TAKEOUT FOOD BAG

SAC POUR COMMANDE AU COMPTOIR

Description

CA 02746906 2011-07-20
TAKEOUT FOOD BAG
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly, relates to
packaging
suitable for use with heated foods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to package heated foods at the retail level for
purchase by the
consumer for consumption in the near future. Such foods are usually prepared
and cooked
at the store for the convenience of the consumer. Examples of such foods would
include
roasted chickens, ribs, etc. There is a substantial market for such foods as
it enables the
consumer to pick up a "meal" for immediate consumption.
Typically, such food has been packaged in what is known as "domes". The
container
will typically comprise a base into which the hot food is placed. A dome or
cover is
designed to mate with the base. Frequently, a piece of absorbent material is
placed in the
base.
There are several problems associated with the use of dome containers.
Although the
material (plastic) are recyclable per se, frequently they are not recycled but
rather disposed
of in the garbage since they are considered by some people to be soiled with
animal fats and
the like.
A further problem with dome containers is the bulk which is substantial and
which
must be transported to the retail outlet. This entails a substantial
expenditure of fuel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative packaging
for heated
foods.
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CA 02746906 2011-07-20
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag container
which is
biodegradable, recyclable and leak proof.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag container
formed of
an outer layer of paper and an inner layer of biodegradable plastic, the two
layers being
laminated together and formed into a square or rectangular bottom bag which is
leak proof.
In greater detail, the outer layer of the bag is formed of paper. Preferably,
it is made
from 100% post-consumer recycled kraft paper. The paper layer can be made of
both
natural kraft and recycled paper of sufficient weight to provide a thermal
insulation
capability. A preferred kraft type paper would be in the range of 80 to 100
grams per square
meter.
There is provided an inner layer of plastic which conveniently may be a
polypropylene homopolymer. The polypropylene is formed as a layer and is
laminated to the
outer paper layer. The polypropylene (C3H6)n would preferably have a thickness
of
between 20 to 30 microns. The polypropylene may have added thereto silicon
dioxide and
GMS (Monoglyceride). In addition, the polypropylene will have added thereto an
effective
amount of a compound to biodegrade the film. A preferred additive is d2w2. The
d2w2 is
added in an amount sufficient to cause the plastic to biodegrade.
Polypropylene consists of
hydrogen atoms bonded together by carbon atoms in long entangled chains. d2w2
will break
the molecular change so at the end of a predetermined surface life, the
plastic starts
degrading in the presence of oxygen by a process of oxidation which is
accelerated by light,
heat and stress. Biodegradation is completed by micro organisms. Preferably,
at least 1%
and even more preferably 3% of d2w2 is added to the polypropylene homopolymer.
The adhesive for lamination may be any suitable known in the art. The adhesive
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CA 02746906 2011-07-20
should be transparent after drying.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bag of the present invention in a folded
condition;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bag in an open condition;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the bag in an open
position;
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 2; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the bag after insertion of food
therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there
is illustrated a container in the form of a bag generally designated by
reference numeral 10.
Bag 10 has a front wall 12 and a rear wall 14. Intermediate front wall 12 and
rear wall 14 is
a first sidewall 16 and a second sidewall 18. First side wall 16 has a first
gusset portion 20
while second side wall 18 includes a second gusset portion 22. The term
"gusset" is used to
denote the triangular portion with it being understood that the bag is of a
one piece structure.
After folding, the bag 10 includes a first bottom wall section 24 and a second
bottom
wall section 26.
Formed in wall 12 is a front wall handle aperture 28 while rear wall 14
includes a
rear wall handle aperture 30. It will be noted that there is a further
aperture 32 in front
wall 12 for purposes of holding the bags on a rod or similar member. To
accommodate the
rod, there is also provided a cutout 34 in rear wall 14.
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CA 02746906 2011-07-20
It will be noted that front wall 12 has a window 36. This is accomplished by
this
section only consisting of the plastic and not the paper layer. Window 36
allows for visual
inspection of the contents of bag 10.
The bag 10 will include wall fold lines 40 intermediate the front, rear and
side walls.
There are also provided gusset fold lines 42.
As may be seen in Figure 4, there is an outer paper layer 44 and an inner
biodegradable plastic layer 46.
After filling, the top of the bag may be sealed with front wall 12 and rear
wall 14
being secured to each other.
As shown in Figure 5, at least one line of sealing extends between front wall
12 and
rear wall 14. This line of sealing is not intended to render the same leak
proof in the sense
that the bottom portion is. As may be seen in Figure 5, visual access is had
through
window 36 to inspect the contents 48.
Any printing on the package is done with soy based inks. Thus, the printing
could
include the nutritional facts and the UPC.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing