DRY BAGS FOR STORING SOLID COOKING FUELS

Abstract

Dry bags for storing solid cooking fuels are disclosed. An example dry bag includes a closed base, a sealable opening located opposite the closed base, a closed sidewall extending between the closed base and the sealable opening, and a handle coupled to the closed base.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/975,001, filed Feb. 11, 2020, entitled “Dry Bags For Storing Solid Cooking Fuels.” The entirety of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/975,001 is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to dry bags and, more specifically, to dry bags for storing solid cooking fuels (e.g., wood pellets, wood chunks, wood chips, charcoal briquettes, etc.).

BACKGROUND

Dry bags are flexible containers configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive one or more item(s) therein, and to subsequently store the received item(s) in a sealed, watertight manner. Common applications and/or uses for dry bags include kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and other outdoor activities where a user's personal items (e.g., spare clothing, a sleeping bag, a smartphone, etc.) are prone to being exposed to water from the surrounding environment if left unsealed. Dry bags are commercially available in many sizes, ranging from small bags suitable for carrying a single smartphone to large bags suitable for carrying several sleeping bags along with a folded tent.

Known dry bags are often constructed of plastic film, plastic-coated fabric, and/or waterproof fabric formed to create a bag having a water-impermeable internal compartment. Such known dry bags typically have a closed base (e.g., a closed bottom), a sealable opening (e.g., a sealable open top) located opposite the base, and a closed sidewall extending between the base and the sealable opening. An upper end of the sidewall located opposite the base is configured (e.g., sized, shaped and/or structured) to be rolled and/or folded over itself one or more time(s) to create a watertight seal that closes off the sealable opening of the dry bag (e.g., subsequent to one or more item(s) having been loaded into and/or placed within an internal compartment of the dry bag via the sealable opening). The watertight seal formed via the rolled and/or folded upper end of the sidewall is maintained via one or more fastener(s) (e.g., one or more buckle(s), clasp(s), etc.) that fasten, secure, and/or hold the otherwise open dry bag in the above-described rolled and/or folded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an example dry bag constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dry bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 is a third perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 10 is a fourth perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-9, with the dry bag shown in an example empty flattened state.

FIG. 11 is a fifth perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-10, with the dry bag shown in the empty flattened state of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sixth perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-11, with the dry bag shown adjacent an example bag of wood pellets.

FIG. 13 is a seventh perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-12, with the dry bag shown in an example partially-filled state and further shown in an example unsealed configuration.

FIG. 14 is an eighth perspective view of the dry bag of FIGS. 1-13, with the dry bag shown in the partially-filled state of FIG. 13 and further shown in an example sealed configuration.

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify the same or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.

Descriptors “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein when identifying multiple elements or components which may be referred to separately. Unless otherwise specified or understood based on their context of use, such descriptors are not intended to impute any meaning of priority or ordering in time but merely as labels for referring to multiple elements or components separately for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or “third.” In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for ease of referencing multiple elements or components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pellet grills are fueled by combustible wood pellets that are fed (e.g., via a motor-driven auger) from a hopper of the pellet grill into a burn pot of the pellet grill where the wood pellets are subsequently combusted and/or burned to generate heat. Wood pellets are often categorized and/or characterized by their moisture content, among other attributes. In this regard, wood pellets to be used as fuel for pellet grills are typically produced with a moisture content of less than ten percent (10%). This low moisture content enables the wood pellets to be combusted and/or burned with a very high combustion efficiency. Exposing such low-moisture wood pellets to environmental moisture (e.g., from rain, snow, atmospheric humidity, etc.) may adversely impact the combustion efficiency of the wood pellets, particularly when such exposure occurs for an extended period of time (e.g., days, weeks, months, etc.). Such prolonged exposure to moisture may be more likely to occur when the wood pellets are stored in a non-watertight container (e.g., a non-watertight hopper of the pellet grill, a non-watertight bag located remotely from the pellet grill, etc.). Similar moisture-exposure concerns may arise for other types of solid cooking fuels (e.g., wood chunks, wood chips, charcoal briquettes, etc.) as well.

Wood pellets to be used as fuel for pellet grills are often configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) such that the greatest dimension of a pellet does not exceed forty millimeters (40 mm). In this regard, wood pellets to be used as fuel for pellet grills are relatively granular in nature, particularly when compared to items that are traditionally placed into and/or stored in known dry bags of the type described above. A user may find the process of emptying such granular wood pellets from a flexible dry bag into a hopper of a pellet grill to be awkward in the absence of a mechanism structured to provide the user with increased control over the flexible dry bag and/or the wood pellets stored therein.

Example dry bags disclosed herein are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive a volume of solid cooking fuel (e.g., approximately eighteen liters of wood pellets having a weight of approximately twenty pounds), and to subsequently store the received solid cooking fuel in a sealed, watertight manner. Example dry bags disclosed herein advantageously include one or more handle(s) coupled (e.g., sewn, stitched, fastened, and/or adhered) to the base of the dry bag. The handle(s) is/are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to be gripped by a user, thereby providing the user with increased control over the dry bag and/or any solid cooking fuel (e.g., any wood pellets) stored therein. The handle(s) accordingly provide the user with increased control over the process of emptying granular solid cooking fuel out of the dry bag and into another storage vessel, such as a hopper of a pellet grill. The above-identified features as well as other advantageous features of the disclosed dry bags are further described below in connection with the figures of the application.

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate an example dry bag 100 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the dry bag 100. FIG. 2 is a front view of the dry bag 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 is a top view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 9 is a third perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-8. FIG. 10 is a fourth perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-9, with the dry bag shown in an example empty flattened state 1000. FIG. 11 is a fifth perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-10, with the dry bag shown in the empty flattened state 1000 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a sixth perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-11, with the dry bag 100 shown adjacent an example bag 1200 of wood pellets 1202. FIG. 13 is a seventh perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-12, with the dry bag 100 shown in an example partially-filled state 1300 and further shown in an example unsealed configuration 1302. FIG. 14 is an eighth perspective view of the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-13, with the dry bag 100 shown in the partially-filled state 1300 of FIG. 13 and further shown in an example sealed configuration 1402.

The dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 is a flexible container configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive a volume of solid cooking fuel (e.g., approximately eighteen liters of wood pellets having a weight of approximately twenty pounds), and to subsequently store the received solid cooking fuel in a sealed, watertight manner that protects the solid cooking fuel from exposure to environmental moisture (e.g., from rain, snow, atmospheric humidity, etc.). The dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 includes an example closed base 102 (e.g., a closed bottom), an example sealable opening 104 (e.g., a sealable open top) located opposite the base 102, and an example closed sidewall 106 extending between the base 102 and the sealable opening 104. The base 102 and the sidewall 106 define an example internal compartment 108 of the dry bag 100, with the internal compartment 108 being configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive and/or store a solid cooking fuel (e.g., wood pellets, wood chunks, wood chips, charcoal briquettes, etc.). The base 102 and the sidewall 106 are respectively constructed of flexible, watertight material such as plastic film, plastic-coated fabric, and/or waterproof fabric formed to create a water-impermeable barrier. One or more seams existing between the base 102 and the sidewall 106 are welded to facilitate the formation of a water-impermeable compartment within the dry bag 100. In the illustrated example of FIGS. 1-14, the base 102 has a circular shape, and the sidewall 106 has a tubular and/or cylindrical shape. In other examples, the base 102 and/or the sidewall 106 can be of a different (e.g., non-circular or non-cylindrical) shape.

In the illustrated example of FIGS. 1-14, an example upper end 110 of the sidewall 106 located opposite the base 102 of the dry bag 100 and/or proximate the sealable opening 104 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped and/or structured) to be rolled and/or folded over itself one or more time(s) to transition the dry bag 100 from the unsealed configuration 1302 shown in FIG. 13 to the sealed configuration 1402 shown in FIG. 14. The rolling and/or folding of the upper end 110 of the sidewall 106 creates a watertight seal that closes off the sealable opening 104 of the dry bag 100 (e.g., subsequent to solid cooking fuel having been loaded into and/or placed within the internal compartment 108 of the dry bag 100 via the sealable opening 104). The dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 further includes an example closure strap 112 coupled (e.g., sewn, stitched, fastened, and/or adhered) to the sidewall 106 of the dry bag 100 proximate the upper end 110 of the sidewall 106, and/or proximate the sealable opening 104 of the dry bag 100. The closure strap 112 includes one or more example fastener(s) 114 (e.g., one or more buckle(s), clasp(s), etc.) that are respectively configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to fasten, secure, and/or hold the otherwise open and/or unsealed upper end 110 of the dry bag 100 in the above-described rolled and/or folded position corresponding to the sealed configuration 1402 shown in FIG. 14. The closure strap 112 advantageously provides and/or functions as an example carrying handle 1404 for the dry bag 100 when the dry bag 100 is in the sealed configuration 1402 shown in FIG. 14.

The dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive and/or store approximately eighteen liters of solid cooking fuel. For example, the internal compartment 108 formed by the base 102 and the sidewall 106 of the dry bag 100 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive and/or store a full volume of the wood pellets 1202 contained in the bag 1200 shown in FIG. 12, which is a twenty-pound bag of wood pellets having a volume of approximately eighteen liters. In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, individual ones of the wood pellets 1202 to be transferred from the bag 1200 into the internal compartment 108 of the dry bag 100, and to subsequently be transferred from the internal compartment 108 of the dry bag 100 into a hopper of a pellet grill, are respectively configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) such that the greatest dimension of the wood pellet does not exceed forty millimeters (40 mm). FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the dry bag 100 in a partially-filled state 1300 in which the dry bag 100 contains a volume of solid cooking fuel (e.g., a partial volume of the wood pellets 502 previously held in the bag 500 of FIG. 5).

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, 7, 9, and 11, the dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 further includes one or more example handle(s) 202 coupled (e.g., sewn, stitched, fastened, and/or adhered) to the base 102 of the dry bag 100. The handle(s) 202 is/are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to be gripped by a user, thereby providing the user with increased control over the dry bag 100 and/or any solid cooking fuel (e.g., wood pellets) stored therein. The handle(s) 202 accordingly provide the user with increased control over the process of emptying granular solid cooking fuel (e.g., wood pellets) out of the internal compartment 108 of the dry bag 100 and into another storage vessel (e.g., a hopper of a pellet grill). For example, a user may grip the sealable opening 104 of the dry bag 100 with his/her left hand, and may concurrently grip the handle(s) 202 of the dry bag 100 with his/her right hand, thereby enabling the user to easily raise and/or hold the base 102 of the dry bag 100 above the sealable opening 104 of the dry bag 100 for the purpose of funneling granular wood pellets contained within the dry bag 100 into a hopper of a pellet grill.

The dry bag 100 of FIGS. 1-14 further includes an example window 116 coupled (e.g., sewn, stitched, fastened, and/or adhered) to the sidewall 106 of the dry bag 100. The window 116 is configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or structured) to receive, carry, and/or hold a label which may be marked to provide an indication of the type and/or the flavor of solid cooking fuel stored within the dry bag 100. In this regard, the window 116 has an example transparent pane 118 that facilitates viewing a label located, carried, and/or held within the window 116.

Claims

1. A dry bag for storing solid cooking fuel, the dry bag comprising:

a closed base;

a sealable opening located opposite the closed base;

a closed sidewall extending between the closed base and the sealable opening; and

a handle coupled to the closed base.

2. The dry bag of claim 1, wherein the closed base has a circular shape and the closed sidewall has a cylindrical shape.

3. The dry bag of claim 1, wherein the closed base and the closed sidewall are constructed of flexible, watertight material providing a water-impermeable barrier.

4. The dry bag of claim 3, wherein one or more seams existing between the closed base and the closed sidewall are welded.

5. The dry bag of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the closed sidewall located proximate the sealable opening is foldable over itself, wherein folding the upper end over itself transitions the dry bag from an unsealed configuration in which the sealable opening is unsealed into a sealed configuration in which the upper end creates a watertight seal that closes off the sealable opening.

6. The dry bag of claim 5, further comprising a closure strap coupled to the upper end of the closed sidewall, the closure strap including at least one fastener configured to secure the dry bag in the sealed configuration.

7. The dry bag of claim 6, wherein the closure strap provides a carrying handle for the dry bag when the dry bag is secured in the sealed configuration.

8. The dry bag of claim 6, wherein the closure strap includes a first strap portion and a second strap portion, the first strap portion coupled to and extending outwardly from a first portion of the upper end, the second strap portion coupled to and extending outwardly from a second portion of the upper end located opposite the first portion of the upper end, the first strap portion carrying a first fastener, the second strap portion carrying a second fastener releasably couplable to the first fastener.

9. The dry bag of claim 8, wherein the closure strap further includes a third strap portion coupled to the upper end and extending between the first strap portion and the second strap portion.

10. The dry bag of claim 5, further comprising an internal compartment defined by the closed base and the closed sidewall, the internal compartment having a volume configured to contain approximately eighteen liters of solid cooking fuel.

11. The dry bag of claim 10, wherein the dry bag protects the solid cooking fuel contained within the internal compartment from exposure to environmental moisture when the dry bag is in the sealed configuration.

12. The dry bag of claim 10, wherein the handle is configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate a controlled transfer of the solid cooking fuel from the internal compartment to another storage vessel when the dry bag is in the unsealed configuration.

13. The dry bag of claim 1, wherein the handle is a first handle, the dry bag further comprising a second handle coupled to the closed base and arranged parallel to the first handle.

14. The dry bag of claim 1, further comprising a window coupled to the closed sidewall, the window including a transparent pane configured to enable viewing of a label held within the window.

15. A dry bag for storing solid cooking fuel, the dry bag comprising:

a closed base;

a sealable opening located opposite the closed base;

a closed sidewall extending between the closed base and the sealable opening;

a handle coupled to an exterior of the closed base; and

a window coupled to an exterior of the closed sidewall, the window including a transparent pane configured to enable viewing of a label held within the window.

16. The dry bag of claim 15, wherein the closed base and the closed sidewall are constructed of flexible, watertight material providing a water-impermeable barrier, and wherein one or more seams existing between the closed base and the closed sidewall are welded.

17. The dry bag of claim 15, wherein an upper end of the closed sidewall located proximate the sealable opening is foldable over itself, wherein folding the upper end over itself transitions the dry bag from an unsealed configuration in which the sealable opening is unsealed into a sealed configuration in which the upper end creates a watertight seal that closes off the sealable opening.

18. The dry bag of claim 17, further comprising a closure strap coupled to the upper end of the closed sidewall, the closure strap including at least one fastener configured to secure the dry bag in the sealed configuration, wherein the closure strap provides a carrying handle for the dry bag when the dry bag is secured in the sealed configuration.

19. The dry bag of claim 18, wherein the closure strap includes a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and a third strap portion, the first strap portion coupled to and extending outwardly from a first portion of the upper end, the second strap portion coupled to and extending outwardly from a second portion of the upper end located opposite the first portion of the upper end, the third strap portion coupled to the upper end extending between the first strap portion and the second strap portion, the first strap portion carrying a first fastener, the second strap portion carrying a second fastener releasably couplable to the first fastener.

20. The dry bag of claim 17, further comprising an internal compartment defined by the closed base and the closed sidewall, the internal compartment having a volume configured to contain approximately eighteen liters of solid cooking fuel, wherein the dry bag protects the solid cooking fuel contained within the internal compartment from exposure to environmental moisture when the dry bag is in the sealed configuration, and wherein the handle is configured to be gripped by a user to facilitate a controlled transfer of the solid cooking fuel from the internal compartment to another storage vessel when the dry bag is in the unsealed configuration.