CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/805,865, filed March 27, 2013, and titled "Sealable Bag Assembly," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The disclosed technology relates to bags generally. Example embodiments relate to scalable bag assemblies.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A bag is a common form for a non-rigid container. Inexpensive single-use or limited use bags, typically made of paper or plastic, are ubiquitous in retail trade. In particular, shopping bags are medium-sized bags, typically between 2.5 and 5 gallons in volume.

BRIEF DESCIRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

[0006] FTG. 3 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

[0007] FTG. 4 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein.

[0009] FTG. 6 illustrates a sealable bag assembly in accordance with certain example embodiments of the technology disclosed herein. SUMMARY

[0010] The technology described herein includes apparatuses and method for packaging. In some embodiments, a bag comprises a bag body, a first bag handle, and a second bag handle. The bag body comprises a first side, and a second side substantially parallel to the first side. The bag body has formed therein a first pre-fold horizontally in the direction of the first side of the bag body a first distance from the top of the bag body; and a a second pre- fold horizontally in the direction of the first pre-fold, and at a second distance from the top of the bag body the second distance being greater than twice the first distance. The bag assembly further comprises a first bag handle attached to the first side of the bag body across one or more first handle attachment areas, the topmost extent of the first handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a first bottom border measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance. The bag assembly further comprises a second bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, and attached to the second side of the bag body across one or more second handle attachment areas, the topmost extent of the second handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a second bottom border measure from the top of the bag body down the second distance.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second distance is greater than twice the first distance by approximately the thickness of the first side plus the thickness of the second side. In some embodiments, the bag body further comprises an adhesive in the area above the first pre-fold on the second side. In some embodiments, each pre-fold is a heat-formed pre-fold.

[0012] In some embodiments the bag body has further formed therein an adhesive label attachment area below the second pre-fold. In some such embodiments, the first bottom border is measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area, and the second bottom border is measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area.

[0013] In some embodiments the bag assembly further comprises an adhesive label sized to cover a horizontal portion of the area of the second wide side of the bag body between the first pre-fold and the second pre-fold and at least a portion of the adhesive label attachment area adjoining the first fold when the bag assembly is in a sealed configuration. In some such embodiments, the adhesive label comprises a release strip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present technology address the need for low cost packaging usable for delivering a variety of items, which packaging can be sealed. A sealable bag of the present technology can reduced the risk of packaged items being lost from the package, can deter theft, and can indicate whether the contents of the bag have been tampered with during the delivery process or on the customer's doorstep. The structure of a typical handled paper grocery bag allows for low cost production but is not readily sealable given the way the handles are attached and the way the bag deforms once it is loaded with items and picked up by the bag's handles.

[0015] In sealing the top of the traditional bags, the weight of the bag may put tension through the handle attachment points, thereby separating the handles from each other. This may be further complicated by the fact that different amounts of items will push the walls of the bag further out and increase the distance between the handles and the angle of the handles towards each other. For example, with a full conventional paper bag, the angle between a significant portion of each handle approaches 180 degrees.

[0016] The handles of a conventional bag can interfere with an attempt to seal the top edge of a conventional bag. For handles that break up the edge (typical for handled conventional bags— paper or otherwise), a seal must work around them. The loose area of the edges between the handle also tends to billow out on the two ends of the bag. Capturing all this with a low cost paper seal is difficult since the flat area will tend to pucker and not allow for continuous sealing.

[0017] Embodiments of the present technology include methods by which the top edge of the bag can be raised, and folded or rolled, to create a seal that is less susceptible to stress from the weight of the bag. Embodiments of the technology involve raising the top edge of the bag while maintaining the low position of the handles.

[0018] While many bag seals rely on the strength of the adhesive or sticker primarily to keep the bag closed, the folded edge used in embodiments of the present technology can lock the material in place mechanically through the fold. Consequently, there can be less tension put on the tape/adhesive used to seal the bag.

[0019] Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like (but not necessarily identical) elements throughout the figures, example embodiments of the present technology are described in detail. [0020] Referring to FIG. 1 an example bag assembly 100 according to embodiments of the present technology is show. The bag body 1 10 can be formed in the conventional manner. In some embodiments, the bag body can be formed larger than the rated bag capacity would otherwise call for, at least in part to account for the reduction in bag capacity caused by folding the top of the bag. A single bag handle 120 is shown. Bag handle 120 can be secured to bag body 110 by one or more adhesives. Bag handle 120 can be secured to the bag by other means, such as staples, tape, melting (for plastic bags), ultrasonic welding (for bags of material amenable to ultrasonic welding), and other methods appropriate to the material of the bag and the material of the handle. Bag handle 120 can be secured to the bag at a position proportionally further down the bag body than in conventional bags, at least in part to accommodate folding the upper portion of bag body 110 to secure bag contents. While a folded paper handle 120 is shown, other handles, e.g., rolled paper, plastic, metal, can be used. In each case, the handle can be secured proportionally lower down the bag body 110 than in traditional handled delivery bags. Another such handle 220 can be positioned on the opposing side of the bag.

[0021] Bag 100 can have formed therein at least one pre-fold, and as illustrated includes two (2) pre-folds - first pre-fold 130 and second pre-fold 140. As illustrated, first pre-fold 130 is slightly shorter than second pre-fold. This approach allows the material above the first pre-fold 130 to fit under the second pre-fold 140 when the top portion of the bag body 1 10 is folded twice. Folding the top portion of the bag body 1 10 twice can promote a mechanical retention of the closure. The mechanical retention can be further promoted by creasing each fold, optionally under application of heat. In some embodiments, an adhesive can be used on the outer back side bag body 1 10 material above the first pre-fold 130.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a folded and sealed configuration 200 of bag assembly 100 using an adhesive label 210 with an integrated release strip 250. Adhesive label 210 covers substantially all the width of the bag body 110 horizontally, and covers substantially all the exposed surface of the first fold 130. Vertically, adhesive label 210 extends down the bag body 1 10 under the free portion of the handle 120. A portion of rear handle 220 can be seen in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates the reverse side 300 of the folded and sealed configuration 200 of bag assembly 100. Rear handle 220 is fully visible in this view. A second adhesive label 310 (not used for securing folds of the bag) can be seen. [0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an open configuration 400 of bag assembly 100. The first pre- fold 130 and the second pre-fold 140, can be seen, as can the remains 412 of adhesive label 210. The remains 412 of the adhesive label are the portions of the adhesive label that may be left after the release strip 250 is removed.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a bag assembly 500 in a folded configuration, sealed using two folds 530 and 540 and an adhesive label 510 that covers substantially less than ½ of the horizontal dimension of the first pre-fold 530.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates bag assembly 600 including bag body 610, two handles 620 and 630, a short sealing adhesive label 640, and a delivery label 650.

[0027] In some embodiments, the bag assembly can include a bag body, a first bag handle, and a second bag handle. The bag body can include a first side and a second side. The bag body can have formed therein, a first pre-fold and a second pre-fold. The first pre- fold can be positioned horizontally across the first side of the bag body a first distance from the top of the bag body. The second pre-fold can be positioned horizontally across the first side of the bag body in the direction of the first pre-fold at a second distance from the top of the bag body. The second distance can be greater than twice the first distance by approximately the thickness of the first side plus the thickness of the second side. The bag body also can have an adhesive label attachment area below the second pre-fold.

[0028] The first bag handle can be attached to the first side of the bag body across one or more first handle attachment areas. The topmost extent of the first handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a bottom border measured from the top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area. If using a short adhesive label, the attachment area can come right up to the fold. The second bag handle, similar to the first bag handle, can be attached to the second wide side of the bag body across one or more second handle attachment areas. The topmost extent of the second handle attachment areas not extending into an area defined by a bottom border measure from the top of the bag body down the second distance plus an adhesive label attachment area.

[0029] The adhesive label can be sized to cover a horizontal portion of the area of the second side of the bag body between the first pre-fold and the second pre-fold. At least a portion of the adhesive label attachment area can adjoin the first fold when the bag assembly is in a sealed configuration. [0030] In some embodiments, pre-folds are not formed in the bag body, but sufficient material to fold the bag body and to apply an adhesive label across the first fold and the bag body as described herein is provided above the handle attachment areas.

[0031] In methods of the technology, items can be loaded into a bag assembly having first and second pre-folds as described herein, the bag body can be folded at the first pre-fold, then folded at the second pre-fold, and then sealed across a portion of (or substantially all of) the exposed bag body between the first pre-fold and the second pre-fold using an adhesive label of the bag assembly.

[0032] The example systems, methods, and acts described in the embodiments presented previously are illustrative, and, in alternative embodiments, certain acts can be performed in a different order, in parallel with one another, omitted entirely, and/or combined between different example embodiments, and/or certain additional acts can be performed, without departing from the scope and spirit of various embodiments. Accordingly, such alternative embodiments are included in the technology described herein.

[0033] Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, the description is merely for purposes of illustration. It should be appreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are not intended as required or essential elements unless explicitly stated otherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or acts corresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, in addition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments defined in the following claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.