Patent Document

[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/866,752, filed Nov. 21, 2006. The application to which the present application claims benefit is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a plastic bag, and more particularly, to reclosable food storage bags. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Reclosable food storage bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are generally made of polymeric material, generally clear or translucent, and often are equipped with reclosable beads or similar features. 
         [0004]    A great deal of effort has been devoted to specializing food storage bags for particular applications, such as larger “freezer” bags, medium-sized “sandwich” bags, and still smaller “snack” bags. 
         [0005]    The manufacture and sale of such bags generally involves multiple rolls of same-sized sandwich bags, often separated by perforations and dispensable through a variety of packages. 
         [0006]    There is a need for a food storage bag to address various drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to one implementation, a food storage bag comprises a planar, polymeric sheet with first and second food storage compartments defined therein. The first food storage compartment has a corresponding size to hold a first type of food. The second food storage compartment is located near the first food storage compartment and has a corresponding size different from the first storage compartment, so that it might hold a different type of food. Each of the two compartments has a corresponding closure. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the first compartment is sized to hold a sandwich and the second compartment is sized to hold a smaller food item. The compartments are integrally secured relative to each other. 
         [0009]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are front and rear elevational respectively, of one implementation of a food storage bag. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a roll of bags; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   b  is a package of bags; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the food storage bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings, in particular to  FIG. 1 , food storage bag  21  is substantially flat when not in use and is in the form of polymeric sheet  22 . Two separate food storage compartments or areas  23 ,  25  are suitably defined in polymeric sheet  22 . The term “area,” as used herein, includes a zone, location, volume, corresponding pouch, or compartment formed, for example, by suitably securing overlying portions of polymeric sheet  22  to each other. The sizes and configurations of separate food storage areas  23 ,  25  can be selected to suit any number of applications. Thus, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, food storage area  23  is sized to receive a sandwich therein, whereas food storage area  25  is generally smaller than food storage area  23 , and is sized to receive food to accompany the sandwich, such as cookies, crackers, snack items, dessert and the like. Areas  23 ,  25  could also be substantially the same size. Preferably, and as shown in this embodiment, food storage areas  23 ,  25  are separate and independently reclosable. 
         [0016]    In one preferred embodiment, there is not a perforation or other separation between bottom edge  24  of food storage area  23  and top edge  26  of food storage area  25 . Rather, food storage areas  23 ,  25  are secured integrally relative to each other. Areas  23 ,  25  have side edges secured to opposing edges of integral backing  27  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0017]    Food storage areas  23 ,  25  have top edges  26 ,  28  which are reclosable or resealable and lie flat against backing  27  when not in use. Pleats (not shown) or other features to define food storage areas  23 ,  25  may likewise be appropriate for certain applications. The compartments can be equipped with any of a variety of resealable closures for top edges  26 ,  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, food storage areas  23 ,  25  include respective beads  29  extending at or near top edges  26 ,  28 . 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b,  multiple food storage bags  21  can be manufactured as a continuous web  40  which, depending on the application, may be formed into rolls  39  for distribution, or may be further processed for inclusion in suitable dispenser, such as shown at  42 . Thus, in the web  40  shown, food storage bag  21  has bottom edge  35  secured to opposing top edge  33 ′ of food storage bags  21 ′, food storage bag  21 ′ has its bottom edge  35 ′ secured to opposing top edge  33 ″ of bag  22 ″ and so on. In the case of rolls  39 , adjacent food storage bags  21 ,  21 ′,  21 ″ can have opposing edges separated from each other by suitable perforations or other means for enabling the consumer to easily separate one food storage bag  21  from adjacent ones on the roll  39 . Alternately, multiple bags  21  can be cut and sorted for charging dispenser  42 . 
         [0019]    Having described the overall structure and manufacture of food storage bag  21 , its use is readily apparent. Roll  39  of multiple food storage bags  21  is accessed by a consumer, such as in preparation of lunch. The consumer pulls one or more bags from the dispensing box  42  or separate bag or bags  21  from the balance of roll  39 . Food is placed within compartments  23 ,  25 , in an operation involving a single food storage bag  21 , rather than two separate food storage bags, and the operation is completed by sealing the corresponding beads  29 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment to that of  FIGS. 1-3 . Instead of having both areas  23 ,  25  formed on a uniform or integral backing  27 , perforations  41  are formed between areas  123  and  125 . Areas  123 ,  125 ,  123 ′,  125 ′ etc., are arranged to alternate with each other along corresponding roll  139 . As in the previous embodiment, the sizes and configurations of food storage areas  123 ,  125  can be varied relative to each other, such that one area is more suitable for larger food items than the other. 
         [0021]    Use by the consumer of bag  121  is similar to that for bag  21 . In this embodiment, however, the user accesses alternatingly sized food storage compartments  123 ,  125  from roll  139 , and thereby has multiple sizes of food storage compartments accessible in succession. 
         [0022]    While several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations are likewise within the scope of the appended claims. For example, while food storage areas  23 ,  25  and corresponding compartments are shown arranged “head-to-toe” or top to bottom within bag  21 , other arrangements of areas  23 ,  25  relative to each other are also contemplated. Areas  23 ,  25  could be disposed side-by-side or diagonally from each other.

Technology Category: 7