Detachable Closure Device for a Bag

Abstract

A detachable closure device for a bag includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. A first attachment mechanism is disposed at a first end of the first wall and a second attachment mechanism is disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall. At least one latching element is disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.

1 . A detachable closure device for a bag, the detachable closure device comprising:
 a fastener including a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall;   a first attachment mechanism disposed at a first end of the first wall;   a second attachment mechanism disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall; and   at least one latching element disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second walls are hingedly connected at the fold. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one latching element comprises a pair of inter-engaging first and second elements, wherein the first element is provided on the first wall and the second element is provided on the second wall. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable closure device of  claim 3 , wherein the first element is disposed on a first inner surface of the first wall and is engageable with the second element disposed on a second inner surface of the second wall. 
     
     
         5 . The detachable closure device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second elements include a pair of clip elements, snap elements, hook-and-loop latching elements, hook and eye latching elements, socket and ball latching elements, button and hole latching elements, butterfly clasp latching elements, buckle and catch latching elements, or complementary magnetic latching elements. 
     
     
         6 . The detachable closure device of  claim 3 , wherein the first element is engageable with the second element through an aperture in a side panel of a bag that is proximate to an open top of the bag. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism includes an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a corresponding engaging member. 
     
     
         8 . The detachable closure device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second attachment mechanisms includes a flexible member extending from a respective end of the first wall. 
     
     
         9 . The detachable closure device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible member is a lanyard. 
     
     
         10 . The detachable closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism includes a first flexible member connected to an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a second flexible member connected to an engaging member that is configured to engage the insertion member. 
     
     
         11 . A disposable lunch bag for use with a detachable closure device, the disposable bag comprising:
 a polygonal bottom panel;   a plurality of planar, side panels each extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the polygonal bottom panel to form an edge at an open top; and   an engaging mechanism including at least one aperture situated proximate the edge of one of the planar, side panels through which opposing latching elements of a detachable closure device couple with one another.   
     
     
         12 . The disposable lunch bag of  claim 11 , wherein an upper portion of the plurality of planar, side panels are each made of flexible material such that, when the open top is occluded, two opposing planar, side panels are configured to roll down over each other toward the polygonal bottom panel. 
     
     
         13 . A bag comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a plurality of side panels each extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom panel to form a top edge of an open top; and   a detachable closure device removably attachable to the top edge of one of the side panels, the detachable closure device including:
 a fastener including a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall; 
 a first latching element disposed on the first wall and a second latching element disposed on the second wall, wherein the first latching element engages with the second latching element when the fold is placed over the top edge of the one side panel; and 
 first and second attachment mechanisms, each disposed at opposite corresponding ends of the first wall of the fastener. 
   
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the first attachment mechanism includes an insertion member and the second attachment mechanism includes a corresponding engaging member of a quick-release buckle. 
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second attachment mechanisms includes a flexible member extending from a respective end of the first wall. 
     
     
         16 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible member is a lanyard. 
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein two opposing side panels are configured to be rolled down over each other toward the bottom panel after the first latching element of the detachable closure device engages with the second latching element and the open top is occluded. 
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one of a durable container for food and a bottle for a drinkable fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of side panels are each made of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second walls of the detachable closure device are hingedly connected at the fold.