U.S. patent application number 16/185674 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for food packaging systems with finger gloves.
This patent application is currently assigned to SMITM Technology, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is SMTM Technology, LLC. Invention is credited to Nick Bovis.
Application Number | 20190077564 16/185674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64605408 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190077564 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bovis; Nick |
March 14, 2019 |
FOOD PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH FINGER GLOVES
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a disposable food storage bag
including a pair of disposable finger gloves that can be separated
from the food storage bag and worn to prevent a user's fingers from
directly contacting the food content inside the storage bag. In an
example, the disposable finger gloves can be positioned at and
around the top portion of the food storage bag, wherein the removal
the disposable finger gloves (e.g., tearing according to
perforation) creates an opening in the food storage bag for access
to the inner contents.
Inventors: |
Bovis; Nick; (San Mateo,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SMTM Technology, LLC |
San Mateo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SMITM Technology, LLC
|
Family ID: |
64605408 |
Appl. No.: |
16/185674 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15690712 |
Aug 30, 2017 |
10155613 |
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16185674 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/087 20130101;
B65D 75/5805 20130101; B65D 33/00 20130101; A41D 27/08
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; A41D 27/08 20060101 A41D027/08; A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08 |
Claims
1. A food storage bag comprising: a food storage bag including a
body assembled to form an enclosed container, wherein the body is
joined at a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein opening the food
storage bag creates a top opening in the food storage bag enabling
a user to access the interior of the food storage bag, wherein the
interior of the food storage bag includes a finger glove strip
including a strip body having distal ends, wherein each distal end
includes at least one pocket to accommodate at least one finger or
thumb of the user.
2. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the finger glove strip
includes a single sheet of material, wherein the pockets are formed
by folding the ends of the strip body back over itself and sealing
a pocket top edge to a portion of the body strip top edge and
joining a pocket bottom edge to a portion of the body strip bottom
edge.
3. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein each pocket includes a
front wall including an unsealed front wall edge and three sealed
edges to the food strip body, wherein the front wall edge forms a
pocket opening to receive a user's finger or thumb.
4. The food storage bag of claim 3, wherein the front wall edge is
removably attached to the food strip body.
5. The food storage bag of claim 1, further comprising a protective
strip positioned over an external surface of the finger glove
strip, wherein the protective strip is removably attached to the
finger glove strip.
6. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein an external surface of
the pockets include an animal image.
7. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein an external surface of
the food strip body include an animal image.
8. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the finger glove strip
is housed in a disposable protective enclosure within the food
storage bag, wherein opening the disposable protective enclosure
accesses the finger glove strip.
9. The food storage bag of claim 8, wherein the disposable
protective enclosure is a sealed enclosure.
10. A food storage bag comprising: a food storage bag including a
body assembled to form an enclosed container; and a finger glove
strip removably attached to an inner surface of the body of the
food storage bag, wherein the finger glove strip includes a strip
body having distal ends, wherein each distal end includes at least
one pocket to accommodate at least one finger or thumb of the
user.
11. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein the finger glove
strip is removable from the food storage bag by removable
adhesion.
12. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein the finger glove
strip includes a single sheet of material, wherein the pockets are
formed by folding the ends of the strip body back over itself and
sealing a pocket top edge to a portion of the body strip top edge
and joining a pocket bottom edge to a portion of the body strip
bottom edge.
13. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein each pocket includes
a front wall including an unsealed front wall edge and three sealed
edges to the food strip body, wherein the front wall edge forms a
pocket opening to receive a user's finger or thumb.
14. The food storage bag of claim 13, wherein the front wall edge
is removably attached to the food strip body.
15. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein an external surface
of the pockets includes an animal image.
16. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein an external surface
of the food strip body includes an animal image.
17. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein the finger glove
strip is removable from the food storage bag by perforation.
18. The food storage bag of claim 10, wherein the finger glove
strip is housed in a disposable protective enclosure within the
food storage bag, wherein opening the disposable protective
enclosure accesses the finger glove strip, wherein the disposable
protective enclosure is removably adhered to the inner surface of
the food storage bag.
19. The food storage bag of claim 18, wherein the disposable
protective enclosure is a sealed enclosure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/690,712, filed on Aug. 30, 2017, the
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present subject matter relates generally to systems to
cover a user's fingers while picking up to food to prevent direct
contact between a user's fingers and the food.
[0003] People often decide against eating foods such as chicken
wings, flavored chips, and barbequed pork ribs in order to avoid
getting sauce on their hands and potentially their clothing. Even
when conditions are acceptable for eating messy foods, people tend
to avoid touching anything while their hands have sauce on them
thereby precluding them from consuming beverages until they have
finished eating the entire serving and have cleaned their hands. In
addition, people often avoid certain foods eaten with a person's
fingers that include colorful chips or sauce that results in
temporarily dying the person's fingers, wherein even after washing
their hands the color remains and can color other items they touch
in the future.
[0004] Various systems have been created to address a portion of
these issues. For example, metal or plastic tongs used to select
food from a container, such as at a bakery or buffet. In addition,
disposable paper based finger food tongs have been formed by
folding a sheet of paper or plastic material to form opposite
pockets with mid-facing pocket openings, which are not sealed for
sanitary use.
[0005] However, even with the conventional finger gloves such tongs
must be purchased or provided separately, prior to eating or
handling food. For example, disposable finger gloves or sanitary
gloves can be provided stacked in a container that allows a user to
wear before handling the food. However, many people do not have
access to finger gloves, much less a container of finger gloves at
the time of eating. Further, few users would think to pack finger
gloves in a personal bag, for example when traveling, in case of an
event arising that would require the use of such tongs.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for finger gloves that are
conveniently provided at the event of use, wherein the tongs
protect a user's fingers from directly contacting the food while
consuming.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present disclosure provides a type of finger gloves that
enables users to comfortably manipulate food without the user's
fingers coming into direct contact with the food. Various examples
of the methods are provided herein.
[0008] The present disclosure provides a disposable food storage
bag system including a food storage bag and a pair of disposable
finger gloves that can be separated from the food storage bag and
worn to prevent a user's fingers from directly contacting the food
content inside the storage bag (e.g., chips, crackers, chex mix,
candy, chocolates, etc.). In an example, the disposable finger
gloves can be positioned at and around the top of the food storage
bag, wherein the removal the disposable finger gloves (e.g.,
tearing according to perforation) creates an opening in the food
storage bag for access to the inner contents. Alternatively, the
finger gloves can be attached to any portion of the outer surface
of the food storage bag, wherein the finger gloves can be removed
without opening the food storage bag. In yet another example, the
finger gloves can be included inside the food storage bag, such as
in a separate wrapped package.
[0009] The finger gloves can be formed by a strip of paper or other
flexible disposable material, wherein both ends of the strip
include a pocket for at least one of a user's fingers and thumb to
be inserted, respectively. The strip can be folded about its middle
so that its pocketed ends form jaws and such that each pocket is
located on the outer surface of the strip, wherein the inner
surface of the finger gloves is used to handle the food substance
when worn by the user by inserting a finger, or fingers, into the
one pocket, and a thumb into the other pocket.
[0010] In an example, the food storage bag comprises a food storage
bag including a body assembled to form an enclosed container,
wherein the body is joined at a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein
the body includes a removable top portion and a bottom portion,
wherein separating the removable top portion from the bottom
portion creates a top opening in the food storage bag enabling a
user to access the interior of the food storage bag, wherein the
removable top portion includes a finger glove strip including a
strip body having distal ends, wherein each distal end includes at
least one pocket to accommodate at least one finger or thumb of the
user
[0011] In an example, the food storage bag comprises a food storage
bag including a body assembled to form an enclosed container; and a
finger glove strip removably attached to an outer surface of the
body of the food storage bag, wherein the finger glove strip
includes a strip body having distal ends, wherein each distal end
includes at least one pocket to accommodate at least one finger or
thumb of the user.
[0012] In an example, the food storage bag comprises a food storage
bag including a body assembled to form an enclosed container,
wherein the body is joined at a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein
the body includes a removable top portion and a bottom portion,
wherein separating the removable top portion from the food storage
bag creates a top opening in the food storage bag enabling a user
to access to the interior of the food storage bag, wherein the
removable top portion includes at least two finger sleeves, wherein
each finger sleeve includes at least one pocket to accommodate at
least one finger or thumb of the user
[0013] An advantage of the present system is to provide finger
gloves that are provided with the food product for convenient use
and packaging.
[0014] An advantage of the present system is to provide finger
gloves that do not have to be purchased or packed separately, but
provided with the specific food product that the finger gloves will
be used.
[0015] A further advantage of the present system is to provide
finger gloves suitable for use in handling food, which can be
produced at a cost sufficiently low to make it practicable for the
user to throw them away after only one use.
[0016] An advantage of the present system is to provide finger
gloves that can be manufactured concurrently with the food storage
bag.
[0017] An advantage of the present system includes reducing
manufacturing materials in contrast to systems that manufacture the
finger gloves separately. By using the finger gloves as part of the
food storage bag, less materials and resources are used than would
be if the food storage bag and finger gloves are manufactured
separately.
[0018] Another advantage of the present systems is improved
hygienic food handling as with the present system the user does not
have direct contact with the food being handled except for directly
eating the food instead of touching the food.
[0019] Another advantage of the present system is the reduced
likelihood of spreading disease causing viruses and bacteria by
preventing a user from contaminating his food with his or her dirty
fingers.
[0020] Another advantage of the present systems is providing a
protective strip to maintain a sterile food strip before use.
[0021] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
examples will be set forth in part in the description which
follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following description and the
accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation
of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be
realized and attained by means of the methodologies,
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in
accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by
way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer
to the same or similar elements.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view of a food storage bag system
including the finger glove strip.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the finger
glove strip removed from the food storage bag.
[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are front views of an example of a food storage
bag system including a finger glove strip, wherein the food tong
strip is protected by a protective strip that can be removed before
using the finger gloves.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of finger gloves
including a decorative element on the pockets.
[0027] FIGS. 5A-5H are perspective views of an example of a food
storage bag system including a removable top portion including a
top back portion and a top front portion that can include the
finger glove strip, wherein the food tong strip is protected by a
protective strip that can be removed along with the top back
portion before using the finger gloves.
[0028] FIGS. 6A-6F are perspective views of an example of a food
storage bag system including a finger glove strip that spans the
entire removable top portion.
[0029] FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective views of an example of a food
storage bag system including a finger glove comprising at least one
finger sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The present disclosure provides a type of eating utensil
that enables users to comfortably manipulate food without the
user's fingers coming into direct contact with the food. Various
examples of the methods are provided herein.
[0031] The present disclosure provides a disposable food storage
bag including a pair of disposable finger gloves that can be
separated from the food storage bag and worn to prevent a user's
fingers from directly contacting the food content inside the
storage bag. In an example, the disposable finger gloves can be
positioned at and around the top portion of the food storage bag,
wherein the removal the disposable finger gloves (e.g., tearing
according to perforation) creates an opening in the food storage
bag for access to the inner contents. Alternatively, the finger
gloves can be attached to any portion of the outer surface of the
food storage bag, wherein the finger gloves can be removed (e.g.,
peeled off) without opening the food storage bag. In yet another
example, the finger gloves can be included inside the food storage
bag, such as in a separate wrapped package.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the food packaging system 10 includes a
disposable food storage bag 12 and a finger glove strip 14. The
food storage bag 12 and finger glove strip 14 can be made of the
same or different materials. In an example, the finger glove strip
14 can be made of any polymeric material, paper, plastic, among
others. In an example, the finger glove strip 14 can be composed of
a flexible polymer material, such as latex, to provide more
flexibility and give during use to prevent puncture and provide
increased mobility.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the finger glove strip 14 forms a
portion of the outer circumference of the top of the food storage
bag 12. In an example, the removal of the finger glove strip 14
creates an opening in the food storage bag 12. Alternatively, the
finger glove strip 14 can be adhered to a portion of the outer
surface of the food storage bag 12. For example, the finger glove
strip 14 can be removeably attached to the outer surface of the
food storage bag 12 by any suitable means, including, but not
limited to, adhesive, glue, perforation, tape, and tabs, among
others.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the finger gloves 14 can be formed by a
strip of material wherein each end includes a pocket 16. The
pockets 16 can be any suitable size. In an example, the size of the
pockets are suitable to house a portion of at least one finger or
thumb. The width of the pocket 16 can be suitable to have one to
four fingers inserted within the pocket. In an example, a first
pocket can have a width suitable to house a portion of one to four
fingers and the second pocket suitable to house a portion of a
user's thumb. The length of the pockets 16 can cover at least one
finger digit to a length that covers three finger digits when the
fingers are inserted within the pocket. The first pocket and second
pocket can be the same of different sizes.
[0035] In an example, the finger gloves 14 are formed from a single
strip of disposable material, however, any suitable material is
contemplated. Each pocket 16 has a front wall 20 which constitutes
a folded-over extension of the respective end of the strip body 22
and which is secured at the sides 24 by a band of suitable
adhesive. The finger glove strip can include a single sheet of
material, wherein the pockets 16 are formed by folding the ends of
the strip body 22 back over itself and sealing a pocket top edge 50
to a portion of the body strip top edge 52, and a pocket bottom
edge 54 to a portion of the body strip bottom edge 56.
[0036] The pockets 16 can be any suitable shape including square,
rectangular, conical, among others. The strip body 22 is flexible
to be bent or folded about its midpoint, so that the pocket 16 ends
of the trip body 22 form jaws or tongs to handle food products. The
arrangement s such that the finger gloves 14 can worn by the user
inserting a finger or fingers into a first pocket 16 and a thumb
into a second pocket 17. On pressing the ends of the strip together
the fingers and thumb, inserted in the respective pockets 16,17,
gripping pressure can thereby be applied through the finger gloves
14 to the product to be handled.
[0037] In an example, the open edge 24 of the front wall 20 of the
pocket 16 lays flat against the strip body 22 before use.
Alternatively, the open edge 24 of the front wall 20 can be
removably attached (e.g., removably adhered) to the front wall 20
until the user is ready to remove the finger gloves 14 from the
food storage bag 12 for use or wear. For example, the open edge 24
can be separable from the front wall 20 by perforation, wax,
adhesion, glue, among others, before use.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the finger gloves 14 can be
protected from external exposure before use by a protective strip
18. As a result of using the protective strip 18, the finger gloves
14 can remain sanitary before use. Therefore, users can handle,
transport, and pack the food storage bag 12 without fear of
contaminating (dirtying, soiling, etc.) the finger gloves 14. In an
example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the protective strip 18 folds over
the entire outer surface of the finger glove strip 14. In an
example, both a top edge and bottom edge of the protective strip 18
is removeably attached to a top edge and bottom edge of the finger
gloves 14. In an example, the edges of the finger gloves 14 and
protective strip 18 can be removeably attached by perforation,
adhesion, glue, tabs, or any other suitable method. FIG. 3B depicts
the removal of the finger gloves 14 and folded over protective
strip 18 from the food storage bag 12. FIG. 3C depicts unfolding
the protective strip 18 by removing the bottom edge of the
protective strip 18 from the bottom edge of the finger gloves 14 to
expose the finger gloves 14. Lastly, the protective strip 18 can be
removed from the top edge of the finger gloves 14, as shown in FIG.
3D, such that a user can wear the finger gloves 14.
[0039] Alternatively, or in addition to, the protective strip 18
can be adhered to the outer surface of the finger gloves 14, such
that before use, the protective strip 18 can be easily peeled off
to expose the finger gloves 14 for use. In an example, only a
portion of the finger gloves 14 are covered by the protective strip
18. For example, two smaller protective strips 18 can be used to
protect the pockets 16 or ends of the tongs to assure sanitary
conditions for use.
[0040] FIGS. 5A-5H illustrate an example wherein the food storage
bag 12 includes a removable top portion 34, wherein the removal or
separation of the removable top portion 34 from the remaining food
storage bag 12 provides an opening in the food storage bag 12. In
the example, the top removable portion of the bag 34 includes a
back top portion 30 (as shown in the back view in FIG. 5B) and a
front top portion 32 (as shown in the front view in FIG. 5A),
wherein the front top portion 32 includes the finger gloves 14
covered by the protective strip 18 on the front side of the food
storage bag 12. FIGS. 5C-5D illustrate the step of removal of the
top removable portion 34 from the food storage bag 12, wherein FIG.
5C is the front view and FIG. 5D is the back view. The back top
portion 30 and the front top portion 32 can be separated from each
other, for example by perforation or adhesion, as shown in FIGS.
5E-5F. As explained previously herein, the protective strip 18 can
be removed from the finger gloves 14 for use.
[0041] In yet another example, shown in FIGS. 6A-6E, the finger
gloves 14 can form the removable top portion 34 wherein the finger
gloves 14 extend around the entire circumference of the food
storage bag 12. In such case, the end edge both pockets 16 can be
removably joined together, and separated before use. FIGS. 6A-6B
illustrate the front and back sides respectively. Once the top
portion 34 is removed, the front and back views of the finger
gloves 14 can be seen in FIGS. 6C-6D. FIGS. 6E-6F illustrates a
perspective view of the finger gloves 14 before and after the
pockets 16 have been separated from each other, forming useable
tongs. In addition, although not shown, it is contemplated that a
protective strip 18 can cover the entire exposed surface of the
finger gloves 14, wherein the protective strip 18 can be removed
before use to assure a sanitary surface of the tongs before
use.
[0042] In an example, the inner surface of the finger gloves 14 can
include a textured surface to provide a grabbing surface to assist
in holding the food product between the finger gloves 14 while in
use. The textured surfaces may be crimped, embossed, or formed in
the inner surface of the finger gloves 14, or may be provided on
adherable stickers or substrates attachable to the inner surface of
the finger gloves 14.
[0043] In an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the appearance of the
finger gloves while being worn by the user, also allows the distal
ends of the finger gloves to be manipulated by the user so as to
create the illusion of an animated structure. For example, the
pockets 16 and strip body 22 can be enhanced by artwork or other
indicia to create a puppet that appears to open and close at its
mouth.
[0044] In yet another example, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, instead of
the finger gloves 14 including a strip body 22 with two pockets 16
on each end, the finger gloves 14 can include one or more finger
sleeves 40 that are not connected to each other while in use. In
other words, the system 10 can include a food storage bag 12 with
at least two or more finger sleeves 40 attached to or incorporated
in the storage bag 12, wherein a user can wear the finger sleeves
on at least one finger and thumb. As shown in FIG. 7B, the finger
tongs 14 can be removed from the food storage bag 12, wherein the
finger tongs 14 includes one to four connected finger sleeves 40,
wherein the finger sleeves 40 are connected via perforation or
adhesion. FIG. 7C depicts the finger sleeves 40 separated from each
other and ready for use to be worn by the user, as shown in FIG.
7D.
[0045] In contrast to the example where the finger glove strip are
incorporated or attached to the structure of the food storage bag
12, the finger glove strip can be provided inside the bag 12 such
as in a disposable protective enclosure. In such case, the user can
open the food storage bag 12, remove the packaged finger gloves 14
from the disposable protective enclosure, and wear the finger
gloves 14 while contacting the food.
[0046] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to
the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled
in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and
without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various
embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on
various combinations of the features and functions from the subject
matter provided herein.
* * * * *