초록 ▼

A container, or package, that is separable for resizing the container after the contents are partially consumed. One or more mid-package separable seals are positioned between the top and bottom of a package. The seal in the sealed configuration flexibly provides package integrity with an air-tight

A container, or package, that is separable for resizing the container after the contents are partially consumed. One or more mid-package separable seals are positioned between the top and bottom of a package. The seal in the sealed configuration flexibly provides package integrity with an air-tight seal and connection. In the operated configuration, the seal separates the package into two sections, allowing the package to assume a size that is suitable for the volume of material remaining. In one embodiment, the mid-package separable seal includes a sealing strip that is adhesively attached to the outside of the package and covers a tear line/strip formed in the material of the package. Removal of the sealing strip allows the tear line to separate the package into two sections. In another embodiment, a connecting strip is attached to two sections of the package and the connecting strip has an integral tear line.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for storing a food product, said apparatus comprising: a bag formed of a flexible material, said bag configured to have a bottom seal and top seal for enclosing the food product therebetween, said bag defining a single volume between said bottom seal and said top seal, said bag havin

1. An apparatus for storing a food product, said apparatus comprising: a bag formed of a flexible material, said bag configured to have a bottom seal and top seal for enclosing the food product therebetween, said bag defining a single volume between said bottom seal and said top seal, said bag having a reclosable opening adjacent said top seal; anda removable seal between said top seal and said bottom seal, said removable seal encircling said first volume, said removable seal having both an elongated strip and a tear line encircling said single volume,said removable seal dividing said bag into a first bag section and a second bag section, said removable seal having a sealed configuration and an operated configuration, said removable seal in said sealed configuration joining said first and second bag sections with a sealed connection such that said first and second bag sections define said single volume, said elongated strip connecting said first bag section and said second bag section in said sealed configuration, said removable seal in said open configuration defining an opening in said second bag section and separating said first bag section from said second bag section, said tear line defining said first and second bag sections, said opening resealable, said second bag section dimensioned to contain a specified portion of the food product. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said specified portion of the food product is between approximately one-third and two-thirds of the food product that said bag is dimensioned to store. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated strip covers said tear line in said sealed configuration. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tear line has a line of weakness, said tear line encircling said bag, said line of weakness being separated when said removable seal is in said operated configuration. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said removable seal further includes a pull string for removing said elongated strip from said bag. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening in said second bag section formed by said removable seal in said operated configuration is resealable. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening in said second bag section formed by said removable seal in said operated configuration is resealable with a zip-lock type closure. 8. An apparatus for storing a food product, said apparatus comprising: a bag formed of a flexible material, said bag having a bottom seal, said bag having a first reclosable opening opposite said bottom seal, said bag between said bottom seal and said first reclosable opening defining a single volume; anda first removable seal encircling said bag between said bottom seal and said first reclosable opening, said removable seal having both an elongated strip and a tear line encircling said single volume, said first removable seal having a first configuration with said elongated strip joining a first bag section to a second bag section with a sealed connection, said first removable seal having a second configuration wherein said first bag section is separated from said second bag section at said tear line, said second bag section having a second reclosable opening adjacent said first removable seal wherein said second bag section is dimensioned to store a first portion of the food product and said second reclosable opening is resealable. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first removable seal is located between approximately one-third and two-thirds of a distance between said first reclosable opening and said bottom seal of said bag. 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further including a second removable seal encircling said bag between said bottom seal and said first removable seal, said second removable seal having a first configuration joining a portion of said second bag section to a third bag section with a sealed connection, said second removable seal having a second configuration wherein said portion of said second bag section is separated from said third bag section, said third bag section having a third reclosable opening adjacent said second removable seal wherein said third bag section is dimensioned to store a second portion of the food product. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first portion of the food product is approximately two-thirds of the food product that said bag is dimensioned to store and said second portion of the food product is approximately one-third of the food product. 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said elongated strip covers said tear line in said first configuration. 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tear line has a line of weakness, said tear line encircling said bag, said line of weakness separating when said first removable seal is in said second configuration. 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first removable seal further includes a pull string for removing said elongated strip from said bag. 15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second reclosable opening is resealable with a zip-lock type closure. 16. An apparatus forming a mid-package separable seal that allows a food package to be separable into two sections, said apparatus comprising: a bag formed of a flexible material joined at a top and a bottom, said bag having a first section adjacent said top and a second section adjacent said bottom, said first and second sections defining a volume, said bag configured to store a food product;an elongated strip encircling said bag and connecting said first section and said second section of said bag; anda tear line that encircles said bag between said first section and said second section of said bag, said tear line defining said first and second sections, said elongated strip and said tear line having a first configuration in which an integrity of said bag is maintained by connecting said first section to said second section with an air-tight seal, said elongated strip and said tear line having a second configuration in which said first section and said second section of said bag are separated such that said second section is dimensioned and configured to contain a portion of said food product and said second section has a more than minimal reduction in said volume of said bag and said second section is resealable when removed from said first section. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said tear line is a perforation formed in said bag and said elongated strip covers said tear line. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said tear line is a weakened section formed longitudinally in said elongated strip, and said first section and said second section each having an edge adjacent said tear line. 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second section is resealable after said first section is removed from said second section. 20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said tear line is located approximately one-half of a distance between said top and said bottom of said bag.