Field of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a bag suitable for use as a food delivery bag.

Background to the Invention

[002] When meals are ordered for home delivery, the food is generally provided in a bag, such as a standard paper bag. With the increased popularity of ordering food through ride sharing companies, one particular issue that arises is ensuring that the food is not touched by the delivery driver. Many instances have been reported where a delivery driver has touched and/or taken food from within the bag.

[003] The present invention relates to a bag suitable for food delivery aimed at ensuring the food items within the bag are not touched. The bag is designed such that it is easy to use and easy to manufacture from recyclable materials.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bag comprising: one or more flexible arms extending outwardly from adjacent an upper edge of the bag on a first side thereof; one or more openings provided adjacent the upper edge of the bag on a second side thereof such that each opening can receive one of the arms; a slot provided below each of the openings such that each of the arms can be inserted into the slot after passing through the opening; and one or more tabs provided on each of the arms such that when the arm is inserted into the slot, the tabs can engage with an edge of the slot to restrict movement of the arm outwardly from the slot.

[005] Preferably the tabs include a plurality of central tabs extending outwardly from a first side surface of the arm provided at intervals along the length of the arm.

[006] Preferably each of the central tabs is formed by a cut provided in the arm such that a portion of the arm protrudes outwardly from the first side surface of the arm.

[007] In a preferred embodiment, each of the central tabs is formed by a V- shaped cut in the arm oriented such that an apex of each of the central tabs points towards the proximal end of the arm.

[008] Preferably the tabs include side tabs comprising a pair of tabs extending outwardly from longitudinal edges of the arms.

[009] Preferably the side tabs are folded in use to be adjacent the first side surface of the arm.

[010] Preferably each of the side tabs includes first and second side edges extending outwardly from the longitudinal edge of the arm and an outer edge extending between outer ends of the first and second side edges.

[011 ] Preferably each of the first and second side edges and the outer edge are linear.

[012] Preferably each of the first and second side edges are angled away from a line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arm in a direction towards the proximal end of the arm.

[013] In a preferred embodiment, first and second ends of the bag each include a fold extending downwardly from the upper edge and wherein the upper edge of the bag is also provided with further openings either side of the fold such that when the first and second side are closed together with the ends folded inwardly, endmost of the arms can pass first through the further openings before passing through the corresponding endmost openings to further secure the bag in the closed position.

[014] Preferably the arms include a frangible portion provided to break should the arms be pulled outwardly relative to the slots.

[015] In a preferred embodiment, the bag and the arms are made of paper.

[016] Preferably the first side includes a plurality of apertures each being aligned with a corresponding one of the openings and each of the arms being positioned prior to closure of the bag such that a portion of the arm is located in front of the corresponding aperture to allow the arm to be pushed outwardly through corresponding opening by pushing a finger into the aperture to engage the arm

Brief Description of the Drawings

[017] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[018] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a bag in accordance with the present invention;

[019] Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the bag of Figure 1 showing the arms prior to sealing the bag;

[020] Figure 3a is an upper perspective view of one of the arms of the bag with the side tabs extended;

[021 ] Figure 3b is a top view of the arm with the side tabs extended;

[022] Figure 3c is an upper perspective view of the arm with the side tabs folded;

[023] Figure 3d is a side view of the arm with the side tabs folded;

[024] Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the bag of Figure 1 with each of the arms in a different stage of engagement;

[025] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the bag with each of the arms engaged with the upper edge of the bag; [026] Figure 6a is a top view of one of the arms with the side tabs in the extended position;

[027] Figure 6b is a top view of the arm with the side tabs folded;

[028] Figure 7a is a top view showing the arm inserted into a slot in the upper edge of the bag with a first of the central tabs engaged with an edge of the slot; [029] Figure 7b is a top view showing the arm inserted into the slot with the side tabs engaged with the edge of the slot;

[030] Figure 7c is a top view showing the arm inserted into the opening with a second of the central tabs engaged with the edge of the slot; and

[031 ] Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a bag in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[032] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a bag 10 formed from a flexible material having an open upper end defined by an upper edge 12. The bag 10 includes flexible handles 14 extending upwardly from opposed sides of the upper edge 12. The bag 10 is preferably formed from a recyclable material, such as paper.

[033] In the embodiment shown, a base of the bag 10 and the upper edge 12 of the bag 10 are generally rectangular in shape such that the bag 10 includes first and second sides 16 and 17 and first and second ends 18 and 19. The first and second ends 18 and 19 each include a fold 20 extending downwardly from the upper edge 12 such that the first and second ends 18 and 19 may be folded inwardly between the first and second sides 16 and 17 when the first and second sides 16 and 17 are moved together.

[034] A plurality of arms 22 are provided adjacent the upper edge 12 of the bag 10. In the embodiment shown, there are provided three arms 22 provided on the first side 16 of the bag 10 adjacent the upper edge 12. The arms 22 are formed from flexible material and connected to an inner surface of the bag 10 adjacent the upper edge 12. Proximal ends of the arms 22 are secured to the inner surface of the first side 16 by a strip 24 extending along the inner surface, as can be seen in Figure 2. The strip 24 is secured to the inner surface of the first side 16 by an adhesive.

[035] The bag 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 26 such that each of the openings 26 is positioned to receive a distal end of one of the arms 22 when the upper edge 12 of the bag 10 is closed. In the embodiment shown, there are provided three such openings 26 along the second side 17 adjacent the upper edge 12 such that each of the openings 26 receives one of the arms 22 when the first and second sides 16 and 17 are placed together.

[036] Each of the openings 26 is provided with a corresponding slot 28. Each slot 28 is located on a side of the opening 26 opposite the upper edge 12 such that, in use, the slots 28 are located below the openings 26. The slots 28 are arcuate in shape being convex on a side adjacent the opening 26. The distal ends of the arms 22 are each passed through one of the openings 26 to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the second side 17 of the bag 10 and then slid downwardly into the corresponding slot 28 such that distal ends of the arms 22 are located adjacent the inner surface of the bag 10. When this is done, as can be seen in Figure 4, with the first and second sides 16 and 17 of the upper edge 12 located together, the upper end of the bag 10 is sealed closed.

[037] The upper edge 12 of the bag 10 is also provided with further openings 27 in the first and second ends 18 and 19. Each of the first and second ends 18 and 19 includes a pair of further openings 27 located one either side of the fold 20 such that when the first and second ends 18 and 19 are folded, the pair of further openings 27 align with each other and with the adjacent opening 26 on the second side 17. Therefore, when the first and second sides 16 and 17 are closed together with the ends 18 and 19 folded inwardly, the endmost arms 22 can pass first through the further openings 27 before passing through the corresponding endmost openings 26 to further secure the bag 10 in the closed position. [038] The distal end of each of the arms 22 includes a tapered end portion 30. The tapered end portions 30 in the embodiment shown are triangular in shape to make sliding of the distal ends of the arms 22 into the slots 28 easier.

[039] Each of the arms 22 includes a plurality of tabs provided to engage with an upper edge of the slot 28 in order to restrict removal of the arm 22 from the slot 28. The tabs include a plurality of central tabs 32 and a pair of side tabs 34. The central tabs 32 extend outwardly from a first side surface of the arm 22 and the side tabs 34 extend outwardly from longitudinal edges of the arms 22.

[040] Each of the central tabs 32 is formed by a cut provided in the arm 22 such that a portion of the arm 22 protrudes outwardly from the first side surface of the arm 22. A plurality of central tabs 32 are provided at intervals along the length of the arm 22. In the embodiment shown, each of the central tabs 32 is formed by a V-shaped cut in the arm 22. The V-shaped cuts are oriented such that an apex 36 of each of the central tabs 32 points towards the proximal end of the arm 22. When the arm 22 is slid into the slot 28, pulling the arm 22 back outwardly from the slot 28 will result in one of the central tabs 32 engaging with the upper edge of the slot 28, thereby restricting removal of the arm 22.

[041 ] The side tabs 34 are provided as a pair of tabs extending outwardly from longitudinal edges of the arms 22. Each of the side tabs 34 includes first and second side edges 40 and 41 extending outwardly from the longitudinal edge of the arm 22 and an outer edge 42 extending between outer ends of the first and second side edges 40 and 41. In the embodiment shown, each of the first and second side edges 40 and 41 and the outer edge 42 are linear. The first side edge 40 is located on the side of the side tab 34 facing towards the proximal end of the arm 22 and the second side edge 41 is on a side of the side tab 34 facing the distal end of the arm 22.

[042] Each of the first and second side edges 40 and 41 are angled away from a line perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the arm 22 in a direction towards the proximal end of the arm 22. The side tabs 34 are folded in use such that the side tabs 32 lie adjacent the first side surface of the arm 22, as can be seen in Figure 3c. [043] When the arm 22 is inserted into the slot 28, the first side edges 40 of the side tabs 34 can engage with edges of the slot 28 such that, should the arm 22 be pulled outwardly, the engagement restricts removal of the arm 22 from the slot 28. As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the side tabs 34 are positioned such that proximal ends of the first side edges 40 are located between a pair of the central tabs 32. Therefore, should one of the arms 22 be pulled outwardly from the corresponding slot 28, one of the central tabs 32 first engages with the edge of the slot 28 (as can be seen in Figure 7a). Should the arm 22 move past this position, the first side edges 40 of the side tabs 34 can engage with the edge of the slot 28 (as can be seen in Figure 7b). Should still further movement of the arm 22 occur, the edge of the slot 28 will engage against the next central tab 32 (as can be seen in Figure 7c).

[044] The arms 22 are formed from a material having a strength such that the arms 22 will fail before the central tabs 32 or side tabs 34. The arms 22 may include a frangible portion to ensure this occurs.

[045] The first side 16 of the bag 10 includes also a plurality of apertures 46. Each of the apertures 46 corresponds to one of the openings 26 and is positioned to be aligned with the corresponding opening 26 when the first and second sides 16 and 17 of the bag 10 are moved together. The arms 22 are positioned in use such that a portion of each of the arms 22 extends across the adjacent aperture 46. In the embodiment shown, the strip 24 is therefore located below the apertures 46 such that proximal ends of each of the arms 22 are located in front of the corresponding aperture 46 extending upwardly. The arms 22 also include central folds such that the distal ends thereof point downwardly prior to closure of the bag 10. The apertures 46 are provided such that the arms 22 may be pushed outwardly through openings 26 by pushing a finger into the aperture 46 to engage the arm 22.

[046] Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a bag 10 in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment of Figure 7 is similar to the previous embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The bag 10 of Figure 8 includes a plurality of vent holes 44 in the bag 10. The vent holes 44 are used to provide additional air flow within the bag to compensate for the closure of the bag 10.

[047] In use, the bag 10 may be use within a restaurant by placing food within the bag 10 and then passing the arms 22 through the openings 26 and downwardly into the slots 28. This seals the upper end of the bag 10 and will be done before the bag 10 is passed to a delivery person. Should anyone try to access the bag by removing the arms 22, the arms 22 will break, making it apparent that the seal of the bag 10 has not been maintained. The bag 10 of the present invention there for provides an easy to use and convenient closure mechanism to ensure items within the bag are not tampered with prior to delivery.

[048] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.