BACKGROUND
The invention relates to an improvement in a plastic storage bag, and more specifically to a spout that facilitates pouring out the contents of the bag.
SUMMARY
The disclosed spout improves upon prior bags by permitting the user to store contents and then pour them from the bag in a clean and efficient manner without spilling the contents, and without having the residue clog the closure tracks of the bag, preventing the seal from closing again tightly, which is the key element of this type of closure of this type of bag. That is, an airtight and watertight seal is key to the functionality of the bag in order to preserve the contents and prevent contamination. This improvement is especially useful with liquid contents such as sauces that are stored in the bags, allowing for less waste and cleanup after pouring than with prior bags.
In a bag with a zipper-type or press-seal-type closure (hereafter “the seal”), the spout is pushed into a position inside the bag below the seal after use, permitting a tight re-closure of the bag without residue in the track, ensuring a watertight and airtight seal.
The improvement is applicable to both zipper-type and press-seal-type bags, which are available from various manufacturers. An example of a range of prior food storage bags is the well-known Ziploc® brand of food storage bags from S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
More broadly, the disclosed spout feature is applicable, without limitation, to any type of bag or container without regard to shape or material.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be seen in the following description of embodiments thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a press-seal-type bag with spout according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the spout in a first (closed) position;
FIG. 2 shows that embodiment of FIG. 1, with the spout in a second (open) position;
FIG. 3A shows a bag with spout according to a second embodiment of the invention, with the spout resting in a position against a sealed seam of the bag;
FIG. 3B shown a bag with spout according to a modification of the second embodiment, including a blocked area provided in the bag between the spout and the adjacent seam of the bag;
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention, comprising a zipper-type bag with a spout;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing the spout in its closed position;
FIG. 6 is a side view thereof showing the spout in its open position; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to a first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-2, a moving spout 10 is secured near the open side 15 of a bag 20. In this example, the bag is a press-seal type storage bag. The spout has a first position (FIG. 1) in which it is disposed inside the bag, which can be closed over the spout by a press-seal arrangement 25, as shown, to secure the contents of the bag. The press-seal arrangement 25 has respective ridges 26 on the front and back surfaces of the bag that are configured to be linked together by finger pressure by the user.
When the bag has been opened, as shown in FIG. 2, the spout 10 can move about a movement point 30, into a second position in which it is disposed transverse to and extending through the bag opening 15 to guide the outflow of the contents from the bag.
The movement point 30 in FIGS. 1-2 schematically indicates a center for a rotating movement, and is not intended to indicate any specific device or structure that provides for the movement. In one embodiment, the movement point 30 may be a silicone-based flexible adhesive adhered between the spout 10 and one or both of the front and back major sides of the bag 20. The movement point could be provided in other embodiments by other suitable adhesive and/or mechanical arrangements, still within the scope of the invention.
In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, in the second position, the spout may rest against the sealed seam 17 at the end of the bag opening, to be securely braced there in its pouring position.
In a modification of the third embodiment, as shown schematically by broken lines in FIG. 3B, a blocked area 18 may be provided at a corner of the bag, where the front and back major surfaces of the bag are sealed together. The blocked area 18 provides an edge 19 against which the spout 10 can rest in the second position.
As shown by arrow 35 in FIG. 3B, this arrangement facilitates the smooth outflow of the contents of the bag to, and through, the spout 10. The blocked area 18 guides the contents into the spout 10 while preventing the contents from collecting or clogging in an area between the spout 10 and the seam 17.
In alternative embodiments, the bag material may be eliminated at the location shown for the blocked area 18, that is, a cutout can be formed corresponding to the blocked area 18, forming a cut-out shape in the seam 17 and/or the end of the seal above the blocked area 18, with the same advantages as described in connection with FIG. 3B.
In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, a plastic food storage bag 40 has a zipper- or slider-type closure 45 with respective ridges 46 on the front and back surfaces of the bag that are configured to be linked and unlinked by a runner 49 in the manner of a zipper. This closure has a blocked end portion 47 where the front and back of the closure are sealed together to provide a strong engagement point for the runner 49.
As shown in FIG. 4, in its open second position, the spout 10 is supported against the blocked end portion 47.
As in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, a blocked area corresponding to the blocked area 18 can be provided in the embodiment of FIG. 4, where the front and back major surfaces of the bag 40 are either sealed together, or eliminated, in the area below the end portion 47 and between the spout 10 and the edge 17.
FIGS. 5-7 show a fourth embodiment of the invention, in which a bag 50 has front and back major surfaces 52, 54. A spout 60 is adhered to the front and back major surfaces 52, 54 by corresponding films 56, 58.
The films 56, 58 may be formed of the same material as the bag 50 and heat-sealed or otherwise affixed adjacent the edge 59 in the bag manufacturing process. The films 56, 58 may also be applied in a separate process and may be of a different material, such as an adhesive tape adhered to the bag major surfaces 52, 54. In this embodiment, the films extend from the bag surfaces onto front and back inside surfaces 62, 64 of the spout 60. The films could in addition or alternatively be extended from the bag surfaces onto the front and back outside surfaces of the spout 60, if useful or desired.
As seen in a side view in FIG. 5 and a perspective view in FIG. 7, the spout 60 has a closed position in which it rests inside the bag 50. The spout is preferably secured in the bag at or just below the seal 25, so that the bag can be sealed with the spout just inside the seal 25. As best seen in FIG. 7, the portions of the films 56, 58 inside the spout have bent away from the bag surfaces and support the spout 60 in this position.
In its open position shown in FIG. 6, the spout 60 has pivoted to this position resting against the edge 59, with the films 56, 58 now in their unbent position.
The spout 10, 60 may be formed of a wedge-shaped plastic piece folded symmetrically along a central fold line (see 61 in FIG. 7) with a front outside face 63 and a back outside face 65. However, the shape is not critical as long as the spout is capable of guiding the bag contents as they are being poured out of the bag interior.
The spout may be formed of the same material as the bag 50 and/or the seal 25, or may be made of a different material. The material may be selected to provide a particular degree of stiffness, if desired.
Ribs or other stiffening structures may be added to the spout if desired for a particular application.
Although embodiments of a plastic storage bag with spout have been described, the invention is not limited to such embodiments, but rather extends to modifications and variations thereof that might occur to those having ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
Patent Application
20170267410
