EP1514811A1

EP1514811A1 - Bag which can be transformed into a tablecloth

Info

Publication number: EP1514811A1
Application number: EP03745308A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurence William Seidler
Original assignee: Advent Global SL
Current assignee: Advent Global SL
Priority date: 2002-04-03
Filing date: 2003-01-30
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Also published as: AU2003209772A1; IL164339A0; CA2481242A1; BR0309021A; CN100422063C; MXPA04009595A; RU2004130282A; KR20050006139A; WO2003082706A1; CN1649781A; JP2005521606A

Abstract

A bag transformable into a tablecloth consisting of a bag (3) or (11) manufactured from paper or a similar material having a quadrangular shape, the bag (3) having tearing or controlled breaking means on which a thermal material lamina (4) is incorporated, and a plastic material or similar lamina (2) is incorporated on the former, which is provided with reinforcement means (7) and openings (6) on the upper part constituting its handles, whereas the body (11) has two adjacent laminas (12) and (12'), printed on one or both faces, capacitated for being separated from the central body (11), forming tablecloths, having an identical width and longer length than the central body (11).

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present specification refers to a bag transformable into a tablecloth, the purpose of which is based on being formed as a bag provided with an inner area manufactured from paper with perforated edges, which can incorporate a lamina of material having thermal features, and a plastic lining, being provided with perforations on its sides for the purpose of allowing its opening or tearing once used, being subsequently used as a tablecloth on which the foods constituting the contents of the bag used for carrying prepared food are incorporated.

The invention can also be formed as a bag made of a flexible material, having features suitable for allowing carrying and maintaining the food incorporated inside the bag, provided with laminar bodies on its side faces capacitated for being removed from the central structure once the bag is used, and these laminas are subsequently applied as a tablecloth incorporating decorative designs on their inner surface, being able to use the central body of the bag as the recipient for the wastes, for their subsequent dumping into a conventional garbage container after the intake of the carried products.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is applicable within the industry dedicated to the manufacture of bags preferably applicable for carrying and distributing prepared food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The applicant knows of the current existence of a large number of bags manufactured from paper and plastic material, as well as containers manufactured from cardboard and paperboard which, subsequent to their assembly, are formed as "picnic" containers very frequently used for carrying prepared food during organized trips and excursions.

The applicant knows of the existence of French patent FR 2715669, which discloses and claims a textile material lamina which can have multiple uses, capable of being folded and transformed into a bag, it being necessary to indicate that solutions of this type are applied on a plurality of inventions formed as beach or pool towels which, by means of different arrangements and systems, are capacitated for being folded and transformed into bags, as disclosed in files ES-U-152,496, ES-U-152,497, ES-U-152,983, ES-U-152,984, ES-U-153,777, ES-U-153,778, WO-9616567, WO-9960884, EP-303771 and US-6,276,828.

Files are also known which refer to rigid devices which can be unfolded to be used as tablecloths, this being the case disclosed and claimed in patent US-6,159,179, which is similar to a folded cardboard box of those used for containing glass bottles.

Patent files US-2,831,624, US-3,097,782 and US-4,499,999 disclose panels having a certain rigidity which are fixed together such that when folded, they form a receptacle in the form of a box or basket, and when unfolded, they are used as a "picnic" blanket.

The Utility Model filed in Germany with number D-9,114,046 discloses devices for attaching the plates and silverware to the "picnic" blanket, such that the latter is folded without leaving interior space.

Patent EP-578247 discloses a bag formed by a circular base and a wall which closes by means of a perimetral cord, such that when unfolded, it defines a broader circular surface which can especially be used for changing babies' diapers.

US patent number 4,337,812 discloses an invention having a configuration similar to the aforementioned one, but which is provided in the center with a housing for plates and silverware, and which, when the bag is unfolded, is used as a tablecloth and can be re-used as a bag, pulling on the cord again.

The Utility Model filed In Spain with number ES-U-294,193 also discloses an invention similar to the one mentioned above.

Patent DE-4,335,279 discloses a sheet or lamina which is folded and closed so as to form a pocket-like bag in which the silverware can be housed, and once the sheet is opened, it is used as a napkin.

Patent EP-688,515 discloses arrangements of bags which can be unfolded so as to be used as mats or blankets for children's games, it being necessary to indicate that this invention is provided with zippers facilitating its closure.

However, the applicant does not know of the current existence of an invention provided with the features disclosed in this specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The bag transformable into a tablecloth proposed by the invention allows its use for comfortably carrying prepared food in optimal conditions, allowing for its subsequent use as a tablecloth when carried food is eaten.

In a second embodiment, the invention can also be manufactured from a flexible material forming a central body, allowing, after removing the content of the central bag, that the laminar elements constituting the outer area provided with their corresponding handle can be applicable as a tablecloth with decorations on one of its faces, specifically on the inner face placed against the central body.

More specifically, the bag transformable into a tablecloth object of the invention is constituted of a lamina forming the inner area, manufactured from paper or another material provided with the square or rectangular shape, having three of its four sides fixed and an upper opening, provided with perforations on its sides for the purpose of facilitating the opening thereof, and obtaining a rectangular lamina, i.e. due to being provided with controlled breaking means, the tearing is carried out suitably.

The invention can have a component existing on the outer surface of the paper bag manufactured in suitable conditions so as to facilitate its opening by the sides, this lamina being placed against the outer surface and provided with thermal features so as to maintain the temperature of the content.

The invention is configured with a lamina of plastic material or another material, which, fixed either to the surface of the bag or to the surface of the material incorporated on the surface of the bag, is provided with reinforcement means and handles for facilitating its rigidity, as well as for carrying it.

Once the content is emptied from the paper bag configured with the laminas disclosed above, the sides are torn and the lamina is obtained which constitutes a tablecloth on which the food contained in the bag is eaten.

In a second embodiment, the bag transformable into a tablecloth is formed by three components, forming the central area with a laminar body adopting the shape of a bag manufactured in tablecloth, easily foldable and unfoldable when incorporating the prepared foods inside the bag, and, concerning its resistance, is provided with physical features, for supporting the elements incorporated inside the bag and for subsequently carrying them, also being provided with volumetric features and health standards suitable for the content.

The two remaining components are formed as laminar parts collaborating in the thermal maintenance of the content inside the central body, which components are temporarily fixed on the sides of the central body, and which are provided with a width similar to the central body, but having a slightly longer length, for the purpose of providing the projecting ends thereof with die-cut openings applicable as handles.

These outer laminar bodies allow the outer printing of advertising or identifying graphics, the bag accordingly being formed as an advertising means, whereas in the inner area, they are also enabled for having impressions forming a tablecloth decoration.

Once it is time to eat the food contained inside the central body, the elements placed against the outer surface are taken off, forming two laminar parts which, when extended on a surface, form tablecloths on which the food can be consumed.

In the area of its opening, the central body can be provided with closure means.

Complementary elements can also be incorporated between the outer laminar elements and the central body, elements such as napkins, advertising brochures, etc., i.e. since the outer side laminas are fixed by means of a fixing carried out on the sides and lower side, pockets are formed between the sides and lower sides and the central body which are applicable for carrying different laminar elements which are kept in optimal conditions until removing the parts constituting the tablecloths, especially napkins and informative brochures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description which is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof, which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, shows the following:

Figure 1 shows a partially opened perspective view of the object of the invention constituting a bag transformable into a tablecloth.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the object shown in figure 1 once it has been transformed into a tablecloth.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the inner body of the bag object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a view of the thermal lining lamina which is placed against or not placed against the outer surface of the body shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a view of the outer covering which is placed on the outer surface of the object shown in figure 3, or on the surface of the object shown in figure 4 once the latter is fixed to the surface of the object shown in figure 3.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the object of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a closed perspective view of the object shown in figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a half-opened view of the object shown in figure 7, being able to see the tearing areas for its transformation into a tablecloth.

Figure 9 shows a view of a second embodiment of the invention in a folded position.

Figure 10 shows a view of the object shown in figure 9 in an opened position for introducing the food.

Figure 11 shows a view of the object shown in figures 9 and 10, in a closed position with the content to be carried inside.

Figure 12 lastly shows a perspective view of the object shown in figures 9, 10 and 11, completely separated, showing the central bag between the tablecloths, the content of the central bag and the brochures or napkins which can be carried in the pockets formed by placing the outer laminas fixed to the central body on three of their four sides.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In view of figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, it can be seen how the bag (1) transformable into a tablecloth is constituted from a paper or similar material bag (3), which is provided with a quadrangular shape, having perforations on its two sides and the side of the upper area being open, whereas the side of the lower part is closed, this part (3) being the main part of the structure constituting the bag (1) and, as previously mentioned, provided with perforated edges suitably treated so as to obtain a controlled breaking.

A lamina (4) is fixed on the paper or other material body (3), which lamina has a thermal nature for maintaining the temperature of the content, and an outer lamina (2) is fixed on this lamina, which is manufactured from a plastic material or another suitable material which can be provided on its upper part with reinforcement areas (7), where two openings (6) have been provided which will act as a handle, the assembly being formed by the laminas (2) and (3) at all times, or with the incorporation of the lamina (4), having its sides (5) perforated or treated so as to obtain the opening and for the bag to be transformed as shown in figure 2.

In figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, a second embodiment of the invention can be seen in which the invention is formed from a bag (10) the inside of which prepared food (16) is carried, the bag (10) being formed by a body (11) having suitable features, manufactured from paper provided with larger outer rectangular or quadrangular faces, on which faces two laminas (12) and (12') are fixed by conventional means, preferably by adhesive means, which laminas are fixed to the body (11) by means of seams located on its sides, formed as adhesive lines, and even on its lower inner side, forming respective pockets in coincidence with the body (11) where pieces constituting napkins (15) or brochures (15'), or advertising in general, can be carried out, the laminas (12) and (12') having the possibility of being printed on one or two faces, incorporating advertising graphics in general on the outer face, and ornamental designs (14) and (14') on the inner face.

The laminas (12) and (12') have a slightly longer length than the height or length of the central body (11), but maintaining the same width, die-cuts (13) and (13') constituting the handle being carried out on the projecting ends of both laminas (12) and (12').

The assembly of the bag (10) can be provided with conventional closure means on the upper area of the opening of the body (11).

Claims

A bag transformable into a tablecloth, the bag comprising:

a central body (11);

characterized in that
the bag further comprises two laminas (12, 12') releasably fixed to the central body (11) so that they can be removed from the central body and used as tablecloths.
A bag according to claim 1, manufactured from paper.
A bag according to claim 2, wherein the paper has thermal features.
A bag according to claim 1, wherein the central body is made of a flexible material.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') are substantially rectangular.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') have a width similar to the width of the bag.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') have a length slightly longer then the length of the central body.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12. 12') are fixed to the central body (11) by means of seams.
A bag according to claim 8, wherein said seams are located on the sides and lower area of the laminas (12, 12').
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') are fixed to the central body by means of adhesive means.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12. 12') are provided with two coinciding cuts or die-cuts (13, 13') on their upper parts, which extend beyond the central body (11), whereby said cuts or die-cuts constitute handles or handgrips of the bag.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') are fixed to the central body (11) by their sides and lower side, whereby the laminas and the central body form a pocket which is accessible from the upper part.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12') allow printing graphics on their outer and inner surface.
A bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the laminas (12, 12'), once separated from the central body or bag (11), form tablecloths.