Carrier bag, bag section, bottom section and secondary holder

The present invention relates to a carrier bag with carrying means for carrying the carrier bag thereon, comprising a primary holder with a first chamber for receiving therein at least one first product, and at least one secondary holder with a second chamber open on at least one access side for receiving therein at least one further product, in particular a food product, which secondary holder ends on the access side in an upper edge, wherein the secondary holder is at least partially releasable from the primary holder in order to leave clear the second chamber and wherein the secondary holder can be combined with the primary holder and is herein closed.

An example of a carrier bag of the type stated in the preamble is known from the American patent 6,186,352. The carrier bag described therein comprises a primary holder with a first chamber for receiving a first product, and a secondary holder with a second chamber for receiving therein a further product, in particular a food product, such as for instance foods or beverages, more particularly feed or drink for an animal. In the closed situation the secondary holder is combined with the primary holder. The secondary holder herein clamps round an outer wall of the primary holder and receives an outer end of the primary holder in the second chamber. The second chamber can be left clear by releasing the secondary holder from the primary holder.

Although a first product can be carried using the known carrier bag, this latter is still far from being optimal. Because in the closed position the secondary holder receives an outer end of the primary holder in the second chamber, the secondary holder leaves practically no space for a further product in this position. Only when the secondary holder is released from the primary holder is the second chamber then left clear to enable a further product to be received therein. In a mutually combined situation of the holders a first product and a separate further product cannot thus be received simultaneously in the known carrier bag.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a carrier bag which obviates this drawback.

In order to achieve the intended object a carrier bag of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that in a mutually combined situation of the holders the secondary holder lies with the upper edge at least substantially against a wall of the primary holder via an at least substantially wholly airtight and leak-tight closure of the second chamber, and that in the mutually combined situation of the holders the second chamber remains at least substantially wholly available and is able and adapted to receive the at least one further product in airtight and leak-tight manner. Because the second chamber is substantially wholly available and closed in at least substantially fully airtight and leak-tight manner, a further product, in particular a food product such as for instance foods or beverages, more particularly feed or drink for an animal, can be received therein. In a mutually combined situation of the holders the carrier bag according to the invention can thus receive at least one first product in the primary holder and at least one further product in the at least one secondary holder, so that the products can be carried simultaneously and separately.

A first preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention is characterized in that the primary holder comprises a further chamber for receiving the at least one secondary holder, and that the at least one secondary holder is at least substantially wholly inside the further chamber in the mutually combined situation of the holders and is at least substantially wholly outside the further chamber in an at least partially released situation. In the mutually combined situation of the holders the secondary holder is hereby secured in attractive manner in the primary holder, while in the at least partially released situation the at least one further product can be made accessible in relatively simple manner.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one secondary holder can be pivoted about an axis between the mutually combined situation and the at least partially released situation. The secondary holder can hereby be moved relatively easily from the mutually combined situation into the at least partially released situation, and vice versa.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention is characterized in that the primary holder comprises the further chamber in a bottom section on a bottom side. Because the further chamber is on a bottom side, a secondary holder received therein will be at least close to a bottom in the at least partially released situation. When the carrier bag is placed normally on a surface, this prevents the carrier bag tilting, in particular tipping over, when the secondary holder is moved into the at least partially released situation.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the primary holder comprises spring means for moving the at least one secondary holder in assisted manner from the mutually combined situation into the at least partially released situation. It thus requires relatively little effort to move the secondary holder into the at least partially released situation.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the bottom section is coupled in manually releasable manner to another part of the primary holder. It is hereby possible to mutually interchange and vary the parts as desired. Another part of the primary holder, for instance a bag section, can thus be later replaced by a new part differing for instance in shape, size or colour.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that locking means are provided between the bottom section and the other part of the primary holder for mutual locking of the parts. The parts are thus prevented from becoming detached in undesirable manner.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the bottom section is at least substantially form-retaining. The bottom section can hereby withstand deformation relatively well and a secondary holder received therein is prevented from being adversely affected.

A particular embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the wall comprises an outer wall of the primary holder, and that the secondary

holder lies at least substantially with the upper edge against the outer wall. Because the secondary holder lies at least substantially against the outer wall of the primary holder, it can be at least partially released in relatively direct manner therefrom. A further product received in the secondary holder can thus be rapidly made accessible.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that locking means are provided between the primary holder and the at least one secondary holder in order to lock the holders in the mutually combined situation. The possibility of undesired release of the holders is thus prevented.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the at least one secondary holder comprises closing means for closing the second chamber in at least substantially fully airtight and leak-tight manner. A further product received in the second chamber is thus prevented from escaping from the second chamber, even in the at least partially released situation. Furthermore, a further product hereby does not come into contact with the wall of the primary holder. This is particularly hygienic in the case the further product is a food product. The wall of the primary holder moreover remains clean in this case. In a particular embodiment hereof the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the closing means comprise a valve body which at least in the mutually combined situation of the holders lies in at least substantially airtight and leak-tight manner in a valve seat.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the primary holder comprises fixing means for fixing the closing means in a closed position. This prevents the closing means being able to move undesirably into an open position. A carrier bag is thus provided in which a further product, in particular a food product such as for instance a food or beverage, can be reliably carried without it being possible for the further product to be lost, in particular without it being possible for the food product to be spilled.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the primary holder comprises further fixing means for the purpose, in the

at least partially released position of the at least one secondary holder, of fixing the closing means in an open position in order to leave the second chamber clear. Because the closing means thus fix in an open position, a further product received in the second chamber can be consumed without the closing means here having to be held manually in an open position. In a particular embodiment hereof the carrier bag according to the invention is characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one semi-permanent attaching member. Such an attaching member fixes the closing means in an open position for as long as a user wishes to keep clear the second chamber and the product received therein, but allows the closing means to be released therefrom as soon as they must be returned to the closed position for the purpose of airtight and leak-tight closure of the second chamber.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that at least the primary holder around at least the first chamber is manufactured from a flexible material chosen from the group comprising textile, leather and plastic. The primary holder around the first chamber is thus to some extent defoπnable so that products with some variation in size can be received therein. Such flexible materials moreover provide a carrier bag with aesthetically particularly attractive properties.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the at least one secondary holder can be washed. Product residues, in particular food residues, possibly left behind in the second chamber can thus be washed out relatively easily, so that the secondary holder can then be reused in clean state.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the primary holder and the at least one secondary holder are wholly releasable from each other. The secondary holder and the primary holder can thus be handled separately of each other. The secondary holder for instance can thus be filled with at least one further product before being combined with the primary holder.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the at least one secondary holder comprises at least one further second chamber for receiving at least one further product, in particular a food product. A plurality of further products can thus be received and carried separately in the secondary holder.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the at least one secondary holder is at least substantially form-retaining. The secondary holder can hereby withstand deformation relatively well and a further product received therein is prevented from being adversely affected.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the at least one secondary holder is double-walled and comprises an insulating layer between the walls. A product received in the at least one secondary holder is thus insulated, thus preventing for instance a change in temperature of the product.

A further preferred embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that at least two secondary holders are provided for receiving separate further products, in particular food products. The plurality of further products can thus be received and carried separately in the carrier bag.

A particular embodiment of the carrier bag according to the invention has the feature that the secondary holders have an at least substantially quarter-round form and each pivot around a pivot axis of their own on a frontal side.

The invention also relates to a bag section for applying in the carrier bag according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a secondary holder for applying in the carrier bag according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a bottom section for applying in the carrier bag according to the invention.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an associated drying. In the drawing:

Figures 1 -2 show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention. Figures 5-7 show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a bottom section for applying in a carrier bag according to the invention.

The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention. As shown in figure 1, carrier bag 1 comprises a primary holder 2 having a secondary holder 4 on either side thereof. A carrying strap 7 (carrying means) is coupled with outer ends to secondary holders 4 and thus makes it possible to carry the carrier bag 1 on for instance a shoulder. As shown in figure 2, primary holder 2 comprises a first chamber 3 for receiving therein at least one first product (not shown). The at least one first product can be anything, for instance an article usual for a carrier bag such as makeup, tissues, keys, writing materials and a purse, but may also be food products.

Secondary holders 4 each comprise a second chamber (not shown) which is open on one access side. Because the secondary holders end on the access side in an upper edge 6 and in a mutually combined situation of the holders lie herewith against a wall of primary holder 2, the second chamber remains at least substantially fully available for receiving at least one further product therein. Because secondary holders 4 lie in this exemplary embodiment with upper edge 6 against an outer wall of primary holder 2, it can be at least partially released therefrom in relatively direct manner. A further product received in secondary holders 4 can hereby be made available relatively quickly. The at least one further product can also be anything, but is particularly a food product, such as for instance a food or beverage, more particularly feed or drink for an animal. A user of the carrier bag can for instance thus carry personal products in primary holder 2, while drink for a domestic animal can be simultaneously carried in one of the secondary holders 4 and feed for a domestic animal in another secondary holder 4.

In a mutually combined situation of holders 2, 4 a first product can thus be received in primary holder 2 and at least one further product in secondary holders 4 of carrier bag 1, so that the products can be carried simultaneously and separately by a user.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention. Carrier bag 1 comprises a primary holder 2 with a bag section 30 in which there is a first chamber for receiving at least one first product therein. For an aesthetically particularly attractive embodiment of carrier bag 1 the bag section 30 is manufactured substantially from a textile. The bag section 30 has a carrying strap 7 enabling carrier bag 1 to be carried thereon. On an underside of primary holder 2 there is an at least substantially form-retaining plastic bottom section 10. Bottom section 10 is coupled for manual release to bag section 30 so that it can be detached therefrom relatively easily. Bag section 30 for instance can hereby be replaced as desired by another bag section, for instance a more recent model, while bottom section 10 can be reused. In order to prevent undesirable separation of bottom section 10 and bag section 30 locking means 9 are provided for mutual locking of the sections.

Bottom section 10 comprises a further chamber (not shown) on a bottom side. The further chamber receives two secondary holders 4, each having a secondary chamber 5 for receiving a further product therein. An opening of secondary holders 4 can be closed in airtight and leak-tight manner on the access side with a valve body 20 so as to prevent a product received in the second chamber being lost from the secondary holder. Furthermore, a further product hereby does not come into contact with the wall of the primary holder. This is particularly hygienic in the case the further product is a food product. In this exemplary embodiment however, valve bodies 20 are fixed in an open position by means of a magnet 21 attached a distance above the bottom section to the primary holder. Magnet 21 is a semi-permanent attaching member which attracts magnetic means incorporated in valve bodies 20 and thus fixes valve bodies 20 in open position when the secondary holders are moved into the at least partially released position. When the secondary holders are then moved back into the further chamber, valve bodies 20 are released from the magnet so that valve bodies 20 are moved back into a valve seat for airtight and leak-tight closure of second chamber 5. Although the magnet is a particularly favourable fixing means, an adhering means such as Velcro tape, or a mechanical fixing means such as for instance a pushbutton can for instance also be applied. In that case a magnetic means does not have to be arranged in or on valve bodies 20.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a carrier bag according to the invention. Carrier bag 1 comprises a primary holder 2 with a bag section 30 for receiving at least one first product therein and a bottom section 10 in which there are plastic secondary holders 4 in a further chamber on a bottom side for the purpose of receiving at least one further product therein. Secondary holders 4 are pivotable around a pivot axis of their own on a frontal side of bottom section 10, so that they can be moved relatively easily from the position located at least substantially wholly within the further chamber into the at least partially released position, and vice versa. Secondary holders 4 can be wholly released from the primary holder so that the second chamber can for instance be filled relatively easily with the at least one further product. The plastic secondary holders 4 can further be washed. A product received therein, possible residues thereof or dirt in general can hereby be removed, and

secondary holders 4 can be reused in hygienic manner. Secondary holders 4 can in particular be washed in a normal dishwasher. Secondary holders 4 are also double- walled and comprise an insulating layer between the walls. A further product received in the second chamber is hereby stored in relatively insulated manner. This is particularly advantageous in the case the further product is a food product, thus preventing for instance the escape from the second chamber of an odour emitted by the food product, or ensuring that the temperature of the food product is maintained for a longer period of time.

Figure 5, figure 6 and figure 7 shows perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a bottom section for applying in the carrier bag according to the invention. As shown in figure 5, bottom section 10 comprises a further chamber 12 having therein two secondary holders 4, each comprising a second chamber 5 open on an access side. As shown in figure 5, an opening of secondary holders 4 is closed on the access side in airtight and leak-tight manner with a valve body 20 as closing means. Valve body 20 herein lies in a valve seat. Second chamber 5 can be closed in airtight and leak-tight manner by valve body 20 in a combined situation with a bag section (not shown) as well as in an at least partially released situation. This prevents a product received in the second chamber being lost from the secondary holder.

In order to prevent secondary holders 4 moving out of further chamber 12 in undesirable manner, locking means (not shown) are provided between bottom section 10 and secondary holders 4. A pushbutton 11 is provided for the purpose of releasing the locking means so that the secondary holders can be moved out of further chamber 12, as further shown in figure 6. Secondary holders 4 have an at least substantially quarter-round form so that they can swivel relatively easily about an axis out of further chamber 12. Secondary holders 4 here pivot particularly around a pivot axis of their own on a frontal side of bottom section 10. Bottom section 10 comprises spring means (not shown) for the purpose of carrying secondary holders 4 in assisted manner out of further chamber 12 into an at least partially released position. In the at least partially released position of secondary holders 4 the valve bodies 20 can be fixed in

an open position in order to make accessible a product received in secondary holders 4, as shown in figure 7.

A bottom section for applying in a carrier bag according to the invention is thus provided in which a secondary holder is attractively secured with the primary holder in the combined situation, while the at least one further product can be made accessible relatively easily in the at least partially released position.

Although the invention has been further elucidated on the basis of two exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.