U.S. patent application number 10/880106 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for storage bag.
Invention is credited to Cisek, Ronald Joseph, Giesfeldt, Rebecca Sue, Hall, Bruce Neil, Singer, James Michael.
Application Number | 20050286817 10/880106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34979464 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050286817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall, Bruce Neil ; et
al. |
December 29, 2005 |
Storage bag
Abstract
The present invention provides a storage bag including a bag
body including two opposing sidewalls, the sidewalls including
peripheral edges and the sidewalls being attached together along at
least a portion of the peripheral edges. Each of the sidewalls
include an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner
surfaces define opposing inner faces, and at least one of the inner
faces includes a pressure sensitive composite material. In
accordance with another aspect of the invention, a process for
forming a storage bag material is provided including the steps of:
providing a sheet of base film; providing a pressure sensitive
composite material having an adhesive on one side thereof; moving
the sheet of base film and the pressure sensitive composite
material into overlaying engagement; and attaching the pressure
sensitive composite material to the sheet of base film.
Inventors: |
Hall, Bruce Neil;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Singer, James Michael;
(Hamilton, OH) ; Giesfeldt, Rebecca Sue; (Chicago,
IL) ; Cisek, Ronald Joseph; (Willowbrook,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
34979464 |
Appl. No.: |
10/880106 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/109 ;
383/105; 383/62; 383/63; 383/93; 383/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2508 20130101;
B65D 33/2591 20130101; B31B 2160/10 20170801; B65D 33/20 20130101;
B31B 70/62 20170801; B31B 2170/20 20170801; B31B 70/8131 20170801;
B65D 33/2566 20130101; B31B 2155/00 20170801; B65D 33/00 20130101;
B65D 31/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/109 ;
383/105; 383/063; 383/095; 383/093; 383/062 |
International
Class: |
B65D 030/08; B65D
033/16; B65D 033/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage bag comprising: a bag body comprising at least two
opposing sidewalls, said sidewalls including peripheral edges and
said sidewalls attached together along at least a portion of said
peripheral edges; each said sidewall comprising an outer layer and
an inner layer; and said inner layers defining opposing inner
faces, and at least one of said inner faces comprising a pressure
sensitive composite material for bonding said opposing inner faces
to each other.
2. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensitive
composite material comprises an adhesive coating located on said at
least one inner face.
3. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein said at least one inner face
comprises a plurality of indentations, each of said indentations
having an adhesive disposed therein.
4. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein both said opposing inner
faces comprise said pressure sensitive composite material.
5. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein a surface of each of said
inner layers opposite said inner face is adhered to an inner
surface of a respective outer layer.
6. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein said inner layers are
attached to said outer layers along peripheral edges of said inner
layers.
7. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein said bag body includes an
opening and a closure element comprising cooperating complementary
elements located at said opening.
8. The storage bag of claim 1 wherein said at least one inner face
comprises protrusions and valleys adjacent said protrusions with an
adhesive at least partly filling said valleys.
9. The storage bag of claim 8 wherein said protrusions collapse to
allow contact with said adhesive in said valleys.
10. A storage bag comprising: a bag body comprising at least two
opposing sidewalls, said sidewalls including peripheral edges and
said sidewalls attached together along at least a portion of said
peripheral edges; each of said sidewalls comprising an outer
surface and an inner surface, said inner surfaces of said sidewalls
located in opposing facing relation to each other; and at least one
of said inner surfaces comprising a pressure sensitive composite
material for bonding said at least two opposing sidewalls to each
other.
11. The storage bag of claim 10 wherein said pressure sensitive
composite material comprises an adhesive coating located on said at
least one of said inner surfaces.
12. The storage bag of claim 11 wherein said at least one inner
surface comprises a plurality of indentations, and said pressure
sensitive composite material further comprises said adhesive
coating located within said indentations.
13. The storage bag of claim 10 wherein both said inner surfaces
comprise said pressure sensitive composite material.
14. The storage bag of claim 10 wherein said bag body includes an
opening and said pressure sensitive composite material defines a
closure strip at said opening.
15. The storage bag of claim 14 including a closure element
comprising cooperating complementary elements located at said
opening adjacent said closure strip.
16. A process for forming a storage bag material comprising the
steps of: providing a sheet of base film; providing a pressure
sensitive composite material having an adhesive on one side
thereof; moving said sheet of base film and said pressure sensitive
composite material into overlaying engagement; and attaching said
pressure sensitive material to said sheet of base film.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein said attaching step comprises
moving a side of said pressure sensitive composite material
opposite said one side containing said adhesive into contact with
said base film.
18. The process of claim 16 wherein said attaching step comprises
moving said pressure sensitive composite material into engagement
with said base film when said base film is in a softened state.
19. The process of claim 18 wherein said attaching step includes
engaging said pressure sensitive composite material with said base
film in a cooling nip for cooling said base film from said fluid
state.
20. The process of claim 16 wherein said step of providing a
pressure sensitive composite material having an adhesive on one
side thereof comprises: embossing a film to have protrusions and
valleys; and filling at least partially said valleys with an
adhesive.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to storage bags suitable for
use in the containment and protection of various items, such as
food items. The present invention further relates to a process for
forming a material suitable for constructing a storage bag of the
present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of storage bags for containing items to be stored,
such as food items, is generally known in the art. Such storage
bags include freezer bags provided in various sizes for containing
food items, such as meats, in a sealed manner in a freezer
environment. It is desirable for such bags to have a reclosable or
reusable closure effective to provide an airtight seal. Further, in
use of such storage bags, it is desirable to eliminate any air
contained within the storage bag and seal opposing sides of the bag
to prevent reentry of air in order to minimize contact of the bag
contents with air and reduce the possibility of freezer burn, such
as may occur as a result of dehydration of a food item stored in a
low humidity, freezer environment.
[0003] Examples of known storage bags include those described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,403,094; 5,804,265; 5,965,224; 6,156,363;
6,371,643 and 6,550,966.
[0004] There continues to be need for a storage bag suitable for
use in containing stored items in a freezer environment, and in
which an item may be sealably retained in the bag and air contact
with the stored item may be minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a storage
bag is provided including a bag body comprising at least two
opposing sidewalls including peripheral edges and the sidewalls
being attached together along at least a portion of the peripheral
edges. Each of the sidewalls include an outer layer and an inner
layer with the inner layers defining opposing inner faces. At least
one of the inner faces comprising a pressure sensitive composite
material for bonding the opposing inner faces to each other.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
storage bag is provided including a bag body comprising at least
two opposing sidewalls including peripheral edges and the sidewalls
being attached together along at least a portion of the peripheral
edges. Each of the sidewalls comprising an outer surface and an
inner surface, the inner surfaces of the sidewalls being located in
opposing facing relation to each other. At least one of the inner
surfaces comprising a pressure sensitive composite material for
bonding the at least two opposing sidewalls to each other.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a process for forming a storage bag material comprises
the steps of: providing a sheet of base film; providing a pressure
sensitive composite material having an adhesive on one side
thereof; moving the sheet of base film and the pressure sensitive
composite material into overlaying engagement; and, attaching the
pressure sensitive material to the sheet of base film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a reclosable storage
bag in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along
line 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a section taken at line 3-3 in
FIG. 2, illustrating an inner layer of the storage bag of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational section view of the inner
layer illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage bag of FIG. 1
containing an item sealed within the storage bag;
[0013] FIG. 6 is cross-sectional elevational view of an alternative
configuration of the storage bag of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage bag of FIG. 6
containing an item sealed within the storage bag;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the reclosable storage bag in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along
line 9-9 in FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment
of the reclosable storage bag in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along
line 11-11 in FIG. 10; and
[0019] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a process for
forming a storage bag material for the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reclosable storage bag 10 in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown.
The storage bag 10 generally includes two opposing sidewalls 12, 14
that are attached together along a portion of a periphery of the
sidewalls 12, 14, such as along longitudinal edge seams 16, 18 and
along a laterally extending bottom edge 20. In the illustrated
storage bag 10, the longitudinal edge seams 16, 18 may be formed by
sonic welding, heat sealing, an adhesive or other conventional
attachment means along the edges of the material forming the
sidewalls 12, 14, and the bottom edge 20 may be defined by a fold
in the material forming the sidewalls 12, 14. Further, the bottom
edge 20 may also include an edge seam formed in a manner similar to
that of the longitudinal edge seams 16, 18.
[0021] An upper end of the bag 10 includes an open mouth 22 for
insertion of articles into the interior of the bag 10. A reusable
closure 24 comprising complementary mating elements 26, 28 is
located on the interior of the sidewalls 12, 14 at the mouth 22 for
reclosably sealing the mouth 22 of the bag 10. For example, the
reusable closure may comprise an interlocking seal type closure,
and which may or may not include a slider for manipulating opening
and closing of the bag 10. The present invention is not limited to
the illustrated reusable closure, and examples of reusable closures
that may be employed, and information on their manufacture, is
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,786; 4,285,105; 4,363,345;
4,561,109; 5,804,265 and 5,851,070. Other closures may also be
provided within the scope of the described invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the sidewalls 12, 14 forming
the bag 10 comprise plural layers, including a first layer 30 and a
second layer 32 for the sidewall 12 and a first layer 34 and a
second layer 36 for the sidewall 14. The first layers 30, 34 define
an outer film surface for the bag 10, and the second layers 32, 36
define an inner, article engaging film for the bag 10. The second
or inner layers 32, 36 comprise a composite material having a
characteristic that enables inner facing surfaces 38, 40 of the
inner layers 32, 36 to adhere to each other. Alternatively, one of
the second layers 32, 36 may be omitted so that the remaining
second layer will adhere to the opposing non-adherent inside
surface of the first layer. By way of example, the inner layers 32,
36 are formed of a pressure sensitive composite material 41 (FIG.
3) exhibiting a characteristic of releasably adhering to an
adjacent contacting material surface upon application of a
pressure, while not adhering to the adjacent contacting surface in
the absence of application of the pressure.
[0023] Such composite materials are known in the art and include
films formed with a plurality of protrusions 42 and valleys 44
(FIG. 4), such as may be formed by an embossing operation, where
the valleys 44 on an adhesive side of the film are at least
partially filled with a pressure sensitive adhesive 46. The
adhesive 46 is held out of engagement with an adjacent surface by
the protrusions 42 until a sufficient pressure is applied to the
side of the film opposite the adhesive side causing at least some
of the protrusions 42 to collapse and allow contact of the adhesive
with the adjacent surface, resulting in adhesion between the
composite material and the adjacent surface.
[0024] As described, the currently preferred embodiment of the
composite material can utilize either raised protrusions, or raised
land areas surrounding dimples, to prevent premature sticking of
the adhesive to an adjacent surface. However, other forms of
composite materials that include a non-adhesive material to control
the tack of the adhesive and prevent the adhesive from attachment
to an adjacent surface prior to the application of pressure may
also be used in accordance with the present invention. Exemplary
materials include, without limitation, release liners such as
silicone coated paper or coatings, inks, varnish, particles (talc,
calcium carbonate, starch, wax beads and the like), nonwovens,
scrim and fibers which are mixed with or coated upon the adhesive.
The adhesive and/or non-adhesive coatings can either be continuous
or non-continuous (discrete). Solid, pressure activated adhesives
can also be used including, without limitation, microencapsulated
adhesives that are coated continuously or in discrete patterns onto
a film. In the case of microencapsulated adhesives and the like,
pressure is applied to rupture the surface of the microcapsules to
bring the adhesive into contact with an adjacent surface.
Additional details and further examples of such composite
materials, and information on their manufacture, may be found in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,662,758; 6,489,022; 5,871,607; 6,194,062;
5,965,235; 6,193,918; 6,602,454; U.S. patent application
Publication 2003/0218274 A1 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/345,540, entitled Selectively Activatable Storage Wrap Sheet
Having Discrete Land Areas, filed on Jan. 16, 2003 and assigned to
the assignee of the present application. However, as would be known
to one of skill in the art, other forms of composite materials
having an adhesive disposed thereon could be used in accordance
with the present invention including any material having an
adhesive disposed continuously or discontinuously thereon.
[0025] The complementary elements 26, 28 of the reusable closure 24
are located on opposing inner faces of the outer layers 30, 34 of
the sidewalls 12, 14, and the composite material 41 of the inner
layers 32, 36 defines upper edges 48, 50 which are illustrated
located in spaced relation from the reusable closure elements 26,
28. The outer layers 30, 34 additionally include opposing
longitudinal edges which are defined by the longitudinal seam edges
16, 18, and the inner layers 32, 36 include longitudinal edges
located at 49, 51 and located within a seam area defined by the
longitudinal seam edges 16, 18.
[0026] During a use of the storage bag 10, the sidewalls 12, 14 are
pressed together in areas surrounding the contents of the storage
bag 10 (see FIG. 5) to thereby expel air from the storage bag 10
and bring the inner facing surfaces 38, 40 of the inner layers 32,
36 into engagement with each other. When sufficient pressure is
applied by pressing the sidewalls 12, 14 together, this pressure
can cause the adhesive on each facing surface 38, 40 to move into
engagement with and adhere to the opposing facing surface 40, 38,
thereby retaining the inner layers 32, 36 in engagement with each
other and preventing air from reentering the adhered areas.
[0027] In one embodiment, the outer layers 30, 34 may comprise
films formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) having a thickness
in the range of approximately 0.1-10.0 mils (0.0254-0.254 mm), and
preferably in the range of approximately 1.5-2.0 mils
(0.0381-0.0508 mm). The inner layers 32, 36 may comprise films of
high density polyethylene (HDPE) having an unembossed thickness in
the range of approximately 0.25 to 2.0 mils (0.00635-0.0508 mm) and
an embossed caliper of approximately 4.0 mils (0.1016 mm). Thus,
the LDPE material of the outer layers 30, 34 provides an outer
storage bag surface visually similar to known commercially
available storage bags. However, it should be noted that other
materials and film thicknesses can be used for either of the layers
of the sidewalls 12, 14.
[0028] Examples of materials that may be used for the outer layers
30, 34 include, without limitation, thermoplastic materials or a
blend of thermoplastic materials. The films may be made by a
conventional cast or blown film process. Useful thermoplastics
include, without limitation, polyolefins such as high density
polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low
density polyethylene (LLDPE), and polypropylene (PP); thermoplastic
elastomers such as styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends,
elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic
copolyesters and thermoplastic polyamides; polymers and copolymers
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), saran
polymers, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, cellulose
acetates, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ionomer (Surlyn.RTM.),
polystyrene, polycarbonates, styrene acrylonitrile, aromatic
polyesters, linear polyesters, nylon, thermoplastic polyvinyl
alcohols; foils and metalized films.
[0029] Examples of materials that may be used to form the composite
material 41 for the inner layers 32, 36 include, without
limitation, metal foils, such as aluminum foil, wax paper or grease
proof paper, polymeric films, nonwoven webs, fabrics, paper and
combinations thereof. Some non-limiting examples of polymeric films
include, polyolefin films such as polyethylene including high
density, linear low density, or low density; ethylene copolymers,
such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers or ethylene methyl
acrylate (EMA) copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) copolymer; polypropylenes,
polyethylene-propylene copolymers; polymers and copolymers of
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC);
polystyrene; nylon, and other polymeric films with similar
properties.
[0030] The combination of outer layers 30, 34 surrounding the inner
layers 32, 36 provides a double-walled construction for the storage
bag 10 in which the outer layers 30, 34 form an outer bag providing
a first barrier or seal for the contents of the storage bag 10 when
the reusable closure 24 is closed, and the inner layers 32, 36
provide a second barrier or seal to prevent or minimize contact of
air with the contents of the storage bag 10 when the inner layers
32, 36 are pressed together.
[0031] The inner layers 32, 36 of the storage bag 10 are attached
to the adjacent outer layers 30, 34 across substantially the entire
surface area of the inner layers 32, 36, such as may be provided by
combining the composite material 41 with the film material forming
the outer layers 30, 34 during extrusion and formation of the film
material for the outer layers 30, 34, as is described further
below. Alternatively the inner layers 32, 36 and outer layers 30,
34 may be adhered to each other by an adhesive, by static
combining, or by other known means for joining two material
layers.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative configuration for the
storage bag 10 is illustrated, identified by reference numeral 10',
and in which elements corresponding to the previous configuration
are identified with the same reference numerals primed. As with the
previous configuration of storage bag 10, the storage bag 10'
comprises two opposing sidewalls 12', 14', each sidewall 12', 14'
comprising plural layers, including a first layer 30' and a second
layer 32' for the sidewall 12' and a first layer 34' and second
layer 36' for the opposing sidewall 14'.
[0033] The inner layers 32', 36' are connected to each other and to
the outer layers 30', 34' along the longitudinal seams 16', 18'
(FIG. 7), and are alternatively further joined at an edge seam
along bottom edge 20' formed in a manner similar to the that of the
longitudinal seams 16', 18'. Further, lateral seams are provided at
the upper edges 48', 50' between the inner layers 32', 36' and the
outer layers 30', 34'.
[0034] The inner layers 32', 36' may comprise a composite material
where the inner faces 38', 40' of the inner layers 32', 36' may
include a pressure sensitive composite material 41 of the same type
described for the previous configuration of storage bag 10.
[0035] As seen in FIG. 6, the inner layers 32', 36' are
substantially unattached to the outer layers 30', 34' in the area
between the longitudinal seams 16', 18' and between the upper edges
48', 50' and the bottom edge 20'. Thus, the inner layers 32', 36'
may move independently of the outer layers 30', 34' for draping and
closely conforming to the contents of the storage bag 10' to
thereby facilitate elimination of air contact with the contents.
Accordingly, the described storage bag 10' provides a combined
function of protection and ease of use of a storage bag with the
conformability provided by the pressure sensitive composite
material 41.
[0036] The storage bag 10' may be used in a manner similar to that
described for the storage bag 10, where a user may apply pressure
to the sidewalls 12', 14' of the bag 10' to cause the inner faces
38', 40' of the inner layers 32', 36' to adhere to each other and
thereby eliminate or minimize air contact with the contents of the
bag 10', as is illustrated in FIG. 7. The material of the inner
layers 32, 36 provides drape or conformability characteristics
which permit the inner layers 32, 36 to act as a wrap which closely
conforms to the contours of the storage bag contents to minimize
air contact with the contents.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment for a
storage bag 52 in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention is shown. The storage bag 52 includes two opposing
sidewalls 54, 56 that are attached together along a portion of a
periphery of the sidewalls 54, 56, such as along longitudinal edge
seams 58, 60 and along a laterally extending bottom edge 62. The
longitudinal edge seams 58, 60 may be formed by sonic welding, heat
sealing, an adhesive or other conventional attachment means along
the edges of the material forming the sidewalls 54, 56, and the
bottom edge 62 may be defined by a fold in the material forming the
sidewalls 54, 56. Further, the bottom edge 62 may alternatively
include an edge seam formed in a manner similar to that of the
longitudinal edge seams 58, 60.
[0038] An upper end of the storage bag 52 includes an open mouth 64
for insertion of articles into the interior of the storage bag 52.
A reusable closure 66 comprising complementary interlocking mating
elements 68, 70 is located on the sidewalls 54, 56 at the mouth 64
for reclosably sealing the mouth 64 of the storage bag 52. In the
illustrated example, the reusable closure 66 comprises a slider 72
for manipulating the complementary interlocking mating elements 68,
70 into closed and open positions. However, it should be understood
that an interlocking seal type closure, such as is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, or any other reclosable closure, for example as
described in the above-referenced patents relating to closure
devices, may be provided.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 9, the sidewalls 54, 56 each comprise a
film layer formed of a composite material having a characteristic
that enables inner facing surfaces 74, 76 of the respective
sidewalls 54, 56 to releasably adhere to each other. By way of
example, the sidewalls 54, 56 are formed of a pressure sensitive
composite material exhibiting the characteristic of releasably
adhering to an adjacent contacting material surface upon
application of pressure, while not adhering to the adjacent
contacting surface in the absence of application of the pressure,
such as a composite material constructed in accordance with the
above-referenced teachings relating to the composite material 41,
described for the inner layers of the storage bags 10, 10'.
[0040] Alternatively, one of the sidewalls 54, 56 may be formed of
a pressure sensitive composite material, such as a composite
material constructed in accordance the above-referenced teachings
relating to composite material 41, and the opposing sidewall 54, 56
may be formed of a non-adherent surface, such as a smooth material
surface, where the one sidewall 54, 56 will adhere to the opposing
non-adhesive surface to form a conforming seal around the contents
of the storage bag 52. Accordingly, the described storage bag 52
provides drape and conformability characteristics around the
contents of the storage bag 52 to substantially isolate the
contents from air, while also providing the ease of use of a
storage bag construction including a reusable closure 66 to seal
the storage bag mouth 64.
[0041] It should be noted that the material forming the sidewalls
54, 56 of the storage bag 52 comprises an HDPE film, although other
film materials providing the same composite material
characteristics as those associated with the pressure sensitive
composite material 41 may also be used. For example, the materials
described above for the composite material of the inner layers 32,
36 may be provided for the sidewalls 54, 56.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternative embodiment for
a storage bag 78 in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention is shown. The storage bag 78 includes two opposing
sidewalls 80, 82 that are attached together along a portion of a
periphery of the sidewalls 80, 82, such as along longitudinal edge
seams 84, 86 and along a laterally extending bottom edge 88. The
longitudinal edge seams 84, 86 may be formed by sonic welding, heat
sealing, an adhesive or other conventional attachment means along
the edges of the material forming the sidewalls 80, 82, and the
bottom edge 88 may be defined by a fold in the material forming the
sidewalls 80, 82. Further, the bottom edge 88 may alternatively
include an edge seam formed in a manner similar to that of the
longitudinal edge seams 84, 86.
[0043] An upper end of the storage bag 78 includes an open mouth 90
for insertion of articles into the interior of the storage bag 78.
A reusable closure 92 comprising complementary mating elements 94,
96 is attached to the sidewalls 80, 82 at the mouth 90 for
reclosably sealing the mouth 90 of the storage bag 78. In the
illustrated example, the reusable closure 92 comprises an
interlocking seal type closure. However, it should be understood
that a slider zipper seal type closure, such as is illustrated in
FIGS. 8 and 9, or any other reusable closure, for example as
described in the above-referenced patents relating to closure
devices, may be provided.
[0044] The storage bag 78 includes a strip-like secondary seal 98
located in spaced relation to the reusable closure 92. The
secondary seal 98 comprises respective secondary seal elements 100,
102 positioned on inner facing surfaces 104, 106 of the sidewalls
80, 82, located just below the complementary elements 94, 96. The
illustrated secondary seal elements 100,102 comprise a composite
material having a characteristic that enables inner faces 108, 110
of the secondary seal elements 100, 102 to releasably adhere to
each other. For example, a composite material having the
characteristic of adhering to an adjacent contacting material
surface upon application of a pressure, while not adhering to the
adjacent contacting surface in the absence of application of
pressure, may be provided for the secondary sealing elements 100,
102, such as a composite material constructed in accordance with
the above-referenced teachings relating to the composite material
41. Of course, only one of the secondary seal elements 100, 102
could also be used to form the secondary seal 98. Further,
secondary seal elements 100,102 can be provided individually as
continuous and/or discontinuous elements and in combination provide
a continuous or discontinuous secondary seal 98 as could be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0045] The sidewalls 80, 82 of the storage bag 78 may be formed of
a LDPE film, or any of the films described herein, with reference
to the outer walls 30, 34 of the storage bag 10. The secondary seal
elements 100, 102 may be formed of a HDPE film or any of the films
describe with reference to the composite material 41 forming the
inner walls 32, 36 of the storage bag 10.
[0046] The secondary seal 98 preferably provides a visually
recognizable seal separate and distinct from the reusable closure
92. Alternatively, the secondary seal 98 may be provided within the
same area as the reusable closure 92.
[0047] The storage bag 78 provides a double-seal against entry of
air to the interior of the storage bag 78, as well as provides a
double-seal against odors entering or leaving the storage bag 78.
The reusable closure 92 and the secondary seal element 98 of the
double-seal construction further provides an additional closure
element to secure the contents of the storage bag 78 should one of
the seals inadvertently open.
[0048] In an alternative configuration of the storage bag 78, only
the composite material of the secondary seal 98 may be provided at
the mouth 90 of the storage bag 78 to provide a single resealable
closure element for the storage bag 78.
[0049] In other alternative configurations of the storage bag 78,
the composite material secondary seal 98 may be located above the
reusable closure 92; a pair of composite material secondary seals
98 may be provided, one on either side of the reusable closure 92;
or a pair of composite material secondary seals 98 may be provided
as first and second seals for the storage bag 78 without the
reusable closure 92.
[0050] In a further alternative configuration of the storage bag
78, the secondary seal 98 may be formed of a reusable closure
similar to the reusable closure 92. For example, the storage bag 78
may be formed with a slider zipper seal closure for the reusable
closure 92, and the secondary seal 98 may comprise an interlocking
seal closure. Alternatively, both the closure elements 92 and 98
may comprise an interlocking seal closure.
[0051] The above-described embodiments provide a bag structure for
eliminating or minimizing air contact with the contents of a
storage bag, which is particularly advantageous for storage bags
used for freezing food articles such as meats. In addition to the
above-described composite material incorporated in a bag structure,
at least one of the bag walls may be provided with a passage, such
as a valve passage (not shown), for permitting suction to be
applied to evacuate air from the interior of the storage bag. The
valve passage can be located anywhere in the bag below, or as a
part of, the interlocking closure but is preferably near the top of
the bag. The film that is opposite to the valve and located in
proximity to the valve passage preferentially contains no adhesive
and is textured such that the film opposite to the valve does not
block off the opening to the valve passage or significantly
restrict the air flow through the valve passage. The valve passage
may be any opening in the bag that permits the passage of air
through the wall of the bag. The valve is preferably a one-way
valve such that air cannot return into the bag. However, one of
skill in the art would be able to select a particular valve or
valve structure that provides the function desired in the final
product.
[0052] In addition to withdrawing air through a valve passage, air
can also be withdrawn through the primary bag opening prior to the
interlocking strips being closed. One method for doing this is a
suction nozzle that is placed into the partially closed bag whereby
the bag is held tightly around the nozzle, for example through the
assistance of clamps. Another method for withdrawing air through
the primary opening of the bag is through the use of a vacuum
sealing food storage device that utilizes a small vacuum chamber
(e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310). In both cases, it
is desirable to use a bag of the current invention that is textured
on the inside surface of the bag but without adhesive at the top of
the bag thereby allowing good air flow. The applied suction forces
the two sides of the bags into intimate contact which are held
together by the adhesive on the remaining portion of the bag. The
two sides of the bag are held together thereby allowing excellent
air evacuation from the bag and restricting air from reentering the
bag. Also, other materials may be incorporated in one or more of
the above-described embodiments, such as films formed of other
polymer materials than those specifically mentioned herein,
including the so-called cling-wrap materials, to facilitate closure
of a storage bag from entry of air.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 12, a process for forming a storage bag
material for the present invention is illustrated diagrammatically
and includes an extruder 112 followed by a die 114 for forming a
base material comprising a film layer 116, such as a LDPE layer of
the film material in a molten, or softened, state, prior to a
chilling step. The fluid film layer 116 is fed to a nip between a
chill roll 118 and a nip roll 120 located at a water bath 122. A
layer of composite material, such as the embossed composite
material 41, is fed from a material supply 124 into the nip between
the chill roll 118 and the nip roll 120 with the adhesive side of
the composite material 41 facing away from the fluid film 116. The
fluid film 116 bonds to the composite material 41 as the two layers
of material 116, 41 pass through the nip of the chill roll 118 and
the nip roll 120 in order to form a double-layer sheet of material
126 which may be used to construct storage bags having a composite
material inner layer. Attachment of the layer of composite material
to the base material may be done by techniques known by those
skilled in the art including thermal lamination, adhesive
lamination, mechanical fastening such as embossing and the like. It
is also contemplated that the base layer can be formed as a
composite material with bags then being formed from the resulting
composite material.
[0054] Another alternative embodiment of the storage bag of the
present application may comprise a multibag having at least an
inner liner bag and an outer support bag, the inner liner bag
forming or having a composite material on at least one inner
surface of the bag. The composite material can be formed with or
without a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed thereon. If a
pressure sensitive adhesive is used, a composite material useful
for an alternative embodiment can be formed as discussed in the
embodiments described supra. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,265 for
additional information regarding suitable multibag structures
appropriate for construction of such an embodiment. Yet another
alternate embodiment of the storage bag of the present application
comprises a multi-layered bag having at least one liner film and an
outer support bag. The liner film(s) has a first sidewall and a
second sidewall at least one of which forms or having a composite
material thereon. A first end of the liner film is the only portion
that is attached to an inner surface of the outer support bag with
the second end of the film liner being free of the outer bag. The
length of the inner liner can be varied so that the second end
ranges from approximately as long as the outer support bag is deep
or so that the film is two or more times the depth of the outer
support bag. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,643 for additional information
regarding a storage bag structure with at least one inner film
appropriate for construction of this embodiment.
[0055] It is contemplated that storage bags made in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention can include any number of
layers and that any number of layers can be used in any of the
films used to make the bags by using processes known in the art
including, without limitation, co-extrusion and lamination. For
example, nylon or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer layers can be
used to improve the flavor, aroma, and oxygen barrier properties of
the bags. Further, one of skill in the art will realize that
individual layers, or the components comprising an individual
layer, utilized for the bag of the present invention can be
selected to provide a specific functional or asthetic requirement.
In an exemplary, but non-limiting example, a UV-resistant layer can
be provided within the structure of a layer comprising the bag of
the present invention to prevent the photo-degradation of a product
positioned within the bag.
[0056] All documents cited in the present application are
incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is
not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with
respect to the present invention.
[0057] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *