US20070248292A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070248292A1
Application number: US11/411,356
Authority: US
Inventors: Tim Wolf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-25
Filing date: 2006-04-25
Publication date: 2007-10-25
Also published as: WO2007127178A3; WO2007127178A2

Abstract

The snack bag includes an opening edge having a first resilient member and another opening edge having a second resilient member. Opposite to the opening edges is a portion of the snack bag which functions as a base for placement on a surface. The first and second resilient members retain the snack bag in an open configuration where the snack bag functions as a container in a manner similar to a bowl. The opening edges may be re-sealable. In alternative embodiments the base may be formed of expansion ridges which may extend outwardly for positioning on a surface to maintain the opened snack bag in a substantially upright orientation for positioning of the opening edges vertically to provide convenient access to the contents of the snack bag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages for snack food items are generally formed of film and may be constructed in the shape of a pouch. A designated tear seam or area is usually disposed proximate to the top of the package. The base of the package is normally formed of a single seam. Once a package of snack food items has been opened, an individual is generally unable to place the package in an upright position, to provide access through the open top. Access into the open end or top of the package usually requires an individual to use two hands, one hand holding the package, and the other hand retrieving the contents of the package for consumption. Placement of the package on the side, in order to obtain access to the package contents, is generally inconvenient. In the past, the shape of the pouch or package of snack food items has restricted the orientation of the package when placed on a surface. A package placed on a surface is generally required to rest on the side of the package, during periods of time when the package is not being held by an individual.

A need exists for a self-contained snack package which may be placed in a self-standing upright orientation following the opening of the package. A need exists for a snack package which permits an individual to use one hand to access the interior of the package to retrieve snack food items.

In the past, a number of snack food packages have failed to incorporate the use of resealing seams, or features for re-sealing, once the package had been opened. The absence of re-sealing seams has frequently resulted in the waste of snack food items, due to the snack food items becoming stale. Numerous mechanical items such as clips have been used by individuals to attempt to re-seal previously opened packages of snack food items to prolong freshness.

No snack food package is known which enables an opened package to be placed on a surface in an upright orientation, in order to provide access into the package interior for retrieval of snack food items. No snack food package is known which enables the use of an upright package having a re-sealing open edge to prolong freshness of snack food items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The snack bag generally includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a front, and a central rear seam. The central rear seam is the portion of the package which may be opened to provide access to the snack food items. First and second resilient members are preferably integral to the interior edges of the central rear seam. The first and second resilient members may be manipulated by an individual into an open configuration. The snack bag may then be placed on a surface with the front face downwardly, and the central rear seam upwardly, to provide to an individual with the opportunity to retrieve snack food items. The first and second resilient members retain the snack bag in an open configuration following placement of the package on a horizontal surface.

The snack bag may alternatively be formed of a front having a top edge, which in turn may include a first expansion edge. On the front, opposite to the top, a bottom edge may be provided having a second expansion edge. The front may also include an opening edge having a first resilient member. Opposite to the opening edge is located a base side having a central ridge and a first base ridge.

The snack bag may include a back having a top edge which may also include a third expansion edge. On the back, opposite to the top, a bottom edge may be provided having a fourth expansion edge. The back may also have an opening edge including a second resilient member. A second base ridge may be located opposite to the opening edge.

The engagement between the top edges of the front and back define a first end point. The engagement between the bottom edges of the front and back define a third end point. The distal end of the first expansion edge defines a second end point; the distal end of the second expansion edge defines a fourth end point; the distal edge of the third expansion edge defines a fifth end point; and the distal end of the fourth expansion edge defines a sixth end point.

The central ridge may be a fold or seam which extends between the first and third end points. The first base ridge may also be a fold or seam extending between the second and fourth end points. The second base ridge may also be a fold or seam extending between the fifth and sixth end points.

The first and second resilient members may be constructed and arranged to retain an open shape, separating the resilient members and the opening edges of the front and back, following the opening of the snack bag.

In some embodiments, the first base ridge and the second base ridge may be constructed and arranged to expand outwardly into a substantially planar alignment with the central ridge, when the opening edges of the front and back are separated. The substantial planar orientation of the first base ridge, central ridge, and second base ridge preferably functions as a base, so that an open snack bag may be placed on a surface, and maintained in an open position to facilitate retrieval of the contents of the package by an individual.

The front, back, first base ridge, central ridge, and second base ridge may be formed of an integral one piece film as commonly used in snack bags. Alternatively, the snack bag may be formed of multiple sections of film bonded or engaged together in the configuration of the snack bag as identified herein.

The openings between the front and back may include mating re-sealable members to prolong the life of packaged snack items following the initial opening of the package. The resilient members as well as the re-sealing members may extend the entire length dimension, or a portion thereof, of the open side of the snack bag.

In a pre-delivery state, the first base ridge may be folded for positioning adjacent to the second base ridge. In the deployed state, a substantially planar relationship may exist between the first base ridge, the central ridge, and the second base ridge, where the first and second base ridges, as well as the central ridge, function as a base for the open snack bag as placed on a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a prior art snack bag.

FIG. 2 shows a front isometric view of the snack bag.

FIG. 3 shows an environmental view of the snack bag.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative isometric view of the snack bag.

FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the base side of the snack bag.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the line of6-6 ofFIG. 5 in the expanded or deployed configuration.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional end view taken along the lines of6-6 ofFIG. 5 in the pre-deployment non-expanded configuration.

FIG. 8 is an alternative isometric view of the snack bag.

FIG. 9 is an alternative isometric view of the snack bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

Various embodiments of the inventive snack bag are illustrated and described herein. In general, the snack bag is referred to by the numeral10.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 is formed of film which minimizes oxygen permeation into the interior of the bag. The film selected for the snack bag preferably prolongs the shelf-life and reduces spoilage of previously packaged snack food items.

During packaging, snack bags, immediately prior to the initial sealing, may be flushed with nitrogen to reduce the presence of oxygen. Flushing a snack bag with nitrogen may improve the shelf life for the packaged snack items.

In the past, snack bags and/or packages have generally been formed into the shape of a square or rectangular pouch. These snack packages have generally been opened by the tearing of the packages adjacent a top seam, to expose the contents of the package for consumption by individuals.

In the past, the placement of an open snack package on a surface was problematic. Once a snack bag or package has been opened, the package does not remain upright, and the contents of the package frequently spill from the package when the package is placed on a surface. The snack bags or packages as known have been required to be placed on a package side following opening, risking the loss of the contents during placement on a surface. Another problem with the snack packages as known involves the difficulty to retrieve items from the interior of the package once the package has been disposed on its side.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a substantially rectangular snack package includes a top, a bottom, a vertical side, and abase side26 opposite to the vertical side. One of the vertical sides has been designated as the principal location for opening of the package. The opposite vertical side is designated as a base. Once the package has been opened, the package may be rotated 90° for positioning of the open side upwardly, where thebase side26 includes acentral ridge28, a firstbase side ridge30, and asecond base ridge48, all of which may be expanded and serve as a base for the bag. The package as placed on a surface will generally not tip over or spill the contents of the package. In addition, the upright configuration of the package on thebase side26 enables an individual to conveniently retrieve the contents of the package through an opening as positioned vertically relative to a surface. The utility of the snack bag is therefore substantially improved.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 includes a front12 having a first ortop edge14. A portion of the first ortop edge14 may be defined as afirst expansion edge16.

In some embodiments, the snack bag10 includes a second orbottom edge18 which is opposite to the first ortop edge14. A portion of thesecond edge18 may be defined as thesecond expansion edge20. In at least one embodiment, a third orvertical edge22 extends between thefirst edge14 and thesecond edge18. The third orvertical edge22 preferably includes a firstresilient member24. The third orvertical edge22 is preferably the portion of the snack bag10 which may be opened to provide access to the contents of a snack bag10.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 includes avertical base side26 which is opposite to thethird edge22. Thebase side26 generally extends between thefirst edge14 and thesecond edge18. Thebase side26 generally includes thecentral ridge28 and thefirst base ridge30. Thebase side26 may also include thesecond base ridge48.

In some embodiments, the snack bag10 includes a back32 having a fourth ortop edge34. A portion of the fourth ortop edge34 may be defined as thethird expansion edge36.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 includes a fifth orbottom edge38 which is opposite to the fourth ortop edge34. A portion of the fifth orbottom edge38 may be defined as thefourth expansion edge40.

In some embodiments, a sixth orvertical edge42 extends between thefourth edge34 and thefifth edge38. The sixth orvertical edge42 preferably includes the secondresilient member44. The sixth orvertical edge42 is preferably the portion of the snack bag10 which is opened to provide access into the contents of the snack bag10.

In at least one embodiment, thecentral ridge28 extends between thefirst edge14 and thesecond edge18. In some embodiments, thefirst base ridge30 extends between thefirst expansion edge16 and thesecond expansion edge20.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 includes asecond base ridge48 which extends between thethird expansion edge36 and thefourth expansion edge40.

In some embodiments, the front12 and back32 are formed of a single sheet of film material. In alternative embodiments, the front12 and back32 may be formed of independent sections/portions of film material having identical or similar performance characteristics, related to the prevention of oxygen permeation across the film membrane.

In at least one embodiment, a portion of thefirst edge14 is engaged to a portion of thefourth edge34. The portion of thefirst edge14 may be engaged to the portion of thefourth edge34 through bonding or through the use of adhesives or other chemical or mechanical attachment. Preferably, the engagement between a portion of thefirst edge14 and a portion of thefourth edge34 creates a top, substantially integral horizontal seam for the snack bag10. The engagement between a portion of thefirst edge14 and a portion of thefourth edge34 also preferably defines afirst corner62 adjacent to the third orvertical edge22, and afirst end point50 which is disposed proximate to thebase side26.

In some embodiments, thefirst edge14 may be folded upon itself to define thefirst expansion edge16. The portion of thefirst edge14 may be bonded to the adjacent folded portion of thefirst edge14, or may be engaged thereto through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thefirst expansion edge16. Thefirst expansion edge16 in at least one embodiment, therefore defines asecond end point52, which is distal to thefirst end point50, and is opposite to thefirst corner62. In at least one embodiment, a portion or at least one point of thefirst expansion edge16, is also engaged to thefirst end point50. Thefirst expansion edge16 in some embodiments is elastically or moveably engaged to thefirst end point50 permitting outward expansion during the formation of thebase26 of the snack bag10.

In some embodiments, thefourth edge34 may be folded upon itself to define thethird expansion edge36. The portion of thefourth edge34 may be bonded to the adjacent folded portion of thefourth edge34, or may be engaged thereto through the adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thethird expansion edge36. Thethird expansion edge36 in at least one embodiment defines afifth end point58, which is distal to thefirst end point50, and is opposite to thefirst corner62. In at least one embodiment, at least one point of thethird expansion edge36 is engaged to thefirst end point50. Thethird expansion edge36 in some embodiments is elastically or moveably engaged to thefirst end point50, permitting outward expansion during the formation of thebase26 of the snack bag10.

In some embodiments, a portion of thesecond edge18 may be engaged to a portion of thefifth edge38. The portion of thesecond edge18 may be engaged to the portion of thefifth edge38 through bonding, or through the use of adhesives or other chemical or mechanical attachment. Preferably, the engagement between a portion of thesecond edge18 and a portion of thefifth edge38, creates a bottom, substantially integral horizontal seam for the snack bag10. The engagement between a portion of thesecond edge18 and a portion of thefifth edge38 also preferably defines asecond corner64. Thesecond corner64 is preferably adjacent to the third orvertical edge22. The engagement between a portion of thesecond edge18 and a portion of thefifth edge38 also preferably defines athird end point54 which is disposed proximate to thebase side26.

In some embodiments, thesecond edge18 may be folded upon itself to define thesecond expansion edge20. The portion of thesecond edge18 may be bonded to the adjacent folded portion of thesecond edge18, or may be engaged thereto through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thesecond expansion edge20. Thesecond expansion edge20, in at least one embodiment, defines afourth end point56 which is distal to thethird end point54, and is opposite to thesecond corner64. In at least one embodiment, at least one point of thesecond expansion edge20 is engaged to thethird end point54. Thesecond expansion edge20 in some embodiments may be elastically or moveably engaged to thethird end point54, permitting outward expansion during the formation of the base of the snack bag10.

In some embodiments, thefifth edge38 may be folded upon itself to define thefourth expansion edge40. The portion of thefifth edge38 may be bonded to the adjacent folded portion of thefifth edge38, or may be engaged thereto through the use of adhesives and/or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thefourth expansion edge40. Thefourth expansion edge40 in at least one embodiment defines asixth end point60 which is distal to thethird end point54, and is opposite to thesecond corner64. In at least one embodiment, at least one point on thefourth expansion edge40 is engaged to thethird end point54. Thefourth expansion edge40 in some embodiments is elastically or moveably engaged to thethird end point54 permitting outward expansion during the formation of thebase26 of the snack bag10.

In some embodiments, the opening edges, namely, thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 are initially sealed. Opening of the snack bag10 may occur through the tearing of previously bonded film, or through any other conventional opening means. Once the seal between thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 has been broken or opened, then thethird edge22 may be separated from thesixth edge42.

In at least one embodiment, the firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 may be manipulated for separation relative to each other to facilitate the opening of the snack bag10, and the retention of the snack bag10 in an open orientation. In the open orientation, the firstresilient member24 preferably has acquired an arcuate shape, which in turn translates the arcuate shape to thethird edge22. In some embodiments, the secondresilient member44 is preferably manipulated into an arcuate open configuration, which in turn is translated to thesixth edge42.

In at least one embodiment, the space between the separatedthird edge22 andsixth edge42 defines the opening in the snack bag10 used to provide access to snack food items.

In some embodiments the firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 are formed of wire, metal, plastic, wood, rubber, composite materials, polymers, and any other material which is resiliently pliable and which may be manipulated into a desired shape, and retained in the desired shape during use of the snack bag10. The firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 may be coated or encased within another material at the discretion of an individual. The firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 may be engaged to the interior, or to the exterior, of thethird edge22 and/or thesixth edge42, respectively, through the use of adhesives, bonding, tape, or chemical or mechanical attachment means, or through the formation of pockets adapted for receipt of a resilient member. In the embodiments in which thethird edge22 and/or thesixth edge42 include pockets, the firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 may be fixedly or releasably disposed within a respective pocket.

In some embodiments, the opening between thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 will extend the entire length dimension between thefirst corner62 and thesecond corner64. Alternatively, the opening between thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 may be less than the entire length dimension between thefirst corner62 and thesecond corner64.

In at least one embodiment, thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 each include a mating re-sealing mechanism used to re-seal a previously opened snack bag10 to prolong freshness of snack items. The mating re-sealing mechanism may be formed as mating channels similar to Ziploc® bag or other known sealing devices.

In some embodiments, thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 are vacuum sealed together. In this embodiment, an individual may pull apart the respectivethird edge22 from thesixth edge42 to break the vacuum seal to provide access to transported snack food items.

In at least one embodiment, thefirst base ridge30,central ridge28, andsecond base ridge48 are formed as folds in the film material of the front12 and/or back32. Alternatively, thefirst base ridge30,central ridge28, andsecond base ridge48 may be formed as seams between adjacent sections of film material.

In some embodiments, the front12 and back32 are formed of a single integral sheet of film material. In other embodiments, the front12, back32, andbase26 of the snack bag10, including thecentral ridge28,first base ridge30, andsecond base ridge32, may be formed of more than a single portion or sheet of film material. In alternative embodiments, the front12, the back32, andbase26 may include one or more layers of film material to form the snack bag10.

In at least one embodiment, thefirst base ridge30 and asecond base ridge48 of thebase side26 function as symmetrical flaps of film material about the fold or seam of thecentral ridge28. In this embodiment, the flap of thefirst base ridge30 is positioned proximate to, and may be in contact with, the flap of thesecond base ridge48 in the pre-deployment configuration for thebase side26. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst base ridge30 may be positioned distal to thesecond base ridge48 in the pre-deployment configuration of thebase side26.

In some embodiments, thefirst base ridge30 andsecond base ridge48 expand outwardly away from thecentral ridge28 during expansion of thebase side26 to form thebase26 for the snack bag10. As thefirst base ridge30 and thesecond base ridge48 are manipulated outwardly, a significant portion of thefirst base ridge32, and a significant portion of thesecond base ridge48, obtain a substantially planar orientation with respect to thecentral ridge28, in order to provide the snack bag10 with a substantially flat base orbase side26. The snack bag10 may then be placed on a surface with the expanded base orbase side26 positioned downwardly.

In at least one embodiment, thebase side26,central ridge28,first base ridge30, andsecond base ridge48 are configured in an expanding bellows configuration, which permits thecentral ridge28 to be expanded for substantial alignment with thefirst base ridge30 and thesecond base ridge48. Depression of thecentral ridge28, in some embodiments, may also cause thefirst base ridge30 and thesecond base ridge48 to move outwardly in order to create astable base26 for the snack bag10.

In at least one embodiment, the expansion of thebase26 does not cause the separation of thefirst expansion edge16 or thethird expansion edge36 from thefirst end point50. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the expansion of thebase26 does not cause the separation of thesecond expansion edge20 orfourth expansion edge40 from thethird end point54.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 is displayed for purchase with thebase side26 and the opening edges, namely thethird edge22 andsixth edge42 in a vertical orientation. The exterior of the front12 and/or back32 may therefore be provided with any desired markings to identify the contents of the snack bag10 to facilitate sale.

In some embodiments, the snack bag10 may be rotated 90°, so that thethird edge22 and thesixth edge42 are disposed upwardly, prior to the opening of the bag10. Any markings on the exterior of the front12 and/or back32 will now be generally horizontally disposed. In this configuration, thebase side26,central ridge28,first base ridge30 andsecond base ridge48 are disposed downwardly. The opening of the snack bag10 may then occur which in turn will minimize the spilling of the contents, and the loss of packaged snack food items.

In at least one embodiment, the opening of the snack bag10, and the free standing placement of the snack bag10 on a surface, through expansion of thebase26, enables an individual to retrieve snack food items from theopening74. Theopening74 is maintained by the outward positioning of the first and second

resilient members

24,44 respectively. The utility of the snack bag10 is thereby maximized.

In some embodiments, an individual may reseal thethird edge22 to thesixth edge42 through the use of mating or interlocking channel members. The re-sealing of an open snack bag10 may prolong the life of previously packaged snack food items. Waste of purchased snack items may therefore be minimized.

In at least one embodiment, package markings may be placed or incorporated on the exterior of the front12 and/or back32 for display in a vertical orientation, where thethird edge22 and thebase side26 extend upwardly from thesecond edge18. In alternative embodiments, any desired package markings may be incorporated or placed onto the exterior of the front12 and/or back32 for display in a horizontal orientation, where thethird edge22 is positioned upwardly, and thebase side26 is disposed downwardly for placement on a surface. In this orientation, the snack bag10 is free standing and functions as a container in a manner similar to a bowl.

In some embodiments the snack bag10 may include adisplay tab70 which is used to engage a hanger as a portion of a retail display device. Thedisplay tab70 may be integral or affixed to thefirst edge14 and/or thefourth edge34, or to any other portion of the snack bag10 as desired. Thedisplay tab70 may be engaged to thefirst edge14 and/or thefourth edge34 through the use of bonding, adhesives, chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other desired fastening means.

In at least one embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 8, an alternative snack bag10 may be formed through the insertion of athird corner66 and afourth corner68 inwardly, into the interior of the snack bag10. The interior insertion of thethird corner66 and thefourth corner68, in at least one embodiment, creates thefirst base ridge30,central ridge28, andsecond base ridge48. In this embodiment, afirst expansion edge16,second expansion edge20,third expansion edge36, andfourth expansion edge40 are not required.

In some embodiments, as depicted inFIG. 8, thebase side26 includes a single base edge which translates into thecentral ridge28 upon the folded insertion of thethird corner66 anfourth corner68 inwardly into the interior of the snack bag10. In at least one embodiment, the remaining elements of the front12, back32, top orfirst edge14, back orfourth edge34,first corner62,third edge22, firstresilient member24,sixth edge42, secondresilient member44,second corner64, second orbottom edge18, and/orfifth edge38 are substantially identical to the embodiments as previously identified herein.

In at least one embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 9, an alternative snack bag10 is shown. The snack bag10 ofFIG. 9 includes an integral front12 (not shown) and a back32 having acentral seam72. Thecentral seam72 generally extends between thefourth edge34 and thefifth edge38. Thecentral seam72 is generally positioned approximately equal distances between thefirst corner62 and thefourth corner68, as well as thesecond corner64 and thethird corner66. Thecentral seam72 may in an alternative embodiment be offset relative to a center line which extends from the midpoint between thefirst corner62 and thefourth corner68, along thefourth edge34, and the midpoint between thesecond corner64 and thethird corner66, along thefifth edge38. Thecentral seam72 may therefore be positioned closer to either thefirst side edge76 or thesecond side edge78.

In at least one embodiment, thecentral seam72 may extend in a substantially parallel direction with respect to thefourth edge34 and thefifth edge38. In yet another alternative embodiment thecentral seam72 may extend in a diagonal direction between either thefirst corner62 and thethird corner66 or thesecond corner64 and thefourth corner68.

Thecentral seam72 preferably includes afirst opening edge80 and asecond opening edge82 which are similar to thethird opening edge22 and thesixth opening edge42 ofFIGS. 3, 4, and6 as earlier described. Thefirst opening edge80 includes the firstresilient member24 and thesecond opening edge82 includes the secondresilient member44.

In some embodiments thecentral seam72 is folded for flush positioning relative to the back32 in the pre-deployment configuration. Thecentral seam72 is preferably lifted upwardly to be substantially perpendicular with the plane of the back32 immediately prior to the opening of the snack bag10. Any seal between thefirst opening edge80 and thesecond opening edge82 may then be broken to open the snack bag10. Following the breaking or tearing of any freshness seal, then thefirst opening edge80 and thesecond opening edge82 may be separated as depicted inFIG. 9. In the configuration as identified inFIG. 9 the firstresilient member24 and the secondresilient member44 function as an open mouth, to retain the snack bag10 in an open deployed configuration, to provide access into the interior of the snack bag10, when the snack bag10 has been placed on a surface. In at least one embodiment, thefront face12 of the snack bag10 is in contact with a surface when the snack bag10 has been placed in the deployed configuration. In at least one embodiment as depicted inFIG. 9, thefront12 of the snack bag10 functions as the base26 in the deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, theopening74 in the back32 is disposed upwardly so that the snack bag10 may function as a free standing container in a manner similar to a bowl.

In at least one embodiment the front12 and the back32 are formed of a single sheet of film material. In this embodiment thefirst edge14 and thefourth edge34 may be bonded together, or may be engaged together, through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form the top edge of the snack bag10. In this embodiment thesecond edge18 and thefifth edge38 may be bonded together, or may be engaged together, through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form the bottom edge of the snack bag10. In this embodiment thefirst side edge76 and thesecond side edge78 may be folds in the film material.

In some embodiments the front12 and the back32 may be formed of one or more sheets of film material. In this embodiment thefirst edge14 and thefourth edge34 may be bonded together, or may be engaged together, through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form the top edge of the snack bag10. In this embodiment thesecond edge18 and thefifth edge38 may be bonded together, or may be engaged together, through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form the bottom edge of the snack bag10.

In at least one embodiment thefirst side edge76 may be formed by the bonding of the front12 to the back32. Alternatively, thefirst side edge76 may be formed by the engagement of the front12 to the back32 through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thefirst side edge76.

In at least one embodiment thesecond side edge78 may be formed by bonding of the front12 to the back32. Alternatively, thesecond side edge78 may be formed by the engagement of the front12 to the back32 through the use of adhesives or chemical or mechanical attachment, tape, or any other fastening means, to form thesecond side edge78.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag10 includes: a front comprising a first edge having a first expansion edge, a second edge opposite to the first edge, said second edge having a second expansion edge, a third edge extending between the first edge and the second edge, said third edge comprising a first resilient member, and a base side opposite to the third edge extending between the first edge and the second edge, said base side comprising a central ridge, and a first base ridge; and a back comprising a fourth edge having a third expansion edge, a fifth edge opposite to the fourth edge, the fifth edge having a fourth expansion edge, a sixth edge extending between the fourth edge and the fifth edge, said sixth edge having a second resilient member, and a second base ridge extending between the third edge and the fourth edge, a portion of said first edge being engaged to a portion of said fourth edge defining a first end point, said first expansion member being engaged to said first end point defining a second end point on said first expansion edge, a portion of said second edge being engaged to a portion of said sixth edge defining a third end point, said second expansion edge being engaged to said third end point defining a fourth end point on said second expansion edge, said third expansion edge being engaged to said first end point defining a fifth end point on said third expansion edge, said fourth expansion edge being engaged to said third end point defining a sixth end point on said fourth expansion edge, said central ridge extending between said first end point and said second end point, said first base ridge extending between said second end point and said fourth end point, and said second base ridge extending between said fifth end point and said sixth end point.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the front comprising said central ridge, said first base ridge, and said second base ridge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the front comprising said central ridge and said first base ridge, said back comprising said second base ridge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the front and said back being integral to each other.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the third edge and said sixth edge comprising mating re-sealable members.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the first resilient member extending substantially the entire length dimension of said third edge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the second resilient member extending substantially the entire length dimension of said sixth edge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the snack bag having a first pre-deployed position/configuration wherein said first base ridge is proximate to said second base ridge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally has a second deployed position/configuration wherein said first base ridge and said second base ridge are distal to each other substantially defining a plane between said first base ridge, said central ridge, and said second base ridge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally has the first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to facilitate the separation of said third edge from said sixth edge when said snack bag is in said deployed position/configuration.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the central ridge comprising a fold, the first base ridge comprising a fold, the second base ridge comprising a fold, the central ridge comprising a seam, the first base ridge comprising a seam, and/or the second base ridge comprising a seam.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes: a front comprising a first opening edge comprising a first resilient member, a central ridge opposite to said first opening edge, and a first base ridge being engaged to said central ridge; and a back comprising a second opening edge comprising a second resilient member, and a second base ridge opposite to said second opening edge, said second base ridge being engaged to said central ridge, said first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to retain said first opening edge and said second opening edge in an open position, said first base ridge and said second base ridge being constructed and arranged for substantial planar alignment with said central ridge when said first opening edge is separated from said second opening edge in said open position.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the front and the back being integral to each other.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes said first opening edge and said second opening edge each comprising mating re-sealable members.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes a first pre-deployed position wherein said first base ridge is proximate to said second base ridge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes a front and a back, said back comprising a central seam, said central seam comprising a first opening edge comprising a first resilient member, and a second opening edge comprising a second resilient member, said first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to retain said first opening edge and said second opening edge in a first separated deployed configuration, said front being constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to a surface in said first separated deployed configuration.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, a fourth corner, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes said front and said back being integral to each other and said first opening edge and said second opening edge comprising mating re-sealable members.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes said first resilient member extending substantially the entire length dimension of said first opening edge and said second resilient member extending substantially the entire length dimension of said second opening edge.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes the a first pre-deployed configuration wherein said central seam is proximate to said back and a second deployed configuration wherein said central seam is substantially perpendicular to said back.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes said first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to facilitate the separation of said first opening edge from said second opening edge when said snack bag is in said deployed configuration.

In at least one embodiment, the snack bag additionally includes said central seam comprising a fold.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below (e.g. claim3 may be taken as alternatively dependent from claim2; claim4 may be taken as alternatively dependent on claim2, or on claim3;claim6 may be taken as alternatively dependent from claim5; etc.).

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. A snack bag comprising:

a) a front comprising a first edge having a first expansion edge, a second edge opposite to the first edge, said second edge having a second expansion edge, a third edge extending between the first edge and the second edge, said third edge comprising a first resilient member, and a base side opposite to the third edge extending between the first edge and the second edge, said base side comprising a central ridge, and a first base ridge; and

b) a back comprising a fourth edge having a third expansion edge, a fifth edge opposite to the fourth edge, the fifth edge having a fourth expansion edge, a sixth edge extending between the fourth edge and the fifth edge, said sixth edge having a second resilient member, and a second base ridge extending between the third edge and the fourth edge, a portion of said first edge being engaged to a portion of said fourth edge defining a first end point, said first expansion member being engaged to said first end point defining a second end point on said first expansion edge, a portion of said second edge being engaged to a portion of said sixth edge defining a third end point, said second expansion edge being engaged to said third end point defining a fourth end point on said second expansion edge, said third expansion edge being engaged to said first end point defining a fifth end point on said third expansion edge, said fourth expansion edge being engaged to said third end point defining a sixth end point on said fourth expansion edge, said central ridge extending between said first end point and said second end point, said first base ridge extending between said second end point and said fourth end point, and said second base ridge extending between said fifth end point and said sixth end point.

2. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said front comprising said central ridge, said first base ridge, and said second base ridge.

3. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said front comprising said central ridge and said first base ridge, said back comprising said second base ridge.

4. The snack bag according toclaim 1, wherein said front and said back are integral to each other.

5. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said third edge and said sixth edge comprising mating re-sealable members.

6. The snack bag according toclaim 1, wherein said first resilient member extends substantially the entire length dimension of said third edge.

7. The snack bag according toclaim 1, wherein said second resilient member extends substantially the entire length dimension of said sixth edge.

8. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said snack bag having a first pre-deployed position wherein said first base ridge is proximate to said second base ridge.

9. The snack bag according toclaim 8, said snack bag having a second deployed position wherein said first base ridge and said second base ridge are distal to each other substantially defining a plane between said first base ridge, said central ridge, and said second base ridge.

10. The snack bag according toclaim 9, wherein said first resilient member and said second resilient member are constructed and arranged to facilitate the separation of said third edge from said sixth edge when said snack bag is in said deployed position.

11. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said central ridge comprising a fold.

12. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said first base ridge comprising a fold.

13. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said second base ridge comprising a fold.

14. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said central ridge comprising a seam.

15. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said first base ridge comprising a seam.

16. The snack bag according toclaim 1, said second base ridge comprising a seam.

17. The snack bag comprising:

a) a front comprising a first opening edge comprising a first resilient member, a central ridge opposite to said first opening edge, and a first base ridge being engaged to said central ridge; and

b) a back comprising a second opening edge comprising a second resilient member, and a second base ridge opposite to said second opening edge, said second base ridge being engaged to said central ridge, said first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to retain said first opening edge and said second opening edge in an open position, said first base ridge and said second base ridge being constructed and arranged for substantial planar alignment with said central ridge when said first opening edge is separated from said second opening edge in said open position.

18. The snack bag according toclaim 17, wherein said front and said back are integral to each other.

19. The snack bag according toclaim 17, said first opening edge and said second opening edge each comprising mating re-sealable members.

20. The snack bag according toclaim 17, further comprising a first pre-deployed position wherein said first base ridge is proximate to said second base ridge.

21. The snack bag comprising:

a front and a back, said back comprising a central seam, said central seam comprising a first opening edge comprising a first resilient member, and a second opening edge comprising a second resilient member, said first resilient member and said second resilient member being constructed and arranged to retain said first opening edge and said second opening edge in a first separated deployed configuration, said front being constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to a surface in said first separated deployed configuration.

22. The snack bag according toclaim 21, further comprising, a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, a fourth corner, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge.

23. The snack bag according toclaim 21, wherein said front and said back are integral to each other.

24. The snack bag according toclaim 21, said first opening edge and said second opening edge comprising mating re-sealable members.

25. The snack bag according toclaim 21, wherein said first resilient member extends substantially the entire length dimension of said first opening edge.

26. The snack bag according toclaim 21, wherein said second resilient member extends substantially the entire length dimension of said second opening edge.

27. The snack bag according toclaim 21, said snack bag having a first pre-deployed configuration wherein said central seam is proximate to said back.

28. The snack bag according toclaim 21, said snack bag having a second deployed configuration wherein said central seam is substantially perpendicular to said back.

29. The snack bag according toclaim 21, wherein said first resilient member and said second resilient member are constructed and arranged to facilitate the separation of said first opening edge from said second opening edge when said snack bag is in said deployed configuration.

30. The snack bag according toclaim 21, said central seam comprising a fold.