SEALING MECHANISMS

Technical Field

This invention relates to re-sealable and adjustable polymeric bags, and more particularly relates to re-sealable polymeric bags for freezing and food preservation.

Description of the Prior Art

Early potato chip bags were fabricated from wax paper, then ironed or stapled together. Over time, potato chip bag technology has progressed with new developments in materials, better accessing/sealing mechanisms, and improved processes for keeping freshness in storage, many developed by women, including the developments disclosed herein below. The introduction of polymeric materials in the art improved bags, for example cellophane allowed potato chips to become a mass market product. Today, chips are packaged in polymeric bags, with nitrogen gas blown in prior to sealing to lengthen shelf-life, and provide protection against crushing.

However chips and crisps do not stay fresh easily after the bag is opened. As consumers eat the potato chips in these bags, there exists no mechanism in the art for re-sealing partially empty bags, which allows consumers to reduce volume of the bag to only that which is necessary for tightly storing the unused portion for later use.

Ziploc® re-sealable polymeric bags for food preservation have been known in the art for several decades, but are not used with potato chip bags. Varied species of these re-sealable storage bags are designed for preservation of other perishables. Some of these bags are translucent while others are fabricated from colored materials, coming in various sizes and shapes of up to three feet in diameter, some with expandable bases. The sealing, zipping, or closure, mechanism on these bags has evolved over time, from a press-down seal, to zip-lock seals having a slider. Competing re-sealable storage bags produced by manufacturers such as Glad®, Ziploc®, Hefty® and S.C. Johnson® battle for market-share, collectively grossing more than $100 million in annual sales.

Referring now to Figure 1 , an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 100 in accordance with the prior art. The re-sealable storage bag 100 comprises a polymeric bag 102, a mouth 104, and Ziploc® closure mechanism 106.

In various embodiments, bag 102 maybe fabricated from wax paper, organic materials, paper, or other non-polymeric-related materials.

The bag 100 has a top panel and lower panel, which are heat-sealed together in the shown embodiment. These panels define the mouth 104, which is circumscribed by the closure mechanism 106 such that the closure mechanism 106 can be used to seal, lock or zip the bag shut and open. The panels are typically comprised of various plastic films.

The closure mechanism 106 may comprise any one of a number of re-sealing mechanisms known to those in the art, including mechanisms have sliders.

The closure mechanism 106 may be in an open configuration for loading perishables into the bag 100 or may be in a closed configuration for storing perishables in a protected environment.

Figure 2A is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 200 in accordance with the prior art.

The bag 200 comprises the same elements as bag 100, shown from a different perspective view. Figure 2B is a top perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 220 in accordance with the prior art. The bag 220 comprises a sack 102 and a closure mechanism 106.

The closure mechanism 106 in bag 220 comprises a slider 222, which is known to those of skill in the art. The slider runs laterally along a track defined by the closure mechanism 106.

There exist no potato chip bags in the industry that are re-sealable, polymeric bag which will stay in an open configuration set by the user of the bag, while also being durable and inexpensive to manufacture. While there are many systems for bags well known in the art, considerable room for improvement remains.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood with reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 2A is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 2B is a top perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application; Figure 4A is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 4B is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application; Figure 4C is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 5A is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 5B is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a re-sealable bag illustrated according to the present application;

Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a re-sealable bag illustrated according to the present application; Figure 7 is a diagram of a method for using a re-sealable bag illustrated according to the present application; and

Figure 8 is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag illustrated according to the present application.

While the system of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Illustrative embodiments of the apparatus for a resealable bag having a plurality of sealing elements are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with assembly-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a detachable measuring and dispensing device for handheld containers. Beneficially, such a measuring device would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a more functional apparatus to consumers and professionals which can be used when fatigued with a single hand.

While this application is focused on the improving packaging for the chip industry it should be apparent that the systems and methods for resealable bags having a user selectable size are useful for other industries. For example, cereal bags, cheese bags, candy bags, frozen food bags, fresh fruit & veggie bags, and pet food bags. As users deplete the contents of these bags they have a need to reduce the volume of the bag and to reseal the bag. Additionally, heath food supplements, such as protein powdered, typically sold in gusseted bag can benefit from a reduce volume container as the supplements are removed from the bag over time. Also bags for storage of bulky items such as bedspreads, toys, Christmas items can benefit from improved bags having a plurality of closure mechanisms and weakened regions so the user can select a size of the container and seal the container based upon the size of the product over time.

Consumers typically purchase and store a large number of bags for sealing and storing food and non-food items after the container they came in has been breached. Consumers in an attempt to match the new bag to the items to be stored will retain several different sized bags such as snack, small, sandwich, quart, large, gallon, two gallon, jumbo, and XL, up to 20 gallons. Storing and maintaining a household's typical collection of bags is difficult, expensive, and requires a large amount of room for all the different sized bags.

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparati and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a re-sealable, translucent polymeric storage bag comprising: two translucent flexible polymeric panels heat-sealed together at one or more edges; the panels defining an open mouth for accessing an inside of the bag; a first closure mechanism circumscribing the mouth of the bag disposed within two inches of a mouth of the bag; a second closure mechanism disposed further away from the mouth of the bag the first closure mechanism, the bag defining one or more of perforation and a crease between the first closure mechanism and the second closure mechanism such that when the second closure mechanism is in a closed position, the bag may be torn apart by a user along the one of the perforation and crease; a third closure mechanism disposed further away from the mouth of the bag than the second closure mechanism, the bag defining one or more of perforation and a crease between the first closure mechanism and the second closure mechanism such that when the second closure mechanism is in a closed position, the bag may be torn apart by a user along the one of the perforation and crease; wherein, torn apart portions of the bag are discarded by a user. The systems and methods provide users with the ability to open a bag, place the contents to the stored inside the bag, size the bag by easily removing excess bag, and then closing the bag. Users do not need to have a dozen different sized bags as the described system allows them the ability to customize the bag to the items being stored without excess air and excess bag. Providing the user with additional closure mechanisms provides users with the ability to reduce the volume of air in the bag as the contents are removed and to replace faulty closure mechanisms. The bag can also be called a pouch or a polybag.

The one or more of the first closure mechanism, second closure mechanism, and third closure mechanism may comprise a slider. The bag, in some embodiments, further comprises additional closure mechanisms.

In various embodiments, the bag may define both perforation(s) and crease(s).

A re-sealable, translucent storage bag is also disclosed comprising: a bag defining an open mouth for accessing the bag; a first closure mechanism circumscribing the mouth of the bag disposed within two inches of a mouth of the bag; a plurality of secondary closure mechanisms disposed further away from the mouth of the bag the first closure mechanism.

The bag may define one or more of perforation(s) and a crease(s) between the first closure mechanism and the secondary closure mechanisms such that when a secondary closure mechanism is in a closed position, the bag may be torn apart by a user along the one of the perforation and crease.

The bag may comprise paper or wax paper. The bag may comprise, in various embodiments, polymeric materials such as polyethene, polyester, polypropylene, and other suitable materials for bags such as nylon. Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 300 illustrated according to the present application. The storage bag 300 comprises a polymeric sack 102 having a mouth 104, a first closure mechanisms 106a, a second closure mechanisms 106b, a third closure mechanisms 106c, and a notch 109. Each of the successive closure mechanisms 106b-c is disposed further away from the mouth 104 of the bag 300 than the previously sequenced closure mechanism 106, such that the bag 300 may be closed in closer-and-closer proximity to perishable contents as they are depleted from the bag.

Figure 4A is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 400 illustrated according to the present application. The storage bag 400 comprises a polymeric sack 102 having a mouth 104, closure mechanisms 106a-c, and perforations 402a-b, as well as crease 404a.

The perforations 402a-b and the crease 404a are disposed between closure mechanisms 106 and/or between a closure mechanism 106 and the mouth 104, such that when a closure mechanism 106 is put into closed position, protecting perishables from the ambient air, the used portion of the bag 400 can be torn along the perforations 402 or creases 404 and discarded. Thus, the volume of the bag 400 (as defined by the recess between its panels) is reduced successively.

Figure 4B is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 420 illustrated according to the present application.

Bag 420 shows a permutation of bag 400 after its top portion has been removed along perforation 402b.

Figure 4C is a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 440 illustrated according to the present application. Bag 440 shows a permutation of bag 400 after its top portion has been removed along perforation 402c.

Figure 5A is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 500 illustrated according to the present application. Bag 500 comprises a sack 102, closure mechanisms 106a-b, and perishables 502.

The shown bag 500 is filled with perishables 502, which all closure mechanisms 106 in open configurations.

Figure 5B is an elevational perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 520 illustrated according to the present application. Bag 520 comprises a sack 102 and closure mechanisms 106a-b.

Bag 520 shows a permutation of bag 500, without the perishables 502.

Referring now also to Figure 6A in the drawings, a cross sectional view of a perforated bag illustrated according to the present application. The view is enlarged for clarity. Closure mechanism 605 is comprised of a first part 609 and a second part 613. The first part of closure mechanism 609 is coupled to first panel 617. The second part of closure mechanism 613 is coupled to second panel 621. The closure mechanism is typically bonded to the panel through heat sealing however adhesives are contemplated by this application.

Perforations 623 are arranged linearly near the closure mechanism 605. Located on an edge of the bag at the end of the perforations a notch can be located to assist the user to shear the bag off at a predefined spot. Perforations 623 are like perforations 402a-b and are configured to allow a user to shear or sever the bag near the closure mechanism to reduce the size of the bag. Perforations 623 do not penetrate the entire thickness of the panels 617 and 621 to keep the gas from passing though the perforations 623. Thereby keeping the bag air tight once closed by the closure mechanism. While perforations 623 are illustrated located on the inside surface of the bag or inside the bag, it should be apparent that perforations 623 alternatively are located on the outside surface of the bag or outside the bag. Alternatively, the perforations pass through the entire thickness of the panels and allow gas to pass through bag thereby allowing the bag to vent.

Referring now also to Figure 6B in the drawings, a cross sectional view of a scored bag illustrated according to the present application. The view is enlarged for clarity. Closure mechanism 625 is comprised of a first part 629 and a second part 633. The first part of closure mechanism 629 is coupled to first panel 637. The second part of closure mechanism 633 is coupled to second panel 641 .

Scores 645 or grooves are located near the closure mechanism 625 and circumscribe the bag. Scores 645 are like perforations 402a-b and are configured to allow a user to shear or sever the bag near the closure mechanism to reduce the size of the bag. Scores 645 do not penetrate the entire thickness of the panels 637 and 641 to keep any gases from passing though the panels 637 641 . Located on an edge of the bag at the end of the score a notch can be located to assist the user to shear the bag off at a predefined spot. Both the scores and the perforation are parallel to the closure mechanisms and span an entire width of the bag. Referring now also to Figure 7 in the drawings, a flow chart of a method of using a bag illustrated according to the present application. A method of adjusting a size of a bag 700 comprises: providing a bag having a first closure mechanism; a second closure mechanism; and a third closure mechanism; opening the bag 705; removing any desired content from the bag 709. Deciding if the bag should be smaller 715. If yes, then shearing a top portion off the bag near the first closure mechanism 719; and closing the bag 721 at the second closure mechanism. If the bag doesn't need to be smaller, then close the bag 721 . Furthermore, weakening the bag near the first closure mechanism provides an easy place for the user to remove the excess bag by shearing. The method repeats until all the contents from the bag are removed and/or the bag cannot be reduced in size. As the contents of the bag are removed over time, the bag may require a further reduction in size by shearing a middle portion off the bag near the second closure mechanism.

Referring now also to Figure 8 a side perspective view of a re-sealable storage bag 800 illustrated according to the present application. Bag 800 is comprised of a handle 803, a first closure mechanism 805, a second closure mechanism 809, a third closure mechanism 813, a forth closure mechanism 817, and a fifth closure mechanism 823. The bag is fabricated by sealing a first panel to a second panel around all the edges to form a sealed container. First closure mechanism 805 is bonded to both the first panel and the second panel and creates a sealed edge. Located adjacent the first closure mechanism 805 is a weakened region of the bag 833. Locating the first weakened region 833 within an inch of the first closure mechanism 805 allows a user to shear off a portion of the bag above the weakened region 833. Weakened region 833 is typically a linear arrangement of perforations partially through a thickness of both the first and second panels. However, other configurations of weakening the panels are contemplated such as grooving the panels, chemically treating the panels in the region to be brittle, exposing the weakened region to UV light to increase the brittleness of the panels, etc. Weakened regions are configured to facilitate a user shearing a portion of the bag off without using a knife or a pair of scissors. Furthermore, located adjacent the rest of the closure mechanisms are other weakened regions configured to shear the bag as needed by the user. The bag 800 has a first portion 843 or top portion, a second portion 845, a third portion 847, a forth portion 849, a fifth portion 853, and a sixth portion 855 or bottom portion.

Typically, a user would purchase bag 800 filled with food items, for example chicken wings. As the bag initially is full the user would shear the top portion 843 of the bag off and use first closure mechanism 805 to seal the bag closed. Over time the user removes successive portions of the bag until the sixth portion is the only remaining part of the bag 800 and utilize the fifth closure mechanism 823 to seal the bottom portion of the bag. This system provides benefits over conventional bags such as: less excess bags after removal of contents; less airspace over the remaining contents; and a fresh closure mechanism. It should be apparent that another embodiment of bag 800 further comprises additional closure mechanisms located above the weakened region. Furthermore, the system can be comprised of several hundred portions and stored in a roll. The user would select a length of bag needed. Tear the selected portion off the roll. Close the bottom closure mechanism. Fill the bag as needed and close the top closure mechanism. This embodiment allows a user to create a bag with an extreme length, for example a bag to store a baseball bat or a ski.

It is apparent that an assembly and method with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.