Multi-Pack Tote Apparatus

Abstract

A tote bag apparatus includes a plurality of panel members joined together forming individual bounded container regions for securing containers. The panel members are joined in varying multi-panel designs limiting unintended container contact, limiting damage and thermal transfer while providing secure transport. During use, the present embodiments enable a plurality of external consumer products to be stored in a stable manner without risk of tipping.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. PCT / US2006 / 000853 filed Jan. 9, 2006 (Our Ref.: Built.P042), which in turn claims priority from U.S. Prov. No. 60 / 642,373 filed Jan. 8, 2005 now abandoned (Our Ref.: Built.P006), U.S. Prov. No. 60 / 664,870 filed Jan. 18, 2005 now abandoned (Our Ref.: Built.P015), and U.S. Prov. No. 60 / 697,122 filed Jul. 7, 2005 now abandoned (Our Ref.: Built.P032), U.S. Des. App. No. 29 / 220,937 filed Jan. 8, 2005 now pending (Our Ref.: Built.DP009), U.S. Prov. No. 60 / 642,363 filed Jan. 8, 2005 now abandoned (Our Ref.: Built.P011), U.S. Des. App. No. 29 / 203,704 filed May 25, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. D518,631 (Our Ref.: Built.DP030), U.S. Des. App. No. 29 / 230,685 filed May 25, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. D517,798 (Our Ref.: Built.DP029), U.S. Des. App. No. 29 / 230,683 filed May 25, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. D517,797 (Our Ref.: Built.DP031), U.S. Des. App. No. 29 / 231,821 filed Jun. 10, 200...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] As broadly discussed above, the present invention attempts to respond to at least one of the needs noted above by suggesting in alternative embodiment of the present invention, tote bags having a simple and robust construction that enable superior protection to a container and easy transport.

[0024] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is to provide a tote apparatus formed from a material having a thermal retention capability readily compacted during non-use.

[0025] Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is to provide a tote bag embodiment having a construction readily adapted for construction from a single or continuous piece of material folded upon itself.

Problems solved by technology

While Hamilton provides a convenient top loading wine bag it fails to provide for the option of securing the wine bottle securely within a closure to prevent unintended escape, jiggling, or for securing the product to another item for easy security or transport.

Hamilton similarly fails to optimize a convenient and speedy construction, requiring multi-dimensional stitches and the assembly of multiple pieces requiring waste during shape cut-out.

In this embodiment, the material selected is simply fabric and is therefore not readily shaped to enable thermal retention, secure a bottle from rattling and breakage, provide a tight engagement strap to retain a bottle within the bag, or provide an attachment mechanism to join the shopping bag to another item for easy security against tipping or to secure transport.

Plummer fails to secure containers against unintended separation by elastic retention and similarly fails to provide a means for supporting all containers against individual tipping and breakage.

Plummer also fails to consider thermal retention, ease of removal and insertion, and a construction readily adapted to multiple panel configurations.

The plastic package with stretchable bottom may be provided on a continuous tear-off roll and similarly fails to approach the needs addressed by the present multiple embodiments.

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