Attachable Sealing Device for Snack Bags and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel sealing device for food bags and other types of snack bags. The device is attached using adhesive backing to attach to a bag and is designed to seal an opening of the bag to protect items such as food items from becoming stale and spilled. The device features adhesive backing on inner surfaces of a top layer and a bottom layer, the layers have a common side edge and include a zippered lock on a top edge thereof. In use, the adhesive backing of the bottom layer and the top layer is positioned on opposite sides of the bag to adhere to the bag and the zippered lock is closed to create a sealed enclosure to cover the opening of the bag. The zipper is opened to access food items and functions as an integrated zippered lock for the bag.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/322,254, which was filed on Mar. 22, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of snack bags. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel, independent, and attachable seal for food bags and other types of bag containers. The device has an adhesive layer to adhere to a bag and a zippered lock to seal opening of the bag. The zipper lock can be closed to prevent air from entering the bag opening and preventing food items from becoming stale. The seal device covers the opening of a food or snack bag and is releasably attached to the bag. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, chips, pretzels, and other similar ready-to-eat snacks and food items come in snack bags. Snack bags come in different shapes and sizes and it is often the case where individuals do not finish eating through the entire snack bag and thus a quantity of the snacks is left in the snack bag. Once a snack bag is opened, it is difficult to re-seal the bag to prevent the remaining items stored in the snack bag from becoming stale due to air entering inside the opened bag. Further, most snack bags do not have an integrated zippered lock or other fastening means, as a result, the snack bags are left open and the snacks quickly become stale. Such snack bags having leftover snacks are often accidentally knocked over by individuals that may spill the food items over the floor. Also, carrying such open snack bags is a problem as the food items may spill in pockets of clothing, lunch boxes, and in handbags in which the snack bag is stored.

Many individuals either tie a knot at the open end of a snack bag to protect the remaining food items and others may throw the remaining stale food items in the trash. Tying a knot or using a rubber band is ineffective and is cumbersome. Throwing away snacks and food items is expensive and also does not send a positive signal to other individuals. Individuals desire a way for firmly sealing the open food/snack bags that do not have integrated sealing mechanism such as a zippered lock.

In some situations, integrated zippered seals of snack bags and food bags become damaged which leads to food items becoming stale. Individuals desire a device that can be releasably attached to seal such bags for protecting stored food items therein.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an attachable snack bag sealing device that effectively and easily seals any type of snack bag. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an attachable seal device that securely closes an opening of an opened snack bag. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snack bag sealing device that prevents air from entering inside a used snack bag. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable sealing device to keep food items fresh within a bag and prevents spills. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snack bag attachable zippered lock device that enables individuals to save chips, pretzels, and other snacks for later consumption without enabling them to become stale. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable zippered lock that functions like an integrated zipper lock for snack bags. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable sealing device that offers a way to firmly close and seal open food bags that do not have an integrated seal or have a damaged integrated seal.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an attachable food bag sealing device for sealing a snack bag not having an integrated zippered lock or other sealing fastener. The device features a top layer and a bottom layer having a common side edge, the top edges of both the top layer and the bottom layer include a zippered lock, an inner surface of the top layer has a continuous adhesive backing along a bottom edge and an adjacent side edge thereof, inner surface of the bottom layer has a continuous adhesive backing along the bottom edge and the adjacent side edge thereof, wherein the adhesive backing of the bottom layer is adhered on the bottom surface of the snack bag and the adhesive backing of the top layer is adhered on the top surface of the snack bag to create a sealed enclosure covering the bag opening for protecting food items from becoming stale. The zippered lock is closed to protect the food items stored in the food bag from becoming stale.

In this manner, the attachable snack bag sealing device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provide users with an attachable, zipper lock bag seal for any type of food/snack bag. The seal device is easily attached to close the opening of a snack bag and prevents air from entering therein. The device prevents food items from becoming stale and knocked over by effectively closing the opening of the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a device for sealing a snack bag for preventing remaining food items stored in the snack bag from becoming stale. The device is configured to firmly close an open snack bag and further comprising a top layer and a bottom layer having a common side edge, the top edges of both the top layer and the bottom layer include zipper teeth designed to interlock with each other, an inner surface of the top layer has a continuous adhesive backing along a bottom edge and another side edge thereof, inner surface of the bottom layer has a continuous adhesive backing along the bottom edge and the another side edge thereof, wherein in use for sealing the snack bag opening, the adhesive backing of the bottom layer is adhered on the bottom surface of the snack bag and the adhesive backing of the top layer is adhered on the top surface of the snack bag to create a sealed enclosure covering the bag opening for prohibiting food items from becoming stale. The adhesive backing of the layers along the side edges are fastened together such that the bag is positioned between the common side edge and the other side edges of the layers.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an independent, attachable seal device for food bags and other types of bag containers. The device is designed to cover an opening of the bag and includes adhesive backing on a top layer and a bottom layer wherein the adhesive backings are applied on the bag to adhere to the bag, a zippered lock is positioned on the top edges of the top layer and the bottom layer wherein the zippered lock is locked to seal the opening of the bag and is opened to access food items stored in the bag. The seal device keeps food items fresh within the bag and prevents spills from the bag.

In yet another embodiment, the top layer has a logo or indicia printed or embossed thereon.

In yet another embodiment, the adhesive backings of the top layer and the bottom layer are protected by a peelable protecting layer for revealing the adhesive backing.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of sealing an opening of a bag not having integrated zippered lock or other fastener. The method includes the steps of providing a sealing device, the sealing device has a top layer and a bottom layer with a common side edge, adhesive backing disposed on inner surfaces of both top layer and the bottom layer, a zipper lock on top edges of the top layer and the bottom layer; peeling away adhesive protecting layer, or protecting adhesive backing, of the inner surface of the bottom layer to reveal the adhesive backing, positioning the lower layer on the bottom surface of a bag, pressing the adhesive backing to adhere to the bag, peeling away the adhesive protecting layer of the inner surface of the top layer to reveal the adhesive layer, extending the top layer across the opening of the bag, attaching the adhesive layer of the top layer to the bag, finally, closing the zippered lock of the device by sliding the zippered tab of the device to protect the food items of the bag.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a snack bag attachable sealing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the snack bag sealing device of the present invention in an uninstalled or unfolded position revealing the adhesive backing in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing how the sealing device is positioned on a snack bag for protecting food items from becoming stale in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the snack bag equipped with the attachable zippered lock of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of applying and using the zippered-lock device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an attachable snack bag sealing device that effectively and easily seals any type of snack bag. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an attachable seal device that securely closes an opening of an opened snack bag. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snack bag sealing device that prevents air from entering inside a used snack bag. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable sealing device to keep food items fresh within a bag and prevents spills. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snack bag attachable zippered lock device that enables individuals to save chips, pretzels, and other snacks for later consumption without enabling them to become stale. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable zippered lock that functions like an integrated zipper lock for snack bags. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an attachable sealing device that offers a way to firmly close and seal open food bags that do not have an integrated seal or have a damaged integrated seal.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is an independent, attachable sealing device for food bags, snack bags, and other types of bag containers. The device is designed to cover an opening of the bag and has adhesive backing on a top layer and a bottom layer wherein the adhesive backings are applied on the bag to adhere to the bag, a zippered lock is positioned on the top edges of the top layer and the bottom layer wherein the zippered lock is locked to seal the opening of the bag and is opened to access food items stored in the bag. The sealing device keeps food items fresh within the bag and prevents spills from the bag.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a snack bag attachable sealing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The attachable sealing device 100 of the present invention is designed as an independent, attachable seal for food bags, snack bags, and other types of bag containers to firmly close or seal open food bags that do not have an integrated seal. More specifically, the device 100 is generally rectangular (i.e., rectilinear) to overlap an opening of a snack or food bag as shown in FIG. 3 to seal the opening. The device 100 has a top layer 102 and a bottom layer 104 sewn or connected together along a common side edge 106. The top layer 102 and the bottom layer 104 are of substantially the same size and thickness and adhere to the top surface and bottom surface of a snack bag when used for sealing the opening of the snack bag.

The layers 102, 104 are releasably attached along the bottom edges 108, 110 and second side edges 112, 114 respectively thereof using an adhesive layer as shown in FIG. 2. For using the device 100 to seal a bag, an adhesive protecting layer 210 is peeled off to releasably attach the layers 102, 104. The top edge 116 of the top layer 102 and the top edge 118 of the bottom layer 104 have a zipper fastener 120 along the length thereof for providing a seal similar to a conventional zippered lock of snack bags.

The device 100 forms a sealed enclosure when the layers 102, 104 are locked using the zipper 120 and the bottom edges and the side edges are fastened using the adhesive. The top layer 102 may have a logo or any other indicia 124 printed thereon for marketing and branding purposes. For locking the zipper 120, a sliding zipper tab 122 is attached to the zipper 120 and the tab 122 is designed to slide along the edges 116, 118 to lock the zipper 120 and seal the device 100 and the enclosed opening of a snack bag.

The logo 124 may comprise any insignia, badge, emblem, decoration, alphanumeric symbol, or artistic rendition that will adhere, either permanently or removably, to the device 100. By way of example, and not limitation, the logos of the invention may include embroidered patches, stickers, transfers, paintings, and drawings.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the snack bag sealing device of the present invention in an uninstalled or unfolded position revealing the adhesive backing in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The inner surface 202 of the top layer 102 has a continuous adhesive layer 204 along the bottom edge 108 and side edge 112 which is protected by a peel off protecting layer (i.e., similar to protecting layer 210), not illustrated. The inner surface 206 of the bottom layer 104 has a corresponding continuous adhesive layer 208 along the bottom edge 110 and the side edge 114 such that the adhesive layers 204, 208 are overlapping and configured to adhere to opposite sides of a snack bag to create a sealed enclosure between the layers 102, 104. The adhesive layer 208 is protected by the protecting layer 210 and the protecting layer 210 can be peeled away to reveal the adhesive layer 208.

In use, the adhesive layers are revealed by removing the adhesive protecting layers, the bottom layer 104 is positioned under a snack bag and the top layer 102 is positioned on the snack bag such that the adhesive layers adhere to the snack bag and then, the zipper 120 is locked to create a seal for opening of a snack bag.

The device 100 comes in different sizes to fit sizes of different snack bags and may be made from one or more of plant-based plastics, bioplastics, recycled paper, food-grade rubber, food-grade silicon, or corn-based products. The device 100 also comes in different colors and designs and can be both reusable and disposable to meet requirements of different users.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing how the sealing device is positioned on a snack bag for protecting food items from becoming stale in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is designed to be used with any snack bag that does not have integrated zipper lock or any fastener to seal the bag to protect remaining food items therein. Further, the device 100 can also be used with snack bags whose integrated zipper lock may have been damaged. For positioning the device 100 on a snack bag 302, the seal device 100 is positioned along the opening 304 of the bag 302 such that the common side edge 106 extends along an edge 306 of the bag 302 and the bottom layer 104 is positioned below the snack bag 302 enabling the adhesive layer 208 of the bottom layer 104 to adhere to the bottom surface 308 of the bag 302.

The top layer 102 is stretched to overlap the opening 304 and a portion of the bag 302 such that a horizontal portion of the adhesive layer 204 adheres to the top surface 310 of the bag 302 and the vertical portion of the layers 204, 208 fasten to each other to completely overlap a portion of the bag 302 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The protecting layer 210 of the adhesive 208 and protecting layer 314 of the adhesive 204 are removed before applying the device 100. Once the adhesive layers are applied, the zipper tab 122 is slid along the edges 116, 118 to completely seal the opening 302 and enabling the device 100 to function as a zippered lock, thereby prohibiting air from entering the opening 302 and food items 312 from becoming stale.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the snack bag equipped with the attachable zippered lock of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the seal device 100 is positioned to cover the opening 304 and overlap a portion of the bag 302 near the opening 304. The adhesive backing of the device 100 seals the layers 102, 104 to the bag 302 and the zipper 120 when opened by sliding the zipper tab 122 enables a user to access the food items 312. The zipper lock 120 functions as an integrated zipper lock for the bag 302 and when the food items 312 are finished, then, device 100 can be released by removing the adhesive layer and may be used (i.e., reused) with any other food bag or other type of bag.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of applying and using the zippered-lock device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, the adhesive protecting layer of the inner surface of the bottom layer is peeled away by a user to reveal the adhesive layer (Step 502). Then, the lower layer is positioned on the bottom surface of a bag and the adhesive layer is pressed to adhere to the bag (Step 504). The adhesive is compliant to any material from which a snack bag or any other type of bag is made.

Thereafter, in the next step, the adhesive protecting layer of the inner surface of the top layer is peeled away to reveal the adhesive layer (Step 506). It should be noted that during applying the device on the bag, the zipper lock is opened. Then, the top layer is extended across the opening of the bag and the adhesive layer is attached to the bag and to the corresponding portion of the adhesive layer on the bottom layer to create a sealed enclosure (Step 508). Finally, the zippered lock of the device is closed by sliding the zippered tab of the device to protect the food items of the bag (Step 510).

The sealing device 100, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a length of generally 5% more than the width of the bag and has a width from about 2″ to about 4″ to completely cover the opening of the bag. The device 100 may come in individual packaging or packaging of up to 5 or 10 devices. The device 100 can be marketed as an aftermarket accessory by chip and food item manufacturers.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “snack bag attachable sealing device”, “snack bag sealing device”, “seal device”, “device”, and “attachable zippered lock” are interchangeable and refer to the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the snack bag attachable sealing device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. An attachable sealing device for a bag, the attachable sealing device comprising:

a top layer and a bottom layer connected together along a common first side edge;

wherein said top layer having a first area and said bottom layer having a second area, and said first area generally equal to said second area;

wherein said attachable sealing device is generally rectilinear and overlaps an opening of the bag;

wherein said top layer and said bottom layer having generally equal thickness;

wherein said top layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a top surface of the bag;

wherein said bottom layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a bottom surface of the bag; and

further wherein a top edge of said top layer and a top edge of said bottom layer having a zipper fastener for providing a sealing mechanism to seal the bag.

2. The attachable sealing device of claim 1, wherein said zipper fastener having a zipper tab for selectively closing and opening said sealing mechanism.

3. The attachable sealing device of claim 2, wherein said attachable sealing device is reusable.

4. The attachable sealing device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said bottom edges having a removable adhesive protecting layer.

5. The attachable sealing device of claim 4, wherein said top layer having a second side edge and said bottom layer having a second side edge, and further wherein said top layer second side edge releasably attachable to said bottom layer second side edge.

6. The attachable sealing device of claim 5, wherein said zipper fastener extending along a length of said top edge of said top layer and said top edge of said bottom layer.

7. The attachable sealing device of claim 5, wherein at least one of said top layer and said bottom layer having indicia printed thereon.

8. The attachable sealing device of claim 5, wherein said top layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge.

9. The attachable sealing device of claim 8, wherein said bottom layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge.

10. The attachable sealing device of claim 9, wherein said second side edge of said top layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.

11. The attachable sealing device of claim 10, wherein said second side edge of said bottom layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.

12. The attachable sealing device of claim 1, wherein said attachable sealing device having a width from about 2″ to about 4″.

13. An attachable sealing device for a bag, the attachable sealing device comprising:

a top layer and a bottom layer connected together along a common first side edge;

wherein said top layer having a first area and said bottom layer having a second area, and said first area generally equal to said second area;

wherein said attachable sealing device is generally rectilinear and overlaps an opening of the bag;

wherein said top layer and said bottom layer having generally equal thickness;

wherein said top layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a top surface of the bag;

wherein said bottom layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a bottom surface of the bag;

wherein a top edge of said top layer and a top edge of said bottom layer having a zipper fastener for providing a sealing mechanism to seal the bag;

wherein said zipper fastener having a zipper tab for selectively closing and opening said sealing mechanism;

wherein said top layer having a second side edge and said bottom layer having a second side edge;

wherein said top layer second side edge releasably attachable to said bottom layer second side edge;

wherein said top layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge; and

further wherein said bottom layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge.

14. The attachable sealing device of claim 13, wherein said zipper fastener extending along a length of said top edge of said top layer and said top edge of said bottom layer.

15. The attachable sealing device of claim 14, wherein said second side edge of said top layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.

16. The attachable sealing device of claim 15, wherein said second side edge of said bottom layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.

17. The attachable sealing device of claim 16, wherein said attachable sealing device having a width from about 2″ to about 4″.

18. An attachable sealing device for a bag, the attachable sealing device comprising:

a top layer; and

a bottom layer,

wherein said attachable sealing device is generally rectilinear and overlaps an opening of the bag;

wherein said top layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a top surface of the bag;

wherein said bottom layer having a bottom edge releasably attachable to a bottom surface of the bag;

wherein a top edge of said top layer and a top edge of said bottom layer having a zipper fastener for providing a sealing mechanism to seal the bag;

wherein said zipper fastener having a zipper tab for selectively closing and opening said sealing mechanism;

wherein said top layer having a second side edge and said bottom layer having a second side edge;

wherein said top layer second side edge releasably attachable to said bottom layer second side edge;

wherein said top layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge; and

further wherein said bottom layer having an inner surface including a continuous adhesive layer along said bottom edge.

19. The attachable sealing device of claim 18, wherein said second side edge of said top layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.

20. The attachable sealing device of claim 19, wherein said second side edge of said bottom layer having a continuous adhesive layer therealong.