Fold-Over Newspaper Bag

Abstract

A bag is provided for enclosing a newspaper or other periodical. The bag includes a bottom sealed end and a top enclosing end. The elongated bag preferably includes a first panel and a second panel secured to one another along their bottom and respective side edges. A third panel adjoins the top edge of the first panel and extends downwardly toward the bottom edge of the first panel. The right edge of the third panel is secured to the right edge of the first panel and the left edge of the third panel is secured to the left edge of the first panel. The first panel and the third panel cooperatively define a pocket oriented downwardly. The second panel includes a flap section which extends upwardly beyond the top edge of the first panel and the adjoining top edge of the third panel. The flap section of the second panel is folded over the periodical and inserted between the periodical and the first panel. The third panel is flexed over the flap section to extend downwardly over the second panel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to protective covers for newspapers and other periodicals.

More particularly, this invention pertains to a flexible bag sized to receive a newspaper or other periodical and including an integrated fold-over cap to enclose the newspaper or other periodical to protect it from inclement weather.

2. Description of the Related Art

Newspapers and other periodicals are generally printed on paper and delivered outside the door of the subscriber, where they remain until the subscriber retrieves them. When weather conditions are dry, the newspapers are generally secured with an elastic band and otherwise unprotected from the weather. However, when precipitation is falling or expected, it is common to insert the newspaper into an elongated plastic bag having a sealed end and an open end. Unfortunately, the open end allows moisture to enter into the bag and damage the newspaper. In order to overcome the penetration of moisture into the bag, some newspaper deliverers insert the newspaper into one bag and then insert the open end of the bag into the open end of a second bag (called double bagging) so that each end of the newspaper is adjacent to a sealed end of a bag.

Double-bagging, while relatively effective at minimizing moisture entry, is both time-consuming an expensive because two bags must be used. Also, because the bags are generally constructed from plastics and later thrown away, this technique is a waste of resources.

One effort that has been made to avoid the double-bagging approach is disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 319,177, issued to Dungjen on Aug. 20, 1991. The newspaper bag disclosed therein appears to include an extension flap adjacent to the open end of the elongated bag and a strip of adhesive is applied to the distal end of the flap so that after insertion of the newspaper the flap may be secured to the outside of the bag with the adhesive strip. While avoiding the time and expense of double-bagging, this bag still allows moisture to enter along the sides of the flap. Moreover, the adhesive requires a slip sheet or some other manner of preventing bags from adhering to one another when they are stacked and stored, adding additional expense to the bag

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a bag is provided for enclosing a newspaper or other periodical. The bag includes a side sealed, solid bottom end and a top enclosing end. The elongated bag preferably includes a first panel and a second panel. The bottom edge of the first panel adjoins the bottom edge of the second panel. The right edge of the first panel is secured to the right edge of the second panel. The left edge of the first panel is secured to the left edge of the second panel.

A third panel adjoins the top edge of the first panel and extends downwardly toward the bottom edge of the first panel. The right edge of the third panel is secured to the right edge of the first panel and the left edge of the third panel is secured to the left edge of the first panel. The first panel and the third panel cooperatively define a pocket oriented downwardly. The second panel includes a flap section which extends upwardly beyond the top edge of the first panel and the adjoining top edge of the third panel.

The length of the first panel is greater than the length of a rolled newspaper or other periodical inserted between the first panel and the second panel. After the periodical is inserted, the flap section of the second panel is folded over the periodical and inserted between the periodical and the first panel. The third panel is flexed over the flap section to extend downwardly over the second panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stack of bags embodying various features of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of bag in accordance with the present invention prior to insertion of a rolled periodical.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of bag in accordance with the present invention after insertion of a rolled periodical.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of bag in accordance with the present invention after insertion of a flap. FIG. 2D is a perspective view of bag in accordance with the present invention after enclosure of a rolled periodical.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for enclosing a newspaper or other periodical to protect from moisture is disclosed. Referring to the drawings in which similarly numbered features are common to the drawings a bag 10 is attached to a securing panel 12. The securing panel 12 is secured to the bag 10 along a line of weakness 14 provided by perforations, for example. The securing panels 12 of a plurality of bags 10 are secured to form a stack 11 of bags 10 which may be sequentially removed from the stack for enclosing periodicals.

Each bag 10 comprises a generally rectangular first panel 16, a generally rectangular second panel 18 and a generally rectangular third panel 20. The three panels 16, 18 and 20 are preferably formed from a single sheet of non-porous, flexible material such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) and preferably 1 mil in thickness, but may have a greater or lesser thickness.

The first panel 16 includes a bottom edge 22, an opposing top edge 24, a left side edge 26 and an opposing right edge 28. The second panel 18 includes a bottom edge 32, an opposing top edge 34, a left side edge 36, an opposing right edge 38 and a flap section 40. The third panel 20 includes a bottom edge 42, an opposing top edge 44, a left side edge 46 and an opposing right edge 48.

In the depicted embodiment, the panels 16, 18 and 20 are about 8 inches wide, the first panel 16 is about 15 inches tall, the second panel is about 18 inches tall and the third panel is about 4 to 5 inches tall.

The bottom edge 22 of the first panel 16 is secured to the bottom edge 32 of the second panel 18, as by folding, heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The left side edge 26 of the first panel 16, extending from the bottom edge 22 to the top edge 24, is secured to a portion of the left side edge 36 of the second panel 18, as by heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The right side edge 28 of the first panel 16, extending from the bottom edge 22 to the top edge 24, is secured to a portion of the right side edge 38 of the second panel 18, as by heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The top edge 24 of the first panel 16 is not secured to the second panel to thus define an open end of the bag 10 and access to the interior of the bag 10.

The top edge 24 of the first panel 16 is secured to the top edge 44 of the third panel 20, as by folding, heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The left side edge 46 of the third panel 20, extending downwardly from the top edge 24 of the first panel, is secured to a portion of the left side edge 26 of the first panel 16, as by heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The right side edge 48 of the third panel 20, extending downwardly from the top edge 22, is secured to a portion of the right side edge 28 of the first panel 16, as by heat sealing or adhesive, for example. The top edge 44 of the third panel 20 is unsecured.

The second panel 18 includes a flap section 40 which extends above the top edge 24 of the first panel 16 and the top edge 44 of the third panel 20.

As described hereinabove, the bag 10 may be formed from a single elongated sheet of material by folding the sheet in half to define the bottom edges 22 and 32, then folding the edge 44 downwardly to define the top edges 24 and 44. Thereafter, the left edges 26, 36 and 46 may be joined by heat seal or adhesive, for example, and the right edges 28, 38 and 48 may be joined by heat seal or adhesive, for example.

In operation, a bag 10 is removed from a securing panel 12. A periodical, such as the newspaper 52, which may be rolled or flat, is inserted between the first panel 16 and the second panel 18 adjacent to the top edge 24 of the first panel 16, as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The length and width of the panel 16 are adapted to receive the newspaper 52 so that the newspaper 52 preferably does not extend above the top edge 24 of the first panel 16 and the top edge 44 of the third panel 20.

As depicted in FIG. 2C, the top edge 34 of the flap section 40 is extended over the newspaper and inserted between the newspaper 52 and the first panel 16, thus capping the exposed end of the newspaper 52.

The bottom edge 42 of the third panel 20 is flexed upwardly and rolled over the flap section 50 to extend downwardly over the second panel 18 and enclose the flap section 40 and the newspaper 52, as depicted in FIG. 2D.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various materials and dimensions may be used for bags without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that an improved bag for protecting periodicals from moisture has been provided.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A bag for enclosing a periodical comprising

a first flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge;

a second flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge;

a third flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge;

said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective bottom edges, right side edges and left side edges;

said third flexible generally rectangular panel being secured and said first flexible generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective top edges, right side edges and left side edges.

2. A bag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second flexible generally rectangular panel includes a flap section extending beyond said top edge of said first flexible generally rectangular panel.

3. A bag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second flexible generally rectangular panel comprise a continuous sheet of material.

4. A bag in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first flexible generally rectangular panel, said second flexible generally rectangular panel and said third flexible generally rectangular panel comprise a continuous sheet of material.

5. A method for enclosing a periodical in a bag comprising a first flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge; a second flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge; a third flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge; said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective bottom edges, right side edges and left side edges; said third flexible generally rectangular panel being secured and said first flexible generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective top edges, right side edges and left side edges; said method comprising:

inserting said periodical between said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second flexible generally rectangular panel;

flexing said bottom edge of said third flexible generally rectangular panel over said top edge of said second flexible generally rectangular panel to enclose said periodical within said bag.

6. A method for enclosing a periodical in a bag comprising a first flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge; a second flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge, an opposing left side edge and a flap extending above said top edge of said first flexible generally rectangular panel; a third flexible generally rectangular panel having a top edge, an opposing bottom edge, a right side edge and an opposing left side edge; said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective bottom edges, right side edges and left side edges; said third flexible generally rectangular panel being secured and said first flexible generally rectangular panel being secured along their respective top edges, right side edges and left side edges; said method comprising:

inserting said periodical between said first flexible generally rectangular panel and said second flexible generally rectangular panel;

folding said flap over said periodical;

inserting said flap of said second flexible generally rectangular panel between said periodical and said first flexible generally rectangular panel;

flexing said bottom edge of said third flexible generally rectangular panel over said top edge of said second flexible generally rectangular panel to enclose said periodical within said bag.