U.S. patent application number 12/042770 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-10 for sealable product containment bag.
Invention is credited to John T. VEDER.
Application Number | 20090226121 12/042770 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41053679 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090226121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VEDER; John T. |
September 10, 2009 |
SEALABLE PRODUCT CONTAINMENT BAG
Abstract
A sealable product containment bag structure is described that
includes generally rectangular shaped front and rear panels and
pleated generally rectangular side panels connected to the front
and rear panels, the front, rear and side panels forming at one end
thereof an open top for the bag structure and being folded together
at the other end thereof to form a closed bottom. In one embodiment
of the invention, adhesive strips are disposed in confronting
relationship to each other on the inner surfaces of the front and
rear panels near the open top end of the bag whereby the adhesive
strips adhere to each other and to the inner surfaces of the side
panels when the side panels are folded inwardly in a closed
condition for the bag structure.
Inventors: |
VEDER; John T.; (Cleves,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hasse & Nesbitt LLC
8837 Chapel Square Drive, Suite C
CINCINNATI
OH
45249
US
|
Family ID: |
41053679 |
Appl. No.: |
12/042770 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/210 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/18 20130101;
B65D 31/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/210 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a)
generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of
said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an
outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side
panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end
of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at
a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag
structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said
side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear
panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; and (e) a first
adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said front panel
along the width thereof near said first end of said front panel,
and a second adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said
rear panel along the width thereof near said first end thereof,
said second adhesive strip disposed in confronting relationship
with said first adhesive strip, whereby said adhesive strips adhere
to each other along a middle portion of said adhesive strips and
adhere to the inner surfaces of said side panels along the end
portions of said adhesive strips with said side panels folded
inwardly in said closed condition.
2. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein said adhesive strips
comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
3. The bag structure of claim 2 wherein the said adhesive is
selected to render said adhesive strips resealable.
4. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein said front, rear and side
panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of
paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
5. The bag structure of claim 4 wherein said material is
insulated.
6. The bag structure of claim 1 further comprising a handle
attached to each of said front and rear panels.
7. The bag structure of claim 1 wherein front, rear and side panels
are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to form
said closed bottom for the bag structure.
8. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a)
generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of
said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an
outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side
panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end
of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at
a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag
structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said
side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear
panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; (e) each of
said front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the
form of a closure flap at said first ends of said front and rear
panels; and (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of
at least one of said closure flaps along the width of said opening
and in confronting relationship with the inner surface of the other
said closure flap, whereby said closure flaps adhere to each other
in said closed condition.
9. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein said adhesive strips
comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
10. The bag structure of claim 9 wherein the said adhesive is
selected to render said adhesive strips resealable.
11. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein said front, rear and side
panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of
paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
12. The bag structure of claim 11 wherein said material is
insulated.
13. The bag structure of claim 8 further comprising a handle
attached to each of said front and rear panels.
14. The bag structure of claim 8 wherein front, rear and side
panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to
form said closed bottom for the bag structure.
15. A sealable product containment bag structure comprising: (a)
generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each of
said front panel and said rear panel having an inner surface and an
outer surface; (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape; (c) said front, rear and said side
panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end
of said panels, said front, rear and side panels folded together at
a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom for the bag
structure; (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said
side panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear
panels in a closed condition for the bag structure; (e) one of said
front and rear panels including a marginal extension in the form of
a closure flap at said first end of said one of said front and rear
panels; and (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of
said closure flap along the width of said opening, said closure
flap foldable over said opening and sealable to the outer surface
of the other of said front and rear panels in said closed
condition.
16. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein said adhesive strips
comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.
17. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein said front, rear and side
panels comprise a material selected from the group consisting of
paper, cloth fabric and plastic.
18. The bag structure of claim 17 wherein said material is
insulated.
19. The bag structure of claim 15 further comprising a handle
attached to each of said front and rear panels.
20. The bag structure of claim 15 wherein front, rear and side
panels are adhesively joined at said second ends of said panels to
form said closed bottom for the bag structure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to shopping bags or
the like and more particularly to a sealable product containment
bag for containing an item such as a gift item, retail sales item,
a fast food or carryout restaurant item, or other product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Retail sales establishments, fast food and carryout
restaurants and other retailers use various sizes, shapes and kinds
of bags to assist the customer in containing, transporting,
protecting and preserving purchased goods, food and other products
purchased by the customer. Additionally, gift bags of various sizes
and types are in wide use for containing a gift for a gift-giving
occasion and are frequently used in place of gift wrap paper.
[0003] Gift bags in current use are typically substantially
rectangular in shape with an open top for receiving an item and
generally have handles attached at each side of the top opening.
Although it is desirable to conceal a gift item within the gift
bag, bags in general current use provide no means to sealably close
the opening so as to conceal the item contained in the bag.
Similarly, bags in current use for containing fast foods or other
consumables procured at a fast food or carryout restaurant provide
no means to securely enclose an item so as to preserve freshness or
to provide hot or cold insulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a sealable product
containment bag structure comprising:
[0005] (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels,
each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner
surface and an outer surface;
[0006] (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape;
[0007] (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top
opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said
front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said
panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;
[0008] (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side
panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in
a closed condition for the bag structure; and
[0009] (e) a first adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of
said front panel along the width thereof near said first end of
said front panel, and a second adhesive strip disposed on the inner
surface of said rear panel along the width thereof near said first
end thereof, said second adhesive strip disposed in confronting
relationship with said first adhesive strip, whereby said adhesive
strips adhere to each other along a middle portion of said adhesive
strips and adhere to the inner surfaces of said side panels along
the end portions of said adhesive strips with said side panels
folded inwardly in said closed condition.
[0010] The invention also relates to a sealable product containment
bag structure comprising:
[0011] (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels,
each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner
surface and an outer surface;
[0012] (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape;
[0013] (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top
opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said
front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said
panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;
[0014] (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side
panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in
a closed condition for the bag structure;
[0015] (e) each of said front and rear panels including a marginal
extension in the form of a closure flap at said first ends of said
front and rear panels; and
[0016] (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of at
least one of said closure flaps along the width of said opening and
in confronting relationship with the inner surface of the other
said closure flap, whereby said closure flaps adhere to each other
in said closed condition.
[0017] The invention further relates to a sealable product
containment bag structure comprising
[0018] (a) generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels,
each of said front panel and said rear panel having an inner
surface and an outer surface;
[0019] (b) pleated generally rectangular side panels
interconnecting said front and rear panels, each of said side
panels having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner
surfaces of said front, rear and side panels defining a generally
rectangular volumetric shape;
[0020] (c) said front, rear and said side panels defining a top
opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said
front, rear and side panels folded together at a second end of said
panels to form a closed bottom for the bag structure;
[0021] (d) each of said side panels having pleats whereby said side
panels are foldable inwardly between said front and rear panels in
a closed condition for the bag structure;
[0022] (e) one of said front and rear panels including a marginal
extension in the form of a closure flap at said first end of said
one of said front and rear panels; and
[0023] (f) an adhesive strip disposed on the inner surface of said
closure flap along the width of said opening, said closure flap
foldable over said opening and sealable to the outer surface of the
other of said front and rear panels in said closed condition.
[0024] The invention overcomes the deficiencies in previously
available gift or shopping bag structures as suggested above, by
providing a product containment bag structure having a sealable
adhesive closure at the top of the bag structure so that a product,
gift, or other item can be sealably contained inside the bag. The
sealable gift bag embodiment of the invention can be securely
closed in order to conceal the item contained in the bag, the use
of which can eliminate the need for a more expensive gift box or
gift wrapping. Because the shopping bag of the invention can be
sealed, such as at the point of retail sale, additional security
benefits are provided in that an item contained in the bag is
substantially protected from being taken from the purchaser
surreptitiously, and, additionally, other items cannot easily be
inserted into the bag after it is sealed. Further, the adhesive
comprising the closure structure of the bag top opening can be
selected to render the bag reclosable. In one or more of the
embodiments of the invention a substantially tight seal at the top
opening of the product containment bag may be accomplished, which
helps to preserve freshness of consumable products contained in the
bag. Further, for embodiments of the product containment bag
structure comprising insulating materials, hot or cold items such
as might be purchased at a food market or fast food or carryout
restaurant can be insulated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description of representative embodiments
thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that
form a part of this disclosure, wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag structure
representative of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag structure of FIG. 1
as viewed generally from the bottom of the bag.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an end view of the bag structure of FIG. 1 in the
folded condition.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows the upper portion of the FIG. 1 bag structure
in a partially closed condition.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the upper portion of the FIG. 1 bag structure
in a substantially fully closed condition.
[0031] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bag structure
representative of further embodiments of the invention with respect
to the top opening and adhesive closure structure.
[0032] FIG. 7 shows a view of the top portion of the bag structure
of FIG. 6 illustrating an adhesive closure structure embodiment of
the invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows a view of the top portion of the bag structure
of FIG. 6 illustrating another closure structure embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective
view a bag 10 structure representative of one embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag 10 of FIG. 1 as
viewed generally from the bottom of bag 10. It is noted at the
outset that a highly useful application of the invention is as
described herein as a gift bag for sealably concealing a gift item
as a surprise for a recipient on a gift giving occasion. However,
the invention in one or more of the embodiments described herein
can find use as a shopping bag, product containment at point of
retail sale, containment (including insulated containment) for fast
food, or other use as would occur to the skilled artisan guided by
these teachings.
[0035] Bag 10 comprises a generally rectangular structure having a
front panel 11 and back panel 12 and side panels 13 and 14 defined
by folded corners 15, 16, 17 and 18, each of said front, back and
side panels having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces
defining an interior volume 20 for receiving a gift, food item,
retail sales item or other product. The panels 11, 12, 13 and 14
define an opening 19 at a first end of the structure providing
access to the interior volume 20 of bag 10 for inserting items
therein. Side panels 13 and 14 are creased respectively as at
folding lines 13a, 13b, and 13c (see FIG. 2) and at folding lines
14a, 14b and 14c (see FIG. 1) and one of the front or back panels
11 or 12 is creased such as at 11a in order facilitate the inwardly
folding of sides 13 and 14 to the folded condition suggested in
FIG. 3. Bottom panel 22 defines a closed end for bag 10 at the
second end of the bag structure opposite to opening 19.
[0036] Bag 10 and other embodiments of the invention as described
herein may be formed of substantially any sheet materials
customarily used in the manufacture of gift or shopping bags for
retail use, such materials including cloth fabrics, plastics,
paper, or materials for hot or cold insulation, or others, the same
not considered limiting of the invention. In forming bag 10 using
sheet material, a piece of substantially rectangular material is
formed into the generally rectangular volumetric shape as shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 by folding as at corners 15 to 18, and joined as
at 24 using an adhesive in substantially conventional fashion. The
bottom 22 of bag 10 can then be closed to the configuration
suggested in FIG. 2 by inwardly folding portions of the bottom ends
of sides 13 and 14 to the form of gussets 27 and 28 and then
folding together base panels 30 and 31 of respective front panel 11
and back panel 12 and joining as at 32 using an adhesive, tape
(including decorative tape) or other joining means.
[0037] Reference is now made additionally to FIG. 4 that shows a
partial view (upper portion) of bag 10 as suggested in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2 folded to a partially closed condition. In accordance with
one aspect of the invention, strips of pressure sensitive (e.g.,
non-hardening) adhesive layers 41 and 42 are disposed on the inner
surfaces respectively of front panel 11 and back panel 12 near the
upper end of bag 10 near opening 19. Adhesives that can be
typically used in any of the embodiments of the invention as
described herein include any of the pressure sensitive adhesives or
cohesive-adhesive systems, or other conventional adhesive as would
occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention as taught
herein, the specific adhesive selected not considered limiting of
the invention or of the appended claims. Protective removable
(peel-off) strips 43 and 44 of paper, plastic or other material are
disposed over respective adhesive layers 41 and 42 to protect the
adhesive prior to an intended use of bag 10. The protective strips
may be removed and the upper end of bag 10 folded substantially as
suggested in FIG. 4 and closed as at opening 19 by joining
confronting adhesive layers 41 and 42 to form a sealed closure 45
as suggested in FIG. 5. In the sealed closure 45, end portions of
each of the adhesive layers 41 and 42 adhere to inner surfaces of
the upper ends of side panels 13 and 14 in the folded-in condition
shown in FIG. 5. By selecting an adhesive for the adhesive layers
in the structure of bag 10 that is releasable, the bag may be
reusable.
[0038] In a further aspect of the invention, adhesive layers 48 and
49 arc disposed on side panels 13 and 14 near the top of the bag 10
structure as suggested in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the layers 48 and 49
having respective removable protective strips 50 and 51 thereon
similarly to the structures of adhesive layers 41 and 42. Adhesive
layers 48 and 49 can provide additional closure seal to the
folded-in portions of side panels 13 and 14 in the folded condition
suggested in FIG. 5.
[0039] In yet another aspect of the invention, handles 62 and 63
may be attached in any conventional manner to the outer or inner
surfaces of panels 11 and 12, such as suggested in FIG. 5, in order
to provide a convenient means for carrying bag 10.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a perspective view
of a bag 70 structure representative of further structural
embodiments of the invention for the top opening and adhesive
closure. The bottom view of bag 70 is substantially the same as
that displayed for bag 10 in FIG. 2. Bag 70 comprises a generally
rectangular structure having a front panel 71 and back panel 72 and
side panels 73 and 74 defined by folded corners 75, 76, 77 and 78,
each of said front, back and side panels having respective outer
surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume 80 for
receiving a gift, food item, retail sales item or other product
similarly to that for bag 10 of FIG. 1. The panels 71, 72, 73 and
74 define an opening 79 at a first end of the structure providing
access to the interior volume 80 of bag 70 for inserting items
therein. Side panels 73 and 74 are creased respectively as at
folding lines 73a, 73b, and 73c (not shown in FIG. 6) and at
folding lines 74a, 74b and 74c shown in FIG. 6. One of the front or
back panels 71 or 72 is creased such as at 71a in order facilitate
the inwardly folding of sides 73 and 74 similarly to that shown for
bag 10 in FIG. 3. The bottom panel of bag 70 defines a closed
second end for bag 70 opposite to opening 79. Bag 70 may be
fabricated substantially as described in relation to FIG. 2 for bag
10.
[0041] With further reference now to FIG. 6, one or both of panels
71 and 72 can include marginal extensions in the form of
substantially similar confronting closure flaps 81 or 82. FIG. 7
illustrates an embodiment including both closure flaps 81 and 82,
and FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment using only one closure flap,
such as in the example shown, closure flap 82.
[0042] With further reference now specifically to FIG. 7 in
conjunction with FIG. 6, shown is a partial view (upper portion) of
bag 70 folded to a closed condition. In accordance with this aspect
of the invention, strips of pressure sensitive (preferably
non-hardening) adhesive layers 91 or 92 are disposed on the inner
surface of at least one of closure flaps 81 and 82. Protective
removable (peel-off) strips 93 and 94 of paper, plastic or other
material are disposed over respective adhesive layers 91 and 92
similarly to that described for bag 10 of FIG. 1. The protective
strips may be removed and the upper end of bag 7 folded
substantially as suggested in FIG. 7 and closed as at opening 79 by
joining confronting adhesive layers 91 and 92 to form a sealed
closure 96 as suggested in FIG. 8.
[0043] With further reference now specifically to FIG. 8, shown is
a partial view (upper portion) of a second form of bag 70 having
one closure flap 82 folded to a closed condition. In this aspect of
the invention, flap 82 having a strip of pressure sensitive
adhesive layer 92 is folded over the top of panel 71 and sealed to
the outer top surface of panel 71 to form the desired releasable
seal 96 (FIG. 8).
[0044] In a further aspect of the invention, and with reference
again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, a containment bag of the invention may
include on the outer surfaces thereof pictures, drawings, printing
or other decorative indicia 60 or other printed matter relating to
the type of product enclosed, such as might be appropriate for
enclosing a gift in celebration of a holiday, birthday, new-born
event, or any other gift-giving event. Alternatively, indicia 60
may comprise a retail advertisement in the use of the invention as
a shopping bag or fast food container or other use.
[0045] The invention therefore provides a sealable product
containment bag structure It is understood that modifications to
the invention may be made as might occur to one with skill in the
field of the invention within the scope of the appended claims. All
embodiments contemplated hereunder that achieve the benefits of the
invention have therefore not been shown in complete detail. Other
embodiments may be developed without departing from the spirit of
the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *