Paper bag conveyance aid

Abstract

A strap for aiding in the conveyance of a bag, where the bag has a bottom surface and sides ending in an opening, is disclosed. The strap includes first and second elongate side edges extending between first and second distal ends, a first end edge spanning the first and second elongate side edges at the first distal end and a second end edge spanning the first and second elongate side edges at the second distal end, an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, and a pair of handles one of each being located generally at said first distal end and said second distal end. The strap may be placed at least in part under the bottom surface of the bag with the first and second distal ends drawn up along the sides and above the opening such that a user may grasp the pair of handles.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A strap for aiding in the conveyance of a bag having a bottom surface and sides ending in an opening, said strap comprising:
 first and second elongate side edges extending between first and second distal ends;   a first end edge spanning said first and second elongate side edges at said first distal end and a second end edge spanning said first and second elongate side edges at said second distal end;   an inner surface and an opposed outer surface;   a pair of handles, one of each being located generally at said first distal end and said second distal end;   wherein said strap may be placed at least in part under the bottom surface of the bag with the first and second distal ends drawn up along the sides and above the opening such that a user may grasp said pair of handles.   
     
     
         2 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein friction between said inner surface and the bag is sufficient to prevent sliding of the bag relative to the strap in normal use. 
     
     
         3 . The strap of  claim 1 , further comprising an increased friction component associated with said inner surface;
 wherein friction between said increased friction component and the bag is sufficient to prevent sliding of the bag relative to the strap in normal use.   
     
     
         4 . The strap of  claim 3 , wherein said increased friction component is silicone or PEVA. 
     
     
         5 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said handles are formed from a material different than the remainder of said strap. 
     
     
         6 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said strap includes corresponding hook and loop type fasteners, one on each handle. 
     
     
         7 . The strap of  claim 1 , further comprising a logo on said outer surface. 
     
     
         8 . The strap of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sleeve for retaining a folded bag. 
     
     
         9 . The strap of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve is an open sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The strap of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve is provided on said outer surface of said strap. 
     
     
         11 . The strap of  claim 1 , further comprising a bag retaining member, the bag retaining member being adapted to hold a folded bag against either said inner surface or said outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The strap of  claim 11 , wherein said bag retaining member is elastic. 
     
     
         13 . The strap of  claim 11 , wherein said bag retaining member comprises a central body with mushroom shaped heads. 
     
     
         14 . The strap of  claim 13 , wherein said bag retention member extends perpendicular to said first and second elongate side edges. 
     
     
         15 . The strap of  claim 1 , wherein said strap contains an adhesive on said inner surface, the adhesive adapted to adhere to a bag. 
     
     
         16 . The strap of  claim 15 , wherein said adhesive is a light adhesive permitting release of said strap from a bag adhered thereto. 
     
     
         17 . A method of aiding in the conveyance of bags, the method comprising:
 providing to a user an elongate strap having two ends, each end of the strap being adapted to extend from under the bag to beyond its opening, the strap having a handle on each end;   instructing a user to utilize the strap to convey a bag by grasping the handles and lifting the bag with the strap when extend from under the bag to beyond its opening;   wherein the coefficient of friction between the portion of the strap contacting the bag and the bag is sufficient to prevent the bag from sliding relative to the strap in normal use.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising instructing the user to utilize the strap to convey a second bag at a point in the future. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the strap contacting the bag includes an increased friction component. 
     
     
         20 . A strap for aiding in the conveyance of a bag having a bottom surface and sides ending in an opening, said strap comprising:
 first and second elongate side edges extending between first and second distal ends;   a first end edge spanning said first and second elongate side edges at said first distal end and a second end edge spanning said first and second elongate side edges at said second distal end;   an inner surface and an opposed outer surface;   a first handle, said first handle having a grasping portion located generally at said first distal end and two legs extending toward said second end;   a second handle, said second handle having a grasping portion located generally at said second distal end and two legs extending toward said first end;   wherein said first elongate side edge is folded over one of said legs of said first handle and one of said legs of said second handle and said second elongate side edge is folded over the other of said legs of said first handle and the other of said legs of said second handle;   wherein said strap may be placed at least in part under the bottom surface of the bag with the first and second distal ends drawn up along the sides and above the opening such that a user may grasp said first and second handles.