Abstract:
A shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top of the bag is described that includes generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels and pleated side panels interconnecting the front and rear panels, the front, rear and side panels forming at one end thereof a top opening for the bag structure and being folded together at the other end thereof to form a closed bottom for the bag structure, and at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of the front and rear panels near the first ends thereof, each pair of cut lines extending from the top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by each pair of cut lines on the front and rear panels. The tab portions can be folded and interlocked to form a closed condition for the bag structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to shopping bag structures, and more particularly to a shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top of the bag. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Retail sales establishments, grocery markets and other retailers use various sizes, shapes and kinds of bags to assist the customer in containing, transporting, protecting and preserving goods, groceries and other products purchased by the customer. Shopping bags in current use generally comprise paper structures with or without handles, or molded plastic bags with handles molded into plastic structure. These bag types have top openings into which purchased goods are inserted into the bags. Because it may be desirable to close the top of the bag in order to cover its contents, there is a need for a bag structure having a simple, inexpensive and effective closure structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a shopping bag structure comprising: 
         [0004]    (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; 
         [0005]    (b) pleated side panels interconnecting said front and rear panels; 
         [0006]    said front, rear and side panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, and a closed bottom at a second end of said panels; 
         [0007]    (c) 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 top opening for the bag structure; and 
         [0008]    (d) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof. 
         [0009]    The invention further relates to an improvement in shopping bag structures having generally rectangular confronting front and rear panels, each having an inner surface and an outer surface and defining a top opening for said bag structure at respective first ends of said front and rear panels, an improvement, the improvement comprising, means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof. 
         [0010]    The invention relates also to a shopping 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) said front and rear panels defining a top opening for the bag structure at a first end of said panels, said front and rear panels joined together at a second end of said panels to form a closed bottom end for the bag structure; 
         [0013]    (c) means defining at least one pair of spaced apart cut lines on each of said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof, each said pair of cut lines extending from said top opening downwardly and converging whereby confronting trapezoidal shaped tab portions are defined by said pairs of spaced apart cut lines on said front and rear panels near said first ends thereof. 
         [0014]    The invention can be incorporated into an existing production line with little impact on production and typically no additional material costs. The shopping bag of the invention avoids prior art requirements for additional closure materials or appliques applied during the bag production process. 
         [0015]    The invention overcomes the deficiencies in previously available shopping bag structures as suggested above, by providing a bag structure having a pair of spaced apart solid cut lines on confronting front and rear panels of the bag structure near the top opening of the bag, each pair of cut lines extending from the top opening downwardly and converging to form confronting trapezoidal-shaped tab portions on the front and rear panels. The top opening of the bag may be closed by folding one of the tab portions inwardly with respect to the interior of bag, and folding the other portion into the opening left by the other portion in an interlocking relationship. A small adhesive strip can be included on the tab portions for enhanced closure effectiveness. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    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: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bag structure representative of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bag structure of  FIG. 1  as viewed generally from the bottom of the bag. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the bag structure of  FIG. 1  in the folded condition. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows the upper portion of the  FIG. 1  bag structure in a closed condition. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bag structure of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    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 shopping bag, but 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. 
         [0023]    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 retail sales item, fast food 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  13   a ,  13   b , and  13   c  (see  FIG. 2 ) and at folding lines  14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  (see  FIG. 1 ) and one of the front or back panels  11  or  12  is creased such as at  11   a  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 . 
         [0024]    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 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 or other joining means. 
         [0025]    Further reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which shows a partial view (upper portion) of bag  10 , showing bag  10  folded to a closed condition. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the upper ends of panels  11  and  12  have trapezoidal-shaped tab cutout portions  41  and  42  defined therein in confronting locations along the upper edges of panels  11  and  12  defining opening  19 . Tab portions  41  and  42  may be formed by any means as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention in order to accomplish the purpose of the portions  41  and  42  as described hereinbelow. In one embodiment of the invention, tab portions  41  and  42  are formed in respective panels  11  and  12  by means defining respective solid cut lines  41   a  and  41   b  and  42   a  and  42   b . Other means defining portions  41  and  42  may be used as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention such as lines of perforations in respective panels  11  and  12 , the same considered to be within the scope of these teachings and of the appended claims. The solid cut lines  41   a ,  41   b ,  42   a  and  42   b  allow tab portions  41  and  42  to be folded inwardly or outwardly such as the outwardly folded portion  41  defined by dashed lines demonstrated in  FIG. 1  at  41   c . Additionally, in further aspects and embodiments of the invention, more than one set of portions  41  and  42  may be defined along the respective upper edges of panels  11  and  12  to provide multiple closure locations. The sizes of trapezoidal shaped portions  41  and  42  and of the corresponding openings defined by the aforementioned folding as shown in  FIG. 1  at  41   c  can be selected according to the overall size of the bag  10 , the specific sizes of portions  41  and  42  not considered limiting of the invention. For example, and depending on bag  10  size, portions  41  and  42  may typically range in width from less than about one inch to about five inches or more across the top thereof, and about one-half inch to about four inches or more along the bottom thereof and in length (height) from about one inch to about five inches or more, depending on the overall height of bag  10 . It is seen that the trapezoidal shape of tab portions  41  and  42  is defined by the dimension across the top end of each portion  41  and  42  being greater than the dimension across the bottom of each portion. 
         [0026]    With reference now specifically to  FIG. 4 , it is seen that closure of the bag  10  at opening  19  can be accomplished by folding portions  41  and  42  inwardly with respect to the interior of bag  10  as suggested by the inwardly folded portion  41  of  FIG. 4 , or one of portions  41  and  42  is folded outwardly or removed as by tearing or cutting. Sides  13  and  14  are then folded inwardly as suggested in  FIG. 4  to close the bag at opening  19 . The inwardly folded portion (portion  42  in the example of  FIG. 4 ) is then folded into the opening (such as at  45 ) left by the folding or removal of the other portion ( 41 ). In  FIG. 4 , portion  42  is shown folded into the space left by inward folding of portion  41 . The trapezoidal shape of portion  42  and opening  45  provide an interlocking relationship of portion  42  with opening  45 . At point of sale, purchased items may be inserted into bag  10  and securely enclosed therein by the interlocking relationship of portions  41  and  42  as described herein. 
         [0027]    In a further embodiment of the invention, short strips of pressure sensitive (e.g., non-hardening) adhesive layers  47  and  48  are disposed on the inner surfaces respectively of portions  41  and  42  near opening  19 . Adhesives that can be typically used in any of the embodiments of the invention as described herein include any of the conventional pressure sensitive or cohesive-adhesive systems or other conventional adhesive as would occur to the skilled artisan practicing the invention as taught herein, the specific selected adhesive system not considered limiting of the invention or of the appended claims. Protective removable (peel-off) strips  49  and  50  of paper, plastic or other material are disposed over respective adhesive layers  47  and  48  to protect the adhesive prior to an intended use of bag  10 . In order to close bag  10  for this embodiment of the invention, the protective strip  50  (for the demonstration shown in  FIG. 4 ) is removed from portion  42  and the upper end of bag  10  is folded substantially as suggested in  FIG. 4 . Portions  41  and  42  are interlocked as shown in  FIG. 4  and portion  42  pressed against and caused to adhere to the outer surface of the upper end of panel  11 . By selecting an adhesive for the adhesive layers in the structure of bag  10  that is releasable, the bag may be reclosable. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, shown therein is a perspective view a bag  70  structure representative of another embodiment of the invention. Bag  70  comprises a generally rectangular structure having a front panel  71  and back panel  72 , each having respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining an interior volume  80  for receiving an item therein. The panels  71  and  72  are sealed or otherwise integral with each other at their respective sides as at  76  and  77  and at the bottom of bag  70  as at  78 . Panels  71  and  72  define an opening  75  at a first end of bag  70  providing access to the interior volume  80  of bag  70 . 
         [0029]    In manner similar to the embodiments described above, the upper ends of panels  71  and  72  have trapezoidal-shaped portions  81  and  82  defined therein in confronting locations along the upper edges of panels  71  and  72  defining opening  75 . Portions  81  and  82  are defined by respective solid cut lines  83  and  84  and  85  and  86  (or lines of perforations) in respective panels  71  and  72 . Portions  81  and  82  may be folded inwardly or outwardly similarly to that described above in relation to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 . The sizes of portions  81  and  82  and of the corresponding openings defined by folding one or both portions  81  and  82  can be selected according to the overall size of the bag  70 , and may range in size as defined above for bag  10  of  FIG. 1 . In manner also similarly to bag  10  of  FIG. 1 , closure of bag  70  can be accomplished by folding portions  81  and  82  inwardly with respect to the interior of bag  70 . One of the folded portions  81  or  82  is then folded into the opening left by the inward folding of the other portion to form the interlocking relationship similarly to that described above in relation to  FIG. 4 . Short strips of adhesive layers  91  and  92  may be disposed on the inner surfaces respectively of portions  81  and  82  near opening  75 , along with protective removable peel-off strips  93  and  94  to protect the adhesive prior to an intended use of bag  70 . Adhesive closure of bag  70  is accomplished similarly to that described for bag  10  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    In yet another aspect of the invention, handles  62  and  63  may be attached in any conventional manner to a bag structure in any of the embodiments of the invention, such as shown in  FIG. 4  as attached to panels  11  and  12 . 
         [0031]    In a further aspect of the invention, and with reference again to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a shopping bag of the invention may include on the outer surfaces thereof pictures, drawings, printing or other decorative indicia  60  comprising a retail advertisement, decoration or other indicia imprinted thereon in the use of the invention as a shopping bag or fast food container or other use. 
         [0032]    The invention therefore provides a shopping bag structure having an interlocking notched closure for the top opening of the bag. 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.