Patent ID: 8678651

Claim:
A flexible bag comprising: first and second flexible wall panels coupled together to form a bag with opposing sealed side edges, a sealed bottom end, and an open top end, wherein the side edges taper inwardly from the top end to the bottom end; a gusset defined along the sealed bottom end; and a first elongate closure mechanism disposed along the first wall panel at the open top end and a second elongate closure mechanism disposed along the second wall panel at the open top end, wherein the first closure mechanism selectively interlocks and unlocks with the second closure mechanism; and wherein the first closure mechanism and the second closure mechanism provide a resiliency at the open top end that in combination with the tapered side edges facilitate formation of an extended side wall portion relative to a remaining side wall portion extending therebelow to the bottom end at each of the side edges of the bag proximate the first closure mechanism and the second closure mechanism when the bag is filled with a product to provide a gripping area in said remaining side wall portion; wherein when the bag does not contain product the bag is substantially flat and remains tapered along the side edges; wherein the gusset along the sealed bottom end of the bag is constructed to allow the bag to stand in an upright position; and wherein the bag is constructed and arranged to be held in an open position by a user's thumb and forefinger and application of force at each end of the first closure mechanism and the second closure mechanism.