Special receptacle or package – Combined or convertible – Packaged assemblage or kit
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-08
2003-12-02
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Special receptacle or package
Combined or convertible
Packaged assemblage or kit
C206S548000, C206S551000, C206S770000, C229S087040, C229S087080, C220S574000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06655526
ABSTRACT:
REFERENCES CITED
U.S. Patent Documents
5,950,912
Sept. 1999
Economopoulos
229#120.32
5,882,118
Mar. 1999
Daniels
383#8
5,573,489
Nov. 1996
Letendre
493#194
5,351,880
Oct. 1994
Goudreau
229#120.32
5,002,221
Mar. 1991
Ragan
229#120.32
4,951,866
Aug. 1990
Rusnak
229#120.07
4,913,693
Apr. 1990
Ball
493#194
4,241,863
Dec. 1980
Faller
229#120.03
4,061,241
Dec. 3977
Retelny
220#4.21
3,744,383
July 1973
Finch
93#35R
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transportable packaging system for products that are best carried in a horizontal position and that require spaced, noncrushable stacking. It is useful in the food industry as packaging for pizza, heated fast-food items, salads, deli products, and bakery goods. This packaging system has additional uses outside the food industry, for example as light-weight, cost-effective packaging for crushable arts and crafts, floral wreaths, toys, and any other products that are best kept in a horizontal position during storage and transport and that need to be stacked apart without crushing. This invention is potentially reusable, and thus environmentally friendly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumer packaging has customarily taken the form of paper wraps or fold-up paper bags, which vary in thickness, density, color, size and other features, but all of which have been produced at significant cost to the environment in terms of the raw materials required to make packaging. In the past several decades, plastic packaging has largely taken the place of paper wraps and bags in consumer markets.
Paper and plastic packaging for consumers have had significant drawbacks. First, these types of packaging are top-loaded and, if handles are provided, said handles are positioned in such a manner that the package must be carried vertically instead of horizontally. While goods requiring horizontal transport can be placed on the bottom of a top-loaded bag and then carried vertically, this system is not satisfactory for the following reasons. For goods that are larger in horizontal size than the bottom of the vertical packaging, the items could be crushed when the bag sides press inwards during transport. Also, the placement of such an item into a vertical bag, as well as later extrication, is difficult. Even if goods that need to be carried horizontally could fit into the bottom of a vertical bag, they would not be secure and could tip over when separated from the consumer's controlling grasp by the length of the bag. If the packaging lacks handles, then the consumer will usually find transport even more difficult, often requiring two hands or a carrying position that crushes the package and its contents between arm and body.
Second, existing paper and plastic packaging for consumers often requires some labor to prepare the packaging for use, which increases the cost of the packaging for the merchant. Boxes require folding, trays need to be pre-assembled, and bags need to be attached to dispensers.
Third, existing paper and plastic packaging have not made provision for an integral system that offers both separate stacking plus easy horizontal transport. While prior art for various stackable packaging exists, these systems have not developed a means for quick, one-handed transport of the package in a protective, enclosing bag. Available bags, whether paper or plastic, do not provide a means by which the contents can be stacked without crushing.
Finally, packaging generally has no further use to the consumer after the goods are transported to the intended destination. It is simply thrown away, adding to our society's already overflowing trash problem.
There is a need for a packaging system that allows for easy horizontal transport of consumer goods in combination with separate stacking so that the goods are not crushed during storage or transport and that is pre-assembled, cost-effective to produce, requires minimal storage space for the merchant, and is environmentally friendly.
Description of Related Art (including information disclosed under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 37 C.F.R. 1.98)
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered relevant:
1. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,912 Economopoulos Patent discloses a cardboard box for stacking two pizzas in one box.
2. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,118 Daniels Patent discloses a gusseted T-shirt type plastic bag and method of making such bag with a promotional strip extending along one side edge and secured at the top and bottom edges of the bag.
3. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,489 Letendre Patent discloses a thermoplastic bag and method for making bags with loop handles at the bag top.
4. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,880 Goudreau Patent also discloses a corrugated box for containing two or more stacked food products.
5. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,693 Ball Patent discloses a method of manufacturing a gusseted bag that has an integral handle for carrying on the bag on its side.
6. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,863 Faller Patent discloses a paperboard container with two open-top trays hinged together, each covered by a film to secure the food within. The entire container may be placed in a cover sleeve.
7. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,241 Retelny Patent discloses a food plate packaging with a bottom plate that fits into a ribbed top cover that can support other similar plates when stacked on each other.
8. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,383 Finch Patent discloses an apparatus and method for manufacturing plastic bags with a promotional band in a single stage process.
9. The U.S. Pat. No. 1,257,057 White Patent discloses a pie container with a cover and a loop or yoke and clip for attaching and holding a fork to the container.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the other cited patents.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention consists of a transportable packaging system by which food and other products can be stored and transported in a horizontal position. The packaging system is comprised of two parts: 1) a thermoplastic sealable bag with a front-loading opening and integral exterior handle for horizontal transport; and 2) a rigid plastic stackable open-domed container that is inserted into the carrying bag for holding and storing food items and other products.
The bag is made of a flexible thermoplastic material, such as low or high density polyethylene, that may have a heat tolerance of up to 200° F. for up to 60 minutes. The preferred shape of the bag is square or rectangle with sides from 5 to 24 inches, although it may also be circular, made with rounded edges, or otherwise. Depending on the density of the plastic, the bag is transparent or opaque. It has three closed sides formed by folding, heat-sealing, sidewelds, or other means, and is open at the front. A small flap extends at the front with a means of closing the front side to keep the products secure inside, such as an adhesive strip, a pressure grip, or other similar device. The bag may have an exterior pocket extending 2 to 6 inches from the front opening of the bag and sealed into the side seams at the same time as the seams are made, which pocket is sliced so as to form a handle of 0.5 to 5 inches in width across the approximate center of the bag. It is possible to eliminate the exterior pocket, in which event a handle is sealed into the bag side seams at the approximate center of the bag. The bag optionally has ventilation slits or holes, and it can also be printed with logos, names, coupons, or other advertising as desired.
The rigid container is made of transparent rigid plastic material and is comprised of a bottom plate and a domed cover with an open aperture. The domed cover is optionally attached to the bottom plate by a single integral hinge at the back side of the plate or is press fitted over a flange in the rim of the bottom plate to form a gripping connection. The base plate may be flat without any ridges or may o
Reall Martin
Urman Craig A.
LandOfFree
Enviro package consisting of a sealable thermoplastic bag... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Enviro package consisting of a sealable thermoplastic bag..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enviro package consisting of a sealable thermoplastic bag... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3153923