Bag having a closing feature

Abstract

The bag has a flap extending from a long edge of the bag opening. Detachable adhesive engagements secure the bag closed with the flap extending across the bag opening and down the bag side and also hold the flap out of the way during filling of the bag but readily accessible for closing the bag. In the secured open condition the end of the flap is adhesively secured to the inside of the bag side from which the flap extends.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The subject invention is in the field of bags and sacks, particularly those made with features which facilitate carrying the bag or sack and more particularly those having carrying features and features which enable more secure containment of the contents of the bag or sack.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] There is much prior art in this more particular field, patented and not patented. The bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,979 is an example of patented prior art. This bag has a handle at each end of the bag opening and a strap attached parallel to and near one long edge of the opening. The bag is closed by pulling the handles through the gap under the strap. Use of this closing technique requires that the volume of the bag be not fully used and this has an adverse economic effect.

[0005] The bag shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,082 is an example of bags which are made with at least one flap which covers the opening of the bag to contain and protect bag contents. This patent does not show any means for retaining a flap either not covering the opening or covering the opening.

[0006] Another bag closure technique, used with conventional plastic grocery bags, is to tie the handles together. This is not a satisfactory technique because the handles are seriously shortened and it is usually difficult to open the bag by untying the knot in the handles.

[0007] In view of these prior art examples and of all other prior art in this more particular field known to the inventor of the subject invention, there is a need for a bag, such as the bags used in supermarkets, which can be closed to retain contents and which can be closed when the bag is full, with the closure feature secured open and out of the way while the bag is filled but readily accessible when the bag is to be closed and secured closed when the bag is closed. The primary objective of the subject invention is to meet the described need. Other objectives are that the closure feature be simple and convenient and require minimal time and manual dexterity in use. Another objective is that the closure feature be reusable. A further objective is that provision of the closing feature be economically acceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The subject invention is a bag having a closing feature. A typical embodiment of the invention is a plastic grocery bag having a rectangular or oblong opening with a loop handle at each end of the opening, the closure feature being a flap extending from one of the edges of the opening between the two handles. Patches of reusable adhesive are located on the flap and bag such that they can be used to stow the flap, i.e. hold it so that the bag is open and the flap is out of the way or to hold the flap disposed across the opening of the bag to close the bag. In a preferred embodiment the flap is stowed folded against the inside of one of the broad sides of the bag and held there by adhesive patches. When the bag is being filled, this side is located away from the person filling the bag so that the flap can be seen and easily reached for closing the bag. To close the bag the flap is disengaged from its stowed position, moved over the opening of the bag and reengaged with an adhesive patch on the outside edge of the bag, opposite the edge from which the flap extends.

[0009] The subject invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a general view of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the bag of FIG. 1 with the closure flap in its stowed condition.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the bag of FIG. 1 filled and with the closure flap in its closed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The subject invention is a bag having a closure feature. Bag 10 in FIG. 1 has broad sides 11 and 12 and narrow sides 13 and 14. Handles 15 and 16 extend from the upper edge 17 of the bag near corners 18, 19, 20 and 21. Flap 22 extends from the edge on side 12 between the handles. Flap length L is such that the flap can extend across bag opening 23 and a distance down side 11. Adhesive patch 24 on end 25 of the flap engages adhesive patch 26 on the inside of side 12 to put the flap in its stowed condition and adhesive patch 27 on the outside of side 11 to put the flap in its closed condition. Patch 26 is made of material such that patch 24 adheres to it and can be removed without affecting the adhesive capability of patch 24. Patch 27 is made of material to which patch 24 will adhere securely to the extent that the adhesive capability of patch 24 may be reduced when patch 24 is removed from patch 27.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the bag with the flap in its stowed condition. FIG. 3 illustrates the bag with the flap in its closed condition.

[0015] It is considered to be understandable from this description that the subject invention meets its objectives. It provides a bag which can be closed to retain contents and can be so closed when the bag is full. The closure flap can be secured open and out of the way while the bag is being filled and is readily accessible when the bag is to be closed and secured in its closed condition to close the bag. Use of the closure feature uses minimal time and requires minimal manual dexterity. The closure feature is reusable and provision of the closure feature is economically acceptable because of its simplicity.

[0016] It is also considered to be understood that while certain embodiments of the invention are described herein, other embodiments and modifications of those described are possible within the scope of the invention which is limited only by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A bag having a closure feature, said bag having an opening, a first broad side having an inside and an edge of said opening and a second broad side having an outside, said bag further comprising a flap extending from said edge and having an end and means for detachably attaching said end to said inside to stow said flap and to said outside with said flap extending across said opening to close said bag.