Patent Application
20200340185
This invention relates to a waterproof paper bag and method of making same. More particularly, this invention relates to a paper bag that is manufactured from a sheet of paper which has been coated with a substance that provides a waterproof properties or wax paper so that at least an inside of the paper bag is coated with a waterproof substance.
Many stores, such as bulk food stores, provide plastic bags for use to fill from bulk food containers. Generally, these plastic bags are single use and are then discarded. Plastic waste is becoming a serious environmental problem. Frequently, after plastic bags are used, they do not make it to a landfill or recycling facility and much of the plastic produced finds its way into our streams, lakes, and oceans.
The applicant has appreciated that there is a need to provide an alternative storage container to plastic bags for storing edible goods, for example those purchased in bulk food stores. The applicant has invented a waterproof paper bag that can be used for storing edibles and for example used with bulk refilling of products such as nuts, grains, flour, spices, sugar, pasta, candies, coffee beans, and other such foods. The material used in making the waterproof paper bags of the current invention is a paper such as Kraft paper that has been coated with a waterproof substance such as biodegradable resin that provides waterproof properties but which is biodegradable. Preferably, the biodegradable resin comprises a mixture of starches, cellulose, and vegetable oil. Alternatively, the waterproof coating could be wax, such as paraffin wax. Preferably, the waterproof coating is sprayed onto one side of a sheet of paper prior to making the bag. The paper is then cut to a selected dimension and folded to form a bag with the waterproof coating on one side of the paper which is used as the inside of the bag. The bottom of the bag is then folded such that the bottom is flat and the bag sits up on its own when being filled. The waterproof paper bag of the current invention is resistant to moisture permeability but does not present a health hazard when foods are stored in the bag and in contact with the waterproof coating.
Some “biodegradable” products contain polylactic acid (“PLA”), which is a derivative of plastic materials. PLA is biodegradable only under specific circumstances such as recycling and composting plants which alter conditions such as temperature and are available only in a very few places. In contrast, the applicant has discovered that the waterproof coating comprised of biodegradable resin can completely biodegrade in less than a year under natural circumstances.
In particular, the current invention is advantageously directed to a waterproof paper bag that:
1. Can be mass produced and is bio-degradable;
2. Will not become weak and tear when in contact with moisture;
3. Is safe for contact with edible foods;
4. Is substantially cheaper to produce than plastic bags; and
5. Lessens environmental pollution and waste.
In one embodiment, the current invention resides in a waterproof paper bag comprised of paper having: a bottom, a front, a back, a first side, and a second side with an open top; and the paper having a waterproof coating on an inside surface of the bottom, the front, the first side, and the second side of the paper bag.
Preferably, the waterproof coating is comprised of biodegradable resin.
Preferably, the biodegradable resin is comprised of starches, cellulose, and vegetable oil.
More preferably, the waterproof coating is sprayed onto the paper before the paper bag is formed.
Preferably, the waterproof coating is comprised of wax.
Preferably, the waterproof coating is comprised of paraffin wax.
Still more preferably, the waterproof coating is sprayed onto the paper before the paper bag is formed.
In another embodiment, the current invention resides in a method of making a waterproof paper bag comprising the steps of:
Preferably, the method comprises the further the step of spraying the sheet of paper with a waterproof substance and allowing the waterproof substance to cure before cutting the sheet of paper into a desired dimension.
Further and other features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof.
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
At least the inside of the waterproof paper bag 2 is lined with a waterproof substance. Preferably, the waterproof substance is a biodegradable resin. Preferably, the biodegradable resin is a mixture comprising starches, cellulose, and vegetable oil. Alternatively, the waterproof substance can be a wax such as paraffin wax. Preferred dimensions of the bag are a height of 9¾ inches, width of 4¼ inches, and a depth of 2½ inches.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is also to be understood that the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional, or mechanical equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated herein.
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/837,681 filed Apr. 23, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62837681 | Apr 2019 | US |
