FOOD STORAGE BAG

Abstract

A food storage bag is formed from a planar sheet of polymeric material. The bag has two food storage compartments defined therein, each with a closure for items received therein. In one version the bag is formed with two, differently sized compartments integrally secured to each other on a single backing.

Description

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

This invention relates to a plastic bag, and more particularly, to reclosable food storage bags.

BACKGROUND

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.

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.

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.

There is a need for a food storage bag to address various drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY

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.

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.

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear elevational respectively, of one implementation of a food storage bag.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roll of bags;

FIG. 3b is a package of bags;

FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the food storage bag of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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).

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.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A food storage bag comprising:

a planar, polymeric sheet having first and second food storage compartments defined therein;

the first food storage compartment having a first size to hold at least a first type of food;

the second food storage compartment located near the first food storage compartment and having a second size sufficiently different from the first size to hold at least a second type of food, each of the compartments having respective closures.

2. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the first compartment is sized to hold a sandwich and the second compartment is sized to hold a smaller food item.

3. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the closures include respective beads.

4. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second compartments are integrally secured relative to each other.

5. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second compartments are removably secured relative to each other.

6. The food storage bag of claim 1, further comprising perforations extending between the two compartments.

7. The food storage bag of claim 1, wherein the polymeric sheet comprises a backing and planar portions overlying the backing, the planar portions having edges secured to the backing to define the first and second compartments.