Sewn cloth bag for storing plastic kitchen lids

Abstract

A storage bag for the containment of the plastic lids of kitchenware containers commonly used in the storage of foodstuffs. The bag is fabricated from a series of fabric panels each panel folded back upon itself in a U-shape and sewn along the side such that the panels are thus joined and form together a plurality of open mouth pockets. The innermost pocket is formed of a solid fabric while the outermost panel is constructed of a mesh type fabric that extends over the plurality of open mouth pockets to form a flap that serves to secure the contents and while storing the bag in either a hanging inverted position by a grommet placed at a corner of the bag opposite the open mouths of the formed pockets, or on either side as would be the case in a kitchen cabinet or drawer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/358,180 filed Feb. 5, 2003

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic containers used for the storage of foodstuffs are gaining in popularity and are ubiquitous in most American kitchens. These containers are frequently stored with the lids unattached because of limited storage space. While separating the lids from the containers may be a prudent use of limited space, it makes it difficult to pair the correct lid to the container. A multiplicity of different manufacturers with similar appearing containers complicates the issue, and additionally, lids are often lost or misplaced rendering the mating bottom part of the container useless.

Various types of hanging-type pockets for the storage of different items have been described in the past: U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,535 to Cariello, et al., Pat. No. D487,635 to Collins, Pat. No. D291,754 to Griswold, Pat. No. D300,399 to Krugman and U.S. Pat. No. 2,832,389; but none have been directed to the storage of plastic-ware lids, and none disclose a series of fabric panels folded back upon itself at least three times in a U-shape form, forming a plurality of open-top pockets, one in front of the other, and one behind the other; which is uniquely suited for storing a great number of low profile items such as plastic lids in a space conserving manner. Furthermore, past storage solutions being bulky, preclude their being stored in a cupboard or kitchen drawer as they are incapable of retaining their contents securely in this position because of a lack of securing means.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sewn cloth storage bag with a series of pockets formed by a unique and economic folding of fabric panels directed primarily to the storage of low profile containables such as plastic-ware lids associated with plastic containers commonly used to store foodstuffs in the kitchen and includes an inner panel of a opaque fabric like material, and an outer panel of a mesh-type material such as a nylon or polyester mesh, folded against each other in such a way to form multiple open top pockets, the formed inner pocket being opaque while the formed outer pockets have a presenting side of mesh-type material so that the contents of the outer pockets can be easily discerned. Additionally, the outer mesh panel forms a opening flap for the open top pockets that allows for easy insertion and removal of containables, but which once the user's hand is removed, readily resumes a position occluding the open top pockets thus providing a securing means without the use of a fastener as such, and whereby the contents of the bag are retained either in an inverted hanging position, or in the case of the bag resting on the side, as for example, when stored in a kitchen drawer.

Thus a primary object of the present invention is to provide a means of storing plastic kitchen lids in a convenient space saving manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for storing any small items of a substantially planar shape that may be storably positioned one in front of the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bag;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bag taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the bag that is the obverse of that in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the present invention being utilized with the opening flap in retracted position;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the bag in an inverted hanging position;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the bag resting on the side;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 Illustrates a plan view of the bag 10′ showing side seams 53 and 54 which are through sewn to join panels 42 and 44 to each other. Shown also is hem line 60 which serves to keep flap 52 from fraying.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 before the stitching of the bag. Bag 10′ includes two fabric panels 42, and 44, which are folded back against each other to form pockets 46, 48, and 50 for receipt of low profile containables. Each of the pockets 46, 48, and 50 have open tops, and all are normally occluded by a flap 52, which is a continuation of panel 42 that extends over the mouths of the open tops. Panel 44 is made of a opaque material. In the preferred embodiment, this is of the cotton canvas type, but is it understood by those skilled in the art that there are many types of materials which would be found suitable for this purpose. Panel 42 is made of mesh type fabric to render discernable those containables housed in the outermost formed pockets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the bag that is the obverse of that shown in FIG. 1, and shows the two straight vertical sews 53 and 54 along the sides of the bag that pass through panels 42 and 44 and join them together to form the plurality of open top pockets.

FIG. 4 shows the bag in a typical use where containables are being inserted or removed from the bag where flap 52 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 is hidden from view in a retracted position thus exposing the mouths of the open top pockets 50, 48 and 46. Containables are easy to remove or insert once flap 52 is pulled back and the sides of the bag are pulled inwards. Flap 52 readily resumes a position occluding the mouths of the open top pockets 50, 48 and 46 once the user's hand is removed.

In FIG. 5, flap 52 prevents the containables within the bag from falling out when the bag is hung by grommet 55. This retention feature avoids the necessity of some type of fastener to retain the pockets in a closed position and provides a quick way to access the interior of the bag 10′. Furthermore, the position of the grommet 55 opposite the open mouth pockets is significant inasmuch as it enables a wider opening to the open mouth pockets than if it were placed on the same side as the pocket mouths. FIG. 6 shows the bag resting on the side with side seam 54 and with flap 52 shown occluding the open top pockets. In this manner, the bag is able to retain the containables even while resting on the side as would be the case when storing in a kitchen cabinet or drawer.

While the invention has been described in connection with only a single embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sewn cloth storage bag having sides, and a top and bottom edge for the containment of plastic-ware lids and similarly shaped items comprising:

a series of fabric panels folded back upon itself at least three times in a U-shape form, forming a plurality of open-top pockets, one in front of the other, and one behind the other, said panels being connected to one another by two straight vertical sews along said sides of storage bag.

2. The sewn cloth storage bag of claim 1 wherein said series of fabric panels folded back upon itself in a U-shape form a plurality of three open mouth pockets, one in front of the other, and one behind the other, the outermost panel being made of a mesh fabric and forming a flap which may be retracted to insert or remove plastic lids, but otherwise resumes a closed state occluding said open mouth pockets to secure said storage bag contents; and

a grommet placed in a corner opposite said open mouth pockets to optionally hang said storage bag in an inverted position.