap  56  also has one surface  62  that presents VELCRO® hooks  66  wherein the hooks  66  are near the distal end  60  of the single strap  56 . Single strap  56  has another surface  68  that presents VELCRO® loops  70  wherein the loops  70  are near the first end  58  of the single strap  56 .  
         [0023]     When the primary tote bag  20  is in use the single strap  56  typically loosely hangs downward against the primary tote bag  20 . To place the primary tote bag  20  in a condition for storage and transportation while not in use, the primary tote bag  20  is laid flat with the second panel  28  facing downward and the first panel  22  facing upward. Primary tote bag  20  is rolled, beginning from the bottom end thereof, toward the top edge thereof so as to form a generally elongate cylindrical shape. Primary tote bag  20  is rolled up to the point where the single strap  56  is loose and outside of the interior of the rolled primary tote bag  20 . The top edge of the first panel  22  which is not included in the rolled up primary tote bag  20  is folded in the direction of the second panel  28  so that the VELCRO® material on the single strap  56  is exposed and facing outwardly of the rolled up primary tote bag  20 . Single strap  56  is then placed around the circumference of the rolled primary tote bag  20  and the VELCRO® hooks  66  engage the VELCRO® loops  70  so as to form a secure belt around the rolled up primary tote bag  20  and the secondary tote bag or bags.  
         [0024]     Once in this storage and transportation condition the primary tote bag  20  (and the secondary tote bag or bags) can be easily and efficiently stored and transported while not in use and thereby making the use of such tote bags much easier and more manageable. In addition, as mentioned hereinabove, the pockets  44  are accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is in the rolled up condition. The pockets  44  are also accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is not in a rolled up condition.  
         [0025]     It should be appreciated that in some instances, the pocket (or pockets)  44  can be made from one kind of material and the strap  56  made from another kind of material and the basic body of the tote bag made from still another kind of material. In this regard, the material for the pocket (or pockets)  44  may typically be solid so as to maintain the privacy of the contents of the pocket (or pockets)  44 . The material for the basic body of the primary tote bag  20  may be solid or it may be see-through.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an assembly or kit of the present invention generally designated as  74 . The assembly  74  comprises a primary tote bag  20  and a secondary tote bag generally designated as  78  (see  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0027]     Secondary tote bag  78  is generally structurally the same as primary tote bag  20  in that each one of the secondary tote bags  78  is made of a sturdy pliable material (e.g., a man-made material or fiber material or a combination of a man-made material and fiber material) that allows for he use of the tote bag over and over again. Secondary tote bag  74  has a first panel  80  with an exterior surface  82  and a second panel  86  with an interior surface  88 . Secondary tote gab  78  has a bottom portion. Secondary tote bag  78  has a pair of handles  90  wherein each handle is attached to the interior surface of its respective panel ( 80 ,  86 ). The first panel  80  and the second panel  86  together with the bottom portion define an interior volume  92  of the secondary tote bag  78 .  
         [0028]     The kit  74  is placed in a condition for storage and transportation by laying the primary tote bag  20  on a horizontal surface so that the single straps  56  is facing downward and is underneath primary tote bag  20 . The secondary tote bag  78  is then placed on top of the primary tote bag  20  so that the primary tote bag  20  and the secondary tote bag  78  are in alignment with each other. Both tote bags ( 20  and  78 ) are rolled together, beginning at the bottom ends thereof, toward the top end so as to form a generally elongate cylindrical shape. The primary tote bag  20  an the secondary tote bags  78  are rolled up to the top edge of these bags so that handles thereof ( 36 ,  38  and  90 ) are projecting outwardly of the rolled up tote bags and are not included within the interior of the rolled up bags. Single strap  56  is circumferentially around the kit  74  similarly as with the primary tote bag  20  described above so as to form a secure belt around the entire kit  74 .  
         [0029]     In some instances, it is preferred if only the handles  36  and  38  of the primary tote bag  20  project from the kit  74 . In this condition, the handles  90  of secondary tote bag  78  are folded so as to be in the interior of the roll of kit  74 .  
         [0030]     It should be appreciated that the pockets  44  on the primary tote bag  20  are accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is rolled up so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag  78 . The pockets  44  of the primary tote bag  20  are also accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is not in a rolled upon condition.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows that more than one secondary tote bag  78  may be a part of the assembly or kit. In this regard, the kit generally designated as  96  shown in  FIG. 5  has one primary tote bag  20  and one or more of secondary tote bags wherein the  FIG. 5  there is shown a pair of secondary tote bags  78 . The additional secondary tote bags  78  may be a part of the kit  96  by placing such secondary tote bags  78  on top of the primary tote bag and aligning the bags prior to rolling the kit  96  into the generally elongate cylindrical shape. The strap  56  then secures the entire assembly or kit  96  in a rolled condition. The handles  36  and  38  (and possibly handles  90  depending if these handles project from the kit) permit the kit  96  to be easily and conveniently transported form location to location.  
         [0032]     For the specific embodiment of  FIG. 5 , it should be appreciated that the pockets  44  on the primary tote bag  20  are accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is rolled up so as to encompass the rolled up secondary tote bag  78 . The pockets  44  of the primary tote bag  20  are also accessible when the primary tote bag  20  is not in a rolled upon condition.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a pattern for making the basic body of both the primary tote bag  2  and the secondary tote bag  78 . For the purpose of this description, the reference numerals will refer to the structure of the primary tote bag  20 . However, it should be appreciated that the description also applies to the secondary tote bag  78 .  
         [0034]     The pattern generally designated as  100  presents the first panel  22  that has a pair of edges  102  and  104 . There is a notch  106  at the intersection of the edges  102  and  104 . There is also an opposite notch  108  in the edge  104 . The material  110  that is between the notch  106  and the notch  108  helps form the bottom of the tote bag as will be discussed hereinafter. Still referring to the pattern  100 , the second panel  28  has a pair of edges  116  and  118 . There is a notch  120  at the intersection of the edges  116  and  118 . There is also an opposite notch  122  in the edge  118 . The material  124  that is between the notch  120  and the notch  122  helps form the bottom of the tote bag as will be discussed hereinafter.  
         [0035]     In making the basic body of the tote bag, the material is folded on itself along a crease or fold line  124 . The edges  102  and  116  are sewn or attached together. The edges of the material that define the notches  106  and  120  is folded and attached together. The edges of the material that defines the notches  108  and  122  is folded and sewn together. The edges that define the material sections  110  and  124  are sewn together whereby these sections ( 110  and  124 ) define the bottom section of the tote bag.  
         [0036]     It can thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved tote bag and tote bag system that is easier to secure by using a single strap as opposed to using two straps. It is also apparent that the present invention provides an improved tote bag and tote bag system that provides the shopper with the ability to carry a wallet or other items in the tote bag without getting these items mixed up with the purchased items. It is also apparent that the present invention provides an improved tote bag and tote bag system that is a more complete shopping system or kit than what has existed heretofore wherein the present invention relieves the shopper from carrying a separate purse or receptacle by providing pockets for storage. In this regard, the pocket or pockets are always accessible (no matter if the primary tote bag is in the rolled up condition or in the unrolled condition) and conveniently provide a place for storage of a wallet, checkbook, pen, keys, shopping list, or the like.  
         [0037]     All patents, patent applications, articles and other documents identified herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Other embodiments of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or the practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and any examples set forth herein be considered as illustrative only, with the true spirit and scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.