Storage bag with dimple features

Abstract

A storage bag has first and second closure profiles adjacent to an opening to the interior of the bag. The first and second closure profiles have dimples that are aligned opposite to each other. By way of example, the dimples of the first closure profile are formed as a concave surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and a convex surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the outside of the bag. Engaging of the dimples of the first closure profile with the dimples of the second closure profile provides at least one of a visual indication and a tactile sensation, when the interlocking member of the first closure profile is blocked with that of the second.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A storage bag comprising:
 a first side surface;   a second side surface connected to the first side surface so as to form an interior of the bag with an opening to the interior;   a first closure profile connected to the first side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the first closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along the length of the first closure profile between a first side of the first closure profile and a second side of the first closure profile, the first closure profile further including a set of dimples provided adjacent to the interlocking member, each of the dimples of the first closure profile being formed as a concave surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and a convex surface on the side of the first closure profile on the outside of the bag; and   a second closure profile connected to the second side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the second closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along at least the length of the second closure profile between a first side of the second closure profile and a second side of the second closure profile, the interlocking member being configured to interlock with the interlocking member of the first closure profile to form a seal for the opening of the bag, the second closure profile further including a set of dimples provided adjacent to the interlocking member, each of the dimples of the second closure profile being formed as a convex surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and a concave surface on the side of the second closure profile on the outside of the bag,   wherein a respective dimple on the first closure profile is aligned opposite to a corresponding dimple on the second closure profile, and the concave surfaces of the dimples on the first closure profile engage with the convex surfaces of the dimples on the second closure profile, such that the engaging of the dimples on the first closure profile with the dimples of the second closure profile provides at least one of a visual indication and a tactile sensation, when the interlocking member of the first closure profile is interlocked with the interlocking member of the second closure profile.   
     
     
         2 . A storage bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking member of (i) the first closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the first closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member, and (ii) the second closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the second closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member. 
     
     
         3 . The storage bag according to  claim 2 , wherein the dimples on the first closure profile are positioned in at least one of (i) an area above the first interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles, (ii) an area between the first and second interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles, and (iii) an area below the first and second interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles. 
     
     
         4 . A storage bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking member of the first closure profile and the interlocking member of the second closure profile are provided with a plurality of indentations that produce a sound when the interlocking members engage each other. 
     
     
         5 . A storage bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimples of (i) the first closure profile are evenly spaced from each other and provided throughout the length of the first closure profile, and (ii) the second closure profile are evenly spaced from each other and provided throughout the length of the second closure profile. 
     
     
         6 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein respective dimples on the first and second closure profiles have a substantially circular cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The bag according to  claim 6 , wherein respective dimples on the first and second closure profiles have a diameter of up to about 0.125 in. 
     
     
         8 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein respective dimples on the first and second closure profiles have a depth of up to about 20 mils. 
     
     
         9 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimples of the first closure profile are spaced about 0.25 in. to about 0.375 in. from each other, and the dimples of the second closure profile are spaced about 0.25 in. to about 0.375 in. from each other. 
     
     
         10 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking member of the first closure profile and the interlocking member of the second closure profile are configured to produce an audible sound when being interlocked together, and
 wherein the dimples on the first closure profile and the dimples on the second closure profile produce an audible sound when the dimples on the first closure profile engage with the dimples on the second closure profile.   
     
     
         11 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of (i) the dimples on the first closure profile and (ii) the dimples on the second closure profile are deformable, so as to change shape when pressed upon. 
     
     
         12 . A storage bag comprising:
 a first side surface;   a second side surface connected to the first side surface so as to form an interior of the bag with an opening to the interior;   a first closure profile connected to the first side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the first closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along the length of the first closure profile between a first side of the first closure profile and a second side of the first closure profile, the first closure profile further including a plurality of alignment structures provided adjacent to the interlocking member, the plurality of alignment structures being formed as ridge surfaces on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and groove surfaces on the side of the first closure profile on the outside of the bag; and   a second closure profile connected to the second side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the second closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along at least the length of the first closure profile between a first side of the first closure profile and a second side of the first closure profile, the interlocking member being configured to interlock with the interlocking member of the first closure profile to form a seal for the opening of the bag, the second closure profile further including a plurality of alignment structures provided adjacent to the interlocking member, the plurality of alignment structures being formed as groove surfaces on the side of the second closure profile facing the interior of the bag and ridge surfaces on the side of the second closure profile on the outside of the bag,   wherein a respective alignment structure of the first alignment structures on the first closure profile is aligned opposite to a corresponding alignment structure of the second alignment structures on the second closure profile, and the ridge surfaces of the alignment structures of the first alignment structures on the first closure profile engage with the groove surfaces of the alignment structures of the second closure profile, such that the engaging of the first alignment structures with the second alignment structures provides at least one of a visual indication and a tactile sensation, when the interlocking member of the first closure profile is interlocked with the interlocking member of the second closure profile.   
     
     
         13 . A storage bag according to  claim 12 , wherein the interlocking member of (i) the first closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the first closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member, and (ii) the interlocking member of the second closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the second closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member. 
     
     
         14 . The storage bag according to  claim 13 , wherein (i) the alignment structures of the first closure profile are positioned in at least one of an area above the first interlocking member, an area between the first and second interlocking members, and an area below the first and second interlocking members, and (ii) the alignment structures of the second closure profile are positioned in at least one of an area above the first interlocking member, an area between the first and second interlocking members, and an area below the first and second interlocking members. 
     
     
         15 . A storage bag according to  claim 12 , wherein the interlocking member of the first closure profile and the interlocking member of the second closure profile are provided with a plurality of indentations that produce a sound when the respective interlocking members engage each other. 
     
     
         16 . A storage bag according to  claim 12 , wherein the alignment structures of (i) the first closure profile are evenly spaced from each other and provided throughout the length of the first closure profile, and (ii) the alignment structures of the second closure profile are evenly spaced from each other and provided throughout the length of the second closure profile. 
     
     
         17 . A storage bag according to  claim 12 , wherein respective alignment structures of the first and second closure profiles have a depth of about 20 mils. 
     
     
         18 . A storage bag comprising:
 a first side surface;   a second side surface connected to the first side surface so as to form an interior of the bag with an opening to the interior;   a first closure profile connected to the first side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the first closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along the length of the first closure profile between a first side of the first closure profile and a second side of the first closure profile, the first closure profile further including a plurality of dimples provided adjacent to the interlocking member, each of the dimples of the first closure profile being formed as a concave surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and a convex surface on the side of the first closure profile on the outside of the bag; and   a second closure profile connected to the second side surface and positioned adjacent to the opening of the bag, the second closure profile including an interlocking member that extends along at least the length of the second closure profile between a first side of the second closure profile and a second side of the second closure profile, the interlocking member being configured to interlock with the interlocking member of the first closure profile to form a seal for the opening of the bag, the second closure profile further including a plurality of dimples provided adjacent to the interlocking member, each of the dimples of the second closure profile being formed as a convex surface on the side of the first closure profile facing the interior of the bag and a concave surface on the side of the second closure profile on the outside of the bag,   wherein the dimples on the first closure profile are offset from the dimples on the second closure profile, such that the dimples on the first and second closure profiles provide at least one of a visual indication and a tactile sensation, when the interlocking member of the first closure profile is interlocked with the interlocking member of the second closure profile.   
     
     
         19 . The bag according to  claim 18 , wherein respective dimples on the first and second closure profiles have a substantially circular cross section. 
     
     
         20 . The bag according to  claim 18 , wherein the interlocking member of (i) the first closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the first closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member, and (ii) the interlocking member of the second closure profile is a first interlocking member, and the second closure profile includes a second interlocking member that extends substantially parallel to the first interlocking member, and
 wherein the plurality of dimples on the first closure profile are positioned in at least one of (i) an area above the first interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles, (ii) an area between the first and second interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles, and (iii) an area below the first and second interlocking members of the first and second closure profiles.