WO2007106940A1

WO2007106940A1 - A receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2007106940A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Drury
Original assignee: Peter Drury
Priority date: 2006-03-21
Filing date: 2007-03-21
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Also published as: JP2009530195A; AU2007229264A1

Abstract

A receptacle (1) having a basket portion (5) and a handle (2) attached to the basket portion at a position offset to a central plane (24) of the basket. In use, the handle is moveable between an elevated and a rested position, with an engaging mechanism (6) being provided for restricting movement of the handle beyond the elevated position. The handle being oriented parallel to the basket near side (10) resting against a user. The basket near side (10) being shaped to conform to a part of the user's body. The basket including display panels (16, 27) for displaying information.

Description

A RECEPTACLE

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a receptacle, and in particular to a receptacle for shopping that is designed to allow for an improved shopping experience.

Description of the Prior Art

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 the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Presently, when shopping for groceries or the like, a user may choose a shopping basket over a trolley, if the user does not require too many shopping items. Shopping baskets are generally preferred for smaller shopping loads so that the user can complete their shopping faster and more efficiently.

However, shopping baskets are generally not comfortable to carry. They usually have handles that extend across the width of the basket. As the user will tend to align the basket lengthways, this makes the basket difficult to carry, as the user often has to hold their arm and hand at unnatural angles. This disadvantage is further accentuated by the fact that the baskets tend to have the handles positioned above the centre of gravity, when being used, and consequently, the user has to hold the basket away from themselves, in order to stop the basket from hitting their side when walking.

Furthermore, shopping baskets usually tend to be grated so as to reduce their weight. However, if a user carries a basket close to their body, there is a risk that a part of a user's clothing or the like can get caught in the gratings, or by objects protruding from the basket.

Summary of the Present Invention

In a first broad form the present invention provides a receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion; b) a handle, the handle being attached to the basket portion, at a position offset to a central plane of the basket, the handle being moveable between an elevated and a rested position; and, c) an engaging mechanism for restricting movement of the handle beyond the elevated position.

Typically the basket portion includes a near side for resting against a user, in use, the handle being substantially parallel to the near side.

Typically the basket portion includes a near side, the near side being a side near a user when the receptacle is carried, the near side being shaped to conform to a part of the user's body.

Typically the near side has a substantially concave shape.

Typically the basket portion has a near side for resting against a user, in use, the near side being substantially solid.

Typically the handle is positioned between the near side and the central plane.

Typically the basket portion includes at least one display panel for displaying information.

Typically the basket portion includes a near side for resting against a user, in use, and a far side positioned opposite the near side, the at least one display panel being provided on the far side.

Typically the basket portion includes a rim extending around an opening, the at least one display panel being provided on at least part of the rim.

Typically the basket portion includes at least one display panel arranged in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a base of the basket portion and at least one display panel arranged in an orientation substantially parallel to the base of the basket portion.

Typically the basket has a rim at least partially extending around an opening.

Typically the rim has a flange, the handle resting on the flange in the rested position, for storage of the receptacle. Typically the engaging mechanism includes at least one of: a) an angled portion of the rim; and, b) a nib provided on the handle.

Typically the engaging mechanism includes: a) a stop positioned on at least one of a flange and a rim; and, b) a stop engager provided on the handle, such that when the handle is in the elevated position the stop engager engages the stop to restrict further movement of the handle.

Typically when the handle is held in use, the engaging mechanism retains the handle in the elevated position at an angle such that when the handle is released, the handle falls to the rested position.

Typically the basket portion includes a rim having a recessed portion to allow loading of the receptacle, in use.

Typically the basket portion has a base and a near side, the near side being inclined at an angle with respect to the base.

Typically the basket portion has an opening inclined at an angle, with respect to a base.

In a second broad form the present invention provides a receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion; and, b) a handle connected to the basket portion, wherein the basket portion has a near side for resting against a user, in use, the handle being substantially parallel to the near side.

Typically the receptacle is a receptacle according to the first broad form of the invention.

In a third broad form the present invention provides a receptacle, the receptacle having a basket portion, the basket portion having a near side, wherein, in use, the basket portion has a near side, the near side being a side near a user when the basket is carried, the near side being shaped to conform to a part of the user's body.

Typically the receptacle is a receptacle according to the first or second broad form of the invention. In a fourth broad form the present invention provides a receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion including first and second display panels for displaying information, the first display panel being arranged in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a base of the basket portion and the second display panel being arranged in an orientation substantially parallel to the base of the basket portion; and, b) a handle, the handle being attached to the basket portion.

Typically the receptacle is a receptacle according to any one of the other broad forms of the invention.

Typically the receptacle is a shopping receptacle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure IA is a perspective side view of an example of a receptacle;

Figure IB is a perspective side view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle elevated; Figure 2 A is a far side view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle rested;

Figure 2B is a far side view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle elevated;

Figure 3 A is a near side view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle rested;

Figure 3B is a near side view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle elevated;

Figure 4 A is an end view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle rested; Figure 4B is an end view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle elevated;

Figure 5 A is a top view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle rested;

Figure 5B is atop view of the receptacle of Figure IA, with the handle elevated;

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of Figure IA;

Figure 7 is a close-up side view of a basket and handle illustrating an example of an engaging mechanism of Figure 4B;

Figure 8 is a close up perspective view of a basket illustrating an example of a connection point;

Figure 9 is a close up underside, view of the connection point of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a close up perspective view of a handle for use with the basket of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a close up perspective view of a basket illustrating a second example of a connection point;

Figure 12 is a close up top perspective view of a handle for use with the basket of Figure 11 ; Figure 13 is a close up side view of the handle end of Figure 8 in a rested position; and, Figure 14 is a close up side view of the handle end of Figure 8 in an elevated position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 to 6 show an example of a receptacle 1 such as a shopping receptacle, or the like.

The receptacle 1, has a basket portion 5, including a near side 10, a far side 12, and at least two ends 14A, 14B. The ends 14A, 14B join the near and far sides 10, 12 together at opposing ends, thereby forming the basket portion 5. The basket portion 5 also has an opening 20 and a base 22, to allow items to be placed therein.

The receptacle 1 has a handle 2, coupled to a rim 8, which extends at least partially around the opening 20. The handle 2 has a first handle end 3 A and a second handle end 3B, coupled to the rim 8 at respective connection points shown generally at 15 A, 15B. In one example, the handle is able to pivot about the connection points 15 A, 15B between an elevated position, in which the handle 2 can be used to carry the basket, and a rested position, in which the handle 2 rests on a flange 18 that extends around at least part of the rim 8 above the far side 12. The handle 2 is also attached to the rim 8 so as to be offset from a plane extending vertically and longitudinally through a centre of the basket (hereinafter a central plane) 24. It will be appreciated from this that the centre of gravity of the basket (not including the handle) would generally be positioned on the central plane.

Typically, the base 22 is rectangular in shape, with the ends 14A, 14B being provided along the shorter sides of the rectangular base 22. As a result, by having the handle 2 attached at the respective connection points 15 A, 15B, this means that when the receptacle 1 is carried, the near side 10 is positioned adjacent the user's body, with the handle aligned substantially parallel to the sides 10, 12. This longitudinal arrangement for the handle helps improve comfort for the user, as the handle is aligned with the user's natural arm and hand position.

By having the handle 2 positioned between the near side 10 and the central plane, the opening between the far side 12 and the handle 2 is greater than the opening between the handle 2 and , the near side 10, and greater than if the handle were centrally positioned. This provides improved access to the opening, making it easier for users to insert items through the opening whilst carrying the receptacle.

By having the handle 2 offset from the central axis, the handle portions 3 A, 3 B are typically of a greater length than in standard baskets, to allow the handle to rest on the flange 18 when the handle is in the rested position. As a result, the handle 2 is typically of a greater height when elevated, when compared to existing baskets. This allows larger or bulkier items, such as boxes of cereal, and tall bottles to be more easily accommodated than in traditional baskets.

Thus the handle configuration provides a larger mouth or opening for the easier loading of items. This can be approximately double the opening provided by traditional handbaskets.

A further impact of the handle positioning is that user's will tend to stack more items into the basket portion 5 nearer to the far side 12. Accordingly, as the handle 2 is slightly off-centre, when a user is holding the basket portion 5, the weight of additional items near the far side 12 will tend to force the far side 12 to tip slightly away from the user. Accordingly, the near side 10 is provided at a slight angle with respect to the base 22, so that upon slight tipping, the near side 10 rests more comfortably against the user's side. This makes the receptacle easier to carry when filled with heavy items.

In another aspect, the near side 10 is shaped so as to rest comfortably against the user's body. Thus, for example, the near side 10 has a curved portion 4, that can be at least partially concave, such that the near side 10 conforms to the user's side, thereby providing improved comfort for the user.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that shopping baskets are normally grated so that the overall weight of the basket is of less weight. However, as can be seen in Figures 3 A and 3B , the near side 10 is solid. Consequently, when the near side 10 rests against the user's body, there will be a reduced risk of the user's clothes, or the like, being caught on the basket portion 5, or by protruding objects (as is usually the case when the baskets are grated on all sides). In one example, the rim 8 and in particular the rim 8 in the region of the connection points 15 A, 15B, is constructed so as to include an engaging mechanism, shown generally at 6, which is provided to thereby restrict motion of the handle when it is raised into the elevated position. In particular, this is arranged so that the handle 2 is at an angle α to the vertical, and therefore is biased to one side by gravity, when in the elevated position. This has two main effects.

Firstly, it impedes relative rotation of the basket 1 and handle 2, whilst the basket 1 is held by the handle 2, thereby preventing the basket spilling or toppling over. It will be appreciated that this allows the handle to be positioned offset from the centre of gravity, without there being a risk of the contents of the basket tipping out when the basket is picked up.

Secondly, this ensures that the handle falls back towards the far side 12, when the handle is released. This ensures that when the receptacle is left for stacking, the handle 2 automatically returns to the rested position, leaving the opening unimpeded so it can receive another receptacle in a stacking arrangement. This allows the receptacles to be stacked in a nested fashion, which is also assisted by the positioning of the handle 2, the flange 18 and the rim 8 (as shown, for example in Figure IA).

The engaging mechanism 6 can be of any form, however, and is typically formed as a moulded portion of the rim 8.

An example of this is, shown in Figure 7, in which the engaging mechanism 6, is formed partly from a shaped portion 28 of the rim 8,, and a nib 9, provided on the handle portion 3 A. The angled portion 28 is formed at an angle θ, which is usually between 1 to 5 degrees, from a vertical axis 7 (vertical with respect to the base 22). The nib 9 is then shaped to cooperate with the angled portion 28, to thereby impede movement of the handle towards the side 10, and maintain the angle α.

It will be appreciated that a corresponding nib 9 is also provided on the handle portion 3B. As the nib portions will both need to be provided on the side of handle 2 facing the near side 10, this means that the handle needs to be fitted to the basket portion 5 in the correct orientation. It will be appreciated that this could be avoided by shaping the rim 8 so that the shaped portion 28 alone provides the necessary engaging means, thereby avoiding the need for the nib 9. However, this would require that the angle θ is negative (so that the moulded portion extends outwards passed the vertical line 7). This in turn results in what is referred to as an "undercut" in injection moulding manufacturing processes. In particular, the undercut would make removal of basket portion 5 from a mould difficult, which would hamper the manufacturing process to a greater degree than requiring correct orientation of the handle 2.

However, it will be appreciated that with the use of suitable tooling, the moulding of the rim 8 can provide the desired angle α. Thus the engaging mechanism 6 can be formed entirely from suitable configuration of the rim 8. Thus, for example, this could be achieved by having a knob, or other suitable projection appropriately positioned on the rim 8 or basket 1, to allow movement of the handle described above to be achieved.

The rim 8 can also have a flange 18, upon which the handle 2 can rest, when the handle 2 falls towards the side 12, into the rested position. In general, the handle 2 lies flush with the flange 18, thereby assisting with neat storage of the basket portion 5, when not in use. This configuration of the rim 8 can also allow for the handle 2 to be slightly angled towards the side 12 to ensure that the handle collapses towards the far side 12.

In another aspect, the rim 8 can be slightly angled with respect to the base 22. Typically, the rim 8 is angled at 3° to the base 22, as shown by angle φ in Figure 4 A. Consequently, side 12 is of a lower height than side 10, which can allow for easier loading and comfortable handling of the basket.

Additionally, the rim 8 can also have a recessed portion 26, which can also allow for improved loading capability. As shown in Figures IA and IB, for example, the recessed portion 26 can be formed from having the flange 18 extending from the side 12, without the rim 8.

The basket portion 5 can also display information such as adverts on either, first or second information display panels 16, 27. This can include advertising messages, special shopping deals, or other shopping or store information. The basket portion 5 may also be personalised by the information display panels 16, 27. It will be appreciated that the information display 16 can be on any side of the basket, however, in one example, the first information display panel 16 is on the far side 12, such that, in use, other shoppers can see the display, as the side 10 is carried towards the user. In this arrangement the first display panel 16 is provided perpendicular to the base 22, such that in use the first display panel is typically arranged substantially vertically.

In one example, the second information display panel 27 is formed from the recessed portion 26. In this arrangement the second display panel 27 is provided parallel to the base 22, such that in use the first display panel is typically arranged substantially horizontally. As a result, the second information panel is easily visible to the user of the basket 1, for example when they are loading items into the basket, and to other shoppers, again as the second information display panel is positioned above the far side 12 of the basket 1. The information display panels 16, 27 can be of any form, including a digital display, poster, label, hologram, sticker, or the like.

The general arrangement of the connection points 15 A, 15B can also be varied, depending on the preferred implementation, and this can again have an impact on the nature of the engaging mechanism. A specific example of a connection point is shown in more detail in Figures 8 to 10.

In this example, the connection point 15A includes an aperture 40, provided in the rim 8, and a shaped portion 42, which allows the handle 2 to be coupled to the basket. The shaped portion 42 includes the angled portion 28, which abuts against the nib 9 to limit the range of movement of the handle 2 in the elevated position, as previously described.

In this example, the rim 8 includes a raised face 44 in the region surrounding the aperture 40.

In addition to this, the rearside of the rim 8, shown in Figure 9, includes a pad 46. The pad

46 and the raised face 44 provide additional strength to the aperture, as well as thickening the rim 8 in the region of the aperture to enhance coupling between the handle 2 and the basket 1.

An example of an end of a handle 2, suitable for use with the connection point 15 A of Figure 8, is shown in Figure 10. In this example, the handle 2 includes a shaft 50, extending outwardly from the handle 2. The shaft includes a shoulder 52, and a circular boss 54 is provided on the handle 2, at the base of the shaft 50. In use, the handle 2 is coupled to the basket 1 , by inserting the shaft 50 and the shoulder 52 into the aperture 40. The shaft 50 extends through the aperture 40, so that the shoulder 52 passes through the aperture 40 and the pad 46. The shoulder 52 is shaped with square edges so that once inserted through the aperture 40, the edges of the shoulder 52 abut against the pad 46, thereby retaining the shaft 50 within the aperture 40. In general the shaft 50 and aperture 40 are arranged so as to prevent unwanted removal of the shaft 50 from the aperture 40, whilst allow relative free rotation of the shaft 50 and aperture 40.

The handle 2 includes a curved end 56 that is designed to be positioned within the shaped portion 42, to thereby allow pivotal movement of the handle between the rested and elevated positions. The curved end 52 also defines the nib 9, which is adapted to cooperate with the angled portion 28 to help restrict movement of the handle beyond the desired elevated position.

When in position, the boss 54 is adapted to abut against the raised face 44. By utilising suitable materials, this allows smooth pivotal movement of the handle 2, thereby allowing the handle 2 to be moved between the extended and retracted positions substantially unimpeded, whilst still allow the strength of the connection point 15A to be maintained.

It will be appreciated that the above described connection point and associated connection arrangement is for the purpose of example only, and is not intended to be limiting. Use of the raised face 44, the pad 46, the shoulder 52 and the boss 54 are therefore optional.

A second example of a connection point is shown in more detail in Figures 11 to 14.

In this example, the engaging element 6, normally formed from the angled portion 28 and the nib 9 also includes a stop 60 provided on the flange 18 (or alternatively provided on part of the rim 8). The stop 60 has a facing edge 62 and a trailing edge 64. In this example the facing edge 62 is positioned below the aperture 40 and has a substantially vertical arrangement with the trailing edge 64 sloping generally downward away from the shaped portion 42 and the facing edge 62.

An example of an end of a handle 2, suitable for use with the connection point of Figure 11, is shown in Figure 12. As shown the handle 2 includes a stop engager 66 which engages the facing edge 62 of the stop 60 when the handle is in the elevated position in use. When the handle 2 is in the rested position a sloped face 68 is provided for engaging the trailing edge 64.

Examples of the handle in the rested and elevated positions are shown in Figures 13 and 14 respectively. As can be seen, when in the rested position, the sloped face 68, of the handle 2, rests on top of the trailing edge 64 of the stop 60, thereby allowing the handle 2 to lie flush against the flange 18. However, when the handle is raised into the elevated position, the angled portion 28 and nib 9 engage, as do the stop engager 66 and the facing edge 62 of the stop 60. This acts to prevent further rotation of the handle 2, thereby ensuring that the angle α is maintained when the handle is elevated. It will be appreciated that the use of the additional stop 60, whilst not essential, helps reduce undue wear of the rim 8, and the angled portion 28, which could in turn impact on the ability of the handle to be retained in the elevated position, and hence reduce the life of the basket.

Another feature of the basket portion 5 is the particular moulding formation of the base 22. As mentioned above, the basket portion 5 is typically formed from an injection moulding process. To assist with this, the base 22 can include an injection point 30, ejection points 34 and runners 32. The injection point 30 is usually located slightly off centre in the base 22, with the runners 32 extending from the injection point 30 to the ejection points 34.

During the moulding process, this allows material (such as plastic or the like) to be injected into a mould at the point 30, with the material flowing being distributed throughout the mould via the runners 32. The ejection points 34 are used for ejecting the moulded receptacle 1 from the mould, and are formed such that they can be cleaned easily.

Additionally, the side and front wall grated patterns have a very slight undercut to prevent the moulded basket portion 5 being dislodged when the mould core is extracted during the moulding process. The newly moulded basket portion 5 is then "jumped" out of the cavity using ejection pins at the ejection points 34 and/or around the rim 8.

This provides a desirable and easy to clean arrangement, whilst still ensuring manufacturing simplicity is maintained.

It will be appreciated that the example above describes a number of different features including an offset handle 2, a longitudinal handle arrangement, a hugging (or curved portion 4), advertising/information display panels and easy loading capabilities. Accordingly, the receptacle 1 need not only be used for shopping but for transferring items from one location to another. Furthermore, each feature described may be used individually or in combination, and are only shown in combination as an example.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. AU such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion; b) a handle, the handle being attached to the basket portion, at a position offset to a central plane of the basket, the handle being moveable between an elevated and a rested position; and, c) an engaging mechanism for restricting movement of the handle beyond the elevated position.

2) A receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the basket portion includes a near side for resting against a user, in use, the handle being substantially parallel to the near side.

3) A receptacle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the basket portion includes a near side, the near side being a side near a user when the receptacle is carried, the near side being shaped to conform to a part of the user's body.

4) A receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the near side has a substantially concave shape.

5) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the basket portion has a near side for resting against a user, in use, the near side being substantially solid.

6) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the handle is positioned between the near side and the central plane. 7) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the basket portion includes at least one display panel for displaying information. 8) A receptacle according to claim 7, wherein the basket portion includes a near side for resting against a user, in use, and a far side positioned opposite the near side, the at least one display panel being provided on the far side. 9) A receptacle according to claim 7, wherein the basket portion includes a rim extending around an opening, the at least one display panel being provided on at least part of the rim. 10) A receptacle according to claim 7, wherein the basket portion includes at least one display panel arranged in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a base of the basket portion and at least one display panel arranged in an orientation substantially parallel to the base of the basket portion. H) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the basket has a rim at least partially extending around an opening. 12) A receptacle according to claim 11, wherein the rim has a flange, the handle resting on the flange in the rested position, for storage of the receptacle. 13) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the engaging mechanism includes at least one of: a) an angled portion of the rim; and, b) a nib provided on the handle.

14) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the engaging mechanism includes: a) a stop positioned on at least one of a flange and a rim; and, b) a stop engager provided on the handle, such that when the handle is in the elevated position the stop engager engages the stop to restrict further movement of the handle.

15) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein, when the handle is held in use, the engaging mechanism retains the handle in the elevated position at an angle such that when the handle is released, the handle falls to the rested position.

16) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the basket portion includes a rim having a recessed portion to allow loading of the receptacle, in use.

17) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein the basket portion has a base and a near side, the near side being inclined at an angle with respect to the base.

18) A receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the basket portion has an opening inclined at an angle, with respect to a base.

19) A receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion; and, b) a handle connected to the basket portion, wherein the basket portion has a near side for resting against a user, in use, the handle being substantially parallel to the near side. 2O) A receptacle according to claim 19, wherein the receptacle is a receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 18. 2I) A receptacle, the receptacle having a basket portion, the basket portion having a near side, wherein, in use, the basket portion has a near side, the near side being a side near a user when the basket is carried, the near side being shaped to conform to a part of the user's body. 22) A receptacle according to claim 21, wherein the receptacle is a receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 20. 23) A receptacle, the receptacle having: a) a basket portion including first and second display panels for displaying information, the first display panel being arranged in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a base of the basket portion and the second display panel being arranged in an orientation substantially parallel to the base of the basket portion; and, b) a handle, the handle being attached to the basket portion.

24) A receptacle according to claim 23, wherein the receptacle is a receptacle according to any one of the claims 1 to 22.

25) A receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle is a shopping receptacle. 26) A receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 27) A receptacle including any one or more features shown in the accompanying drawings.