Convertible Multi-Compartment Polymeric Storage Bag

Abstract

A flexible polymeric pouch includes first and second walls in opposed relationship to form a storage space therebetween and having lateral sides, a top, and a bottom opposed to the top. A first closure is disposed on at least one of the first and second walls near the top and a second closure is disposed on the first and second walls between the first closure and the bottom. The first and second closures are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a user to independently open and close each of the first and second closures. The first closure is reclosable to open and close the storage space and the second closure is reclosable so that the second closure is opened and closed to selectively divide the single storage space into separate first and second storage compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible polymeric pouch comprising, in combination:
 first and second walls in opposed relationship to form a storage space therebetween and having lateral sides, a top, and a bottom opposed to the top;   a first closure disposed on at least one of the first and second walls near the top;   a second closure disposed on the first and second walls between the first closure and the bottom;   wherein the first and second closures are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a user to independently open and close the first and second closures; and   wherein the second closure is reclosable so that the second closure is opened and closed to selectively divide the storage space into separate first and second storage compartments.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein first storage compartment is located below the second closure and the second storage compartment is located above the second closure. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein first and second storage compartments have substantially the same size. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein first and second storage compartments have different sizes. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second storage compartments is configured to be selectively further divided into upper and lower portions by a third closure, wherein the third closure is a reclosable closure, and wherein the first, second, and third closures are spaced apart sufficient distances to permit a user to independently open and close the first, second, and third closures. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second storage compartments is configured to be further divided into lateral portions by at least one vertically extending seal between the lateral walls. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the second closure includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the second closure. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the first closure is a reclosable closure. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 8 , wherein the first closure includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the first closure. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second closures are parallel and vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         11 . A flexible polymeric pouch comprising, in combination:
 first and second walls in opposed relationship to form a storage space therebetween and having lateral sides, a top, and a bottom opposed to the top;   a first closure disposed on at least one of the first and second walls near the top;   a second closure disposed on inner sides of the first and second walls between the first closure and the bottom;   wherein the second closure is a reclosable closure and includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the second closure;   wherein the first and second closures are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a user to independently open and close the first and second closures; and   wherein the second closure is opened and closed to selectively divide the storage space into separate first and second storage compartments.   
     
     
         12 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein first storage compartment is located below the second closure and the second storage compartment is located above the second closure. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein first and second storage compartments have substantially the same size. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein first and second storage compartments have different sizes. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second storage compartments is configured to be selectively further divided into separate upper and lower portions by a third closure, wherein the third closure is reclosable closure, and wherein the first, second, and third closures are spaced apart sufficient distances to permit a user to independently open and close the first, second, and third closures. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second storage compartments is configured to be further divided into separate lateral portions by at least one vertically extending seal between the lateral walls. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 11 , wherein the first closure is a reclosable closure. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 17 , wherein the first closure includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the first closure. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible polymeric pouch according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second closures are parallel and vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         20 . A flexible polymeric pouch comprising, in combination:
 first and second walls in opposed relationship to form a storage space therebetween and having lateral sides, a top, and a bottom opposed to the top;   a first closure disposed on inner sides of the first and second walls near the top;   wherein the first closure is a reclosable closure and includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the first closure;   a second closure disposed on the inner sides of the first and second walls between the first closure and the bottom;   wherein the second closure is a reclosable closure and includes complementary first and second profiles that releasably engage each other to selectively open and close the second closure;   wherein the first and second closures are parallel and vertically spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a user to independently open and close the first and second closures; and   wherein the second closure is selectively closed to divide the storage space into separate first and second storage compartments.