CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/431,874, which was filed on Dec. 12, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of waste storage bags. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel snacks and waste storage bag designed for the specific use of holding shells along with fresh nuts, seeds, and more. The bag has two independent compartments, a first compartment for holding fresh food items and a second compartment for holding shells. The device can also come in the form of a canister which can fit in a cupholder. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to others like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, eating nuts, such as pistachios and peanuts, seeds such as sunflower seeds, candies and more, have been popular for many years. However, it is not uncommon for individuals to discard the empty shells in the surrounding area while snacking. Individuals casually discard the shells onto the ground, city parks, buses, school grounds and virtually everywhere. This leads to a widespread litter problem, especially in baseball parks and stadiums where sunflower seed and peanut shells are spit onto the ground and bleachers by players and fans alike. Significant cleanup is required to clean the litter caused by such nuts and snacking items. Further, the litter can damage synthetic turf and drainage systems.

Conventional packaging for nuts and seeds has limitations when it comes to storing fresh items and shells separately. Commonly, users put shells inside the packaging, leading to the frustration of mixing shells with fresh items, which can spoil the snacking experience. This leads to a cluttered and messy eating experience. Additionally, mixed shells and fresh items can result in hygiene issues, and it is challenging to ensure the freshness of the food items.

Individuals, cleaning companies, and other personnel desire a new type of packaging that can address the issues with disposing of empty shells, wrappers, and the like during snacking.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved storage bag that can also be used for storing leftover shells, candy wrappers, and other waste in addition to fresh snacking items. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved seed and nut bag that enables users to properly dispose of their shells and waste. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art of a storage bag that independently stores fresh snacks and leftover shells. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved snack storage bag that reduces environmental waste. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel storage bag that improves snacking process for users by separating empty shells/seeds from fresh nuts or seeds. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a combination storage and waste collection bag that enables users to properly dispose of their shells and waste instead of spitting or tossing them to the ground.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a combination snacks storage and waste collection bag. The bag is configured for separately storing food items such as nuts, candy, peanuts and more in one compartment and leftover shells, candy wrappers, and other waste in a separate compartment. The bag further comprising a bottom edge and a pair of side edges, the bottom edge and the pair of side edges are common to both the first compartment and the second compartment, the first compartment having a storage space formed by a first panel, a common barrier, the pair of opposing side edges, and the bottom edge, the second compartment having a storage space formed by a second panel, the common barrier, the pair of opposing side edges, and the bottom edge, a first top edge of the first compartment having a resealable fastener for securing the stored food items in the first compartment, a second top edge of the second compartment is configured to secure the shells with an accordion style zip lock fastener, and the common barrier is planar and separates/distinguishes the first compartment and the second compartment inside the bag.

In this manner, the combination snacks storage and waste collection bag of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with an improved bag that includes two individual compartments for storing the fresh product and for storing the shells separately. The bag maintains the hygiene of the fresh product and improves snacking process. Further, the bag reduces environmental waste by enabling users to properly dispose of their shells and waste instead of spitting or tossing them to the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a seed, nut, and shell storage bag. The storage bag is configured for storing food items such as nuts, candy, peanuts, and more along with leftover shells, candy wrappers, and other waste. The storage bag further comprising a first compartment for storing food items, a second compartment for storing leftover shells, candy wrappers, and other waste, the bag having a bottom edge and a pair of side edges, the bottom edge and the pair of side edges are common to both the first compartment and the second compartment, the first compartment having a storage space formed by a first panel, a common barrier, the pair of opposing side edges, and the bottom edge, the second compartment having a storage space formed by a second panel, the common barrier, the pair of opposing side edges, and the bottom edge, a first top edge of the first compartment having a resealable fastener for securing the stored food items in the first compartment, a second top edge of the second compartment is configured to secure the shells with an accordion style zip lock fastener or hook and loop fastener, and the common barrier extends across the side edges and from the bottom edge to a top end of the storage bag, thereby separating/forming the compartments in the storage bag.

In another aspect of the present invention, a storage canister for storing fresh products and shells or other waste products is disclosed. The storage canister includes a first compartment for storing fresh products such as seeds, nuts, candies or other similar items, a second compartment independent and separate from the first compartment configured for storing shells, a planar barrier positioned inside the canister for forming the first compartment and the second compartment therein, the first compartment and the second compartment substantially similar in size, a top surface of the first compartment having a first opening for accessing the stored fresh products, the first opening having a lid for securing the fresh products, a top surface of the second compartment having a second opening for storing shells, the second opening having a lid for securing the shells.

In yet another embodiment, the canister is sturdy and generally cylindrical in shape, and configured to fit in a cup holder of a vehicle.

In yet another embodiment, the canister is made of a sturdy material selected from plastic, metal, alloy, and rubber.

In yet another embodiment, the canister stands upright on a base thereof on any surface.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seed and shell storage bag of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the seed and shell storage bag of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the fastener closures used with the first compartment and the second compartment of the storage bag of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of storage bag of the present invention in the form of a canister for separately holding the snack items and shells therefrom in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the storage canister of FIG. 4 positioned in a cupholder of a vehicle for easy storage in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved storage bag that can also be used for storing leftover shells, candy wrappers, and other waste in addition to fresh snacking items. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved seed and nut bag that enables users to properly dispose of their shells and waste. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art of a storage bag that independently stores fresh snacks and leftover shells. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved snack storage bag that reduces environmental waste. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel storage bag that improves snacking process for users by separating empty seeds and fresh nuts or seeds. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a combination storage and waste collection bag that enables users to properly dispose of their shells and waste instead of spitting or tossing them to the ground.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a snacks and waste storage canister. The storage canister is generally cylindrical and includes a first compartment for storing fresh products such as seeds, nuts, candies, or other similar items, a second compartment independent and separate from the first compartment configured for storing shells, a planar barrier positioned inside the canister for forming the first compartment and the second compartment therein. A top surface of the first compartment has a first opening for storing and accessing the stored fresh products, the first opening has a lid for securing the fresh products, a top surface of the second compartment has a second opening for storing and removing shells or other waste, and the second opening has a lid for securing the shells.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seed and shell storage bag of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The seed and shell storage bag 100 of the present invention is designed to hold both seeds or nuts and shells separately ensuring that shells are not intermixed with fresh nuts or seeds. More specifically, the storage bag 100 includes a first compartment 102 and a second compartment 104. The first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104 are of substantially similar size and can be preferably transparent or translucent. The first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104 have a common bottom edge 106 and a pair of opposing side edges 108, 110. A common barrier 112 forms the compartments 102, 104 in the storage bag 100 wherein the barrier 112 extends across the side edges 108, 110 and from the bottom edge 106 to a top end 114 of the storage bag 100.

The first compartment 102 has a first panel 116 and a storage space 118 formed by the first panel 116, common barrier 112, the side edges 108, 110 and the bottom edge 106. The storage space 118 is used for storing fresh seeds or nuts 124 and a top edge 120 is used for securing the stored fresh seeds and nuts. The top edge 120 has a resealable fastener or flap 122 for keeping the stored fresh seeds fresh wherein the fastener 122 can be opened for accessing the storage space 118 as illustrated in FIG. 3 as well.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second compartment 104 has a second panel 126 and a storage space 128 formed by the second panel 126, the side walls 108, 110 and the bottom edge 106. The storage space 128 is an independent space and is used for storing shells 130 of the used seeds or nuts, thereby ensuring that shells 130 are not mixed with fresh seeds or nuts 124. The top edge 132 of the second compartment 104 has an accordion style zip lock fastener or hook and loop fastener 134 for securing the shells 130 inside the storage space 128.

The fasteners 122, 134 are independent and separate and are used for closure of the first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104, respectively. Further, both the first compartment 102 and the second compartment 104 are weatherproof, the first compartment 102 keeps the food items 124 fresh and the second compartment 104 keeps the shells 130 secure in the storage bag 100. The combination storage and waste collection bag 100 is lightweight, portable and is specifically created to hold the shells of seeds and nuts while still keeping the remaining contents fresh and edible. The overall dimensions of the bag 100 can vary depending on the size and capacity of the bag.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the fastener closures used with the first compartment and the second compartment of the storage bag 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The fastener closure 122 of the first compartment 102 has a first closure arm 138 and a second closure arm 140 configured to adhere together upon sliding a slider 136 along the length of the closure arms 138, 140 to close the storage space 118 of the first compartment 102 for securing the seeds and nuts stored therein as illustrated in FIG. 1. The fastener closure 122 is resealable and provides a weatherproof sealing for the storage space 118. The fastener closure 122 runs along the top edge 120 of the first compartment 102 and extends across the side edges 106, 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The fastener closure 134 of the second compartment 104 has a first closure member 142 and a second closure member 144, the closure members 142, 144 configured for covering the storage space 128 of the second compartment 104. The closure members 142, 144 can be press-on members for adhering to each other or can have zipper or slider locks for locking to close the storage space 128. The fastener closure 134 is resealable and provides a weatherproof sealing for the storage space 128. The fastener closure 134 runs along the top edge 132 of the second compartment 104 and extends across the side edges 106, 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of storage bag of the present invention in the form of a canister for separately holding the snack items and shells therefrom in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the storage canister 200 includes a first compartment 202 for storing fresh products 204 and has an independent and separate second compartment 206 for storing shells 208. The canister 200 is sturdy and is generally cylindrical in shape and can fit in a cup holder of a vehicle for easy storage. In one exemplary arrangement the canister 200 having a diameter from about 2.5 inches to about 3.0 inches. The storage canister 200 is divided into the first compartment 202 and the second compartment 206 by a planar barrier 210 positioned inside the container 200.

The first compartment 202 and the second compartment 206 are substantially similar in size. The first compartment 202 has a top surface 212 which includes a first opening 214 for enabling a user to access the stored food item 204. The opening 214 has a resealable lid 216 for closing the opening 214 for keeping the stored items 204 safe and secure. The second compartment 206 has a top surface 218 which includes a second opening 220 for enabling a user to store shells or waste items 208 in the second compartment 206. The second opening 220 also has a resealable lid 222 for securing the items 208 stored in the second compartment 206.

The storage canister 200 can be made of any sturdy material such as plastic, metal, alloy, rubber, or the like. Further, the storage canister 200 can stand upright on the base or bottom wall 224 on any surface for easy accessibility of the openings 214, 220.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the storage bag 100 and the storage canister 200 of different embodiments of the present invention are reusable, machine washable and lightweight. The devices reduce environmental waste by enabling users to properly dispose of their shells and waste instead of spitting or tossing them to the ground.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the storage canister of FIG. 4 positioned in a cupholder of a vehicle for easy storage in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The canister 200 can be easily positioned in a cupholder 226 of a vehicle 228 enabling a user to easily access the compartments 202, 206 via the openings 214, 220, thereby keeping the vehicle 228 clean and tidy.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “seed and shell storage bag”, “combination storage and waste collection bag”, “storage bag”, “storage canister”, “canister”, and “bag” are interchangeable and refer to the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 are important design parameters for user convenience, the seed and shell storage portable device 100, 200 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.