Abstract:
A reclosable bag includes a body and first and second reclosable seals. The body defines a storage cavity and first and second openings communicating between the storage cavity and a region external to the reclosable bag. The first reclosable seal is mounted to the body and operable to seal the first opening. The second reclosable seal is mounted to the body and operable to seal the second opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to reclosable plastic bags and, more particularly, to a reclosable plastic bag having multiple openings.  
         [0002]     Reclosable plastic bags are well known and are generally formed of plastic, such as polyethylene, and having a bottom and sides with an open mouth that is closed by a resealing zipper. Zippers are typically plastic strips, one side having a sized and shaped channel extending the length thereof and the other side having a protruding rib which is pushed into the channel on the opposite side to provide a seal between the sides covering the mouth of the bag. The bags can thereby be repeatedly opened and closed.  
         [0003]     Reclosable bags have many uses, including storage of items having varying shapes and sizes. Such bags are especially useful for storing and cataloging items because the bags are transparent and the contents can be easily seen. Also, a hole may be defined in the top lip of the bag to allow the bag, or multiple bags, to be stored or displayed on a peg hook. Reclosable bags are reusable and protect the items stored therein from the environment.  
         [0004]     When an item is placed in a reclosable bag, it is inserted in one direction and removed in the reverse direction. However, certain items that may be stored in such bags have a natural grain that may result in the item being damaged when it is either inserted or removed from the bag against that grain. For example, a model coniferous tree typically has branches that slope upward towards the tip of the tree. The tree may be inserted into the bag trunk first, but when it is removed, it must be pulled out tip first, against the grain of the branches. This movement against the grain can damage the branches.  
         [0005]     Another such item having a natural grain is a feather. For example, fly tying products, such as rooster and hen hackle, is such a feather. Fly tying hackle is an animal product that has a prominent grain. Hackle is usually sold and stored as a full or half cape, and the feathers are still attached to the bird&#39;s skin. Removal of the feathers against their grain from a reclosable bag, even if care is exercised, eventually creates damaged feathers.  
         [0006]     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a reclosable bag that allows items to be inserted and removed without going against the natural grain of the item, thereby reducing the likelihood that the item will be damaged, while still providing the protective and convenient features of such bags.  
         [0007]     This section of this document is intended to introduce various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention described and/or claimed below. This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present inventors have recognized that a reclosable bag may be provided with multiple openings disposed at different ends of the storage cavity to allow items stored therein to be inserted and removed from the bag without going against the natural grain of the item.  
         [0009]     One aspect of the present invention is seen in a reclosable bag including a body and first and second reclosable seals. The body defines a storage cavity and first and second openings communicating with the storage cavity. The first reclosable seal is mounted to the body and operable to seal the first opening. The second reclosable seal is mounted to the body and operable to seal the second opening.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the present invention is seen in a method for storing an item having a grain in a reclosable bag. The reclosable bag has a body defining a storage cavity, first and second openings communicating between the storage cavity and a region external to the reclosable bag, and first and second reclosable seals mounted to the body for sealing the first and second openings. The method includes opening at least the first reclosable seal. The item is inserted in a direction with the grain through the first opening into the storage cavity. The first and second reclosable seals are closed.  
         [0011]     These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The particular objects and advantages described herein may apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made, therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a reclosable bag in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of an exemplary closure that may be used with the reclosable bag of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3 and 4  provide side views of the reclosable bag of  FIG. 1  to illustrate how an item with a natural grain may be inserted into and removed without going against the grain of the item. 
     
    
       [0016]     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Nothing in this application is considered critical or essential to the present invention unless explicitly indicated as being “critical” or “essential.” 
         [0018]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numbers correspond to similar components throughout the several views and, specifically, referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention shall be described in the context of a reclosable bag  10 . The reclosable bag  10  includes a body  12  defining a storage cavity  14 . The body  12  may be formed using opposing side panels sealed (e.g., thermally welded) at their edges. The body  12  defines a first opening  16  proximate a first end  18  that communicates with the storage cavity  14  and a second opening  20  proximate a second end  22  that also communicates with the storage cavity  14 . A first reclosable seal  24  is provided for sealing the first opening  16 , and a second reclosable seal  26  is provided for sealing the second opening  20 . Although only two sets of openings  16 ,  20  and associated reclosable seals  24 ,  26  are illustrated, it is contemplated that more than two sets may be provided depending on the particular implementation.  
         [0019]     In the illustrated embodiment, the reclosable seals  24 ,  26  are thermally welded to the body  12 . Holes  28  may be disposed in the body  12  proximate one or more of the ends  18 ,  22  to allow the reclosable bag  10  to be hung on a peg hook for storage or display.  
         [0020]     In the illustrated embodiment, the body  12  defines a generally rectangular shape, however, the present invention is not limited at any particular geometry. Moreover, although the openings  16 ,  20  and seals  24 ,  26  are illustrated as extending along the entire width of the body  12 , other arrangements may be used. For example, the openings  16 ,  20  and seals  24 ,  26  could be disposed to cut across opposing corners of the body  12 . The geometry of the reclosable bag  10  may vary depending on the shapes and sizes of the items to be stored therein.  
         [0021]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary cross section view of the reclosable seal  24  is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the reclosable seals  24 ,  26  are similar, so only the seal  24  is described in detail herein to simplify the description. The reclosable seal  24  includes a male portion  30  and a female portion  32 . The male portion  30  includes a protruding rib member  34  and two protruding flanges  36 . The female portion  32  includes sidewalls  38  that define a channel  40  for receiving the interfacing rib member  34  of the male portion  30 . The flanges  36  enhance the seal between the rib member  34  and the sidewalls  38  by providing a tortuous fluid path and by inhibiting the spreading apart of the sidewalls  38  when interfacing with the rib member  34 .  
         [0022]     The present invention is not limited to any particular reclosable seal arrangement. For example, some reclosable seals have a slide that assists the user in mating the interlocking portions of the seal. Other types of reclosable seals employ adhesives that cooperate with or replace the mechanically interlocking seal members. Many types of reclosable seals are known in the art, and any such seal may be used. The particular seal arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  is provided for illustrative purposes, and it not intended to limit the present invention.  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , side views of the reclosable bag  10  of  FIG. 1  are provided to illustrate how an item  42  with a natural grain may be inserted into and removed from the storage cavity  14  without going against the grain of the item  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the item  42  is a feather. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to any particular item. Many items have a natural grain, such as feathers, hackle, craft items, etc.  
         [0024]     The item  42  has an end  44 , and the grain of the item  42  is defined in the direction away from the end  44 . The item  42  is inserted through the opening  16  at the end  18  of the body  12 , past the reclosable seal  24 , and into the storage cavity  14 . The reclosable seals  24 ,  26  may then be closed, thereby isolating the item  42  from the environment outside the storage cavity  14 . This isolation is useful where the item  42  is organic, such as a hackle. The item  42  is protected from environmental variation, bugs, mites, etc., thereby increasing the useful life of the item  42 .  
         [0025]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , to remove the item  42  from the reclosable bag  10 , the reclosable seal  26  may be opened, and the item  42  may be removed through the opening  20  at the opposing end  22  of the body  12  past the reclosable seal  26 , and out of the storage cavity  14 . The item  42  may be removed in the same direction as it was inserted, i.e., end  44  first. In this manner the items  42  is protected from damage that may be caused by moving the item against its natural grain.  
         [0026]     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.