Reusable Shopping Bag

Abstract

A reusable bag is provided having a defined storage volume for receiving and transporting various items. The bag includes a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels. The panels of the bag are assembled to define the storage volume, having an open top end portion. A bottom wall is attached to the panels to close the bottom end portion of the bag and to define storage volume. The bottom wall is formed from at least two plies of material, with at least one ply of the bottom wall integrally formed with a panel, and the bottom wall having an extension portion wrapping around the bottom wall and secured to one of the panels. In addition, openings may be provided for supporting the bag on the arms of a typical bag support rack.

1 . A reusable bag having a defined storage volume for receiving and transporting various items comprising:
 a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, the panels assembled to define the storage volume, having an open top end portion,   a bottom wall attached to the panels to close the bottom end portion of the defined storage volume, the bottom wall formed from at least two plies of material, with at least one ply of the bottom wall having an extension portion wrapping around the bottom wall and secured to another one of the panels.   
     
     
         2 . A reusable bag as in  claim 1  further comprising means formed as part of the side panel for supporting the bag on the arms of a bag support rack. 
     
     
         3 . A reusable bag as in  claim 2  wherein the bag supporting means comprises apertures formed in the side panel positioned to receive the extending arms of a rack, such that the arms support the side panel and maintain the bag open during loading. 
     
     
         4 . A reusable bag as in  claim 3  wherein the apertures direct the rack arms into channels formed within the upper rim of the side panel. 
     
     
         5 . A reusable bag as in  claim 4  further comprising a tab portion positioned adjacent the apertures for moving the rack arms into the channel. 
     
     
         6 . A reusable bag as in  claim 1 , further comprising a loop for securing the open top end of the bag to a central support hook on the support rack. 
     
     
         7 . A reusable bag as in  claim 1  further comprising an extension portion that at least partially extends up on and is attached to the side panel of the bag adjacent the bottom wall. 
     
     
         8 . A reusable bag as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bottom wall is integrally formed with at least one of the front, rear or side panels. 
     
     
         9 . A reusable bag having a defined storage volume for receiving and transporting various items comprising:
 a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, the panels assembled to define the storage volume, having an open top end portion,   a bottom wall attached to the panels to close the bottom end portion of the defined storage volume, and   means formed as part of the side panels for supporting the bag on the arms of a bag support rack.   
     
     
         10 . A reusable bag as in  claim 9  wherein the supporting means comprises apertures formed in the side panels positioned to receive the extending arms of a rack, such that the arms support the side panels and maintain the bag open during loading. 
     
     
         11 . A reusable bag as in  claim 10  wherein the apertures direct the rack arms into channels formed within the upper rim of the side panels. 
     
     
         12 . A reusable bag as in  claim 11  further comprising a tab portion positioned adjacent the apertures for moving the rack arms into the channel. 
     
     
         13 . A reusable bag as in  claim 9  further comprising a loop for securing the open top end of the bag to a central support hook on the support rack. 
     
     
         14 . A reusable bag as in  claim 9  further comprising an extension portion that at least partially extends up on and is attached to the panels of the bag adjacent the bottom wall. 
     
     
         15 . A reusable bag as in  claim 9  wherein the bottom wall is formed from at least two plies of material. 
     
     
         16 . A reusable bag as in  claim 15 , wherein at least one ply of the bottom wall is integrally formed with at least one of the front, rear, or side panels. 
     
     
         17 . A reusable bag as in  claim 15  wherein the bottom wall comprises an extension portion wrapping around the bottom wall and secured to at least one of the front, rear, or side panels. 
     
     
         18 . A reusable bag having a defined storage volume for receiving and transporting various items comprising:
 a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels, the panels assembled to define the storage volume, having an open top end portion,   a bottom wall attached to the panels to close the bottom end portion of the defined storage volume,   means for supporting the bag on the extended arms of a bag support rack, and   at least one skirt portion attached to one of the side panels having an open end sized and located to receive the extended arms of a bag support rack and for releaseably supporting the bag in an open position on the rack.   
     
     
         19 . The reusable bag as in  claim 18  further comprising attachment means located on the skirt, the attachment me formed to secure at least a portion of the bag to an adjacent portion of the bag for storage and shipment.