GB2461104A

GB2461104A - Containers for holding plastic carrier bags

Info

Publication number: GB2461104A
Application number: GB0812766A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Devan Patel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-11
Filing date: 2008-07-11
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-11
Also published as: GB2461104B; GB0902074D0; GB0812766D0

Abstract

A combination 10 of a substantially cylindrical container 12 and a plastic or carrier or shopping bag 14 folded up inside the container 12 and occupying substantially the whole of its cross-section (as seen clearly In Figure 7), or suitable to be folded up and placed inside the container 12 so as to occupy substantially the while of its cross-section. The container is of maximum diameter 6cm and adapted to fix together separably to a like container. The containers 12 may be identical, may fit together with male and female screw threads 24, 26, and may have an adaptor ring 28 with two identical threads 24 to co-operate with identical threads 26 of adjacent containers. The containers may have a permanent closure, e.g. an end wall 30, and may have an internal partition 32 to form two parts (compartments) end to end, each adapted to hold a said bag 12. The containers may comprise a screw cap 18 adapted to hang from a key ring (not shown). Any one or more of the internal threads 26 may be replaced by external threads 24 and vice versa.

Description

Title: Plastic baqs

Background

This invention relates to bags, mainly plastic bags, and has particular (but not exclusive) application to camer or shcÃ�)ping bags, i.e. those used to cany home shopping.

The worid uses approximately 1.1 trillion bags a year, with the UK contributing 20 billion to this. Their manufacture and disposal also uses large quantities of non-renewable resources, especially petroleum, a key ingredient in plastic. Large amounts of global warming gases are released during their production, transportation, and disposal. Environmentally, disposable plastic bags are a serious problem. Hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including endangered sea turtles, die every year when they eat plastic bags mistaken for food.

The invention The inventor considers the best way to reduce the number of new bags in circular is always to have a bag with you.

For this purpose, he has designed a bag container.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a substantially cylindrical container and a folded up plastic bag inside the container and occupylng substantially the whole of its cross-section. Suitably, this is adapted to be carried around with you, usually on your person (which term includes in a holder that you normally carry around with you, e.g. a hancbag, purse, key-ring or backpack), e.g. when you go shopping, though it could be carried in the glove compartment of a car. A cylindrical shape holds the bag, e.g. by friction, though it might have a cap closure or a detent (e.g. inward pimples or an inwardly extending rim) to retain the bag, and allows it to be readily inserted and withdrawn but it could be slightly tapered towards an open end (the other end being dosed) so that the taper serves to retain the bag rather like a detent and without a dosure. The cylinder may have any convenient cross-section; and, if not circular, e.g. oval or oblong (i.e. square or rectangular), may be twisted about an axis angled to its cross-section, e.g. its long' axis, The term Thlded up' as used herein refers to any method of compressing the envelope of the shape of the bag and includes e.g. folding, squeezing, squashing and/or rolling, such that it can be reduced to fill the cross-section of the container of whatever shape.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a substantially lindrical container and a plastic bag suitable to be folded up and placed inside the container so as to occupy substantially the whole of its cross-section. * . * S. S

The container may be not self-supporting, perhaps flexible, i.e. a soft body container (the container can be a cotton *..* pencikase-shaped container, perhaps a soft body container, i.e. with a soft body made from fabric, nylon or some * :.: 30 similar substance and may be fastened or dosed by a fastening or dosure, e.g. comprising micro-hook-and-loop means such as that known under the trade name Velcro or zip means or draw-string means. Preferably, the container is self-*5**SS * supporting, more preferably it is substantially rigid. It has a rim which is such as not to snag the bag when placed into : *** or taken out of the container, preferably a rounded rim. The container is preferably made of plastics material, more S...

preferably of PTFE but could be of metal, cloth material, wood, paper or card, e.g. aluminium, nylon, cotton, wood or S.....

* 36 hard card. The bag is preferably suitable to be folded substantially in half at least six times successively to fit into the container. It may be a carrier or shopping bag. It may be made of plastics matenal, e.g. recycled and/or biodegradable plastics material, or doth, metal, paper or card. Preferably, the container is suitable to fit inside a hancbag or purse or is suitable to be suspended from a key ring.

The container is preferably of maximum diameter 4cm, more preferably of maximum diameter 3cm, or possibly of maximum diameter 2cm, even more preferably of a diameter of substantially 3cm. The container is preferably of maximum length 6cm, more preferably of maximum length 5cm, or pos&bly of maximum length 4cm or even 3cm, even more preferably of a length of substantially 4.5cm. Although the diameter is usually to be less than the length, it could be more. The combination with a single container may weigh 20, 15, 10, 7.5 or 5gm in order of increasing preference.

Preferably, the container compnses a cap, which may clip on but is more preferably a screw cap, e.g. a screw cap adapted to hang from a key ring, e.g. by having a loop or a loop with a chain. The other end of the container will normally be closed, but could be open if adapted to be dosed by another suitable said container removably fixed end to end thereto. Alternatively, there may be provided a double-ended container with a partition at its centre (to make two compartments end-to-end), e.g. with a cap at each outer end, to take two bags, one in each compartment The combination may comprise a plurality of containers, each as any one of those aforesaid, not necessarily having the same features as each other, adapted to fix together separably, preferably end to end, preferably by screw (or otherwise twist) means, e.g., at their mutually engaging ends, having (e.g. around the rim) mutually co-operative (screw) threaded means or dick, zip, slide or press-fit (e.g. with one or more tapered portions) means. Preferably, the containers are adapted to fix together by being screwed together end to end. For example, the combination may contain three kinds of container, e.g. differing only at their ends, one with a male thread at one end and a female thread at its opposite end, the second with a male thread at one end and a closure (possibly permanent) at its opposite end, and the third with a female thread at one end and a closure (possibly permanent) at its opposite end; the different containers, various kinds of end cap for them, and bags for them may be sold singly or in any desired combinations, e.g. with instructions how to use them together likewise for any of the embodiments described herein. Again, if the combination comprises only two containers, they may be formed identically, at least at the end which engages the other, provided they can then engage to fix together, e.g. by clipping and/or a sflght screw action. Alternatively, there may be provided a ring which can join them, e.g. with a male thread at each end if the containers each have a female thread to co-operate therewith. There may be two, three or four containers that thus fix together. They may be sold as a set perhaps with a single end cap. The bags may have negligible weight compared with the container, or perhaps maximum 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 or 20gm. The combination containing one container, or more containers so fixed together, with one or more bags as appropriate, should make a sufficientiy light and small unit (e.g, for four of them alike, maximum weight 30gm, maximum length 20cm, or else of any of the weights and sizes as indicated above) to be readily and easily carried around so that substantially the user would not notice that it is there, e.g. in a handbag, purse * : or pocket or on a key-ring; it would be notbulky and/or only lightweight According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container intended to form part of any such : * combination. The container/s may be sold without the bag, e.g. with instructions how to use them with such a bag to makeasaidcombination. * *

According to another aspect of the invenon, there is provided a bag intended to form part of any such combinaon.

The bag/s may be sold without the bag, e.g. with instructhns (e.g. on the bag) how to use them with such a container to make a said combinaon.

In preferred embodiments, the bag container comes in different sizes depending on the number of bags you want to have with you. If one wanted to cany one bag for reuse then the measurements of the container would be 4.5cm in length by 3cm in diameter (shaped like a cinder). For a container holding two bags, this would measure 9cm in length (whether as a single container or a combinaon of two containers, end to end) by 3cm in diameter, For each addbonal bag, 4.5 or 5cm in length would need to be added on. The diameter of the container would remain the same size 3cm.

One bag container could be used as a key ng as it is small, light, made out of a recycled plasc and, being kept permanently with you, eliminates the problem of having to remember to take a bag with you. You can also place the container into your rucksack, laptop bag, handbag and even your pocket You could do this for any of the container sizes mentloned The bag container may also have a clip attached to the container to enle it to dip onto your belt, handbag strap, etc. The bag itself would need to be folded approximately 8 tlmes to be able to fit into a 4.5cm by 3cm cylinder.

The combinatlon is preferably adapted to hold five or not more than five said bags, or possibly four or not more than four said bags, or possibly three or not more than three said bags, or possibly two or not more than two said bags, or possibly not more than one said bag.

The combinatlon may comphse a double container with two parts end to end each adapted to hold a said bag.

The main advantage of having such a bag container is that the shcpper always has a bag with them as the combinatlon of bag plus container is small enough to keep in your handbag, rucksack, laptop case, pocket etc and light in weight An important purpose of the container is to re*Â� ice the number of new bags that have to be given out to shoppers every day (5.5 million per day in the UK) and so conthbute to reducing global warming.

Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures Ito 3 are plan views of different comblnaons embodying the invenflon; Figures la to 3a are like views of the same when their containers, and any other components, are fixed together * : : :. Figure 4 is a like view of a threaded thig for use in vanatlons of the same; * Figures 5a to Sb are plan views of a bag used in the combinatlon, showing successive foldings thereof; *.* Figure 6 is a view like Figures ito 3 of a vahaon of the Figure 1 embodiment, and *.S.*.

* Figures 7 and 8 are an end view and a perspecve view of a container seen in Figures 1 to 4 containing a bag, and S.....

* 30 likewise the Figure 6 embodiment showing one of two bags.

: . * In the drawings, references having the same first two digits refer to items having like functlons. *

* :: Refemng to the drawings, embodiments of the inventlon compse a combination 10 of a substantlally cylindrical container 12 and a plastlc or camer or shopping bag 14 folded up (as hereinbefore defined) inside the container 12 and occupying sstantiaUy the whole of its cross-section, as seen clearly in Figure 7, or suitable to be folded up (as hereinbefore defined) and placed inside the container 12 so as to occupy siistantially the whole of its cross-section.

The containers 12 shown in the Figures are sell-supporting and substantially rigid, have a rim 16 of rounded radial cross-section (i.e. its edges are rounded) Which is such as not to snag the bag 14 when placed into or taken out of the container 12, and are made of plastics material, namely PTFE. The bag 14, Figure Sa, is folded in substantially half eight times successively (as seen respectively in Figures Sb to 5i) to fit into the containerl2. The bag 14 is a canier bag 14 or shcpping bag 14, made of biodegradable plastics matedal..

The combination of each embodiment shown is so small and/or light each container 12 being within one or more of the ranges of length, diameter and weight indicated above, that it is suitable to be readily and easily carried around so that substantially the user would not notice that it is there. In one example, the container is of a diameter of substantially 3cm and of a length of substantially 4.5cm and a weight of 15gm of aluminium or PTFE and the bag weighs 9gm.

The Figure 1 container 12 comprises a screw cap 18 adapted to hang from a key ring (not shown) by means of a half-ring 20 and/or chain 22, so that the container 12 is suitable to be suspended from a key ring. The cap 18 has an external (male) screw thread 24 that co-operates with an internal (female) thread 26 at the end of the body of container 12.

The Figure 2 combination 101 comprises a plurality (two) of containers 121, 122, each as aforesaid, adapted to fix together separably end to end by means of co-operating screw means being threads 24, 26. The Figure 3 combination 201 comprises a plurality of containers 121, 121, 123, each as aforesaid, adapted to fix together separabty end to end by means of co-operating screw means being threads 24, 26. If one wants to fix together two identical containers, e.g. both with internal threads 26, there is provided an adaptor ring 28, Figure 4, with two threads 24 to co-operate with these threads 26. Each container 12, 121, 122 has a permanent closure, e.g. an end wall 30; container 123 is open at both ends, as is container 124, Figure 6, which has an internal partition 32 to form two parts (compartments) end to end, each adapted to hold a said bag 12, to allow insertion and withdrawal of two bags 14 separately. Any one or more of the intemal threads 26 may be replaced by external threads 24 and vice versa, so long as the containers 12 etc, and possibly cap 18, possibly with one or more rings 28, can fix together; e.g. container 123 may have a male thread 24 at one end and a female thread 26 at its other end. The arrangements shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 can hold one, two and three bags respectively, and use of two containers 123 or a container 124, in either case with two containers 121, all end to end, will allow holding of four bags 14. S.. * . S

It will be apparent to one sidiled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in *...** * which that preference or particularisation is absent *e*.** * a Many variations of the invention and embodments hereinbef ore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art : * * and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention. *.**

S

*.**.* * *

Claims

CLPJMS1 A combination of a substantially cylindrical container and a folded up (as herembefore defined) plastic or canier or shopping bag inside the container and occupying substantially the whole of its cross-section.
2. A combination of a substantially cylindrical container and a plastic or camer or shopping bag suitable to be folded up (as hereinbefore defined) and placed inside the container so as to occupy substantially the whole of its cross-section.
3. A corrti nation as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the container is not self -sporting.
4. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the container is seff-suporting.
5. A combination as claimed in claim 4, in which the container is substantially rigid.
6. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 5, in which the container has a nm which is such as not to snag the bag when placed into or taken out of the container.
7. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 5, in which the container has a rounded rim which is such as not to snag the bag when placed into or taken out of the container.
8. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 7, in which the container is made of plastics material.
9. A combination as claimed in claim 8, in which the container is made of PTFE.
10. A combination as claimed in any one of claims Ito 9, in Which the bag is suitable to be folded in substantially half at least six times successively to fit into the container.
11. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 10, in which the bag is a carrier bag or shopping bag.
12. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 11, in which the bag is made of plastics material.
13. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 12, which is suitable to be readily and easily camed around so that substantially the user would not notice that it is there.
14. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 13, in which the container is suitable to be suspended from a key ring.

*...
15. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the container is of maximum diameter 5cm. * S * ** .

*... 25
16. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 14, in which the container is of maximum diameter 4cm. *5*S
17. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 14, in which the container is of maximum diameter 3cm.

* .55.5 *
18. A combination as daimed in any one of claims ito 14, in which the container is of a diameter of substantially * . S... * *

: ****
19. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 18, in which the container is of maximum length 5cm. S...

: 30
20. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 18, in which the container is of maximum length 6cm.
21. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 18, in which the container is of maximum length 7cm.
22. A combinaon as daimed in any one of claims ito 18, in which the container is of a length of substanally 4.5cm.
23. A continadon as claimed in any one of claims ito 22, in which the container compnses a cap.
24. A combinaon as claimed in any one of claims Ito 22, in which the container compses a screw cap.
25. A conibinaon as claimed in any one of claims ito 22, in which the container compses a screw cap adapted to hang from a key ng.
26. A continaon as claimed in any one of claims ito 25, which compnses a plurality of containers, each as any one of those aforesaid, adapted to fix together separably.
27. A combinaon as claimed in any one of claims ito 25, which compÃ�ses a plurality of containers, each as any one of those aforesaid, adapted to fix together separably end to end.
28. A combinaon as claimed in claim 26 or 27, in which the containers are adapted to fix together by screw means.
29. A combinaon as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than five said bags.
30. A combinaon as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than four said bags.
31. A combinaon as daimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than three said bags.
32. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not morn than two said bags.
33. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than one said bag.
34. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 32, compsing a double container with two parts end to end each adapted to hold a said bag.
35. A combination of a container and at least one bag, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.
36. A combination of a container and at least one bag, substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the acconipanng drawings.
37. A bag intended to form part of a combination as claimed in any preceding claim. * * S
38. A container intended to form part of a combination as claimed in any preceding claim. * I..* .*S *S * S **** *5 * * * SS * S * **SSI1.15.5 * S Amendment to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1 A cotiti nation of a plurality of substantially cyIindcal containers and a plastic or camer or shopping bag folded up, as hereirbefore defined, inside each container so as to occupy substantially the whole of its cross-section, the containers being of maximum ameter 5cm and adapted to fix together separably.2. A combination of a substantially c1indncal container and a plastic or cartier or shopping bag folded up, as hereinbefore defined, inside the container so as to occupy substantially the whole of its cross-section, the container being of maximum ameter 5cm and adapted to fix together separably to a like container.3. A combination of a plurality of substantially cylindÃ�cal containers and a plastic or canier or shopping bag suitable to be folded i, as hereinbefore defined, and placed inside each container so as to occiy substantially the whole of its ctt)ss-section, the containers being of maximum dameter 5cm and adapted to fix together separably.4 A combination of a substantially c1indrical container and a plastic or camer or shopping bag suitable to be folded up, as hereinbefore defined, and placed inside the container so as to occupy substantially the whole of its cross-section, the container being of maximum dameter 5cm and adapted to fix together separably to a like container.5, A combination as claimed in claim 1 to 4, in which the or each said container has no internal partition.6. A combination as daimed in claim ito 4, in which a said container has an internal partition.7. A combination as claimed in any precedng claim, in which the containers are adapted to fix together separably end to end.8. A combination as claimed in any precedng claim, in which the containers are adapted to fix together by screw means.9. A combination as claimed in any pracedng daim, in which the container is not self-suporIing.10. A combination as claimed in any preceding daim, in which the container is se-supporting.* * ii. A combi nation as claimed in claim 10, in which the container is substantially Ã�gid. ** ** 12. Acombination as claimedin anyone of claims 1 toll, inwhich thecontainerhas a nm which is such as not to snag the bag when placed into or taken out of the container. **13. A combination as claimed in any one of claims Ito 11, in which the container has a rounded m which is such as not to snag the bag when placed into or taken out of the container.* *. 14. A combination as claimed in any one of claims Ito 13, in which the container is made of plastics matedal. * I * *..* 15. A combination as claimed in claim 14, in which the container is made of PIFE. **. *16. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 15, in which the bag is suitable to be folded in substantially half at least six times successively to fit into the container.17. A combination as claimed in any one of claims Ito 16, in which the bag is a canier bag or shopping bag.18. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 17, in which the bag is made of plastics matedal.19. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 18, which is suitable to be readily and easily camed around so that substantially the user would not notice that it is there.20. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the container is suitable to be suspended from a k' nng.21. A combination as claimed in any one of claims Ito 20, in which the container is of maximum diameter 4cm.22. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 20, in which the container is of maximum diameter 3cm.23. A conti nation as claimed in any one of claims ito 20, in which the container is of a diameter of substantially 3cm.24. A contination as claimed in any one of claims ito 23, in which the container is of maximum length 5cm.25. A conti nation as claimed in any one of claims ito 23, in which the container is of maximum length 6cm.26. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 23, in which the container is of maximum length 7cm.27. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, in which the container is of a length of substantially 4.5cm.28. A combination as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, in which the container compses a cap.29. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 27, in which the container compdses a screw cap.30. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 27, in which the container compÃ�ses a screw cap adapted to hang from a key ng.31. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 30, which compses a plurality of containers, each as any one of those aforesaid, adapted to fix together separably.32. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 30, which compses a plurality of containers, each as any one of those aforesaid, adapted to fix together separably end to end. * * **::::: 33. A conti nation as claimed in claim 31 or 32, in which the containers are adapted to fix together by screw means.34. A coirtinalion as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than five said bags.35. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than four said begs.* *. 36. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than three said bags. * e * ***:. 37. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than two said bags.38. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to hold not more than one said beg.
39. A combination as claimed in any one of claims ito 37, ccmpsing a double container with two parts end to endeathadaptedtoholdasaidbag.
40. A combinaUon of a container and at least one bag, substanally according to any example hereinbefore described.
41. A continaon of a container and at least one bag, substandally according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the acconpanying drawings.
42. A bag specifically adapted for use in a coithnaon as claimed in any preceding claim.
43. A container specilically adapted for use in a combinaon as daimed in any preceding claim. *.1o * I S *I I a... * . 5.4I * . * .* 4 I4 V * I -I.. S'S