GB2377424A

GB2377424A - Bag closure

Info

Publication number: GB2377424A
Application number: GB0210392A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Clements; Melanie Kennaugh; Irene Baczynski
Original assignee: CALHOUN HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: CALHOUN HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-09
Filing date: 2002-05-07
Publication date: 2003-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-07
Also published as: GB2377424B; GB0210392D0; GB0116720D0

Abstract

A laundry bag (10) is provided with a base (12) and an open end (14). At the open end (14) there is provided a strap (16) and a loop (18), the latter being preferably spaced from the top of the bag (10). To tie the bag (10) the strap (16) is passed through the loop (18) from the underside of the loop (18), that is down over the loop and then back up through the loop (18) towards the open end (14) of the bag (10). In this manner, not only the strap (16) but also at least a portion of the open end (14) pass through the loop (18). The act of drawing the strap (16) and at least a part of the open end (14) of the bag (10) through the loop (18) causes the loop (18) to cross over itself. This provides a very secure closure and one which is self-tightening when the bag (10) is turned upside down. The bag (10) can be opened, also when held upside down, by pulling on the loop (18). The bag may be hung upside down by a loop (20) on its base.

Description

BAG The present invention relates to a bag and in particular to a closure mechanism for a bag. The invention can be implemented as a laundry bag Laundry bags designed for use in laundry situations are well known. In such applications, the bags are designed with features allowing easy transportation and semi-automated manipulation within the laundry. It is important in such applications to have a laundry bag which is of satisfactory strength and which can be fastened closed and unfastened easily and in a reliable manner. It is also important that the laundry bag can be washed many times without degradation.

Known laundry bags can satisfy some of these requirements but can nevertheless close unreliably and be complex in structure and operation.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved bag and bag closure.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag including an opening through which items can be inserted into and withdrawn from the bag; a flexible loop and a strap attached to the bag; the arrangement of the strap and loop being such that when the strap is inserted into the loop in the direction of the opening of the bag, a portion of the bag passes through the loop and the loop is caused to be wrapped around said portion to secure the bag in a closed configuration.

In the preferred embodiment, the loop wraps around itself to fasten the bag in a closed position. Advantageously, the position of the loop on the bag is such that when the bag is turned upside-down, which is typically the case for transport purposes, the weight of the bag contents tightens the fastening of the loop. This self-tightening arrangement ensures that the bag does not open without external assistance. In a preferred embodiment, this external assistance requires simply the pulling of the loop to release the bag contents.

In the preferred embodiment, the loop is spaced from the opening of the bag. This spacing in one example is around 30 centimetres.

Advantageously, there is provided a single strap and the strap is preferably located substantially opposite the loop with respect to the bag opening. In other embodiments, there may be provided more than one strap and the strap or straps could be at different locations relative to the loop.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of bag in an open configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 1 in a closed configuration.

Referring to Figure 1, the bag 10 shown in this example is made of a fabric material en extended is substantially cylindrical. It is provided with a base 12, typically of e fabric as the remainder of the bag and an open end 14.

At the open end 14 there is provided a strap 16 which in the example shown has a f approximately 30 cm. The length of the strap 16 is determined by preference of ufacturer/user of the bag, although a length of 30 cm has been found in tests to a handle which is easy to manipulate and yet does not unduly obstruct transport dling of the bag 10.

The bag 10 is also provided with a loop 18 which, in the example shown, is located ation on the bag opposite the strap 16. The loop 18 is preferably spaced from the he bag, in this example by around 30 cm. This distance is again a design choice. ave found that a loop of length between 15 and 20 cm provides good operating although this is dependent upon the flexibility of the loop 18 and the material used bag 10 as well as the overall dimensions of the bag.

At the base 12 of the bag 10 there is a provided a second loop 20, located to the of the bag 10. This loop 20 allows the bag 10 to be hung upside down, an ment which is typical in laundry situations.

The strap 16 and loops 18,20 are typically made of a woven or braided fabric and sewn or adhered to the bag 10. The structure and material of the strap and loops ir manner fixing to be bag can be of any desired type.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the locking operation for the bag is now ed.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the strap 16 is passed through the loop 18 from the de of the loop 18, that is down over the loop and then back up through the loop 18

; the open end 14 of the bag 10. In this manner, not only the strap 16 but also at portion of the open end 14 pass through the loop 18. Preferably, the entirety of the 'ration 14 of the bag 10 is passed through the loop 18 but this is not necessary to losure of the bag.

The act of drawing the strap 16 and at least a part of the open end 14 of the bag 10 through the loop 18 causes the loop 18 to cross over itself as can be seen in Figure 2. This provides a very secure closure and one which is self-tightening when the bag 10 is turned upside down. More specifically, as will be apparent from Figure 2, if the bag 10 is turned upside down such that the contents therein is pressed by the force of gravity against the loop 18, the opening action on the portion of the bag 10 above the loop 18 pulls the two sewn ends 22,24 of the loop 18 further apart in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 2 and thereby causes the loop 18 to tighten.

The bag 10 can be opened, also when held upside down, by pulling on the loop 18.

This causes the material of the open end 14 and the strap 16 to pass back through the loop 18 and therefore to allow opening of the bag 10.

It will be appreciated that this arrangement is very simple, relies on a minimal amount of material and strapping and provides easy operation and therefore reliable closure of the bag 10.

Alternative embodiments may not have the strap 16 in the location shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 but may be located elsewhere around the periphery of the open end 14 of the bag 10. Other embodiments may use more than one strap 16 to assist in drawing through as much material of the open end 14 of the bag 10 through the loop 18 in a single operation.

Another embodiment does not have a base 12. Instead, in this embodiment the two sides of the bag are sewn together at their bottom edges to form a base of the bag. There may or may not be provided a loop 20.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A bag including an opening through which items can be inserted into and n from the bag; a flexible loop and a strap attached to the bag; the arrangement of and loop being such that when the strap is inserted into the loop in the direction of ing of the bag, a portion of the bag passes through the loop and the loop is caused apped around said portion to secure the bag in a closed configuration.

A bag according to claim 1, wherein the loop is designed to wrap around fasten the bag in a closed position.

A bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loop is positioned on the bag is t when the bag is turned upside-down the weight of the bag contents tightens the g of the loop. t. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the loop is spaced from ling of the bag.

5. A bag according to claim 4, wherein the loop is spaced from the opening of by around 30 centimetres.

5. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided a single 7. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap is located ially opposite the loop with respect to the bag opening.

A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided more strap.

I. A bag according to claim 8, wherein the straps are at different locations to the loop.

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10. A bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.