Flexible bags – Selectively adjustable volume
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-17
2001-05-29
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Selectively adjustable volume
C383S091000, C383S905000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238090
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reusable bags have long been used for the placement of a variety of products which are to be stored and then removed from the bag over a period of time. Such a bag routinely will be opened and closed continuously. In the case of the storage of food in the bag, there is the additional requirement that the remaining food be kept fresh, so the bag must constantly be resealed. Bags of this type are currently used for such diverse products as pet food, cookies, donuts, condiments, and coffee.
These bags are, of course, configured to enclose the full amount of the product which is initially stored. When a bag ofthis type is fill, it is easily and tightly closed and secured in a closed position by the use of a conventional flexible, bendable tab member. As product is removed from the bag, the upper section of the bag is emptied, while the bag itself usually remains in tact. The remaining product continues to be enclosed in the lower recesses of the bag.
Problems result when a partially emptied bag needs to be closed and resealed. In order to close and secure a bag after it is partially emptied, the vacant section of the bag must either be folded around or rolled up over itself a number of times. As more product is removed, the vacant upper sections of the bag become superfluous and get in the way of effective closure. As the bag continues to be emptied, more ofthe upper sections are bereft of product and it becomes increasingly difficult to roll or fold these extraneous sections ofthe bag. At this point, the user may tear the upper sections off, leaving jagged, ripped, uneven edges. Whether the emptied upper bag sections are roller over themselves or ripped off, it is difficult to securely reclose the bag with the flexible tab member. The tab is too small to effectively reseal the bag folded onto itself or ineffective in keeping a torn bag sealed. The bag either will remain partially open and even cause the user to attempt to keep it closed by using staples, clips, or other ineffective make shift closure means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and disadvantages of prior reuseable bags.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag which can easily and effectively be closed, secured and resealed as the bag is emptied of its product.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag which eliminates the cumbersome inconvenience of closing a less than full bag of product.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag which allows the bag to be closed and resealed in order to maintain freshness of food which may be stored in the bag.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag which is divided into a plurality of segmented sections, which sections can easily and individually be removed as the bag is emptied of product.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag with a reusable flexible tab member to easily close the bag, effectively securing the bag not only when it is full, but also when there are varying amounts of product within the bag.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag which employs a flexible, bendable tab to close the bag at various segmented sections of the bag.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reusable bag with a tab which closes the bag effectively and securely in different locations as the bag is emptied of product.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a reusable bag with tab storage means to allow for the insertion of the tab member for purposes of storage and securing the bag at various locations.
The present invention consists of an elongated reusable bag divided into a plurality of segmented sections, separated by perforations through the bag. Pocketed openings or through passages are located adjacent to each perforation. The openings or through passages are formed by separate thin paper or plastic sheets or one elongated thin sheet which overlays the exterior of the bag. A flexible, bendable tab member, used to close the top of the bag when the bag is full, is also conveniently used to close the bag after varying amounts of product are removed. As the bag is emptied, the segmented sections ofthe bag are torn or cut off and removed at the perforations. After a section is removed, the original tab is inserted in one ofthe pocketed openings or through passages and used to secure the bag at a point at which the product remains in the bag. As the bag continues to be emptied, the next upper section is removed and the same tab is again inserted within the opening or through passage and the bag is again easily, efficiently and effectively secured.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2020804 (1935-11-01), Segal
patent: 2356110 (1944-08-01), Waters
patent: 2490133 (1949-12-01), Inman
patent: 3539093 (1970-11-01), Massengill
patent: 3967773 (1976-07-01), Kaufmann
patent: 4761079 (1988-08-01), Wolske
patent: 4898280 (1990-02-01), Runge
patent: 4936817 (1990-06-01), Runge
Garbe Stephen P.
Goldstein Stuart M.
Yuter Jordan J.
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