EP1365956B1 - Bag with ergonomically disposed handle - Google Patents
Bag with ergonomically disposed handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1365956B1 EP1365956B1 EP02702084A EP02702084A EP1365956B1 EP 1365956 B1 EP1365956 B1 EP 1365956B1 EP 02702084 A EP02702084 A EP 02702084A EP 02702084 A EP02702084 A EP 02702084A EP 1365956 B1 EP1365956 B1 EP 1365956B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bag
- handle
- pouring
- region
- corner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/54—Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories
- B65D75/56—Handles or other suspension means
- B65D75/566—Hand holes or suspension apertures
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/06—Handles
- B65D33/08—Hand holes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5816—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a corner or other small portion next to the edge, e.g. a U-shaped portion
Definitions
- This disclosure herein relates generally to the field of bags used to carry pourable product according to the preamble of claim 1 or 6.
- Bags are often used to transport and act as a unit of commerce for pourable products. For example, seeds (such as birdseed and grass seed), dry cement, cat litter and water softening salt are often displayed for sale in bags on grocery store shelves. Those same bags are used to contain the product until it can be poured into its ultimate receptacle for use. Thus, such a bag should be designed to facilitate ergonomically convenient carrying and pouring of the contained product if the bag is to encourage a consumer to choose it for purchase over that of a competing bag of similar product.
- handles 100 are traditionally formed as holes defined within a header seal 102 that runs across the top edge 104 of a bag 105.
- the bag 105 has first and second lower corners 106 and 108. These handles 100 are centrally located to permit a consumer or user to carry the bag 105 in a balanced fashion and provide a lever arm R 1 that extends from the handle to a lower corner 108 that is positioned below a pouring region 110 defined within a corner. These handles may be defined, in part, by the top edge 104. While a bag 105 fashioned with such a handle 100 may be relatively easy to carry, such a bag 105 with this handle placement does not maximize the user's mechanical advantage gained by use of the handle 100 during pouring. Additionally, such a bag 105 does not maximize the controllability of the pouring aperture, potentially leading to some of the product mistakenly missing its target and thereby going to waste.
- the present invention relates to bags having a handle offset from the center of a bag opposite from a pouring spout or opening, wherein the center is defined by the two side edges of the bag. This configuration increases the lever action and mechanical advantage when a person pours contents from the bag.
- EP-A-0630822 An apparatus having the features outlined above is known from EP-A-0630822 .
- GB-A-1598843 and EP-A-0132484 are also prior art to the present invention.
- the apparatus comprises a bag having a centerline and a pouring region formed on one side of the centerline.
- a handle is operably connected to the bag and is on an opposite side of the centerline from the pouring region.
- Another possible aspect of the invention comprises a bag having first and second side walls, an interior volume, an end edge, oppositely disposed corners formed along the end edge, a centerline and a pouring region formed on one side of the centerline.
- Birdseed is positioned within the interior volume.
- a handle is operably connected to the bag and is adjacent one corner.
- the pouring region is adjacent to the oppositely disposed corner.
- the handle is defined by a hole passing through the first and second sidewalls.
- a bag is generally shown as 200.
- the bag 200 is formed by two sidewalls 202 and 204 that are sealed along their perimeter 206 to define an interior volume 207.
- the bag 200 has a first end edge 208, a second end edge 210, and first and second side edges 212 and 214.
- the first edge 208 and the first side edge 212 form a first corner 216
- the first end edge 208 and the second side edge 214 form a second corner 218.
- the second edge 210 and the first side edge 212 form a third corner 220
- the second end edge 210 and the second side edge 214 form a fourth corner 222.
- the first and second side edges 212 and 214 define a centerline 224.
- first end edge 208 is depicted as being at the top of the bag 200 and the second end edge 210 is depicted as being at the bottom, the first end edge 208 may be considered to be along the bottom of the bag 200, while the second end edge is along the top.
- corners 216 and 218 are considered to be along the bottom edge of the bag 200, while corners 220 and 222 are considered to be along the top.
- the bag 200 can be formed using a variety of different materials such as plastics or cloth. Examples of plastics include polyethylene and polystyrene. Examples of cloth include burlap and cotton.
- a dashed line 226 is printed on the surface of the bag 200 to form a pouring region 228 and indicate where a user should cut open the bag 200 to form a pouring hole.
- the dashed line 226 extends diagonally across the second corner 218 of the bag 200 and from the first end edge 208 of the bag 200 to the second side edge 214 of the bag 200.
- perforations are defined across the second top corner 218 in an orientation similar to which the dashed line 226 is drawn. The perforations provide a structural weakness in the bag 200 that permits a person to tear open the second corner 218 of the bag 200 and define a pouring hole (as illustrated in Figure 4). Other embodiments are possible.
- Examples include a pouring spout that is positioned at the pouring region 228 and is in fluid communication with the interior volume 207 of the bag 200, a removable patch that covers a hole in the bag 200, a pull string that a user can pull to tear open a portion of or all of the first end edge 208 of the bag 200, and a zipper closure or any other sort of resealable closure running across the first end edge 208 of the bag 200.
- a handle 230 is formed in or attached to the bag 200 and is positioned proximal to the first end edge 208 of the bag 200.
- the handle 230 is offset from the centerline 224 of the bag 200.
- the handle 230 is positioned adjacent to the first corner 216 of the bag 200 and is formed by a hole 232 defined through the first and second sidewalls 202 and 204 of the bag 200. Because most people grab the handle 230 with one hand and the fourth corner 222 with the other hand, positioning the handle 230 so that it is offset from the centerline 224 of the bag 200 in this manner provides a lever arm R 2 that extends from the handle 230 to the fourth corner 222.
- the lever arm R 2 of a bag having such an offset position is greater than the lever arm R 1 of the prior art.
- the first and second sidewalls 202 and 204 are heat sealed to one another in a heat-sealed region 234 surrounding the hole 232 that forms the handle 230.
- the heat-sealed region 234 provides structural reinforcement of the bag 200 at the location of the handle 230 and prevents contents from spilling through the hole 232 from the interior volume 207 of the bag 200.
- a reinforcing ring 236 extends through both sidewalls 202 and 204 of the bag 200 and is positioned along the perimeter of the hole 232. The reinforcing ring 236 provides structural rigidity to the handle 230.
- two layers 238 and 240 of additional material line the first and second sidewalls 202 and 204 to provide a reinforcing structure for the handle 230.
- Other embodiments include only one layer of reinforcing material or do not include any layers of reinforcing material.
- the bag 200 can be used to hold a variety of different contents that are pourable. Examples include birdseed, feed such as dog food or cat food, cat litter, salt, fertilizers, grass seed, dry cement, and the like.
- a user of the bag 200 supports the bag 200 by the handle 230.
- the user grasps the bag 200 by its fourth corner 222 to apply a rotational force R rot in order to tip the bag 200 into a pouring position.
- the mechanical advantage realized by the user of the bag 200 during the process of tipping the bag 200 into a pouring position is equal to the length of its effective lever arm R 2 , which is maximized by its placement of the handle 230 in the first corner 216 of the bag 200.
- the user of the bag 200 need apply a minimal rotational force at the fourth corner 222 in order to tip the bag 200 into its proper pouring position, a desirable result for the user.
- control of a pouring hole 242 formed in the pouring region 228 is enhanced by strategically locating the handle 230.
- the fourth corner 222 travels an arcuate route 244, the length of which is equal to radius R 2 multiplied by the angle through which the bag 200 is rotated.
- the second corner 218 and hence the pouring hole 242 travels an arcuate route 246, the length of which is equal to radius R 3 multiplied by the angle through which the bag 200 is rotated.
- the ratio between the distance traveled by the pouring hole 242 and the fourth corner 222 is R 3 /R 2 . In other words, for every inch traveled by the fourth corner 222, the pouring hole 242 travels only R 3 /R 2 of an inch.
- the distance R 3 is reduced as much as possible without reducing the distance R 2 .
- control over movement of the pouring hole 242 is increased as much as possible while still maximizing the length of the lever arm R 2 .
- an alternative embodiment of a bag is generally shown as 248 and is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, first and second corners 216 and 218.
- the bag 248 has a first end edge 208, second end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 and a dashed line 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening.
- a handle 250 having a gripping portion 252 is attached to and projects from the first side edge 212 of the bag 248.
- the handle 250 can be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal, rope loops, and the like. Additionally, the handle 250 can be attached to the bag 248 using any suite type of connection such as adhesive, fasteners such as rivets, and the like.
- the handle 250 also can be molded to the bag 248.
- the handle 250 is positioned along the first side edge 212 of the bag 248 and adjacent to the first corner 216.
- Other possible positions for the handle 250 that increase the lever arm R 2 are possible.
- the handle 250 can be attached to the first end edge 208 of the bag 248 or at a position that is distal to the first corner 216 but still provides for a lever arm that is greater than the lever arm of a bag in which the handle is positioned at the center of the first end edge 208.
- FIG. 6 Yet another possible embodiment of the bag is illustrated in Figure 6 and is generally shown as 252.
- the bag 252 has a first end edge 208, a second end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 that define a centerline 224, a first handle 254 similar to the handle 230, and a dashed line 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening.
- a second handle 256 is positioned along the first end edge 208 of the bag 252 and is centered about the centerline 224.
- a user can use the first handle 254 when pouring contents from the bag 252 and the second handle 256 when carrying the bag 252.
- the second handle 256 allows the bag 252 to be balanced when a user carries it.
- FIG. 7 Yet another possible embodiment of the bag is illustrated in Figure 7 and is shown generally as 258.
- the bag 258 has a first end edge 208, a second end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 defining a centerline 224, a handle 230, a dashed line 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening, and a pouring region 228 which is demarcated by the dashed line 226.
- the first corner 216 is located at the intersection of the first side edge 212 and the first end edge 208.
- the second corner 218 is located at the intersection of the second side edge 214 and the first end edge 208.
- the third corner 220 is located at the intersection of the first side edge 212 and the second end edge 210.
- the fourth corner 222 is located at the intersection of the second side edge 214 and the second end edge 210.
- the handle 230 is located along the end edge not containing the pouring region 228 and on the opposite side of the centerline 224 from the pouring region 228. In the specific embodiment depicted in Figure 7, the handle 230 is located in the second corner 218, catercorner from the pouring region 228.
- a user When rotating the bag 258 into a pouring position, a user is expected to grasp the bag 258 by its handle 230 with a first hand and to grasp the bag 258 immediately beneath the pouring region 228 with a second hand. The user is also expected to apply an upward force with the first hand, rotating the bag 258 about the region grasped by the second hand, thereby maneuvering the bag 258 into a pouring position. Because the user's second hand is anticipated to grasp the region immediately beneath the pouring region 228, controllability of the pouring region is maximized, because R 3 (not shown) effectively approaches 0. At the same time, the effective lever arm R 2 is maximized, thereby providing mechanical advantage for the bag's user. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, not the description of the preferred embodiment.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
- Sealing Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This disclosure herein relates generally to the field of bags used to carry pourable product according to the preamble of claim 1 or 6.
- Bags are often used to transport and act as a unit of commerce for pourable products. For example, seeds (such as birdseed and grass seed), dry cement, cat litter and water softening salt are often displayed for sale in bags on grocery store shelves. Those same bags are used to contain the product until it can be poured into its ultimate receptacle for use. Thus, such a bag should be designed to facilitate ergonomically convenient carrying and pouring of the contained product if the bag is to encourage a consumer to choose it for purchase over that of a competing bag of similar product.
- Because many pourable products are sold in large units, the bags containing those products are unwieldy without the presence of some sort of mechanism aiding in the handling of the bag. Adding to the difficulty presented by the size of the bag is the additional problem that such bags of product are often heavy. Accordingly, carrying and manipulating such a bag has typically been aided by locating a centrally-disposed handle upon the bag. Even an ordinarily large and unwieldy bag may be easily carried with a single hand with the aid of a handle.
- As shown in Figure 1,
handles 100 are traditionally formed as holes defined within aheader seal 102 that runs across thetop edge 104 of abag 105. Thebag 105 has first and secondlower corners handles 100 are centrally located to permit a consumer or user to carry thebag 105 in a balanced fashion and provide a lever arm R1 that extends from the handle to alower corner 108 that is positioned below apouring region 110 defined within a corner. These handles may be defined, in part, by thetop edge 104. While abag 105 fashioned with such ahandle 100 may be relatively easy to carry, such abag 105 with this handle placement does not maximize the user's mechanical advantage gained by use of thehandle 100 during pouring. Additionally, such abag 105 does not maximize the controllability of the pouring aperture, potentially leading to some of the product mistakenly missing its target and thereby going to waste. - In general terms, the present invention relates to bags having a handle offset from the center of a bag opposite from a pouring spout or opening, wherein the center is defined by the two side edges of the bag. This configuration increases the lever action and mechanical advantage when a person pours contents from the bag.
- An apparatus having the features outlined above is known from
EP-A-0630822 .GB-A-1598843 EP-A-0132484 are also prior art to the present invention" - One possible aspect of the invention is directed toward an apparatus for carrying and delivering pourable product. The apparatus comprises a bag having a centerline and a pouring region formed on one side of the centerline. A handle is operably connected to the bag and is on an opposite side of the centerline from the pouring region.
- Another possible aspect of the invention comprises a bag having first and second side walls, an interior volume, an end edge, oppositely disposed corners formed along the end edge, a centerline and a pouring region formed on one side of the centerline. Birdseed is positioned within the interior volume. A handle is operably connected to the bag and is adjacent one corner. The pouring region is adjacent to the oppositely disposed corner. The handle is defined by a hole passing through the first and second sidewalls.
-
- Figure 1 illustrates a prior-art bag having a centrally disposed handle.
- Figure 2 is a side-view of a bag configured according to one possible embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bag illustrated in Figure 2 taken along line 3-3.
- Figure 4 illustrates the bag shown in Figures 2 and 3 being tipped to demonstrate a mechanical advantage provided by the present invention.
- Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bag illustrated in Figures 2-4.
- Figure 6 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the bag illustrated in Figures 2-4.
- Figure 7 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the bag illustrated in Figure 2-4.
- A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to the preferred embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto.
- Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a bag is generally shown as 200. The
bag 200 is formed by twosidewalls perimeter 206 to define an interior volume 207. Thebag 200 has afirst end edge 208, asecond end edge 210, and first andsecond side edges first edge 208 and thefirst side edge 212 form afirst corner 216, and thefirst end edge 208 and thesecond side edge 214, form asecond corner 218. Similarly, thesecond edge 210 and thefirst side edge 212 form athird corner 220, and thesecond end edge 210 and thesecond side edge 214, form afourth corner 222. The first andsecond side edges centerline 224. Although thefirst end edge 208 is depicted as being at the top of thebag 200 and thesecond end edge 210 is depicted as being at the bottom, thefirst end edge 208 may be considered to be along the bottom of thebag 200, while the second end edge is along the top. When so considered,corners bag 200, whilecorners bag 200 can be formed using a variety of different materials such as plastics or cloth. Examples of plastics include polyethylene and polystyrene. Examples of cloth include burlap and cotton. - In one possible embodiment, a
dashed line 226 is printed on the surface of thebag 200 to form apouring region 228 and indicate where a user should cut open thebag 200 to form a pouring hole. Thedashed line 226 extends diagonally across thesecond corner 218 of thebag 200 and from thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 200 to thesecond side edge 214 of thebag 200. In another possible embodiment, perforations are defined across the secondtop corner 218 in an orientation similar to which thedashed line 226 is drawn. The perforations provide a structural weakness in thebag 200 that permits a person to tear open thesecond corner 218 of thebag 200 and define a pouring hole (as illustrated in Figure 4). Other embodiments are possible. Examples include a pouring spout that is positioned at thepouring region 228 and is in fluid communication with the interior volume 207 of thebag 200, a removable patch that covers a hole in thebag 200, a pull string that a user can pull to tear open a portion of or all of thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 200, and a zipper closure or any other sort of resealable closure running across thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 200. - A
handle 230 is formed in or attached to thebag 200 and is positioned proximal to thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 200. Thehandle 230 is offset from thecenterline 224 of thebag 200. In one possible embodiment, thehandle 230 is positioned adjacent to thefirst corner 216 of thebag 200 and is formed by ahole 232 defined through the first andsecond sidewalls bag 200. Because most people grab thehandle 230 with one hand and thefourth corner 222 with the other hand, positioning thehandle 230 so that it is offset from thecenterline 224 of thebag 200 in this manner provides a lever arm R2 that extends from thehandle 230 to thefourth corner 222. The lever arm R2 of a bag having such an offset position is greater than the lever arm R1 of the prior art. - When the
bag 200 is formed from plastic, the first andsecond sidewalls region 234 surrounding thehole 232 that forms thehandle 230. The heat-sealedregion 234 provides structural reinforcement of thebag 200 at the location of thehandle 230 and prevents contents from spilling through thehole 232 from the interior volume 207 of thebag 200. A reinforcingring 236 extends through bothsidewalls bag 200 and is positioned along the perimeter of thehole 232. The reinforcingring 236 provides structural rigidity to thehandle 230. Additionally, twolayers second sidewalls handle 230. Other embodiments include only one layer of reinforcing material or do not include any layers of reinforcing material. - The
bag 200 can be used to hold a variety of different contents that are pourable. Examples include birdseed, feed such as dog food or cat food, cat litter, salt, fertilizers, grass seed, dry cement, and the like. - In use, as shown in Figure 4, a user of the
bag 200 supports thebag 200 by thehandle 230. When maneuvering thebag 200 into a pouring position, the user grasps thebag 200 by itsfourth corner 222 to apply a rotational force Rrot in order to tip thebag 200 into a pouring position. The mechanical advantage realized by the user of thebag 200 during the process of tipping thebag 200 into a pouring position is equal to the length of its effective lever arm R2, which is maximized by its placement of thehandle 230 in thefirst corner 216 of thebag 200. The user of thebag 200 need apply a minimal rotational force at thefourth corner 222 in order to tip thebag 200 into its proper pouring position, a desirable result for the user. - Additionally, control of a pouring
hole 242 formed in the pouringregion 228 is enhanced by strategically locating thehandle 230. As the user tips thebag 200 by applying a rotational force Rrot to thefourth corner 222, thefourth corner 222 travels anarcuate route 244, the length of which is equal to radius R2 multiplied by the angle through which thebag 200 is rotated. Similarly, thesecond corner 218 and hence the pouringhole 242 travels anarcuate route 246, the length of which is equal to radius R3 multiplied by the angle through which thebag 200 is rotated. Thus, the ratio between the distance traveled by the pouringhole 242 and thefourth corner 222 is R3/R2. In other words, for every inch traveled by thefourth corner 222, the pouringhole 242 travels only R3/R2 of an inch. - By locating the
handle 200 in thefirst corner 216, as described in relation to one possible embodiment, the distance R3 is reduced as much as possible without reducing the distance R2. As a result, control over movement of the pouringhole 242 is increased as much as possible while still maximizing the length of the lever arm R2. - Referring to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of a bag is generally shown as 248 and is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, first and
second corners bag 248 has afirst end edge 208,second end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 and a dashedline 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening. Ahandle 250 having a grippingportion 252 is attached to and projects from thefirst side edge 212 of thebag 248. Thehandle 250 can be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal, rope loops, and the like. Additionally, thehandle 250 can be attached to thebag 248 using any suite type of connection such as adhesive, fasteners such as rivets, and the like. Thehandle 250 also can be molded to thebag 248. - In one possible embodiment as shown, the
handle 250 is positioned along thefirst side edge 212 of thebag 248 and adjacent to thefirst corner 216. Other possible positions for thehandle 250 that increase the lever arm R2 are possible. For example, thehandle 250 can be attached to thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 248 or at a position that is distal to thefirst corner 216 but still provides for a lever arm that is greater than the lever arm of a bag in which the handle is positioned at the center of thefirst end edge 208. - Yet another possible embodiment of the bag is illustrated in Figure 6 and is generally shown as 252. The
bag 252 has afirst end edge 208, asecond end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 that define acenterline 224, afirst handle 254 similar to thehandle 230, and a dashedline 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening. Additionally, asecond handle 256 is positioned along thefirst end edge 208 of thebag 252 and is centered about thecenterline 224. In this embodiment, a user can use thefirst handle 254 when pouring contents from thebag 252 and thesecond handle 256 when carrying thebag 252. Thesecond handle 256 allows thebag 252 to be balanced when a user carries it. - Yet another possible embodiment of the bag is illustrated in Figure 7 and is shown generally as 258. The
bag 258 has afirst end edge 208, asecond end edge 210, first and second side edges 212 and 214 defining acenterline 224, ahandle 230, a dashedline 226 to mark where to form a pouring opening, and a pouringregion 228 which is demarcated by the dashedline 226. As in the previous figures, thefirst corner 216 is located at the intersection of thefirst side edge 212 and thefirst end edge 208. Thesecond corner 218 is located at the intersection of thesecond side edge 214 and thefirst end edge 208. Thethird corner 220 is located at the intersection of thefirst side edge 212 and thesecond end edge 210. Thefourth corner 222 is located at the intersection of thesecond side edge 214 and thesecond end edge 210. Thehandle 230 is located along the end edge not containing the pouringregion 228 and on the opposite side of thecenterline 224 from the pouringregion 228. In the specific embodiment depicted in Figure 7, thehandle 230 is located in thesecond corner 218, catercorner from the pouringregion 228. - When rotating the
bag 258 into a pouring position, a user is expected to grasp thebag 258 by itshandle 230 with a first hand and to grasp thebag 258 immediately beneath the pouringregion 228 with a second hand. The user is also expected to apply an upward force with the first hand, rotating thebag 258 about the region grasped by the second hand, thereby maneuvering thebag 258 into a pouring position. Because the user's second hand is anticipated to grasp the region immediately beneath the pouringregion 228, controllability of the pouring region is maximized, because R3 (not shown) effectively approaches 0. At the same time, the effective lever arm R2 is maximized, thereby providing mechanical advantage for the bag's user. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims, not the description of the preferred embodiment.
Claims (6)
- An apparatus for carrying and delivering pourable product, the apparatus comprising:a bag having first and second sidewalls (202, 204), the first sidewall (202) being attached to the second sidewall (204) at a region adjacent to a handle and the two sidewalls (204, 206) being sealed along their perimeter (206), the bag (200,248,252,258) having a centerline (224) and a pouring region (228) formed on one side of the centerline (224), the bag having an end edge (208,210) and oppositely disposed corners (216,218,220,222) formed along the end edge, the handle (230,250,254) being operably connected to the bag, the handle being onan opposite side of the centerline from the pouring region, the handle being adjacent to one corner and the pouring region being adjacent to the oppositely disposed corner, characterised in that the handle is defined by a hole (232) in the first and second sidewalls (202,204); and in further comprisingadditional material (238,240) attached to the bag adjacent to the handle, thereby increasing the strength of the bag adjacent to the handle; anda reinforcing ring (236) attached to the bag and positioned within the hole defined by the first and second sidewalls.
- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag defines an interior volume (207) and pourable product is contained in the interior volume.
- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pouring region (228) is formed proximal to one of the two oppositely disposed corners (216,218,220,222) formed along the end edge.
- The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pouring region (228) is marked by a dashed line (226) printed on the bag, the marked line extending across the one of two oppositely disposed corners, the bag defining a pouring hold when opened along the dashed line (226).
- The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bag defines a plurality of perforations, the plurality of perforations extending across the one (218) of the two oppositely disposed corners (218,216), the bag defining a pouring hole when opened along the perforations.
- An apparatus for carrying and delivering pourable product, the apparatus comprising:a bag (200,248,252,258) having first and second sidewalls (202,204) sealed along their perimeter (206) to form an interior volume (207), an end edge (208,210), oppositely disposed corners (216,218,220,222) formed along the end edge, a centerline (224) and a pouring region (228) formed on one side of the centerline; pourable product positioned within the interior volume,a handle (230,250,254) operably connected to the bag, the handle being adjacent one corner and the pouring region adjacent to the oppositely disposed corner, the handle being defined by a hole (232) passing through the first and second sidewalls (202, 204);the first sidewall (202) of the bag attached to the second sidewall (204) of the bag to form a handle region, the handle region (234) defining a hole (232) to form the handle, characterised in further comprising a reinforcing ring (236) attached to the bag and positioned within the hole (232) defined by the first and second sidewalls (202,204), and additional material (238, 240) attached to the bag adjacent to the handle, thereby increasing the strength of the bag adjacent to the handle.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US772189P | 2001-01-29 | ||
US09/772,189 US20020102032A1 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-01-29 | Bag with ergonomically disposed handle |
PCT/US2002/002224 WO2002060764A2 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2002-01-23 | Bag with ergonomically disposed handle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1365956A2 EP1365956A2 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
EP1365956B1 true EP1365956B1 (en) | 2008-01-16 |
Family
ID=25094246
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP02702084A Expired - Lifetime EP1365956B1 (en) | 2001-01-29 | 2002-01-23 | Bag with ergonomically disposed handle |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20020102032A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1365956B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE384004T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002235469A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60224649D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002060764A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8104959B2 (en) * | 2003-09-09 | 2012-01-31 | Cargill, Incorporated | Multi-handled sealed bag |
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US7648023B2 (en) * | 2006-04-27 | 2010-01-19 | Cygnus Medical Llc | Endoscope pre-clean kit |
DE102006022295A1 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-15 | Haver & Boecker Ohg | Container for filling material and method for its production |
WO2008019387A1 (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2008-02-14 | Kellogg Company | Flexible container for pourable product |
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JP5032141B2 (en) * | 2007-02-08 | 2012-09-26 | 押尾産業株式会社 | Packaging bag |
US8794833B2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2014-08-05 | North American Salt Company | Two-handled bag |
US8764292B2 (en) | 2008-11-20 | 2014-07-01 | Performance Seed | Article for holding product and methods |
US20100243670A1 (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-30 | Ferro Corporation | Methods and products for replenishing a polishing slurry in a polishing apparatus |
US20100296754A1 (en) * | 2009-05-25 | 2010-11-25 | Manuel Chiu | Auxiliary grip for heavy duty bags |
US8336495B1 (en) | 2009-09-08 | 2012-12-25 | Dumm Richard H | Flexible heat treatment and storage bag |
DE102010028394B4 (en) * | 2010-04-29 | 2019-05-23 | Windmöller & Hölscher Kg | Method and device for producing and filling packaging materials |
US8397958B2 (en) | 2010-08-05 | 2013-03-19 | Ds Smith Plastics Limited | Closure valve assembly for a container |
US20130233877A1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2013-09-12 | North American Salt Company | Bulk bag with full perforation |
WO2014032024A1 (en) | 2012-08-23 | 2014-02-27 | Waterview Innovation, Llc | Reusable multi-purpose bag formed of nonwoven fibrous material |
US9266647B2 (en) * | 2012-08-23 | 2016-02-23 | Waterview Innovation, Llc | Reusable shopping bag having multiple secondary uses |
KR101510157B1 (en) * | 2014-09-22 | 2015-04-14 | 한수연 | packaging bag |
US9834371B2 (en) | 2015-09-28 | 2017-12-05 | Lucy Pet Products, Llc | Cat litter container with two handles and a pouring spout |
US20180162622A1 (en) * | 2016-12-14 | 2018-06-14 | Folton Gold Inc. | Pour bag with grippable dispensing funnel |
IT201700107549A1 (en) * | 2017-09-26 | 2019-03-26 | Ica Spa | flexible material packages |
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US3521807A (en) * | 1968-10-04 | 1970-07-28 | Sydney R Weisberg | Combination bag and stand assembly |
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JPS6077866A (en) * | 1983-10-06 | 1985-05-02 | 望月 淳司 | Opening and closing tool for bag mouth of bag body |
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US5251982A (en) * | 1988-07-08 | 1993-10-12 | Ab Tetra Pak | Discharging device for a packaging container |
US4978025A (en) * | 1988-11-09 | 1990-12-18 | Alizol S.A. | Standable bag having an internal armature |
EP0630822A1 (en) * | 1993-06-25 | 1994-12-28 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Pouch with ridges |
US5709479A (en) * | 1996-09-06 | 1998-01-20 | Kapak Corp. | Bag construction for distributing material |
SE512037C2 (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 2000-01-17 | Mats Englund | Bag carrying and emptying device, especially for open bag containing liquid material |
-
2001
- 2001-01-29 US US09/772,189 patent/US20020102032A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2002
- 2002-01-23 AU AU2002235469A patent/AU2002235469A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-01-23 DE DE60224649T patent/DE60224649D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-01-23 EP EP02702084A patent/EP1365956B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-01-23 AT AT02702084T patent/ATE384004T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-01-23 WO PCT/US2002/002224 patent/WO2002060764A2/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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DE60224649D1 (en) | 2008-03-06 |
ATE384004T1 (en) | 2008-02-15 |
AU2002235469A1 (en) | 2002-08-12 |
US20020102032A1 (en) | 2002-08-01 |
WO2002060764A8 (en) | 2003-11-20 |
AU2002235469A8 (en) | 2005-10-13 |
EP1365956A2 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
WO2002060764A3 (en) | 2003-04-24 |
WO2002060764A2 (en) | 2002-08-08 |
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