Takeout food bag

Abstract

A method for packaging hot food and a bag container which has a base, a front wall, and a rear wall, and first and second side walls, the bag container being formed of a laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly, relates to packaging suitable for use with hot foods and to a method of packaging hot foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to package heated foods at the retail level for purchase by the consumer for consumption in the near future. Such foods are usually prepared and cooked at the store for the convenience of the consumer. Examples of such foods would include roasted chickens, ribs, wings, hot sandwiches, etc. There is a substantial market for such foods as it enables the consumer to pick up a “meal” for immediate consumption.

Typically, such food has been packaged in what is known as “domes”. The container will typically comprise a base into which the hot food is placed. A dome or cover is designed to mate with the base. Frequently, a piece of absorbent material is placed on the bottom of the base to absorb liquid from the hot food.

There are several problems associated with the use of dome containers. Although the material (plastic) is recyclable per se, frequently they are not recycled but rather disposed of in the garbage since they are considered by some people to be soiled with animal fats and the like.

A further problem with dome containers is their bulk which is substantial and it is required that they be transported to the retail outlet. This entails a substantial expenditure of fuel as even when they are nested, they occupy a considerable amount of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative packaging for heated foods.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag container which is biodegradable, recyclable and leak proof.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag container comprising a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls, the bag container being formed of a laminate, the laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method for packaging hot food for take out comprising the steps of supplying a leak proof bag container comprising a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls, the bag container being formed of a laminate, the laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material, and packaging a hot food therein.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is also provided packaged food comprising a bag container having a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls, the bag container being formed of a laminate, the laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material, the food being located within the bag container.

In greater detail, the outer layer of the bag is preferably formed of paper. It may be made from 100% post-consumer recycled kraft paper. The paper layer can be made of both natural kraft and/or recycled paper of sufficient weight to provide a thermal insulation capability. A preferred kraft type paper would have a weight in the range of 80 to 100 grams per square meter.

The biodegradable plastic is known in the art and may take several different forms. Thus, aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable due to their potentially hydrolysable ester bonds. Other plastics such as cellulose esters are also known for their biodegradability. Many of the biodegradable plastics require a specific environment and moisture and oxygen to biodegrade which may require professionally managed composting facilities.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention will utilize an inner layer of plastic which conveniently may be a polypropylene homopolymer. The polypropylene is formed as a layer and is laminated to the outer paper layer. The polypropylene (C₃H₆)n would preferably have a thickness of between 20 to 30 microns. The polypropylene may have added thereto silicon dioxide and GMS (Monoglyceride). In addition, the polypropylene will have added thereto an effective amount of an additive to biodegrade the plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an additive such as that marketed under the trademark d2w may be used with the polypropylene. The additive d2w™ converts the plastic when it is included in the resin during the manufacturing process. The d2w™ breaks the molecular chains so that the plastic will degrade in the presence of oxygen by a process of oxidation with a final biodegradation being completed by micro organisms.

The d2w™ is added in an amount sufficient to cause the plastic to biodegrade. Polypropylene consists of hydrogen atoms bonded together by carbon atoms in long entangled chains. The d2w™ will break the molecular chains so at the end of a predetermined surface life, the plastic starts degrading in the presence of oxygen by a process of oxidation which is accelerated by light, heat and stress. Biodegradation is completed by micro organisms. Preferably, at least 1% and even more preferably 3% of d2w™ is added to the polypropylene homopolymer.

The adhesive for lamination may be any suitable known in the art. The adhesive should be transparent after drying.

The container bag of the present invention, as aforementioned, is biodegradable. Preferably, it is also recyclable and compostable. One advantage of the container bag compared to the domed containers is the fact that it will have a better thermal profile and be designed to retain heat for a longer period of time.

The bag may, if desired, have means for sealing the top portion thereof. Many different approaches can be taken including providing a line of sealing of a suitable material between the interior front wall and the interior back wall. One could also use a biodegradable double tape typically made of cotton and starch. Alternatively, there may be provided sealing material on either of the front or back walls and the bag folded over onto itself to seal the same. A handle arrangement may be provided or alternatively, the folding over of the top of the front and back walls can be sufficient to provide a grip for the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag of the present invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bag in an open condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the bag in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bag after insertion of food therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a container in the form of a bag generally designated by reference numeral 10. Bag 10 has a front wall 12 and a rear wall 14. Intermediate front wall 12 and rear wall 14 is a first sidewall 16 and a second sidewall 18. First side wall 16 has a first gusset portion 20 while second side wall 18 includes a second gusset portion 22. The term “gusset” is used to denote the triangular portion with it being understood that the bag is of a one piece structure.

After folding, the bag 10 includes a first bottom wall section 24 and a second bottom wall section 26.

Formed in wall 12 is a front wall handle aperture 28 while rear wall 14 includes a rear wall handle aperture 30. It will be noted that there is a further aperture 32 in front wall 12 for purposes of holding the bags on a rod or similar member. To accommodate the rod, there is also provided a cutout 34 in rear wall 14. Other arrangements can be utilized.

It will be noted that front wall 12 has a window 36. This is accomplished by this section only consisting of the plastic and not the paper layer. Window 36 allows for visual inspection of the contents of bag 10.

The bag 10 will include wall fold lines 40 intermediate the front, rear and side walls. There are also provided gusset fold lines 42.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, there is an outer paper layer 44 and an inner biodegradable plastic layer 46.

After filling, the top of the bag may be sealed with front wall 12 and rear wall 14 being secured to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, at least one line of sealing extends between front wall 12 and rear wall 14. This line of sealing is not intended to render the same leak proof in the sense that the bottom portion is. As may be seen in FIG. 5, visual access is had through window 36 to inspect the contents 48 which typically can be chicken and/or ribs. In view of the line of sealing an adhesive portion (covered by a removable label), may be provided on either of the front or back walls. The top may be folded over so as to be adhesively secured to the adhesive area. The folded over top would then provide a thicker portion to help in the carrying of the bag.

Any printing on the package is preferably done with water based inks including soy ink. Thus, the printing could include the nutritional facts and the UPC.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bag container comprising:

a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls;

said bag container being formed of a laminate, said laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material.

2. The bag container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said front wall and said rear wall includes a window formed therein, said window being formed solely of said inner layer.

3. The bag container of claim 1 further including a line of sealing along an upper portion of at least one of said front wall and said rear wall, said line of sealing permitting said front wall and said rear wall to be sealed together.

4. The bag container of claim 1 wherein said plastic material is a polypropylene material.

5. The bag container of claim 4 wherein said plastic material has a thickness of between 20 to 30 microns.

6. The bag container of claim 4 wherein said polypropylene includes an effective amount of an additive to render the plastic biodegradable.

7. The bag container of claim 6 wherein said additive is that marketed under the trademark d2w.

8. The bag container of claim 7 wherein said additive is added in an amount of at least 1% by weight.

9. The bag container of claim 1 wherein said outer layer formed of a paper material comprises a kraft type paper having a weight of between 80 to 100 g per square meter.

10. The bag container of claim 1 wherein said outer layer contains printing thereon, said printing using soy ink.

11. A method for packaging hot food for take out comprising the steps of:

supplying a leak proof bag container comprising:

a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls;

said bag container being formed of a laminate, said laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material; and

packaging a hot food therein.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said hot food is selected from the group consisting of ribs, chicken and hot sandwiches.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of sealing said front wall and said rear wall together.

14. The method of claim 11 further including the step of disposing of said bag container after use to permit said bag container to biodegrade.

15. Packaged food comprising a bag container having a base, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second side walls, said bag container being formed of a laminate, said laminate having an inner layer of a biodegradable plastic material and an outer layer formed of a paper material, said food being located within said bag container.