Patent Application
20180079556
The present invention relates generally to a reusable labeled coffee bean bag and method of operation. More so, the present invention relates to a reusable coffee bean bag that is adapted to be reused to fill with coffee beans from a typical in-store coffee grinder or hopper; whereby the coffee bean bag comprises: a front panel, a rear panel, two gusseted side panels, and a bottom panel; an interior surface having a polymer-containing coating configured to enable customer to wipe clean and to inhibit oxidation and degradation of coffee; an exterior surface having a tare weight label and at least one identification label; and a pair of fastenable closure strips having hooks and loops that are releasably fastenable in multiple relative positions to seal transversely across the entire width of the coffee bean bag, so as to maintain freshness of the coffee beans. One tab end of one of the fastenable closure strips features an eyelet or grommet to permit attachment of a further identification label or tag.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known that dried and roasted coffee beans are available on the market. In order to obtain a freshly brewed coffee, it is required for a user to personally grind the dried and roasted coffee beans and extract the brewed coffee from the ground beans.
Often, coffee beans, whether whole or ground, are distributed in a retail setting as bulk products in bins. The coffee beans are stored in bins so that a shopper may purchase any desired quantity, as the bulk products are typically sold by weight. To facilitate the process, lightweight paper bags are often provided by the retail location proximate the bins so that the shopper may dispense the bulk product into the bags. In other scenarios, reusable containers may also be used.
A customer, sometimes with the assistance of a clerk, opens the spigots of the bins and discharges selected quantities of coffee beans into a bag. Often, after each discharge, it is necessary to weigh the bag, due to the difference between tare weight of the bag and gross weight of the bag and coffee beans. This process can be labor intensive and results in inventory shrinkage because beans are frequently spilled on the floor, also causing a safety hazard.
It is known in the art that sustainability includes “green” packaging, i.e., environmentally-friendly packaging. Bulk packaging for consumer items appears to be a green way in which to reduce the resources consumed in getting the consumer items from the manufacturer to the consumer. This sustainable type of packaging for coffee beans does little, however, to advertise the origin or type of coffee beans contained in the bag, or differentiate between one type of coffee bean and another, similar coffee bean. This type of packaging also creates additional paper waste as each paper coffee bean bag that the consumer fills is not durable enough for refilling with coffee beans multiple times and is usually thrown in the trash after one use.
Other proposals have involved packaging coffee beans in bulk. The problem with these is that the bags do not have four panels, with two of the side panels being gusseted. Also, the identification of the tare weight and a method of identifying the type of coffee beans is not always apparent. Even though the above cited packages and methods meet some of the needs of the market, a reusable labeled coffee bean bag that is adapted to be reused to fill with coffee beans from a typical in-store coffee grinder or hopper to reduce paper waste, and comprising a front panel, a rear panel, two gusseted side panels, and a bottom panel with an exterior surface having a tare weight label to create more accurate weighing and pricing, and at least one method of affixing an identification label is still desired. In some embodiments, the reusable coffee bag may be permanently printed with a message or art to promote a personal message, country of origin, or coffee producer.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to reusable labeled coffee bean bag and method of operation. The coffee bean bag and method of operation provides a coffee bean bag that is adapted to be reused to fill with coffee beans from a typical in-store coffee grinder or hopper. This aspect of reusing the same bag is effective for reducing paper waste and creates sustainability. The bag has four panels, including two side gusseted panels. A tare weight label on the bag indicates the correct tare weight to provide accurate pricing; also the bag features a method to affix an identification label to indicate the origin and type of the coffee beans, or other personal information.
In some embodiments, the bag comprises: a front panel, a rear panel, two gusseted side panels, and a bottom panel. The panels comprise an interior surface having a polymer-containing coating configured to inhibit oxidation and degradation of coffee. The panels also comprise an exterior surface having a tare weight label to create more accurate weighing and pricing, and at least one method to affix an identification label to indicate the type of coffee and/or the bin number for pricing. A pair of fastenable closure strips having hooks and loops are releasably fastenable to seal transversely across the entire width of the bag, so as to maintain the freshness of the coffee beans and to prevent spillage. A grommet on one fastening strip enables detachable labeling.
In some embodiments, the reusable labeled coffee bean bag comprises four panels that form a generally elongated rectangular shape. The panels are a front panel, a rear panel, and two side panels connecting the front panel and the rear panel. Each side panel comprises a gusset. Each panel is defined by an upper edge, which between the panels forms an opening. Each panel is further defined by a lower edge.
In some embodiments, the bag further comprises a generally flat bottom panel configured to connect the lower edges of the front panel, the rear panel, and the two side panels. The bottom panel enables the coffee bean bag to stand substantially upright by forming a generally flat base.
In some embodiments, each panel is defined by an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface has a polymer-containing coating at least partially covering the interior surface of the panels. The polymer-containing coating helps inhibit oxidation and degradation of coffee. The exterior surface of the panels comprises a tare weight label and at least one identification label.
In some embodiments, the bag further comprises a first fastenable closure strip extending along the upper edge of the front panel. The first fastenable closure strip extends past the peripheries of the front panel. The first fastenable closure strip is defined by a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface comprises a plurality of hooks extending longitudinally along the length of the first fastenable closure strip.
In some embodiments, a second fastenable closure strip extends along the upper edge of the rear panel, terminating at a pair of first termini. The second fastenable closure strip extends past the peripheries of the rear panel, terminating at a pair of second termini. The second fastenable closure strip is defined by a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface comprising a plurality of loops extending longitudinally along the length of the first fastenable closure strip. The hooks and loops of the closure strips are releasably fastenable at the upper edge of the bag in multiple relative positions spaced along each of two perpendicular directions.
The first fastenable closure strip and the second fastenable closure strip each has a tab at each end wherein there are no hooks or loops, to enable user to easily grasp two opposing tabs to open bag. Furthermore, at least one eyelet or grommet is disposed on the termini of the first fastenable closure strip, or the second fastenable closure strip, or both. The at least one eyelet or grommet enables detachable attachment of a label to the termini of the strips. This label can help further identify the coffee beans.
One objective of the present invention is to reduce paper waste and garbage by reusing a coffee bean bag.
Another objective is to promote sustainability.
Yet another objective is to provide a unique gift.
Yet another objective is to provide more accurate pricing by clearly labeling the tare weight of the bag.
Yet another objective is to inhibit degradation of coffee beans.
Yet another objective is to promote a country or company that sells coffee beans.
Yet another objective is to allow coffee drinkers to make a personal statement.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A reusable labeled coffee bean bag 100 is referenced in
In some embodiments, the bag 100 can store both whole and ground coffee beans. In other embodiments, the bag 100 may also receive any granular food product. The coffee bean bag 100 may be sized as a one pound bag. Though in other embodiments, the bag 100 may be a two pound, three pound, or five pound bag, which are known in the art as typical bag sizes used by consumers to purchase coffee beans.
The bag 100 also has a tare weight label 116 to enable more accurate weighing and pricing of the coffee beans. The bag 100 also has an identification label 118 to indicate the type, origin of the coffee beans, display decorative graphics, display marketing material, or provide other personal information.
The panels of the bag also have an interior surface made of or coated with a poly material that inhibits oxidation and degradation of the coffee beans. The bag 100 also has a pair of fastenable closure strips 120, 124 that fasten the opening 114 of the bag closed to enhance freshness of the coffee beans and to prevent spilling. The bag 100 also has one eyelet or grommet on the tab end of at least one closure strip to facilitate affixing a tag for further labeling by consumer.
By reusing the bag 100 to fill with coffee beans, ecological sustainability is enhanced. By providing a method to affix an identification label to the bag 100, accurate weighing and pricing is possible. By providing a variety of standard and custom graphic designs on the bag, personal statements, marketing material, and other designs are readily displayed.
As referenced in
The gusseted side panels 106a, 106b fold inwardly to enable the bag 100 to be compacted into a flat disposition for storage when not in use. The gussets also create extra space by expanding the volume of the bag 100 while filling with coffee beans. In one embodiment, the front and rear panels 104 are about 11″×4.25″. In another embodiment, the side panels 106a, 106b are about 11″×2.5″.
Each panel 102, 104, 106a, 106b is defined by an upper edge 110, which between the panels, forms an opening 114. The opening 114 is sized and dimensioned to mate with the chute of the typical coffee grinder or hopper. In one embodiment, the opening 114 has a diameter that is sized to slide over a chute from a typical coffee grinder or hopper used to dispense coffee beans. The bag 100 may be held in position on the chute until the desired amount of coffee beans has filled the bag 100.
Each panel 102, 104, 106a, 106b is further defined by a lower edge 112. A generally flat bottom panel 108 connects the lower edge 112 of the front panel 102, the rear panel 104, and the two side panels 106a, 106b. The bottom panel 108 is disposed generally perpendicular to the other panels 102, 104, 106a, 106b. In one embodiment, the bottom panel 108 is about 4.25″×2.5″.
The bottom panel 108 enables upright standing of the bag 100, both when empty and when filled with coffee beans. In this manner, the bag 100 may stand upright on a shelf to receive free falling coffee beans from the chute. Further, all of the panels 102, 104, 106a, 106b, 108 are generally resilient, so as to stretch when filled with the coffee beans.
In some embodiments, the panels 102, 104, 106a, 106b, 108 are defined by an interior surface 132 and an exterior surface 134. The interior surface 132 may include a polymer-containing an FDA-approved coating configured to inhibit oxidation and degradation of coffee. Those skilled in the art will recognize that coffee is highly acidic and it can stimulate the hypersecretion of gastric acids. Decaffeinated coffee has been shown to increase acidity to a greater degree than either regular coffee or caffeine alone. Both caffeine and coffee stimulate gastric acid secretion and decaffeinated coffee raises serum gastrin levels.
Thus, the acidity may break down general surfaces, such as paper and wax coatings, causing oxidation and contamination of the coffee beans. Thus, the polymer-containing coating helps inhibit such degradations. Suitable materials for the panels, and especially the interior surface may include, without limitation, a web of flexible stock material, e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, metal foil, and combinations thereof in single or multiple plies. In one embodiment, the panels are fabricated from a durable, wipe-clean, poly material.
Turning now to
Tare weight label 116 displays the weight of the bag 100 when empty. The tare weight label 116 is integrated onto exterior surface. In one embodiment, tare weight label 116 is printed on the front panel. The tare weight label 116 is useful for preventing overcharging for excess weight during purchase of the coffee beans. For example, after the filled bag 100 is weighed for purchase, the tare weight, clearly marked on the exterior surface, is subtracted from the total weight to yield the net weight of the beans or grounds. This provides more accurate pricing for the coffee beans.
The exterior surface 134 may also have a design covering the entire exterior surface of the bag to display decorative graphics, display marketing material, or provide other personal information. The all-over graphic design may also include a logo, a design, a reminder, or a country of origin for the coffee beans. This allows the consumer to make a personal statement about sustainability or other views.
The at least one identification label 118 detachably attaches to the panels through an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, or a friction-fit relationship. Additionally identification label 118 can attach to grommet or eyelet on a pair of fastenable closure strips 120, 124 of bag 100. The at least one identification label 118 is configured to display at least one of the following: a logo, a design, information about the coffee beans, information about a company, information about a gift giver, and information about a purchaser. The identification label 118 is also configured to be marked on.
For example, marking the origin of the coffee beans may be necessary because the bag 100 is sold empty and is generally refilled regularly with a variety of kinds of beans. Thus, the bag 100 may not have any printed identification or label on it that specifies the origin or type of coffee bean. If necessary, a consumer can write that information—bin number or type of beans—on a small wire-and-paper label usually found in stores with bulk goods for sale, then slip the wire/paper label through the grommet or eyelet, so that a clerk can read the bin number, subtract the tare weight, and charge the correct price per pound.
Possible logos that may be integrated into the exterior surface of the bag 100 may include, without limitation, sports team logos, college logos, life event logos, designs for weddings, baby showers, graduations, and lifestyle/hobby designs.
In one alternative embodiment, the panels 102, 104, 106a, 106b, 108 are fabricated from a woven material. This may include the type of material used for bulk coffee bean storage. In one embodiment, the woven material does not prevent oxidation or degradation, and does not have a wipe clean capacity. In other embodiments the woven material may not be coated with poly inside, as some purchasers will not want any plastic. The woven material may be imported through Fair Trade from coffee producing countries. This may help expand the coffee bean industry through ancillary products in such countries. For example, Guatemalan coffee beans can fill a bag constructed of woven material imported from Guatemala.
The bag 100 further comprises a pair of fastenable closure strips 120, 124 having hooks 122 and loops 126 that are releasably fastenable to seal transversely across the entire width of the coffee bean bag 100, so as to maintain freshness of the coffee beans and so as to prevent spilling during transport or during storage.
In one embodiment, a first fastenable closure strip 120 extends along the upper edge 110 of the front panel 102. The first fastenable closure strip 120 is defined by a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface comprises a plurality of hooks 122 extending longitudinally along the length of the first fastenable closure strip 120.
Parallel to the first fastenable closure strip 120 is a second fastenable closure strip 124 extending along the upper edge 110 of the rear panel 104. The second fastenable closure strip 124 is defined by a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface comprising a plurality of loops 126 extending longitudinally along the length of the first fastenable closure strip 120.
Looking back at
In one embodiment, the first fastenable closure strip 120 is defined by a pair of first termini 130a, 130b that form tabs. Similarly, the second fastenable closure strip 124 is defined by a pair of second termini 132a, 132b that also form tabs. The tabs generally do not have the hooks 122 and loops 126 described above. The termini 130a-b, 132a-b provide a grip to unfasten the hooks 122 and loops 126 from each other by prying the strips 120, 124 apart.
In some embodiments, at least one grommet or eyelet 128a, 128b is disposed on the first termini 130a-b of the first fastenable closure strip 120, or the second termini 132a-b of the second fastenable closure strip 124, or both. The grommet 128a-b is configured to enable detachable attachment of the at least one identification label 118. When attached to the grommet 128a-b, the identification label 118 may be attached through a wire having a paper or plastic coating, which identifies the type, price, or other indicia of the coffee beans. The label 118 may also include any surface that can pass through the grommet for labeling.
In some embodiments of the method 200, a Step 206 may include aligning the opening of the bag with a coffee bean container. A Step 208 comprises discharging coffee beans from the coffee bean container into the bag until the bag is at least partially full. In one embodiment, a Step 210 includes tucking gussets inward and then joining a first fastenable closure strip having a plurality of hooks with a second fastenable closure strip having a plurality of loops. A Step 212 comprises engaging the plurality of hooks with the plurality of loops until the opening is closed.
In some embodiments, a Step 214 may include identifying the type and origin of the coffee beans with at least one identification label attached to the panels or through the grommet or eyelet. A Step 216 includes disengaging the first fastenable closure strip from the second fastenable closure strip. A further Step 218 may include removing the coffee beans from the bag. A Step 220 comprises refilling the coffee bag with additional coffee beans from the coffee bean container. Step 220 may also include inserting a new coffee identification label through at least one of the grommets or holes in the closure strip.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 62/398,090, filed Sep. 22, 2016 and entitled REUSABLE COFFEE BEAN BAG WITH MULTIPURPOSE LABELING, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62398090 | Sep 2016 | US |
