US20150266618A1

US20150266618A1 - Food storage bag

Info

Publication number: US20150266618A1
Application number: US14/219,107
Authority: US
Inventors: Heather Annette Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-19
Filing date: 2014-03-19
Publication date: 2015-09-24

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for forming a bag. The bag includes a first portion, a second portion having a series of plurality of accordion folds and a third portion having a base to support the bag. The series of plurality of accordion folds allow variations in the length of the second portion and the base provides the closing to the bag to hold food to be packed inside the bag. The second portion is positioned between the first portion and the third portion. The series of plurality of accordion folds of the second portion allows the bag to transition from an expanded state to a contracted state and the contracted state to the expanded state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging of fast foods and in particular, relates to convenient holding of fast foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of the people consume fast foods such as hamburgers, beef burgers, sandwiches and the like on daily basis. Many fast food outlets such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC and the like provide such fast foods to consumers in packaging such as paper bags, cardboard boxes and the like. Fast foods, such as sandwiches, hamburgers and the like, create mess while eating due to stuffing, remnants and morsels falling from such food items. Packaging is needed to prevent consumer's clothing, vehicle and surroundings from such mess. Moreover, packaging improves presentation of such food items. In addition, packaging is needed to enable consumers to eat the food without contaminating the same by touching with bare hands. Further, packaging provides convenience and portability to take away fast food items to eat at home or while on travel.
Nowadays, consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the need to take care of hygiene. Although many health authorities recommend washing of one's hands before eating, but this may not always be possible. Thus, to meet the various hygiene concerns, food holders have been proposed. The food holders are needed by fast food vendors to present the item being sold to the consumer in a clean and attractive manner.
The consumers may want to eat such food items while sitting in the car. However, with the available packaging, fluids, morsels and toppling foods spill on the clothes and vehicle's interior, causing untidy surroundings. Moreover, many consumers such as workers and the like have little time to wash their hands before eating. Such consumers may have to consume the fast food with dirty hands, resulting in consumption of unhygienic food. Thus, packaging should be provided to easily handle such fast foods, without contaminating the food due to exposure to dirty hands and surroundings.
There are a few patents/patent applications/non patent literatures which provide a method and system for packaging of fast food. For example, in the EP 2574570 A1, a method for flexible packaging with built-in tamper-evidence features is provided. A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features. Moreover, outer structure is joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. In addition, score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. Further, a pressure-sensitive adhesive re-adheres the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. Furthermore, the outer score line includes at least one tear portion, torn through upon initial opening. However, the stated patent and its related literature do not teach regarding the easy accessing and hygienic packaging. In addition, the prior art does not tell about managing of toppling foods.
In another application US 20130295241 A1, a system and method of packaging for versatile storage solution is provided. The given application provides improved form of packaging for fast foods such as hamburgers, pizzas, French-fries, and the like. In addition, the given application provides improved dispensing of fast foods. However, the stated patent and its related literature do not teach regarding the easy accessing and hygienic packaging. In addition, the prior art does not tell about managing of toppling foods.
In yet another application, U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,121 B1, a system and method for packaging is provided. The given application provides packaging to hold fast foods and expose only bite-sized portions to be eaten. In addition, the given application provides space to act as a trough for catching morsels, spills, drips, and run-offs from vegetables and condiments. However, the prior art does not teach regarding the easy accessing and handling of fast foods for eating while walking or travelling.
In yet another application, WO2001034003 A1, a food holder having a flexible strip is provided. The given application provides a food-serving holder to consume food products. More particularly, the given application provides a hygienic holder allowing a consumer to comfortably eat a food product while avoiding hand contact with said food. The stated holder covers a large portion of the food item and yet allows mouth access to the whole article, thus avoids the need for hand contact. However, the prior art does not tell about managing of toppling foods for eating while walking or travelling in a vehicle.
In yet another application, U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,752 A, a holder for hamburgers and the like is provided. The main objective of the given application is to provide a simple to use holder, which permits consumption of fast food without considerable risk of contamination. The stated holder can be produced at low costs and can be disposed after use. However, the prior art does not tell about managing of toppling foods for eating while walking or travelling in a vehicle.
In light of the above stated discussion, packaging is needed to prevent fast foods from coming in contact with hands or being in exposure to surroundings. Moreover, the food item must not spill or drip from packaging. In addition, the fast food item must remain hot, as required for some food items. Further, the packaging should provide easy accessing of food item by consumer and easy putting down of food item in the package by the shopkeeper or seller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has greatest and most diverse application in the creation of a new range of food packaging and food storage clamshell dispensing containers, which can provide a more effective and suitable means to serve takeaway hot or cold fast food. The system and method of the current invention can be implemented in diverse ways to suit the nature of the food being packaged such that food can be more easily extracted from the packaging while minimizing waste as well as addressing issues of insulation in the instance that the packaging is used for hot foods such as hamburgers and pizzas.
The present invention provides a system for forming a bag. The bag includes a first portion, a second portion having a series of plurality of accordion folds and a third portion having a base to support the bag. The series of plurality of accordion folds allow variations in the length of the second portion and the base provides the closing to the bag to hold food to be packed inside the bag. The second portion is positioned between the first portion and the third portion. The series of plurality of accordion folds of the second portion allows the bag to transition from an expanded state to a contracted state and the contracted state to the expanded state.
In embodiments of the present invention, the width of the first portion and width of the third portion is more than the width of the second portion. In addition, accordion folds of the second portion include a series of evenly spaced and parallel plates with alternating raised and recessed folds. Further, in an embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when subsets of the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted. In another embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in same ratio. In yet another embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in different ratio.
In embodiments of the present invention, the contraction of the second portion of the bag is simultaneous to the consumption of the food packed inside the bag. The series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in a direction of the alignment of the first portion and the second portion. The series of plurality of accordion folds varies the volume of the bag and facilitate insertion and consumption of food packed inside the bag.
In embodiments of the present invention, the bag further includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer of the bag acts as an interface for a consumer to hold and is the visible surface of the bag and visually manipulated to enhance the look and feel of the packaging and the inner layer is an interior region of the bag and is not visible to the person holding the bag. Further, the design of the bag provides wide portions in the bag to catch various toppling foods.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for forming a bag, the bag. The bag includes a first portion, a second portion having a plurality of accordion folds and a third portion having a base to support the bag. The series of plurality of accordion folds allow variations in the length of the second portion. The plurality of the accordion folds of the second portion comprises a series of evenly spaced and parallel plates with alternating raised and recessed folds and width of the first portion and width of the third portion is more than the width of the second portion. The base provides the closing to the bag to hold food to be packed inside the bag. Moreover, the second portion is positioned between the first portion and the third portion. The series of plurality of accordion folds of the second portion allows the bag to transition from an expanded state to a contracted state and the contracted state to the expanded state.
Further, in an embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when subsets of the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted. In another embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in same ratio. In yet another embodiment, length of the second portion decreases when the series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in different ratio.
In embodiments of the present invention, the contraction of the second portion of the bag is simultaneous to the consumption of the food packed inside the bag. The series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in a direction of the alignment of the first portion and the second portion. The series of plurality of accordion folds varies the volume of the bag and facilitate insertion and consumption of food packed inside the bag.
In embodiments of the present invention, the bag further includes an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer of the bag acts as an interface for a consumer to hold and is the visible surface of the bag and visually manipulated to enhance the look and feel of the packaging and the inner layer is an interior region of the bag and is not visible to the person holding the bag. Further, the design of the bag provides wide portions in the bag to catch various toppling foods.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose several key embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and that the particular descriptions of packaging applications according to different embodiments of the invention are given by way of example only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bag used for holding and serving fast foods and the like, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates an expanded state of the bag, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a partially contracted state of the bag, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fully contracted view of the bag, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates cross section view of accordion folds of the bag, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates different layers of the bag, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some specific embodiments of the invention including the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as defined by the appended claims. The following description makes full reference to the detailed features as outlined in the objects of the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates a bag 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The bag 100 can be used for holding and serving fast foods including burgers, hamburgers, burritos, sandwiches and the like. The bag 100 can be used by various fast food selling outlets such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, Starbucks, Burger king and the like to serve fast foods to the customers. The bag 100 allows a person to eat the fast food simultaneous to performing other activities including walking, travelling in a vehicle and the like. The bag 100 is designed in a way to prevent spilling of toppling foods over the clothes or surroundings.
The bag 100 includes a first portion 102, a second portion 106 a third portion 104. The first portion 102 is the topmost portion of the bag 100. The third portion 104 is the bottommost portion of the bag 100. The second portion 106 is positioned between the first portion 102 and the third portion 104. Moreover, the third portion 104 includes a base 108 to support the bag 100. In addition, the base 108 provides the closing to the bag 100 to hold the fast foods inside the bag 100. Further, the first portion 102 includes an inlet 110. The inlet 110 is an opening to enter fast food in the bag 100. The inlet 110 shown in the FIG. 1 has an oval shape. In addition, the overall shape of the bag 100 is cylindrical. The width of the first portion 102 and the width of the third portion 104 is more than the width of the second portion 106. The larger width of the first portion 102 and the third portion 104 ensures smooth passage of fast foods in the bag 100. Moreover, the larger width ensures the eating of fast foods in neat and comfortable manner, with toppling foods falling inside the bag 100.
It may be noted that the bag 100 shown in the FIG. 1 has an oval shaped inlet and overall cylindrical shape; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that there can be one or more shapes and sizes of the bag 100. In addition, the inlet 110 provided in the invention may be open or close. The inlet 110 of the bag is in opened state when the two sides of the bag create a hollow opening to put the food in the bag 100. The two sides referred to are the outer visible surfaces, visible to a person. The inlet 110 of the bag 100 is in closed state when the two sides of the bag 100 are attached together. Moreover, the closing of the inlet 110 may be provided using various options including zipper, seal, lock, Velcro, normal tearing portion and the like. In addition, some embodiments may provide two vertically perforated lines in both sides of the bag 100 to allow the creation of a separable portion by tearing along said perforations. Further, the bag 100 may be of various types such as envelopes, boxes, carry bags with handle and the like. Furthermore, the bag 100 can be used to store various items, other than fast foods, including grocery items, sports instruments, gadgets, and the like.
FIG. 2A illustrates an expanded state of the bag 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The bag 100 is shown to enclose a food item 204. The food item 204 includes but may not be limited to burgers, hamburgers, burritos and sandwiches. The second portion 106 of the bag 100 includes a series of horizontal creases called accordion folds 202. The accordion folds 202 are series of evenly spaced and parallel pleats with alternating raised and recessed folds. The accordion folds 202 allow variations in the length of the second portion 106. For example, for the sake of simplicity, the length of the second portion 106 may be considered as “1” in an expanded state of the second portion 106. In an embodiment, the length 1 may decrease when some of the accordion folds 202 get contracted. In another embodiment, the length 1 may decrease when all the accordion folds 202 get contracted in same ratio. In yet another embodiment, the length may decrease when all the accordion folds 202 get contracted in different ratios.
The expanded state of the bag 100 is shown to have certain length while accommodating the food item 204; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the length of the bag 100 may vary with the size of the food item 204. In addition, the bag 100 can be stretched to full length to accommodate large food item 204.
FIG. 2B illustrates a partially contracted state of the bag 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The bag 100 is shown to enclose a partially consumed food item 204. For example, a person may have eaten half of a burger. However, the bag 100 still holds another half of the burger. The bag 100 is contracted in the downward direction (shown by arrows 206) simultaneous to the consumption of the food item 204. In the partially contracted state, the length of the second portion 106 decreases. For example, mathematically, the length of the bag 100 decreases from 1 to 1-x. In addition, the partially contracted state ensures eating of the food item 204 directly from the bag 100 while preventing various toppling of the food item 204 from falling outside the bag 100.
FIG. 3 illustrates a fully contracted view of the bag 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bag 100 shown in the given figure is empty and fully contracted. The accordion folds 202 in the second portion 106 are contracted and overlapped one over another. The contraction decreases the length of the second portion 106 to minimum length. For example, mathematically, say the length of the second portion 106 contracts to y, where y<<1. The contracted configuration enables the bag 100 to be conveniently carried or kept for later use.
It may be noted that the bag 100 shown in FIG. 3 has the second portion 106 of length y; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the length of second portion may vary with the thickness of the material used to make the bag. In addition, the length may vary with the number of accordion folds 202, present in the second portion of the bag 100.
It may be noted that FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the state transition of the bag 100 from an expanded state to the contracted state; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the transition can take place in reverse manner. The bag 100 can be moved from the contracted state to the expanded state.
FIG. 4 illustrates cross section of the accordion folds 202, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As mentioned above, in conjunction with the description of FIG. 2A, the accordion folds 202 enables convenient handling of the food item 204, while eating, by contracting some of the accordion folds 202 in the portion of the consumed food item 204. The accordion folds 202 contracts in the direction of the alignment of the first portion 102 and the second portion 106. The purpose of the accordion folds 202 is to increase the volume of the bag and facilitate insertion and consumption of the food item 204.
The accordion folds 202 are shown to contract in downward direction; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the accordion folds 202 can be expanded in the upward direction. In addition, the accordion folds 202 can be used in various other items such as paper fans, decorative items and the like. In addition, the accordion folds 202 ensure comfortable handling of the food item 204 while walking or travelling.
FIG. 5 illustrates different layers of the bag 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The structure of the bag 100 is designed to meet the need of keeping the fast foods warm and easy to take away. The bag 100 has an outer layer 502 and an inner layer 504. The outer layer 502 of the bag 100 is made using sturdy paper material. The outer layer 502 acts as an interface for the consumer to hold the food item 204. In addition, the outer layer 502 is the visible surface of the bag 100 and can be visually manipulated to enhance the look and feel of the packaging. Further, the inner layer 504 of the bag 100 is made up of foil lining to keep the contents of the bag 100 warm. The inner layer 504 is an interior region of the bag 100 and is not visible to the person holding the bag 100. Both the inner layer 504 and the outer layer 502 are aligned together using some adhesive and provide strength to the bag 100 to hold the food item 204.
It may be noted that every portion of the bag 100 is shown to be made from same material; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that different types of material can be used for making different portions of the bag 100. Moreover, the bag 100 can be of various shapes and sizes. In addition, the accordion folds 202 can be used in many applications to make variations in sizes and volumes. Further, the different varieties of the foil can be used as per the need and budget for packaging. Furthermore, the packaging can be enhanced using different methods to attract the customers. The various methods to enhance the packaging include but may not be limited to using various colors, icons and pictures. Alternatively, various advertisements, messages or machine-readable code may be printed on the bag 100. Moreover, the stated sturdy paper material may be replaced with some other material to suit the nature of the food being packed. In addition, the foil lining used for the inner layer 504 may be skipped for serving the normal temperature food items and cold food items. Further, the design of the invention with accordion folds 202 may be used in different application areas, without using the stated material. Various packaging methods are known to exist for packaging and serving fast foods but not all of them have carefully addressed all the issues regarding the packaging. The present invention has focused upon issues concerning spilling of various toppling and stuffing present in the fast foods. The toppling and stuffing include sauces, condiments and various loose food elements present in the fast foods such as burgers, sandwiches, hamburgers and the like. When a person eat fast foods, with the stated stuffing while sitting in the vehicle, the toppling and stuffing spill over the clothes and the surroundings, resulting in mess. The design of the bag 100 addresses the stated issue by providing wide portions in the bag 100 to catch the various toppling foods.
In addition, the invention provides lightweight, easy to manufacture and hygienic bag 100 to store fast foods. The lightweight bag 100 allows fast foods to be taken away easily. Moreover, the bag 100 is made using easily available materials, available at low cost. Further, the hygienic packaging, in form of the bag 100, keeps the food item 204, stored in the bag 100, safe and consumable for longer times.
The present invention of a bag 100 with accordion folds 202 can be applied across various application areas. Different embodiments are possible with different styles of inlet 110 for entering fast foods in the bag 100. The various possible styles of inlet 110 may include but may not be limited to zipper locks, pasting locks, and the like. Some embodiment may provide the similar bag 100 with handle to hold the bag 100. The handle can facilitate the carrying of packed food item 204. Further, various enhancements can be done to provide attractive packaging and to facilitate handling of different types of fast foods.
As described above, the present disclosure of a new and innovative design for packaging for fast food has some useful, economic and features which address concerns about food hygiene. The bag of the present disclosure is also used in labs to cover glassware and test tubes that needs to be shielded from the light. Moreover, the present invention is used in ice cream cones, amusement park food such as ribs or turkey legs, and the like.
It should be understood however, that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and does not include all modifications or improvements obvious to the man skilled in the art, such as the differences in relative dimensions of the design to accommodate different content dimensions, which may fall within the scope of the appended claims.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in any appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for packaging forming a bag, said bag comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion having a series of plurality of accordion folds, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds allow variations in the length of said second portion; and

a third portion having a base to support said bag, wherein said base provides the closing to said bag to hold food to be packed inside said bag, wherein said second portion is positioned between said first portion and said third portion, and wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds of said second portion allows said bag to transition from an expanded state to a contracted state and said contracted state to said expanded state.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein width of said first portion and width of said third portion is more than said width of the second portion.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said accordion folds of said second portion comprises a series of evenly spaced and parallel plates with alternating raised and recessed folds.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein length of said second portion decreases when a subset of said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted.

5. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said length of said second portion decreases when said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in same ratio.

6. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said length of said second portion decreases when said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in different ratio.

7. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said contraction of said second portion of said bag is simultaneous to the consumption of the food packed inside said bag.

8. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in a direction of the alignment of said first portion and said second portion.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds varies the volume of said bag and facilitate insertion and consumption of food packed inside said bag.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said bag further comprising:

an outer layer, wherein said outer layer of said bag acts as an interface for a consumer to hold and is the visible surface of said bag and visually manipulated to enhance the look and feel of the packaging; and

an inner layer, wherein said inner layer is an interior region of the bag and is not visible to the person holding said bag.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein design of said bag provides wide portions in said bag to catch various toppling foods.

12. A system for packaging forming a bag, said bag comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion having a plurality of accordion folds, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds allow variations in the length of said second portion, said plurality of said accordion folds of said second portion comprises a series of evenly spaced and parallel plates with alternating raised and recessed folds; and

a third portion having a base to support said bag, wherein width of said first portion and width of said third portion is more than said width of the second portion, wherein said base provides the closing to said bag to hold food to be packed inside said bag, wherein said second portion is positioned between said first portion and said third portion, and wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds of said second portion allows said bag to transition from an expanded state to a contracted state and said contracted state to said expanded state.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein length of said second portion decreases when a subset of said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said length of said second portion decreases when said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in same ratio.

15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said length of said second portion decreases when said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in different ratio.

16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said contraction of said second portion of said bag is simultaneous to the consumption of the food packed inside said bag.

17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds get contracted in a direction of the alignment of said first portion and said second portion.

18. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said series of plurality of accordion folds varies the volume of said bag and facilitate insertion and consumption of food packed inside said bag.

19. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said bag further comprising: