EP0863085A1 - Hadle for equipping a packaging bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The carrying handle, moulded in one piece from a plastic material, has an upper portion (2) forming the handle itself, which is shaped ergonomically to fit the hand, and a lower portion (3) which grips the top(s) of the bag(s). The lower portion (3) includes two plates (3A, 3B) connected by an intermediate hinge (5A) made from a film section with a low resistance to folding, with the two plates lying at 180 degrees to each other in their initial state. The first plate (3A) stays in line with the upper portion of the handle, while the second (3b) is folded over to grip the bag(s) and fastens to the first plate e.g. by spikes (7, 8) engaging with holes (9, 10).

Description

The present invention relates to a handle intended to equip a packaging bag for the packaging of consumer products, food for example.

In the distribution of the latter type of product, it is often necessary to respect certain hygienic conditions while ensuring nice presentation. So these products are usually presented in paper bags or plastic that we want at a lower cost, because they are not intended to be reused.

Although it is a disposable product, very often after a single use, it is known to add to packaging bags, a handle with a zone upper grip forming a handle and a zone lower attachment intended for connection with the bag and comprising mechanical connection means with this one, this in order to offer a certain comfort to a consumer when transporting the product he just bought.

This is how packaging bags are known comprising at each upper end of their walls, a handle including a lower attachment zone is joined to said ends by any means, such as gluing for paper or heat sealing for plastic, these attachment zones also include means for closing the bag.

These means have the advantage of making the bag can be opened and closed at will, and also reusable. However, they are priced at returns high due to the structure of the elements and also operations necessary to make them attached to the bag.

Are also known gripping means simpler consisting of placing at each of ends of the walls of the bag, reinforcing elements, then make oblong openings there both the walls and the reinforcing elements for build handles. Such an arrangement is of a low cost, but has the disadvantage not to authorize associated closing means.

This can be annoying when it comes to packaging a product of the aforementioned type before meet hygienic conditions not only during transport, but also during storage or its offer for sale on the shelves where not want to see the product handled before purchase.

The present invention aims to remedy the disadvantages of known packaging bags plus particularly at the handle, making this simple and economical design means of attachment to the bag and means of closure thereof, possibly suitable for make it inviolable.

To this end, the invention relates to a handle for packaging bag with a gripping area upper forming a handle and a fastening zone bottom intended for connection with the bag and comprising mechanical connection means with this one, characterized in that the attachment zone lower consists of two wings connected between them by a median area of articulation with respect to which they are likely to struggle angularly in the manner of pliers, between a open position allowing insertion between them from the free end of at least one wall of the bag and a closed position ensuring the pinching of said end between said wings.

According to a variant application of the invention, the upper grip area is formed by a single handle from which the two extend wings of the attachment zone forming a clamp, so as to allow the insertion between them of the ends free from the walls of the bag in which a product, for the connection of said walls with the entire handle and closure of the bag, occurring simultaneously during an operation single, by perforation of the walls thereof.

The present invention also relates to characteristics that will emerge during the description which will follow and which should be considered in isolation or according to all their technically possible combinations.

• la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un sac d'emballage représenté partiellement, équipé d'une poignée selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en plan d'une poignée selon la figure 1, avant sa mise en oeuvre sur un sac d'emballage ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 4 et 5 représentent respectivement des vues en coupe d'une poignée selon la figure 3, en cours de fixation sur un sachet et après fixation sur ce même sachet ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'une poignée selon une variante de réalisation, avant sa mise en oeuvre sur un sac d'emballage ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en plan d'une poignée selon la figure 6 ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont respectivement des vues en coupe transversales selon les lignes VIII-VIII et IX-IX de la figure 7.

This description given by way of nonlimiting example will make it easier to understand how the invention can be implemented with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a plan view of a partially shown packaging bag, equipped with a handle according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a plan view of a handle according to Figure 1, before its implementation on a packaging bag;
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2;
• Figures 4 and 5 respectively show sectional views of a handle according to Figure 3, during attachment to a bag and after attachment to the same bag;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a handle according to an alternative embodiment, before its implementation on a packaging bag;
• Figure 7 is a plan view of a handle according to Figure 6;
• FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively cross-sectional views along lines VIII-VIII and IX-IX of FIG. 7.

Handle 1, generally designated on the figures, has an upper zone forming a handle 2 and a lower attachment zone 3 intended for the connection with a bag 4.

According to the concept of the invention, the area lower attachment 3 consists of two wings 3A, 3B interconnected by a middle zone articulation 5 with respect to which the wings 3A, 3B are likely to struggle angularly at the pliers.

As the figures show particularly well 3, 4 and 5, this angular movement takes place between an open position (Figures 3 and 4) allowing insertion between the wings 3A, 3B of the ends free walls 4A, 4B of the bag 4 and a position of closure (Figure 5) ensuring the pinching of said ends 4A, 4B of the bag 4 between said wings 3A, 3B of the lower attachment zone 3.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper grip zone 2 is formed by a single handle.

From this handle 2, extend the two wings 3A, 3B of the attachment zone 3 forming a clamp.

In this way, one can perform the insertion free ends of the walls 4A, 4B of the bag 4 between said wings 3A, 3B, bag in which is predisposed a product. This allows the connection to be made of said walls 4A, 4B with the whole of the handle 1, as well as closing the bag 4, these two functions being carried out simultaneously during an operation single, by perforating the walls of said bag 4, by through mechanical connecting means which will be described later.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the middle articulation zone 5 is formed by a film hinge with less resistance to bending, from which extend the wings 3A, 3B of the lower attachment zone 3 forming a clamp.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first wing 3A of the attachment zone lower 3 is integral with the handle 2 and extends in the same plane of it at its lower end that it extends.

However, the second wing 3B is independent handle 2 and is integral with the first wing 3A to from which it extends in one direction opposite through the middle zone hinge 5.

In this way, the second wing 3B can pass from an open position also lying in the same plane of handle 2 in a closed position by folding towards the first wing 3A around the middle articulation zone 5.

As shown particularly in Figure 2, the second wing 3B of the lower attachment zone 3, as well as the middle articulation zone 5, extend when the handle is not used, in the same plane as handle 2, inside of it, without being attached to it, in a position open to 180 °.

Preferably, the loop 2, the first wing 3A which is attached to it, the second wing 3B and the area articulation median 5 connecting it to the first, are obtained in a single piece in a same plan during a single molding operation of a plastic material.

Note that the same handle could be also obtained by cutting a blank of material plastic, cardboard or any other material. She could also be obtained in several pieces subsequently linked together.

According to another characteristic of the invention, stiffening ribs 6 are provided on the peripheral contours of loop 2, as well as two wings 3A, 3B and with the exception of the middle zone 5 which must have characteristics flexibility.

Internal parts of loop 2 and both wings 3A, 3B, delimited by the ribs of stiffening 6, are formed by fabrics 2a relatively fine.

This keeps the characteristics of flexibility of the middle articulation zone 5, while significantly reducing handle 1 without harming its mechanical strength, and reducing the costs of materials.

In order to allow the attachment of the handle 1 to the bag 4, each of the wings 3A, 3B of the lower attachment zone 3 forming a clamp comprises additional mechanical connection means.

These mechanical connection means are constituted by two fingers 7 and 8 from one of the wings, in the occurrence of wing 3B of attachment zone 3, perpendicular to its plane and likely to cooperate in closing with housing correspondents 9 and 10 from the other wing, the occurrence of wing 3A.

It is specified that the fitting of the fingers 7 and 8 in housings 9 and 10 is carried out by a press fitting or even snap-fastening elastic (not shown), allowing obtaining a tamper-evident packaging bag.

As shown in the figures, the fingers 7 and 8 consist of three pins 7a and 3 lugs 8a forming part of circles.

These pins 7a and 8a are able to cooperate with three corresponding holes 9a and three other holes correspondents 10a forming the housings 9 and 10.

Preferably, fingers 7 and 8 as well formed have a pointed end to facilitate the self-perforation of the ends of the walls 4A, 4B of the bag 4, previously inserted between said wings 3A, 3B when placing the handle 1 on the bag 4 and closing, taking place simultaneously.

Other means of connecting the handle 1 to the bag 4 are provided, associated or not with those who come to be described, and consist of a baffle 13 further defined after closure, of a share, by the section of the first fixed wing 3A and its rib 6 and, on the other hand, by the section of the second articulated wing 3B and its rib 6 of shape corresponding to the first, but of dimension lower making it suitable to register inside of it with a predetermined clearance allowing insertion and clamping in force of the walls 4A, 4B of the bag 4 in said baffle 13.

Figures 4 and 5 clearly show this double means connecting the handle 1 to the bag 4, by tilting the wing down 3B from attachment zone 3 to wing 3A, around a fold line xx ', until fingers 7 and 8 enter housings 9 and 10 after perforation automatic ends 4A, 4B of the bag 4. At this moment the jamming via the baffle 13 mentioned above will also be carried out automatically, for a perfect joining of all.

For better comfort, the upper zone internal 2b of handle 2 has an ergonomic profile intended to adapt to a user's hand.

According to a preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 6 to 9, it differs basically from the previous one in that the middle zone 5A joint is offset from the plane common of handle 2 and of the first wing 3A of the lower attachment zone 3, so that the second wing 3B which is integral with it and carrying the connecting fingers 7, 8, can, when closed by folding towards the first wing 3A, allow the presentation of said fingers 7, 8 substantially in the same longitudinal axis of the corresponding housings 9, 10 intended to receive them.

This is an important advantage over the previously described embodiment which does not not allow such a presentation in the axis but, on the contrary, only authorized a presentation taking place at a certain angle.

In fact, as shown particularly well Figures 8 and 9, the remote articulation zone 5A is obtained at the common top of two sections 50, 51 inclined towards each other and coming out so symmetrical, respectively of the first wing 3A and of the second wing 3B of the lower attachment zone 3.

Figure 7 shows that each of the inclined sides 50, 51 is formed by two complementary surfaces 50a, 50b and 51a, 51b being separated by a recess 52 and whose upper ends 50c and 51c are inclined towards each other so as not to be joined to the opposite side only at two lateral points ends A, B, so as to facilitate the deflection of wing 3B relative to wing 3A.

Finally, as before, loop 2, the first wing 3A, the second wing 3B and the middle zone 5A are obtained in a single piece, during an operation unique plastic molding.

The handle has been described with a handle of grip which corresponds to its most current; However, it can also be done without handle. The handling of the bag is then different but the advantages provided by the invention, in particular the realization of a tamper-evident closure.

Claims (16)

Handle for a packaging bag comprising an upper gripping zone forming a handle (2) and a lower attachment zone (3) intended for connection with the bag (4) and comprising means for mechanical connection with the latter,
characterized in that the lower attachment zone (3) consists of two wings (3A, 3B) connected to each other by a median articulation zone (5, 5A) with respect to which they are liable to be angularly struggled at the manner of a clamp, between an open position allowing the insertion between them of the free end of at least one wall (4A, 4B) of the bag (4) and a closed position ensuring the pinching of said end (4A, 4B) between the wings (3A, 3B). Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper gripping area (2) is formed by a single handle from which extend the two wings (3A, 3B) of the area of attachment (3) forming a clamp, so as to allow inserting between them, free ends of walls (4A, 4B) of the bag (4), in which is predisposed a product, for the connection of said walls (4A, 4B) with the assembly of the handle (1) and the bag closure (4), carried out simultaneously with during a single operation by perforation of walls of it. Handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the middle articulation zone (5, 5A) is constituted by a film hinge of less resistance to bending, from which extend the wings (3A, 3B) of the attachment zone lower (3) forming a clamp. Handle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first wing (3A) of the lower attachment zone (3) is integral with the handle (2) and extends in the same plane thereof, to its lower end that it extends, while the second wing (3B) is independent of the handle (2) and is secured to the first wing (3A) from which it extends in an opposite direction, by through the middle articulation zone (5, 5A), to move from an open position lying or not in the same plane of the handle (2), at a position closed by folding back towards the latter around the median articulation zone (5, 5A). Handle according to claim 4, characterized in that the second wing (3B) of the attachment zone lower (3), as well as the middle zone articulation (5, 5A), extend in the same plane that the handle (2) inside of it, without being secured, in an open position at 180 °. Handle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the handle (2), the first wing (3A) which is integral with it, the second wing (3B) and the middle articulation zone (5) connecting it to the first, are obtained in a single piece in a same plan during a single molding operation of a plastic material. Handle according to one of claims previous, characterized in that each of the wings (3A, 3B) of the lower attachment zone (3) forming clamp, includes mechanical connection means complementary. Handle according to claim 7, characterized in that these mechanical connecting means are formed by at least one finger (7, 8) from one wings (3A, 3B) of the attachment zone (3), perpendicular to its plane, and likely to cooperate in closing with a corresponding housing (9, 10) from the other wing (3A, 3B) after having self-perforated the ends (4A, 4B) of the bag (4), previously inserted between said wings (3A, 3B). Handle according to one of claims 4, 7 and 8, characterized in that the middle zone articulation (5A) is offset from the plane common of the handle (2) and the first wing (3A) of the lower attachment zone (3), so that the second wing (3B) which is integral with it and carrying the connecting fingers (7, 8), can, when closed by folding back to the first wing (3A), allow the presentation of said fingers (7, 8) substantially in the same longitudinal axis of the dwellings correspondents (9, 10) intended to receive them. Handle according to claim 9, characterized in that the offset articulation zone (5A) is obtained at the common top of two sides (50, 51) inclined towards each other and coming out so symmetrical, respectively of the first wing (3A) and of the second wing (3B) of the attachment zone lower (3). Handle according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the inclined faces (50, 51) is formed by two complementary surfaces (50a, 50b and 51a, 51b) being separated by a recess (52) and whose upper ends (50c and 51c) are inclined towards each other so as not to be integral with the opposite pan only at two lateral end points (A, B), so as to facilitate the deflection of the wing (3B) relative to the wing (3A). Handle according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the handle (2), the first wing (3A), the second wing (3B) and the middle zone (5A) are obtained in a single piece, during a single plastic molding operation. Handle according to one of claims previous, characterized in that ribs of stiffening (6) are provided on the contours handles of the handle (2), as well as of the two wings (3A, 3B) and with the exception of the middle zone articulation (5, 5A) which must have flexibility characteristics. Handle according to claim 13, characterized in that the internal parts of the handle (2) and the two wings (3A, 3B) delimited by the stiffening ribs (6) are formed by relatively fine fabrics (2a). Handle according to claim 7, characterized in that these connecting means are consisting of a defined baffle (13) additionally after closing, on the one hand, by the section of the first fixed wing (3A) and its rib (6) and, on the other hand, by the section of the second articulated wing (3B) and its shaped rib (6) corresponding to the first, but of dimension lower making it suitable to register inside of it with a predetermined clearance allowing insertion and clamping in force of the walls (4A, 4B) of the bag (4) in said baffle (13). Handle according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the upper internal zone (2b) of the handle (2) has a profile ergonomic designed to adapt to the hand of a user.

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