PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG WITH INTEGRATED OPENING AND CLOSING MEANS FOR SECONDARY USE

Abstract

A plastic shopping bag (10), comprising: - a main body (12) provided with an opening (14) configured so that products can be inserted through said opening (14) and remain within the main body (12); and - two carrying handles (16), arranged on two opposite sides of the opening (14); said bag (10) being characterized in that it further comprises specific opening and closing means (30), arranged in or below the opening (14), said opening and closing means (30) being structurally distinct from the two carrying handles (16).

Description

PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG WITH OPENING AND CLOSING MEANS INTEGRATED FOR SECONDARY USE Field of invention The present invention relates to the technical field of plastics processing. More specifically, the invention relates to a multipurpose plastic bag, specifically a plastic shopping bag with integrated opening and closing means that facilitate its convenient and efficient secondary use as a garbage bag. Background of the invention Plastic shopping bags appeared in the 1970s and quickly became very popular, especially because they were distributed free of charge in stores and supermarkets. Plastic shopping bags typically consist of a main body with a top opening, or mouth, for inserting the products, and a pair of handles located on opposite sides of the mouth for carrying. Their low cost and convenience led to their widespread use in retail. However, the proliferation of single-use plastic items has created significant environmental challenges. Plastic waste pollutes oceans, rivers, and terrestrial ecosystems, harming wildlife and plants through entanglement or ingestion. It also contributes to human health problems caused by the consumption of microplastics. The production and degradation of plastics release greenhouse gases, and improper disposal can lead to air pollution and unsanitary conditions. In fact, their persistence in the environment, as they take decades to decompose, exacerbates these negative effects, impacting biodiversity and water resources. In response, many jurisdictions have implemented measures to reduce the consumption of plastic shopping bags, such as imposing a mandatory charge for bags provided by retailers. For example, in Spain, since 2018, retail establishments have been required to charge for the plastic bags they provide to their customers. Applicable regulations also establish indicative prices based on thickness and composition, with the aim of reducing consumption. This has encouraged consumers to reuse shopping bags more often. A common secondary use for these bags is as liners for trash cans or as standalone garbage bags. In this secondary application, the user typically places the shopping bag in a container and fills it with waste. Once full, the standard method for closing the bag is to tie the two handles in a knot. While this action secures the contents, it compromises the features designed for carrying. This knotted configuration is often bulky, awkward to grip, and difficult to transport to a larger outdoor collection container. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a plastic shopping bag that can be easily and securely closed for secondary use as a garbage bag, while preserving the functionality of its handles for clean and convenient carrying. The present invention addresses this need by incorporating a specific closing mechanism separate from the carrying handles. Summary of the invention The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a plastic shopping bag optimized for a second life as a garbage bag. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plastic shopping bag comprising: - a main body with a top opening (or mouth), so that items can be inserted through the mouth and remain inside the main body; - two carrying handles, located on two opposite sides of the mouth, The shopping bag is characterized by also comprising specific opening and closing means other than the carrying handles; these opening and closing means are arranged at or below the mouth. This design allows the bag to be securely closed when reused as a garbage bag, preventing spills, while keeping the handles free and fully functional for easy carrying. Furthermore, the present invention will have a positive impact on societal education and culture in the context of environmental protection by promoting the recycling of plastic shopping bags. In another embodiment, the opening and closing means comprise a tape or cord disposed within a channel beneath the opening, extending along the perimeter of the main body. The advantage of this embodiment is that it provides a simple and effective drawstring closure, familiar to users of conventional garbage bags, allowing the shopping bag to be closed like a sack by pulling the tape. In another embodiment, the opening and closing means comprise a sliding zipper, such as a snap or slide zipper, disposed at the opening. This provides a resealable and highly secure closure that can be useful both during its primary use as a shopping bag and during its secondary use as a garbage bag. According to another embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism comprises two complementary hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro type) arranged on opposite inner faces of the main body, below the opening. This provides a reusable and easy-to-use closing mechanism that does not require precise alignment. In another embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism comprises a magnetic closure consisting of two complementary magnetic pieces arranged on opposite inner faces of the main body, below the opening. This provides a self-aligning, effortless closure that requires minimal effort from the user. Ideally, the shopping bag should also include a visual indicator for a specific type of waste. This feature encourages and facilitates proper waste sorting by the user, aligning the bag's secondary use with municipal recycling programs. In one specific application, the visual indicator is a colored area on the bag, where the color corresponds to a standardized color for a recycling container. For example, in Spain, blue is used for paper / cardboard, yellow for packaging, green for glass, brown for organic waste, and gray / black for other non-recyclable waste. This provides an intuitive, language-independent guide for the user, promoting accurate recycling and waste disposal. Brief description of the drawings The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, which form an integral part of the present description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale; rather, the emphasis is on illustrating the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic shopping bag according to an embodiment of the invention provided with a drawstring closure. FIG.2 is a perspective view illustrating a plastic shopping bag from the above technique reused as a garbage bag, with the handles tied with a knot. FIG.3 is a perspective view of the shopping bag in FIG.1 used as a garbage bag, shown closed by its specific closure means with the handles free. FIG.4 is a perspective view of the top of the bag in FIG.1, illustrating the implementation of the drawstring closure. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of a bag according to the invention, illustrating the embodiment of the sliding zipper closure. FIG.6 is a perspective view of the top of a bag according to the invention, illustrating the embodiment with a Velcro closure. FIG.7 is a perspective view of the top of a bag according to the invention, illustrating the embodiment of the magnetic closure. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bag according to the invention, illustrating the inclusion of a visual indicator of the waste type. Detailed description The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout the figures, identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference number. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic shopping bag, 10, according to the invention. This bag 10 comprises a main body 12, which is typically made of a flexible plastic film, such as polyethylene. The main body 12 defines an internal volume for containing goods and has a top opening, or mouth 14. Two carrying handles 16 extend upward from opposite sides of the mouth 14. These handles 16 are configured to allow the user to comfortably grip them for carrying the bag 10 and its contents. The bag 10 also includes specific opening and closing means 30, which are distinct from the handles 16. The elements that, in this particular embodiment of the invention, constitute these opening and closing means 30 will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 4. Figure 2 illustrates a problem with the prior art. It shows a conventional plastic shopping bag, 10', filled with waste 22 that has been inserted through the opening 14'. To close the bag, its handles 16' have been tied together to form a knot 20. This method secures the contents, but renders the handles 16' unusable for their primary purpose of carrying, forcing the user to hold the bag awkwardly due to its bulky main body or the knot itself. FIG. 3 shows the advantage of the present invention. The shopping bag 10 is shown filled with waste 22. The specific opening and closing means 30 (which will be explained in more detail in the description of FIG. 4) has been actuated to securely seal the mouth 14 of the bag, preventing the waste 22 from spilling. It is essential that the carrying handles 16 remain completely free, untied, and available so that the user can easily and cleanly carry the bag 10 to a disposal point. Several implementations of the opening and closing mechanisms are contemplated. 30. Figure 4 shows a detailed perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, which is also shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this configuration, the opening and closing means 30 comprise a drawstring mechanism. A hem or channel 32 is formed around the perimeter of the main body 12, located below the opening 14. A flexible tape or drawstring 34 is passed through this channel 32. The drawstring 34 can exit the channel 32 through one or more openings 36, allowing the user to pull on the ends of the drawstring 34. This action gathers and adjusts the material of the main body 12, effectively closing the opening 14 in a sack-like manner. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment, in which the opening and closing means 30 comprise a sliding zipper closure. This closure is located at or near the opening 14 and consists of two interlocking complementary profiles, a first profile 40 and a second profile 42, fixed to opposite inner surfaces of the bag. A slider 44 is configured to move along the profiles 40 and 42, engaging or disengaging them to seal or open the bag. This provides a secure and potentially airtight seal. Figure 6 shows a third embodiment, in which the opening and closing means 30 comprise hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro type). A first strip 50, containing the hook portion of the fastener, is attached to an inner surface of the main body 12 below the opening 14. A second complementary strip 52, containing the loop portion, is attached to the opposite inner surface. The user can close the bag by pressing the two strips 50 and 52 together. FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment, in which the opening and closing means 30 comprise a magnetic closure. These comprise at least a pair of complementary magnetic pieces, a first magnetic piece 60 and a second magnetic piece 62. These pieces are embedded in or fixed to opposite internal surfaces of the main body 12 below the opening 14. Their magnetic attraction causes them to join together when brought close, providing a simple, self-aligning closure. Figure 8 illustrates a preferred additional feature of the invention. The bag 10 is provided with a drawstring closure 30 and is further provided with a visual indicator 70 to guide its secondary use for waste sorting. This visual indicator 70 may be a distinctive colored area, a patch, or a symbol printed on the surface of the main body 12. The color of the visual indicator 70 is chosen to correspond with the standardized color-coding system for waste sorting containers used in a particular region. For example, a yellow indicator would mean that the bag is intended for recyclable packaging, a blue indicator for paper and cardboard, and so on. This feature adds value by encouraging and simplifying proper waste disposal and recycling practices for the end user.In addition, the visual indicator 70 can be the color of the bag 10 itself, the color of the carrying handles 16, or any other visible part of the bag 10. The present invention also contemplates the possibility that the visual indicator may not only be a colored zone, but also a word or set of words indicating the type of waste. For example, and without limitation, a word or set of words in English, Spanish, Chinese, or any other language. This would be useful, since many people are beginning to sort waste (especially children) and also because each country has a different color-coding system. It would also be useful for tourists and the elderly. The bag of the present invention can be manufactured from various plastic materials, including, but not limited to, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or biodegradable and compostable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), to further mitigate environmental impact. The manufacturing process may include standard techniques such as film extrusion, cutting, and heat sealing, with an additional step to incorporate the chosen closure.

Claims

1. A plastic shopping bag (10), comprising: - a main body (12) provided with an opening (14) configured so that products can be inserted through said opening (14) and remain within the main body (12); and - two carrying handles (16), arranged on two opposite sides of the opening (14); said bag (10) being characterized in that it further comprises specific opening and closing means (30), arranged in or below the opening (14), said opening and closing means (30) being structurally distinct from the two carrying handles (16).

2. A plastic shopping bag (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing means (30) comprise a strip (34) arranged within a channel (32) extending along the perimeter of the main body (12) below the opening (14). 3.A plastic shopping bag (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing means (30) comprise a sliding zipper (40, 42, 44) disposed at the opening (14).

4. A plastic shopping bag (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing means (30) comprise two complementary hook-and-loop fastener strips (50, 52) disposed on opposite inner faces of the main body (12) below the opening (14).

5. A plastic shopping bag (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing means (30) is a magnetic closure comprising a pair of complementary magnetic pieces (60, 62) disposed on opposite inner faces of the main body (12) below the opening (14).

6. A plastic shopping bag (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a visual indicator (70) in the main body (12) for identifying a type of waste. 7.A plastic shopping bag (10) according to claim 6, wherein the visual indicator (70) is a colored area, and wherein the color corresponds to a standardized color for a selective waste collection container.

8. A plastic shopping bag (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (12) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and biodegradable plastic.