US3556390A

US3556390A - Package for article such as frankfurters

Info

Publication number: US3556390A
Application number: US811280A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerome Gould; Thomas W Kellogg
Original assignee: Design Properties Inc
Current assignee: Design Properties Inc
Priority date: 1969-03-24
Filing date: 1969-03-24
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19

Abstract

This disclosure describes a package which includes a flexible bag having an open end. A relatively rigid collar is affixed to the bag adjacent the opening in the bag. The bag can be closed by turning of the collar to twist the region of the bag adjacent the opening. The collar is then retained in position with the end of the bag twisted shut.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Jerome Gould Encino; Thomas W. Kellogg, Newport Beach, Calif. Appl. No. 811,280 Filed Mar. 24, 1969 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 Assignee Design Properties, Inc.

Los Angeles, Calif. a corporation of California PACKAGE FOR ARTICLE SUCH AS [50] Field of Search Primary ExaminerDavid M. Bockenek Attorney-Smyth, Roston & Pavitt ABSTRACT: This disclosure describes a package which in- FR F E Q F cludes a flexible bag having an open end. A relatively rigid col- Clams 5 rawmg lar is affixed to the bag adjacent the opening in the bag. The Y U.S. Cl 229/62, g n b cl sed by turning of the collar to twist the region of 150/3, 206/46, 99/174 the bag adjacent the opening. The collar is then retained in Int. Cl .1 865d 33/16 position with the end of the bag twisted shut.

by heat sealing.

;isnot only PA KAGE Fort ARTICLEsucii'As-rRANKruRrE s Numerous products including food productsare packages at the manfuactui'er's plant'in thin plastic or cellophane packagesare typically closed adhesives or packages. The

As the package'istightly sealed, it; necessary for the con- I surnerto break the plastic or cellophane to'open the package. Typically, the product'within the package is notcompletely used by the consumer immediately following opening of the 'packagefahdtherefore, itisn ecessary for the consumer to store the unus'edportion of the: product "int the broken package. Storage inopenand unsealed "package s'is particularly undesirable for food products orflother spoilable or easily contaminable'productsi i Y I The present invention provides a simple. inexpensive package which is reusable for the life of theproduct contained The present; invention teaches that these desirableiresults can be accomplished by providing a bag, having an opening therein and affixing a relatively 'rigid collarto the bag adjacent therim of the 'openingL The openingin the collar should be in registry with the opening in the bag. in use, the. ba'g'should not a be completely filled with product; Rather, the product should terminate shortofithe-openihg in the bag,so'ithat a region of the bag projects beyond the end of the product. This region of the bag should be sufficiently flexible to permit twisting thereof. The collar is attached to this region of thebag.

. To close the bag; the-user turnsthe collar relative tothe main portionof the'bag, This twists the flexible region pf the bag into a generallyhourglass contigu'ration'a'nd such twisting resultsinclosureofthe bag. 3

, The collar provides ayery tight'closure forthe "open end of the bag. Whenthe-collar is turned,the twisting'of thebagoccurs intermediate the productfand-the outer end 'ofthef bag whichis attached to the collar. Thus, the open endbf theibag twisted: closed but is covered'by twoda'y'ers ofthe bag The bag canbe retained inthe closed position in niany different ways. For example,- thecollarcan be bonded to the main portion of the bag and the bond maybe of a chemical or mechanicalnature. Alternatively, thelcollar may be taped to the mainportion of the bag byipres'sui'e'sensitive' adhesive tape or it maybe secured to the bag by fractal-able means.

ln a preferred form of the invention, however, the collar is therein. Thepacitage can be opened without destroying or breaking the walls of the "package and it-lcan bejeasily and tightly 'closed after the initial opening the'reof. -f"- sized'to fit over the bag and to be frictionally retained thereby I The use of friction to. retain the collar in position-is preferred because the bag can be easily opened merely by overcoming the force of friction and without the danger of fracturing the thin walls of the bag.

In a preferred form of the invention, the entire bag is constructed of substantially flexible material such as plastic or cellophane. In this event, the product within thebagserves to retain the walls thereof against substantial radialcollapse. Thus, the product within the bag cooperates with the collar to provide the necessary frictional force to retain the collar in position. Of course, the bag can be opened by merely counter-- rotating the collar to untwist the flexible region of the bag.

The collar serves some additional important functions.

First, because the collar is preferably at least somewhat rigid,

it holds the open end of the bag fully open to facilitate insertion and removal of the product.'Secondly,'after the bag is open, it serves as manual means to peel back the open end of the bag for maximum access to the product. r

The inve'ntiomboth as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the'accompanying drawing in which:

F IG. 1 is an elevational view partially in section illustrating a 1 FIG; 2 is a view'similar to FIG. after the collar has been given an initial turn't'o commenceclosing of the bag;

FIG. is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. l'with the bag in I the fully cl'osed'position and with an end 1 fixed to the outer end of the collar;

closure member, af-

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. l' illustrating the'use of the collar in'peeling back-the openend producttcontained therein; and

FlG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodimerit of the invention with thepackage being illustrated ofj-the bag from "the in the closed'position V I v Referring'to the drawings "and in-particular toFlG'. l

thereof, reference numeral ll designates a package constructed in accordance with thetca'chingsofthis invention.

Generally, the package -ll includes a flexible bag l3 and a relatively rigid collar in the form'of a sleeve is affixed to'thc bag and surrounding an outer portions of'the bag. In the embodiment illustrated, the bag/l3 conta'ins a product in the 2 f form of a plurality of frankfurters l7,'although it may be used to containmanydifferent' kinds of products.

The bagtl3 is preferably constructed of a film plastic such a polyethylene or other materials such as; cellophane. Seran wrap, etc. The material fromwhich the bag 13 is constructed is preferably flexible tothereby makethe entire bag 13 flexi ble, a though as explained more fully here inbelow, only a portion of the bag must be flexible. Although the bag 13 may assume various configurations. in

the embodiment illustated the bagis elongated and has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall -l9and a generally circular end wall, The'bag 13 is preferably'integral and maybe constructed in accordance-with any known methods. The

: H peripheral walll9 and the end wall 2l-retain the product 17 within the bag 13 as shown in FIG. 1}.

I The bag l3has an open eitd-23which is opposite theend wall 21. As shown in FIG. 1; a region ZS'ofthe bag 13 projects axially beyond the outer end 27 of the product 17 and a por' tion 28. of the bag immediately surrounds the product 17. An

annular section 29 of the bag 13 immediately surrounding the openend 23 is attached to tin-annular outer section 31 of the collar byany suitable means such'as an adhesive or ahcat. seal. As shown in FIG. 1, the sections 29 and 3] have con siderably shorter axial lengths than'doesthe region of the Thersleeve l5 somewhat rigid and may be constructed of a variety of materials such as'cardboard or a plastic material. The sleeve has an inner surface 32'defining an openingio'r passage 32a which extends completely through thesleevei'As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 15 is sufficiently long to be attached at the outer section 31 thereof to the outer section 29 of the bag 13 while an inner openend 23 of the bag 13 while the section 29 thereof 1 remains firms firmly attached to the section 31 of the sleeve 15.The region 25 except for the section 29 is the part of the bag that is to be twisted, and therefore, it is only this part of the bag that must be sufficiently flexible to permit twisting thereof. In actual practice of the invention, however, in many instances, it will be most expedient to construct the entire bag 13 of the same material; Furthermore. many of the materials package constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and having a product therein with the package being illustrated in the open position;

now in use for packaging products 'of this type employ thin flexible materials such as plastics. For these reasons, the bag 13 is preferably entirely constructed of flexible material. To close the open end 23, the user'grasps the sleeve 15 and turns the latter about its longitudinal axis in either direction relative to the portion of the bag which is immediately. confining the product 17. As the outer section 29 of the bag. 13 is af- 7 has an axial lengthwhich exceeds the axial length of the region '25. The sleeve l5 is preferably at least fixed to the outer section 31 of the sleeve 15, the section 29 turns with the sleeve. The inner end of the region 25 is held against substantial turning movement and thus, the region 25 is twisted to form the generally hourglass configuration shown in FIG. 2. Turning of the sleeve 15 continues until the region 25 is tightly twisted to completely close the open end 23 ofthe bag 13 as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, 25 has been converted into an inner end wall 35 covering the outer end 27 of the product 17, a tight twist portion 37 located centrally of the end wall 35, and an outer end wall 39. Thus, the region 25 has been converted into a double layer closure for the open end 23 of the bag 13. Although the

end walls

35 and 37 are slightly axially spaced in FIG. 3, they may be in tight engagement with each other by merely sliding of the sleeve 15 axially inwardly to thereby move the end wall 39 into engagement with the end wall 15. If desired, the end 23 of the bag may be further sealed by an end closure member 41 which may be suitably secured, as by an adhesive or heat seal, to the outer end of the sleeve 15.

The sleeve 15 may be retained in the position shown in FIGv 3 by securing of the sleeve to the bag at some region thereof other than the region 25. Such securing may take the form of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, fracturable means or a chemical or mechanical bond. In the embodiment illustrated, however, the sleeve 15 is retained in the closed position of FIG. 3 by the force of friction between the inner surface 32 thereof and the portion 28 of the a bag 13'. Because the bag 13 is entirely flexible, the product 17 holds the bag against radial inward collapse. Thus, the product 17 cooperates with the bag 13 to provide the necessary frictional contact between the sleeve 15 of the bag 13. Of course, the force of friction between the bag 13 and the sleeve 15 may be supplemented, if desired, by any other suitable securing means.

The package 11 may be purchased by the consumer in the form shown in FIG. 3. When it is desired to utilize some of the product 17, the consumer counterrotates the sleeve 15 relative to the portion 28 of the bag 13 to untwist the region 25. The end closure member 41, if one has been provided, can then be forcibly removed from the outer end of the sleeve 15 to provide access through the open end 23 of the product 17. The sleeve 15 can then be moved axially inwardly as shown in FIG. 4 to peel back the bag 13 to expose the product 17.

Assuming that less than the full quantity of the product 17 is utilized initially the bag 13 can be closed by first moving the sleeve 15 axially outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1 and then rotating the sleeve 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As the bag 13 is flexible and some of the product 17 has been removed, the circumference thereof will now be insufficient to cause tight frictional engagement between the sleeve 15 and the bag 13. However, as the flexible region 25 of the bag 13 has very little tendency to recover, i.e. it is nonresilient, counterrotation of the sleeve 15 can be prevented by merely laying the package 11 on its side so that it rests upon the peripheral wall 19 and the sleeve 15. Fn'ctional engagement between the sleeve 15 and its supporting surface will then be sufficient to prevent inadvertent opening of the bag 13.

FIG. illustrates a package Ila which is identical to the package 11 except that the collar is provided in the form of an axially short, relatively rigid ring 43 in lieu of the sleeve 15. Thus, the package 110 includes a bag 13a and the ring 43 with the latter being attached to the open end of the bag in the manner described in connection with FIG. 1. In the closed position, the ring 43 snugly embraces the bag 13a adjacent the outer end 27a of the product 17a contained within the bag. About the only functional difference between the packages 11a and 11 is that with the former it is necessary to move the ring 43 axially slightly following the turning of the bag 13a in order to move the ring to the position shown in FIG. 5 in which it circumscribes the bag 13a adjacent the outer end 27a of the product l7a.

Although the sleeve and the ring 43 are both annular in cross section and generally circular in plan, it should be understood that the concepts of this invention are restricted to this use ofthis configuration. Similarly, the bag 13 need not he ofthe elongated cylindrical l'orm shown.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a many changes. modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

. In a package for a product, the combination of:

bag having wall means for confining'the product and at least one open end, the region of the bag adjacent said open end being sufficiently flexible to permit twisting thereof, said open end being of sufficient size to permit the product to pass therethrough; said bag receiving the product in a snug fit to provide a support by the product for the bag against inward collapse and to cause a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration;

a collar having an opening of sufficient size to permit the product to pass therethrough, said collar being affixed to said region of the bag adjacent said open end;

said bag having sufficient length to extend beyond the product in the bag, through the region of the bag adjacent the open end of the bag, a sufficient distance to allow closure of'thc open eiid of the bag by twisting of said region of the bag, said region of the bag adjacent the open end being twistable by turning of said collar relative to the product in the bag; and

the collar having an opening corresponding to the opening in the bag with the product in the bag and disposed in force fit to the-bag to provide a frictional relationship between the bag and the collar in the twisted position of the bag and with the product in the bag.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means includes means releasable without fracturing of said wall means to allow turning of a said collar to untwist said region of the bag adjacent said opening in a direction to open said open end of the bag.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said opening in said collar is sized to frictionally engage and circumscribe a section of the bag whereby friction between the bag and the collar retains the collar in said position for closing the bag and whereby additional means are provided on the bag, with the product in the bag, for retaining the bag in twisted position.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means includes means for securing the collar to a substantially untwisted section of the bag.

5. A combination as defined in claim I wherein said collar is at least somewhat rigid.

6. In a package for a product, the combination of:

a relatively flexible bag having wall means to confine the product and an opening at one end of said wall means through which the product can pass in a snug fit to provide a support for the bag against inward collapse and to cause a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration;

a collar affixed to the wall means at an outer section of the wall means adjacent the opening therein, said collar having an opening therein in general registry with the opening in said wall means, said collar filling over at least a portion of the bag and having force fit with the bag with the product in the bag, said opening in said collar being of sufficient size to permit passage of the product therethrough;

said bag being of sufficient length so that when the product is in the bag a particular region of said wall means of said bag lies intermediate the end of the product and said affixation of said collar to said wall means, said particular region of said wall means having sufficient length to close the opening in the wall means by twisting of said particular region of said wall means, said particular region of said wall means being twistable by turning said collar, the twisting of said particular region by the turning of said collar causing said opening to be of said wall means; and

the collar being provided with an opening corresponding to the opening in the bag, with the product in the bag. to retain the product in the bag by, the force of friction when the bag has been twisted. Y 7. A combination as defined in claim 6' wherein said collar is in the form of a ring, said ring being movable generally axially closed by opposite ends following the turning thereof to a position in which it circumscribes the bag adjacent one end of the product.

8. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said collar is in the form of a sleeve, one end portion of said sleeve being affixed to said wall means at the outer section of the wall means and the other end portion of said sleeve circumscribing a portion of said bag which receives the product therein.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8 including an end closure for closing said one end portion of said sleeve.

10. In a package for a product, the combination of: wall means defining a relatively flexible bag having an opening therein for receiving the product; said product providing support for the bag against inward collapse and causing a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration;

said product terminating short of the opening in the bag so that a region of the bag projects beyond the end of the product with a sufficient length to provide for a twisting of this region to a closed position;

a collar attached to said region of the flexible bag adjacent the opening in the bag. said collar having an opening therein in general registry with the opening in said bag; and

said collar being turnable to twist said region of the bag to close said opening in said bag with at least a double layer of the wall means, said collar fitting over at least a section of said bag and being retainable thereby, said collar having a force fit on the bag, with the product in the bag, to retain the region of the bag in the twisted condition by friction.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said collar extends along the bag at the positions wherethe product is

Claims

1. In a package for a product, the combination of: a bag having wall means for confining the product and at least one open end, the region of the bag adjacent said open end being sufficiently flexible to permit twisting thereof, said open end being of sufficient size to permit the product to pass therethrough; said bag receiving the product in a snug fit to provide a support by the product for the bag against inward collapse and to cause a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration; a collar having an opening of sufficient size to permit the product to pass therethrough, said collar being affixed to said region of the bag adjacent said open end; said bag having sufficient length to extend beyond the product in the bag, through the region of the bag adjacent the open end of the bag, a sufficient distance to allow closure of the open end of the bag by twisting of said region of the bag, said region of the bag adjacent the open end being twistable by turning of said collar relative to the product in the bag; and the collar having an opening corresponding to the opening in the bag with the product in the bag and disposed in force fit to the bag to provide a frictional relationship between the bag and the collar in the twisted position of the bag and with the product in the bag.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said collar is at least somewhat rigid.

6. In a package for a product, the combination of: a relatively flexible bag having wall means to confine the product and an opening at one end of said wall means through which the product can pass in a snug fit to provide a support for the bag against inward collapse and to cause a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration; a collar affixed to the wall means at an outer section of the wall means adjacent the opening therein, said collar having an opening therein in general registry with the opening in said wall means, said collar filling over at least a portion of the bag and having force fit with the bag with the product in the bag, said opening in said collar being of sufficient size to permit passage of the product therethrough; said bag being of sufficient length so that when the product is in the bag a particular region of said wall means of said bag lies intermediate the end of the product and said affixation of said collar to said wall means, said particular region of said wall means having sufficient length to close the opening in the wall means by twisting of said particular region of said wall means, said particular region of said wall means being twistable by turning said collar, the twisting of said particular region by the turning of said collar causing said opening to be closed by opposite ends of said wall means; and the collar being provided with an opening corresponding to the opening in the bag, with the product in the bag, to retain the product in the bag by the force of friction when the bag has been twisted.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said collar is in the form of a ring, said ring being movable generally axially following the turning thereof to a position in which it circumscribes the bag adjacent one end of the product.

10. In a package for a product, the combination of: wall means defining a relatively flexible bag having an opening therein for receiving the product; said product providing support for the bag against inward collapse and causing a segment of the bag to assume a predetermined cross-sectional configuration; said product terminating short of the opening in the bag so that a region of the bag projects beyond the end of the product with a sufficient length to provide for a twisting of this region to a closed position; a collar attached to said region of the flexible bag adjacent the opening in the bag, said collar having an opening therein in general registry with the opening in said bag; and said collar being turnable to twist said region of the bag to close said opening in said bag with at least a double layer of the wall means, said collar fitting over at least a section of said bag and being retainable thereby, said collar having a force fit on the bag, with the product in the bag, to retain the region of the bag in the twisted condition by friction.

11. A combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said collar extends along the bag at the positions where the product is retained in the bag.

12. A combination as defined in claim 10 including bonding means for bonding said collar to said bag adjacent the open end of the bag.