US20130323369A1

US20130323369A1 - Compact microwavable bag

Info

Publication number: US20130323369A1
Application number: US13/482,938
Authority: US
Inventors: Rand Peterman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-29
Filing date: 2012-05-29
Publication date: 2013-12-05

Abstract

The present invention is a compact microwavable bag that includes a base bag that includes a top, a front side, a pair of sides, a bottom and an interior portion and a sealing strip that is disposed on the top of the base bag and utilizes a reclosable tongue and groove fastener to place one or more food items into the interior portion of the base bag. The compact microwavable bag also includes a venting aperture that releases steam that forms during microwaving the compact microwavable bag and one or more compartments that contain the one or more foods that are heated or cooked.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Currently there have been limited developments in alternative methods to store and heat leftovers. It is often common practice to use a plastic container to store and heat left overs, however they tend to spill or become ruined during a microwaving process resulting in a big clean-up for users.
The present invention generally relates to a bag. More specifically, the invention is a compact microwavable bag.
It is an object of the invention to provide a compact microwavable bag that can heat and cook one or more left over foods without the foods mixing together.
It is an object of the invention to provide a compact microwavable bag that releases steam as one or more foods are heated or cooked to prevent steam from building-up and quickly releasing when opening the compact microwavable bag.
It is an object of the invention to provide a compact microwavable bag that is foldable to enable relatively easier storage.
What is really needed is a compact microwavable bag that can heat and cook one or more left over foods without the foods mixing together that releases steam as one or more foods are heated or cooked to prevent steam from building-up and quickly releasing when opening the compact microwavable bag that is foldable to enable relatively easier storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a compact microwavable bag, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a compact microwavable bag 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The compact microwavable bag 100 includes a base bag 110, a sealing strip 120, a venting aperture 130 and one or more compartments 140.
The compact microwavable bag 100 is made of relatively thin plastic material but can be made of any suitable material such as paper. The compact microwavable bag 100 can also be made of recycled materials. The compact microwavable bag 100 can also be used as a receptacle to contain one or more foods to be frozen. The base bag 110 is a generally rectangular-shaped bag 112 that includes a top 114, a front side 116, a pair of sides 117, a bottom 118 and an interior portion 119. The pair of sides 117 is foldable to provide convenience to more easily store the compact microwavable bag 100. The sealing strip 120 is disposed on the top 114 of the base bag 110 and utilizes a reclosable tongue and groove fastener 122 to place one or more food items into the interior portion 119 of the base bag 110 to be heated by a microwave oven and to remove the one or more food items after heating, although other suitable reclosable fasteners can be utilized. The venting aperture 130 releases steam that may form during microwaving the compact microwavable bag 100. The venting aperture 130 is disposed on the front side 116 of the base bag 110 but can be disposed on any suitable location on the base bag 110 such as a side 117 of the base bag 110. The one or more compartments 140 can contain one or more foods to be heated or cooked by a microwave oven to prevent a plurality of foods from mixing together while being heated or cooked. The one or more compartments 140 are set within the interior portion 119 of the base bag 110.
The compact microwavable bag is a compact food bag that introduces a modern approach to storing and heating leftovers. Made of relatively thin plastic material, the compact microwavable bag possesses a flat bottom storage design with a zip-lock tongue and groove fastener, a removable top and a front positioned vent hole, which permits steam to escape when microwaving the compact microwavable bag. Made with a single serving or a plurality of food compartments for larger portions or a plurality of portions, the compact microwavable bag allows a user to place leftovers within the compact microwavable bag, seal the compact microwavable bag, and after heating the compact microwavable bag with a microwave oven, promptly remove the perforated top to use the compact microwavable bag as a ready to serve receptacle. The compact microwavable bag offers a low-cost and low-volume alternative to traditional plastic containers for food preparation. The feature of a reusable food bag, which can be utilized for freezer storage as well as for microwaving food, can develop into a versatile household necessity.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

1. A compact microwavable bag, comprising:

a base bag that includes a top, a front side, a pair of sides, a bottom and an interior portion;

a sealing strip that is disposed on said top of said base bag and utilizes a reclosable tongue and groove fastener to place one or more food items into said interior portion of said base bag;

a venting aperture that releases steam that forms during microwaving said compact microwavable bag; and

one or more compartments that contain said one or more foods that are heated or cooked.

2. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said base bag is a generally rectangular-shaped bag.

3. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said one or more food items are heated by a microwave oven and removed after heating.

4. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said venting aperture is disposed on said front side of said base bag.

5. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said one or more compartments prevent said one or more foods from mixing together while heated or cooked.

6. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said one or more compartments are set within said interior portion of said base bag.

7. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 1, wherein said compact microwavable bag is made of thin plastic material.

8. A compact microwavable bag, comprising:

a generally rectangular-shaped base bag that includes a top, a front side, a pair of sides, a bottom and an interior portion;

a venting aperture that releases steam that forms during microwaving said compact microwavable bag, wherein said venting aperture is disposed on said front side of said base bag; and

9. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 8, wherein said pair of sides is foldable to provide convenience to easily store said compact microwavable bag.

10. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 8, wherein said one or more food items are heated by a microwave oven and removed after heating.

11. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 8, wherein said one or more compartments prevent said one or more foods from mixing together while heated or cooked.

12. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 8, wherein said one or more compartments are set within said interior portion of said base bag.

13. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 8, wherein said compact microwavable bag is made of thin plastic material.

14. A compact microwavable bag made of thin plastic material, comprising:

15. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said pair of sides is foldable to provide convenience to easily store said compact microwavable bag.

16. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said one or more food items are heated by a microwave oven and removed after heating.

17. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said one or more compartments prevent said one or more foods from mixing together while heated or cooked.

18. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said one or more compartments are set within said interior portion of said base bag.

19. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said one or more food items are stored in said base bag and are frozen.

20. The compact microwavable bag according to claim 14, wherein said compact microwavable bag is made of recycled materials.