Storage bag

Abstract

A flexible thermoplastic storage bag includes first and second sidewalls providing an internal volume for receiving and storing food items. The internal volume is accessible via an opening. To close the opening, the storage bag includes first and second closure features. The first closure feature may be a pair of interlocking fastening strips that can engage and release each other to allow for repeated opening and closing of the bag. The second closure feature can be a peel seal located proximate the opening. The peel seal can be opened by opposing pulling forces applied to first and second sidewalls. To further reusability of the storage bag, the peel seal can be configured as a reusable peel seal.

1 . A storage bag comprising:
 a first sidewall of flexible thermoplastic material;   a second sidewall of flexible thermoplastic material overlaying and joined to the first sidewall so as to provide an interior volume between opposing first and second inner surfaces of the respective first and second sidewalls, the interior volume being accessible via an opening;   first and second interlocking closure strips attached respectively to the first and second inner surfaces extending proximate the opening; and   a peel seal on the first and second inner surfaces, the peel seal being re-sealable.   
   
   
       2 . A storage bag comprising:
 a first sidewall of flexible thermoplastic material;   a second sidewall of flexible thermoplastic material overlying and joined to the first sidewall along a first side edge and a parallel second side edge to provide an interior volume between the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewall;   an opening for accessing the interior volume, the opening provided at the top edge extending between the first and second side edges;   first and second interlocking closure strips attached respectively to the first and second inner surfaces extending proximate the opening; and   a peel seal proximate a bottom edge opposite the top edge, the peel seal located on the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls and extending between the first and second side edges.   
   
   
       3 . The storage bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the peel seal is a re-sealable heat seal. 
   
   
       4 . The storage bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the peel seal is a re-sealable adhesive seal. 
   
   
       5 . The storage bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls includes a textured portion. 
   
   
       6 . The storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the peel seal is located between the opening and the first and second interlocking closure strips. 
   
   
       7 . The storage bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the peel seal is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polybutene, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, ionomers, acid copolymers, and blends thereof 
   
   
       8 . The bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein interlocking closure strips are selected from the group consisting of U-channel style fastening strips, profile style fastening strips, and arrowhead style fastening strips. 
   
   
       9 . The bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , further comprising a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the interior volume. 
   
   
       10 . The storage bag of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are comprised from a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, ionomers and metallized films. 
   
   
       11 . A method of storing and preserving food items comprising:
 (i) providing a storage bag having a first sidewall, a second sidewall overlaying and joined to the first sidewall to provide an interior volume accessible via an opening, and wherein at least one sidewall has a textured portion on an inner surface;   (ii) inserting food items into the interior volume;   (iii) evacuating air from the interior volume to preserve the food items;   (iv) sealing closed a peel seal located proximate the opening; and   (v) engaging first and second interlocking fastening strips located proximate the opening.