Abstract:
The disclosure provides a food-service, food-packaging product package made from one material, having certain desired properties on an outside thereof, and a different material, having different desired properties, on an inside thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/525,864, filed Aug. 22, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to containers such as bags, and, more particularly, to bags for use in the food-service, food-packaging industry and methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems associated therewith. Specifically, some example bags according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may comprise dual-layer, pouch-style, food-service bags constructed from a non-stick inner layer and/or an outer layer having different characteristics. 
         [0003]    Specifically, sometimes it is desired in the food-service, food-packaging industry to have a package, such as a bag, for a food product that may be used for preparation as well as storage. The reasons for desiring a food package having utility in both storage and preparation are many but could include cleanliness and/or convenience. In the instances where a combination food storage, food preparation package is desired, it is likely that desired package properties for the inside of the package, such as non-stick and/or grease repellant properties will be different from the desired properties for the outside of the package, such as strength, stiffness, ease of applying printed indicia, etc. Accordingly, in the food-service, food-packaging industry, it may be desired to have a food product package for use in both storage and preparation that has a material having some desired properties on an inside portion thereof and a different material, having different desired properties on an outside portion thereof. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the foregoing, the present disclosure provides a food-service, food-packaging product package that utilizes one material, having certain desired properties on an outside thereof, and utilizes a different material, having different desired properties, on an inside thereof. One example of materials that may be desired for use on the inside of a food-service, food-packaging product include non-stick materials, such as silicone parchment release liner. Such non-stick materials may be desirable for some food packaging applications so that food products may be readily removed from the packaging. Constructing packaging from such non-stick materials may present challenges, however, because gluing some non-stick materials may be difficult due to the non-stick characteristics. Other materials, such as kraft paper, may provide some desirable characteristics (e.g., strength, stiffness, low cost, ease of applying printing, etc.), but may not provide desired non-stick and/or grease resistant characteristics. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an example pouch style bag containing a food item therein, according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the pouch style bag of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of outer and inner sheets operable for use in constructing the pouch style bag of  FIG. 1  in accordance with at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a front sectional perspective view of the partially folded outer and inner sheets shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the partially folded outer and inner sheets shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the fully folded outer and inner sheets as shown in  FIG. 5  having adhesive portions applied thereto in accordance with at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the example pouch style bag of  FIG. 1  in a folded down configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the example pouch style bag of  FIG. 1  in an upright orientation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is an alternate side perspective view of the example pouch style bag in flat orientation of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of production equipment operable to adhesively coat the fully folded outer and inner sheets as shown in  FIG. 6  having a paste bar oriented generally parallel to a feed axis according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of prior art bag production equipment having a paste bar oriented generally perpendicular to a feed axis for the bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present disclosure contemplates that it may be desirable to construct bags, such as food service bags, using some materials which may be difficult to use in connection with adhesives. For example, some non-stick materials, such as silicone parchment release liner, may be desirable for some food packaging applications so that food products may be readily removed from the packaging. Constructing packaging from some non-stick materials may present challenges, however, because gluing some non-stick materials may be difficult due to the non-stick characteristics. Other materials, such as kraft paper, may provide some desirable characteristics (e.g., ability to accept adhesives and stick to itself, strength, stiffness, low cost, ease of applying printing, etc.), but may not provide non-stick and/or grease resistant characteristics. 
         [0017]    Some example food service bags according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may comprise dual-layer bags configured to house food products during various food service operations. For example, some example bags may be configured to hold a food product during freezing, thawing, heating, and/or cooking operations. Some example embodiments may be configured for the food product to be removed from the bag prior to serving, and some example embodiments may be configured for serving the food product in the bag. Some example embodiments may comprise dual-layer bags configured to be grease resistant. 
         [0018]    As shown best in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 , a food service bag in accordance with at least some aspects of the present invention may comprise a double layered bag  100 . Bag  100  may be configured to hold one or more objects  10 , including food objects, such as a sandwich, pizza, french fries, etc. 
         [0019]    In some example embodiments, bag  100  may be constructed generally in the form of a pouch and may include a generally rectangular front panel  101  and a generally rectangular back panel  103 . Front panel  101  and back panel  103  may be joined together at a substantially closed end  104  (e.g., at a fold) and by opposed, bonded sides  106 ,  108 . Bag  100  may include a substantially open end  102  generally opposite substantially closed end  104 , and opposed, bonded sides  106 ,  108  may run from generally adjacent the substantially open end  102  to generally adjacent the substantially closed end  104 . Sides  106 ,  108  may be pleated (e.g., they may include folds arranged to permit expansion of bag  100 ). Thus, bag  100  may be generally in the form of a pouch. Bag  100  may include an outwardly facing exterior surface  110  and an inwardly facing interior surface  112 . An example bag  100  may be generally rectangular and about 10 inches long and about 4¼ wide. 
         [0020]    As shown best in  FIG. 3 , bag  100  may be comprised of an outer sheet  200  and an inner sheet  202 , which may be used to construct bag  100 , according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  may provide exterior surface  110  of bag  100  and inner sheet  202  may provide interior surface  112  of assembled bag  100 . In some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  may comprise a structural and/or insulative material (e.g., kraft paper and bleached kraft paper) and inner sheet  202  may comprise a non-stick and/or grease-resistant material (e.g., silicone parchment release liner and other non-stick materials). For example, if the outer sheet is chosen to be kraft paper, some specifications for kraft paper operable in aspects of the invention include the following. 
         [0000]                                                                                25# Natural MF Grease-Gard Kit 4 1 Side                                TAPPI       Test Property   Units   Min   Avg   Max   Method                    Basis Weight (24 × 26-500)   lbs   23.7   25.0   26.3   T-410       Porosity G   sec/100 cc   40   75   150   T-460       Repel   Repel No   3   4       T-559       Size H-W   sec   20   70       T-530       Tear CD   gms   16   26       T-414       Tear MD   gms   14   24       T-414                    
Similarly, if the inner sheet is chosen to be silicone parchment release liner, some specifications for such liner operable in aspects of the invention include the following.
 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 27 lb Silicone Parchment Release Liner 
               
               
                 Grade: B27 WRS-5 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Parameter 
                 Unit 
                 Nominal - Value 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Basis Weight 
                 lbs/ream 
                 27.0 
               
               
                   
                 Caliper 
                 mils 
                 2.2 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Tear 
                 MD 
                 lbs 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 CD 
                 lbs 
                 25.0 
               
               
                   
                 Tensile 
                 MD 
                 lbs 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 CD 
                 lbs 
                 13.0 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Mullen Wet 
                 lbs. 
                 2.0 
               
               
                   
                 Moisture 
                 % 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    In some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  and inner sheet  202  may be generally rectangular and may be about 11 inches wide by about 19½ inches long. In some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  and inner sheet  202  may be about the same size. In some example embodiments, inner sheet  202  may be larger or smaller than outer sheet  200 . 
         [0022]    Bulk materials from which outer sheet  200  and/or inner sheet  202  may be cut may be obtained in roll form. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, some operations in example methods of constructing bags  100  may be performed in a generally continuous manner on materials as they are unrolled, prior to cutting the unrolled materials into individual outer sheets  200  and/or inner sheets  202 . Thus, although the descriptions herein focus on constructing an individual bag  100  from an individual outer sheet  200  and an individual inner sheet  202 , it is to be understood that the various operations may be performed in a generally continuous manner on an uncut length of material comprising a plurality of outer sheets  200  and/or inner sheets  202 , and that cutting of materials into individual outer sheets  200  and inner sheets  202  may occur at least partway through a construction process. 
         [0023]    As shown best in  FIG. 4 , sheet assembly  204  may comprise outer sheet  200  and inner sheet  202 , which may be arranged against each other, flat surface to flat surface. In some example embodiments, sheet assembly  204  may be formed with outer sheet  200  and inner sheet  202  substantially aligned with each other. In some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  and inner sheet  202  may be offset relative to the other. 
         [0024]    In some example embodiments, one or more folds may be created in sheet assembly  204  to form sides  106 ,  108 . For example, generally longitudinal upward folds  206 A,  206 B, downward folds  208 A,  208 B, and/or upward folds  210 A,  210 B may be created in sheet assembly  204 . In some example embodiments, folds may be formed such that they are generally symmetrical across a longitudinal axis of sheet assembly  204 . In other words, folds generally towards a first longitudinal edge  212 A may be substantially mirrored by folds generally towards an opposed second longitudinal edge  212 B. In some example embodiments, an arrangement of folds may be generally asymmetrical. For example, an arrangement of folds generally towards first edge  212 A may differ from an arrangement of folds generally towards second edge  212 B. 
         [0025]    As shown best in  FIG. 6 , a downwardly facing surface of folded sheet assembly  204  may be substantially entirely outer sheet  200 . This downwardly facing surface will eventually form the outwardly facing surfaces of front panel  101  and back panel  103 . The upwardly facing surface of folded sheet assembly  204  may comprise laterally disposed, longitudinal strips of outer sheet  200  on both lateral sides of a section of inner sheet  202 . The upwardly facing strips of outer sheet  200  may be the result of creasing upward folds  206 A,  206 B, downward folds  208 A,  208 B, and upward folds  210 A,  210 B, which are described above and illustrated in  FIG. 5 . These folds may be generally in the form of accordion-type folds. In particular the upwardly facing strips of outer sheet  200  may comprise the portions of the outer sheet generally between edges  212 A,  212 B and the most laterally disposed folds  210 A,  210 B, respectively. 
         [0026]    In some example embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., cold starch glue) may be applied to one or more adhesive regions  214 A,  214 B,  214 C,  214 D on the portions of the outer sheet folded to be exposed on the inner side (upwardly facing surface) of the folded bag  100  outer sheet  200 . For example, adhesive regions  214 A,  214 B may be on a surface of outer sheet  200  generally between edge  212 A and fold  210 A and/or adhesive regions  214 C,  214 D may be on a surface of outer sheet  200  generally between edge  212 B and fold  210 B. In some example embodiments, adhesive may be applied to adhesive regions  214 A,  214 C, which may be arranged to join facing adhesive regions  214 B,  214 D, respectively, when sheet assembly  204  is folded. 
         [0027]    In some example embodiments, sheet assembly  204  may be formed into a generally pouch-style structure by folding at a fold line  216 , which may be located approximately in the middle of sheet assembly  204  and/or which may be oriented generally perpendicular to longitudinal edges  212 A and  212 B. Such folding may cause adhesive regions  214 A,  214 C (to which adhesive may have been applied) to contact and/or adhere to adhesive regions  214 B,  214 D (to which adhesive may or may not have been applied). 
         [0028]    As seen best in  FIG. 7 , in some example embodiments, outer sheet  200  may comprise substantially all of the exterior surface  110  and inner sheet  202  may comprise substantially all of interior surface  112 . Thus, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, inner sheet  202  comprising interior surface  112  may provide desired non-stick and/or grease-resistant characteristics to the interior of the bag  100  and outer sheet  200  comprising exterior surface  110  may provide desired handling and/or gluing characteristics to the exterior of the bag  100 . 
         [0029]    As best seen in  FIG. 10 , example bag  100  production equipment  300  may be comprised of adhesive applicators, such as paste bars  302 ,  304 , according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure. Paste bars  302 ,  304  may be configured to apply adhesive to adhesive regions  214 A,  214 C, respectively. In some example embodiments, one or more of paste bars  302 ,  304  may be oriented generally parallel with a feed axis  306  of production equipment  300 . 
         [0030]    In contrast, as best shown in  FIG. 11 , prior art bag production equipment  400 , is generally known by those of ordinary skill in the art, to have adhesive applicators  402  which are oriented generally perpendicular to the feed axis  404  of the production equipment. 
         [0031]    An example method of using food service packaging according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include the use in connection with a food product, such as a Panini sandwich. For example, a Panini sandwich may be assembled and placed in bag  100 , and bag  100  may be closed and/or sealed. For example, substantially open end  102  may be closed, folded over, and, if desired secured with adhesive tape. Bag  100  containing the Panini sandwich may then be placed in a freezer and/or refrigerator (if desired and/or necessary). Bag  100  containing the Panini sandwich may later be removed from the freezer and/or refrigerator and heated in a microwave oven and/or an oven. Then, the Panini sandwich, still in bag  100 , may be cooked, such as on a sandwich press (e.g., a Panini press). The cooked Panini sandwich may removed from bag  100  and served. Such a method may provide cleanliness and sanitation advantages because the food product may remain substantially isolated from the surrounding environment while it is sealed within the bag  100 . Thus, the risk of contamination of the food product may be reduced as the food product may be frozen, stored, heated, and/or cooked while remaining substantially isolated from the surrounding environment. Similarly, the likelihood of that the food product may leave food particles in the freezer, microwave, or oven may be reduced, thereby potentially improving cleanliness. 
         [0032]    While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.