WO2016025823A1

WO2016025823A1 - Reusable bag

Info

Publication number: WO2016025823A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/045254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Reilly; Johan Liden; Brett Tom; German Aguirre RAEDER
Original assignee: Staples The Office Superstore, Llc
Priority date: 2014-08-14
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-18

Abstract

A reusable bag for transporting food items is provided. The reusable bag may have a shape resembling that of a traditional paper lunch bag. The bag may be made of a durable and washable material to enable long-term reuse of the bag. The bag may also have an opening that may be closed using an integrated closure mechanism and/or a separate clasp that may be applied to close the opening. A separate clasp may form a part of a handle that is separable from the bag and may be used to close the bag by attaching it to the opening. The handle may include a compartment in which one or more utensils may be stored. The handle or an internal compartment of the reusable bag may include a compartment that is configured to store one or more utensils, condiments, napkins, and other meal accessories.

Description

REUSABLE BAG

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority, under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/037,576, filed August 14, 2014, entitled "REUSABLE BAG," the entire disclosures of which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety, for all that it teaches and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] For many years, small brown paper bags have been a mainstream way of carrying many food or beverage items, including meals (e.g., lunches, etc.), snacks, or drinks. As ecological concerns grow, though, these paper bags have become viewed by many as wasteful because they are typically used only once before being thrown away. Plastic or glass boxes and insulated coolers have been viewed as the reusable alternatives to paper bags.

SUMMARY

[0003] It is with respect to the above issues and other problems that the embodiments presented herein were contemplated. Described herein are various embodiments of a reusable bag for holding one or more food and/or beverage items. In some embodiments, the reusable bag (when open or carried) may have a shape resembling that of a traditional paper lunch bag. The bag may be made of a durable and washable material to enable long-term reuse of the bag. The bag may also, in some embodiments, have an opening that may be closed using an integrated closure mechanism and/or a separate clasp that may be applied to close the opening. In embodiments in which a separate clasp that may be applied to close the opening of the bag, the clasp may form a part of a handle that is separable from the bag and may be used to close the bag by attaching it to the opening. In some such embodiments, the handle may include a compartment in which one or more utensils may be stored. In one embodiment, the reusable bag may include a compartment that is configured to store one or more utensils, condiments, napkins, and other meal accessories.

[0004] Embodiments include a bag assembly, comprising: a flexible bag comprising an internal compartment and an opening disposed at a top of the flexible bag, wherein the top of the flexible bag comprises at least two sides that, when pressed together, close the opening of the flexible bag, wherein the top of the flexible bag includes a structural feature disposed on a side of the flexible bag; and a clasp to slide onto the top of the bag to apply a force to press the at least two sides together to close the flexible bag, the clasp comprising an internal cavity and a bottom opening, the bottom opening having a shape to accommodate a portion of the top of the flexible bag when the structural feature is inserted into the internal cavity. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein each of the at least two sides of the flexible bag includes the structural feature; and the internal cavity of the clasp has a shape to accommodate insertion of the structural features of the flexible bag. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein at a time that the clasp is disposed on the top of the flexible bag and presses the at least two sides closer together, the at least two sides are separated by a gap of less than 5 mm. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein at a time that the clasp is disposed on the top of the flexible bag and presses the at least two sides closer together, the at least two sides are touching one another along a substantial portion of a length of the at least two sides, the substantial portion being at least half of the length. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein the flexible bag is constructed of at least one material, the at least one material comprising silicone. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein the clasp comprises a storage compartment. An aspect of the above bag assembly further comprises an eating utensil disposed within the storage compartment. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein the eating utensil is a spork. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein the flexible bag comprises a bottom surface; when one or more food and drink item is disposed inside the flexible bag, the flexible bag is upright, and the bottom surface is not resting on a surface, the bottom surface has a planar shape; the flexible bag folds flat; and when the flexible bag is being folded flat, a center line of the bottom surface on either side of the center line fold toward one another. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein: the structural features of the at least two sides of the top of the flexible bag are located on an exterior surface of the flexible bag; and the flexible bag further comprises, on the at least two sides and on an interior surface of the flexible bag, an integrated closure mechanism. An aspect of the above bag assembly includes wherein the integrated closure mechanism is a rib and channel locking mechanism. [0005] Embodiments include a flexible bag, comprising: an internal compartment; an opening; and a bottom surface, wherein: a top of the flexible bag comprises at least two sides that are pressed closer together to close the opening of the flexible bag; when one or more food and drink item is disposed inside the flexible bag, the flexible bag is upright, and the bottom surface is not resting on a surface, the bottom surface has a planar shape; the flexible bag folds flat; and when the flexible bag is being folded flat, a center line of the bottom surface moves away from a center of the flexible bag and two halves of the bottom surface on either side of the center line fold toward one another.

[0006] Embodiments include a flexible bag, comprising: an internal compartment; a bottom surface; and a live hinge disposed along the bottom surface and separating the bottom surface into two parts; wherein the flexible bag folds flat and is structured such that, at a time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the live hinge moves away from a center of the internal compartment and the two parts of the bottom surface move toward one another. An aspect of the above flexible bag further comprises: a front face; a back face, a first side face; and a second side face, wherein: the live hinge disposed along the bottom surface is a first live hinge; at the time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the front face and the back face move toward one another; each of the first side face and the second side face comprises a second live hinge disposed along a center of the respective side face and dividing the respective side face into two parts; and at the time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the second live hinges of both of the first and second side faces moves toward the center of the internal compartment and, for each of the first and second side faces, the two parts of the respective side face move toward one another. An aspect of the above flexible bag includes wherein: the front face and the back face each comprise a structural panel; and the flexible bag further comprises a single piece of molding covering the front face and the back face, the single piece of molding forming the bottom surface and the first and second side faces of the flexible bag, the single piece of molding further forming the first live hinge and both of the second live hinges disposed on the first and second side faces. An aspect of the above flexible bag include wherein the single piece of molding is structured such that the first live hinge closes on a side of the first live hinge facing the center of the internal compartment and such that both of the second live hinges close on a side of the second live hinges facing away from the center of the internal compartment. An aspect of the above flexible bag further comprises: third live hinges disposed at junctions of the front face with each of the first and second side faces and at junctions of the back face with each of the first and second side faces, wherein the single piece of molding forms each of the third live hinges. An aspect of the above flexible bag include wherein the single piece of molding is structured such that each of the third live hinges closes on a side of the third live hinge facing the center of the internal

compartment. An aspect of the above flexible bag further comprises: an opening opposite the bottom surface and configured to provide access to the internal compartment, wherein a portion of the flexible bag adjacent to the opening includes a closure feature, the closure feature configured to hold the portion of the flexible bag in a closed state. An aspect of the above flexible bag further comprises: an opening opposite the bottom surface and configured to provide access to the internal compartment, wherein the front face and the back face each include an end portion disposed adjacent to the opening, and wherein each end portion includes a ridge of material extending along a length of each end portion and in a direction away from a center of the internal compartment.

[0007] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0008] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" can be used interchangeably.

[0009] It shall be understood that the term "means," as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6 or other applicable law. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

[0010] It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each and every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

[0011] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or

configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and

configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a reusable bag;

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a reusable bag;

[0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bag in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig. 4C is a side view of a bag in a semi-opened condition in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; [0017] Fig. 4D is a top perspective view of a bag in a semi-opened condition in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Fig. 4E is a bottom perspective view of a bag in a semi-opened condition in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a handle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle in a first position applied to a reusable bag;

[0021] Fig. 6B is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle in a second position applied to a reusable bag;

[0022] Fig. 6C is a bottom view of a handle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig. 6D is a section view of a handle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig. 6E is a perspective view of a multi-part handle with an open door in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig. 6F is a perspective view of a multi-part handle with a closed door in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 6G is an exploded perspective view of a multi-part handle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 6H is a bottom view of a multi-part handle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a utensil for storing in a handle of a reusable bag in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 8A is a front view of a first embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0030] Fig. 8B is a side view of a first embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0031] Fig. 8C is a front view of a first embodiment of a bag in a closed condition;

[0032] Fig. 8D is a side view of a first embodiment of a bag in a closed condition;

[0033] Fig. 9A is a front view of a second embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0034] Fig. 9B is a side view of a second embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0035] Fig. 9C is a front view of a second embodiment of a bag in a closed condition;

[0036] Fig. 9D is a side view of a second embodiment of a bag in a closed condition; [0037] Fig. 10A is a front view of a third embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0038] Fig. 10B is a side view of a third embodiment of a bag in an open condition;

[0039] Fig. IOC is a front view of a third embodiment of a bag in a closed condition; and

[0040] Fig. 10D is a side view of a third embodiment of a bag in a closed.

[0041] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is 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 following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0043] Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a bag assembly 100, including a bag 102, a handle 104, and a utensil 106. As discussed in more detail below, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the handle 104 is adapted to slide onto a top of the bag 102 to close the bag 102 as well as provide a convenient way to carry the bag 102. The handle 104 may additionally include a compartment inside the handle 104, into which one or more utensils 106 may be inserted for easy carrying. It should be appreciated that the compartment disclosed herein may be configured to house one or more utensils 106 including, but not limited to, chopsticks, knives, forks, spoons, skewers, toothpicks, tongs, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the compartment may be configured to house one or more eating accessories, such as napkins, condiments, etc.

[0044] Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a bag assembly 200. The bag assembly of Fig. 2 includes a bag 202 that is substantially similar to the bag 102 of Fig. 2, as well as a handle 204. Like the handle 104 of Fig. 1, the handle 204 may be adapted to slide onto a top of the bag 202 to close the bag 202 and to provide a convenient way to carry the bag 102. While the handle 104 of Fig. 1 included a compartment for storing one or more utensils, the handle 204 does not include a compartment.

[0045] Different embodiments or features of the various elements of the bag assemblies 100, 200, of Fig. 1 and 2 are described in detail below in connection with Figs. 3-10D.

[0046] Fig. 3 illustrates in more detail a bag that may be used with a bag assembly of some embodiments, including the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. The bag 300 of Fig. 3 may be made of any suitable materials. In some embodiments, at least the walls of the bag 300 may be made of a durable, washable material, such as a material that may be washed using a mechanical dishwasher without being damaged. The material may also, in some cases, be flexible such that the bag 300 may be turned inside out for washing or may distort its shape based on contents of the bag 300. In some embodiments, the material of the bag 300 may be, include, or consist essentially of silicone, but is should be appreciated that embodiments are not limited to including any specific materials. Among other things, a bag 300 made from silicone offers great resistance to the high temperatures that, may exist inside a washing machine, are due to heated or microwaved food items, and/or are a result of exposure to certain environmental conditions (e.g., a bag 300 left in the sunlight, stored inside a hot car or room, etc.). Moreover, a bag 300 made from silicone can provide a hypoallergenic material for containing food, utensils, and/or other items. The hypoallergenic nature of the silicone material can also benefit a user who comes into contact with the bag 300. In some embodiments, the material of the bag 300 may include one or more plastic, polymer, rubber, composite, polyester, fabric, resin, and the like. In any event, the material may be formed, molded, laminated, or otherwise shaped to form the bag as described herein.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the bag 300 includes four walls 302 defining a roughly rectangular shape. Fig. 3 shows a front wall 302A and a side wall 302B of the four walls 302. The four walls 302 may be made of one contiguous layer of material, or may comprise a number of panels attached to one another to form the four walls. Embodiments are not limited to bags having walls constructed from any specific number of distinct pieces of material. Further, it should be appreciated that while the bag 300 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, embodiments are not limited to having any particular shape. In other embodiments, a bag may be implemented having a square shape, or a non-rectangular shape (e.g., a circle, an oval, or other shape).

[0048] The bag 300 includes an opening 304 at a top, or first end, 312 of the bag 300. The opening 304, when open, has a shape corresponding to the shape of the bag 300, and thus in the embodiment of Fig. 3 has a shape that is rectangular or substantially rectangular. The bag 300, having a rectangular shape with a rectangular opening 304 at the top 312, approximates the shape of a traditional paper bag.

[0049] The bag 300 may differ from the shape of a traditional paper bag in that the bottom, or second end, 306 of the bag 300 may not include a bottom panel or a lip that, when the bag 300 is collapsed, folds up against a wall of the bag 300. Rather, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, the bag 300 may include a bottom 306 that folds away from a center of the bag 300, in a downward direction, and that forms a point when folded, as shown in Fig. 3. In some embodiments, the bottom 306 may define a closed end of the bag 300. The closed end may include a material fold line 316, for example, where at least one of the four walls 302 of the bag 300 are folded to define or separate the front wall 302A from a rear wall of the bag 300, etc. In one embodiment, the material fold line 316 may correspond to a join line where a front wall 302A is at least formed, sealed, or otherwise joined to an opposite rear wall.

[0050] The bag 300 may include two closure mechanisms for closing the opening 304. For example, the opening 304 may include an integrated closure mechanism 308 that is a locking mechanism enabling the opening 304 to be closed without any other closure mechanism being used. The integrated closure mechanism 308 may close the opening 304 such that, absent an outside force, the opening 304 will remain closed. The integrated closure mechanism 308, in some embodiments, may be an airtight and/or watertight closure mechanism, to prevent air and/or water from entering or exiting the opening 304 while it is closed using the integrated closure mechanism 308. In embodiments that include an integrated closure mechanism 308, the mechanism may be implemented as any suitable closure mechanism, as embodiments are not limited in this respect. In some embodiments, the mechanism 308 may be implemented as any suitable one or more of a rib-and-channel locking mechanism, a tongue-and-groove locking mechanism, an interlocking complementary feature locking mechanism (e.g., male-female interlocking features, etc.), a bead-and-channel locking mechanism, a set of complementary hooks, and any combination thereof. In the case of a rib-and-channel or bead-and-channel, one side of the opening 304 may include a channel and another side of the opening 304 may include a rib or a set of beads, and to close the opening 304 the sides may be pressed together and the rib and/or bead may be inserted into the channel. In some embodiments, the rib and/or bead may be frictionally inserted into the channel. In this embodiment, the opening 304 of the bag 300 may be closed and held in a closed or locked condition by a friction fit between the rib and/or bead and the channel. An example of the integrated closure mechanism 308 is shown in Fig. 6D. In the case of a set of complementary hooks, one side of the opening 304 may include one set of hooks and another side may include complementary hooks, and to close the opening 304 the sides may be pressed together and the hooks of the two sides may engage one another.

[0051] The opening 304 may additionally or alternatively include a second closure mechanism that is not wholly integrated with the bag 300 but may instead be formed in part with the bag 300 and in part separate from the bag 300. Specifically, in some embodiments a clasp (e.g., the handles 104, 204 of Figs. 1 and 2, or a part of the handles 104, 204) may form a part of a closure mechanism for the bag 300. Another part of the non-integrated closure mechanism may be integrated with the bag 300 and may be adapted to engage with the separate part in any suitable manner. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the opening 304 may include two lips 310 along the tops of two of the walls of the bag 300 and along the opening 304. For example, the front wall 302A of the bag 300 may include a lip 310 that is disposed at the top 312 of the bag 300 on a surface of the wall 302 A that is exterior to the inside of the bag 300. The lip 310 may run along a length of the wall 302 A in a general direction from one side wall 302B to the other side wall (not shown). The rear wall 302C of the bag 300 may include a lip 310 that is disposed in a similar, if not identical, arrangement as the front wall 302 A. For instance, when the opening 304 of the bag is closed, the lip 310 of the front wall 302A may mirror the lip 310 of the rear wall 302C about a line, or plane, formed at the closure of the front and rear walls 302A, 302C. Together the lips 310 may have a shape corresponding to an internal cavity of a clasp that may be applied to the bag 300 to close the opening 304. When the clasp is applied to the bag 300, the lips 310 may be forced together by the shape of the internal cavity of the clasp. When forced together, the lips 310 may close the opening 304 and keep the opening 304 closed so long as the clasp is applied. An example of the lips 310 are shown as the bag protrusions illustrated in the cross-section view of Fig. 6D.

[0052] In some embodiments, the lips 310 may include at least one tapered, chamfered, or otherwise formed lip end 318. Among other things, the formed lip end 318 may provide a lead-in for guiding the bag 300 in the clasp area of a handle 104, 204. In one embodiment, the lips 310 may be formed along an entirety of the length of a particular wall top 312. In some embodiments, the lips 310 may be formed along a portion of the length of a particular wall top 312.

[0053] While embodiments have described in which one or two closure mechanisms may be used to form an air- and/or watertight seal of the opening 304 of the bag 300, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the bag 300 may not be air- and/or watertight when the opening 304 is closed. In some embodiments, the bag 300 may be permeable by air and/or water via the opening 304 when the opening 304 is closed.

Further, it should be appreciated that while embodiments have been described in which at least two sides of a top of the bag 300 are pressed together to close the opening 304, embodiments are not limited to the opening 304 being fully closed at a time that one or more closure mechanisms are engaged. For example, in some embodiments, when a clasp (e.g., of the handles 104, 204) is applied to the bag 300, two sides and/or walls of a top 312 of the bag 300 at the opening 304 may be forced closer together than they are when the clasp is not applied, but may still be separated by a gap. For example, in some embodiments, the gap may be less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, or less than 3 mm, or any other suitable dimension.

[0054] A bag of a bag assembly in accordance with embodiments described herein may have any suitable shape when folded, opened, held, or left standing on a flat surface.

Embodiments are not limited to having any particular shape. Figs. 4A-4H illustrate examples of a shape of a bag 400 in accordance with some embodiments. Although various figures may be shown including a particular handle (e.g., handle 104, 204, etc.) engaged with a particular bag embodiment, it should be appreciated that any handle (e.g., handle 104, 204 etc.) may be used interchangeably with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0055] As illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B, in some embodiments the walls of a bag 400 may be foldable such that the bag folds flat or substantially flat. In embodiments in which the bag 400 has a rectangular cross-section when open, the bag 400 may include two wider walls and two narrower walls. In some such embodiments, when the bag 400 is folded flat, the two wider walls may fold flat against one another for an entire length, or a substantially entire length, of the walls, from a top 412 to a bottom 406 of the bag 400. In such a case, the bottom 406 of the bag 400 may fold outwardly to form a long point that spans more than half the width of the wider walls. The bottom of the bag 400 may, in some such embodiments, include a live hinge at the material fold line 416 that extends across a bottom 406 of the bag 400 at a center of the bottom 406 of the bag 400, with two parts of the bottom surface of the bag (e.g., two halves of the bottom surface) on either side of the live hinge. In such embodiments, the live hinge may close on a side of the hinge facing a center of the bag 400 such that, when the bag 400 is folded flat, the live hinge may move downward away from the center of the bag 400 and the two parts of the bottom surface may fold toward one another. In addition, the two narrower walls may each fold inward toward a center of the bag 400 and each may fold flat against itself, such that, for each of the narrower walls, half of the wall is contacting another half of the wall. For example, each of the narrower walls may each include a live hinge that extends along a center of the narrower walls and separates each narrower wall into two parts (e.g., two halves). These live hinges may close on a side of the hinge facing away from a center of the bag 400 such that, when the bag 400 is being folded flat, the live hinge of each of the narrower walls may move inward toward the center of the bag 400 and, for each of the narrower walls, the two parts of the wall may move toward one another. When the bag 400 is fully folded flat, on each of the narrower walls the two parts may be folded flat against one another and touch along an entire length, or a substantially entire length, of the wall. Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate two different perspectives of a bag 400 that folds flat in this manner.

[0056] In some embodiments, including some embodiments in which the bag 400 may fold flat as illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B, a bag 400 may have a resiliency for maintaining an open shape. When lying on its side, the bag 400 may therefore, absent outside pressure, maintain a shape that corresponds to partially open and partially closed. In such a state, a bottom 406 of the bag 400 may fold outward, away from a center of the bag 400, partially but the sides of the bag 400 may not contact one another and an opening 404 may be open more than a third of its full opening size, more than half its opening size, or more than any other suitable fraction of its opening size. Figs. 4C-4E illustrate different perspectives of a bag 400 having such resiliency and being in a partially opened/partially closed state. Among other things, the perspective views of Figs. 4C-4E illustrate the relationship of the front wall 402 A to the side walls 402B, 402C and the rear wall 402C and Fig. 4D shows the interior compartment 420 of the bag 400. Moreover, Figs. 4C-4E show various views of the top 412, bottom 406, and the material fold line 416 disposed at the bottom 406 of the bag 400.

[0057] In the examples of Figs. 4A-4E, the bag 400 was described as having walls 402 and edges that fold inward or outward. Fig. 4F illustrates an example of a bag 400 having such walls and edges. In the embodiment of Fig. 4F, the bag 400 may be formed of a single piece of material, such as by being molded using a single piece of molding. In some such embodiments, a front face corresponding to the front wall 402A and a back face (e.g., corresponding to the rear wall 402C shown in Fig. 4D) of the bag 400 may include a structural panel. A single-piece bag 400 may, in some embodiments, be air- and/or watertight other than at an opening 404 of the bag 400 (and, in some such embodiments, the opening 404 may be air- and/or watertight when closed). In such an embodiment in which the bag 400 is made of a single piece of material, the edges may be live edges that are formed by scoring the material or shaping the material (e.g., through molding), or made in any other suitable manner. Fig. 4F illustrates the manner in which edges of this embodiment may fold, including solid-line edges 420 that may fold outward (e.g., away from the center of the bag 400) and dotted- line edges 422 that may fold inward (e.g., toward the center of the bag 400).

[0058] The embodiment of Figs. 4C-4E was described as having a resiliency to a particular shape when lying on its side. In some embodiments, the bag 400 may additionally or alternatively have a resiliency to remain in a particular shape when the bag 400 is held, including when the bag 400 is empty and held or contents are placed in the bag 400 (e.g., food and/or beverages, etc.) and the bag 400 is held. Fig. 4G illustrates such an embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 4G, when the bag 400 is held by a user 424 (e.g., by supporting a weight of the bag by the handle 204, etc.), the bag 400 may maintain a shape having a planar bottom 428, including a bottom 428 that is substantially planar to a human eye, for example, substantially along plane 426.

[0059] In addition to maintaining a shape having a planar bottom 428 when held, in some embodiments a bag 400 may have a resiliency to maintain a shape having a planar bottom 428 and remain substantially upright when placed on a flat surface 432 such as a table. Fig. 4H illustrates an example of such an embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 4H, the material of which the bag 400 is made may be resilient to hold a shape, and when the bag 400 may be shaped of such material such that when the bag 400 is placed on its bottom 428 on a flat surface 432, the bag 400 remains upright or substantially upright, such that more than half of an area of an opening of the bag is directly above an area of the bottom of the bag 400.

[0060] Various embodiments of a bag 400 have been described in connection with Figs. 4A-4H. It should be appreciated, however, that embodiments are not limited to being implemented in accordance with any of these embodiments and that other embodiments are possible.

[0061] As discussed above in connection with Figs. 1-2, in some embodiments a bag assembly may include a handle 104, 204, which may include a compartment in some embodiments. Figs. 5-6H illustrate examples of handles that may be implemented in some embodiments.

[0062] Fig. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a handle 500 having a body 502 including a compartment 504. The handle 500 may include a cover 506 for the compartment 504 that may be used to close the compartment 504. Fig. 5 illustrates the handle 500 with the cover both open and closed.

[0063] In embodiments that include a compartment 504, the compartment 504 may be of any suitable size. In some embodiments, the compartment 504 may be sized to

accommodate at least one utensil 106 such as chopsticks, tongs, toothpicks, skewers, a fork, a spoon, or a spork (e.g., a combination spoon and fork, etc.). In embodiments in which the compartment 504 may be sized to accommodate the utensil 106, the

compartment 504 may be sized to accommodate an average-sized utensil. For example, the compartment 504 may have a height between 40 and 60 mm and may have a length between 210 and 220 mm.

[0064] The handle 500 may also, in some embodiments, include an internal cavity 508 that is shaped to accommodate a structural feature associated with a top 312 of a bag 300 (e.g., one or more lips 310, protrusions, etc.) and that may be used as a non-integrated closure mechanism for the bag 300 to close an opening 304 at the top 312 of the bag 300. As should be appreciated from the discussion of Fig. 3 above, in some embodiments a bag 300 may include a closure mechanism that is in part integrated and in part non-integrated with the bag 300. The integrated portion may, in some embodiments, include a structural feature such as a lip (e.g., the lip 310 of Fig. 3) that is shaped to be inserted into the internal cavity 508. The internal cavity 508 may have a corresponding size and shape to enable the integrated structural feature of the closure mechanism to be inserted into the internal cavity 508. The internal cavity 508 may extend for an entirety of a length of the handle 500 or any suitable portion of the length of the handle 500. As shown in Fig. 5, a bottom of the internal cavity 508 may be open along an entire length of the handle 500 or for a portion of the handle 500. In some embodiments, the bottom of the internal cavity 508 (e.g., at a point furthest from the compartment) may be open for a length that corresponds to a length of the internal cavity 508 in the handle 500. The opening 510 may allow the handle 500 to slide onto a top surface of a bag 300 such that a structural feature (e.g., the lips 310 of Fig. 3) along a top 312 of the bag 300 may be inserted into the internal cavity 508 and the bag 300 may hang through the opening 510.

[0065] In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 5, the handle 500 may include a compartment cover 506 or door that is configured to enclose the compartment 504 of the handle 500. The compartment cover 506 may include a hinge 512. The hinge 512 may be part of the handle 500. In one embodiment, the hinge 512 may be configured as a live, or living, hinge that is a thinned area of molded material connecting the compartment cover 506 to the handle 500. The compartment cover 506 may extend, or include a feature, that covers at least a portion of the internal cavity 508 and/or the opening 510 when the compartment cover 506 is in a closed position. Among other things, this extension may serve to contain a bag within the opening 510.

[0066] Figs. 6 A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of the sliding feature offered by the internal cavity 508 and opening 510. Fig. 6A illustrates a handle 600 being slid onto a bag 602. As should be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, as the handle 600 is slid onto a top surface of the bag 602, structural features 604 (e.g., lips) of the bag 602 are inserted into a cavity 606 of the handle 600. By sliding the handle 600 onto the bag 602, an opening 608 of the bag 602 may be closed. For example, as the handle 600 slides along the top of the bag 602, at least one closing feature 612 of the handle 600 may impart a closing force on the walls of the bag 602. The closing feature 612 may correspond to a chamfer, filet, radius, lead-in, other shape, or combination thereof disposed on at least a portion of the handle 600. Once, the bag 602 is closed by the closing feature 612, the walls of the bag 602 may be held together by the opening 510 in the handle 600. Fig. 6B illustrates a relationship between the handle 600 and the bag 602 when the handle 600 is fully slid onto the bag 602. As can be seen from Fig. 6B, when the handle 600 is fully slid onto the bag 602, an opening 608 of the bag 600 is closed. The opening 608 may, in some embodiments, be closed in a manner that is air- and/or watertight, but embodiments are not so limited. In some embodiments, the structural features 604 of the bag 602 may be contained within the cavity 606 of the handle 600, while the walls of the bag 602 are contained within the opening 510 of the bag 602.

[0067] Fig. 6C illustrates in better detail the opening 510 that may be included at a bottom of an internal cavity 606 of a handle 600 in some embodiments. The opening 510 may have a width 614 and a length 616. As shown in Fig. 6C, the opening 510 may not extend across an entirety of a handle 600, but may extend more than halfway or more than three-quarters of the way along a bottom surface of the handle 600. In other embodiments, the opening 510 may extend across an entirety of the handle 600 (e.g., as shown in Figs. 6E-6H). In some embodiments, the length 616 of the opening 510 may be configured to match or substantially match the length of the top of a bag 602. The width 614 of the opening 510 may be sized to contain the bag 602. In one embodiment, the width 614 of the opening 510 may be sized to impart a force (e.g., a friction force, an inward force, etc.) on the walls of the bag 602. This force may serve to keep a bag 602 closed when the bag 602 is contained within the opening 510. Fig. 6C shows two closing features 612 disposed on either side of the opening 510. As provided above, the closing features 612 may guide a bag 602 into the opening 510 and may even provide a closing force on walls of the bag 602 such that an opening 608 of the bag 602 is closed as the bag 602 moves along the length of the opening 510.

[0068] Fig. 6D illustrates in cross-section a relationship between a top of a bag 602 and a handle 600 when the handle 600 has been slid onto a top surface of the bag 602. As shown in Fig. 6D, a structural feature 604 (e.g., lips) of the bag 602 may be disposed inside an internal cavity 606 of the handle 600 and a portion of the bag 602 may extend through an opening 510 at a bottom of the internal cavity 606 of the handle 600. The handle 600 shown in Fig. 6D includes a compartment 504 configured to receive and contain a utensil 106. [0069] Figs 6E-6H show various views of a multi-part handle 600' in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6E shows a perspective view of a multi-part handle 600' with an open door 626 while Fig. 6F shows the handle 600' with a closed door. In particular, the multi-part handle 600' includes a fixed profile body 620 having a first and second end, a first end part 622 disposed at the first end, and a second end part 624 disposed at the second end. In some embodiments, the body 620 may be

manufactured as an extruded plastic shape. The extruded plastic shape may include one or more of the features of the handles described in conjunction with Figs. 5, 6C, and 6D. For instance, the body 620 may include a compartment volume 628 configured to receive and house at least one utensil 106. Additionally or alternatively, the body 620 may include an internal volume 630 that is configured to receive a portion of a bag (e.g., the top of a bag, and/or features associated with the top of the bag, lips, structural features, etc.).

[0070] The first end part 622 may correspond to a molded plastic part that can be inserted into, or otherwise mated with, the body 620. In some embodiments, the first end part 622 may be press-fit into, glued, melted, welded, or attached to the body 620. The first end part 622 may include one or more lead-in features 632 that are configured to guide the bag similarly, if not identically, to the closing features 612 described above. A compartment cover 626 or door may be included that is configured to move about a hinge. The hinge may be a living hinge as provided above, however, the compartment cover may be connected to the first end part 622 via the hinge, rather than connected to the handle as described above. The compartment cover 626 may provide selective access to the compartment 628 in the body 620.

[0071] In some embodiments, the second end part 624 may be configured as an end cap sealing the compartment 628 at the second end of the body 620. Additionally, the second end part 624 may be configured to provide an end stop for a bag disposed within the opening of the body 620. In some embodiments, the second end part 624 may be press-fit into, glued, melted, welded, or attached to the body 620.

[0072] Fig. 6G is an exploded perspective view of a multi-part handle 600' in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6G, the first and second end parts 622, 624 include at least one engagement feature 640, 644 for attaching the parts 622, 624 to the body 620 of the handle 600'. In some embodiments, the engagement features 640, 644 may include tapered portions, interference-fit features, ridges, protrusions, surfaces, or other features that are configured to provide a secure assembled fit between the body 620 and the parts 622, 624. The exploded view shows the opening 648 of the body 620 that is configured to contain a portion of an engaged bag. The opening 648 may correspond to the opening 510 described above.

[0073] Fig. 6H is a bottom view of a multi-part handle 600' in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6H illustrates opening 628 that may be included at a bottom of an internal cavity 630 of a handle body 620. The opening 628 may have a width 650 and a length 652. As shown in Fig. 6H, the opening 648 may extend across an entire length of the handle body 620. In some embodiments, the length 652 of the opening 648 may be configured to match or substantially match the length of the top of a bag 602. The width 650 of the opening 648 may be sized to contain an engaged bag. In one embodiment, the width 650 of the opening 648 may be sized to impart a force (e.g., a friction force, an inward force, etc.) on the walls of an inserted bag. This force may serve to keep a bag closed when a portion of the bag is contained within the opening 648. Fig. 6H shows two closing features 632 in the first end part 622 and spaced apart in a width substantially equal to the width 650 of the opening 648. Similar to the closing features 612 described above, the closing features 632 in the first end part 622 may guide a bag into the opening 648 of the body 620 and may even provide a closing force on walls of the bag such that an opening of the bag is closed as the bag moves along the length of the opening 648. Additionally, a bag stop area 654 may be provided by a portion of the second end part 624 contacting the body 620. As a bag is being inserted into the opening 648 of the body 620, a portion of the bag may contact the bag stop area 654, or a portion of the second end part 624, which may prevent further travel of the bag in the opening 648.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments a bag assembly may additionally include a utensil 106 that may be stored in a compartment of a handle. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of such a utensil 106. As shown in FIG. 7, the utensil may be a spork that includes a fork at one end and a spoon at another end of a shared body of the utensil. In the example of FIG. 7, the fork and the spoon are inverted from one another, such that when a face of the fork is pointed upward, a face of the spoon is pointed downward, and vice versa. In embodiments that include a utensil 106, the utensil 106 may have dimensions smaller than an interior dimension of the compartment of the handle. For example, the utensil may have dimensions that are less than 90% of the dimensions or less than 80% of the dimensions of the compartment. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the utensil may not have the same ratio to the dimensions of the compartment. For example, in some embodiments the utensil may have a length that is between 75% and 85% of the length of the compartment and have a width that is between 70% and 80% of the height of the compartment.

[0075] Figs. 8A-10D illustrate various embodiments of a reusable bag in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, the various embodiments described in conjunction with Figs. 8A-10D provide different closure options for a top of the bags as disclosed in conjunction with Figs. 3-4H. As can be appreciated, the details, materials, and construction of the bag as described in conjunction with Figs. 3-4H etc., may apply to the description of the following embodiments.

[0076] Figs. 8A-8D show a first embodiment of a bag 800 in open and closed conditions. In particular, Figs. 8A and 8B show a front view and side view of a first embodiment of the bag 800 in the open condition. As shown, the bag 800 includes a front wall 802A, a side wall 802B, at least one living hinge area 804, a first flange 808, and a second flange 810. In some embodiments, the bag 800 may be made from a material that maintains the bag in an open condition when unfastened. Figs. 8C and 8D show a front view and side view of the first embodiment of the bag 800 in the closed condition, respectively. As shown in Fig. 8D, the bag 800 is closed together at the opening and the second flange 810 of the bag 800 is folded at the living hinge 804 over the first flange 808. The folded flanges 808, 810 may be fastened in a closed state via at least one fastening element 812. Examples of fastening elements may include, but are in no way limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, elastic material, bands, magnetic clasps, plastic or metal snaps, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0077] Figs. 9A-9D show a second embodiment of a bag 900 in open and closed conditions. In particular, Figs. 9A and 9B show a front view and side view of a first embodiment of the bag 900 in the open condition. As shown, the bag 900 includes a front wall 902A, a side wall 902B, at least one living hinge area 904, a first flange 908, and a second flange 910. In some embodiments, the bag 900 may be made from a material that maintains the bag in an open condition when unfastened. Each flange 908, 910 may include a molded handle portion 914. The molded handle portion 914 of the first flange 908 may be configured to connect with the molded handle portion 914 of the second flange 910. Figs. 9C and 9D show a front view and side view of the second embodiment of the bag 900 in the closed condition, respectively. As shown in Fig. 9D, the bag 900 is closed at the opening and the first flange 908 is in contact with, or adjacent to, the second flange 910 of the bag 900. The molded handle portion 914 of the first flange 908 is connected with the molded handle portion 914 of the second flange 910 at a connection point 912. In some embodiments, the molded handle portion 914 may include features that mate, or otherwise interconnect with other features in the molded handle portion 914 when a connection surface of the molded handle portion 914 contacts the connection surface of another molded handle portion 914. These connection features may include pin-and-hole, hook-and-tab, tab-and-slot, plug-and-receptacle, or other interconnection features. The connection features may be molded into the molded handle portion 914.

[0078] Figs. 10A-10D show a third embodiment of a bag 1000 in open and closed conditions. In particular, Figs. 10A and 10B show a front view and side view of a first embodiment of the bag 1000 in the open condition. As shown, the bag 1000 includes a front wall 1002A, a side wall 1002B, a fastening tab 1008, a first fastening element 1010, and a second fastening element 1012. In some embodiments, the bag 1000 may be made from a material that maintains the bag in an open condition when unfastened. Figs. IOC and 10D show a front view and side view of the second embodiment of the bag 1000 in the closed condition, respectively. In some embodiments, the opening of the bag 1000 and a top portion may be closed and rolled together. When the top portion of the bag 1000 is rolled, the first wall 1002A of the bag may be contained by at least one other wall of the bag 1000 in the roll 1014. The bag 1000 may then be fastened in a closed position by the first fastening element 1010 disposed on a side of the fastening tab 1008 engaging with the second fastening element 1012 disposed on the front wall 1002 A. Examples of the first and second fastening elements 1010, 1012 may include, but are in no way limited to, the components making up hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, elastic material, bands, magnetic clasps, plastic or metal snaps, combinations thereof, and the like.

[0079] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference letter or label.

[0080] A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

[0081] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or

configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

[0082] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

[0083] Moreover, though the description has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A bag assembly, comprising:

a flexible bag comprising an internal compartment and an opening disposed at a top of the flexible bag, wherein the top of the flexible bag comprises at least two sides that, when pressed together, close the opening of the flexible bag, wherein the top of the flexible bag includes a structural feature disposed on a side of the flexible bag; and

a clasp to slide onto the top of the bag to apply a force to press the at least two sides together to close the flexible bag, the clasp comprising an internal cavity and a bottom opening, the bottom opening having a shape to accommodate a portion of the top of the flexible bag when the structural feature is inserted into the internal cavity.

2. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein:

each of the at least two sides of the flexible bag includes the structural feature; and the internal cavity of the clasp has a shape to accommodate insertion of the structural features of the flexible bag.

3. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein at a time that the clasp is disposed on the top of the flexible bag and presses the at least two sides closer together, the at least two sides are separated by a gap of less than 5 mm.

4. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein at a time that the clasp is disposed on the top of the flexible bag and presses the at least two sides closer together, the at least two sides are touching one another along a substantial portion of a length of the at least two sides, the substantial portion being at least half of the length.

5. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible bag is constructed of at least one material, the at least one material comprising silicone.

6. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises a storage compartment.

7. The bag assembly of claim 1, further comprising an eating utensil disposed within the storage compartment.

8. The bag assembly of claim 7, wherein the eating utensil is a spork.

9. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the flexible bag comprises a bottom surface; when one or more food and drink item is disposed inside the flexible bag, the flexible bag is upright, and the bottom surface is not resting on a surface, the bottom surface has a planar shape;

the flexible bag folds flat; and

when the flexible bag is being folded flat, a center line of the bottom surface on either side of the center line fold toward one another.

10. The bag assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the structural features of the at least two sides of the top of the flexible bag are located on an exterior surface of the flexible bag; and

the flexible bag further comprises, on the at least two sides and on an interior surface of the flexible bag, an integrated closure mechanism.

11. The bag assembly of claim 10, wherein the integrated closure mechanism is a rib and channel locking mechanism.

12. A flexible bag comprising:

an internal compartment;

an opening; and

a bottom surface,

wherein:

a top of the flexible bag comprises at least two sides that are pressed closer together to close the opening of the flexible bag;

when one or more food and drink item is disposed inside the flexible bag, the flexible bag is upright, and the bottom surface is not resting on a surface, the bottom surface has a planar shape;

the flexible bag folds flat; and

when the flexible bag is being folded flat, a center line of the bottom surface moves away from a center of the flexible bag and two halves of the bottom surface on either side of the center line fold toward one another.

13. A flexible bag, comprising:

an internal compartment;

a bottom surface; and

a live hinge disposed along the bottom surface and separating the bottom surface into two parts; wherein the flexible bag folds flat and is structured such that, at a time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the live hinge moves away from a center of the internal compartment and the two parts of the bottom surface move toward one another.

14. The flexible bag of claim 13, further comprising:

a front face;

a back face;

a first side face; and

a second side face,

wherein:

the live hinge disposed along the bottom surface is a first live hinge;

at the time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the front face and the back face move toward one another;

each of the first side face and the second side face comprises a second live hinge disposed along a center of the respective side face and dividing the respective side face into two parts; and

at the time the flexible bag is being folded flat, the second live hinges of both of the first and second side faces moves toward the center of the internal

compartment and, for each of the first and second side faces, the two parts of the respective side face move toward one another.

15. The flexible bag of claim 14, wherein:

the front face and the back face each comprise a structural panel; and

the flexible bag further comprises a single piece of molding covering the front face and the back face, the single piece of molding forming the bottom surface and the first and second side faces of the flexible bag, the single piece of molding further forming the first live hinge and both of the second live hinges disposed on the first and second side faces.

16. The flexible bag of claim 15, wherein the single piece of molding is structured such that the first live hinge closes on a side of the first live hinge facing the center of the internal compartment and such that both of the second live hinges close on a side of the second live hinges facing away from the center of the internal compartment.

17. The flexible bag of claim 16, wherein the flexible bag further comprises: third live hinges disposed at junctions of the front face with each of the first and second side faces and at junctions of the back face with each of the first and second side faces, wherein the single piece of molding forms each of the third live hinges.

18. The flexible bag of claim 17, wherein the single piece of molding is structured such that each of the third live hinges closes on a side of the third live hinge facing the center of the internal compartment.

19. The flexible bag of claim 14, further comprising:

an opening opposite the bottom surface and configured to provide access to the internal compartment, wherein a portion of the flexible bag adjacent to the opening includes a closure feature, the closure feature configured to hold the portion of the flexible bag in a closed state.

20. The flexible bag of claim 14, further comprising:

an opening opposite the bottom surface and configured to provide access to the internal compartment, wherein the front face and the back face each include an end portion disposed adjacent to the opening, and wherein each end portion includes a ridge of material extending along a length of each end portion and in a direction away from a center of the internal compartment.