Field of the invention

1. The invention relates to a bag holder.

Background

2. Plastic bags are wasteful and harmful to the environment. In recent times, these bags have become less available and are not readily offered to customers at supermarkets or other stores. Instead, self-owned bags are becoming more prevalent. When a customer visits these locations, they would bring their own bags along with them to carry their purchased items.

3. A user would typically store their self-owned bags in their handbag, briefcase, backpack, or back pocket. Carrying these bags around, when not in-use, is an inconvenience to the user. Also, these bags could be damaged because of where they are stored or the way in which they are stored.

4. In addition, there are instances, where a user may make an unplanned visit to the supermarket or other stores and may not have any bags with them to carry their purchased goods home because carrying those bags around is a hassle to the user.

5. In this context, there is a need for device that for allowing user to more conveniently and readily carry bags and/or for protecting bags when not in use.

Summary of the invention

6. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag holder for retractably storing a bag.

7. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag holder for holding a bag, the bag holder including: a body for coupling to the bag, the body arranged or configured to retractably store the bag, wherein the bag can be drawn from the body to be used while still being coupled to the body, and can be retracted for storage by the body. The body preferably stores the bag as a roll. When the bag is to be used, the bag may be pulled from the body, which unrolls the bag from the body. When the bag is to be stored, the bag may roll up as the bag retracts towards the body. The body preferably includes a housing for storing the bag therein, the housing having an aperture through which the bag can be retractably drawn. The housing may include a plurality of apertures, one or more bags being drawn and retractable through a respective one of the plurality of apertures. The body is preferably an elongate body. The body may be substantially cylindrical. The bag holder preferably further includes a locking mechanism for preventing the bag from retracting towards the body as the bag is being drawn from the body and/or when the bag is drawn from the body. The locking mechanism may for example include a ratchet and pawl arrangement. The ratchet preferably rotates in one direction when the bag is drawn from the body and rotates in an opposite direction to retract the bag towards the body, and wherein the pawl engages the ratchet to prevent rotation of the ratchet in the opposite direction. The locking mechanism may in other examples include any other brake and lever mechanism. The locking mechanism may in other examples include a rotating disc mechanism. The pawl is preferably biased to engage the ratchet as the ratchet rotates in the one direction. The locking mechanism may include a pawl biasing element to urge the pawl against the ratchet. The pawl biasing element may for example include an elastic member for pulling the pawl into engagement with the ratchet. Alternatively, the pawl biasing element may include a spring or other resiliently deformable member. Further alternatively, the pawl may be biased away from engagement with the ratchet. The ratchet is preferably biased to rotate in the opposite direction. The locking mechanism may include a ratchet biasing element that deforms from an original state when the ratchet rotates in the one direction and returns to the original state when the pawl disengages the ratchet to cause the ratchet to rotate in the opposite direction. The ratchet biasing element may for example include a coil spring. Alternatively, the pawl biasing element may include a plastic member or other resiliently deformable member. Further alternatively, the ratchet may be biased to rotate in the one direction. The ratchet may alternatively be rotatable in one direction such that the ratchet rotates in the one direction as the bag is being drawn from the body, and further rotation of the bag in the one direction causes the bag to retract towards the body. The bag holder preferably further includes a release portion that is operable by a user to disengage the pawl from the ratchet. The release portion may for example be operable to cause the pawl to pivot away from the ratchet. The release portion may be part of the pawl. Alternatively, the release portion may be separate from the pawl. The bag holder preferably further includes a shaft portion to which the bag is attachable. The shaft portion is preferably rotatable relative to the body. For example, the shaft portion is rotatable in one direction when the bag is drawn from the body and rotatable in the opposite direction when the bag is retracted. The shaft is preferably coupled to the locking mechanism. The shaft portion may alternatively be integrally formed with the ratchet. The shaft portion may have a bag holding portion for receiving a portion of the bag. The bag portion may receive a handle portion of the bag. The bag holding portion may include aperture such that the handle portion of the bag can loop around the bag holding portion. In other examples, the bag portion may be attached to the bag holding portion in some other way. For example, the bag holding portion includes a fastener or clasp for holding the bag portion. The bag holder preferably includes an end cap housing locatable at an end of the body. The end cap housing may be removable from the body. For example, the end cap housing may threadably engage the body. For example, the end cap housing may have a threaded portion for threadably engaging a corresponding threaded portion of the body. The threaded portion of the end cap housing may be located on an internal surface or exterior surface of the end cap housing, with the corresponding threaded portion of the body being located on an exterior surface of internal surface of the body. Alternatively, the end cap housing may engage the body in a socket-and-plug engagement. For example, an end of the body has an aperture into which the end cap housing is insertable. The end cap housing may alternatively be integrally formed as one piece with the body. The locking mechanism is preferably housed in the end cap housing. The bag holder may include a support structure on which the ratchet and pawl arrangement is mounted. The support structure may be a plate for example. In the end cap housing, the ratchet bias element may be located at an underside of the support structure, while the ratchet and pawl arrangement may be located on an upperside of the support structure. Alternatively, in the end cap housing, the ratchet bias element may be located at an upperside of the support structure, while the ratchet and pawl arrangement may be located on an underside of the support structure. The shaft portion preferably engages the ratchet bias element and the ratchet. The support structure may have an aperture through which an axis of rotation of the ratchet passes, the shaft portion passing through the aperture to engage the ratchet on one side of the support structure and to engage the ratchet bias element on the other side of the support structure. Rotation of the ratchet in the one direction preferably causes the shaft portion to rotate in unison with the ratchet in the one direction and deforms the ratchet bias element. During rotation in the one direction, the pawl preferably engages the ratchet to prevent rotation in the opposite direction and to thereby prevent the ratchet bias element from returning to its original state. Disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet preferably causes the ratchet bias element to return to its original state and rotate the ratchet in the opposite direction, thereby causing the shaft to rotate in unison with the ratchet in the opposite direction. The shaft portion may include two prongs at an end of the shaft for engaging corresponding slots in the ratchet biasing element. The body is preferably adapted or configured to be grasped by a hand. In this way, the body may be used as a handle when the bag is drawn from the body. The bag holder preferably includes an attachment device for attaching the bag holder to the user or item of the user. The attachment device may include any one of a hook-and-loop fastener, carabiner, hook, clip, or magnetic attachment. The attachment device may be provided at the end cap housing. Alternatively (or additionally), the attachment device may be provided at one end of the body and/or at the cover at the other end of the body, and/or at the body. 20. According to another aspect, the present invention provides in combination, a bag holder and a bag wherein the bag holder includes: a body for coupling to the bag, the body arranged or configured to retractably store the bag, wherein the bag can be drawn from the holder to be used while still being coupled to the holder, and can be retracted for storage by the body.

21. The bag holder preferably includes the bag holder of the aspect previously described above.

22. The bag is preferably a reusable bag. For example, the bag may be made from fabric or plastic.

23. The bag preferably has a tab portion to be grasped by a user for drawing the bag away from the body. The tab is preferably exposed when the bag is stored by the body.

24. The bag holder may further include one or more additional bags, the body is coupled to the additional bag(s) and is arranged or configured to retractably store the additional bag(s). Drawing the bag from the body preferably draws the additional bag(s) from the body. Retracting the bag preferably retracts the additional bag(s) for storage by the body. Alternatively, one of the bags may be drawn from and/or retract towards the body independent of the other bag(s).

25. The bag can preferably be removed from the body. In addition or alternatively, new bags can preferably be added to the body when desired.

Brief description of the drawings

26. The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and IB show a bag holder according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 2A to 2E show a body and the locking mechanism of the bag holder of Figures 1A and IB. Detailed description

27. Figures 1A and IB illustrates a bag holder 100 for retractably storing one or more bags. The bag holder 100 retractably stores the bag(s) in that the bag(s) can be drawn from the bag holder 100 when a user desires to use the bag(s), and can be retracted back into the bag holder 100 for storage. The bag holder 100 includes a body 120 for retractably storing two bags 140. In other embodiments, the body 120 can be for retractably storing one bag or more than two bags. The bags 140 are reusable and could be made from fabric or plastic for example. The bags may be for carrying any item or produce for example.

28. The body 120 is a cylindrical elongate body in the form of a tube. The body 120 can be used, by a user, as a handle for carrying the bags 140 when the bags 140 are drawn from the body 120. In other embodiments, the body may be a non-uniform body and may have other shapes. For example, the body may have a square cross- section or other cross-section having a polygon shape. In other embodiments, the body may have one or more portions that are shaped to be grasped by a user's hand. For example, the body may have a contoured surface so a user can comfortably locate his/her fingers around the body. The body may also have a textured surface so the user can firmly grasp the body. The body 120 is made from a plastic material. It will be readily appreciated that the body can be made from other materials such as metal, wood or other engineering materials for example. The body 120 provides protection to the bags 140 stored therein.

29. The body 120 defines a housing with an internal storage space for storing the bags 140. The body 120 has an aperture 122 through which the bags 140 can be drawn from the body 120 and through which the bags 140 can be retracted for storage by the body 120. The aperture 122 is a bag-dispensing aperture. The aperture 122 is in the form of an elongate slot with a length that is equal to or, greater than a width of the bags 140. An axis along with the length of the aperture extends is substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis through the body 120. In some embodiments, the aperture may be smaller than the width of the bag. In yet further embodiments, the body may have a plurality of apertures and the bag holder includes a plurality of bags, one or more respective bags being drawable from and retractable for storage through a respective one of the plurality of apertures. The bags 140 are stored in the body 120 as a roll around a shaft (described in further detail below). The shaft is rotatable relative to the body 120 as the bags 140 are drawn from the body 120, and is rotatable relative to the body 120 to retract the bags 140 for storage by the body. When the bags 140 are to be used, the bags 140 are pulled from the body 120, which unrolls the bags 140 from the shaft. When the bags 140 are to be stored, the bags 140 will roll up around the shaft inside the body 120 while retracting towards the body 120. In other embodiments, the bags can be stored on the body. For example, the bags may be rolled up for storage on an exterior of the body (as opposed to being stored inside the body). In yet other embodiments, part of the bags can be stored within the body with the remaining part of the bags being stored outside the body. In addition the body 120 may house anywhere from 0 to 5 bags as this correspond to the relevant embodiment. Each bag 140 is coupled to the body 120. In particular, each bag 140 has a fixed portion that is attached to the shaft in the body 120 and a free end portion. The fixed portion corresponds to an upper section of the bag where the bag handles 144 are located. The opening of each respective bag is provided between the bag handle portions 144 of each respective bag 140. The free end portion corresponds to a lower (or bottom) section of the bag. When the bags 140 are drawn from the body 120 to be used, the bags 140 are still coupled to the body 120 at their fixed end (i.e. each bag is still attached to the shaft in the body 120). Each bag 140 has a tab portion 142 at the free end portion to be grasped by a user for drawing the bag away from the body 120 when the bags 140 are desired to be used. The tab portion 142 is located at a bottom of the bag 140. As shown in Figure 1A, the tab portion 142 is exposed when the bag 140 is stored by the body 120. Pulling the tab portion 142 away from the body 120 draws the bag from the body 120. The tab portion can be attached to the bag(s) by glue by sewing the tab portion to the bag, or by clasping the tab portion to the bag (e.g. by a press stud, button, etc.). Alternatively, the tab portion 142 is integrally formed with the bag. the bags 140 are drawn from and retract into the body 120 in unison. Drawing one bag 140 from the body 120 automatically draws the other bag 140 from the body 120. Similarly, as one bag 140 retracts for storage by the body 120, the other bag also retracts for storage by the body 120. In some embodiments, tabs provide a second application as air vents to allow air to pass through the bags. These are situated in the centre, or comers on one side or both sides of the bags. These may come as a plastic of natural fibre piece that sits in a position where it can also be held as a tab portion externally to the body 120 or in addition to the tab portion 142. In other embodiments, a side portion of the bag can be coupled to the body instead of the upper portion of the bag, while the other (opposite) side portion of the bag is a free end portion of the bag having the tab portion. In these embodiments, the bag handles at the upper portions of the bag can be tucked into the bag prior to storing by the body. In yet other embodiments, a bottom portion of the bag could be coupled to the body, while the top portion of the bag (where the handle portions are located) is a free end portion of the bag having a tab portion. Any one or all of the bags 140 can be removed from the body 120. For example, if any of the bags are damaged or contaminated, that bag can be removed from the body 120. In addition, new bags can be added to the body 120 when desired. One or more bag can be added or removed from the body independently of the other bag(s) held by the body. The bag holder 100 includes an end cap housing 124 locatable at an end of the body 120 to cover an opening into the housing of the body 120. The end cap housing 124 can be removed from the body 120. The end cap housing 124 engages the body 120 in a socket- and-plug (or snug-fit) engagement. In particular, the end cap housing is insertable into the opening in the body 120. Alternatively, the end cap housing may threadably engage the body. For example, an exterior of the end cap housing may have a threaded portion for engaging a corresponding threaded portion on an internal surface of the body. The end cap housing 124 houses a mechanism (described in further detail below) for locking the bag in place and for controlling the retraction of the bag for storage by the body 120. A release button 185 is located at the end cap housing 124 that is actuatable by a user to configure the locking mechanism and to cause the bags to retract for storage by the body 120. The end cap housing 124 includes a support structure in the form of a plate washer which is located to align the shaft 160 and the end cap housing 124. As will be described in further detail below, components of the locking mechanism are integrally formed as one piece with the end cap housing. In other embodiments, use of support structures may see the mechanism mounted o the end cap housing. For example, the support structure may be integrally formed as one piece with the end cap housing. Referring to Figures 2 A to 2E, the bag holder 100 includes a shaft 160 to which the bags 140 are attached. The shaft 160 is located within the body 120 and is rotatable relative to the body 120. One end of the shaft 160 engages the locking mechanism in the end cap housing 124 located at one end of the body 120, while the other end of the shaft 160 engages end cap 126 at an opposite end of the body 120. The shaft 160 is a hollow axle with a portion at one end that is shaped to engage the components of the locking mechanism in the end cap housing 124. The shaft 160 rotates in a first direction as the bags are drawn from the body 120, and rotates in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) to retract the bags for storage by the body 120. The first direction is counterclockwise, while the second direction is clockwise. In other embodiments, the first direction may be clockwise and the second direction may be counterclockwise. In other embodiments, the bag holder may include two or more shafts. In these embodiments, the bag holder is for storing a plurality of bags and one or more bags is attached to a respective one of the shafts. In these other embodiments, an axis of rotation of one shaft may be parallel and offset from an axis of rotation of the other shaft(s). Alternatively, in these other embodiments, an axis of rotation of one shaft may be parallel and co-axial with an axis of rotation of the other shaft(s). The shafts in these other embodiments may be coupled to each other such that rotation of one shaft causes the other shaft to rotate in unison such that the bags can be drawn from an can retract for storage by the body together. Alternatively, the shafts may rotate independently of each other. For example, drawing the bag(s) attached to a respective one of the shafts is drawn from the body does not automatically draw the other bag(s) attached to the other shaft(s) from the body. In addition or alternatively, retracting the bag(s) attached to one of the shafts retracts for storage by the body does not automatically retract the other bag(s) attached to the other shafts. The shaft 160 includes two bag holding portions 162 to which the bags are attached. The bag holding portions 162 are distributed along a length of the shaft 160. In particular, the bag holding portions 162 are spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance by which the handle portions of each bag are spaced apart from each other. The bag holding portion 162 includes an aperture, with the handle portion of the bag looping around the handle portion through the aperture. The bag holding portions are integrally formed with the shaft 160. In other embodiments, the bag holding portions may be moveable relative to the shaft to removably receive the bag portions. The bag holder 100 includes a locking mechanism 180 for preventing the bag from retracting towards the body 120 as the bag 140 is being drawn from the body 120 or once the bag is drawn from the body 120. The locking mechanism 180 is also for controlling the retraction of the bags for storage by the body 120. The locking mechanism 180 is provided in the end cap housing 124 described previously above. Referring to Figures 2B, 2D, and 2E in particular, the locking mechanism 180 includes a ratchet 182 and pawl 184. Ratchet 182 and pawl 184 are housed within the end cap housing 124. The ratchet 182 rotates in the first direction relative to the body when the bag is drawn from the body 120 and rotates in the second direction (opposite to the first direction) relative to the body 120 to retract the bag towards the body. The pawl 184 engages the ratchet 182 to prevent rotation of the ratchet in the second direction (i.e. to prevent the bag from retracting towards the body). The locking mechanism engaging portion 164 of the shaft portion 160 engages the ratchet 182 such that the shaft portion 160 and the ratchet 182 rotate in unison. The ratchet 182 has a fixing point located (through which the axis of ratchet rotation passes), that is complementarily engaged by the locking mechanism engaging portion 164. In those embodiments where a plurality of shafts is provided, the locking mechanism may include two or more ratchet and pawl arrangements, each arrangement for controlling a respective one or the shafts. Alternatively, in those embodiments where a plurality of shafts is provided, the locking mechanism may include one ratchet and pawl arrangement for controlling two or more of the shafts. The pawl 184 is biased to engage the ratchet 182 as the ratchet 182 rotates in the first direction (as the bags 140 are drawn from the body 120). The locking mechanism 180 includes a pawl biasing element to urge the pawl 184 against the ratchet 182. The pawl biasing element is an elastic member for pulling the pawl 184 into engagement with the ratchet 182. Alternatively, the pawl biasing element may include a spring or other resiliently deformable member. As previously described above, the bag holder has a release button 185 that is operable by a user to disengage the pawl 184 from the ratchet 182. The release button 185 when operated causes the pawl 184 to move away from the ratchet 182. The release bottom is part of the pawl. Alternatively, the release button may be separate from the pawl but coupled to the pawl to disengage the pawl from the ratchet. The ratchet 182 is biased to rotate in the second direction (to retract the bags towards the body). The engagement of the pawl 184 with the ratchet 182 would however prevent the ratchet 182 from rotating in the second direction. The locking mechanism 180 includes a ratchet biasing element 188 that deforms from an original state when the ratchet 182 rotates in the first direction and returns to the original state when the pawl 184 disengages the ratchet 182. When the ratchet biasing element 188 returns from its deformed state to its original state, it causes the ratchet 182 to rotate in the second direction. The ratchet biasing element 188 is a spring that is wound up from an original state as the ratchet 182 moves in the first direction, and unwinds to the original state when the pawl 184 disengages the ratchet 182. As the spring unwinds, the shaft 160 and ratchet 182 rotate in unison to retract the bags. An internal surface of the end cap housing 124 has a receiving portion for the ratchet 182 for securely locating that end and maintains position as the spring is wound up and unwinds. The pawl biasing element may alternatively include an elastic member or other resiliently deformable member. The locking mechanism engaging portion 164 of the shaft 160 engages the ratchet biasing element 188 through the interconnecting piece. In particular, fixing points locking mechanism engaging portion 164 of the shaft 160 engages corresponding slots in the ratchet biasing element 188. Referring to Figures 2D and 2E in particular (with Figure 2E showing the end cap housing with the support structure removed), the components of the locking mechanism 180 are stored in the end cap housing 124. The ratchet 182 and pawl 184 are mounted on an upper face of the support structure 1241 of the end cap housing 124 with the ratchet biasing element 188 located below the support structure. In other embodiments, the ratchet biasing element may be mounted on an upper face of the support structure, with the ratchet and pawl located below the support structure. An internal surface of the end cap housing 124 has an interconnecting flange 1241 engaging corresponding grooves to securely locate therein and prevent the end cap housing 124 from rotating relative to the body 120. The ratchet biasing element 188 connects to coupling portion 1881 about which the shaft 160 is pivotable relative to the ratchet 182. In particular, coupling potion 1881 can be located at end cap 126, while coupling potion 1882 is at opposite end located internally of shaft 160. The pawl 184 is pivotable about the pivot portion 1243 between a first position in which the pawl 184 engages the ratchet 182 and a second position (e.g. when the release bottom is operated) in which the pawl disengages the pawl 184. The locking mechanism 180 further includes the pawl biasing element 186 (not clearly visible in Figure 2B) that engages release button 185. The locking mechanism 180 further includes a dedicated form to keep the pawl biasing element 186 substantially in tension to thereby urge the pawl 184 against the ratchet 182. The interconnecting flange 1241 has a support structure which has an aperture through which an axis of rotation of the ratchet 182 passes. The shaft 160 passes through the aperture to engage the ratchet bias element 188 while the coupling portion 1882 constrains the ratchet bias element 188. Rotation of the ratchet 182 in the first direction rotates the shaft 160 in the first direction while deforming the ratchet bias element 188. During rotation in the first direction, the pawl 184 is urged against the ratchet 182 to prevent rotation of the shaft 160 in the second direction and to thereby prevent the ratchet bias element 188 from returning to its original state. Disengagement of the pawl 184 from the ratchet 182 causes the ratchet bias element 188 to return to its original state and rotate the ratchet 182 and shaft 160 in unison in the second direction. The bag holder 100 allows one or more bags to be stored compactly and readily away when not in use. The bag holder 100 allows bags to be more easily carried by a user. In addition, the bag holder 100 stores the bag(s) so as to protect the bag(s) from damage in storage. In particular, the body 120 of the bag holder protects the bag(s) stored therein. Further, the body 120 of the bag holder 100 has a dual purpose. The body 120 functions as a housing for storing the bag and functions as a handle for carrying the bags when they are drawn from the body 120. The bag holder 100 may include an attachment device (not shown). The attachment device is for attaching the bag holder to the user or item of the user (such as the user's bag, backpack, clothing, or bicycle for example). The attachment device includes any one of a hook-and-loop fastener such as a Velcro strap, carabiner, hook, clip, or magnetic attachment. The attachment device may be provided at the end cap housing. In other embodiments, the attachment device may also or instead be provided at one end of the body and/or at the cover at the other end of the body, and/or at the body. When the bag holder is not in use or when the bags are drawn from the bag holder and loaded, the user can attach the bag holder using the attachment device to the user or to the user's item. In other embodiments, the locking mechanisms may include other brake and lever arrangements besides a pawl and lever arrangement, By way of example, the locking mechanism may include a rotating disc mechanism that is actuatable to cause the shaft to rotate. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word 'comprise', and variations such as 'comprises' and 'comprising', will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.