The present invention relates to a multipurpose retractable bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the introduction of a ban on plastic bans in many areas around the world, a person must bring bags with you when going shopping. It is easy to forget shopping bags, or if buying items unexpectedly, a person may find themselves in a shop without any bags. Bags are available to purchase but it can be that this becomes an expensive business. It is also frustrating to know there are lots of purchased bags at home, only to need to buy more bags when none are to hand.

To try to avoid this inconvenience, bags can be put in the car, or carried within other bags, but still this must be remembered. It would be most convenient to have a way to carry a bag that can be used to carry items in a way that means it can be carried everywhere. The inventors have developed a multipurpose retractable bag, that can retract to a very small item, small enough to keep on a key fob, or in other ways be carried everywhere. Then when a bag is needed it is ready to hand, and a small or large bag can be extended out, used and then conveniently retracted again for transportation or storage. Further the invention is adaptable to be a very small bag for small items or to extend out to a large bag or anything in between. The adaptable bag means that should it be carried on a key fob the owner will always have a strong, suitable bag ready to carry a wide range of items, in a highly convenient product.

Although designed for shopping the invention is highly useful, for a wide range of applications. The invention would be handy to keep in the car or boat to carry items as needed, to carry when fishing to carry back the catch, to carry rubbish back after a picnic, the options are numerous.

The invention further includes a GPS locating device with a proximity sensor which can be used to locate the bag and attached keys if lost. If the keys are stolen, a proximity sensor can be used to alarm to the theft but also to assist the police in locating the stolen keys. It is envisaged that the product will be made as an environmentally friendly product of sustainable materials such as hemp. In some forms, the bag will be given a finite life due to the product being made of biodegradable materials which after a particular length of time will biodegrade to reduce waste or pressure on landfill sites. The invention is a surprisingly useful invention that is likely to be very popular with customers to enable them to have a bag of any size ready for any event.

The following describes a non-limiting example of the invention being used with reference to a multipurpose retractable bag, that can be kept on a key fob. The invention is applicable to many different uses, and this is one of many applications. It is not intended to limit in the scope of the invention in any way, other than as limited by the claims.

For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose retractable bag that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art. It is a further and separate object of the invention to provide a method of use of a multipurpose retractable bag that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multipurpose retractable bag including: a body for containing a bag; a retraction mechanism for retaining the bag within the body unless released, biasing the bag within the body; a release mechanism with an open or closed state; wherein on release the bag can extend outside the body to be used as a bag and the size of the bag is defined by the volume of bag released from the body while the release mechanism is in the open state and the size of the bag is maintained by the release mechanism in the closed state to create a useful retractable bag. Preferably, the retractable sack can be carried on a key fob. Preferably, the retractable sack can be carried easily in the pocket, handbag or other small area, convenient for ready use. Preferably, the retractable bag is less than 50 millimetres in the retracted state. Preferably, the retractable bag is less than 100 millimetres across. Most preferably, the width of the retracted bag is less than 30 millimetres.

Preferably, the retractable bag is made from, in one form a light, waterproof material such as plastics. The retractable bag may be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the body of retractable bag is made from one or more materials chosen from the following group: environmentally friendly materials; engineered materials; plastics; biodegradable plastics; metal; wood; semi-precious metal; precious metals; gems; or a conglomerate materials. The retractable bag may, in another form of the invention, be made of precious metals. For example, as an attractive addition to a key fob, including previous metals or gemstones. Other metals or other materials may be used for the body instead. Preferably, the body of the retractable bag is configured as an attractive key fob, including precious metals or gemstones. Most preferably, the invention retracts to an attractive key fob item for carrying with the person with them at all times, that may then be used as a useful bag for carrying items when released to form a bag of a suitable size.

The body is preferably substantially spherical. The body could be any suitable shape or form. Preferably, the body is a sphere of a width of substantially 30 millimetres. Preferably, the body of the invention is a convenient size to carry with you at all time, so that the person is always ready for with a bag to carry items. Preferably, the body is formed in two halves to contain the retraction mechanism. Preferably, the body is a small round shape, that fits easily in the hand ready for use.

Preferably, the body contains the retraction mechanism, release mechanism and when retracted the bag. Preferably, the body full contains the mechanism. Preferably, the bag is fully contained within the body except when released for use.

The bag may be any suitable bag. Preferably, the bag is made of a lightweight, waterproof material. Preferably, the bag is a mesh bag. Preferably, the mesh bag is a strong, waterproof material. Preferably, the bag can be fully contained within the body in the retracted state and in the released state can be extended to make a bag of a variable size. Preferably, in the released state the bag can be made any suitable size for carrying items. Preferably, the bag can be made small, medium or large as suitable to carry the items.

Preferably, the bag is made of an environmentally friendly material or materials. Preferably, the bag is made of hemp. Preferably, the bag, in one form is made of a biodegradable material adapted to biodegrade after a particular length of time. UV exposure may hasten biodegradation of the bag.

The retraction mechanism may take any suitable form. Preferably, the retraction mechanism includes a spring which bias the retraction mechanism in a retracted state. Preferably, a coiled spring is included bias towards a central spindle and the body of the bag is bias towards the centre of the sac when needed to be packed away. Preferably, the bag can be readily released again and expanded out for use, with action against the bias spring.

Preferably, the bag includes one or more handle. The handle may be reinforced. Preferably, the body includes an aperture through which the bag may be released or retracted to return to the body. The handles may be decorative. The handles may be adapted to provide additional strength to the arrangement, when used as a bag.

Preferably, a clip of clasp is included to removably attach the body to another item. A clip or fob may be included. The invention may be included as part of a key fob. Other attachments may be made instead to carry the invention with the person. Preferably, a GPS locator mechanism is included whereby the location of the retractable bag may be known. When the invention is used on a key fob the use of the GPS sensor enables the location of the keys to be known. The location of the keys can then be tracked in the case of theft. Other forms of locator may be used instead.

A proximity sensor may be included. In one form the proximity sensor is in communication with a mobile phone so that if the invention is carried on a key fob and the keys and mobile phone are moved apart beyond a predetermined distance an alarm will be caused. Other forms of proximity sensor may be used instead.

Preferably, the invention includes at least one electronic device. The electronic device may be chosen from the group: light; alarm; proximity sensor; theft alarm; GPS locator; wireless communication device; communication device with a mobile phone; speaker; radio; or calculator.

Accordingly, the invention includes a method of use of a multipurpose retractable bag, the bag including a bag, body and retraction mechanism and a release mechanism, the method including the following steps: a) Releasing the retraction mechanism;

b) Drawing the bag from within the body until the bag is a suitable size for use; c) Using the bag;

d) Retracting the empty bag back into the body, for storage and transportation. The bag of the method may be the bag of the invention in any of its forms or variants.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The retractable bag may be produced industrially and supplied either direct to customers or to retailers or wholesalers for on-sale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a multipurpose retractable bag according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with the bag in a retracted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING A BEST MODE

Referring to Figure 1 , a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where retractable bag 1 , has body 10, with release mechanism 12, retraction mechanism 14, bag 16, sitting in bag recess 17 with bag opening 18. Retractable bag 1 is an extremely useful item, that takes very little space in the retracted state, far smaller and less bulky than a folder conventional bag. Body 10 has a diameter of 50 millimetres, so as to be a very small and convenient item to carry, even in a pocket or small bag. The inventive bag is so small it can be carried on a key ring so as to be carried everywhere when you go out. In other forms the invention can be made of semi-precious or precious metals and decorated to be a decorative key fob, or item you can attach to a hand bag or brief case, again so as to always carry a lightweight bag with you for shopping or other tasks. There are numerous applications, to carry groceries, market shopping, or purchased items, but also for students carrying study materials, school children carrying extra items home to prevent these items being dropped along the way. There are many uses to carry or contain items in crafts or hobbies, so that the tools and apparatus are readily carried, and so a person can keep a retractable bag in their class bag or in the hobby room. Even out on a boat or in sports these extremely useful products can be attached to something so as to always be available out on the boat or with the sports equipment so as to be ready for use. Even fishers can use these to carry unexpected fish or crabs safely home. The uses are too numerous to list here but are many and varied.

The invention as described is in an environmentally friendly form, designed to biodegrade after 2 years or accelerated in direct UV exposure. This is just one of the many forms, a standard plastic version, and a decorative or jewellery version to carry on a key fob being just some of these options.

As shown body 10 is made of biodegradable plastics material and is substantially spherical, a pleasing commercial shape. Body 10 is a thin plastic spherical shell, making it light-weight and economic to produce. Bag 16, in this environmental form of the invention is made of hemp, a very strong material able to be produced sustainably and economically. Bag 16 is formed as a mesh bag, to reduce the weight and to enable a large bag volume, which only takes up a very small compact area within body 10, in the closed state. The bag could be made solid, and of any suitable material, cloth, plastics, engineered or other materials, to suit the particular application. Bag 16 as illustrated when fully extended is approximately 500 by 500 millimetres.

Figure 1 , illustrates how retractable bag 1 will be seen when carried, closed, with the bag itself neatly tidied away. In the closed state bag 16 is kept wound tightly on retraction mechanism labelled generally 14, so bag 16 is maintained fully within body 10, until needed for use. Opening 18, is a small opening to allow bag 16 to be released, and in which handles 20 and 22 can be seen. It is with the assistance by grasping handles 20 and 22 that retraction mechanism 14 can be overcome and bag 16 released for use. It is by pulling on handles 20 and 22 that bag 16 can be extended out sufficient to carry the desired items. It is an important feature of the invention that bag 16 can be used in any size from the smallest volume through to the entire bag, depending on how much of bag 16 is pulled out. The bag can therefore be maintained at just the right size for use (as described further below) so as to be just the right size for use at a particular time. By having this useful ability bag 16 is significantly more useful than just carrying a small or large bag as bag 16 can be adapted to the required size.

Bag 16, in the retracted state is wound onto free moving spool 24 of shaft 26, shaft 26 being fixed to the side of body 10 with opposing split ends for a tension fitting. Part 28 of retraction mechanism 14 is wound under tension bias to the retracted state to keep bag 16 wound on spool 24. Release can be caused by pressing on release push button 30, which releases biasing spring 32 to enable bag 16 to be pulled out of bag opening 18 by handles 20 and 22, the required amount. Spool 24 rotates about shaft 26 when push button 30 is depressed to enable bag 16 to be released freely. Once push button 30 is pressed again the retraction mechanism again bias against rotation of spool 24 on shaft 26, so the volume of bag is maintained by holding handles 20 and 22. Further pressing of button 30 and release of handles 20 and 22 will bias bag 16 to be retracted back onto spool 24 around shaft 25, to retract away. Biasing spring 32 strongly biases the rotation of part 34, connected to shaft 26, towards the closed state, to bias bag 16 towards being wound about spool 24 and shaft 26 and retracted away for storage and transportation. Bag 16 is anchored at a start point to spool 24 to prevent the bag parting from the spool when in the fully extended state.

Release mechanism 12 is cleverly adapted to be both a release and hold mechanism, and includes push button 30. Push button 30 is a spring loaded push button which on release allows bag 16 to spool from the body, until a suitable size of bag is achieved. Once the suitable size of bag is achieved, push button 30 is released and the created bag, which may be very small, medium or a large bag is held at the size created. However, opening 18, is kept small so only part of bag 16 can be released at a time to control the release. Shaped dges 36 in body 10 surround bag opening 18 to provide strength and to support handles 20 and 22 in place, ready to be grasped when button 30 is released to extend bag 16. The shaping is a slight cup shape to support the handles and provide a convenient method of use.

Within body 10 can be seen projecting parts, useful during manufacture to maintain bag recess 17 defined within spool 24 in place, within body 10.

An important feature of the invention is that body 10 can be readily carried by a person in their hand but also by attaching to something, such as a bag, case, belt or to key fob. Attachment point 42 is strongly attached to body 10 and enables clip 44 with clasp 46 to be attached. Clip 44 and clasp 46 can be used to strongly attach to a loop so as be easily carried by the person from one place to another.

In one form of the invention, electronic devices are included as a useful additional function of the invention. In one form a GPS is included, and can be tracked in the case of theft. This may be of particular use if the invention is used attached to a key fob, as a bag theft can be tracked if the keys are in the bag. Further if the keys are used to steal a car these can also be tracked. In some forms of the invention a proximity sensor can be included, so that if there is a significant distance between a second sensor and the proximity sensor of the retractable bag, an alarm can be triggered. The second sensor may be on the person, so that if their keys are parted from them in distance it will alert to theft. If the other sensor is at home then removal of the keys from home (or any other location) without turning off the alarm will trigger an alert. The alarms and triggers use existing software provided through wireless networks and mobile phone apps.

The invention is a very clever invention with a great many uses and applications. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

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