NO340976B1

NO340976B1 - Bag support for a shopping trolley

Info

Publication number: NO340976B1
Application number: NO20151552A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Didrik Bastian Wikestad Juell; Peder Bache-Mathisen
Original assignee: Didrik Bastian Wikestad Juell; Bache Mathisen Peder
Priority date: 2015-11-13
Filing date: 2015-11-13
Publication date: 2017-07-31
Also published as: NO20151552A1

Description

Bag support for a shopping trolley

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a bag support suitably for use in existing shopping cart or supermarket trolleys. More particularly, the invention relates to holding/engaging device for bags to pack items purchased from the supermarket.

Background of the invention and prior art

In the traditional supermarkets, the checkouts are operated in a manner whereby one takes the purchases to the checkout in a trolley and the checkout assistant. After ringing up the item on the cash register or passing it over a bar coder, the item is places into another trolley or a pay desk. After the sale is completed, the purchaser is handed a number of plastic bags into which to place the goods, either from the trolley or the pay desk.

This extra operation where the purchaser first have to unload the trolley and then reload the goods into bags, increases the workload of the purchaser and will also create a que at the pay desk and is undesirable for a busy shopper.

In an increasing number of supermarkets, the registration of the goods with a bar code is handed over to the purchaser. This reduces the need for registration of the goods at the pay desk because the registration is done when the purchaser puts the good into the shopping trolley. This could be done more effective by registration directly into the bags so that the purchaser only have to pay the amount at the pay desk. The traditional plastic bags is however not design for this purpose and will not be very effective since they often are made of f lexible plastic with no support on its own to stay in an open position so that the goods could be placed in the bags in an easy manner. It is also particularly difficult to place the goods into the shopping bags when one hand is occupied

holding the bar code.

A bag support will therefore make it easier to place the goods into the trolley and this could be done with help from a bag support that is mounted to an existing trolley.

An example of a known bag support is disclosed in US4974799. The second embodiment of this publication shows a bag support system comprising a pair of bag support for supporting each of the handle of a bag so that the bag is held in an open position. Each of the bag supports håving a base part which is adapted to be connected to a trolley and an engaging part that is adapted to engage with the bag handle. The engaging part is angularly movable in relation to the base part, so that the engaging part is perpendicularly arranged in relation to the base part when the bag support is functioning as a support for the bag. The bag support is thus only supported in one of the ends, which could cause failure in the bag support if the bag with goods are too heavy. Some of the bag supports must also carry two plastic bags handles which makes the system more complex in use. It is also described that the base plate has a U-shape and is connected to the trolley by fasteners which are led through passages in the base.

The base plate is fastened to the trolley by use of a tool in order to maintain the bag support in a steady position. This makes it more difficult to move the bag support parts to other positions on the trolley and also more difficult to install, remove and replace the bag support elements.

Another bag support system is published by bluedesign.

http://blueskydesigngroup.com.au/project/coles-future-market-design-research-project/. This design shown trolleys and baskets with integrated bag support. Each bag support is arranged as a longitudinal hook that is integrated in the upper frame of the shopping trolley or the basket on two lateral opposite sides. This is more robust in that it is supported on two sides that are spaced apart, but the hook are fixed to the trolley and is not flexible.

If one of the bag support breaks it is also more difficult and expensive to replace it. The shopping trolley and bag according to this publication is also specially designed and are also fitted with specially made bags between the hooks of the bag support. The shopping trolley are therefore not easily adjusted to a shopping bag of plastic or sim ilar bag that have other dimensions.

Publication US8905411 shows a reusable shopping bag and cart system for improved check out and bagging procedures. The publication discloses a trolley håving an integrated system for supporting reusable shopping bags. The system is arranged so that the shopping bags could be held in an open position.

Publication EP0864479 shows another shopping trolley consisting of a set of tubes fit with crossbeams where upon shopping bags or baskets can be hung upon. The system for supporting the shopping bags is an integrated system of the trolley.

None of the prior art shows a system that is robust and f lexible in use and is adapted support different sizes of bags.

Some further advantages of the bag support system of the invention compared to the prior art are summarized below. - The bag support part is small and it is not necessary to remove the support when the trolleys are stacked together. - The bag support is more robust than previous bag supports and it could support heavier bags without being destroyed. - The bag support håving clips, snap connection or other fastening arrangement that is easily installed and adjusted to the shopping trolley for easy replacement of the bag support.

- There are no sharp edges that can destroy the shopping bag or its content.

- It is easy for the user to assemble or disassemble the bag support system on existing shopping trolleys or shopping carts. -The handles of the bag support are held apart in a favorable distance by the bag support system and exploits the whole volume of the bag. -The system is adjustable and can adapt different sizes of the bags by moving the different parts of the system and also by insert or remove the rod or bearer. -Advertising of the bag is possible as the bag support system is arranged so that the front/back of the bags are displayed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system, which can address the problems discussed above.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag support system for retrofitting a shopping trolley, said trolley håving a first pair of spaced apart walls bordering an open trolley top and a second pair of spaced

walls arranged perpendicular to the first pair of spaced walls. The bag support is distinctive in that the system further comprising a removable bearer said bearer extending between the second pair of walls, at least a first bag support element that is coupled to one of said pair of first walls and at least a second bag support element that is coupled to said bearer said first bag support element and said second bag support element being arranged opposite of each other, said first and second bag support element each being shaped to receive and retain one handle of a shopping bag, such that two handles of a shopping bag are kept apart by said bag support system.

This provides a system that is robust and is easy to use in existing shopping trolley and where also bags with different shapes could be used.

Preferably the bag support system further has a third bag support element coupled to the other of said first pair of walls, said third bag support element being arranged opposite of said second bag support to support an additional shopping bag, said second bag support being shaped to receive a handle of said additional shopping bag.

This provides a system that could have more bags arranged in the shopping trolley and make use of all the space in the trolley.

Preferably, each said bag support comprising a base part, and at least one engaging part, said at least one engaging part being fixedly connected to the base part, said engaging part is extending parallel with said base part.

This provides a robust system and minimizes risk of failure by repeatedly use and if the bags are heavy.

Preferably, said second bag support element håving an additional second engaging part arranged at the opposite side of said base part, such that said second bag support element is capable of receiving two handles of different shopping bags.

This provides a system that can support to handles of two different shopping bags separately.

Preferably, said at least one engaging part has an L-shape or a U shape.

This provides a good support for the handle so that it does not unintentionally fall of the hook

Preferably, said at least one engaging part is integrally formed with said base part. This provides a bag support element that is easy to produce.

Preferably, each bag supports element is removably coupled to said shopping trolley or said bearer.

Preferably, each of said bag supports elements has a U-shape with at least one protrusion arranged at the inside of the U - shape, so as to form a snap coupling between the bag support element and the trolley or the bearer.

This provides an easy and steady connection between the shopping trolley and the bag support elements.

Preferably, said bearer is arranged substantially parallel with said first pair of

walls substantially midway between the first pair of walls.

Preferably, said bearer is a rod.

Preferably, said system comprising a plurality of bag supports elements are arranged oppositely in pairs along said length of at least one of said pair of walls and bearer.

Brief description of the drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 shows an overview of a shopping trolley with a one embodiment of the bag support system according to the invention. Figure 2 show the bag support system and the bag support elements in greater detail.

Description of the invention

In general, it will be understood that such terms as "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like, are made with reference to the drawings and/or the earth and that the device may not be arranged in such positions at all times depending on variations in operation, transportation, mounting and the like.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the a traditional shopping trolley provided with a bag support assembly 10, 11, 12. The trolley 1 has a first pair of side walls 2, 3 arranged transversely spaced from each other. A second pair of side walls 4, 5 are transversely spaced from each other and arranged perpendicular to the first pair of side walls. The two pair of side walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and a bottom 6 arranged beneath the side walls 2, 3, 4, 5 creates a meshed box with an open top.

The bag support is system 10, 11, 12 comprising at least two oppositely arranged bag support parts 10, 11 adapted to engage with handles of a bag (not shown) and to hold the bag in an open position, ie a position where the upper rim of the bag is spaced apart to ease the packing of goods into the bag. Bag support elements are arranged opposite of each other in pair such that the handles of a bag is held in a distance apart of each other.

There are described two embodiments of the bag support elements 10, 11.

The first bag support elements 10 comprises a base part 10a and an engaging part 10b. The engaging part 10b is fixedly connected to the base part 10a such that the engaging part 10b is extending parallel with the base part 10b as shown in the figures. The bag support element is supporting the handle in substantially the whole length of the opening of the handle.

In the figures the engaging part 10b is connected to the base part 10 throughout the whole length of the base part 10a.

In the bag support element shown in the figure, the engaging part 10b and the base part 10b are also formed by one integrated piece.

The engaging part 10b has a shape adapted to receive and retain a handle of a shopping bag. It has preferably a L-shape or a U- shape with an upwardly extending free end or lip 10c. The engaging part 10a act as a hook and support for the handle of the shopping bag to prevent the handle from slipping of the engaging part 10b.

The base parti 0a has a connection arrangement suitable for connection with the rim of the shopping trolley 1. This connection arrangement is preferably a click connection or a snap coupling 10c such that the bag support element 10 could quickly and easily be connected to the shopping trolley 1.

The bag support element 10 could also be removed or replaced very quickly and easily without any use of tools, like a screwdriver or sim ilar. The base part 10a has a L-shape or U-shape adapted to fit on the upper rim of the shopping trolley, with an downwardly extending lip 10d. The connection arrangement is adapted to enclose the upper rim of one of the walls of the trolley.

A protrusion could be arranged a distance from the top on the base plate on the outer surface of the base part 10a facing the shopping trolley when connected to the trolley 1. The u-shape and the protrusion has a shape to mate with the upper rim of the shopping trolley so that the shopping trolley and the bag support element is connected in a snap connection and the bag support element 10 is held in a steady connection with the trolley 1 when coupled to the trolley.

The bag support element 10 could have additionally connection to support the connection between the bag support part 10 and the shopping trolley 1 or have other connections that is suitable facilitates quick and easy attachment to the shopping trolley.

The base part 10a is adapted to be releasable connected to the upper part or the walls bordering the open top.

In the middle of the trolley there is arranged a bearer 12, shown as a rod in the figure 1. The rod 12 is extending between the upper part of the second pair of walls 4, 5. The rod 12 is preferably extending between the rim of the walls in a vertical plane extending through the middle of each of the second walls 4, 5 of the trolley. This is the same as midway between the first pair of walls 2, 3 and substantially parallel with the first pair of walls.

The rod 12 could have other positions within the trolley. A rod 12 extending between the first pair of walls 2, 3 is also possible embodiments of the invention. An arrangement with more than one extending between the first pair of walls 2, 3 or the second pair of walls 4, 5 are also possible embodiments.

The placement of the rod or bearer 12 in relation to the first pair of walls and the second pair of walls could also vary as long as the rod 12 is substantially parallel to the first or second pair of walls 2, 3, 4, 5.

The rod or rods12 is releasable connected to the walls (2, 3, 4, 5) such that it is easy to install and remove the rod or rods 12. This could for instance be holders (not shown) arranged on both pair of walls to receive the rod 12 and to hold this in the suitable distance. The rod 12 could have a length or an adjustable length and coupled to the trolley by a force or press fit.

A second bag support element 11 is adapted to mate with the rod 12.

This second element 11 håving an engaging part 11 b and a base part 11 a sim ilar to the part described in relation to the first bag support element 10. The features described in relation to the first support element 10 also applies to the second support element 11.

In addition, the second element 11 håving an additional engaging part 11 b attached to the base part 11a. The two engaging parts 11 b are arranged laterally reversed on opposite sides of the base plate 11a.

The base plate håving a U-shape and for instance protrusions adapted to mate with the rod 12 in a snap coupling 11c in a sim ilar way as the first bag support element 11 as described earlier.

Alternatively, the base part 11a could have a cylindrical shape in the U-shaped portion adapted to receive the rod 12. The second elements 11 could in this embodiment enclose the rod and the second element 12 must therefore be threaded onto the rod 12 before it is attached to the trolley (this is not shown in the Figures)

The connection keeps the second bag support element 11 in a steady position when connected to the rod 12.

The engaging part or parts 10b, 11b and the base part 10a, 11a are preferably made in one piece. The parts 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b could also be connected to each other in other ways suitable for the invention, for instance by welding together or attached through nuts and screws.

There could be a plurality of bag support elements 10, 11 attached to the shopping trolley and the rod 12. The figures shows six bag support arrangements adapted to support six shopping bag.

The support system functions in the following way:

The rod 12 is connected to the second pair of the walls 4, 5 through a removable or releasable connection.

The first bag support element 10 and the second bag support element 11 are coupled to the rim of one of the wall of the first pair of walls 2, 3 and the rod 12 on opposite sides and are adapted to receive and reta in the handles of a shopping bag.

In addition there could be arranged several first 10 and second bag support elements 11.

There could also be arranged a third bag support element 10 on the other wall 3 of the first pair of walls 2, 3. This bag support element is equal to the first bag support element 10, but arranged laterally reversed at the rim of the wall 2, 3.

The rod 12 is connected in a suitable distance from the first pair of walls 2, 3 so that the handles of the shopping bag is held apart in a distance from each other, preferably so that the rim or the shopping bag is adapted to be fully spaced apart when attached to the bag support elements 10, 11.

Claims

1 Bag support system for retrofitting a shopping trolley, said trolley håving a first pair of spaced apart walls (2,3) bordering an open trolley top and a second pair of spaced apart walls (4, 5) arranged perpendicular to the first pair of spaced apart walls,characterised in thatsaid system further comprising a removable bearer (12), said bearer (12) extending between the second pair of walls (4, 5), at least a first bag support element (10) that is coupled to one of said pair of first walls (2, 3) and at least a second bag support element (11) that is coupled to said bearer (12), said first bag support element (10) and said second bag support element (10) being arranged opposite of each other, said first and second bag support element (10,11) each being shaped to receive and retain one handle of a shopping bag, such that two handles of a shopping bag are kept apart by said bag support system.

2 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to claim 1, wherein said bag support system further has a third bag support element (10) coupled to the other of said first pair of walls (3) said third bag support element (10) being arranged opposite of said second bag support to support an additional shopping bag, said second bag support being shaped to receive a handle of said additional shopping bag.

3 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each said bag support comprising a base part (10a, 11a) and at least one engaging part (10b, 11b), said at least one engaging part (10a, 10b) being fixedly connected to the base part (10a, 11a) said engaging part (10b, 11b) is extending parallel with said base part (10a, 11a).

4 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to claim 3, wherein said second bag support element (11) håving an additional second engaging part (11 b') arranged at the opposite side of said base part (10a), such that said second bag support element (11) is capable of receiving two handles of different shopping bags.

5 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said at least one engaging part (10b, 11b) has an L-shape or a U shape.

6 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to any one of the claims 3-5, wherein said at least one engaging part (10b, 11b) is integrally formed with said base part (10a, 11a).

7 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein each bag supports element (10, 11) is removable coupled to said shopping trolley (1) or said bearer (12).

8 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to claim 5, wherein each of said bag supports elements (10, 11) has a snap coupling to connect the bag support element (10, 11) to the trolley (1) or the bearer (12).

9 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein said bearer (12) is arranged substantially parallel with said first pair of walls (2, 3) substantially midway between the first pair of walls.

10 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to any one of claim 1-9, wherein said bearer is a rod (12).

11 Bag support system for a shopping trolley according to claim 10, wherein said system comprising a plurality of bag supports elements (10, 11) are arranged oppositely in pairs along said length of at least one of said pair of walls (2, 3) and bearer (12).