U.S. patent application number 11/048024 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for pouch having at least one pleat.
Invention is credited to Robert R. Turvey.
Application Number | 20060177161 11/048024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36780026 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060177161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turvey; Robert R. |
August 10, 2006 |
Pouch having at least one pleat
Abstract
A pouch includes first and second opposing walls, a closure
mechanism disposed between the opposing walls and at least one
pleat disposed laterally across the pouch between the first and
second side portions of the pouch, wherein the pleat is adapted to
expand the pouch in a direction transverse to an axis of the
opposing walls.
Inventors: |
Turvey; Robert R.; (Sanford,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
36780026 |
Appl. No.: |
11/048024 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/120 ;
383/105; 383/2; 383/903 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2591 20130101;
B65D 21/08 20130101; B65D 33/2508 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/120 ;
383/002; 383/903; 383/105 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/20 20060101
B65D030/20; B65D 30/00 20060101 B65D030/00; B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A pouch, comprising: first and second opposing walls; a closure
mechanism disposed between the opposing walls; and at least one
extruded pleat disposed laterally across the pouch between first
and second side portions of the pouch, wherein the pleat is adapted
to expand the pouch in a direction transverse to an axis of the
opposing walls.
2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the extruded pleat is disposed
laterally across a bottom portion of the pouch between the first
and second side portions.
3. The pouch of claim 1, wherein two extruded pleats are disposed
laterally across the pouch between the first and second side
portions of the pouch.
4. The pouch of claim 3, wherein one of the extruded pleats is
disposed in the first wall and the other of the extruded pleats is
disposed in the second wall.
5. The pouch of claim 4, wherein at least one of the extruded
pleats has at least one fold therein that has a cross-sectional
shape that is rectangular.
6. The pouch of claim 4, wherein at least one of the extruded
pleats has at least one fold therein that has a cross-sectional
shape that is triangular.
7. The pouch of claim 4, wherein at least one of the extruded
pleats has at least one fold therein that has a cross-sectional
shape that is hyperbolic.
8. The pouch of claim 8, wherein the extruded pleats expand to hold
an item(s) therein and contract when the item(s) is removed.
9. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the extruded pleat includes folds
extending between the first and second side portions of the pouch
and wherein the pleat makes up the first side wall, a bottom
portion of the pouch, and the second side wall of the pouch.
10. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the extruded pleat is disposed
adjacent the closure mechanism.
11. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the extruded pleat is disposed
adjacent a bottom portion of the pouch.
12. A pouch, comprising: first and second opposing walls; a first
extruded pleat disposed in the first wall; and a second extruded
pleat disposed in the second wall, wherein each of the first and
second pleats includes at least one fold and wherein the folds
extend laterally across the pouch walls between first and second
side portions of the pouch and wherein the pleats expand, thereby
expanding the pouch in a direction transverse to an axis of the
opposing walls when an item(s) is placed in the pouch and the
pleats contract when the item(s) is removed.
13. The pouch of claim 12, wherein the first pleat has a first
number of folds therein that have a first cross-sectional shape and
the second pleat has a second number of folds therein that have a
second cross-sectional shape.
14. The pouch of claim 13, wherein the first number of folds and
the second number of folds are different.
15. The pouch of claim 13, wherein the first cross-sectional shape
and the second-cross-sectional shape are different.
16. The pouch of claim 12, wherein the first pleat is disposed in
the first wall a first distance from a top portion of the pouch and
the second pleat is disposed in the second wall a second distance
from the top portion of the pouch.
17. The pouch of claim 16, wherein the first and second distances
are different.
18. A pouch, comprising: first and second opposing walls; an
extruded pleat disposed in the first wall; wherein the pleat
extends laterally across the pouch between first and second side
portions of the pouch and wherein the pleat is welded at first and
second side portions of the pouch to the opposing pouch wall,
thereby only allowing the pleat to expand along portions of the
pouch that are not adjacent the first and second side portions of
the pouch to expand the pouch in directions transverse to an axis
of the opposing walls.
19. The pouch of claim 18, further including a second extruded
pleat disposed in and extending laterally across the second wall
between the first and second side portions of the pouch.
20. The pouch of claim 19, wherein the first pleat has a first
number of folds therein and a first cross-sectional shape and the
second pleat has a second number of folds therein and has a second
cross-sectional shape and wherein the first and second numbers of
folds are different and the first and second cross-sectional shapes
are the same.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to pouches, and more
particularly, to pouches that can expand and contract to change the
capacity thereof.
[0006] 2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0007] A thermoplastic pouch for the storage of items may include a
closure mechanism comprising closure elements disposed on opposed
inner surfaces of bag walls. Such thermoplastic pouches oftentimes
can be purchased in multiple different sizes and/or shapes. This
necessitates the consumer purchasing multiple boxes of
thermoplastic pouches for different items and can become very
expensive and inconvenient for the consumer.
[0008] Bannister U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,976 discloses a pinch closure
bag having multiple side gussets. The bag includes a front wall, a
back wall, and two side gussets extending between the front and
back walls. Each side gusset includes at least two V-shaped infolds
that allow the bag to expand along the gussets to increase the
volume of the bag.
[0009] Price U.S. Publication No. 2002/0168118 discloses a
thermoplastic bag having first and second sidewalls and an offset
fastener disposed between the sidewalls. The bag further includes
an inwardly folded top pleat extending laterally across a width of
one of the sidewalls, wherein the top pleat enables the sidewall to
expand outwardly. A bottom pleat is disposed in a bottom of the bag
to expand the sidewalls away from one another when product is
disposed therein. Each of the pleats is formed by folding a portion
of the bag inwardly.
[0010] Yi Li U.S. Publication No. 2004/0066988 discloses a plastic
bag including a bag body, a top opening, a bottom edge, and a trash
chamber. The bag further includes a bottom enhancement arrangement
that opens to form a rounded bottom when in use. The bag is created
by forming a plastic tubular body and thereafter folding portions
of the body to form the bottom enhancement arrangement.
[0011] Anderson et al. U.S. Publication No. 2004/0058103 discloses
a stand-up reclosable package. The package includes a front wall, a
rear wall, a pair of gusseted sides, and a flat bottom wall. A
reclosable closure mechanism is disposed near a top of the package
in the front and rear walls, such that the closure mechanism
provides a seal near the top of the package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pouch
includes first and second opposing walls and a closure mechanism
disposed between the opposing walls. At least one extruded pleat is
disposed laterally across the pouch between the first and second
side portions of the pouch, wherein the pleat is adapted to expand
the pouch in a direction transverse to an axis of the opposing
walls.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
pouch includes first and second opposing walls, a first extruded
pleat disposed in the first wall, and a second extruded pleat
disposed in the second wall. Each of the first and second pleats
includes at least one fold, wherein the folds extend laterally
across the pouch walls between first and second side portions of
the pouch. The pleats expand, thereby expanding the pouch in a
direction transverse to an axis of the opposing walls when an
item(s) is placed in the pouch and the pleats contract when the
items(s) is removed.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
pouch includes first and second opposing walls and an extruded
pleat disposed in the first wall. The pleat extends laterally
across the pouch between first and second side portions of the
pouch. Further, the pleat is welded at first and second side
portions of the pouch to the opposing pouch wall, thereby only
allowing the pleat to expand along portions of the pouch that are
not adjacent the first and second side portions of the pouch to
expand the pouch in a direction transverse to an axis of the
opposing walls.
[0015] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description and the attached drawings, in which like elements are
assigned like reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a reclosable thermoplastic
storage bag according to the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 2A-2C are cross-sectional views of the reclosable
thermoplastic storage bag of FIG. 1 depicting a first embodiment
having several different variants of pleats;
[0018] FIGS. 3-7 and 8A are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS.
2A-2C illustrating alternative embodiments of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8B is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A
in an expanded position;
[0020] FIGS. 9-11 are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS. 2A-2C
illustrating alternative embodiments of the present invention;
and
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 2A-2C
illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 11 in an expanded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a reclosable pouch in the form of a
thermoplastic storage bag 20 comprises first and second body
portions 22, 24 joined to one another to form first and second bag
walls 26, 28. The first and second bag walls 26, 28 are joined at
first and second side portions 30, 32, respectively, and at a
bottom portion 34. An opening 35 and an optional closure mechanism
36 are disposed at a top portion 38 of the bag 20, wherein an
optional slider 40 is positioned over the closure mechanism 36 and
can be moved along a width of the bag 20 to open and close the
closure mechanism 36. The optional closure mechanism 36 is
preferably in the form of a thermoplastic zipper including first
and second closure elements 42a, 42b. The first closure element 42a
is disposed adjacent the first bag wall 26 at the top portion 38 of
the bag. Similarly, the second closure element 42b is disposed
adjacent the second bag wall 28 at the top portion 38 of the bag.
The closure mechanism 36 may be formed in accordance, for example,
with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, owned by the
assignee of the present application and the disclosures of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0023] If desired, the first and second closure elements 42a, 42b
of the closure mechanism 36 may be replaced with a reclosable
fastener of the type wherein a user, after placing one or more
products into an interior of the bag, exerts force on outer
surfaces of the first and second body portions, respectively,
adjacent the first and second closure elements thereby forcing the
closure elements into interlocking relation. Preferably, such
closure mechanisms may be formed in accordance with the teachings
of Geiger, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,248, Zieke et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 4,741,789, and/or Porchia et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,561,
owned by the assignee of the present application and the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Still further, any known closure mechanism may be utilized with any
of the embodiments disclosed herein or the closure mechanism may be
omitted entirely.
[0024] For illustration purposes, the thermoplastic storage bags of
the present invention, including bag walls, optional closure
mechanisms, pleats, and folds, are shown larger than reality.
[0025] FIGS. 2A-C depict three variations of a first embodiment of
the present invention, wherein a thermoplastic storage bag 120
includes optional first and second closure mechanisms 142a, 142b.
The slider is omitted in FIGS. 2A-C to show the detail of the
thermoplastic bag 120. As discussed above, the closure mechanisms
142a, 142b may be of the type shown or any other known closure for
thermoplastic storage bags. The thermoplastic storage bag 120
includes a pleat 160a in and extending laterally across the first
bag wall 126 between first and second side portions 30, 32 and a
pleat 160b in and extending laterally across the second bag wall
128 between the first and second side portions 30, 32. Each of the
pleats 160a, 160b includes multiple small folds 162a, 162b,
respectively, that form the respective pleat 160a, 160b. Although
the pleats 160a, 160b in FIG. 2A are depicted as having six folds
162a, 162b, the present invention contemplates having any number of
folds, depending on the original size of the bag and the desired
maximum capacity of the bag.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 2A, the folds 162a, 162b of the pleats 160a,
160b may extend a distance inwardly of the bag walls 126, 128,
respectively, and extend a distance outwardly of the bag walls 126,
128. Optionally, as seen in FIG. 2B, the folds 162a, 162b of the
pleats 160a, 160b may extend only inwardly of the bag walls 126,
128, respectively. Alternatively, in order to conserve space within
the thermoplastic storage bag 120, and as seen in FIG. 2C, the
folds 162a, 162b may extend only outwardly of the bag walls 126,
128.
[0027] In the embodiments of 2A-C, each of the pleats 160 is welded
at first and second side portions 130 (not shown), 132 of the bag
120 to the opposing bag wall. Therefore, the pleat 160 is only
allowed to expand along portions of the bag 120 that are not
adjacent the first and second side portions 130, 132 of the bag
120. The pleats 160a, 160b with multiple folds 162a, 162b therefore
allow the thermoplastic storage bag 120 to expand in a direction
transverse to an axis of the bag walls, from a first, unfilled
position to a second, fully filled position. Therebetween, there
are many partially filled sizes or capacities that are possible.
The expansion of the pleats 160a, 160b allow the consumer to use a
portion of the bag 120 such that the bag 120 is not expanded, or
use the entire bag, wherein the bag 120 expands to the maximum
capacity thereof in order to hold the items placed in the bag 120
by the consumer.
[0028] As depicted in FIGS. 2A-C, the folds 162a, 162b of the
pleats 160a, 160b have a cross-sectional shape that is rectangular.
Optionally, and as seen hereinafter, the folds 162a, 162b of the
pleats 160a, 160b may have a cross-sectional shape that is any
geometric shape, including circular, hyperbolic, oval-shaped,
square-shaped, triangular, etc.
[0029] In a further embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3, first and second
pleats 360a, 360b are formed in first and second bag walls 326,
328, respectively. Each of the first and second pleats 360a, 360b
includes multiple folds 362a, 362b, respectively, therein. The
pleats 360a, 360b are similar to those of FIGS. 2A-C, except that
the shape of the folds 362a, 362b is different. The folds 362a,
362b of the pleats 360a, 360b, respectively, have a cross-sectional
shape that is triangular, thereby forming a zig-zag pattern in the
pleats 360a, 360b.
[0030] The embodiment of FIG. 4 is identical to the embodiment of
FIG. 3, except that the pleats 462a, 462b have folds 462a, 462b,
respectively, that have a cross-sectional shape that is hyperbolic,
thereby forming a wave pattern in the pleats 460a, 460b.
Alternatively, the folds 462a, 462b may have a rounded, spherical,
or circular cross-sectional shape, thereby forming a similar
wave-like pattern.
[0031] FIG. 5 also depicts an embodiment similar to the embodiment
of FIG. 3. However, instead of placing pleats adjacent the closure
elements as in FIG. 3, the pleats 560a, 560b in FIG. 5 are spaced
farther from the closure elements 542a, 542b of the closure
mechanism 536 at a position about half way between the top portion
538 and the bottom portion 534 of the bag 520. Although the pleats
560a, 560b are shown with folds 562a, 562b, respectively, having a
triangular cross-sectional shape, any cross-sectional shape may be
utilized.
[0032] FIG. 6 depicts yet another embodiment similar to the
embodiment of FIG. 4. The only difference is that the pleats 660a,
660b of FIG. 6 are disposed adjacent the bottom portion 634 of the
bag 620. Optionally, the pleats may be disposed anywhere in the
first and/or second bag walls 626, 628 below the first and second
closure elements 642a, 642b, respectively. Still optionally, each
of the bag walls may include a single pleat therein, wherein each
pleat includes enough folds to comprise the entire respective bag
wall.
[0033] Although the disclosed embodiments that include first and
second pleats in the first and second bag walls comprise pleats of
similar cross-sectional shape, it is contemplated by the present
invention that the first pleat may be of a first cross-sectional
shape and the second pleat may be of a second, different
cross-sectional shape.
[0034] As seen in FIG. 7, a pleat 760 may be formed in the bottom
portion 734 of the thermoplastic storage bag 720 between the first
and second side walls 726, 728. The pleat 760 may include any
number of folds 762 therein that expand in a horizontal direction
(when the bag is held upright as seen in FIG. 7). As with other
embodiments, the folds 762 of the pleat 760 may be formed with any
cross-sectional shape. Optionally, pleats may also be formed in one
or both of the bag walls 726, 728, as well as in the bottom portion
734 of the bag 720.
[0035] FIG. 8A depicts another embodiment in which a single pleat
860 is disposed in the first bag wall 826. Optionally, the pleat
860 may also be formed in the second bag wall 828. In the
embodiment of FIG. 8A, the pleat 860 includes multiple folds 862
therein, wherein the material extending between the folds 862 has a
length L that extends generally parallel to the bag walls, as
opposed to the material extending generally perpendicular to the
bag walls, as depicted in FIGS. 2A-C. In such an embodiment, the
entire pleat 860 is welded at first and second side portions 830
(not shown), 832 of the bag 820 to the opposing bag wall.
Therefore, the pleat 860 is only allowed to expand along portions
of the bag 820 that are not adjacent the first and second side
portions 830, 832 of the bag 820, as seen in FIG. 8B. Therefore,
the pleats allow expansion of the bag in a direction transverse to
an axis of the bag walls.
[0036] Similar to FIG. 8A, FIG. 9 depicts that two opposing pleats
960a, 960b may have different numbers of folds 962a, 962b,
respectively. The embodiment of FIG. 9 is only illustrative. In
fact, either one of the pleats 960a, 960b may have any number of
folds 962a, 962b therein and each pleat 960a, 960b may be disposed
at any point between the closure elements 942a, 942b and the bottom
portion 934 of the bag 920. As with the embodiment of FIG. 8A, the
pleats 960a, 960b only expand along portions of the bag 920 that
are not adjacent the first and second side portions 830, 832. If
one pleat has more folds than another pleat, that pleat will allow
for further expansion than the other.
[0037] Additionally, as seen in FIG. 10, the pleats 1060a, 1060b
may be disposed at different locations within the bag walls 1026,
1028, respectively. For example, a first pleat 1060a may be
disposed adjacent the first closure element 1042a and a second
pleat 1060b may be disposed midway between the second closure
element 1042b and the bottom portion 1034 of the bag 1020. Such
pleats 1060a, 1060b may also have any number of folds 1062a, 1062b
and/or the pleats 1060a, 1060b may be disposed at any suitable
location in the bag walls 1026, 1028. Still further, one of the bag
walls 1026, 1028 may have a different number of pleats 1060 than
the other bag wall 1026, 1028.
[0038] In yet another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 11, the entire
bag 1120 (excluding the optional closure mechanism 1136) may
comprise a single pleat 1160 that makes up the bag walls 1126, 1128
and the bottom portion 1134 (all in FIG. 12) of the bag 1120. In
such an embodiment, there may be any number of folds 1162 in the
pleat 1160.
[0039] FIG. 12 depicts the thermoplastic storage bag of FIG. 11 in
an expanded position. In particular, when enough product is placed
into the bag 1120, the folds 1162 of the pleats 1160 expand
downwardly. As can be seen, the folds 1162 spread out to provide
extra capacity, thereby expanding the overall size of the bag. As
is evident, the folds 1162 of the pleats 1160 may expand slightly
or may expand to provide a maximum capacity. All of the pleats as
described herein may expand in the same manner. Additionally, when
product is removed, the pleats contract back to their original
size.
[0040] The closure mechanism of the above-disclosed embodiments is
for illustration purposes only. In fact, in any of the
above-disclosed embodiments, the closure mechanism may be any
suitable closure mechanism or the closure mechanism may be omitted
entirely.
[0041] Optionally, more than one pleat may be disposed in either or
both of the body portions, thereby forming an even larger storage
bag.
[0042] Any of folds of the pleats as described herein may be
extruded having any thickness T, as depicted in FIG. 4. If the
folds of the pleats are extruded with a greater thickness, the
pleats will tend to have more tension and compression properties,
thereby allowing for more flexibility in expansion and contraction
thereof. Conversely, if the folds of the pleats are extruded with a
lesser thickness, the pleats will tend to have less tension and
compression properties, thus having less flexibility in expansion
and contraction thereof.
[0043] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may include a
single pleat in either the first or second body portion, a single
pleat in both the first and second body portions, multiple pleats
in either of the first or second body portions, or multiple pleats
in both of the first and second body portions. Further embodiments
are contemplated by the present invention, wherein any or all of
the aspects of the embodiments as described herein are
combined.
[0044] The first and second bag walls with pleats therein as
described herein are preferably made by known extrusion processes.
Optionally, the body portions may be blown or formed by any other
known process for making thermoplastic pouches. The closure
elements of the closure mechanism may also be formed by any known
process. Preferably, the bag walls with pleats therein are extruded
directly through respective die plates into a water bath, wherein
each die plate includes a slot having a shape that is complementary
to the cross-sectional shape of respective the bag wall and
pleat(s). The optional closure elements may be extruded through the
same die plates with the corresponding bag walls or may be attached
by known methods to the bag walls after the bag walls are removed
from the water bath and properly dried.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0045] The embodiments of the thermoplastic storage bag as
described herein advantageously provide the consumer with a pouch
that is capable of holding smaller and/or fewer items, but is
expandable to hold larger and/or more items. An expandable pouch
provides multiple uses for a single pouch. Unlike mechanically
formed pleats, the extruded pleats as described herein not only
allow the pouch to expand, but also advantageously allow the pouch
to contract back to its original size and shape.
[0046] Also unlike mechanically formed pleats, the extrusion of
pleats as described herein allows any size or shape pleat to be
formed, including small pleats, that could not be formed
mechanically or otherwise.
[0047] Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this
description is to be construed as illustrative only and is
presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to
make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying
out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come
within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
* * * * *