Deli sandwich/composite storage bag

Abstract

A package with a flexible first and second opposing walls and a reclosable opening with interlocking and cooperative male and female elements where the walls are directly interconnected by binding zones and define between them a plurality of compartments (units/bags) separated by such binding zones that can be individually detached. Each detachable compartment (unit/bag) has external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of the walls and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said elements with said bag being opened by drawing said elements apart and being closed by pressing said elements together; The detachable recloseable (unit/bag) can contain ingredients for the preparation of or addition to, a drink or food. At least some of the compartments contain different ingredients, and at least one or all of them may freezable and microwave safe for cooling and heating. Additionally the compartment package (unit/bag) can be used for storage.

Description

Plastic film, composite package with a flexible first and second opposing walls and a recloseable opening therein, with interlocking and cooperative male and female elements where the walls are directly interconnected by binding zones and define between them a plurality of compartments (units/bags) separated by such binding zones that can be individually detached. Within the structure of each detachable compartment (unit/bag) formed of a resilient material integrally at the inner surface of said walls about the opening of said bag, said male element being formed at said first wall and having locking surfaces thereon and said female element being formed at said second wall and having locking surfaces leading from an outer mouth portion thereof for engaging said male element locking surfaces and closing said bag thereby; and external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of said walls and extending outwardly of said elements and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said elements with said bag being opened by drawing said elements apart and being closed by pressing said elements together;

This invention relates to a composite package with detachable compartments (units/bags) that are recloseable for holding ingredients used in the preparation of, or addition to, a drink or food, or storage. Many of such packages have been proposed in the past, for example, for sugar, coffee extract, salt pepper and mustard, which are supplied along with drinks or food.

In many cases, a plurality of such ingredients is necessary for the preparation of, or addition to, a drink or food, including sometimes heat-safe, microwave-safe, or freezer-safe compartments (unit/bags) which may be required for a mixture of the additive such as cheese, sauces and meats, or in the case of the freezing component, a liquid such as water that is suitable for freezing in a consumer refrigerator.

On occasion several individual packages are packed in an additional wrapper or container, but more often than not, all of the ingredients, dry and wet, are packaged as a prepared meal. When dry and wet ingredients are mixed together and held for several hours, an example being peanut butter and jelly on bread, the resulting mixture can become soggy, wet, and unpalatable.

It is an object of the present invention to simplify and facilitate the supply and preservation of such ingredients in the cases referred to.

According to the present invention, there is provided a composite package with a plurality of detachable compartments (units/bags) to hold ingredients for the preparation of, or addition to a drink or food, or storage with each detachable compartment (bag/unit) comprising a plastic film package with a flexible first and second opposing walls and a recloseable opening. The compartments (units/bags) are directly interconnected by binding zones to form a single composite package, characterized in that said substantially plastic film (flat walls) define between them a plurality of compartments (unit/bags) at least some of which may be of different sizes and contain different ingredients, said compartments (unit/bags) being separated from each other by said binding zones with weakened score or tear lines, and at least one of said compartments (unit/bags) may be constructed for cooling or freezing ingredients, made heat or microwave safe, or other means of cooling and heating the ingredients contained therein.

At least one of said compartments (unit/bags) may be constructed for freezing liquids for the purpose of preserving perishables during transport.

A longitudinal edge with weakened score or tear lines adjoining co-extensive edges of at least one other compartment (unit/bag) that can detach the upper compartment(s) (units/bags) from the lower compartments (units/bags) and in the case of two or more co-extensive edges, perpendicular tear lines that are tangent and or that intersect the longitudinal edge that can be detached from the longitudinal and perpendicular edges.

There may thus be formed a plurality of side-by-side compartments (units/bags) according to the combination of ingredients that is required in each individual case, for example, a compartment (unit/bag) containing bread and one containing lettuce. Another compartment (unit/bag) might contain a pickle. Other compartment (unit/bag) may have mustard, another may have ketchup, and one or more compartments (units/bags) may be heat proof/microwavable for meats, water and food freezable or other combinations. In addition the plurality of side-by-side compartments (units/bags) may contain a combination of stored items, related or otherwise.

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, all of the compartments (units/bags) have an opening in one wall for allowing the passage of material, food, dry and wet ingredients, and liquids into and out of said compartments (units/bags).

Thus, for example, the package according to this invention may comprise a mustard compartment (unit/bag) side by side with a bread and ketchup compartment (unit/bag), in combination with other compartments (units/bags) for housing condiments. For example, the ingredients for a deli sandwich can be prepared ahead of time with the wet and dry ingredients segregated into individual compartments (unit/bags) connected together in a single composite package by binding zones with weakened score/tear lines, but that are individually detachable as needed for final preparation. The ingredients within the individual compartments (unit bags) can be removed or left with the bag for final preparation such as heating, spreading, freezing, etc. So that with the single composite package the consumer has all the ingredients required to make the portion bought ready for consumption. Because the ingredients are brought together at the time of consumption, the sandwich in the above example is as fresh as the moment it is made. In this example the bread is dry; the lettuce is crisp, and the pickle is crunchy.

Preferably, weakened score lines or tear lines are formed in, or at least adjacent to, the binding zones between the compartments (units/bags). This renders it possible for the consumer to separate the individual compartments (units/bags) from the composite package, which facilitates the handling of the individual compartments (unit/bags) and their respective ingredients. It also makes it possible for the consumer, in certain cases, to reduce the composite package by removing unused compartments (units/bags). Because each detached compartment (unit/bag) is a complete package onto itself with all described features it can be used for other purposes where there is need for a recloseable container with the said attributes.

Conveniently, a detachable recloseable package according to this invention in which one or more detached compartments (units/bags) may be made freezer, microwave, and heat proof is of benefit to the consumer who wants to heat or cool the ingredients held within a compartment (unit/bag) section of his meal while allowing the remainder of his ingredients, held within other compartments (unit/bags), to remain unaffected by the heating or cooling process of another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Figure one is a composite package in pictorial with package with a plurality of six (6) detachable containers

DETAIL DISCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a package containing six (6) detachable recloseable containers for ingredients, generally designated by reference numeral 1, which comprises a pair of sheet-like, plane, substantially flat walls 2 and 3 that are connected by binding zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 to form a plurality of compartments (unit/bags), 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. In the drawing the two walls are pulled apart in each compartment (unit/bag) to show front and rear walls 2 and 3.

The two walls 2 and 3 are locally directly and intimately interconnected, for example, by heat-sealing, if the material of the walls is suitable therefore, to form binding zones. Binding zone 4, located along two peripheral edges in this embodiment, may connect to other composite packages with similar configurations but not necessarily identical.

Further binding zones using the same sealing process as mention for binding zone 4 are shown at 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Binding zone 5 and 6 separates two smaller compartments (units/bags), 19, and 21 from a larger center compartment (unit/bag), 20 along two peripheral edges. Binding zones 7 separate the upper compartments (unit/bags), 19, 20, and 21 from the lower compartments (units/bags), 22, 23, and 24 along their respective peripheral edge. Binding zone 7 is tangent to binding zone 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. Binding zone 8 and 9 separates two larger compartments (units/bags) 22 and 24 from a smaller center compartment (unit/bag), 23 as viewed in the drawing.

Below the peripheral top edge of the upper detachable compartments (units/bags) 19, 20, and 21 is a recloseable element shown as 10. On the drawing the recloseable elements are pulled apart to show the connection to walls 2 and 3. These recloseable elements when pushed together form a closure for each detachable container.

Above the lower deferral edge of the lower detachable compartments (units/bags), 22, 23, and 24 is a recloseable element shown aslo. On the drawing the recloseable elements are pulled apart to show the connection to walls 2 and 3. These recloseable elements when pushed together form a closure for each detachable container.

For each detachable compartment (unit/bag) there is an external flanges formed on the exposed edge of walls 2 and 3 shown as 11 that is adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate walls 2 and 3, thereby separating the recloseable elements 10.

Weakened score lines or tear lines 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are formed to extend, respectively, along the center edge of binding zone 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Along these weakened score lines or tear lines the portions of the package containing the respective compartments (units/bags) 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 can easily be separated from each other.

The composite package can be produced without binding zone 4 which is the binding zone that connects to other composite packages. Removing binding zone 4 creates a stand alone, single composite package containing a plurality of compartments (units/bags).

Before and after the compartments (units/bags) have been separated, the individual compartments (units/bags) can function as a self-contained unit having all of the stated attributes.

In the present case, compartments (units/bags) 19 and 21 are contemplated to be filled with mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise respectively, for being supplied as condiments for the food enclosed in other compartments (units/bags) attached to the composite package. The compartment (units/bags) 19, 20, and 21; in this example; have measured fill-lines 27 to control the maximum amount of liquid, wet, and dry ingredients that can be contained therein for storage, freezing, and heating. In the case of freezing and storage, the fill-lines are so measured as to prevent expansion beyond the capacity of the compartments (unit/bags) thus allowing the ingredients to occupy a greater volume upon expansion without rupture of the container (unit/bag) or it's closure element, thereby keeping the ingredients secured within the walls 2 and 3 of said compartments (units/bags).

Naturally numerous variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention is regards to the composition and diversity of the individual ingredients, in the shape, size, and direction of the binding zones, and fill lines; and in regards to the shape and dimensions of the composite unit package and the compartments (units/bags), may be accommodated in the composite package according to the invention. The invention can be attached, by binding zone 4, to one or more like component packages with or without a plurality of detachable compartments (unit/bags), but it is not limited to such attachments, and formed into a continuous roll of predetermined length, or it may be formed into a single component package with a plurality of detachable bags. The single component bag may or may not have binding zone 4 on the peripheral edges as indicated in the drawing, depending of how the component package will be produced. If the composite package is produced without binding zone 4, the composite package is sealed along said peripheral edge 25 and 26 to connect and close flat walls 2 and 3 along said edge.

Also, the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular material to be used for the component package or its detachable components (units/bags). A great variety of commercially available, well-known sheet materials are suitable for making packages according to this invention.

Claims

1. In a recloseable, flexible container of the type comprising:

(a) a plastic film or similar material

(b) Interlocking and cooperative male and female elements or press-seal type surfaces formed of a resilient material integrally at the inner surface of said walls about the opening of said compartment (unit/bags), said male element being formed at said first wall and having locking surfaces or press-seal type surfaces thereon and said female element or press-seal type surface being formed at said second wall and having locking surfaces or press-seal type surface leading from an outer mouth portion thereof for engaging said male element locking surfaces or press-seal type surfaces and closing said compartment (unit/bags); and

(c) external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of said walls and extending outwardly of said elements and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said elements with said bag being opened by drawing said elements apart and being closed by pressing said elements together; the improvement comprising:

2. In a recloseable container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first wall element is attached to the second wall element form of material of which said first wall may or may not be made, and said first and second wall is adjoined by a structure (binding zone) that separates said first wall and said second wall into a plurality of recloseable compartment (unit/bags) thereby, forming for each compartment (unit/bag) a secured innermost and outermost edge. The separating structure (binding zone) comprises a perforated, scored, or plain seam element formed of the same or different material of which said first and second wall is made.

3. In a recloseable container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) elements is fixed to first and second wall inner surfaces

4. In a recloseable container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) element forms an inner seam for each recloseable compartment (unit bags) and an outer seam that may or may not be detachable that is adjoined to the outer seam of the adjoining recloseable container.

5. In a recloseable compartment (unit/bags) as claimed in claim 2 wherein in at least one of the said recloseable compartment (unit/bags) first and second wall can be made of microwavable plastic film or other suitable microwavable materials.

6. In a recloseable compartment (unit/bag) as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outermost edges of both surfaces of said first wall is integrally formed with the inner surface of said second wall and the innermost edges of both surfaces are integrally formed with said separating structure (binding zone) and the recloseable mouth in each recloseable compartment (unit/bags) operates independent of the others.

10. In a recloseable compartment (unit/bags) as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) element is formed integrally with said first wall and said second wall.

11. A compartment (unit/bags) comprising two flexible sidewalls and an interlocking closure device or press-seal material formed of resilient plastic or other suitable material and including male and female closure profiles operable for being interlocked continuously over a predetermined length and connected to said sidewalls, external flanges formed on the upper exposed edges of said sidewalls and extending outwardly of said profiles and adapted to be gripped and drawn apart to separate said profiles with said compartment (unit/bags) being opened by drawing said profiles apart and being closed by pressing said profiles together.

12. First wall structure formed integrally with said second wall of said bags adjacent said female element, a ramp structures extending laterally from opposite sides of the outer mouth portion of said female element to the inner surface of said second wall and providing planar surfaces on both sides of said female element upon which the leading part of said male element can slide towards and so as to locate at least a portion thereof over a portion of the mouth of said female element to be interlocked therewith enabling subsequent interlocking of the remaining portions of said elements by continuous pressure applied thereto to close said compartment (unit/bags).

13. A container as claimed in claim 11 wherein said closure profiles and structures are formed of the same resilient plastic material or other suitable materials of which said sidewalls are formed.

14. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) is perforated or scored.

15. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said separating structure (binding zone) is not perforated or scored.