Abstract:
An oven bag and methods for using the same are disclosed. The oven bag may be used in a range of different ovens. The oven bag is characterized by pre-formed perforations that provide for both venting of hot gasses and a secondary opening. The oven bag may comprise different kinds of closure devices including, but not limited to, drawstrings and hand ties.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0001]    The disclosure generally relates to polymeric bags and, more specifically, to oven bags.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0002]    Oven bags are used as a cooking aid, and serve essentially as a liner to the pan or pot in which the food is placed. The bags are manufactured from suitable high melting or combustion point materials to withstand the temperature rise generated during cooking. Solid and liquid matter is therefore contained during cooking without rupturing the bag. By using such bags, cleaning of the pan after cooking is greatly facilitated in that little or no food is able to contact or adhere to the sides of the pan. In addition, the bag can be used to remove the food from the pan after cooking. Known oven bags include the following:  
           [0003]    Irace, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,331) discloses an oven or microwave safe bag (FIGS. 1-4). The &#39;331 bag resembles a standard brown lunch bag comprising a rectangular bottom and gusseted sides that allow the bag to rest upright and open. The &#39;331 bag includes a closing mechanism consisting of a strap that can hold the bag closed after it is rolled shut. Specifically, the closing mechanism employs a pressure sensitive adhesive. The &#39;331 bag is constructed from one- or two-ply packaging paper that is preferably treated with a grease and/or oil treatment to prevent leaking. The bag may also include a heat resistant film, which is laminated or glued to the paper used in making the bag. The bag may be formed of paper, a heat resistant polymer film, such as polyester, polyethylene, or the like or may be formed of a combination of paper and such polymer films.  
           [0004]    Toshima et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,553) disclose a sealed bag for microwave heating of food. The &#39;553 bag may be composed of various plastics such as polypropylene, polyesters, polyethylene, and nylon. The &#39;553 bags include a hermetic seal that is maintained during distribution and storage of the bag with food therein. Microwave heating of the contents of the bag results in water vapor pressure, which ultimately breaks the seal of the bag. Further, &#39;553 discloses gusset folds or pleats in both edges of the bag.  
           [0005]    LeBaw, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,487) discloses a microwavable popcorn bag. One embodiment of the &#39;487 bag (see e.g., FIG. 7) has gusseted sides, but instead of having a flat rectangular bottom as in the &#39;331 bag described above, the &#39;487 has a bottom end that is folded over and attached to a back panel at a bottom seal.  
           [0006]    Mendenhall (U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,500) discloses a gusseted, rectangular-bottomed microwavable bag with closure that allows for venting and easy opening. The &#39;500 bag closure comprises an adhesive.  
           [0007]    Most of the above-referenced type of oven bags are limited to use in the microwave, and do not allow for safe, effective cooking in conventional ovens. Many oven bags are also limited to pre-packaged contexts. That is, such bags are bought pre-filled with food, and without any easy mechanism to open the bag until after cooking. Attempts to open the bag prior to cooking often compromises the utility of these bags. One is then unable to place things in the bag that one would like to heat in an oven.  
           [0008]    Both home cooks and commercial chefs need better oven bags that are easier to use and compatible with the relatively high temperatures of conventional ovens. They need bags that allow both facile opening and closing, as well as ease of filling and emptying. Cooks would also benefit from oven bags that provide a tight seal to prevent leakage, but at the same time allow steam venting. Transparent oven bags are also desirable, because they allow the cook to view the bag contents without opening the bag.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0009]    A first aspect of the disclosure provides an oven bag comprising first and second panels. The first panel comprises first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another. The second panel comprises first, second, third and fourth edges so disposed that the first and third edges are substantially parallel to one another, and the second and fourth edges are substantially parallel to one another. The first edge of the first panel is operatively associated with the first edge of the second panel. The second edge of the first panel is operatively associated with the second edge of the second panel. The third edge of the first panel is operatively associated with the third edge of the second panel. The bag further comprises an opening formed by the first and second panels defined in part by the fourth edge of the first panel and the fourth edge of the second panel. The bag also comprises a closure device operatively associated with the opening. The bag still further comprises a plurality of pre-formed perforations in at least one of the first panel and second panel, the perforations providing ventilation during cooking and forming a rupturable scoreline for opening the bag when desired.  
           [0010]    A second aspect of the disclosure provides an oven bag with the features of that provided in the first aspect of the disclosure, wherein the closure device includes a drawstring and a plurality of holes in the first and second panels, said holes arranged in a substantially linear fashion along the fourth edges, the drawstring threaded through the holes in an alternating fashion. The bag further includes a pleat extending between the second edges of the first and second panels.  
           [0011]    A third aspect of the disclosure provides a method of cooking food in an oven. Food is placed into the oven bag according to the first aspect of the disclosure, and the closure device is activated so as to seal the food in the oven bag. The bag and food are heated in an oven, heated air venting from the bag through the preformed perforations. The bag and food are removed from the oven. The bag is then torn along the preformed perforations to allow for access to and removal of the food.  
           [0012]    In addition to the foregoing, the disclosure includes, as an additional aspect, all embodiments of the disclosure narrower in scope in any way than the variations specifically mentioned above. Although the applicant(s) invented the full scope of the claims appended hereto, the claims appended hereto are not intended to encompass within their scope the prior art work of others. Therefore, in the event that statutory prior art within the scope of a claim is brought to the attention of the applicants by a Patent Office or other entity or individual, the applicant(s) reserve the right to exercise amendment rights under applicable patent laws to redefine the subject matter of such a claim to specifically exclude such statutory prior art or obvious variations of statutory prior art from the scope of such a claim. Variations of the disclosure defined by such amended claims also are intended as aspects of the disclosure.  
           [0013]    The above aspects and features of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oven bag in an open position holding food in accordance to the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the oven bag in a closed position holding food in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the oven bag in a partially closed position holding food, having been partially opened along the plurality of pre-formed perforations, in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bag shown in FIG. 1 containing no food, in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bag shown in FIG. 4 taken along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 4.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a bag in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting sample steps that may be taken according to a method of using an oven bag to cook food in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure. 
     
    
       [0027]    While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to FIG. 1, an oven bag  10  is provided constructed from a first panel  20  and a second panel  30 , wherein the bag has an exterior  12  and an interior  14 . These panels may be made from any material, but materials that having melting points (or ignition or degradation temperatures) of at least 400° F. are preferred. Materials include, but are not limited to, high melting point polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and nylons as will be described in further detail herein.  
         [0029]    The first panel  20  has first  22 , second  24 , third  26 , and fourth  28  edges, so that the first  22  and third  26  edges are substantially parallel to one another, and so that the second  24  and fourth  28  edges are substantially parallel to one another. The second panel  30  has first  32 , second  34 , third  36 , and fourth  38  edges, so that the first  32  and third  36  edges are substantially parallel to one another, and so that the second  34  and fourth  38  edges are substantially parallel to one another. The first edge  22  of the first panel  20  is operatively associated with the first edge  32  of the second panel  30 , the second edge  24  of the first panel  20  is operatively associated with the second edge  34  of the second panel  30 , and the third edge  26  of the first panel  20  is operatively associated with the third edge  36  of the second panel  30 .  
         [0030]    An opening  40  is formed by the first  20  and second  30  panels defined in part by the fourth edge  28  of the first panel  20  and the fourth edge  38  of the second panel  30 .  
         [0031]    A closure device  50  is operatively associated with the opening  40 . In FIG. 1, the closure mechanism shown comprises a drawstring  52  looped through holes  54  in an alternating fashion. Looped in an alternating fashion comprises having the drawstring  52  threaded from the exterior  12  through a hole  54  to an interior  14  and back through an adjacent hole  54  to the exterior  14 . The closure device  50  may be activated to close the bag. The bag  10  in the closed position is shown in FIG. 2. When the closure device  50  includes a drawstring  52 , the drawstring  52  may be pulled taught bringing the holes  54  and panels  20  and  30  close together as shown in FIG. 2. The drawstring  52  may then be tied or knotted. The drawstring embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is shown for illustrative purposes only. The bag  10  may include any type of closure device  50 , some of which are shown in the other figures, and will be discussed in further detail below.  
         [0032]    A plurality of pre-formed perforations  70  may be provided on the bag  10  as well as the bags of other embodiments, for example bags  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  and  610  shown in FIGS. 6-11. The perforations  70  may constitute a scoreline  75  to allow venting during cooking, and to form a secondary opening  45 , as shown in FIG. 3, without necessitating the deactivation of the closure device  50 . The perforations  70  and scoreline  75  may appear in any arrangement, shape, or size, and may appear on the first panel  20 , the second panel  30  or both panels. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the bags  10 ,  110  and  210  have the perforations  70  on both panels  20  and  30  around a perimeter  15  of the bag  10  forming the scoreline  75 . In FIGS. 8-10, the perforations  70  form a scoreline  75  that is continuously looped. While the continuously looped scoreline  75  is shown on only the first panel  20  or second panel  30 , a scoreline  75  may appear on both sides, such an embodiment being particularly advantageous as it allows for opening of the bag regardless of the bag&#39;s orientation. A bag may also incorporate more than one type of scoreline  75 , e.g. in a particular embodiment, the perforations  70  may form both a scoreline as shown in bag  10  and in bag  310 . The perforations allow air, water vapor, etc. to escape from the interior  14  to the exterior  12  of the bag, e.g.  10 .  
         [0033]    The oven bags of this disclosure may also incorporate one or more pleats  80 , also referred to as “gussets.” The pleat  80  in bag  10  is substantially parallel to the opening  40  as shown in FIGS. 1-5, and in FIGS. 6 and 7 in bags  110  and  210 , but this is for illustrative purposes only. As demonstrated in FIGS. 8-10, the pleats  80  may also flank the bag, e.g.,  310 ,  410 , and  510 , such that they are substantially perpendicular to the opening  40 . However, the pleats  80  are also capable of flanking the bag, e.g.  610  shown in FIG. 11, and may also be substantially parallel to the opening  40 . The pleats  80  allow the bag, e.g.  10 , to be opened to a full volume more readily aiding insertion and extraction of food  90  from the bag  10 . FIGS. 1-3 illustrate that when the pleat  80  is substantially parallel to the opening  40  as in bag  10 , the bag can be made to stand upright, further aiding the user. Pleats  80  may be formed in any manner. In some embodiments, the pleats are formed from the first and second panels  20 ,  30 , the pleat apex  82 , see e.g. FIG. 5, extending from the second edges  24 ,  34 . In other embodiments, the pleats  80  maybe separately formed panels heat welded or otherwise joined to the panels  20 ,  30 .  
         [0034]    The closure device  50  may take a variety of forms and the embodiments  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  and  610  shown in FIG. 6-11 are exemplary, but are not meant to be limiting in any way. As will be seen, not only can the closing device be provided in the form of adversity, but may also include, twist ties, handle ties, laces, zippers, tongue and groove fasteners and the like.  
         [0035]    For example, in some embodiments, as shown if FIG. 6, a bag  110  may include a closure device that again comprises a drawstring  52 , but instead of holes  54 , the drawstring is held by a casing  56 , which also allows the first and second panels  20 ,  30  to be pulled taught and the bag  110  closed. The casing  56  is operatively associated with the fourth edges  28 ,  38 . In FIG. 10, a bag  510  demonstrates a variation on the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 as bag  110 , in that both bags  110 ,  510  comprise a drawstring  52  held by a casing  56 .  
         [0036]    In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a bag  210  or  410  may include a closure device  50  that comprises a first and second tie handle  57 ,  58  that may be knotted together to close the opening  40 . The tie handles are formed by recessing center portions  29 ,  39  of the fourth edges  28 ,  38  from flanking portions  27 ,  37 . Such a “hand tie” closure device resembles that found on plastic grocery bags.  
         [0037]    In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, a bag  310  may include a closure device  50  that comprises a twist tie  60  that may or may not be operatively attached to the bag  310  before use. When one desires to close the bag  310 , one may pull and twist together the first and second panels  20 ,  30  and activate the twist tie  60 .  
         [0038]    In FIG. 11, a bag  610  demonstrates a closure device  50  that includes a first series of cross-ties  62  and a second series of cross-ties  63  running substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the opening  40 . When the user desires to activate the closure device  50 , a cross-tie  64  from the first series  62  and a cross-tie  65  from the second series  63  are knotted together, e.g. as one would tie shoe laces. This process is then repeated with the remainder of the cross-ties  64 ,  65  of the first and second series  62 ,  63 . As illustrated in FIG. 11, the bag  610  does not have an opening  40  formed by the fourth edges  28 ,  38 , but in other embodiments the bag  610  may comprise such an opening in that position. The closure device  50  shown in FIG. 11 is a lace-type closure that resembles the laces on a football.  
         [0039]    As described above, the panels  20 ,  30  of the bag  10  may be constructed of a variety of materials, but high melting point polymers are preferred. Such polymers include, but are not limited to Nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Nylon 6, Nylon 6, 6, Nylon 6, 6/6, Nylon 11 and Nylon 12. The drawstring  52 , cross-ties  64 ,  65  and other components of the bag may be made of similar materials. Transparent materials are preferred as their use allows the user to view the contents of the bag  10  without having to open the bag. In some embodiments, the bag  10  has a melting point of at least 400° F. The intended cooking temperature will help dictate the particular materials used.  
         [0040]    As for dimensions, it is to be understood that bags may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure to have any desired shape or dimension. However, for the purposes of clarity and best mode, certain exemplary embodiments and their dimensions are now described.  
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the bag  10  measures about 10-25 inches by about 5-20 inches and comprises approximately 0.25 inch sized holes  54  punched about 1 inch apart and about 0.25 to 5 inches from the top with a scoreline  75  about 5-24.5 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 . In such embodiments, there is a pleat  80  substantially parallel to and extending to an apex  82  about 0.5-10 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 , and the drawstring  52  is about 10-75 inches long and is looped through adjacent holes  54  in an alternating fashion.  
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the bag  10  measures about 16 inches by about 13 inches and comprises approximately 0.25 inch sized holes  54  punched about 1 inch apart and about 1.5 inches from the top with a scoreline  75  about 10 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 . In such embodiments, there is a pleat  80  substantially parallel to and extending about 3 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 , and the drawstring  52  is about 40 inches long and is looped through adjacent holes  54  in an alternating fashion.  
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the bag  10  measures about 16.25 inches by about 13.25 inches and comprises approximately 0.25 inch sized holes  54  punched about 1 inch apart and about 1.75 to 2.25 inches from the top with a scoreline  75  about 10.25-10.5 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 . In such embodiments, there is a pleat  80  substantially parallel to and extending to an apex  82  about 3.5 inches from the second edges  24 ,  34 , and the drawstring  52  is about 30 inches long and is looped through adjacent holes  54  in an alternating fashion.  
         [0044]    The bag features described and illustrated above may be combined and arranged in any multiplicity in a given bag embodiment. For example, a particular embodiment of the bag, e.g.  10 , taught by this disclosure may have multiple openings  40 , closure devices  50 , scorelines  75  and pleats  80 . Certain features may not be used in a particular embodiment. The description and illustration of features for bag  10  apply to other bag embodiments, except as noted. The oven bags of this disclosure can be made in any size or shape, those qualities may be influenced by the size of the food that one wants to cook. For example, an oven bag for cooking a turkey would generally be larger than one for cooking a cornish hen. When particular features are described as being perpendicular or parallel to other features, those terms should not be considered limiting. That is, elements may have relative orientations to one another of other than 90 and 180 degrees.  
         [0045]    In FIG. 12, a flow chart demonstrates a method  700  of cooking food using the bag, e.g.  10 , taught by this disclosure. In a first step  710 , food  90  may be inserted through the opening  40 . In a second step  720 , the closure device  50  is activated to seal the food  90  in the bag  10 . In a third step  730 , the bag  10  and food  90  are heating in an oven. In a fourth step  740 , the bag  10  and food  90  are removed from the oven. In a fifth step  750 , the bag  10  is torn using the pre-formed perforations  70  along the scoreline  75  to allow for access and removal of the food  90 . The order of the above-described steps may be altered, steps deleted, and steps added before, after or in between the described steps. The user may wish to activate and deactivate the closure device at various times during the cooking process so as to add or remove food, spices, liquid, etc. The food may be removed from the opening  40  without using the perforations  70  to form a secondary opening  75 .  
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the user preheats the oven to 350° F., and if roasting to 325° F. The bag  10  is placed in a baking pan without allowing the bag to hang outside of the pan. Food is placed inside the bag optionally along with spices, sauces and vegetables. The bag is closed using the drawstring  52  and the drawstring placed inside the pan. The bag is positioned in the oven to allow room for bag expansion during cooking without the bag touching the oven walls or racks. The user bakes the food according to recipe, but depending on the bag material composition does not use temperatures above 400° F. or 200° C. Food is served by carefully tearing the bag along the scoreline  75 .  
         [0047]    The foregoing description of bags and methods have been set forth merely to illustrate the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting. Because modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the disclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosure should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.