Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
STAND-UP PLASTIC STORAGE BAG
BACKGROUND
[0001] [Blank]
Field of the Invention
[0002] Our invention relates to a storage bag. More specifically, our
invention relates
to a plastic storage bag that can be shifted between a flat configuration and
a stand-up
configuration wherein the bag can be easily filled.
Related Art
[0003] Storage bags made from flexible plastic materials are well known.
Such
plastic storage bags are offered in a variety of sizes and can be used to
contain a variety
of items, including food, utensils, clothing, tools, etc. These storage bags
often include a
zipper-like closure mechanism to releasably seal the interior of the bag.
Different types
of plastic storage bags with closure mechanisms are sold by the assignee of
the present
application under the ZIPLOC trademark.
[0004] It is desirable to configure a plastic storage bag such that a user
can set the
bag in an opened position with the bag standing upright and without the user
having to
hold onto the bag. That is, it is desirable for a plastic storage bag to stand
upright, with
its closure mechanism unsealed, without the user grasping the bag. In such an
upright
and opened position, the user's hands are free to fill the bag with items. At
other times,
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however, it is desirable tor the plastic storage bag to lie as flat as
possible. For example,
when the bag is not being used, a flat bag may be more compactly stored.
[00051 In order to provide a plastic storage bag that can stand upright
without the user
holding onto the bag, a pleat or gusset is sometimes added to the bottom of
the bag. By
-pleat- or "gusset- we mean additional material provided between other
portions of the
bag, for example, a fold formed by doubling back the material forming the bag
on itself.
An example of such a pleat/gusset arrangement in a bag can be seen in U.S.
Patent No.
3,738,565. In addition to a pleat, a storage bag may be made thicker
throughout its sides
and bottom to more firmly support itself in an upright position. Both a pleat
and a thicker
bag, however, require the use of additional material to form the bag, thereby
increasing the
costs associated with manufacturing the bag. Moreover, a pleat and additional
material
reduce the ability of the bag to be made flat, tbr example, when not being
used and being
stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100061 In one aspect, our invention is directed to a storage bag that
includes a first
sidewall with at least one shift region provided in a bottom portion of the
first sidewall
and a cuff line. A second sidewall is directly connected to the first sidewall
along three
sides of the bag to form an interior of the bag with an opening thereto, with
the second
sidewall including at least one shift region provided in a bottom portion of
the second
sidewall and a cuff line. A cuff region is disposed below a top edge of the
first sidewall
and a top edge of the second sidewall, with the cuff region extending from a
point below
each of the top edges of the first and second sidewalls to the cuff line of
each of the first
and second sidewalls. The bag is shiftable about the at least one shift region
of the first
sidewall and the at least one shift region of the second sidewall such that
the bag can be
shifted between (i) a flat configuration with the first and second sidewalls
positioned
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adjacent to each other, and (ii) a stand-up configuration with the first and
second sidewalls
separated from each other. In the stand-up configuration, a substantially flat
base is
formed for the bag. The bag is further shiftable about the cuff line such that
the bag can
be shifted to a cuffed position with the bag being folded over the cuff line
and the cuff
region forming the opening to the bag.
100071 In another aspect, our invention is directed to a storage bag that
includes a first
sidewall with at least one shift region provided in a bottom portion of the
first sidewall. A
second sidewall is directly connected to the first sidewall along three sides
of the bag to
form an interior of the bag with an opening thereto, with the second sidewall
including at
least one shift region provided in a bottom portion of the second sidewall. A
cuff region is
disposed below a top edge of the first sidewall and a top edge of the second
sidewall, with
the cuff region including at least one shift region. The bag is shiftable
about the at least
one shift region of the first sidewall and the at least one shift region of
the second sidewall
such that the bag can be shifted between (i) a flat configuration with the
first and second
sidewalls positioned adjacent to each other, and (ii) a stand-up configuration
with the first
and second sidewalls separated from each other. In the stand-up configuration,
a
substantially flat base is formed for the bag. The bag is further shiftable
about the at least
one shift region of the cuff region such that the bag can be shifted to a
cuffed position with
the bag being folded over the at least one shift region and the cuff region
forming the
opening to the bag.
[0008] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent
from the
following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. IA is a side view of a bag according to our invention in a flat
configuration.
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[0010] FIG. 1B is a detailed view of the section A of the bag shown in FIG.
IA.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an end view of a bag according to our invention in the
flat
configuration.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the side of a bag according to our
invention in a
stand-up configuration.
100131 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side of a bag according to our
invention in
the stand-up configuration.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of a bag according to another embodiment of
our
invention.
[0015] FIGS. 6A-6G are cross-sectional views of portions of bags according
to
embodiments of our invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of a bag according to yet another embodiment
of our
invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of a bag according to a still further
embodiment of our
invention.
[0018] FIG. 9A is a partial side view of a bag according to another
embodiment of our
invention,
[0019] FIG. 9B is a partial side view of a bag according to another
embodiment of our
invention.
[0020] FIG. 9C is a partial side view of a bag according to another
embodiment of our
invention.
[0021] FIG. 9D is a partial side view of a bag according to another
embodiment of our
invention.
100221 FIG. 9E is a partial side view of a bag according to another
embodiment of our
invention.
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[0023] HG. 10A is a perspective view of a bag according to the embodiment
of FIG.
9A in a stand-up configuration.
[0024] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the bag shown in FIG. 10A with a
top of the
bag folded over.
100251 FIG. 1 IA is a side view of a bag according to another embodiment of
our
invention.
[0026] FIG. I 1B is a side view of a bag according to yet another
embodiment of our
invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 IC is a side view of a bag according to another embodiment of
our
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Our invention relates to a plastic storage bag that includes
features for shifting
the bag between a flat configuration and a stand-up configuration. In the
stand-up
configuration, the bag stands on a substantially flat base without being
grasped by a user
such that the bag can easily be filled.
100291 As will be apparent from the description herein, the terms "bag" and
"storage
bag" encompass a broad range of structures designed to contain items. Such bag
structures might also be termed pouches, envelopes, packets, and the like. In
general, the
terms -bag" and -storage bag," as used herein, simply mean a somewhat flexible
container
with an opening, such that the bag is capable of carrying any number of items.
The
storage bags may be tailored for particular uses, for example, the bags may be
used to
store food in a refrigerator in some embodiments, or the bags may be used to
store food in
a freezer in other embodiments.
[0030] Figures IA, 1B, and 2-4 are views ()fa storage bag 100 according to
embodiments of our invention. The bag 100 includes a first sidewall 102 and a
second
sidewall 104 that are connected along side edges 106 and 110 and along a
bottom edge
108. An opening 112 is formed at the top of the bag 100 through which items
may be
placed into the interior of the bag 100. Notably, the bag 100 does not include
a pleat or
gusset at the bottom portion 118 between the first and second sidewalls 102
and 104.
That is, the first and second sidewalls 102 and 104 are directly connected to
each other
along the bottom edge 108 of the bag 100 without any sort of folding or
expandable
structure provided between the sidewalls 102 and 104. The first and second
sidewalls
102 and 104 are also directly connected along side edges 106 and 110 without
any pleat
or gusset connecting the two sidewalls 102 and 104.
[0031] The opening 112 may be sealed by the interlocking closure structures
114A,
114B, 116A, and 116B. Interlocking closure structures for plastic storage bags
are well known
in the art, and examples of different shapes and configurations of
interlocking members that can
be used with our storage bag 100 can be seen in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,070,584;
7,784,160;
7,886,412; 7,946,766; and 8,061,898, and in U.S. Patent Application
Publication No.
2009/0324141. As an alternative to the closure structures 114A, 114B, 116A,
and 116B, in other
embodiments, a slider-type closure structure could be used to seal the opening
112 of the bag
100 along the top edge of the first and second sidewalls 102 and 104. Examples
of slider-type
closure structures can be seen in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,664,299; 5,836,056; and
7,052,181.
[0032] Illustrative plastic materials that can be used to form the bag 100
include, for
example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), metallocene-polyethylene
(mPE), low density
polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), ultra low
density polyethylene
(ULDPE), biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BPET), high
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density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among other
polyolefin
plastomers and combinations and blends thereof Still other materials that may
be used
include styrenic block copolymers, polyolefin blends, elastomeric alloys,
thermoplastic
polyurethanes, thermoplastic copolyesters, thermoplastic polyam ides, polymers
and
copolymers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl idene chloride (PVDC), saran
polymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, cellulose acetates, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), ionomer, polystyrene, polycarbonates, styrene
acryloacrylonitrile,
aromatic polyesters, linear polyesters, and thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohols.
Those skilled
in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other materials may also be
used to form the
storage bag 100. 'l hose skilled in the art will also recognize that by using
the plastic
materials described above, the storage bag 100 can be made in a range of
colors and
transparencies.
[0033] A variety of manufacturing techniques may be used to form the
plastic storage
bag 100. As one specific example, the sidewalls 102 and 104 of the bag 100 can
be
extruded together as one sheet. with a portion of the first sidewall 102 and a
portion of the
second sidewall 104 being joined together to form the bag structure using, for
example,
thermoplastic welding techniques. As another example, the first and second
sidewalls 102
and 104 can be formed as separate structures that are joined together along
the three edges
106, 108, and 110. Along these lines, when referring herein to the sidewalls
102 and 104
as being -connected" together, the sidewalls may be integrally formed, or,
alternatively,
the sidewalls 102 and 104 may be separate structures that have been joined
together at the
connection. The formation of specific additional features of the bag 100 will
be described
below.
100341 The storage bag 100 according to our invention can be shifted
between a flat
configuration, as shown in Figures 1A, 113, and 2, and a stand-up
configuration, as shown
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in Figures 3 and 4. The bag 100 maintains the stand-up position even though it
does not
include a pleat or gusset adjacent to its bottom edge 126. Instead, the bag
100 is made to
stand upright through unique configurations at the bottom portions 118 of the
sidewalls
102 and 104, which will now be described.
100351 As shown in Figures IA and 3, a plurality of shift regions 122A,
122B, 123A,
123B, 124A, 124B, I24C, 124D, 126, and 128 is formed in the bottom portion 118
of the
first sidewall 102. Figure I B shows the details of the region A in Figure IA,
including the
additional shift regions I25A, 125B, and 125C. The shift regions are
configured to allow
the bag to be easily shifted between flat and stand-up configurations, as will
be described
in detail below. In some embodiments, the shift regions 122A, I22B, 123A,
12311, 124A,
124B, I24C, 124D, 125A, 125B, I 25C, 126, and 128 are slight indentations,
scores, or
crimps formed in the sidewalls 102 and 104 of the bag 100 that are made to a
depth such
that the bag 100 can easily shift about the regions. However, the shift
regions I22A,
122B, I23A, 123B, 124A, 12411, 124C, 1241), 125A, 12513, I25C, 126, and 128
are not
made to a depth that substantially weakens the integrity of the bag 100. Those
skilled in
the art will recognize that a variety of techniques can be used to form the
shift regions
122A, 122B, 123A, 123B, 124A, I24B, 124C, 124D, I25A, I25B, 125C, 126, and
128,
such as cutting the bag 100 with a mechanical structure or, as another
example, by using
ultrasonic cutting. As yet another example, the shift regions 122A, 12213,
I23A, 123B,
124A, I 24B, 124C, 124D, 125A, 125B, 125C, 126, and 128 can be formed by
deforming
the sidewalls 102 and 104 of the storage bag 100 by squeezing portions of the
sidewalls
102 and 104 so as to permanently deform the portions in the shapes of the
shift regions.
[0036] With the shift regions 122A, 12213, I23A, I23B, 124A, I24B, 124C,
I24D,
I25A, I25B, I25C, 126. and 128. the bag 100 is shiftable between a flat
configuration, as
shown in Figures IA, 1B, and 2, and a stand-up configuration, as shown in
Figures 3 and
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4. In the flat configuration, the first and second sidewalls 102 and 104 are
positioned
adjacent to each other. In the stand-up configuration, the first and second
sidewalls 102
and 104 are separated from each other. To separate the first and second
sidewalls 102 and
104, the bottom portion 118 of the bag is moved about the shift regions 122A,
122B,
123A, 123B, 124A, 124B. I24C, 124D, I25A, I25B, 125C, 126, and 128 such that
the
bottom portion 118 forms a substantially flat base for the upright bag 100. By
being
shifted in this manner, the ends of the bottom portion 118 that are adjacent
to the corners
120 and 121 extend outward in a triangular-shaped configuration. The bottom
portion 118
of the bag 100 is thereby outlined by the shift regions 124A, 124B, 124C,
124D, 126, and
128. When shifting from the flat configuration to the stand-up configuration,
the bag 100
is also moved about shift regions I22A and 122B, such that the portions 130A
and 130B
of the first sidewall 102 are shifted over other portions 128A and 128B of the
first
sidewall 102. Shifting to the stand-up configuration is facilitated by
grasping the bag 100
at the portions 130A and 130B, which, in effect, act as hinges that naturally
effect shifting
of the bag 100 to the stand-up configuration.
100371 In the
embodiment shown in Figures IA to 4, the shift regions are provided on
both of the bottom corners of both sidewalls 102 and 104 of the bag 100.
Specifically, a
plurality of shift regions 124C, 124D, and 128 is provided on the second
sidewall 104
corresponding to the shift regions 124A, 124B. and 126 that are provided on
the first
sidewall 104, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4. Note that by "corresponding,"
we mean
that the shift regions are in the same relative positions on the first and
second sidewalls
102 and 104. In other embodiments, however, fewer shift regions may be
provided. For
example, the shift regions may only be provided in one corner of one of the
sidewalls 102
and 104. In still other embodiments, shift regions may be provided on the two
bottom
corners of one of the sidewalls 102 and 104, but not provided on the other of
the sidewalls
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102 and 104. In yet other embodiments, the shift regions may be provided on
the bottom
corner of one of the sidevvalls 102 and 104 and other shift regions may be
provided on the
bottom corner on the other side of the other sidewall 102 or 104, such that
the shift regions
on one side of the bag 100 do not correspond to shift regions on the other
side of the bag
100.
100381 Similarly, the bag 100 may only include some, but not all, of the
depicted shift
regions I22A, 122B, I23A, 123B, I24A, 124B. 124C, I24D. I25A, I25B, 125C, 126,
and
128. For example, in one embodiment, the bag 100 might include the shift
regions 122A,
122B, 124A, and I24B, but not include any of the other depicted shift regions
I23A,
I23B, 124C, 124D, 125A, 125B, 125C, 126, and 128. In such an embodiment, the
shift
regions 122A, 122B. 124A, and I24B function by themselves to shift the bag 100
from the
flat configuration to the stand-up configuration. Also, in the depicted
embodiments, the
shift regions 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 125A, 125B,
125C,
126, and 128 are shown to extend in continuous lines. In other embodiments,
however,
the shift regions 122A, 122B, 123A, 123B, 124A, 124B, 124C, I24D, 125A, 125B,
125C,
126, and 128 can be discontinuous. For example, any one of the shift regions
can be
formed as a plurality of distinct line segments, dots, etc. As will be
appreciated by those
skilled in the art, the number and continuity of the shift regions provided to
a bag
according to our invention can be adjusted in order to make the shifting of
the bag more or
less easy, or the number and continuity of the shift regions can be adjusted
based on other
factors such as aesthetics and cost of manufacturing of the bag. Along these
lines, in some
embodiments, the bag may only be provided with one of the shift regions 122A,
122B,
123A, 123B, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 125A, I25B, 125C, 126, and 128.
[0039] As can be seen in Figures IA and 1B, there are two angles cc and f3
formed by
the shift regions 122A, 122B, 124A, 124B, 124C, 124D, 126, and 128 relative to
the side
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edges 106 and 110, bottom edge 108. Further, with the reference lines I34A and
134B,
areas I28A, I28B, 132A, and I32B are defined. Note that reference lines 134A
and 134B
are provided in Figures IA and 1B for purposes of understanding our invention,
but are
not actually a structure in the bag 100. As is apparent from the figures, the
size of angles
a and fl determines the relative sizes of the areas I28A, 128B, 132A, and
132B.
Generally speaking, we have found that, to facilitate the shifting movement
from the flat
configuration to the stand-up configuration, the areas 128A and 128B should be
approximately equal to the areas 132A and 132B. Further, we have found that
shifting is
greatly facilitated when the angles a and p satisfy the following Equation
(1):
/34a+45 (1)
7
When angles a and p are generally defined by the relation of Equation (1), the
bag 100
can be easily shifted from the flat configuration to the stand-up
configuration. Note,
however, that Equation (1) does not have to be exactly satisfied, but rather,
both a and p
can vary slightly from the relation while still allowing for the bag 100 to be
easily moved
from the flat configuration to the stand-up configuration. For example, given
a specific
angle a, then angle p may vary by less than about + 2 degrees from the value
for angle p
calculated from Equation (1). Given a specific angle (3, then angle a may vary
less than
about + 4 degrees from the value for angle ct calculated from Equation (1).
For example,
in specific embodiments, angle oc is about 14 degrees to about 16 degrees and
angle f3 is
about 37 degrees to about 39 degrees. It should again be noted, however, that
the bag 100
is not necessarily limited to any particular angle a and angle 13.
100401 The horizontal shift regions 126 and 128 extend a height H above the
bottom
edge 108 of the bag 100. This height H will, in effect, determine the width of
the flat base
of the bag 100 when the bag 100 is in the stand-up configuration. That is, as
shown in
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Figure 4, the width of the bottom of the bag 100 is about 2H at a center
region of the bag.
In embodiments of our invention, the height Fl is about 1 inch to about 3.5
inches, more
specifically, about 1.5 inches to about 3 inches, and still more specifically,
about 2 inches
to about 2.5 inches. It follows that the width of the base of the bag is about
twice these
heights, i.e., about 2 inches to about 7 inches, more particularly, about 3
inches to about 6
inches, and still more particularly, about 4 inches to about 5 inches. In a
specific
embodiment, the height H is about 2 inches, and, thus, the width of the base
of the bag is
about 4 inches. Generally speaking, with such ranges, storage bags of standard
sizes, such
as those for storing food, can be made to stand upright.
10041] With the configuration of the bag 100 shown in Figures IA to 4, the
bag 100
may be made to stand upright without any additional structural features. For
example,
unlike other bags known in the art, the bag 100 does not need to include a
pleat or gusset
between the bottom portions of the first and second sidewalls 102 and 104. In
addition, to
not require a pleat or eusset, the sidewalls 102 and 104 of the bag 100 can be
made with a
relatively uniform thickness. Along these lines, in some embodiments, the
sidewalls 102
and 104 may have a thickness of only about 1.6 mils to about 2.6 mils. As one
of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate, thickness of about 1.6 mils is substantially
thinner than the
thickness of many types of stand-up plastic storage bags.
100421 While the bag 100 will remain in the stand-up configuration when
provided
with uniformly thick sidewalls 102 and 104, in other embodiments, specific
portions of the
bag 100 are made thicker in order to further facilitate the stand-up
configuration. In one
example, regions of the bottom portions 108 of the sidewalls 102 and 104 of
the bag 100
are made thicker than the rest of the bag 100. Specifically, the bottom
portions 108 are
about twice as thick as the other portions of the sidewalls 102 and 104. In
other
embodiments, regions of the bottom portions 108 are made about one mil thicker
than the
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other portions of the sidewalls 102 and 104. When an extruding technique is
used to
manufacture the bag 100, the bottom portions 108 can be made thicker by
adjusting the
amount of material used to form the bottom portions 108 in comparison with the
other
portions, e.g., by adjusting the extruding process such that the bottom
portions 108 are
about 1 mil thicker, while the other portions of the side walls 102 and 104
are reduced by
about 0.1 mil of thickness.
[0043] In some embodiments, the bottom portions 108 of the first and second
sidewalls 102 and 104 can be made visually distinct from the other portions of
the first
and second sidewalls 102 and 104. For example, a visually distinct texture
could be
formed in the bottom portions 108 between the horizontal shift regions 126 and
128 of the
first and second sidewalls 102 and 104. Such a texture may aid the user in
identifying the
bottom portions 108 that are to be shifted. Further, the texture may increase
the friction of
the base when the bag 100 is in the stand-up configuration, thereby further
stabilizing the
bag 100.
[0044] In order to further facilitate the stand-up configuration of the bag
100, other
portions of the sidewalls 102 and 104 above the bottom portions 108 can be
made stiffer.
Examples of such stiffer portions are the areas labeled as 140, 142, 144, and
146 on the
first sidewall 102 in Figure 1A. Although not shown, corresponding stiffer
areas can be
formed on the second sidewall 104. The stiffer portions 140, 142, 144, and 146
provide
structural support to the sidewalls 102 and 104 that helps to maintain the bag
upright in
the stand-up configuration. While the stiffer areas 140, 142, and 146 extend
within the
sidewall 102, the stiffer area 144 extends from the edge 106 to the edge 110
of the
sidewall 102. By extending the full length of the sidewall 102 and being
positioned
adjacent to the opening 112 of the bag 100, the stiffer area 144, along with a
corresponding stiffer area on the second sidewall 104, helps to maintain the
opening 112
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in an open position when the bag 100 is in the stand-up configuration and the
closure
structures 114A, 114B, 116A. and 116B are not sealed. At the same time, the
vertical
stiffer areas 140 and 142, and the corresponding stiffer areas on the sidewall
104 help to
push out the sides of the bag in the stand-up configuration. The bag 100,
therefore, can be
maintained in an upright position so that it can be easily filled by a user.
[0045] The stiffer areas 140, 142, 144, and 146 can be formed by extruding
the
sidewalls 102 and 104 of the bag in a manner such that the areas 140, 142,
144, and 146
on the first sidewall 102, and the corresponding portions on the second
sidewall 104, are
made thicker than the other portions of the sidewalls 102 and 104.
Alternatively, the
stiffer areas 140, 142, 144, and 146 can be formed by applying additional
material onto
the sidewalls 102 and 104.
[0046] In still other embodiments of our invention, upper portions of the
bag are made
stiffer in order to help maintain the opening 112 in the open position. As
will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the lips are the region of the bag
above the closure
structures (i.e., the area between the closure structures 116A/B and the top
edge of the bag
shown in Figure 1A). In some embodiments, one or both of the lips of the bag
are made
stiffer, thereby making the opening 112 more readily stay in the open
position.
[0047] Those skilled in the art will recognize many different ways that the
lips of the
bag can be made stiffer. For example, additional material can be added to the
lip areas in
a manner analogous to the way that additional material is added to form the
above-
described areas 140, 142, 144, and 146. That is, the lips can be made stiffer
by providing
additional material in the lip areas such that the lips are thicker than other
portions of the
bag. In this regard, making the lips thicker has an additional benefit of
making the lips
easier to grasp, for example, when the bag is being opened. In a specific
example, the lips
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are made 20% stiffer than other portions of the bag, thereby making the bag
opening more
readily stay in the open position and making the lips easier to grasp.
10048] Additional material provided to make the lips stiffer can be the
same material
as the material that is used to form the rest of the bag. Alternatively, a
different material
can be used to stiffen the lips. For example. the bag can be made from PE, and
HDPE can
be added to the lip areas in order to make the lips stiffer. In other
embodiments, the lips
themselves can be at least partially formed from a different, stiffer material
than other
portions of the bag. For example, when the bag is primarily formed from PE,
the lips can
be separately formed from HDPE, with the higher density HDPE making the lips
stiffer
than the rest of the bag. Of course, the material used to form the lips added
to the lip
areas, or the additional material added to the lips, can be any material that
is compatible
with the other materials used to form the bag.
100491 As indicated above, the closure structure or closure structures of a
bag are
positioned near the opening. Thus, in addition to, or as an alterative to,
making the lips
stiffer, the closure structure or structures of the bag can be formed from a
material that is
stiffer than other portions of the bag, thereby making the bag more readily
stay in the open
position (when the closure structures are not functioning to close the
opening). In an
embodiment that includes stiller closure structures, the closure structures
are made from
HDPE, whereas the rest of the bag is made from PE.
10050] Figure 5 is a side view of a bag 200 according to another embodiment
of our
invention. The bag 200 includes some of the features that are provided in the
embodiments described above, including sidewalls 202 and 204 and closure
structures
224A, 224B, 226A, and 226B. In the bag 200, however, the shift regions 222A,
222B,
224A, and 224B do not extend all the way to corners 220 and 221. Instead, the
shift
regions 222A. 222B, 224A, and 22413 extend from positions close to, but not
directly
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
adjacent to, the corners 220 and 221. In this regard, the shift regions in
embodiments of
our invention may extend from positions -near- the corners, in that the shift
regions
extend from positions directly adjacent to the corners, as shown in the bag
100 in Figure
1A, or from other positions "near" the corners, in that the shift regions
extend from
positions that are close to the corners, as shown in Figure 5 with respect to
bag 200.
100511 The shift regions 222A, 222B, 224A, and 224B of bag 500 are not
straight, but
instead, have a curved shape. The bag 200 is shittable between a flat
configuration and a
stand-up configuration by being shifted about the curved shift regions 222A,
222B, 224A,
224B, and 226 in a manner similar to the way that the bag 100 shifts between
configurations, as described above. With the curved shift regions 222B and
224B, the
angle a is measured between the side 210 and a line TI that is tangent to a
point in the
middle portion of the shift region 222B, and the angle 13 is measured between
the bottom
208 and a line T2 that is tangent to a point in the middle portion of the
shift region 224B.
Although not shown, similar angles a and 13 can be measured between lines
tangent to the
shift regions 222A, 224A, the side edge 206, and the bottom edge 208. The
angles a and
13 may be in the relation of Equation (I), as described above.
100521 In the embodiments described above, a bag according to our invention
is
described as being provided with shift regions that are formed as indentations
in the bags.
In other embodiments, however, the locations about which the bag is shifted
between the
flat and stand-up configurations could be formed in a different manner, such
as by
providing additional polymeric material to the sides of the bag. For example,
polyethylene may be provided on the sides of the bag at the same positions as
the above-
described shift regions on the bag. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
the variety of
techniques that could be used to apply such additional material, for example,
nozzles that
turn on and off to rapidly deposit the material in the pattern of the shift
regions. In other
16
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embodiments, the locations about which the bag can be shifted are provided as
regions of
varying thickness, elevation, etc., in the sides of the bag. In this regard,
Figures 6A-6G
are cross-sectional views of portions of bags according to embodiments of our
invention,
with the cross sections including different shift regions 600A to 600G. Any of
the shift
regions 600A to 600G may be provided at locations about which the bag can be
shifted
between the flat and stand-up configurations, such as the positions of the
shift regions in
the embodiments described above. Thus, the shift regions 600A to 600G provide
for a
bottom when the bag is in a stand-up configuration, and the bag need not
include a pleat or
gusset formed between the sidewalls at the bottom of the bag.
100531 Figure 7 shows a specific example of how a shift region, as
generally depicted
in Figure 6B, can be used in a bag according to our invention. The bag 700
includes shift
regions 727A, 727B. 724A, 724B. 726, and 728 (the region 728 being provided on
the
sidewall 704 that is opposite from the shown sidewall 702). In this
embodiment, the shift
regions 726 and 728 have a bead-like configuration. Note that the beaded shift
regions
726 and 728 correspond in their positions to the shift regions 126 and 128 of
the bag 100
shown above. As such, the shift regions form the edges of the base of the bag
700 when
the bag is shifted to the stand-up configuration.
100541 The beaded shaped shift regions 726 and 728 can be formed from the
same
material as that of the bag, for example, by specifically extruding the
material that forms
the sidewalls 702 and 704 such that the shift regions 726 and 728 are formed
with the
beaded shape. Alternatively, the beaded shift regions 726 and 728 can be
formed by using
a different material to form the sidewalls of the bag, with the different
material being used
to form the shift regions 726 and 728 at the same time as the sidewalls 702
and 704 are
formed, or by adding the different material to form the shift regions 726 and
728 after the
sidewalls 702 and 704 are formed. In this regard, the shift regions 726 and
728 can be
17
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
formed from any of the plastic materials we discussed above. As other
examples, the
material used to form the beaded shift regions 726 and 728 could be an
adhesive, an ink,
or a wax material. In some cases, the additional material used to form the
beaded shift
regions 726 and 728 is not directly attached to the sidewalls 702 and 704 of
the bag, but
rather one or more intermediate layers are formed between the beaded shift
regions 726
and 728 and the sidewalls 702 and 704. In still other embodiments, the beaded
regions
726 and 728 themselves arc formed from multiple layers of one or more
materials.
100551 The beaded shift regions 726 and 728 can be formed to any thickness
such that
the regions facilitate shifting of the bag, as described above. In some
embodiments,
however, the beaded shift regions 726 and 728 are about two to about twenty
times thicker
than the sidewalls 702 and 704 of the bag. In still more specific embodiments,
the beaded
shift regions 726 and 728 are about 2 to about ten times thicker than the
sidewalls 702 and
704 of the bag. And, in a specific embodiment, the beaded shift regions 726
and 728
extend about 15 mils from the surface of the sidewalls 702 and 704.
100561 It should be noted that while the beaded shift regions 726 and 728
are depicted
on the outside surfaces of the sidewalls 702 and 704, as is the case with all
of the shift
regions described herein, one or both of the beaded shift regions 726 and 728
could be
provided on the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 702 and 704 (i.e., in the
interior of the
bag). It should also be noted that while the beaded shift regions 726 and 728
have a
generally rounded shape as shown in Figure 6B, the beaded shift regions 726
and 728 may
be more or less rounded than depicted. In fact, the beaded shift regions 726
and 728 need
not be rounded, but rather may be formed in any shape, e.g., square,
rectangular, or
triangular.
100571 In the embodiment depicted in Figure 7, the beaded shift region 726
on
sidevvall 702 is slightly offset from the corresponding beaded shift region
728 on sidewall
18
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=
704 such that the beaded shift regions 726 and 728 are not positioned
immediately
adjacent to each other when the bag 700 is in the fiat configuration. This
offset is not
required, but the offset may minimize the formation of leaks wherein the shift
regions 726
and 728 meet the sides 106 and 110 of the bag. Of course, as generally
described above,
in some embodiments, the beaded shift regions 726 and 728 do not extend to the
sides 106
and 110, but rather only extend over a part of the length of the sidewalls 702
and 704 of
the bag. Further, as also generally described above, the beaded shift regions
726 and 728
may be continuous or discontinuous.
100581 A still further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 8.
This
embodiment includes additional shift regions in the lower and upper portions
of the
sidewalls 802 and 804 of the bag 800. With respect to the bottom portion, a
pattern of
seven shift regions 822A, 824A, 826A, 828A, 830A, 832A, and 834A is provided
near
one of the bottom corners of sidewall 802, and a similar pattern of seven
shift regions
822B, 824B, 826B, 828B, 830B, 832B, and 834B is provided at the other corner
of
sidewall 802. These shift regions 822A, 824A, 826A, 828A, 830A, 832A, 834A,
822B,
824B, 826B, 828B, 830B, 832B, and 834B can take any of the forms described
above,
e.g., indentations, scores, beads, etc. Notably, the pattern of these shift
regions is such that
some of the shift regions cross one or more of the other shift regions. For
example, shift
region 828A crosses shift region 830A and shift region 832A. As another
example, shift
region 824A crosses shift regions 826A, 828A, and 830A. We have found that
such a
pattern, with at least one shift region crossing another shift region,
facilitates the shifting
function, thereby making it easier to move the bag between the flat and stand-
up
configurations. And, having multiple shift regions cross more than one shift
region still
further enhances the shilling functionality. Note that, although not shown in
Figure 8, a
similar pattern of shift regions can be formed at the bottom two corners of
the opposite
19
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=
sidewall 804 of the bag 800. Further, any combination of such shift regions
can be formed
at the corners of the bag, e.g.. the shift regions are only provided at one
corner on sidewall
802 and one corner of the sidewall 804. Also, the pattern shown may be altered
such that
one or more of the shift regions is omitted, or one or more additional shift
regions are
provided.
[0059] With respect to the upper portion of bag 800, shift regions 836A and
838A are
provided on sidewall 802 below the closure structures 814A/B and 8I6A/B, with
the shift
regions 836A and 836B extending from the side 806 of the bag 800. Similarly,
shift
regions 836B and 838B are provided extending from the side 810. The additional
shift
regions 836A, 83613, 838A, and 83813 help to maintain the opening 812 of the
bag in the
open position by causing portions of the bag 800 to deflect alone the shift
regions 836A,
836B, 838A, and 83813 when the bag 800 is opened. These shift regions 836A,
836B,
838A, and 83813 can take any of the shift region forms described above, e.g.,
indentations,
scores, beads, etc. And, the shift regions 836A. 836B, 838A, and 838B can be
provided
anywhere in the general area of the upper portion near sides 806 and 808. In a
specific
embodiment, however, the shift regions 836A and 836B are about one inch below
the
closure structures 814A/B, as measured along sides 806 and 810, and the shift
regions
838A and 838B are about one-half inch below the shift regions 836A and 836B
(about one
and one-half inches below the closure structures 814A/B), as measured along
sides 806
and 810. In the specific embodiment, the shift regions 836A, 83613, 838A, and
838B
extend about one inch alone sidewall 802, as measured in a line perpendicular
from sides
806 and 810.
[0060] In some embodiments, shift regions corresponding to shift regions
836A,
836B, 838A, and 838B are provided on the second sidewall 804 of the bag 800.
Those
skilled in the art will recognize that more or less shift regions can be
provided in a similar
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
manner to the 836A, 836B, 838A. and 838B on either of the upper portions of
the
sidewalls 802 and 804.
[0061] Any of the shift regions provided on the bag 800 can be combined
with any of
the other embodiments of our bag as described herein. For example, the shift
regions
836A, 836B, 838A, and 838B could be provided on the bags 100 and 200 described
above. Further, features from the other embodiments described herein can also
be
provided with bag 800. For example, the visually distinct texture described
above can be
provided on the bottom portion of bag 800, if desired. More generally, as will
be fully
appreciated by those skilled in the art, any of the features described herein
with respect to
a specific embodiment may be combined with, or substituted for, features of
another
specific embodiment. For example, a bag according to our invention could be
formed
with the combination of (1) the stiffer portions 140, 142, 144, and 146, as
described in
conjunction with the bag 100, (2) the curved shift regions 222A, 222B, 224A,
and 224B,
as described in conjunction with the bag 200, (3) the beaded shift region, as
described in
conjunction with the bag 700. and (4) the shift regions 836A, 836B, 838A, and
838B, as
described in conjunction with the bag 800.
[0062] Figure 9A is a partial side view of a bag, 300 according to another
embodiment
of our invention. The bag 300 includes some of the features that are provided
in the
embodiments described above, including sidewalls 302 and 304 that are
connected along
side edges 306 and 310, and interlocking closure structures 314A, 314B, 316A,
and 316B.
Although not shown in Figure 9A, the bottom of the bag 300 of this embodiment
includes
a plurality of shift regions (not shown) that allow for the bag 300 to be
shifted between a
flat configuration and a stand-up configuration, according to the various
embodiments
described above. The bag 300 maintains the stand-up position even though it
does not
include a pleat or gusset adjacent to its bottom edge. Instead, the bag 300 is
made to stand
21
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
upright through the unique configurations described above and shown in, for
example,
Figures IA-8.
10063] The bag of the embodiment of Figure 9A further includes a cuff
region 320
that extends from a cuff line 322 to a point at or below a top edge 324 of the
bag 300,
including, for example, to a point at or below the interlocking closure
structures 314A,
314B, 316A, and 316B. The cuff line 322 of the cuff region 320 comprises a
slight
indentation, score line, or crimp formed in the sidewalls 302 and 304 of the
bag 300, such
as those used to form the shift regions of the embodiments described above,
and made to a
depth such that the bag 300 can be easily folded about the cuff line 322.
However, the
cuff line 322 is not made to a depth that substantially weakens the integrity
of the bag 300.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of techniques can be
used to form the
cuff line 322, such as cutting the bag 300 with a mechanical structure or, as
another
example, by using ultrasonic cutting. Alternatively, the cuff line 322 can
comprise a
dashed line (see, e.g., 322' of Figure 913), a curved line (see, e.g., 322" of
Figure 9C), or a
partial line that does not extend across the length of the bag 300 (see, e.g.,
322" of Figure
9D). The cuff region 320 can further comprise a plurality of shift or
inflection regions
(see, e.g., 323A-323G of Figure 9E), such as those described in the
embodiments above,
in order to assist in initiating the cuffing action by the user.
100641 The cuff region 320, the cuff line 322, 322', 322", 322'", and/or
the shift
regions 323A-323G allow for a user to easily cuff or fold the bag 300 about
the cuff
region 320, the cuff line 322. 322', 322¨, 322¨, and/or the shift regions 323A-
323G,
which provides a bag with a wide open mouth that is easier to till,
particularly when the
bag 300 is in a stand-up configuration (see, e.g., Figures 10A and 10B), and
further
prevents zipper contamination when filling the bag and the ability to easily
pour contents
out of the bag. The cuff line 322, 322', 322", 322" can be positioned anywhere
along
22
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
the bag where a user may prefer cuffing or folding the bag 300. In one
embodiment, the
cuff line 322. 322', 322-, 322'" is positioned from about 1/4 in. to about 2
in. below the
lower closure structures 314A and 314B. In one preferred embodiment, the cuff
line 322,
322', 322", 322¨ is positioned about % in. below the lower closure structures
314A and
314B.
[00651 As also shown in Figure 9A, the cuff region 320 comprises a
patterned band
326 that is provided between the interlocking closure structures 314A, 314B,
316A, and
316B and the cuff line 322. The patterned band 326 can comprise a printed
pattern
formed by a variety of printing techniques. The patterned band 326 can also,
or
alternatively, comprise a texture that can be formed by a variety of
techniques, including,
for example, embossing, extrusion, ultrasonic forming and blasting with sand
or water
jets, scratching the surface with a laser or other means, etc. The patterned
band 326 can
disguise the cuff line 322, as well as any shift or inflection regions that
assist in initiating
the culling action by the user. The patterned band 326 can also add some
stiffness to the
cuff region 320, which assists in maintaining the wide open mouth of the bag
300 when
the bag 300 has been cuffed (see, e.g., Figure 10B). The patterned band 326
can further
provide a visual cue to a user as to where to fold down the cuff region 320
and cuff the
bag 300 along the cuff line 322. The patterned band 326 can be of any width
and can
further extend to a position above, below, or over the cuff line 322. In one
preferred
embodiment, the patterned band extends from the lower closure structures 314A
and 3I4B
(or from a point just below the lower closure structures 3I4A and 314B) to the
cuff line
322. The bag 300 of Figure 9A further includes a graphic region 350 in which a
visual
cue, such as a message or image, can be displayed to a user that indicates
that the bag 300
can be cuffed along the cuff region 320 and/or cuff line 322. The graphic
region 350 can
be formed by a variety of printing techniques.
23
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
100661 Figure 10A illustrates the bag 300 of the embodiment of Figure 9A in
a stand-
up configuration. As described above with respect to Figure 3, when the bag
300 is in a
stand-up configuration, the first and second sidewalls 302 and 304 are
separated from each
other. As also shown in Figure 10A, the interlocking closure structures 3I4A,
314B,
3 I6A, and 316B are also separated from each other, such that an opening 312,
which
provides access to the interior of the bag 300, is formed along the top edge
324 of the bag
300. To separate the first and second sidewalls 302 and 304, the bottom
portion 318 of the
bag 300 is moved about shift regions (e.g., 122A, 122B, 123A, I23B, 124A,
124B, 124C,
124D, 125A, 125B, 125C, 126, and 128 of Figure 3) such that the bottom portion
318
forms a substantially flat base for the upright bag 300. The bottom portion
318 of the bag
300 is thereby outlined by the shift regions (e.g., 124A, 124B, I24C, 124D,
126, and 128
of Figure 3). As discussed above, shifting the bag 300 to the stand-up
configuration is
facilitated by grasping the bag 300 at certain portions of the bottom portion
318 of the bag
300 (e.g., 130A and 130B of Figure 3), which, in effect, act as hinges that
naturally effect
shifting of the bag 300 to the stand-up configuration. The bag 300 of Figure
10A,
however, while being in the stand-up configuration, has not yet been cuffed by
a user. In
other words, the cuff region 320 of Figure 10A is positioned underneath the
interlocking
closure structures 3I4A, 314B, 316A, and 3I6B, and the opening 312 of the bag
300 is
still being formed along the top edge 324 of the bag 300.
100671 Figure 10B illustrates the bag 300 of Figure 10A in both the stand-
up
configuration and after being cuffed by a user, in which the cuff region 320
is folded over
the cuff line 322. In the cuffed position of Figure 10B, the cuff region 320
of the bag 300,
as well as the patterned band 326, are positioned at the top of the bag 300.
As also shown
in Figure 10B, when the bag 300 is in the cuffed position, since the cuff
region 320 has
been folded over the cuff line 322, the cuff line 322 now forms a top,
finished edge of the
24
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
bag 300 that forms the opening 312 providing access into the interior of the
bag 300.
When the cuff region 320 has been folded over the cuff line 322, the
interlocking closure
structures 314A, 314B, 316A, and 316B are disposed along the exterior of the
bag 300,
such that contamination of the interlocking closure structures 314A, 314B,
316A, and
3 16B can be prevented while filling the bag. Moreover, cuffing the bag 300 by
folding
the cuff region 320 over the cuff line 322 creates a wider opening 312 that is
easier to fill,
as well as the ability to easily pour contents out of the bag 300.
100681 Figure I IA illustrates one embodiment of the bag 300 in which a
first
patterned area 360 (e.g., patterned band 326) is provided between the
interlocking closure
structures 314A, 314B, 3I6A, and 316B and the cuff line 322. and a second
patterned area
370 is provided in the bottom portions 318 of the first and second sidewalls
302 and 304.
The patterned areas 360, 370 can be made to be visually distinct from the
other portions of
the first and second sidewalls 302 and 304, by, for example, printing
techniques,
embossing, extrusion, ultrasonic forming and blasting with sand or water jets,
scratching
the surface with a laser or other means, etc. In one embodiment, such as the
one shown in
Figure 1 IA, the first patterned area 360 comprises a pattern that is the same
or
substantially the same as the pattern of the second patterned area 370.
Alternatively, the
first and second patterned areas 360, 370 may comprise patterns that are
different (see,
e.g., 360' and 370 of Figure 11B).
100691 As discussed above, a first patterned area 360 is provided between
the
interlocking closure structures 314A, 314B, 316A, and 3I6B and the cuff line
322 to (i)
disguise the cuff line 322, (ii) add some stiffness to the cuff region 320,
and/or (iii)
provide a visual cue to a user as to where to fold down the cuff region 320
and cuff the
bag 300 along the cuff line 322. As also discussed above with respect to the
embodiment
of Figure 1A, a second patterned area 370 or texture can be formed in the
bottom portions
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
=
318 of the first and second sidewalls 302 and 304, between horizontal shift
regions of the
first and second sidewalls 302 and 304. Such a patterned area 370 or texture
may aid the
user in identifying the bottom portions 318 that are to be shifted. Further,
the patterned
area 370 or texture may increase the friction of the base when the bag 300 is
in the stand-
up configuration, thereby further stabilizing the bag 300.
[0070] Figure 11C illustrates an alternative embodiment of the bag 300 in
which a
patterned area 380 extends over a majority of the bag 300. In particular, in
the
embodiment of Figure I IC, the patterned area 380 extends from below the
interlocking
closure structures 314A, 314B, 316A, and 316B to the bottom edge 308 of the
bag 300,
such that both the cuff line 320 and the shift regions of the bottom portions
318 are
disguised. As discussed above, the patterned area 380 is made to be visually
distinct from
the other portions of the first and second sidewalls 302 and 304, by, for
example, printing
techniques, embossing, extrusion, ultrasonic forming and blasting with sand or
water jets,
scratching the surface with a laser or other means, etc.
[0071] With respect to the various patterned areas (e.g., 326, 360, 360',
370, 380)
discussed above, a variety of patterns and/or textures may be used to create
these areas. In
addition, the patterned areas can comprise a variety of designs and/or shapes,
including,
for example, parallel lines, intersecting lines, intermittent lines, cross-
hatching, curved
lines, diagonal lines, diamond shapes, circular shapes, triangular shapes, X-
shapes, S-
shapes, clouds, flowers, stars, hearts, etc., and any combinations thereof The
patterned
areas (e.g., 326, 360, 360', 370, 380) may further comprise raised portions
created, for
example, by way of ultrasonic embossing or embossing with a die press.
Moreover, the
patterned areas (e.g., 326, 360, 360', 370, 380) may have the same or
substantially the
same thickness as the sidewalls 302 and 304 of the bag 300. In other
embodiments, the
patterned areas (e.g., 326, 360, 360', 370, 380) of the bag 300 are made to be
thicker in
26
CA 02935500 2016-07-07
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order to further facilitate the stand-up configuration. as well as the cuffing
of the bag 300
(as shown, tbr example, in Figure I OR).
[0072] A bag according to our invention is highly functional inasmuch as it
can be
made to stand upright without being held by a user. The bag can thereby be set
on a
surface, and easily filled by the user. This stand-up configuration is
achieved without the
use of a pleat, gusset, or other additional structure at the bottom portion of
the bag. Thus,
the bag can be made to lay substantially flat when not in use, and thereby be
compactly
stored. Further, by not including an additional structure at the bottom
portion, the bag can
be made from substantially less material than other stand-up bags known in the
art. Those
skilled in the art will recognize numerous other advantageous of our bag based
on the
foregoing description.
[0073] Although this invention has been described in certain specific
exemplary
embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to
those
skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is. therefore, to be
understood that this
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the
exemplary
embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be
illustrative and
not restrictive, and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims
supportable
by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing
description.
Industrial Applicability
100741 The invention described herein can be used in the commercial
production of
storage bags. Such storage bags have a wide variety of uses, such as being
utilized to
store food, chemicals, or other substances.
27
