GB2361740A - Bag etc fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener for securing eg the handles of a plastics shopping bag comprises a loop 3 and a clip 2 which can releasably extend across the loop to define two loop portions. The loop can fit over bag handles and the clip subsequently be secured across the loop to retain the handles. The device can also be used to secure cables or plants.

Description

SECURETTE This invention relates to the temporary binding of shopping

carrier bag handles for easy transportation, temporary or permanent binding of loose electric or other cables and binding together of tree or plant branches.

Background

Most commercial stores provide their customers with the convenience of a carrier bag for transporting their shopping.

But their customers find these bags a nuisance as the bags do not have the facility for binding or locking their handles together.

Customers although grateful for the bags have to put up with the nuisance of their bags spilling their contents if left unattended on a surface e..g floor, worktop or when transporting them by car.

The usual unsatisfactory solution is to tie the handles in knots which always prove impossible to undo. The shopper then has to cut the knots open thus destroying the carrier bags and preventing them from being reused. This is not a good result when many people are trying to be as 'gree as possible through reusing items such as bags. f' Securette overcomes this problem by binding the bag handles together for easy transportation and setting down without spillage. Securette also prolongs the life of carrier bags, as it easily clips on and off the bag handles gripping them together and preventing the need to tie them in knots, to prevent spillages, that have to be cut open rendering the bag unusable.

Securette can also be used around the home to secure items together such as Loose and trailing electrical or other cables can be binded together both temporarily or permanently, thus, aiding personal safety.

Securette can also be an invaluable asset to the gardening industry as it can be used for binding together plants and their branches.

DESCRIPTION

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure IA and IB shows in perspective, the Securette positioned on the shopping bag for easy transportation.

Figure 2 shows in perspective, the Securette positioned on loose and trailing electrical or other cables.

Figure 3 shows in perspective, the Securette positioned on plant branches.

Referring to Figs 4 and 5 the Securette comprises of a flexible material oblong coil with central clip 2 also made from flexible material fixed permanently using durable adhesive midway(ofrhVAaL,) length 1 of the coil, the Securette is supplied to the customer with the clip fixed and in situ, length 3 is left free from any attachments. The carrier bag handles are both put through the coil and over he clip 2 the length 3 Fig 5 is then pushed manually by hand into the gap 4 of the central clip 2 where it springs into its place slot 5 of the central clip.

The bag handles are then allowed to rest on the surface of the clip which holds them together, the shopper can now transport the bag with ease without the worry of setting it down on any surface or running the risk of the items from the bag spilling.

To release the Securette from the bag handles the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

The procedure described above should be followed exactly for securing loose or trailing cables and plant branches.

are pleased to announce the introduction of a unique new product concept. Called Securette, the concept calls for the manufacture and distribution of a device for securing the handles of plastic shopping bags and a wide variet7 of other objects.

ne device would be fabricated from polypropylene plastic and would consist of two components, an oblong ring and a coiled clip. Although the product could be manufactured in a range of sizes, the standard size would consist of a clip 6" long and formed from plastic with a diameter of 1/4" and a distance between the internal sides of the ring between 5/8" to 7/8". The corresponding dip would be 11/2" in length by 11/4" wide and would be formed with a CsILVed curve at one end and an S-shaped curve at the other. The loop would be permanentl3r affixed within the C- shaped end of the clip. This, then, would allow the other side of the ring to be compressed inward and then slipped into the S-shaped section where it would be held securely in place. To remove the loop it would imply be compressed again and slipped out of the dip.

With this configuration, Securette would serve as a handy device for a range of applications. Most notably, it could be used to secure the handles of plastic shopping bags together in such a wa3r that the contents of the bag could be protected from spilling out yet without the need to de the handles together to achieve this object. While plastic shopping bags have become quite popular and are highly functional for holding groceries and other item typically purchased at a supermarket or other retail establishment, they do suffer from the limitation that when set down onto a flat surface they tend to collapse and this can result in the contents spilling out. This might occur when a shopper sets the bags down to examine other merchandise at a different store, when setting the bags down to attend to the needs of a small child, or when the bags are placed in the 6pt or back seat of an autornob& Consequently, to overcome this problem, many consumers choose to simply tie the handles into a knot thus securing the bag dosed. This, however, may pose another problem when the shopper arrives home and then attempts to open the bag to remove the contents. Untying the handles may pose a problem and hence the consumer may opt to supply cut the handles to open the bag. Not only is this an inconvenience but it destroys the functional integrit7 of the bag thus rendering it unsuitable for recycled usage. Anyone who is striving to contribute to ecological preservation (popularly known as the green movement) w6uld find this to be an inappropriate means of handling this situation.

Securette would correct these shortcomings by providing a means whereby the bag handles could be quickly and easily secured together, the bag could be transported or set down with assurance that its contents will not spill out, and the bag could be opened without having to damage its construction thus enabling it to be reused. To put Securette in place, the oblong loop would simply be placed through the bag handles and then secured into the clip. This, then, would serve to hold the handles together no matter what the position of the bag itself. The bags could be set down, placed within a car boot or back seat, or handled in any other manner with assurance that the contents would remain safdy wid-iin. Upon arriving at home, the loop would simply be removed from the dip and the device would be slipped from the handles, thus allowing full access to the contents of the bag without the need to damage the bag in the process.

Securette could also be used for a wide range of other applications where objects need to be secured together. Typical examples would include cables and wires around the home, cables used with garden tools such as a lawrimower, loose wires in an automobile, etc. When used with wires running along the skirting board, the clip could be affixed directly to the skirting board by placing a screw through the dip's body and thus fastening it firmly in place. The device could also be used for securing tree branches together and as a supportive device to help young plants grow in a straight pattern. Securette delivers a clear convenience benefit and will have considerable appeal to a substantial market.

Most of us enjoy shopping at supermarkets and the high streets stores. However, isn't it irritating, when the items we have purchased, contained within the plastic carrier bags, that the various stores have given us, spill out as soon as they are put down on the floor or in our cars. We then have to repack everything with the threat of the bags spilling their contents again.

Some people resort to. tying knots with the handles which always prove impossible to undo.

Wouldn't it be great if their was a handy gadget to solve this problem.

Well, now there is and it's called SECURETTE. A piece of coiled plastic with a clip. A new device that is literary within your grip. It clips the bag handles and reinforces the handles and secures the -contents within. It further preserves the life-cf the bag, which is very desirable, as we all try very hard to become green inorder to save world resources.

SECURETTE comes in various materials, sizes and colours and its uses are many and can be improvised to suit your needs.

e.g. in the garden - to secure and train plants and lawn mower leads.

in the hodse, Car - to secure loose flopping wires.

You will discover many other uses besides.

After obtaining and using your first SECURETTE you will wonder how you ever coped without it.

Claims (4)

1 Securette an oblong handy clip, means for releasably securing shopping bag handles.

2 Securette an oblong handy clip, as claimed in claim 1, means for releasably securing loose and trailing cables around the home and the vehicle construction industry. securettes may be screwed onto the skirting-boards in linear as releasable cable clippers, a screw may be guided through the the centre of flat side of the central embodiment of the clip.

3 Securette an oblong handy clip, as claimed in claims 1 and 2, means for releasably securing plant branches for the gardening industry.

4 Securette an oblong handy clip, as claimed in claims 1, 2, and 3 means for releasably securing excess baggage on bicycles, strollers, pushchairs bars or handle bars.

Securette an oblong handy clip, as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 means for providing releasable gripping action in other demanding situations.

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