U.S. patent application number 10/997496 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for re-sealable plastic bag, to hold or house personal belongings in luggage.
Invention is credited to Carrillo, Felix Ramon Ireta.
Application Number | 20050185863 10/997496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34859189 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050185863 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carrillo, Felix Ramon
Ireta |
August 25, 2005 |
Re-sealable plastic bag, to hold or house personal belongings in
luggage
Abstract
The present invention relates to a plastic bag to hold or house
different products and in a more specific way it refers to a
re-sealable plastic bag to hold, house or, shelter and temporally
safeguard personal belongings before going through the luggage's
overhaul examination points, for example at airports. The plastic
bag includes a translucent plastic sheet doubled by half, in which
the inferior fold forms the bottom and lateral thermo seals that
generate opposite adjacent vertical panels, with a superior opening
or mouth and a central superior union nearby the opening or mouth
that forms handles, and also includes a seal formed of a male
plastic band and female plastic band, coupling between them, nearby
the central superior union, the plastic bands being thermo bonded,
each one of them to each vertical opposite panel, for the re-seal
and re-opening of the opening or mouth of the bag.
Inventors: |
Carrillo, Felix Ramon Ireta;
(Lomas De Palo Alto, MX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
34859189 |
Appl. No.: |
10/997496 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/10 ;
383/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 2013/026 20130101; B65D 33/2541 20130101; B65D 33/08 20130101;
A45C 13/1023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/010 ;
383/063 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 19, 2004 |
MX |
PA/U/2004/000050 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A re-sealable plastic bag to hold or house objects and personal
belongings in luggage during travel comprising: a translucent sheet
doubled by half, in which the folded inferior forms a bottom and
lateral thermo seals form opposite adjacent vertical panels with a
superior opening or mouth; a central top union next to the opening
or mouth that functions as handles; and a seal conformed by a male
plastic band and a female plastic band coupling between them next
or nearby to said union, said each plastic bands being thermo
bonded to each vertical opposite panel for the re-seal and
re-opening of the opening of the mouth of said bag.
2. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 1, wherein said
male plastic band of said seal comprises an elongated side strait
profile with two male projections with a slight edge flange with a
certain slight separation between said projections which are
perpendicular to the vertical panels.
3. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 2, wherein said
female plastic band comprises a substantially concave profile
comprising two semicircular edge guide channels adapted to receive
and hold said male projections of said male band.
4. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 1, wherein an
outside face of said plastic male and female bands represents
specific areas for the partial or complete thermo seal in an inside
face of said vertical opposite adjacent panels of said plastic
bag.
5. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 1, wherein the
thermo seal between the male and female plastic bands of the seal
and said opposite vertical panels of the bag, generate a line of
weakness trimming the opposite adjacent vertical panels in said
thermo seal line.
6. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 4, wherein the
thermo seal is a partial thermo seal.
7. The re-sealable plastic bag according to claim 4, wherein the
thermo seal is a complete thermo seal.
8. A method of inspecting personal belongings comprising: placing
the personal belongings in the bag according to claim 5; sealing
the bag; inspecting the bag; reopening the bag; and removing the
belongings.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein inspecting the bags further
comprises X-raying the bags.
10. The method of claim 8, which further comprises inspecting the
line of weakness and determining possible improper handling if the
line of weakness is broken.
11. A method of determining improper handling of personal
belongings comprising: placing personal belongings in the bag
according to claim 5; sealing the bag; allowing the bag to be
inspected; retrieving the bag; and inspecting the line of weakness
to determine if the personal belongings have been improperly
handled.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inspection is at an
airport.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Mexican Application
number PA/u/2004/000050 filed with the Mexican Institute of
Industrial Property on Feb. 19, 2004 which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention refers to a device which includes a
plastic bag to hold or house multiple products. More specifically,
a re-sealable plastic bag which temporarily restrains and/or
protects personal objects is disclosed. The disclosed device may be
used in luggage during travel and facilitates examination of
luggage, at airports for example.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] During the examination of luggage which occurs during
travel, particularly during security checks at airports, luggage is
often set in open trays for inspection and examination. Handling by
agents during this procedure may result in damage or loss of
luggage items. Some items may even be stolen. These procedures can
be unsettling for the traveler, generating disquiet, insecurity and
distrust. In order to provide more efficient handling and
inspection of luggage items, thus providing greater peace of mind
for the traveler, the plastic bag as described herein has been
developed.
[0004] A plurality of plastic bags are known, most of them with
seals that allow closing and re-opening. Generally, these bags are
intended for guarding, protecting and/or containing food products.
None of the plastic bags that are now marketed or known disclose a
bag that contemplates the combination of the structure and function
of a bag for the intention and purposes indicated herein which will
be further described.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In certain embodiments, an object of the invention is to
provide or make available a re-sealable plastic bag for personal
belongings, for use particularly during travel. The resealable
plastic bag according to the invention allows protection and at the
same time exhibition of luggage items without access to the
interior of the bag.
[0006] Another objective of the invention is to make available said
re-sealable plastic bag to hold or house personal belongings. The
objects and personal belongings of the travelers are displayed for
inspection while minimizing risk of damage and/or loss of the
objects and personal belongings. Use of plastic bags according to
the invention provides security and confidence to the traveler.
[0007] Another objective of the invention is to make available said
re-sealable plastic bag to guard personal belongings during luggage
examination, that additionally provides a simple structure that
allows a firm and substantially hermetic seal.
[0008] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention,
will become clear and apparent from the study of the following
description and the accompanying drawings which are intended to
illustrate and in no way limit the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In some embodiments, the re-sealable plastic bag according
to the invention includes a translucent plastic sheet doubled by
half. The inferior fold forms a bottom and laterally thermo-seal
generating adjacent vertical panels, with a superior open mouth and
a central superior union. The central superior union is next to
said opening or mouth and has a substantially rectangular shape,
with lateral arc edges that function as handles. The opening or
mouth also includes a seal conformed by a male plastic band and a
female plastic band, capable of coupling next to said union, the
male and female plastic bands together capable of forming a thermo
bond, in each vertical opposite panel, for the re-seal and
re-opening of the open mouth of said bag.
[0010] The male plastic band of said seal consists of an elongated
side strait profile with two male projections, with a slight flange
on the end of the male projections, with a certain separation
between the male projections, perpendicular to the inside face of
the elongated side strait profile. The female plastic band includes
a substantially concave elongated side profile. The concave face
includes two end semicircular guide channels, adapted to receive
and hold said male projections of said male band, generating a firm
seal which is substantially hermetic.
[0011] The outside face of the said plastic male and female bands,
represent areas for the partial or total thermo seal in the inside
face of the vertical opposite panels of said plastic bag.
[0012] The thermo seal between said male and female plastic bands
of the seal and of said vertical opposite panels, generates a line
of weakness trimming the opposite vertical adjacent panels in the
thermo seal line, in such a way that when one attempts to open the
mouth of the sealed bag, the superior section of the vertical
adjacent panels, that create the mouth will break, which serves as
an indicator of an improper handling of the bag. In some
embodiments, the thermo seal is a partial thermo seal. In alternate
embodiments, the thermo seal is a complete thermo seal.
[0013] The correct opening of the mouth of the bag, meaning the
re-opening of the seal, has to be done very close to the location
of the seal, holding both panels at one side of the bag or
inserting a fingernail into the coupling point of both plastic
bands of the seal, in order to achieve the uncoupling or unlocking
and therefore the re-opening of the mouth of the bag.
[0014] In preferred embodiments, the plastic bag is made out of a
translucent material in order to allow observation and inspection
of the articles that are contained within the bag without the need
to open the bag.
[0015] Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a
method of inspecting personal belongings which includes placing the
personal belongings in the bag as described above, sealing the bag,
inspecting the bag, reopening the bag; and removing the belongings.
In some embodiments, X-rays are used to inspect the bag.
[0016] In preferred embodiments the line of weakness trimming the
opposite vertical adjacent panels in the thermo seal line is
checked after the inspection to determine possible improper
handling if the line of weakness is broken.
[0017] Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a
method of determining improper handling of personal belongings by
placing personal belongings in the bag described above, sealing the
bag, allowing the bag to be inspected, retrieving the bag, and
inspecting the line of weakness to determine if the personal
belongings have been improperly handled. In preferred embodiments,
the inspection is an airport inspection.
[0018] In order to have a better understanding of the
characteristics of the invention, the present description should be
considered in conjunction with it's accompanying drawings as an
integral part of the invention, provided solely to illustrate and
not to limit the invention which is described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1.--shows a side view of the re-sealable plastic bag to
hold personal belongings.
[0020] FIG. 2.--shows a transverse cross section of the male and
female plastic bands of the seal, that allow the re-seal and
re-opening of the opening or mouth of the bag.
[0021] FIG. 3.--shows a transverse cross section of the male and
female plastic bands coupled and fit together to form the seal.
[0022] FIG. 4.--illustrates an elevational view of the bag during
the opening procedure.
[0023] FIG. 5.--illustrates a conventional perspective view of one
portion of the bag, when the plastic bands are in the coupling
process.
[0024] While the described embodiment represents the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that
modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the
invention is therefore to be determined solely by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The particular characteristic details of the re-sealable
plastic bag to lodge or house personal belongings during luggage
transport are clearly shown in the present description and in the
accompanying illustrative drawings attached, using reference
numbers to point out the parts referred to.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the re-sealable plastic bag to
hold or house personal objects or belongings during the carrying
out of the inspection and/or transport of the luggage. The
re-sealable plastic bag to hold or house personal objects or
belongings as they are transported in luggage includes a
translucent plastic sheet 1 doubled by half, in which in it's
inferior folds forms the bottom of it 2 and opposite adjacent
vertical panels 3 have a superior opening or mouth 4 with a
substantially rectangular shape, whose lateral edges are arched to
form handles, and further including a seal 6 for the re-seal and
re-opening of the opening or mouth of said bag.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a transverse cross section of the male and
female plastic bands of the seal, which allows re-sealing and
re-opening of the opening or mouth of the bag. The seal 6 is
conformed by intercoupling between a male plastic band 7 and a
female plastic band 8.
[0028] The male plastic band 7 of said seal includes an elongated
side strait profile 9 with two male projections 10, with a slight
flange end 11, with a certain slight separation between them,
perpendicular to the inside face of the elongated side strait
profile 9. The female plastic band 8 includes a substantially
concave elongated side profile 12, in which its concave face
comprises two end semicircular guide channels 13, adapted to
receive and hold said male projections 10 of said male band 7,
generating a firm seal which is substantially hermetic.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a transverse cross section of the male and
female plastic bands coupled to form the seal. The male projections
10 of the elongated side strait profile 9 of said male plastic band
7 are completely housed within the semi-circular edge guide
channels 13 of said concave profile 12 of the female plastic band
8, in such a way that they go in to them by pressuring and/or
partially deforming the semicircular edge guides 13 during
coupling. The edge flanges 11 temporally hold captive said male
projections 10 in the coupling.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bag during the opening
procedure. The seal 6 allows the complete closing of the mouth 4 of
the bag by coupling the male and female plastic bands in a
substantially hermetic seal between the male 7 and female 8 plastic
bands. Opening of the seal 6 may be initiated at one of the ends or
at any other selected point, always taking care in separating both
plastic bands in an adequate form.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a conventional view of one portion of the bag
during the coupling process. The male plastic band 7 and the female
plastic band 8 tend to couple in such a way that the male
projections 10 as they insert gradually in a continuous way into
the semicircular edge guide channels 13 of said concave profile 12
generate a firm closing which is substantially hermetic.
[0032] The preferred embodiment of the invention has been
sufficiently described in order that a person with average
knowledge in the field, may reproduce and obtain the mentioned
results of the present invention.
[0033] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that
numerous and various modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be
clearly understood that the forms of the present invention are
illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention.
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