Carrying handle for shopping bags

Abstract

A handle grip for supporting and carrying one or more shopping bags has a tubular handle structure with a longitudinal slot for receiving shopping bag handles and two transverse slots, one near either end, for securing the bag handles and for attaching a shoulder strap.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 61 / 270,231, filed Jul. 6, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a carrying handle system capable of carrying one or more bags or articles by their handle portion. This invention comprises a tubular handle structure having a longitudinal slot for receiving shopping bag handles and two transverse slots, one near either end, for securing the bag handles and for attaching a shoulder strap.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART[0003]The commonplace use of plastic grocery bags in supermarkets has presented many concerns for customers. The relatively narrow strips of plastic that comprise the integral handles of such bags can cut into the bearer's hand if a heavy load is contained therein, causing numbness and discomfort to the holder's palm and fingers. This strain on the hand is only exacerbated when the holder is attempting to carry several heavy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The tubular handle structure, composed of a rigid plastic material, provides relief for the hands and fingers of the user from the strain caused by grocery bag handles. The tubular handle evenly distributes the bag load over the gripping fingers and palm of the hand and provides a sufficient gripping surface area so as not to hurt the holder's fingers.

[0010]The gripping device's longitudinal access slot can accommodate a single bag or multiple bags. Thus, it allows the user to carry multiple bags at one time, saving the user from making multiple trips to and from the car or store.

[0011]The two parallel transverse slots, one near either end of the tubular handle structure, act to secure the bag handles together. As a result, when the bags are set down, the tubular gripping structure does not become misplaced and the user does not have to fumble to gather the handles back together in order to pick the bags back up. The transverse slots also prevent spillage of the bags' contents when the bags are set down. This feature is particularly important when the bags are being transported in a motorized vehicle because it keeps groceries and other items secure inside the bags, rather than spilling and moving around inside the trunk. The transverse locking slots also allow for the attachment of a shoulder strap.

[0012]The attachable shoulder strap assembly of the carrying handle system significantly increases the amount of weight and number of shopping bags that can be comfortably carried by the user at one time. Because it enables the user to carry up to ten full shopping bags at once, the shoulder strap allows him to carry home a week's worth of groceries in a single trip. The shoulder strap also allows for “hands-free” shopping and eliminates the need for the holder to repeatedly put the bags down and pick them back up in order to perform tasks such as unlocking and opening doors.

[0013]Optimally, the tubular grip structure can include notches inwardly contiguous to the transverse slots, which further serve to secure the bag handles. Another optimal feature is an access slot which is outwardly flared at both ends, which allows the device to accommodate more bags and also allows the bag handles to more fully engage the transverse slot, thereby enabling more secure carrying and storage. When the shoulder strap is not in use, it can be folded up and slipped into the access slot of the handle structure for compact storage and transport.

Problems solved by technology

The relatively narrow strips of plastic that comprise the integral handles of such bags can cut into the bearer's hand if a heavy load is contained therein, causing numbness and discomfort to the holder's palm and fingers.

Another concern caused by these plastic shopping bags is that users cannot have their hands available for paying for purchases, unlocking and opening doors, shopping for other items, etc. without the need to set the bags down first.

Similar problems arise in the use of twine-handled paper shopping bags and cloth shopping bags

Many of the other handgrips that have been heretofore proposed will not remain securely attached to the bag handles once the bag is placed on a support surface, resulting in misplacement of the hand-gripping device.

This may result in spillage of the contents of the bags or parcels when the bags are being transported in a motorized vehicle.

This device must therefore be reattached each time the bag or article is set down, leaving the bag contents vulnerable to spillage.

Another disadvantage of many of the handgrips of the prior art is that they can only be fitted to carry a single bag or article.

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