DISPOSABLE FOOD POUCH

Abstract

A disposable food pouch is disclosed herein. The disposable food pouch can include a unitary blank of paper extending a lateral blank width and a longitudinal blank width between edges. Upper and lower surfaces can be defined on opposite sides of the unitary blank. Quantities of adhesive can be applied to the unitary blank. A plurality of fold lines can extend across the unitary blank and define panels. The panels can be folded about fold lines to be brought in confronting relationship. The quantities of adhesive can fix the panels together. A layer of moisture impregnable coating can be disposed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface and covers at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of fold lines.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a container for items such as food and more specifically to a disposable container.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,792 discloses a SANDWICH POUCH. The sandwich pouch is formed from a unitary blank of Kraft paper or other easily biodegradable, flexible sheet material. The blank is of generally rectangular form and includes a plurality of generally rectangular panels, joined side by side and foldably secured together by generally transversely extending fold lines. The ends of a pair of middle panels are each provided with a generally rectangular end seal flap. The blank is also provided with a pair of longitudinally extending tear lines which permit the pouch formed from the blank to be torn open at either or both ends to gain access to its contents. The pouch is opened by bending back an upper front closure panel for insertion of a food product such as a hamburger.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A disposable food pouch can include a unitary blank of paper extending a lateral blank width along a first axis between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The unitary blank of paper can also extend a longitudinal blank width along a second axis between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. An upper surface can be defined on a first side of the unitary blank. A lower surface can be defined on a second side of the unitary blank opposite the first side. A first quantity of adhesive can be disposed along the first longitudinal edge on the upper surface and extend along the second axis a first adhesive width. A second quantity of adhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge on the upper surface and extend along the second axis a second adhesive width. A third quantity of adhesive can be disposed along the first longitudinal edge on the lower surface and extend along the second axis a third adhesive width. A fourth quantity of adhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge on the lower surface and extend along the second axis a fourth adhesive width. The first quantity of adhesive and the second quantity of adhesive can extend further along the first axis than the third quantity of adhesive and the fourth quantity of adhesive. A plurality of fold lines can extend parallel to the second axis and be evenly spaced from one another along the first axis. A first panel can be defined by the unitary blank between the first lateral edge and a first fold line of the plurality of fold lines. A second panel can be defined by the unitary blank between the first fold line of the plurality of fold lines and a second fold line of the plurality of fold lines. A third panel can be defined by the unitary blank between the second fold line of the plurality of fold lines and a third fold line of the plurality of fold lines. A fourth panel can be defined by the unitary blank between the third fold line of the plurality of fold lines and the second lateral edge. The first panel and the second panel can be folded about the first fold line such that first and second portions of the upper surface are brought in confronting relationship. The third panel and the fourth panel can be folded about the third fold line such that third and fourth portions of the upper surface are brought in confronting relationship. The second panel and the third panel can be foldable about the second fold line such that first and second portions of the lower surface are brought in confronting relationship. The first panel and the second panel can be fixed together with the first quantity of adhesive and the second quantity of adhesive. The third panel and the fourth panel can be fixed together with the first quantity of adhesive and the second quantity of adhesive. The second panel and the third panel can be fixed together with the third quantity of adhesive and the fourth quantity of adhesive. A layer of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface and covers at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of fold lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable food pouch incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a unitary blank for forming a disposable food pouch incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the unitary blank shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the unitary blank after the formation of fold lines;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through section lines 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a coating pattern;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a coating pattern; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a coating pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.

The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described below, can provide a disposable food pouch. The pouch can be used to hold food items like chips, popcorn, grapes and can catch crumbs, drips, moisture, and oils. After the food is consumed, surface area of the pouch can be used to wipe fingers or lips clean. For example, the pouch can be enclosed around the debris within the pouch and the exterior of the enclosed pouch can be used as a napkin. Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used to inhibit stains on clothing and fabric.

A disposable food pouch 10 can include a unitary blank 12 of paper extending a lateral blank width 14 along a first axis 16 between a first lateral edge 18 and a second lateral edge 20. The unitary blank 12 of paper can also extend a longitudinal blank width 22 along a second axis 24 between a first longitudinal edge 26 and a second longitudinal edge 28. An upper surface 30 can be defined on a first side of the unitary blank 12. A lower surface 32 can be defined on a second side of the unitary blank 12 opposite the first side.

A first quantity 34 of adhesive can be disposed along the first longitudinal edge 26 on the upper surface 30 and extend along the second axis 24 a first adhesive width 36. A second quantity 38 of adhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge 28 on the upper surface 30 and extend along the second axis 24 a second adhesive width 40. As shown in FIG. 3, a third quantity 42 of adhesive can be disposed along the first longitudinal edge 26 on the lower surface 32 and extend along the second axis 24 a third adhesive width 44. A fourth quantity 46 of adhesive can be disposed along the second longitudinal edge 28 on the lower surface 32 and extend along the second axis 24 a fourth adhesive width 48. The first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive can extend further along the first axis 16 than the third quantity 42 of adhesive and the fourth quantity 46 of adhesive. The first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive can extend respective full lengths of the lateral blank width 14. The exemplary first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive can extend continuously between the first lateral edge 18 and the second lateral edge 20.

A plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 can extend parallel to the second axis 24 and be evenly spaced from one another along the first axis 16. A first panel 50 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the first lateral edge 18 and a first fold line 52 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. A second panel 54 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the first fold line 52 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 and a second fold line 56 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. A third panel 58 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the second fold line 56 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 and a third fold line 60 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. A fourth panel 62 can be defined by the unitary blank 12 between the third fold line 60 of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60 and the second lateral edge 20.

The first panel 50 and the second panel 54 can be folded about the first fold line 52 such that first and second portions 64, 66 of the upper surface 30 are brought in confronting relationship. The third panel 58 and the fourth panel 62 can be folded about the third fold line 60 such that third and fourth portions 68, 70 of the upper surface 30 are brought in confronting relationship. As shown in FIG. 3, the second panel 54 and the third panel 58 can be foldable about the second fold line 56 such that first and second portions 72, 74 of the lower surface 32 are brought in confronting relationship.

The first panel 50 and the second panel 54 can be fixed together with the first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive. The third panel 58 and the fourth panel 62 can be fixed together with the first quantity 34 of adhesive and the second quantity 38 of adhesive. The second panel 54 and the third panel 58 can be fixed together with the third quantity 42 of adhesive and the fourth quantity 46 of adhesive.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the unitary blank 12 after the formation of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. FIG. 4 shows the unitary blank 12 before the quantities 34, 38, 42, 46 of adhesive have been utilized to fix the ends of the panels 50, 54, 58, 62 together. After the ends of the panels 50, 54, 58, 62 have been fixed together, the pouch 10 can be flat and rectangular in shape. A user can place fingers between the various panels 50, 54, 60, 62 and draw the pouch 10 into a generally circular shape. As the pouch 10 is changed into a generally circular shape, the edges 18 and 20 can move closer together and the edges 26 and 28 can change from being substantially straight to being substantially arcuate. As the pouch 10 is changed into a generally circular shape, the fold lines 52, 56, 60 can change from being substantially straight to being substantially arcuate. The fold line 56 can make the most pronounced change from being substantially straight to being substantially arcuate. As shown in FIG. 5, the pouch 10 can define a volume 76 for receiving food items.

The unitary blank 12 can be formed from paper such as paper used to form tissue paper, facial tissue, napkins, bathroom tissue, wrapping tissue, and household towels. The unitary blank 12 can have multiple plies of paper layers. The unitary blank 12 can be formed from any paper in the range of basis weight of 14-18 grams per square meter to 20-24 grams per square meter. The unitary blank 12 can be formed from non-white paper. Indicia can be printed on the unitary blank 12, such as textual information, logos, characters, or any other kind of indicia.

A layer of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on at least one of the upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32. The layer of moisture impregnable coating covers at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of fold lines 52, 56, 60. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary blank 12a with respective layers of moisture impregnable coating disposed on both of the upper surface 30a and the lower surface 32a. A first layer 78a of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on the upper surface 30a and second layer 80a of moisture impregnable coating is disposed on the lower surface 32a. The layers 78a, 80a were applied before fold lines 52a, 56a, 60a were formed.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary blank 12b with a layer 78b of moisture impregnable coating disposed on only one of the upper surface 30b. The layer 78b was applied after fold lines 52b, 56b, 60b were formed. The layer of moisture impregnable coating on any particular layer can be disposed on less than all of the respective surface or on all of the respective surface. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary blank 12c with a layer 78c of moisture impregnable coating disposed in a circle pattern on the upper surface 30c.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the “present disclosure” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.

Claims

1. A disposable food pouch comprising:

a unitary blank of paper extending a lateral blank width along a first axis between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge and extending a longitudinal blank width along a second axis between a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge;

an upper surface defined on a first side of said unitary blank;

a lower surface defined on a second side of said unitary blank opposite said first side;

a first quantity of adhesive disposed along said first longitudinal edge on said upper surface and extending along said second axis a first adhesive width;

a second quantity of adhesive disposed along said second longitudinal edge on said upper surface and extending along said second axis a second adhesive width;

a third quantity of adhesive disposed along said first longitudinal edge on said lower surface and extending along said second axis a third adhesive width;

a fourth quantity of adhesive disposed along said second longitudinal edge on said lower surface and extending along said second axis a fourth adhesive width;

wherein said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive extend further along said first axis than said third quantity of adhesive and said fourth quantity of adhesive;

a plurality of fold lines extending parallel to said second axis and evenly spaced from one another along said first axis;

a first panel defined by said unitary blank between said first lateral edge and a first fold line of said plurality of fold lines;

a second panel defined by said unitary blank between the first fold line of said plurality of fold lines and a second fold line of said plurality of fold lines;

a third panel defined by said unitary blank between the second fold line of said plurality of fold lines and a third fold line of said plurality of fold lines;

a fourth panel defined by said unitary blank between the third fold line of said plurality of fold lines and said second lateral edge;

wherein said first panel and said second panel are folded about said first fold line such that first and second portions of said upper surface are brought in confronting relationship;

wherein said third panel and said fourth panel are folded about said third fold line such that third and fourth portions of said upper surface are brought in confronting relationship;

wherein said second panel and said third panel are foldable about said second fold line such that first and second portions of said lower surface are brought in confronting relationship;

wherein said first panel and said second panel are fixed together with said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive;

wherein said third panel and said fourth panel are fixed together with said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive;

wherein said second panel and said third panel are fixed together with said third quantity of adhesive and said fourth quantity of adhesive; and

a layer of moisture impregnable coating disposed on at least one of said upper surface and said lower surface and covering at least a portion of at least one of said plurality of fold lines.

2. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is further defined as disposed on only one of said upper surface and said lower surface.

3. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is further defined as disposed on both of said upper surface and said lower surface.

4. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is further defined as disposed on less than all of said at least one of said upper surface and said lower surface.

5. The disposable food pouch of claim 4 wherein said layer of moisture impregnable coating is further defined as disposed in a circle pattern on said at least one of said upper surface and said lower surface.

6. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive extend respective full lengths of said lateral blank width.

7. The disposable food pouch of claim 1 wherein said first quantity of adhesive and said second quantity of adhesive extend continuously between said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge.