Food package and method of making same

Abstract

A food package for packaging bread that is constructed from a generally planar opaque base panel upon which the loaf of bread rests and a substantially transparent covering that covers the bread in a manner such that the top, sides and ends of the loaf of bread are clearly visible to the prospective purchaser when the package is positioned on the shelf of the retail outlet.

1 . A bag for containing bread comprising:
 (a) a generally planar base formed of an opaque printable material having first and second ends and first and second sides; and   (b) a cover connected to said base, said cover being constructed from a thin substantially transparent foldable material, said cover having first and second edges, said first edge being connected to said first side of said base and said second edge being connected to said second side of said base.   
   
   
       2 . The bag as defined in  claim 1  in which said cover has first and second ends, said first end being connected to said first end of said base. 
   
   
       3 . The bag as defined in  claim 1  in which said cover has first and second sides, each said side having a pleated area. 
   
   
       4 . The bag as defined in  claim 1  in which said generally planar base is disposed in a first plane and in which said cover is movable from a first configuration, wherein said cover is in a partially expanded configuration, to a second configuration, wherein said cover is a fully expanded configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The bag as defined in  claim 1 , in which said cover is formed of polyester. 
   
   
       6 . The bag as defined in  claim 1  in which said base is formed of Kraft paper. 
   
   
       7 . A bag for packaging food items for display comprising:
 (a) a generally planar base formed of an opaque printable material having an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second ends and first and second sides; and   (b) a cover connected to said base, said cover being constructed from a thin substantially transparent foldable material, said cover having:
 (i) first and second edges, said first edge being connected to said first side of said base and said second edge being connected to said second side of said base; 
 (ii) first and second ends, said first end being connected to said first end of said base; and 
 (iii) first and second sides, each said first and second side having a pleated area. 
   
   
   
       8 . The bag as defined in  claim 7  in which said generally planar base is disposed in a first plane and in which said covet is movable from a first configuration, wherein said cover is in a partially expanded configuration, to a second configuration, wherein said cover is a fully expanded configuration. 
   
   
       9 . The bag as defined in  claim 7 , in which said cover is formed of polyester. 
   
   
       10 . The bag as defined in  claim 9  in which said base is formed of Kraft paper. 
   
   
       11 . A bag for packaging food items for display comprising:
 (a) a generally rectangular shaped, substantially planar base formed of a Kraft material having an upper surface having first and second sides, a lower surface, first and second ends and first and second sides; and   (b) a cover connected to said base, said cover being constructed from a thin substantially transparent foldable polyester material, said cover having:
 (i) first and second edge portions, said first edge portion being folded over and adhesively secured to said first side of said upper surface of said base and said second edge being folded over and adhesively secured said second side of said upper surface of said base. 
 (ii) first and second ends, said first end being adhesively bonded to said first end of said base; and 
 (iii) first and second sides, each said first and second side having an upper portion, a lower portion and a pleated area located intermediate said upper portion and said lower portion. 
   
   
   
       12 . The bag as defined in  claim 11  in which said generally planar base is disposed in a first plane and in which said cover is movable from a first configuration, wherein said cover is in a partially expanded configuration, to a second configuration, wherein said cover is a fully expanded configuration. 
   
   
       13 . A method of making a food package from a generally planar, opaque base having an upper surface and a lower surface and a cover having first and second sides and being constructed from a thin substantially transparent foldable material, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) folding the first and second sides of the cover to form first and second connector panels;   (b) connecting said first and second connector panels to said generally planar base to form a first subassembly having a fold line;   (c) folding said first subassembly along said fold line to form a connector segment; and   (d) connecting said connector segment to said lower surface of said generally planar base.   
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 13  in which said first and second connector panels are connected to the upper surface of the generally planar base. 
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 13  including the further step of imprinting indicia on the lower surface of the generally planar base.