MONEY DONATION BAG

Abstract

 A money donation bag comprising a pouch comprising a second plastic material, an inlet for receiving money and allowing the money to enter the pouch, wherein the second plastic material is a flexible plastic material.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a money receiving inlet and a money donation bag. In particular the present invention relates to, a money receiving inlet designed with means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction; and a money donation bag comprising a pouch comprising a flexible plastic material.

Background of the invention

[0002] Donation boxes are used worldwide by e.g. organisations to raise money for charity purposes and they survive on the generosity of the public at large.

[0003] One common factor among all such organizations is the need to advertise their "cause" or purpose for requesting a contribution. If the public deems a cause viable, the public is likely to respond generously. If the public disagrees with the cause, the organization will not survive.

[0004] There are many forms of advertising used to collect contributions from the public. One method is the use of television where the public is enticed to call in their contribution.

[0005] Another method is the personal engagement, where individuals go on the street or from home to home with a donation box and a specific purpose outlined by an organisation. Here the collector meets the persons donating in person and talk directly to people about the organisation purpose and the reason and need of the donation.

[0006] The donation boxes used for this personal engagement are prepared from hard or semi-hard non-flexible plastic materials. The donation boxes have a fixed form irrespective of whether the donation box is in use, stored in a storage house, or during transport from the manufacturer or storage house to the organization.

[0007] This means that transportation of the donation boxes from the factory to the organization, or the storage house, involves transport of an excessive amount of dead volume (air), resulting in an expensive and a polluting distribution. Furthermore, the following distribution of the donation box from the organization or the storage house to the individual collectors walking the streets collecting donations (money donations), may become complicated as the donation boxed are bulky and requires large packages to be sent by postal services. Hence, the following distribution to the individual collectors involves distribution of excessive amount of dead volume, limited capacity at the distribution center and polluting effects.

[0008] There is a need in the industry for a new money donation box that occupies less space when not in use and thereby reducing the transport of dead volume (air), resulting in cheaper transportation costs, reduced pollution during distribution, as well as increased capacities at the distribution center.

[0009] Hence, an improved money donation box would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient, cheaper, environmental friendly and/or distribution-efficient money donation box would be advantageous.

Summary of the invention

[0010] Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a money donation bag.

[0011] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a money donation bag that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art with transport of an excessive amount of dead volume (air), resulting in an expensive and a polluting distribution as well as the limited capacity at the distribution center.

[0012] Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to an inlet suitable for receiving money, wherein the Inlet comprises a first plastic material, said inlet has a body part to be in contact with a pouch (money bag), a receiving slot defined by two longitudinal slot walls, wherein the inlet is provided with means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a money donation bag comprising a pouch comprising a second plastic material, an inlet for receiving money and allowing the money to enter the pouch, wherein the second plastic material is a flexible plastic material.

Detailed description of the invention

[0014] Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention surprisingly found a money donation bag that occupies less space when not in use and thereby reducing the transport of dead volume (air), resulting in cheaper transportation costs, reduced pollution during distribution, as well as increased capacities at the distribution center. When in use, the provided money donation bag may be unfolded providing a compartment for holding the money.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a money donation bag comprising a pouch comprising a second plastic material, an inlet for receiving money and allowing the money to enter the pouch.

[0016] Preferably the second plastic material may be a flexible plastic material.

[0017] In the present context the term "flexible plastic material" relates to a plastic material capable of being bent, preferably easily bent, without being damaged and without breaking.

[0018] The flexibility of the money donation bag of the present invention shows to be a benefit during storage, transportation and/or distribution, since the volume of the money donation bag may be significantly reduced relative to the volume of the money donation bag when in use.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention the volume of the money donation bag may during storage, transportation and/or distribution (in folded state) be reduced to at most 75% of the un-folded state, such as at most 50%, e.g. at most 40%, such as at most 30%, e.g. at most 25%, such as at most 20%.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the term "folded state" relates to the money donation bag when not in use, and preferably the stage when packed for storage, transportation and/or distribution and the volume may be reduced.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the term "un-folded state" relates to the money donation bag when inflated and in or ready to be used.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention the flexible plastic material may be a soft elastic plastic material.

[0023] In the present context the term "elastic plastic material" relates to a plastic material, e.g. a flexible plastic material, capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention the second plastic material may have a modulus of elasticity in the range of 50-200 MPa, preferably in the range of 80-180 MPa, more preferably in the range of 100-150 MPa.

[0025] Modulus of elasticity (also called coefficient of elasticity; or elastic modulus) relates to the elasticity of the second plastic material of the present invention, expressing the ratio between a stress or force per unit area that acts to deform the second plastic material and the corresponding fractional deformation caused by the stress. Hence, the modulus of elasticity of a material is a measure of its stiffness and flexibility of the second plastic material.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention the first plastic material may be selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyamide (PA); polyethylene or polyethene (PE); or any combination hereof.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention the pouch may be made of at least two flexible plastic material layers of substantially identical shape are joined together along their periphery with the inlet provided between the at least two flexible plastic material layers.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention the pouch comprises at least two side parts and a bottom part.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention the outlet extend out of the periphery of the pouch.

[0030] The at least two flexible plastic material layers may be joined to the inlet, in particular to the body part of the inlet, instead of to each other at the position if the inlet opening of the bag.

[0031] Preferably the periphery, or part of the periphery, of the pouch (and/or the at least two side parts and the bottom part) is provided with a welding seam, said welding seam. This welding seam joins the parts that represents the pouch and results in a compartment for holding the money added.

[0032] The money donation bag comprises an inlet for allowing the money to enter the pouch or the compartment for holding the money. However, to avoid or reduce the risk that the collector, or any other person, pry money from the money donation box, the inlet may preferably be provided with means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention the transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction may be effected by applying additional force to the money to go through the receiving slot and into the pouch. The money will not move or be transported from the pouch through the receiving slot and out of the money donation bag, since not additional force is applied to transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the inlet, suitable for receiving money, comprises a first plastic material, said inlet has a body part to be in contact with a pouch (compartment for holding the money), a receiving slot defined by two longitudinal slot walls, wherein the inlet is provided with means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction.

[0035] The receiving slot may be configured for receiving coins and/or paper money. In an embodiment of the present invention one or both of the longitudinal slot walls being at least 20 mm long, such as at least 30 mm, e.g. at least 40 mm, such as at least 50 mm, e.g. at least 60 mm, such as at least 70 mm, e.g. at least 80 mm, such as at least 90 mm, e.g. at least 100 mm.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the first longitudinal slot wall may be connected to one end of the second slot wall and the other end of the first longitudinal slot wall may be connected to the other end of the second slot wall. Preferably, one or both of the two longitudinal slot walls in the mentioned configuration are curved and defining the receiving slot.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention the receiving slot further comprises one or more width walls connecting one or more ends of the two longitudinal slot walls and the one or more width walls and the two longitudinal slot walls defines the receiving slot. Preferably, the receiving slot has a width in the range of 1-8 mm, such as in the range of 2-6 mm, e.g. in the range of 2.5-4 mm, such as in the range of 3-3.5 mm.

[0038] In yet an embodiment of the present invention the distance between one or both ends of the two longitudinal slot walls is in the range of 1-8 mm, such as in the range of 2-6 mm, e.g. in the range of 2.5-4 mm, such as in the range of 3-3.5 mm.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention the two longitudinal slot walls being at least 4 times larger than a width of the receiving slot, such as at least 5 times, e.g. at least 6 times, such as at least 7 times, e.g. at least 8 times, such as at least 9 times, e.g. at least 10 times, such as at least 12 times, e.g. at least 15 times, such as 20 times.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and/or the receiving slot may be provided with a collar extending from the periphery of the pouch or the money donation bag.

[0041] The inlet may be used for un-folding the money donation bag, by blowing air either from a pump, a gas tank, a generator or from the mouth of the collector through the receiving slot.

[0042] Preferably, the receiving slot may extend through the body part of the inlet. In an embodiment of the present invention the two longitudinal slot walls are surrounded or partly surrounded by the body part.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the inlet may comprise a space between the two longitudinal slot walls and the body part.

[0044] The first plastic material may preferably comprise a hard elastic plastic material. In an embodiment of the present invention the first plastic material may be rigid and/or resilient.

[0045] In e further embodiment of the present invention the longitudinal slot walls may be rigid and/or resilient.

[0046] In the context of the present invention, the term "rigid" relates to a plastic material which is stiff, not flexible and/or hard.

[0047] In the context of the present invention, the term "Resilient" relates to a plastic material that is springing back and returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched. In the present context the term "Resilient" only relates to very small shifts in the two longitudinal slot walls and a constant force in the two longitudinal slot walls to return to the original form or position when subjected to stress.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention the second plastic material may be polyethylene or polyethene (PE).

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction is in the form of lumps, bulges, or bumps placed on the inside of the two longitudinal slot walls.

[0050] The reason the money may go through the receiving slot in one direction, may be because a force is applied to the money, e.g. a coin, when made to move in one direction. Since no force is applied to the money, e.g. a coin, when going in the opposite direction, limiting or no transport of money through the receiving slot is observed.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the present invention the means for limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot is provided in the form of a flexible material fixed to one or both of the two longitudinal slot walls and extending into the pouch.

[0052] In order to make the carrying of the money donation bag pleasant the pouch may be provided with a handle. Preferably the handle is located in the upper part of the pouch, preferably near the periphery of the pouch.

[0053] The handle may be further enforced with a third plastic material. Said third plastic material may be semi-hard or hard plastic material. The periphery of the handle and the carving provided in the pouch, where the handle may be placed, may be provided with a welding seam.

[0054] Removal of the money added to the money donation bag may be improved in order to make handling and counting faster and easy to handle. Hence, in an embodiment of the present invention the pouch (and/or the at least two side parts and the bottom part) may be provided with means for emptying the money from the money donation bag.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the present invention the means for emptying the money from the money donation bag may be a tear strip that may be teared by hand. Preferably the tear strip may be placed in the upper edge of the money donation bag and/or the pouch.

[0056] It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0057] All patent and non-patent references cited in the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0058] The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting figures and detailed description.

Brief description of the figures

[0059] 

Figure 1 shows a top-view (1a) of the inlet according to the present invention and a bottom-view (1b) of the inlet according to the present invention. The top-view (1a) shows a collier (2) of the inlet (1) and a receiving slot (3). Said receiving slot (3) has means (4) for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in the opposite direction. The bottom-view (1b) shows an inlet (1) comprising a body part (5), a collier (2) of the inlet (1) and a receiving slot (3). The receiving slot (3) is provided with means (4) for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in the opposite direction. The bottom-view (1b) also shows two longitudinal slot walls (6) defining, together with the width walls (7), the receiving slot (3).When a coin is pushed through the receiving slot (3), the two longitudinal slot walls (6), which are formed from a rigid and/or resilient plastic material, are forced to the side by the coin and moves back in position when the coin has passed the means (4) for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in the opposite direction. The coin only moves through the receiving slot (3) in one direction because a force is applied to the coin and then further on to the two longitudinal slot walls (6) and the means (4) for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot (3) in the opposite direction,

Figure 2 shows a front view of a money donation bag (8) having an inlet (1) and a handle (9) for carrying the money donation bag (8). The money donation bag (8) is provided with a welding seam (10) in the periphery, or part of the periphery, of the pouch (11). This welding seam (10) joins the second plastic materials used and represents the pouch (11) and results in a compartment for holding the money added via the inlet (1). The inlet (1) has the body part (not shown) and the handle (9) has the periphery placed, between the second plastic materials, which are joined by a welding seam passing the inlet (1) and/or the periphery of the handle and thereby closing the money donation bag (8).

Figure 3 shows a side view of the money donation bag (8) having the inlet (1) with the receiving slot (3). The money donation bag (8) is shown in the folded state, hence, when not in use. This state is in particular suitable for packing, for storing, transporting and/or distributing, whereby the dead volume is reduced. The money donation bag (8) is provided with a first part (12) and a second part (13) and a bottom part (14), which are welded together forming the pouch and/or the money donation bag (8).

Figure 4 shows a front view of a money donation bag (8) having an inlet (1), a receiving slot (3) and a handle (9) for carrying the money donation bag (8). The money donation bag (8) is provided with a welding seam (10) in the periphery, or part of the periphery, of the pouch (11). This welding seam (10) joins the second plastic materials that represents the pouch and results in a compartment for holding the money added via the inlet (1). The inlet (1) has the body part (not shown) and the handle (9) has the periphery placed, between two second plastic materials which are joined by a welding seam passing the inlet (1) and/or the periphery of the handle (9) and thereby closing the money donation bag (8). A section (15) may be provided on the surface of the pouch (11) for logo or advertisement of the organisation of the donation purpose, and

[0060] Figure 5 shows a bottom/side view of the money donation bag (8) having the inlet (1) and a handle (9). The money donation bag (8) is shown in the un-folded state when in use and ready to receive money. The money donation bag may be un-folded by blowing air (either by a pump or by the mouth) into the inlet (1), which flows further into the compartment of the money donation bag (8) and expand or un-fold the pouch and it is ready to be used. The money donation bag is provided with a first part (12) and a second part (not shown) and a bottom part (14), which are welded together forming the pouch (11) and/or the money donation bag (8). A section (15) may be provided on the surface of the pouch (11) for logo or advertisement of the organisation of the donation purpose.

Claims

1. An inlet suitable for receiving money, wherein the inlet comprises a first plastic material, said inlet has a body part to be in contact with a pouch (a compartment for holding the money), a receiving slot defined by two longitudinal slot walls, wherein the inlet is provided with means for allowing transport of money through the receiving slot in one direction, and limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot in the opposite direction.

2. The inlet according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the longitudinal slot walls being at least 20 mm long, such as at least 30 mm, e.g. at least 40 mm, such as at least 50 mm, e.g. at least 60 mm, such as at least 70 mm, e.g. at least 80 mm, such as at least 90 mm, e.g. at least 100 mm.

3. The inlet according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving slot has a width in the range of 1-8 mm, such as in the range of 2-6 mm, e.g. in the range of 2.5-4 mm, such as in the range of 3-3.5 mm.

4. The inlet according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the two longitudinal slot walls are surrounded or partly surrounded by the body part.

5. The inlet according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet comprises a space between the two longitudinal slot walls and the body part.

6. The inlet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first plastic material is a hard elastic plastic material and/or wherein the first plastic material is rigid and/or resilient.

7. The inlet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot is in the form of lumps, bulges, or bumps placed on the inside of the two longitudinal slot walls.

8. The inlet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for limiting or omitting transport of money through the receiving slot is provided in the form of a flexible material fixed to one or both of the two longitudinal slot walls and extending into the pouch.

9. A money donation bag comprising a pouch comprising a second plastic material, an inlet for receiving money and allowing the money to enter the pouch, wherein the second plastic material is a flexible plastic material.

10. The money donation bag according to claim 9, wherein the flexible plastic material is a soft elastic plastic material.

11. The money donation bag according to any one of claims 9-10, wherein the pouch is made of at least two flexible plastic material layers of substantially identical shape are joined together along their periphery with the inlet provided between the at least two flexible plastic material layers.

12. The money donation bag according to anyone of claims 9-11, wherein the outlet extend out of the periphery of the pouch.

13. The money donation bag according to anyone of claims 9-12, wherein the pouch comprises at least two side parts and a bottom part.

14. The money donation bag according to anyone of claims 9-13, wherein the pouch (and/or the at least two side parts and the bottom part) is provided with means for emptying the money from the money donation bag.

15. The money donation bag according to claim 14, wherein the means for emptying the money from the money donation bag is a tear strip, preferably placed in the upper edge of the money donation bag.

Drawing