Abstract:
A drainable bag for wet goods comprises a main storage area having an opening for introducing the wet goods, a first closure for closing the opening, a drainage reservoir; at least one drainage channel between the main storage area and the drainage reservoir; a detachment region along the drainage reservoir for aiding detachment of the drainage reservoir; and a second closure located between the storage area and the detachment region, for closing the main storage area following detachment of the drainage reservoir.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/497,552 filed Jun. 16, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a drainable storage bag for wet goods and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a bag for receiving the goods in a wet state, say immediately after washing and allowing the goods to be drained and stored therein, for example for the purposes of storage over time or transport. 
         [0003]    Plants constantly lose water to the air, mainly via their leafy parts, as if they were filter paper. Plants remain in a turgid state, that is will remain hard and firm and appear fresh, as long as they are intact and connected to a water source in the soil. When plant parts, such as leaves, shoots and fruits, are harvested as a crop they start to wilt and cease to look fresh in the customer&#39;s eye. The amount of water that plant parts lose to the air and thus the time that passes until they cease to appear fresh depends on the humidity around the plant material. If the environment is humid, they will lose less water, stay longer in a turgid state and the shelf life of the goods is thus extended. It is thus desirable, to keep the crop in humid conditions in order to provide a longer shelf life. 
         [0004]    Fruit and vegetables are wet goods, and processing of fruit and vegetables often involves washing. The fruit or vegetables are often stored or transported following washing and prior to reaching the customer. Customers expect to buy their produce fresh, but distributors require time to give them marketing flexibility and thus storage systems that extend the shelf life of the produce are important. 
         [0005]    Shelf life is governed by many factors, depending on the product. With fruit and vegetables, shelf life can be extended if the produce can be kept in a humid environment in a sealed container. If the goods are initially packed wet then they should be allowed to drain. 
         [0006]    Leafy vegetables tend to lose moisture, leading to rapid deterioration of vitamin C. Leafy vegetables are thus best stored in moisture-sealed plastic bags. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,163,324 relates to a bag for storing vegetables therein with eyelets provided for drainage. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,001,149 relates to a container for fruit and the like comprising two conical compartments, to allow for washing of the fruit whilst in the container. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,093 teaches a disposable salad spinner. A bag has a to storage chamber dimensioned to accept the washable goods of interest, a reservoir positioned beneath the storage chamber and connected to the storage chamber through a series of apertures. When the user revolves the bag, the excess water is driven down away from the washable goods through the apertures and into the reservoir. A channel extending up the side of the bag provides a means for draining the reservoir prior to sealing the bag for storage. The disposable salad spinner is intended, however, for consumer use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present embodiments allow packing of vegetables and fruits, when they are still wet. Excess water can be drained during shipping or storing but nevertheless the crop may be retained in humid conditions in order to provide a longer shelf life. 
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a drainable bag for wet goods comprising: 
         [0012]    a main storage area having an opening for introducing said wet goods; 
         [0013]    a first closure for closing said opening; 
         [0014]    a drainage reservoir; 
         [0015]    at least one drainage channel separating said main storage area from said drainage reservoir; 
         [0016]    a detachment region across said bag for aiding detachment of said drainage reservoir from said main storage area; and 
         [0017]    a second closure located between said main storage area and said detachment region, for closing said main storage area following detachment of said drainage reservoir. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, said at least one drainage channel comprises a plurality of small drainage channels. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, said plurality of small drainage channels comprise perforations in a septum dividing said main storage area from said reservoir. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, said second closure is located between said perforated septum and said detachment region. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, said first closure is a reversible closure. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, said second closure is a reversible closure. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, said detachment region comprises one member of the group consisting of a perforation, a score, a weakened section of bag wall, corresponding male and female tracks, and an embedded tear tape. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, said detachment region extends over a width of said drainage reservoir, from a first side of said bag to a second, opposite, side of said bag. 
         [0025]    The bag may contain wet goods in the main storage area, the main storage area being closed via said first closure, said second closure being open thereby to render the wet goods drainable via said at least one drainage channel into said drainage reservoir. 
         [0026]    The bag may contain drained wet goods in the main storage area, the drainage reservoir detached therefrom and the main storage area closed via said first closure and further via said second closure. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, said first closure and said second closure are sealing closures for sealing said main storage area. 
         [0028]    The bag may comprise collapsible material. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, said second closure comprises a zipper, the zipper comprising a closable track on facing sides of the bag, and a travel element for traveling over said closable track to close said bag in one direction and to open said bag in a second, opposite, direction, said travel element comprising pressing elements for pressing inwardly onto said track and a bridge element for linking said pressing elements, travel of said travel element being prevented by said drainage reservoir, such that said second closure is closable only when said drainage reservoir is removed. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the wet goods comprise vegetables. 
         [0031]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of draining wet goods, comprising: 
         [0032]    placing said wet goods in a main storage area, said main storage area being terminated by at least one drainage channel leading to a reservoir; 
         [0033]    leaving said wet goods in said main storage area to drain via said at least one drainage channel; and 
         [0034]    detaching said reservoir. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, the method may involve closing said main storage area via a first closure after placing said wet goods therein, and reclosing said main storage area via a second closure following detachment of said reservoir. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, said at least one drainage channel comprises a plurality of small channels. 
         [0037]    In an embodiment, said plurality of small channels comprise perforations in a septum dividing said main storage are from said reservoir. 
         [0038]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0039]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments. 
         [0040]    The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. 
           [0042]    In the drawings: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram illustrating a drainable storage bag for storage of wet goods such as fruit and vegetables according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating the use of a drainable bag such as that shown in  FIG. 1  according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0045]    The present embodiments comprise a bag having a main chamber or storage area and a drainage reservoir separated from the main chamber by a drainage region, typically a perforated septum that allows for passage of fluid but not of the goods. A detachment region allows the reservoir to be detached while leaving the main chamber intact. The detachment region may comprise a perforation, a score, a weakened section of bag wall, an embedded tear tape, or any other means for allowing a clean tear that does not damage the rest of the bag and prevent further sealing of the main storage area. 
         [0046]    A first openable closure leads to the main chamber for insertion of the wet goods, and is closable, preferably via a zipper. A second openable closure leads from the main chamber to the fluid reservoir and is likewise closable, preferably via a zipper. 
         [0047]    In use both closures are opened and the wet goods are introduced into the main chamber. The first closure is then closed to seal the main chamber. The wet goods drain with time into the reservoir via the perforated septum and the now open second closure and then the reservoir is detached via the detachable perforation. The second closure is closed to reseal the main chamber after the main chamber becomes unsealed by the detachment of the reservoir. 
         [0048]    In an embodiment, the reservoir impedes the passage of a zipper element of the second closure so that drainage cannot be inadvertently prevented too early during storage. 
         [0049]    The principles and operation of an apparatus and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description. 
         [0050]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0051]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a plastic, or other collapsible disposable material, that can be used as a closable or sealable bag. The bag is designed to store washable goods such as wet vegetables. The bag  10  has an upper  12  and lower  14  closure, typically reversible closures which are closed via respective zippers. The upper zipper  12  is closed after the wet goods are placed inside a main chamber  16 . A lower zipper  14  remains open to allow excess fluid from washing of the wet goods to drain through one or more drainage channels into a lower fluid reservoir  20 . Typically the drainage channels comprise perforations in a septum that divides the main storage area from the reservoir. Such a perforated septum  22  extends across the width of the bag and the perforations allow drainage into a lower fluid reservoir  20 . The perforated septum may thus comprise tiny apertures, or even micro-channels, designed to allow fluid drainage and to keep the goods in humid conditions in the main chamber  16 . 
         [0052]    When the excess fluids have accumulated in the reservoir, the lower part of the bag, which forms the fluid reservoir  20  can be detached, for example along a widthwise perforation  22 . The widthwise perforation separates upper and lower parts of the bag. Following separation the lower zipper  14  is closed to seal the wet goods in the main chamber  16 . 
         [0053]    The detachment is typically irreversible. Detachment may be for example via a perforation, a score, a weakened section of bag wall, corresponding male and female tracks, or an embedded tear tape. In the case of corresponding male and female tracks the detachment may be reversible. 
         [0054]    In the case of a perforation, a score, a weakened section of bag wall, or an embedded tear tape, additional reattachment means may be provided. Such means may for example comprise corresponding male and female tracks in the bag walls. 
         [0055]    In an embodiment, the lower zipper comprises a traveling element that passes over a track in the bag. The traveling element is shaped to close the track in one direction and open the track in the other direction and as such presses against both sides of the bag. The traveling element therefore comprises two shaped pressing elements joined together by a bridge element. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment the lower traveling element cannot follow the track across the bag until the reservoir is removed, since the reservoir blocks the way of the bridge element part. Thus it is possible to ensure that the bag cannot inadvertently be sealed prior to removal of the reservoir, thereby interfering with proper draining. 
         [0057]    In a further embodiment the bag may have ventilation holes. For example the wall of the bag may have small rounded holes. 
         [0058]    The bag permits to pack and store the goods while still wet and to remove the excess fluids during storage or shipping or even after shipping, thus allowing the goods to dry while keeping them in a closed humid environment. Such a packaging system is expected to prolong the shelf life of sealed goods such as vegetables. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first closure, the septum, the second closure and the detachment perforation are all parallel along a widthwise direction of the bag. However other mutual orientations may be appropriate in different storage systems as long as the water is able to drain into the reservoir. 
         [0060]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified flow chart illustrating how the present embodiments may be used. A method of draining wet goods, comprises  30  placing the wet goods in the main storage area. As explained, the main storage area is terminated by one or more drainage channels, typically a perforated septum, leading to a reservoir. The first closure is then closed  32  and the wet goods are left to drain. The reservoir is detached  34  and the second closure is then closed to seal the main storage chamber. 
         [0061]    It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. 
         [0062]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.