EVERTABLE BAG FOR CONTAINING ITEMS

Abstract

A bag that is capable of being turned inside out (everted) so that items can be picked up using the bag so that the item does not contact a user's hand. The bag is formed with a tall gusset that defines spaces for the user to place the fingers and thumb, respectively in the bag. The gusset can then be used to grasp the item before everting the bag by pulling the item and gusset upwardly through the top of the bag to achieve eversion.

Claims

1. An evertable bag for containing one or more items, the bag comprising: a first sheet of flexible material having an exterior surface and an interior surface; a second sheet of flexible material having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surfaces of the first and second sheets being generally opposed to each other in an interior of the bag and the exterior surfaces of the first and second sheets facing away from the interior of the bag, the bag having a volume sized and shaped for receiving an adult human hand therein; a first closure member mounted on the exterior surface of the first sheet; a second closure member mounted on the exterior surface of the second sheet, the second closure member being configured for mating engagement with the first closure member; a gusset operatively connecting the first and second sheets to each other thereby closing a bottom of the bag, the gusset having a height of at least about one inch in a flattened condition of the gusset, the gusset forming a first volume between a first surface of the gusset and the interior surface of the first sheet, and a second volume between a second surface of the gusset and the interior surface of the second sheet, the first volume being sized and shaped to receive one of fingers of the adult human hand and a thumb of the adult human hand, and the second volume being sized and shaped to receive the other of the fingers and the thumb of the human hand for grasping the one or more items to be stored in the bag such that an exterior surface of the gusset engages the one or more items; the bag being evertable by pulling a grasped one or more items upward through an open top of the bag whereby the positions of the interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second sheets are exchanged, the one or more items are located within the bag and the first and second closure members are position on an interior of the bag and mateable for closing the everted bag.

2. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the height of the gusset is at least about one quarter of a height of the bag.

3. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 2 wherein the height of the gusset is at least about one third of a height of the bag.

4. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second sheets has a region formed differently from other regions of the bag to facilitate eversion of the bag.

5. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 4 wherein both the first and second sheets have regions formed differently from other regions of the bag to facilitate eversion of the bag.

6. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 5 wherein the regions are located above the top of the gusset and below a top of the bag.

7. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 6 wherein the regions extend from first sides of the first and second sheets to second sides of the first and second sheets.

8. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 7 wherein the regions are formed by making impressions in the flexible material of the first sheet and the flexible material of the second sheet.

9. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a strip of material operatively connected to the first and second sheets and disposed in the interior of the bag, the strip being arranged to be located on the exterior of the bag, when the bag is everted.

10. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 9 wherein the strip material is different than the material of the first sheet and the material of the second sheet.

11. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 9 wherein the strip is located nearer to a top of the bag than to a bottom of the bag in a position so that upon eversion of the bag, the strip is configured to extend over a top of the everted bag for use as a handle to carry the bag.

12. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the gusset comprises a first fold and a second fold, a height of the first fold being greater than a height of the second fold.

13. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 12 wherein the gusset further comprises a third fold, the third fold having a height less than the height of the first fold and greater than the height of the second fold.

14. A roll of bags comprising a web of bags, each bag being as set forth in claim 1, lines of weakness in the web between each bag configured to permit the bags to be individually torn from the web.

15. An evertable bag for containing one or more items, the bag comprising: a first sheet of flexible material having an exterior surface and an interior surface; a second sheet of flexible material having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surfaces of the first and second sheets being generally opposed to each other in an interior of the bag and the exterior surfaces of the first and second sheets facing away from the interior of the bag, the bag having a volume sized and shaped for receiving an adult human hand therein; a first closure member mounted on the exterior surface of the first sheet; a second closure member mounted on the exterior surface of the second sheet, the second closure member being configured for mating engagement with the first closure member; a gusset operatively connecting the first and second sheets to each other thereby closing a bottom of the bag, the gusset comprising a first fold, a second fold and a third fold, the second fold being located proximate the first sheet, the third fold being located proximate the second sheet and the first fold being located between the first and second fold, the first fold having a height greater than heights of the second and third folds, when the first, second and third folds are in a flattened condition, the gusset forming a first volume between the first fold and the interior surface of the first sheet, and a second volume between the first fold and the interior surface of the second sheet, the first volume being sized and shaped to receive one of fingers of the adult human hand and a thumb of the adult human hand, and the second volume being sized and shaped to receive the other of the fingers and the thumb of the human hand for grasping the one or more items to be stored in the bag such that an exterior surface of the gusset engages the one or more items; the bag being evertable by pulling a grasped one or more items upward through an open top of the bag whereby the positions of the interior and exterior surfaces of the first and second sheets are exchanged, the one or more items are located within the bag and the first and second closure members are position on an interior of the bag and mateable for closing the everted bag.

16. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 15 wherein the height of the third fold is greater than the height of the first fold.

17. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a fourth fold formed in the first fold, and wherein the height of the second fold, plus the height of the fourth fold is less than the height of the first fold, or the height of the third fold 368, plus the height of the fourth fold is less than the height of the first fold.

18. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first and second sheets have regions formed differently from other regions of the bag to facilitate eversion of the bag, the regions being formed by making impressions in the material of the first sheet and in the material of the second sheet.

19. The evertable bag as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a strip of material operatively connected to the first and second sheets and disposed in the interior of the bag, the strip being arranged to be located on the exterior of the bag, when the bag is everted.

20. A roll of bags comprising a web of bags, each bag being as set forth in claim 15, and lines of weakness in the web between each bag configured to permit the bags to be individually torn from the web.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a roll formed by a web of bags;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the web;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a section taken in the plane include line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0009] FIG. 4 is an elevation of a bag of another version;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a section taken in the plane include line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0011] FIG. 6 is an elevation of a bag of still another version;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a section taken in the plane including line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

[0013] FIG. 8 is a vertical section of a bag of a further version.

[0014] Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bag 10 is shown to include a first sheet 12 of flexible material and a second sheet 14 of flexible material. The material of the first and second sheets 12, 14 can be the same (polymeric) material or different materials of the type used to make plastic bags. The first and second sheets of material 12, 14 are sealingly joined together in a suitable manner (e.g., by fusion) at their lateral side edge margins. Bottom edge margins of the first and second sheets of material 12, 14 are connected together in a way described more fully hereinafter, but which results in forming a closed bottom of the bag 10. Top edge margins of the first and second sheets 12, 14 are not connected to each other so that the bag 10 has an open top. Each of the first and second sheets of material 12, 14 has an exterior surface 18 and an interior surface 20. The interior surfaces 20 of the first and second sheets 12, 14 are generally opposed to each other in an interior of the bag 10. The exterior surfaces 18 of the first and second sheets 12, 14 face away from the interior of the bag 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second sheets 12, 14 are entirely registered with each other. It will be understood that the bag 10 may be formed with a greater number of sheets, and that the first and second sheets 12, 14 can be a single piece of material that is folded over on itself to form the two sheets. A common way of forming bags is to take a single web of material, fold it over and connect the long edge of the web to form a tube. The tube can then be processed further to form individual bags. Any suitable method for forming the bag 10 is within the scope of the present invention. As described more fully below, the bags 10 are constructed to permit grasping of an item(s) using the bag, eversion of the bag to place the item(s) inside the bag and closure of the bag to seal an interior containing the items(s).

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the bag 10 is initially formed as part of a web 24 that includes a multiplicity of bags having the same construction. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the web can be wound into a roll 26 for storage and transportation. The roll 26 can be placed at the site where the bags 10 will be used in such a manner than the web 24 can be fed out from the roll. Bags 10 can be removed from the web 24 one at a time, or otherwise as needed. Although the roll 26 provides a convenient way to store, transport and dispense the bags 10, other ways of providing the bags can be used, such as providing stacked bags in a container.

[0017] Although the bags 10 could have different features, the illustrated embodiment shows all bags having the same construction, so the description of one bag suffices for all bags in the roll. Each bag 10 includes a top edge margin above a line of perforations 28. The lateral edge margins of each bag are joined together with a lateral edge margin of an adjacent bag in the web by a relatively wide seal 32. Suitable lines of weakness, such as perforations 34 are formed in the wide seal 32, generally midway between adjacent bags 10. The perforations 34 allow each bag 10 to be torn away from the adjacent bag while maintaining a sealed connection between the first and second sheets for each bag. The line of perforations 28 can be torn to expose an opening in the top of the bag 10 into which a hand can be inserted.

[0018] The bag further includes a first closure member 38 mounted on the exterior surface 18 of the first sheet 12 and a second closure member 40 mounted on the exterior surface 18 of the second sheet 14. As shown the first closure member is a male zip fastener 38 that extends from one lateral edge to the opposite lateral edge of the first sheet 12. The second closure member is a female zip fastener 40 that extends from one lateral edge to the opposite lateral edge of the second sheet 14. As is known, the male zip fastener 38 can be pressed into the female zip fastener 40 to connect the first and second closure members. However, as may be seen in FIG. 3, the male and female zip fasteners 38, 40 are each located on the exterior surface 18 of the first and second sheets 12, 14, respectively, so that they face away from each other. In this configuration of the bag 10, the male and female zip fasteners 38, 40 are not positioned to close the open top of the bag. The male and female zip fasteners 38, 40 can be applied in a continuous strand to the first and second sheets 12, 14. In that case, the perforations 34 extend through the male and female closure members so that they do not prevent separation of one of the bags 10 from the web 24. Other ways of forming the first and second closure members 38, 40 and applying them to the web 24 may be used, or the first and second closure members could be formed with the first and second sheets. In one non-limiting example, one closure member could be a strip of adhesive on the first sheet and the other closure member could be a landing area on the second sheet (not shown).

[0019] The bottom of the bag 10 is formed to facilitate grasping of an item or items to be contained in the bag. The bag 10 and the opening at the top of the bag are sized and shaped to receive an adult human hand into the bag. The bottom of the bag 10 is formed by a gusset 44 operatively connecting the first and second sheets 12, 14 to each other, and closing the bottom of the bag. In the version of the bag 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, the gusset 44 comprises a single fold including a first fold element 46 and a second fold element 48. The gusset 44 is particularly sized to permit sufficient room for the fingers and thumb of the adult human hand to be received on different sides of the gusset to permit grasping of an article to be contained in the bag 10. In one embodiment, the height H.sub.1 of the gusset 44 is at least about one inch. In another embodiment, the height of the gusset 44 is at least about two inches. In still other embodiments, the gusset 44 has a height which is about 0.1 inches below the zip fasteners 38, 40. The height H.sub.1 is measured when the gusset 44 and bag 10 are in a flattened condition. In other embodiments, the height H.sub.1 of the gusset 44 is at least about one quarter of the height of the bag 10, and in another embodiment, the height H.sub.1 is at least about one third of the height of the bag. In a flattened condition, the first and second sheets 12, 14 engage each other above the gusset 44. The first fold element 46 of the gusset 44 is in flush engagement with the interior surface 20 of the first sheet 12 and the second fold element 48 is in flush engagement with the interior surface of the second sheet 14. Moreover, the first and second fold elements 46, 48 are in flush engagement with each other. The top edge of the gusset 44 in the flattened condition is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a dashed line.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the gusset and bag form a first volume 50 between the first fold element 46 (first surface of the gusset) and the interior surface 20 of the first sheet 12. The gusset forms a second volume 52 between the second fold element 48 (second surface of the gusset) and the interior surface 20 of the second sheet 14. The first volume 50 is sized and shaped to receive one of the fingers of adult human hand and the thumb of the adult human hand, and the second volume 52 is sized and shaped to receive the other of the fingers of the adult human hand and the thumb of the adult human hand. Placement of the fingers in the first volume 50 and the thumb in the second volume 52 allows the gusset 44 to be used to grasp an item to be contained in the bag. The inverted V-shape of the gusset 44 naturally allows for some or all of the item to be received between the first and second fold elements 46, 48. By simply moving the thumb and fingers toward each other, the item is engaged by the gusset 44 and grasped between the thumb and fingers without requiring any contact of the hand with the item.

[0021] Once the item is grasped, the item (and gusset) 44 are pulled upward through the open top of the bag 10. This action causes the bag 10 to begin to turn inside out (evert). A top edge margin of the bag 10 is held or even pushed downward to further facilitate this process. By continuing this movement, the bag 10 is eventually everted whereby the positions of the exterior and interior surfaces 18, 20 of the first and second sheets 12, 14 (as well as the surfaces of the gusset 44) are exchanged from their original, uneverted configuration. In the everted configuration, the item (e.g., a food product) is now located within the bag 10. In addition, the male and female zip fasteners 38, 40 are now located on the interior of the bag 10 in opposing relation to each other. The male and female zip fasteners 38, 40 can be releasably mated as described above in order to close the everted bag 10 and seal in the item located within the bag.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, another version of the bag is indicated by reference numeral 110. The bag 110 has the same construction as the bag 10, except as explained below. Accordingly, parts of the bag 110 having the same construction as for the bag 10 will be given the same reference numeral, plus 100. No further description will be given of these repeated parts. The difference in the bag 110 is that the first and second sheets 112, 114 have regions 156 that are formed differently from other regions of the bag to facilitate eversion of the bag. The regions 156 are located below the top of the bag 110 and below the first and second closure members 138, 140, but above the top of the gusset 144. The regions 156 extend from one lateral edge or side of the bag 110 to the other lateral edge. The regions 156 are formed differently by making impressions or embossments in the material of the first and second sheets. These embossments make the material more clastic and softer than the surrounding material, which helps in everting the bag. Other ways of forming the regions may be used. Moreover, the configuration of the regions could be other than described within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] A bag 210 of another version is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bag 210 has essentially the same construction as the bag 10 so that corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals as used for bag 10, plus 200. The details of the parts of the bag 210 that are the same as those of the bag 10 will not be further described. The bag 210 is provided with a strip 260 that has an elongate, rectangular shape. The strip 260 may be formed of a different material than the material of the first and second sheets 212, 214. For example, the strip 260 may be formed of a material which facilitates writing on the strip for purposes of labeling the contents of the bag 210. The strip 260 is located on the interior of the bag 210 prior to the bag being everted. Each longitudinal end of the strip 260 is connected to the first and second sheets 212, 214. When the bag 210 is everted, the strip 260 is located on the exterior of the bag. The strip 260 is located nearer to the top of the bag 210 than to the bottom. Upon eversion, the strip 260 extends across the exterior of the bag 210. Except for the connections of the longitudinal ends of the strip 260 to the first and second sheets 212, 214 at the lateral edges, the strip is unconnected and can be pulled away slightly from the bag 210 and even extend over the top of the bag. Thus, the strip 260 can function as a handle for carrying the bag 210.

[0024] Still another version of the bag 310 is shown in FIG. 8, and has a construction similar to the bag 10. Once again, the parts of the bag 310 corresponding to parts of the bag 10 will be given the same reference numeral, plus 300. No further description of those parts will be given. The bag 310 is particularly formed for augmenting the size of the gusset 344 for engaging and picking up items to be contained in the bag. The gusset 344 includes a first fold 364 in the center, a second fold 366 nearer to the first sheet 312 than the first fold, and a third fold 368 located between the first fold and the interior surface 320 of the second sheet 314. The provision of fold 364 allows the gusset 344 to be expanded more widely to grasp larger article. As before, the gusset 344 defines a first volume 350 between the first fold 364 and the interior surface 320 of the first sheet 312 and a second volume 352 between the first fold and the interior surface of the second sheet 314. The first and second volumes 350, 352 receive the fingers and thumb (respectively) of an adult human hand, as described above. The folds 366 and 368 allow the volumes 350, 352 that receive the fingers and thumb of the hand to be larger than the volumes 50, 52 in the configuration shown in FIG. 3. If the material of the bag 310 is fairly stiff, it can be difficult to insert the fingers and thumb down to the bottom of the bag within the volumes 350, 352 in the absence of providing additional space as shown. Other embodiments may include the fold 364, but not folds 366 or 368. Still other embodiments may include the second fold 366, but not the fold 368.

[0025] The first fold 364 has a height H.sub.2, the second fold 366 has a height H.sub.3 and the third fold 368 has a height H.sub.4. The first fold is formed with a further, fourth fold 370 at the top, having a height H.sub.5. Preferably, the height H.sub.2 of the first fold 364 is greater than the height H.sub.3 of the second fold 366 and the height H.sub.4 third fold 368. Other relative heights could be employed or the folds could have the same height. As shown, the height H.sub.4 of the third fold 368 is greater than the height H.sub.3 of the second fold 366. In order to avoid having too many layers of material overlap when the bag is in a flattened state, the height H.sub.3 of the second fold 366, plus the height H.sub.5 of the fourth fold 370 is less than the height H.sub.2 of the first fold 364, or the height H.sub.4 of the third fold 368, plus the height H.sub.5 of the fourth fold is less than the height H.sub.2 of the first fold. This relationship will avoid having the second and third folds overlapping the fourth fold. Having too many layers overlap becomes a problem in that it can be difficult to obtain a good edge seal (e.g., like seal 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) when more than six layers are overlapped.

[0026] When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles a, an, the, and said are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms comprising, including, and having are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0027] Not all of the depicted components illustrated or described may be required. In addition, some implementations and embodiments may include additional components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided and components may be combined. Alternatively, or in addition, a component may be implemented by several components.

[0028] The above description illustrates the aspects of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the aspects of the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the aspects of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the aspects of the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the aspects of the invention are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The aspects of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0029] It will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0030] The Abstract and Summary are provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. The Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the claimed subject matter.