NL2009773C2

NL2009773C2 - Assembly of a bag and a stretcher.

Info

Publication number: NL2009773C2
Application number: NL2009773A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Harry Duis
Original assignee: Duis Beheer B V H
Priority date: 2012-11-08
Filing date: 2012-11-08
Publication date: 2014-05-12

Description

Assembly of a bag and a stretcher TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bags, in particular to 5 foldable shopping bags for groceries and the like.

BACKGROUND

Shopping bags for groceries are well known, one type of such bags, shown in Fig. 1, has a substantially boxy shape having a 10 bottom and upstanding side walls, providing an open containment volume with a generally rectangular cross section in top view. Such bags are generally made of plastics, paper and/or cloth with handles attached to opposing side walls. Such bags with volumes of about 15-25 liters can be procured in nearly all 15 supermarkets. Benefits of such bags are their relatively low weight and volume when folded together combined with their strength and relatively large containment volume when unfolded.

A downside of such bags is that, due to their foldability, one needs at least one hand to hold such bag open when storing 20 groceries in it, to prevent the bag from sagging and sinking together which would effectively at least partly close the open area for filling the bag. This means that only one hand is free for filling the bag, e.g. taking groceries from a conveyor at the checkout. This hinders use of the bag and costs time for 25 filling the bag, in particular if one desires to place the groceries into the bag with some care and/or arranging the groceries in accordance with the shape of the bag so that its volume is optimally used. Moreover, even when holding (a handle of) the bag with one hand the bag may "cave in" and partly close 30 the opening again, see Fig. 2. Such complications and the associated time loss tend to irritate and frustrate bag users, shop personnel and customers further behind in a shopping queue alike .

2

An improvement is therefore desired.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, an assembly and a stretcher according to 5 the appended claims are hereby provided.

The assembly comprises a foldable bag and a stretcher, and comprises a bottom and sidewalls extending from the bottom to define a containment volume with an opening, and wherein the stretcher comprises two opposing side members configured for 10 resiliently urging the side walls of the bag into an open configuration.

Thus, the bag is held open by the stretcher, freeing a hand to hold open the bag and/or control its opening and therewith facilitating filling the bag with objects e.g. groceries using 15 both hands. Thus, customer friendliness is significantly improved. Use of a foldable bag allows storing and/or transporting the bag, when empty or only partly filled, in a smaller volume than a generally rigid container, like a foldable crate. The bag may be of a flexible material; a flexible bag can 20 give and conform to goods contained within it, whereas a generally rigid container cannot. Thus, point loads on the goods may be prevented and the bag volume may be used more effectively than an equal volume of a rigid container. A resilient urging force provided by the stretcher facilitates such deformation of 25 the bag, yet maintains the open state of the bag.

The stretcher may be arranged at least partly within the bag, so that the bag retains it shape and appearance and risks of snagging objects with the bag are reduced. Also, the stretcher is protected by the bag. Moreover, other provisions for carrying 30 the stretcher and/or connecting it to the bag are obviated.

The stretcher may be removable from the bag, e.g. to facilitate folding the bag to a smaller volume than with the stretcher in 3 place, for maintenance and cleaning and/or to facilitate use of the stretcher with another bag.

The stretcher may comprise a base member, wherein the side members are movably connected to the base member, in particular 5 pivotal and preferably to opposite sides of the base member. Thus, the side members are separated from each other, facilitating arranging goods between the side members and into the containment volume of the bag. Further, one or more resilient members for providing the urging force of the side 10 members may be derived from and/or be defined with respect to the base member, e.g. one or more springs may extend between a side member and the base member, forcing at least parts thereof away from each other or towards each other. A pivotal or a foldable arrangement, e.g. a hinge or a bendable portion, 15 separates functions of (relative) deformation and rigidity, facilitating manufacture and use.

The base member may be formed as a bottom member conforming to the bottom of the bag, e.g. the base member may serve as a bag bottom reinforcement. In such assembly, the side members may 20 extend upward away from the bottom towards the opening of the bag, and the stretcher may be provided with a general U-shape in which groceries or other goods can be readily arranged.

In particular, the base member and/or side members may be formed generally flat, e.g. plate or sheet material, panels, grids etc. 25 Thus, the bottom and/or side members take up little space and may assist in supporting goods carried in the bag and fortify the bag. A grid or mesh reduces weight relative to size of the stretcher .

The side members may be foldable towards the base member, 30 wherein one or both side members may be arranged generally against the base member, the side members may then also overlap such that one side member is arranged between the base member and the other side member in case at least one side member is 4 longer than half the separation between the side members. Thus, a rather flat geometry may be provided, so that the assembly of bag and stretcher may be folded to a small volume. A folded stretcher may serve to reinforce the bottom of the bag further.

5 The side members may be releasably attachable together in folded-together configuration, e.g. with a hook-and-loop type fastener, a magnet, a push button etc. Thus, the small folded volume can be readily maintained and the stretcher may be deployed when desired.

10 A side member may be resiliently urged to an obtuse angle with respect to the base member, e.g. an opening angle of about 100 degrees or more, so as to press against the side walls of the bag.

At least one of the base member and the side members may have a 15 varying thickness, in particular the base member being thinner in a middle section relative to one or both ends, and/or a side member being relatively thicker towards the base member and relatively thinner away from the base member, e.g. to save weight and/or to reinforce the stretcher at or near a hinge 20 and/or resilient member support.

One or more side members may be attached to each other and/or to a base member via a latching or snapping connection. This facilitates manufacturing and/or repair of the stretcher. Further, a stretcher is herewith provided which is configured to 25 be used in an assembly as disclosed herein and for urging the side walls of a bag of a substantially flexible material into an open configuration, comprising two opposing side members configured for resiliently urging the side walls of the bag into an open configuration, preferably two side walls movably 30 connected to a base member, in particular to opposite sides of the base member and preferably resiliently pivotable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

5

The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example.

In the drawings, 5 Fig. 1 shows a foldable shopping bag in unfolded state;

Fig. 2 shows the bag of Fig. 1 partly collapsed and folded;

Fig. 3 shows an outline of an assembly of the bag of Fig. 1 (in outline) with a stretcher;

Fig. 4 is a side view of part of a stretcher in assembled 10 configuration;

Figs. 5 and 6 are side and top views, respectively, of side members and a base member of a disassembled stretcher;

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a stretcher in folded configuration 15 Figs. 8-11 show alternative embodiments of stretchers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding 20 the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical 25 function are denoted by the same numeral.

Figs. 1-2 show an exemplary bag 1 of the aforementioned foldable shopping bag of generally box-like shape with a generally rectangular bottom panel 3 and side walls 5, 7, formed to provide a substantially parallelepiped-shaped interior space 9 30 with an opening 11 at its top. The bag 1 has two handgrips 9 on top, attached to the relatively wide side walls 5. When not supported or supported by only one handgrip 9, the bag 1 tends to collapse and fold together, reducing the volume of the 6 interior space 9 as indicated in Fig. 2. The bag 1 may also sag and fold further together so that the opening 11 also deforms, and (access to) the interior space 9 may be severely obstructed. Fig. 3 shows the bag 1 of Fig. 1 in an assembly 10 also 5 comprising a stretcher 13. A shoulder band may be provided as well, preferably to the relatively narrow side walls 7. The stretcher 13 comprises a base member 15 and side members 17 pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base member 15 rendering the stretcher substantially U-shaped. The side members 10 13 are resiliently arranged to support the side walls 7 of the bag 1 and press against them for resiliently urging these side walls 7 into an open configuration. Thus, the bag 1 is urged to its unfolded and open configuration, wherein the interior space 9 is accessible readily and substantially unhindered through the 15 opening 11.

The stretcher 13 is removable from the bag 1 so that either can be used on its own in a different situation if so desired. E.g., the stretcher could be inserted into another bag and put to use for opening it, such as a bicycle bag e.g. a bag having hooks 20 for attachment to a load carrier.

Best seen in Figs. 3-5, the base member 15 and side members 17 are formed of plates or sheet-like material, e.g. plastic plates, which may comprise holes. Alternatively, the members 15-17 may be formed as substantially open frames, e.g. as shown in 25 Figs. 8, possibly with a partial filling such as a webbing as shown in Fig. 9, and/or I- or L- shaped side members as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, respectively. The wire frame as in of Fig. 8 facilitates integration of the side member with a spring S.

In the shown embodiments, the side members 17 are attached to 30 opposite ends of the base member 15, being pivotal about hinges 19, formed by an axle (not shown) through appropriate holders 21 in the side members 17 to which the base member 15 is snapped with appropriate hooks 23. However, numerous other arrangements, 7 including living hinges (or: "film hinges"), are possible. A resilient element is provided to urge the side members 17 away from each other and from the base member 15, here a coil spring with arms, fitted about the axle with its arms arranged against 5 the respective members 15, 17, (not shown) for which appropriate recesses 25 are provided in the members 15, 17. Under action of the springs, the side walls 17 will be urged outward from the base member 15 to an enclosed angle a of about 100 degrees, or any other obtuse angle, so that an outward force on the side 10 walls 7 is ascertained. Here, the base member 15 and the side members 17 comprise abutment structures 27 to restrict the angle a and prevent the stretcher 13 from overextending when removed from the bag 1.

Best seen in Fig. 3, the base member 15 is formed as a bottom 15 member conforming to (the interior dimensions of) the bottom 3 of the bag 1. The side members 17 may also similarly be formed to conform to the side walls 7 of the bag 1. Here however, they are kept slightly smaller to save weight; a resilient outward force on a side wall 7 higher than half the wall height from the 20 bottom 3 and wider than about half to three quarters of the side wall width generally suffices to urge and maintain the bag 1 in the open configuration.

Best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the base and side members 15, 17 are thicker (at thicknesses t2, t4, respectively) at and near 25 (portions 21, 23 for forming) the hinges 19, for reinforcement, whereas more remote portions are thinner (at thicknesses tl, t3, respectively) to save weight and increase flexibility of the respective member 15, 17. Relatively thin and somewhat flexible ends, in particular further thinning of outside corners of the 30 side members 17, may reduce localised forces on the bag 1 which might wear and/or damage the bag 1 otherwise. Similarly, all corners of the stretcher 13 are rounded off for protection of the bag 1.

8

For storage of the stretcher 13, the stretcher 13 may be folded together as shown in Fig. 7, wherein the side members 17 are folded (here: pivoted) towards the base member 15 wherein they may be arranged substantially parallel to each other. To 5 maintain the folded state the side members are detachably attached together with an amount of hook-and-loop-type fastener 27 (e.g. Velcro®), but a band, possibly a rubber elastic band, or another releasable, preferably reusable, tying or locking mechanism may also be employed.

10 The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance the members may be shaped differently, possibly asymmetric. The stretcher may be integrated into the bag. A different hinging or folding 15 mechanism may be applied, e.g. a portion of a resiliently foldable material such as spring metal. It is conceivable that the stretcher comprises further side members, e.g. to press against further side wall portions, and/or that the side members comprise a number of relatively narrow elements, possibly like 20 spokes. The bag may be conical and need not be rectangular but may be substantially cylindrical with a square or circular base shape .

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and 25 aspects of other embodiments ways within the scope of the claims, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

These and other aspects may be summarised in the following exemplary numbered clauses: 1. An assembly (10) comprising a foldable bag (1) and a 30 stretcher (13), wherein the bag (1) comprises a bottom (3) and sidewalls (5, 7) extending from the bottom to define a containment volume (9) with an opening (11), wherein the stretcher (13) comprises two opposing side members (17) 9 configured to resiliently urge the side walls (7) of the bag (1) into an open configuration.

2. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein the stretcher (13) is arranged at least partly within the bag (1).

5 3. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein the stretcher (13) is removable from the bag (1).

4. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein the stretcher (13) comprises a base member (15) and the side members (17) are movably connected to the base member, in particular 10 pivotal and/or foldable with respect to the base member, and wherein preferably the side members are connected on opposite sides of the base member.

5. The assembly (10) of clause 4, wherein the base member (15) is formed as a bottom member conforming to the bottom (3) of the 15 bag (1) .

6. The assembly (10) of any one of clauses 4-5, wherein at least one side member (17) is resiliently urged to an obtuse angle with respect to the base member (15), e.g. an enclosed angle (a) of about 100 degrees or more.

20 7. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein the side members (17) and/or base member (15), where applicable, are formed generally flat.

8. The assembly (10) of clause 7, wherein at least one of the side members (17) and/or base member (15), where applicable, has 25 a varying thickness (tl, t2; t3, t4).

9. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein the side members (17) are foldable towards each other, in particular towards the base member (15) in case of an assembly according to any one of clauses 4-8.

30 10. The assembly (10) of clause 9, wherein the side members (17) are releasably attachable together in folded-together configuration.

10 11. The assembly (10) of any preceding clause, wherein one or more side members (17) are attached to each other and/or to the base member (15), where applicable, via a latching or snapping connection.

5 12. A stretcher (13) configured to be used in an assembly (10) of any preceding clause, comprising two opposing side members (17) for resiliently urging the side walls (7) of a foldable bag (1) into an open configuration.

13. The stretcher (13) of clause 12, comprising a base member 10 (15) and wherein the side members (17) are movably connected to the base member, in particular pivotal and/or foldable with respect to the base member, and wherein preferably the side members are connected on opposite sides of the base member.

14. The stretcher (13) of clause 13, wherein at least one side 15 member (17) is resiliently urged to an obtuse angle with respect to the base member (15), e.g. an enclosed angle (a) of about 100 degrees or more.

15. The stretcher of any one of clauses 12-14, wherein the side members (17) and/or base member (15), where applicable, are 20 formed generally flat.

Claims

An assembly (10) comprising a foldable bag (1) and a tensioner (13), wherein the bag (1) has a bottom (3) and has side walls (5, 7) extending from the bottom about a recording volume (9) with an opening (11), wherein the tensioner (13) is provided with two opposite side parts (17) for resiliently pressing against the side walls (7) of the bag to keep it open.

2. The assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the tensioner (13) is arranged at least partially in the bag (1).

The assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioner (13) is removable from the bag. 20

4. The assembly (10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tensioner (13) is provided with a base part (15) and the side parts (17) are movably connected to the base part, in particular rotatable and / or foldable. with respect to the base part, wherein preferably the side parts are connected on opposite sides of the base part,

5. The assembly (10) according to claim 4, wherein the base part (15) is formed as a bottom part corresponding to the bottom (3) of the bag (1).

The assembly (10) according to any of claims 4-5, wherein at least one side part (17) is resiliently loaded to an obtuse angle with respect to the base part (15), for example an enclosed angle (OC) of approximately 100 degrees or more. ! :

The assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side members (17) and / or the base member (15), where applicable, are substantially flat in shape,

The assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein at least one of the side portions (17) and / or the base portion (15) has a varying thickness (t1, t2; t3, t4) where applicable.

The assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side members (17) are foldable toward each other, in particular toward the base member (15), in the case of an assembly according to any of claims 4-8.

The assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein! the side parts (17) are releasably attachable to each other in the folded state.

11. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the side parts (17) are attached to each other and / or to the base part (15), where applicable, via a locking or click connection. |

12. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioner (13) is provided with a base part (15) and the side parts (17) are foldable towards each other, in particular towards the base part (15). ), wherein the side parts (17) and the base part (15), where applicable, are substantially flat, the tensioner being provided with a reusable fastening system with which the side parts (17) are releasably and repeatedly attachable to each other in folded condition .

A tensioner (13) for use in an assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two opposed side parts (17) for resiliently pressing against the side walls (7) of a foldable bag (1) to a open state.

The tensioner (13) according to claim 13, wherein the tensioner (13) is provided with a base part (15) and the side parts (17) are movably connected to the base part, in particular rotatable and / or foldable with respect to the base part, wherein the side parts are preferably fixed on opposite sides of the base part.

The tensioner (13) according to claim 14, wherein at least one side part (17) is resiliently loaded to an obtuse angle with respect to the base part (15), for example an enclosed angle (a) of about 100 degrees or more.

The tensioner (13) according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the side parts (17) and / or the base part (15), where applicable, are substantially flat.

17. The tensioner (13) according to claim 16, wherein the tensioner (13) is provided with a base part (15) and the side parts (17) are foldable towards each other, in particular towards the base part (15), | wherein the side parts (17) and the base part (15) are substantially flat, the tensioner being provided with a reusable fastening system with which the side parts (17) are releasably and repeatedly attachable to each other in the collapsed state. 30