U.S. patent application number 11/686954 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for quick access pocket for shopping bags.
Invention is credited to Daniel M Frohwein.
Application Number | 20070223843 11/686954 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38533518 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070223843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frohwein; Daniel M |
September 27, 2007 |
QUICK ACCESS POCKET FOR SHOPPING BAGS
Abstract
A primary bag that can be used for holding the majority of
purchased items includes an integral or attachable secondary
container that may contain items related to the purchase. For use
in the fast food industry, the secondary container is used to house
finger food to allow a customer, easy, safe and undisruptive access
to snack items that can be consumed on the way to his or her
destination.
Inventors: |
Frohwein; Daniel M;
(Orlando, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH FROHWEIN TEMPEL GREENLEE BLAHA, LLC
Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 700
ATLANTA
GA
30346
US
|
Family ID: |
38533518 |
Appl. No.: |
11/686954 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60767354 |
Mar 21, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/38 ;
383/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/20 20130101;
B65D 31/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/38 ;
383/40 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for containing items, the apparatus comprising: a
main compartment that is operable to receive a first item; a
secondary compartment that is smaller than the first compartment
and is operable to receive a second item; and the secondary
compartment being accessible external to the main compartment and
providing easy access to the second item.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main compartment is a
paper bag.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is
integral to the paper bag.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is
attachable to the side of the paper bag.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is a
pocket fixedly attached to the side of the paper bag.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the paper bag includes a
front, a back, a left side and a right side with the front and the
back having the same dimensions and the left side and right side
having the same dimensions, the width of the front and back being
larger than the width of the left side and right side, and the
pocket being fixedly attached to the front or back.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pocket is attached to the
lower portion of the front or back of the paper bag.
8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pocket is expandable.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pocket is comprised of a
heavier stock material than the paper bag.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pocket is fixedly
attached by adhering one surface of the pocket to one surface of
the paper bag.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main compartment is a
paper bag and the secondary compartment is formed by creating an
opening in the side of the paper bag and affixing a panel to the
interior surface of the paper bag over the opening, thereby
creating a pocket.
12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is
a pocket including an extension, and wherein the extension of the
pocket can be folded with the top of the paper bag when closing the
paper bag, thereby securing the pocket to the paper bag.
13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is
a pocket including an extension, and wherein the extension of the
pocket is adhered to a surface of the paper bag.
14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the secondary compartment is
constructed of a material having thermal characteristics.
15. A container including a main compartment and a secondary
compartment, the container comprising: a first plurality of
surfaces defining the interior of the main compartment, the main
compartment including an opening providing access to the interior
of the main compartment; a second plurality of surfaces defining
the interior of the secondary compartment, the secondary
compartment including an opening that is external to the interior
of the main compartment and provides access to the interior of the
secondary compartment.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the main compartment is a
paper bag and the secondary compartment is a paper pocket adhered
to an exterior surface of the paper bag.
17. A method for providing safe access to a plurality of items that
have been purchased for consumption, the method comprising: placing
a first plurality of items into a main compartment of a container;
placing a second plurality of items into a secondary compartment of
the container; and closing the opening of the main compartment
leaving access to the secondary compartment readily available
without having to open the main container.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein prior to the step of placing
the second plurality of items into the secondary compartment, a
seller inquires of a purchaser whether the purchaser desires to
receive the second plurality of items.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second plurality of items
is finger food and the seller's inquiry is an indication that for
an increased purchase price, the purchaser can obtain the finger
food placed into the secondary opening.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the finger food is french fries
and the seller's inquiry includes asking the purchaser if the
purchaser would like to purchase ride-along-fries.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a U.S. non-provisional
application filed pursuant to Title 35, United States Code
.sctn.100 et seq. and 37 C.F.R. Section 1.53(b) claiming priority
under Title 35, United States Code .sctn.119(e) to United States
Provisional Application for Patent having been assigned the Ser.
No. of 60/767,354 and filed on Mar. 21, 2006, which application is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed towards packaging products
and, more specifically to a quick and easy access pocket, pouch,
bag or other container that can be externally connected, adhered to
or formed onto another container to facilitate access to the
contents thereof.
[0003] You are either guilty or you're a victim--or you may even be
both. What we are talking about is that sneaky, grubby, quick
fingered culprit that was sent to the local fast food restaurant to
pick-up everyone else's lunch, dinner or second-half,
get-through-the-game fuel. Upon his or her return, the bag is
opened up and the food is distributed. However, as is usually the
case, come of the little bags or pockets of fries are fuller than
other little bags or pockets of fries. Why is this so? And then,
there are the orphan fries at the bottom of the big bag--where did
they come from? What is the answer to this great intrigue? Are fast
food restaurants which are striving for excellence in service in
this highly competitive market breaching their own standards of
impeccable service and being careless? Do they actually only fill
some of the little bags halfway while stuffing the others to brim?
I think not. You have seen them operate before. They use the fry
scoop. The fry scoop insures the bags are full. No, fault does not
fall upon the fast food restaurant employees. Fault is much closer
to home than you think. A quick examination of the fast food
fetcher will show all the evidence necessary. Salty fingers,
glistening lips, a hint of fry breath and a satisfied smile--these
are the signs you look for to identify the guilty party. But
really, you can't blame the fry-on-the-sly guy (or gal) because,
most likely, you have been there yourself. Driving down the road
with a bag full of steamy hot fries or other delectable side order
just sitting next to you in the passenger seat is a temptation that
not even Mother Theresa herself could have pushed aside. They
actually call to you in a voice much more alluring than Homer's
sirens. They say, "just one, nobody will notice if you eat just
one". Then they follow up with a very logical point. "We are steamy
hot right now, by the time you get home we will only be luke warm".
"Why should EVERYONE eat lukewarm fries? You were the one that had
to leave the house or office, drive to the restaurant, order and
buy the food! It only seems fare that you snatch one or two, or
maybe two or three hot steamy fries from each bag".
[0004] You turn up the radio, you try to concentrate on baseball or
flowers, and you may even try to picture the excited looks of your
children or buddies when they receive a full bag of fries. But
nothing works. You finally cave-in to the temptation as you slowly
move one hand off of the steering wheel and fumble for the top of
the bag thinking to yourself, well, just one is okay. You find the
bag but you can't seem to get the top open so you divert your eyes
from the road just to provide a little assistance to your hand.
Finally, the bag is open, you can feel the steam rise up and flow
between your fingers as the car is filled with the aroma of hot
fries. Your hand slowly dives into the bag as you are trying to
focus on the road and keep the saliva from dribbling down you chin.
You feel napkins, straws, sandwiches, apple pies, more
napkins--panic begins to rush over you mind. What if they forgot
the fries? You divert your eyes from the road yet again as you
plunge your hand deeper into the bag. You grimace as your fingers
slide into a bag of extremely hot and greasy fries but it does not
slow you down. You tell yourself you are only taking one but you
know very well that you are planning to pull out as many as you
can--simply because your not willing to run the risk of pulling out
a single, short, overcooked fry after going through all of this
trouble. As you pull your hand back out of the bag, you once again
divert your eyes from the road to get a glimpse of the marvelous
spoil of your gallant efforts. Your fingers are throbbing from the
grease burns but you don't care. You count the fries and immediate
assess their quality as you slowly move your hand towards your
mouth. You try to open wide too accommodate the entire handful, but
there is too much, one of the fries slides down your left cheek
leaving behind salty juicy evidence. You savor the flavor as you
slowly chew on the fries, opening your mouth to breath cool air in
to help cool the fire-hot fries. Finally, the molten morsel is
fully chewed and you let it slide down the back of your throat and
at this point, unless you have already sold your soul out, the
remorse begins to overwhelm you. What have you done? You just ate
someone else's fries and, more than that, you risked your life in
doing so. You took unnecessary risks by diverting your eyes from
the road--several times!. You begin to lecture yourself about how
ashamed you are with yourself and then you stop abruptly as you
realize that your hand has unconsciously returned to the bag. You,
my friend, need help.
[0005] In actuality, the above-described story happens quite
frequently. And as pointed out in the story, this activity can
impose a threat on the safety of a driver and others. Anytime a
driver diverts his attention from the road, regardless of the
reason, the driver is assuming a risk. Furthermore, after handling
the money to pay for the food, there is some level of a health and
sanitary issue that arises as the driver puts his hand into the bag
and touches various fries. Additionally, there is the issue of
fairness. It is true that it is not fair to eat someone else's
fries without their permission. However, it is equally true that
the person that has to go after the fast food should reap some sort
of an award. Thus, there is a need in the art for a solution to
this dilemma. What is needed in the art is a solution that would
provide a safe and sanitary way to reward a driver for fetching
food for everyone else without unfairly treating the hungry
anticipants. The present invention provides such a solution.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a solution to the
above-described needs in the art by providing a two-compartment bag
that can be used to offer a ride-along feature to fast-food
restaurant customers (i.e., RIDE-ALONG-FRIES.TM.). The two
compartment bag includes a main compartment that is used to house
the bulk of a customer's order, and a secondary compartment that is
used to house a portion of finger food for the customer to consume
on his or her way to their destination. The secondary compartment
is affixed or integral to the bag and includes an exterior opening
that facilitates easier access to the contents by the customer.
Thus, finger foods can be placed into the interior of the secondary
compartment and the customer will have easy, safe and sanitary
access to the contents. In one embodiment of the invention, the
secondary compartment is a pouch that is affixed to the external
side of the main compartment or paper bag. In another embodiment,
the secondary compartment is formed by placing a panel on the
interior surface of the main compartment (or paper bag) thereby
creating a pouch. In addition, an opening on the exterior of the
main container is provided to gain access the pouch. In yet another
embodiment, the main container is a beverage cup and the secondary
container is affixed to the side of the beverage cup or to a lid
for the beverage cup. In each of these embodiments as well as their
equivalents, a customer is provided with a ride-along feature or
service that allows the customer to gain safe and/or sanitary
access to a finger food or other item without having to breach the
seal or open the main container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0007] FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket on a paper bag.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a drawing of another embodiment of the present
invention providing an externally accessible pocket on a paper
bag.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external expandable pocket on a paper
bag.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket on a paper bag.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket attached to the top of a
beverage container.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for
implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides a multi-access container that
can be used to provide safe and/or sanitary access to food items,
as well as preserve the sanctity of someone else's fries. More
particularly, in one embodiment of the invention, a paper bag used
to storing purchased fast food items includes an exterior pocket,
pouch or bag that can be used to hold french fries or other finger
foods. Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention provides
easy access to the finger food so that a driver, can easily consume
the finger foods while driving without having to divert his or her
eyes from the road to open the paper bag and without having to
stick his or her hands into the paper bag potentially
contaminating, disturbing or damaging the food items.
[0014] Now turning to the figures in which like references refer to
like elements throughout the several views, various embodiments,
features and aspects of the present invention are presented.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket on a paper bag. In this
embodiment of the present invention, a paper bag assembly 100
includes a main compartment 110 and a secondary compartment 120.
The main compartment 110 is a paper bag that can be fabricated in a
variety of manners, shapes and sizes as will be well known to those
skilled in the art. The secondary compartment 120 is a pocket that
is fixedly attached to an exterior surface 112 of the main
compartment 110. The secondary compartment includes a front panel
122 and a back panel 124. The front panel 122 and the back panel
124 are substantially similar with the exception that the front
panel 122 includes an indentation or recess 126. The front panel
122 and the back panel 124 are joined on three adjacent sides but
are not joined at the indentation or recess 126, thereby creating
an opening. This structure creates a pocket compartment 128 that is
comprised of an interior surface of the front panel 122 and an
interior surface of the back panel 124. This pocket can be used to
contain items. The exterior of the back panel 124 is adhered to the
exterior surface 112 of the main compartment 110 with the opening
being oriented towards to top of the main compartment 110.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a drawing of another embodiment of the present
invention providing an externally accessible pocket on a paper bag.
In this embodiment of the present invention, a paper bag assembly
200 includes a main compartment 210 and a secondary compartment
220. The main compartment 210 is a paper bag that can be fabricated
in a variety of manners, shapes and sizes as will be well known to
those skilled in the art. The secondary compartment 220 is a pocket
that is integrally formed in the bag assembly 100 with an opening
222 that is accessible on the exterior of the bag assembly 100. In
this embodiment, the secondary compartment 220 is formed by
creating an opening 222 on an exterior surface of a panel 212 of
the main compartment 210 and then adhering a back panel 224 to the
interior surface of the panel 212 in a manner that covers the
opening 222, thereby creating a pocket (shown as a broken line
225). The back panel 224 is positioned in a manner so that the
opening 222 is near the upper portion of the pocket 220. This
structure creates a pocket compartment 228 that is comprised of an
interior surface of the back panel 224 and an interior surface of a
panel 212 of the main compartment 210. Thus, this embodiment of the
invention includes an externally accessible pocket that is
integrally formed within a paper bag assembly.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external expandable pocket on a paper bag.
In this embodiment of the present invention, a paper bag assembly
300 includes a main compartment 310 and a secondary compartment
320. The main compartment 310 is a paper bag that can be fabricated
in a variety of manners, shapes and sizes as will be well known to
those skilled in the art. The secondary compartment 320 is a pocket
that is fixedly attached to an exterior surface 312 of the main
compartment 310. The secondary compartment 320 includes a front
panel 322 and a back panel 324. The front panel 322 and the back
panel 324 are substantially similar with the exception that the
front panel 322 includes an indentation or recess 326. The front
panel 322 and the back panel 324 are joined on three adjacent
sides, either directly or through the use of an expandable side
panel, but are not joined at the indentation or recess 326, thereby
creating an opening. FIG. 3 shows an expandable side panel 340 that
is used to adjoin one edge of the front panel 322 to one edge of
the back panel 324. In the illustrated embodiment, the expandable
side panel 340 includes a single fold, however, multi-fold panels
could be utilized. In addition, the expandable side panel can be
used to adjoin one to three edges of the front panel 322 to the
back panel 324. This structure creates an expandable pocket
compartment 328 that is comprised of an interior surface of the
front panel 322, an interior surface of the back panel 324 and
interior surfaces of one or more side panels 340. This pocket can
be used to contain items. The exterior of the back panel 324 is
adhered to the exterior surface 312 of the main compartment 310
with the opening being oriented towards to top of the main
compartment 310.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket on a paper bag. In this
embodiment of the present invention, a paper bag assembly 400
includes a main compartment 410 and a secondary compartment 420.
The main compartment 410 is a paper bag that can be fabricated in a
variety of manners, shapes and sizes as will be well known to those
skilled in the art. The secondary compartment 420 is a pocket that
is fixedly attached to an exterior surface 412 of the main
compartment 410. The secondary compartment includes a front panel
422 and a back panel 424. The front panel 422 and the back panel
424 are substantially similar with the exception that the front
panel 422 includes an indentation or recess 426 and the back panel
424 includes an extension 425. The front panel 422 and the back
panel 424 are joined on three adjacent sides but are not joined at
the indentation or recess 126, thereby creating an opening. This
structure creates a pocket compartment 428 that is comprised of an
interior surface of the front panel 422 and an interior surface of
the back panel 424. This pocket can be used to contain items. At
least a portion of the exterior of the back panel 424 is adhered to
the exterior surface 412 of the main compartment 410 with the
opening being oriented towards to top of the main compartment 410.
In one embodiment, only an upper portion of the extension 425 is
connected to the surface 412 of the main compartment 410 but in
other embodiments, the entire back panel 424 can be attached to the
surface 412 of the main compartment 410. It will also be
appreciated that a portion of the back panel 424, ranging from the
entire panel to only the top portion of the panel, can be adhered
to the surface 412 of the main compartment 410.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the secondary container may thus
be an externally and fixedly attached item to the primary
container, may be attachable and removable, or may be integrally
formed in the primary container. In addition, the secondary
container may also be constructed to be inside the primary
container.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a drawing of an embodiment of the present
invention providing an external pocket attached to the top of a
beverage container. In this embodiment of the present invention, a
beverage container assembly 500 includes a beverage compartment
510, a top 515 and a side compartment 520. The beverage compartment
510 is a paper or plastic cup that can be fabricated in a variety
of manners, shapes and sizes as will be well known to those skilled
in the art. The top 515 of the beverage container 500 is sized to
snap over the top of the beverage container 500, or otherwise
attach to the opening of the beverage container 500 as is well
known to those skilled in the art. The side compartment 520 is a
pocket that is fixedly attachable to either the exterior surface of
the beverage container 510 (not shown) or to the top 515 of the
beverage container 510. In other embodiments the side compartment
520 may be integrally formed into the top 515. In other words, the
two components may actually be a single fabricated item. The side
compartment 520 includes a front panel 522 and a back panel 524.
The front panel 522 and the back panel 524 are substantially
similar with the exception that the front panel 522 includes an
indentation or recess 526 and the back panel 524 includes an
extension 525 and a top attachment 527. The extension 525 extends
to the top of the beverage container 510 and is adjoined with the
top attachment 527. The top attachment 527 is such that it can be
attached to the top 515 either permanently or temporarily but in
either case, with enough security so that if items are placed into
the side compartment 520 or extracted from the side compartment
220, the top attachment 527 will not decouple from the top 515. The
front panel 522 and the back panel 524 are joined on three adjacent
sides but are not joined at the indentation or recess 126, thereby
creating an opening. This structure creates a pocket compartment
528 that is comprised of an interior surface of the front panel 522
and an interior surface of the back panel 524. This pocket can be
used to contain items.
[0021] Advantageously, the various embodiments of the present
invention can be utilized in providing a ride-along fries, or
ride-along finger-food service. The various structures described
above enable a finger food, such as french fries, tatortots,
chicken-fingers, pies, etc., to be provided to a customer in a safe
and sanitary manner. In addition, embodiments of the may also be
used to hold condiments or other items such as salt, ketchup,
mustard, mayonnaise and other similar sauces or spice packets. In
addition, the container can be fabricated in such a manner that it
includes a replaceable or removable lid, and as such, may contain
dipping sauces. In addition, in a multi-extra container embodiment,
one secondary container can be used for containing a food item,
such as french fries, while the other secondary container holds a
dipping sauce, such as ketchup.
[0022] When a customer places an order for fast food, the service
provider can either ask the customer if he or she would like to
purchase or upgrade the purchase to include the ride-along feature.
Alternatively, this service or feature can be automatically
provided to all customers or select customers. Regardless of the
particular implementation, a bag formulated by one of the described
structures, or equivalents thereof, is utilized to fill the
customer's main order by placing such items into the main
compartment, and then placing finger food items into the secondary
compartment. The secondary compartment securely holds the finger
food items but grants easy access to the finger foods. Thus, a
driver of an automobile, or other participant, can easily access
the finger food items without having to divert his or her eyes from
the driving task. In addition, because the finger food items are
stored in the secondary compartment external to the main
compartment, the party partaking in the ride-along finger food
items does not have to reach into the interior of the main
compartment. Advantageously, this allows the main compartment to
stay closed, and as such, the food items are more apt to remain
warm. In addition, the partaking party does not contaminate, damage
or disturb any food items located on the interior of the main
compartment when reaching for the finger foods. Advantageously, the
customer can partake in the morsels without inadvertently eating
someone else's food item.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for
implementing the present invention. The process 600 starts when a
customer requests an order and the service provider receives the
order 605, typically this represents a customer ordering fast food
items from a fast food restaurant. The service provider then offers
the customer access to the ride-along feature. Such access may be
presented as a free service or, may invoke a surcharge on the
customer's order. In either case, the service provider provides the
option to the customer. In other embodiments, the ride-along
feature may automatically be presented by a merchant without
providing an offer to the customer. If the customer rejects the
ride-along feature 615, then processing continues as normal or
standard operating procedures for the service provider and the
customer 620. However, if the customer accepts or agrees to the
ride-along feature, processing continues by the service provider
utilizing one of the variously described embodiments of the
two-compartment bag 625. The service provider places items into the
first compartment (i.e., sandwiches, fries, pies, etc.) 630 and
then places some form of finger food, typically french fries, into
the second compartment 635. The filled bag is then provided to the
customer 640 and the customer can proceed towards a destination
with save and sanitary access to the finger foods. Thus, it will be
appreciated that the present invention provides a container and a
method for having safe and sanitary access to finger food
items.
[0024] In various embodiments of the present invention, the
material of the secondary container may require different
characteristics. For instance, if the secondary container is
primarily for housing food items, the material can include thermal
characteristics to help keep the food warm. In addition, if the
item to be placed in the container has a high amount of moisture,
then the material may be non-porous or liquid proof.
[0025] It should be appreciated that although the present invention
is described as utilizing a single secondary pocket or pouch, in
actuality, multiple pockets or pouches may be provided. Thus,
multiple types of finger foods can be provided or, the driver and a
passenger may have their own dedicated ride-along pocket. In
addition, one pocket may be used to house a finger food item, such
as fries or chicken fingers, and another pocket may be used to
contain a sauce, such as ketchup or honey mustard etc. In addition,
a secondary pocket may be utilized to hold a napkin for the
customer or other various condiments and items such as straws,
napkins, sauce packets, plastic ware, receipts, etc.
[0026] It should be appreciated that although the main container is
described as a paper bag in FIGS. 1-4, other materials such as
plastic or any synthetic, composite or natural material could also
be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In addition, although the embodiment of a paper bag for fast food
has been described, it should be appreciated that general shopping
bags for other items may also server as suitable embodiments for
the present invention. The secondary compartment could be used to
hold promotional items, receipts, small items, accessories (such as
batteries, jewelry, etc.). It should be emphasized that the
above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly,
any "preferred" embodiments, are merely possible examples of
implementations and merely set forth for a clear understanding of
the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications
may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention
without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of
the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended
to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the
present invention and protected by the following claims.
Furthermore, various features and aspects of the present invention
have been described, each of which may be separately and distinctly
novel and the present invention may be comprised of one or more
such features or aspects.
* * * * *