Receptacles – Receptacle having flexible – removable inner liner – Removable bag liner
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-12
2001-03-27
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Receptacle having flexible, removable inner liner
Removable bag liner
C220S023860, C220S507000, C224S906000, C224S925000, C229S117070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206224
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shopping caddy system and pertains more particularly to an arrangements for improved collapsibility and engagement of shopping caddies and associated shopping bags.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Groceries are typically bagged at the checkout counter in a plastic bag or a collapsible paper bag. The paper and plastic bags are generally considered to be disposable items. Alternatively, reusable canvas bags are sometimes used to transport groceries. Any of the various types of grocery bags are conventionally transported from the store in a cargo area of a motor vehicle, such as the trunk of a car.
However, it has been conventionally recognized that bags can tip, shift and spill. In response to this problem, grocery bag holders (or caddies) have been used to secure grocery bags in the motor vehicles. However, possibly due in part to the expense and/or cumbersomeness of conventional shopping caddies, these caddies are not yet widely used.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,348 to Dottor et al. discloses a grocery bag holder with a rigid bottom member. The upstanding sides of the grocery bag holder of Dottor et al. can be folded down or collapsed down to lie flat along the a bottom mat. However, the bottom mat itself is not collapsible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved designs for shopping caddies and shopping bags for use in shopping caddies. At least some embodiments of the present invention provide a shopping caddy system which is lighter in weight, more easier portable and less expensive than conventional shopping caddy systems. At least some embodiments of the present invention provide a shopping bag caddy system where the bags are more reliably secured and engage more effectively with the caddy than in conventional systems.
In some embodiments of the present invention, upstanding, somewhat rigid end panels can be rotated or folded downwards against an intermediate divider and/or the bottom panel of the shopping caddy. This gives the bottom of the caddy added rigidity and a larger effective base when a compartment formed between the end panel and the intermediate divider is empty of bags.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the caddy can be collapsed so that substantially its end panels and intermediate dividers form a compact stack, having a relatively small “footprint” corresponding to the length and width of the end panels. This is an advantage over collapsible caddies with rigid bottom panels because the “footprint” for these caddies in the collapsed position would correspond to the length and width of the rigid and relatively large bottom panel. On the other hand, the end-to-end collapsible embodiments of the present invention work especially well in conjunction with the rigid downward-folding end panels described above.
According to first aspect of the invention, a device for holding bags in an upright position includes a first end panel, a second end panel, a first divider panel and a base. The first and second end panels are somewhat rigid. Although many preferred embodiments of “rigid” panels will be capable of some degree of elastic deformation as will be discussed in detail below, they are to be distinguished from pliable fabric, such as nylon or other fabric, which is not herein considered to be rigid.
The base constrains the first end panel, the second end panel and the first divider panel to each other so that the first divider panel is located at least substantially between the first end panel and the second end panel. The base allows the first end panel to rotate between a first angular orientation substantially parallel to the first divider panel and a second angular orientation inclined to the first divider panel. For example, the first end panel will generally be placed in the first orientation when the caddy is to receive a grocery bag or other articles between the substantially parallel and spaced apart first end panel and the first divider panel.
On the other hand, the base will generally be in the second orientation when the caddy is not going to hold a grocery bag in the compartment between the first end panel and the first divider panel. In the second angular orientation, the inclined rigid first panel can help the caddy from tipping over by providing added support to the first divider panel and/or by providing a longer effective base for the caddy. In preferred embodiments, the first end panel will be put in the second angular orientation by being rotated 90 degrees so that it is lying along the bottom plane of the caddy.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device for holding bags includes a first end panel, a second end panel, a first divider panel and a base. The base constrains the first end panel, the second end panel and the first divider panel to each other so that the first divider panel is located at least substantially between the first end panel and the second end panel. The base is collapsible between a first position with the first end panel, the second end panel and the first divider panel being spaced apart and a second position with the fist end panel, the second end panel and the first divider panel being in close proximity and substantially parallel to each other.
As used herein, “spaced apart” means spaced away from each other so that a reasonably-sized grocery bag can fit in between successive panels. As used herein, “in close proximity” means either contiguous or at least close enough together so that a reasonably-sized grocery bag cannot fit between successive panels.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a shopping bag caddy system includes a shopping bag caddy and first collapsible shopping bag and a second collapsible shopping bag. The collapsible shopping bag caddy defines a first shopping bag receiving area (i.e., compartment) and a second shopping bag receiving area for receiving and engaging the first and second shopping bags. The shopping bag caddy is collapsible between a caddy open position and a caddy closed position. The first and second collapsible shopping bags are made substantially of pliable fabric collapsible between an open position and a bag closed position.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a bottle bag includes a bag portion, a collapsible divider and at least one handle. The bag portion is substantially made of a pliable material and generally shaped in the shape of a rectangular prism. The bag portion defining an internal volume. The collapsible divider sections the internal area into at least four compartments for holding wine bottles or the like. The collapsible divider collapses and folds flat to allow the bottle bag to collapse.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5829655 (1998-11-01), Salopek
patent: 6015071 (2000-01-01), Adomeit et al.
Potts Debra Lee
Potts Kenneth Lee
Baker Freling E.
Baker & Maxham
Eloshway Niki M.
Shoap Allan N.
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