Sealable bag

Abstract

A means and method for readily sealing a bag. This invention utilizes (a) seal strip(s) with removable covers applied near the edge of the inner wall of a bag. This invention can be utilized on multiple openings in a bag, and allows the creation of a bag from a flat panel of any size or configuration. This invention also enables construction of multiple bags with multiple walls.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to closures for trash bags or other bags which can be closed by puckering the open end of the bag. In the past this procedure was completed by a variety of methods such as the wraps, paper covered wires; pull strips (i.e. cinch sack) and the like. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,849,171; 3,412,296; 4,008,851 and 5,006,380 refer to these typical procedures. These arrangements are lacking in efficiency and function. The tie wraps are often lost, misplaced or break, the cinch does not totally seal the bag against spillage or odor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention concerns the method and means for using adhesion strips, which are typically permanently affixed near the edge of an opening in a bag, to seal a bag after filling. Strips located near the edge of a bag are uncovered upon completion of fill and the bag is then squeezed together at the strip locations. The bag is now sealed against spillage and odor. In other embodiments more than the traditional one side of the bag is left open during manufacture. This invention also enables the creation of a bag from a flat sheet to be formed into a bag. This invention further enables closure of a bag by mean other than adhesion strips. Bag as described in this invention is intended to mean a flexible container which is intended to enclosed desired object(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bag with sealing strap.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken along plane A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view with the sealing strip covering partially removed.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a bag after closure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a bag with sealing strips with two openings.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a flat panel to be formed into a bag using sealable strips.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a bag (1) with inner (5) and outer (4) walls, incorporating the inventive aspect of a seal strip (6). The strip is affixed to the inner wall (5) near the top (2) of a bag (1). The bag (1) can be of any size and material as desired for a particular application. The seal strip is typically a thin strip with adhesive properties selected as appropriate for the material of the bag to be sealed. The particular application will also determine the mechanism for affixing the seal strip (6) to the inner wall of the bag. The seal strip (6) will typically be affixed using a compatible adhesive, but other means may also be used as appropriate.

To provide a means for tightly sealing the bags (1), the seal strip (6) is configured continuously around the inner wall (5) parallel to the opening to be sealed. The dimensions of the seal strip and the strength of its adhesive properties will be selected to be compatible with the characteristics (size, use, wall thickness, etc.) of the bag. The seal strip can be applied permanently as part of manufacturing the bag or separate and applied later. Typically, the bag will have one opening with one seal strip in close proximity to the opening. If warranted by a particular application multiple seal strips can be installed in parallel to any openings to ensure seal integrity.

FIG. 2 a sectional view depicting the seal strip (6) attached the inner wall (5) of a bag (1) with the seal strip removable cover (3) on the seal strip (6). The removable cover (3) remains in place until after the bag (1) is filled. The removable cover (3) protects the seal strip from inadvertent sealing.

FIG. 3 depicts the bag (1) with the removable cover (3) partially peeled away from the seal strip (6) exposing the adhesive properties of the seal strip. The removable cover (3) is typically a thin smooth strip appropriately sized to be compatible with the seal strip. The material of the removable cover (3) is chosen to be compatible with the seal strip (6) such that it will adhere to the seal strip to isolate it from contact with other surfaces, but is easily removed with minimal hand force.

FIG. 4 depicts the bag (1) sealed after being filled. The bag (1) is squeezed or puckered at the location of the seal strip (7) after the removable cover (3) is removed exposing the entire seal strip (6) as depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a bag with the two open sides opposite each other. This invention could be applied to any number of open sides including a completely unformed bag consisting of a flat sheet with seal strips affixed close to all outer edges as depicted in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 depicts a circle shape to be formed into a bag, but this invention could be used with any shape. Any portion of bag may be preformed as desired.

This invention can be used for bags of any size or shape warranted for a particular application including configuration not typically thought as bags. For example, this invention could be used with wrapping paper for gifts.

In another embodiment of this invention, the seal strips are use to fabricate a double wall bag by placing one bag inside the other with seal strips located as warranted to secure the inner and outer bags together. This double wall could also be limited to a particular area of bag such as the portion which will be the bottom of the bag when it is full. In addition, more than 2 walls can be constructed by this invention if additional leak protection is desired.

The description above and accompanying figures are presented as examples of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments. Other applications and variations of the present invention are possible to meet a particular application. For example, the seal strip can be separate from the bag with removable covers on opposite sides for removal and affixation to any formed or unformed bag as desired. After forming a bag any unused portions can be cut off.

Claims

1. A sealable bag comprising:

a bag with one or more openings with an inner and outer wall.

one side of a seal strip affixed in close proximity and parallel to the opening(s) of the bag on the inner wall.

a seal strip removable cover over an adhesive surface affixed to the seal strip on a side opposite to the side affixed to the inner wall of the bag.

2. A sealable bag according to claim 1 in which the bag has one opening.

3. A sealable bag according to claim 1 in which the bag has multiple seal strips in parallel with each other and the bag opening.

4. A sealable bag according to claim 1 in which the removable cover is a thin smooth strip of a material chosen to adhere to the seal strip but allow easy removal.

5. A sealable bag according to claim 4 in which the removable cover is readily removable with one hand.

6. A sealable bag according to claim 1 in which the seal strip is affixed to less than the full circumference of an inner wall of the opening of the bag.

7. A method for constructing a sealable bag comprising:

constructing a bag with one or more opening(s) with an inner and an outer wall;

selecting a seal strip with a removable cover

affixing one side of the seal strip to the inner wall of the bag in close proximity and parallel to each opening in the bag;

filling the bag as desired;

peeling the removable cover from the seal strip;

closing the bag by squeezing the inner wall opposite to the seal strip;

8. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 7 in which the bag has one opening.

9. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 7 in which the bag has multiple seal strips in parallel with each other and the opening.

10. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 7 in which the removable cover is a thin, smooth strip of a material chosen to adhere to the seal strip but allow easy removal.

11. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 10 in which the removable cover is readily removable with one hand.

12. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 7 in which the seal strip is affixed to less than full circumference of an inner wall of the opening in the bag.

13. A method for constructing a sealable bag comprising:

selecting an unformed bag comprising a flat piece of a material to be formed into a bag;

selecting a thin seal strip with removable covers over main surface areas opposite to each other;

cutting the unformed bag and seal strip as desired to enclose items to be bagged;

peeling the removable covers from one side on each seal strip;

affixing the seal strip parallel to the outer edges of the unformed bag;

placing the items to be bagged on top of the unformed bag;

peeling the remaining removable cover from each of the seal strips;

forming the bag around the items to be bagged by squeezing the uncovered seal strips to opposite sides of the unformed bag.

14. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which the seal strips are permanently affixed to the unformed bag during manufacture.

15. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which the seal strips are affixed close to the outside edge of the entire unformed bag.

16. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which the bag is partially formed on one or more sides during manufacture.

17. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which the unformed bag is in different geometric shapes.

18. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which the removable covers are readily removable.

19. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 in which multiple seal strips are affixed in parallel to each other and the outer edges of the unformed bag.

20. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 13 wherein the unformed bag is instead partially preformed during manufactured.

21. A method for constructing a sealable bag with 2 walls comprising:

selecting an unformed bag comprising a piece of material to be formed into a bag;

selecting a thin seal strip with removable covers over main surface areas opposite to each other;

Cutting the unformed bag and seal strip as desired to enclose items to be bagged;

selecting and cutting (an) additional unformed bag(s) of the same size and shape as the first bag selected;

peeling the removable covers from one side of each seal strip to be used to seal bags together forming multiple walls;

affixing the seal strips to outer edges of the first bag as well as internal areas as warranted for a particular application;

peeling the remaining seal strip cover from each of the seal strips on the first bag;

affixing the second unformed bag on top of the first unformed bag and pressing it to the uncovered seal strips on the first bag;

peeling the removable covers from one side of the seal strips to be used to seal the second bag;

affix the seal strips to the second bag parallel to the outer edges of the second bag;

placing the items to be bagged on top of second bag;

peeling the remaining seal strip cover from the seal strips on the second bag;

forming the bag around the items to be bagged by squeezing the uncovered seal strips to opposite side of the bag.

22. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 21 wherein more than 2 walls are erected by the same method.

23. A method for constructing a sealable bag according to claim 21 wherein multiple walls are constructed for only portions of the bag.