The present disclosure pertains to containers such as bags, and, more particularly, to bags for use in the food-service, food-packaging industry and methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems associated therewith. Specifically, some example bags according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may comprise dual-layer, pouch-style, food-service bags constructed from a non-stick inner layer and/or an outer layer having different characteristics.
Specifically, sometimes it is desired in the food-service, food-packaging industry to have a package, such as a bag, for a food product that may be used for preparation as well as storage. The reasons for desiring a food package having utility in both storage and preparation are many but could include cleanliness and/or convenience. In the instances where a combination food storage, food preparation package is desired, it is likely that desired package properties for the inside of the package, such as non-stick and/or grease repellant properties will be different from the desired properties for the outside of the package, such as strength, stiffness, ease of applying printed indicia, etc. Accordingly, in the food-service, food-packaging industry, it may be desired to have a food product package for use in both storage and preparation that has a material having some desired properties on an inside portion thereof and a different material, having different desired properties on an outside portion thereof.
In accordance with the foregoing, the present disclosure provides a food-service, food-packaging product package that utilizes one material, having certain desired properties on an outside thereof, and utilizes a different material, having different desired properties, on an inside thereof. One example of materials that may be desired for use on the inside of a food-service, food-packaging product include non-stick materials, such as silicone parchment release liner. Such non-stick materials may be desirable for some food packaging applications so that food products may be readily removed from the packaging. Constructing packaging from such non-stick materials may present challenges, however, because gluing some non-stick materials may be difficult due to the non-stick characteristics. Other materials, such as kraft paper, may provide some desirable characteristics (e.g., strength, stiffness, low cost, ease of applying printing, etc.), but may not provide desired non-stick and/or grease resistant characteristics.
The present disclosure contemplates that it may be desirable to construct bags, such as food service bags, using some materials which may be difficult to use in connection with adhesives. For example, some non-stick materials, such as silicone parchment release liner, may be desirable for some food packaging applications so that food products may be readily removed from the packaging. Constructing packaging from some non-stick materials may present challenges, however, because gluing some non-stick materials may be difficult due to the non-stick characteristics. Other materials, such as kraft paper, may provide some desirable characteristics (e.g., ability to accept adhesives and stick to itself, strength, stiffness, low cost, ease of applying printing, etc.), but may not provide non-stick and/or grease resistant characteristics.
Some example food service bags according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may comprise dual-layer bags configured to house food products during various food service operations. For example, some example bags may be configured to hold a food product during freezing, thawing, heating, and/or cooking operations. Some example embodiments may be configured for the food product to be removed from the bag prior to serving, and some example embodiments may be configured for serving the food product in the bag. Some example embodiments may comprise dual-layer bags configured to be grease resistant.
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In some example embodiments, bag 100 may be constructed generally in the form of a pouch and may include a generally rectangular front panel 101 and a generally rectangular back panel 103. Front panel 101 and back panel 103 may be joined together at a substantially closed end 104 (e.g., at a fold) and by opposed, bonded sides 106, 108. Bag 100 may include a substantially open end 102 generally opposite substantially closed end 104, and opposed, bonded sides 106, 108 may run from generally adjacent the substantially open end 102 to generally adjacent the substantially closed end 104. Sides 106, 108 may be pleated (e.g., they may include folds arranged to permit expansion of bag 100). Thus, bag 100 may be generally in the form of a pouch. Bag 100 may include an outwardly facing exterior surface 110 and an inwardly facing interior surface 112. An example bag 100 may be generally rectangular and about 10 inches long and about 4¼ wide.
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Similarly, if the inner sheet is chosen to be silicone parchment release liner, some specifications for such liner operable in aspects of the invention include the following.
In some example embodiments, outer sheet 200 and inner sheet 202 may be generally rectangular and may be about 11 inches wide by about 19½ inches long. In some example embodiments, outer sheet 200 and inner sheet 202 may be about the same size. In some example embodiments, inner sheet 202 may be larger or smaller than outer sheet 200.
Bulk materials from which outer sheet 200 and/or inner sheet 202 may be cut may be obtained in roll form. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, some operations in example methods of constructing bags 100 may be performed in a generally continuous manner on materials as they are unrolled, prior to cutting the unrolled materials into individual outer sheets 200 and/or inner sheets 202. Thus, although the descriptions herein focus on constructing an individual bag 100 from an individual outer sheet 200 and an individual inner sheet 202, it is to be understood that the various operations may be performed in a generally continuous manner on an uncut length of material comprising a plurality of outer sheets 200 and/or inner sheets 202, and that cutting of materials into individual outer sheets 200 and inner sheets 202 may occur at least partway through a construction process.
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In some example embodiments, one or more folds may be created in sheet assembly 204 to form sides 106, 108. For example, generally longitudinal upward folds 206A, 206B, downward folds 208A, 208B, and/or upward folds 210A, 210B may be created in sheet assembly 204. In some example embodiments, folds may be formed such that they are generally symmetrical across a longitudinal axis of sheet assembly 204. In other words, folds generally towards a first longitudinal edge 212A may be substantially mirrored by folds generally towards an opposed second longitudinal edge 212B. In some example embodiments, an arrangement of folds may be generally asymmetrical. For example, an arrangement of folds generally towards first edge 212A may differ from an arrangement of folds generally towards second edge 212B.
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In some example embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., cold starch glue) may be applied to one or more adhesive regions 214A, 214B, 214C, 214D on the portions of the outer sheet folded to be exposed on the inner side (upwardly facing surface) of the folded bag 100 outer sheet 200. For example, adhesive regions 214A, 214B may be on a surface of outer sheet 200 generally between edge 212A and fold 210A and/or adhesive regions 214C, 214D may be on a surface of outer sheet 200 generally between edge 212B and fold 210B. In some example embodiments, adhesive may be applied to adhesive regions 214A, 214C, which may be arranged to join facing adhesive regions 214B, 214D, respectively, when sheet assembly 204 is folded.
In some example embodiments, sheet assembly 204 may be formed into a generally pouch-style structure by folding at a fold line 216, which may be located approximately in the middle of sheet assembly 204 and/or which may be oriented generally perpendicular to longitudinal edges 212A and 212B. Such folding may cause adhesive regions 214A, 214C (to which adhesive may have been applied) to contact and/or adhere to adhesive regions 214B, 214D (to which adhesive may or may not have been applied).
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An example method of using food service packaging according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include the use in connection with a food product, such as a Panini sandwich. For example, a Panini sandwich may be assembled and placed in bag 100, and bag 100 may be closed and/or sealed. For example, substantially open end 102 may be closed, folded over, and, if desired secured with adhesive tape. Bag 100 containing the Panini sandwich may then be placed in a freezer and/or refrigerator (if desired and/or necessary). Bag 100 containing the Panini sandwich may later be removed from the freezer and/or refrigerator and heated in a microwave oven and/or an oven. Then, the Panini sandwich, still in bag 100, may be cooked, such as on a sandwich press (e.g., a Panini press). The cooked Panini sandwich may removed from bag 100 and served. Such a method may provide cleanliness and sanitation advantages because the food product may remain substantially isolated from the surrounding environment while it is sealed within the bag 100. Thus, the risk of contamination of the food product may be reduced as the food product may be frozen, stored, heated, and/or cooked while remaining substantially isolated from the surrounding environment. Similarly, the likelihood of that the food product may leave food particles in the freezer, microwave, or oven may be reduced, thereby potentially improving cleanliness.
While example embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/525,864, filed Aug. 22, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61525864 | Aug 2011 | US |