Patent Application
20090245698
The first plastic bag was introduced in 1957. Presently, plastic bags come in all shapes, density and forms. The materials composing the bags may vary in order to accommodate the environment in which it bag is to be used. Plastics are being utilized more and more for packaging because of their unique characteristics such as their light weight, flexibility, density of the plastic and a full range of chemical resistant properties depending on the food or product being packaged.
These bags can be designed for and not limited to the microwave, freezer and refrigerator. Because of the popularity of plastic bags, there always is a considerable need to improve or enhance the functions and usage. Items need to be stored whether it be pizza, food or articles. This invention is designed with the consumer and fast food pizza chain in mind. The consumer receives a pizza pie from the fast food pizza restaurant at various locations whether it be a home, office or hotel. The leftovers may be stored in bags provided by the pizza company. This triangular shaped plastic bag would facilitate the storage of leftover pizza pie.
The subject matter of the invention relates to a pre-made, flexible, triangular shaped, plastic bag for storage of, but not limited to, a slice of pizza pie. This bag is designed with the consumer in mind for use in the home, office or a hotel. It is also highly desirable for the usage in the fast food pizza industry. This storage bag designed to facilitate the packaging and storage of leftover slices of pizza by the consumer.
Pizza-like food products are usually circular and cut into triangular pieces prior to consumption. If not all of the pizza is consumed there are “leftover” slices that need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Traditionally, when storing slices at home “square/rectangular baggies” have been used to place one or many slices in a bag depending on the size of the bag. Many times, much of the bag is unused because of its square/rectangular shape. Also, sometimes wax paper is placed in between slices to avoid them from sticking together. The bag would eliminate the need for wax paper and unused bag. The closure would be one that would be an airtight seal, completely eliminating the chance of air entering the bag and contaminating it with bacteria if stored in the refrigerator. If stored in the freezer, the airtight seal would reduce the possibility of freezer burn.
Over the years, typically, the storage of a slice of pizza pie was either wrapped in aluminum foil, wax paper or cellophane wrap which can be found as a common item in the household. Many times, as in prior known art, leftover pizza can be stored in a rectangular plastic bag placing wax paper between multiple slices.
In prior art, many known pizza slice storage inventions that are triangular in shape, are constructed by various materials and have different methods for storage and are multi-functional. None suggest the usage of this invention. There is synergy between the consumer and the pizza store. The pizza store, which is the point of sale, and the consumer, who is the end-user, has this invention in common.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,437 to Schindler provides a container for storing slices of pizza There is an interior storage compartment in the main container which is structured to conform to a slice of pizza. The container housing includes an open end adapted to receive at least one piece. A removable cap is structured to fit over the open end which covers and seals the storage compartment. It is secured by knobs on the cap which snap into slots. There is a lip that surrounds the upper peripheral edge of the container.
The following U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,013 to France, U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,607 to Gibson and U.S. Publication No. 2003/0006273 to Tsern, are cartons comprised of paperboard or cardboard.
It is highly advantageous not to use paperboard or cardboard for the storage of pizza because the paperboard flavor permeates the pizza slice making the leftover pizza undesirable for consumption. If air is not removed when food is put in a package or container, oxygen can cause fats to develop “bad” flavors and change the food's color. Also, the afore-mentioned two U.S. Publication Nos. and the two U.S. Patent Nos. need to be assembled prior to usage unlike the present invention.
A problem arises when you need to assemble the storage carton. In the food service industry, many containers are needed and they can include one and two-piece boxes which require assembly. Assembled boxes take up valuable space in a restaurant. Generally, there is not a lot of extra storage space in kitchens for storing such empty containers. Also, assembly of these cartons takes up an employee's valuable time which the employer does not receive a return on that investment.
Although, many of the above-referenced patents relate to the storage of slices of pizza pie, it would be advantageous to use this present invention for the purpose of storing a slice of pizza, thus eliminating wasted air space in the bag. The benefit of removing air from a food package is the increased storage time. The bags can be stored on top of each other whether it is in the refrigerator or freezer for the consumer or taking up a small area of space at a pizza restaurant. The bag may also be made of polyethylene or a microwavable plastic for reheating of the food item which is USDA and FDA approved. The closure would be a device that would create an airtight reclosable seal.
U.S. Patent Publication No. US200410035863 to Metcalf et al. disclose an apparatus that needs to be made of pliable and durable material so as to support the food item such as a slice of pizza. The tray has to be pre-made prior to usage. The apparatus is designed for the fast food industry to assist with the transportation and/or immediate consumption of a food product such as a slice of pizza.
As in known prior art, this invention is not made of foam and not designed for a slice pizza purchased and to be taken out of the pizza store unlike U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,846 to Bottega. This patent discloses a pouch designed for take-out pizza from the pizza store. The pizza pouch consists of a body consisting of foam/plastic with a tray portion hinged to a cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,433 to Savicki comprises of a thermoplastic film bag with leak-free seals that are superior in strength as in boilable bags. This invention does not require extra strengthened sides because the pizza slices do not need to be boiled prior to consumption.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,179 to Volk discloses a reusable container for a piece of pizza or other food product. It is composed of a thermoplastic, hard material with two flat sides attached to a base that meet at a vertex. There is an interlocking tongue and groove removable top and is capable of stacking multiple containers. When stacking these containers, a considerable amount more space is required compared to the present invention.
Pub. No. US 2006/0222271 to Yoffe discloses a cellulosed-based, oven-durable bag pierced with apertures to retain crispness and warmth to consume immediately after purchase with the idea of “eating on the run” It is designed with the fast food pizza industry's take out sector. The present invention is designed for the storage of leftover pizza from the pizza store after delivery to the home, office or hotel.
Pub. No. US 2007/0080197 to Bailey et al. disclose a triangular shaped bag for the most part with a blunt end instead of a point. This bag has perforations along the top-middle to gain access to food. It is also designed for the packaging of pizza allowing access by way of perforations unlike this invention which has a reclosable seal.
The problem with this bag is that the perforations in the bag do not completely seal the pizza and can allow air contamination.
Pub. No. US 2004/0247208 to Krohne disclose a flexible triangular shaped bag with side pleats for expansion for the storage of food products like a slice of pizza. It contains a vent for the cooling of the food item and the opening is linear to accommodate a portion of pizza and can be closed by a plastic zipper or tucked over the opening.
The present invention would not have a vent to let the heated gases out. The pizza when being stored would be cooled and then placed in the bag for storage. By not having a vent in the bag, less air can enter the bag and contaminate it with bacteria and maintain freshness for a longer period of time.
Now to explain the benefits of our bag compared to the other patents and patent publications. Pizza-like food products are usually circular and cut into triangular pieces prior to consumption. If not all of the pizza is consumed there are “leftover” slices that need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Traditionally, when storing slices at home “square/rectangular baggies” have been used to place one or many slices in a bag depending on the size of the bag. Many times, much of the bag is unused because of its square/rectangular shape. Also, sometimes wax paper is placed in between slices to avoid them from sticking together. Our product would resemble a “baggie” and would be easily dispensed from a box not too dissimilar to the present shape of a “baggie box”. Thus, our bag would eliminate the need for wax paper and unused bag space.
Now to explain the benefits of our bag compared to the other patents and patent publications. Pizza-like food products are usually circular and cut into triangular pieces prior to consumption. If not all of the pizza is consumed there are “leftover” slices that need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Traditionally, when storing slices at home “square/rectangular baggies” have been used to place one or many slices in a bag depending on the size of the bag. Many times, much of the bag is unused because of its square/rectangular shape. Also, sometimes wax paper is placed in between slices to avoid them from sticking together. Our product would resemble a “baggie” and would be easily dispensed from a box not too dissimilar to the present shape of a “baggie box”. Thus, our bag would eliminate the need for wax paper and unused bag space.
Our bag would not have a vent to let the heated gases out. The pizza when being stored would be cooled and then placed in the triangular shape bag for storage. By not having a vent in the bag, less air can enter the bag and contaminate it with bacteria and maintain freshness for a longer period of time.
Our bag will not be made of paperboard. Many times food items retain the flavor of the paperboard when stored.
Many paperboard containers because of their non-flexibility and size require much more space in a refrigerator or freezer than a plastic, flexible bag.
Our bag will not have to be assembled prior to usage, thus eliminating the time needed for assembling. In the pizza and hotel industry, it is highly desirable to accommodate the customer by the direct usage of this invention. When an individual is delivering a pizza pie to a home, office, or hotel and provides with the order, several triangular plastic bags, it is a benefit for the consumer because it facilitates clean-up. All the customer has to do is to take one bag at a time and place a left-over slice in it. Then, the customer can easily store the left-over pizza slices in the refrigerator or freezer without taking up much space as a paperboard product. It can also be beneficial to the pizza restaurant because it can be considered an enhancement to the experience. This value-added item would be minimal in cost and can be customized with a personalized logo.
When traveling and staying in a hotel, many times pizza is ordered If the hotel provides the triangular plastic bags on their service tray, the customer can put the unfinished slices in plastic bags and save the slices for several hours later or store it in a mini-refrigerator or on ice in a ice bucket, thus not having to dispose of it right away.
What is provided is an isosceles shaped bag which is comprised of a pre-made, flexible thin film plastic. It may be constructed of a polyethylene material for storage or a microwavable material for the ease of reheating the slice of pizza or food similar in shape but not limited to the above materials. The rectangular end receives the triangular shaped piece of pizza. The resealable closure will tightly seal the opening of the bag.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a convenient measure for the storage of pizza for the consumer.
It is also an object of the invention to take up less storage space in the consumer's refrigerator or freezer. It is an object of the invention to utilize less space, when placing the pizza in the bag, to eliminate more air for bacteria to grow.
It is an object of the invention to have a tight closure device at the rectangular base of the bag to insure the bag is tightly sealed to eliminate bacteria and retain freshness and storage life.
It is an object of the invention to accommodate the pizza industry with a bag that is provides a cost effective yet operationally efficient way to enhance the consumer's pizza delivery experience.
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a plastic bag which incorporates all of the afore-mentioned objects.
The above-mentioned and other attributes of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The invention will be described with drawings to depict the various embodiments and features of same.
The storage bag described is advantageous for the consumer. It is also highly desirable for the pizza store to utilize these bags. The pizza restaurant is creating an environment that is accommodating to the consumer. Delivering a pizza and also including the bags with the order, a complete dining experience is created. The consumer will see the pizza delivery person wearing the company's logo at the door. The company's logo can be placed on the bags with an adhering sticker which will be seen when placing the leftover pizza into them. Every time the customized pizza storage bag is seen, a subliminal message is sent reminding the individual about the pizza restaurant. This storage bag is a constant inexpensive advertisement for a pizza restaurant. This enhancement will make the consumer desire pizza from the same restaurant again. While some the above embodiments have been described and illustrated for the principals of the invention.
The present invention can be modified and have different variations and adaptations with alternative and equivalent solutions that are within the scope of those skilled in the art falling within the spirit or scope of the invention.
