Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
  • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
  • B31B70/86—Forming integral handles or mounting separate handles
  • B31B70/876—Forming integral handles or mounting separate handles involving application of reinforcement strips or patches; involving reinforcements obtained by folding
• • 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
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/10—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with gusseted sides
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65D75/5861—Spouts
  • B65D75/5866—Integral spouts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
  • B31B2155/002—Flexible containers made from webs by joining superimposed webs, e.g. with separate bottom webs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
  • B31B2160/20—Shape of flexible containers with structural provision for thickness of contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
  • B31B70/008—Stiffening or reinforcing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
  • B31B70/26—Folding sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B70/262—Folding sheets, blanks or webs involving longitudinally folding, i.e. along a line parallel to the direction of movement
  • B31B70/266—Folding sheets, blanks or webs involving longitudinally folding, i.e. along a line parallel to the direction of movement involving gusset-forming
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
  • B31B70/26—Folding sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B70/36—Folding sheets, blanks or webs by continuously feeding them to stationary members, e.g. plates, ploughs or cores
• • 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
  • B65D2313/00—Connecting or fastening means
  • B65D2313/02—Connecting or fastening means of hook-and-loop type
• • 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
  • B65D2575/00—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
  • B65D2575/52—Details
  • B65D2575/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D2575/586—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture with means for reclosing

Definitions

• This invention relates to a bag for containing a product.
• the bag is preferably, but not exclusively, designed to contain a food product, including a pet food, or a product that is preferably in the form of a granular product or a product in pieces.
• the bag is preferably made from a plastic film, in particular a layered flexible plastic film.
• bags made of layered plastic material to contain products, in particular foodstuffs are known. These bags comprise a front face, a rear face and side faces, in the form of respective V-shaped gussets.
• Some prior art bags have an upper tubular mouth without gussetted parts which can be opened and closed by means, consisting of a zip, extending across the full width of the bag to also form means for sealing the upper end of the bag gussets themselves.
• a bag for containing a product especially a food product that is preferably in the form of a granular product or a product in pieces
• the bag having a containing body made preferably of a flexible material such as a plastic film, and comprising a front wall, a rear wall and at least one gusset defined by opposite flaps, in particular a first and a second side gusset, the bag being characterized in that it comprises a product outlet mouth that opens at the gusset flaps.
• the product contained in the bag can be poured out precisely in the desired area with advantageous ease and convenience.
• a bag for containing a product especially a food product that is preferably in the form of a granular product or a product in pieces
• the bag having a containing body made preferably of a flexible material such as a plastic film, and comprising a front wall, a rear wall and at least one gusset defined by opposite flaps, in particular a first and a second side gusset, the bag being characterized in that it comprises a joining portion between the front wall and the rear wall of the bag, said joining portion being provided on the extension of the respective gusset flaps.
• a bag for containing a product especially a food product that is preferably in the form of a granular product or a product in pieces
• the bag having a containing body made preferably of a flexible material such as a plastic film, and comprising a front wall, a rear wall and at least one gusset defined by opposite flaps, in particular a first and a second side gusset, the bag being characterized in that it comprises means by which the bag can be held, located on one side of the bag.
• the bag gripping means are located on the side opposite the product outlet mouth.
• This invention also for an object to provide a process for making an advantageous bag.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag according to the invention in a bag closed condition
• FIG. 2A is a side view showing the first preferred embodiment of the bag in an empty and flattened condition
• FIG. 2B is a section view through the line IIB-IIB of Figure 2A illustrating the first embodiment of the bag in an empty and flattened condition;
• FIG. 2C is a section view through the line UC-IIC of Figure 2A illustrating the first embodiment of the bag in an empty and flattened condition;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of the bag in an open condition
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first preferred embodiment of the bag in the condition where the product contained is being poured out;
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the web of film used in a first process for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the bag
• FIG. 7 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the bag in the condition where the gussets are spaced apart
• FIG. 8 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of the bag in an empty condition
• FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a second process for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third process for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth process for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag
• FIG. 13 is a side view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 14 is a side view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the web of film used in a fifth process for making the bag according to the invention.
• FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a sixth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a seventh preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing an eighth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing a ninth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of the ninth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a tenth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the tenth preferred embodiment of the bag.
• Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment 10 of a bag made according to this invention.
• the bag is preferably designed to contain a food product, including a pet food, or a product that is preferably in the form of a granular product or a product in pieces.
• the bag might however be adapted to contain other products, in liquid or powder form, such as for example a detergent or the like.
• the bag is made preferably by folding a web of film, in particular layered plastic film exhibiting suitable flexibility.
• a web of plastic or plasticized film where said film has a sealable face, in particular heat-sealable, and an opposite face which is not sealable and which is printed with appropriate writing, colours and images on predetermined areas of it, corresponding to predetermined parts of the front, rear and side faces of the finished bag.
• the bag 10 comprises a front wall 12, a rear wall 14 and opposite side walls 16, 18, made in such a way as to form respective gussets having a V-shaped cross section and comprised of respective flaps or portions of film transversally indented towards the inside or central part of the bag.
• the gussets or side walls 16 and 18 consist of respective longitudinal portions or flaps 19, 21 and 23, 25 that extend from respective edges 12a, 14a and 12b, 14b of the front and rear walls 12 and 14.
• the reference numerals 16a and 18a thus denote the longitudinal folding or separating edges between the gussetted portions or panels 19, 21 and 23, 25 which, as mentioned above, are indented towards the inside of the bag under normal conditions of use.
• the top of the bag is closed along a join portion, in particular a transversal seal 41 described in more detail below.
• the bottom of the bag 10 is defined by a transversal strip 44 made by joining or sealing opposite lower transversal ends 12c, 14c of the front and rear walls 12, 14.
• the lower portions or zones of the front and rear walls 12, 14 contribute to forming the bottom of the bag.
• the bottom part 12c, 14c of the bag might also be folded in such a way as to overlap the front wall 12, thus giving the bag an enlarged or flat bottom in which the lower portion of the wall 14 forms the lower transversal face of the bag when full.
• the lower portion of the bag which is folded over the front wall 12, is pressed against and glued to the respective portion of the rear wall in a manner well within the knowledge of an expert in the trade and therefore not described in further detail.
• the bottom portion might also be folded over and fixed to the rear wall 14.
• the bag according to the invention has a product outlet mouth 30, which is described in more detail below, where there are means for opening and closing the mouth 30, for example in the form of a zip, comprising respective connecting elements that can be fastened and unfastened to and from each other, and more specifically, unfastened by pulling apart the respective portions of the front and rear bag walls 12, 14 and fastened by pressing together again the same portions of the front and rear walls 12, 14.
• the bag 10 comprises side gussets 16, 18 having respective upper ends 16', 18', of which only the upper end 18' of the gusset 18, as shown in Figure 2A, is closed by a band or strip 40 designed to seal that end of the gusset to prevent communication between the inside and outside of the bag.
• the band 40 constitutes means for hermetically sealing the bag.
• the band 40 is suitably glued or sealed above the upper end 18' of the gusset 18 which is in contact with a respective wall of the bag or, more specifically, in this embodiment, with the inside face of the wall 14.
• the band 40 is also glued or sealed to the respective inside face 14' of the wall 14 of the bag.
• the bag 10 comprises a joining portion 33 between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 14 of the bag, said joining portion 33 being provided on the extension of the respective flaps 23, 25 of the gusset 16.
• the joining portion 33 is adapted to form means for gripping the bag, located on the extension of the respective gusset 18 and, as may be inferred in particular from Figure 4, the joining portion 33 is wide enough to be engaged by at least one finger and, in particular, by a plurality of fingers of the user's hand M.
• the joining portion 33 extends longitudinally along the bag between the end 18' of the gusset 18 and the upper edge 41 that seals the top of the bag.
• the gripping portion 33 is delimited by an inner and an outer longitudinal edge 33a and 33b, and by respective transversal edges 33c, 33d.
• the joining portion 33 extends transversally for at least part of the width of the respective gusset, and more specifically, until it reaches the longitudinal extension of the inner edge 18a of the respective gusset 18.
• the gripping portion might, however, also be made wider than the transversal width of the respective gusset, that is to say, the inner edge 33a of the gripping portion might extend transversally beyond the inner edge 18a of the respective gusset 18.
• a large gripping portion 33 easily engaged by the user's fingers is thus obtained.
• At least one hole 35 is made in the portion 33, said hole 35 being, advantageously in the form of an oblong hole extending longitudinally of the bag, that is to say, parallel to the sides 16 and 18 of the bag.
• the user's hand M can be conveniently positioned as shown in Figure 4, inside the hole 35 in such a way that the product P can be easily poured out of the bag 10.
• the bag has a first and a second gusset 16 and 18, of which one, namely the gusset 16, extends longitudinally beyond the upper longitudinal edge 18' of the other gusset 18.
• the bag gripping means 33 are provided on the extension of the short gusset 18, that is to say on a longitudinal zone without the gussetted portion 18.
• the gusset 16 is in turn adapted to form means for channelling the product P out of the bag 10, as clearly shown in Figure 4.
• the gusset 16 has a respective upper end 16' that is located at the upper boundary 41 of the bag 10.
• a product P outlet mouth 30 is advantageously provided at the flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16.
• the mouth 30 is provided at the end 16' of the gusset 16.
• the gusset 16 has a respective end section or portion 161 that can be moved between a closed configuration, illustrated in Figure 3, and a configuration in which the product can be poured out of the mouth 30, as illustrated in Figure 4.
• the gusset 16 has a longitudinal end 16' such that when the gusset 16 is in the folded in condition towards the inside of the bag, it forms means for at least partly closing the product outlet mouth 30.
• the product can be poured out when the respective flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 are transversally spread apart or extended towards the outside of the bag, as illustrated in Figure 4.
• the material constituting the film used to make the bag, or at least the gusset exhibits properties such that the gusset 16 opens or extends towards the outside of the bag under the weight of the product P contained in the bag and elastically re-closes towards the inside of the bag when the weight of the product P no longer bears on the gusset 16.
• the product P outlet mouth 30 opens at the end 16' of the gusset 16, that is to say, on the transversal side opposite the side where the bag gripping means 33 are located, and is substantially aligned with the gripping means 33 in a transversal direction.
• the outlet mouth 30 is defined by an oblique border, labelled 30', which extends along the end edge 41 of the bag.
• This provides a product outlet mouth 30 that opens longitudinally of the bag.
• the product outlet mouth might be made in such a manner as to open both transversally, or laterally, and longitudinally of the bag.
• the outlet mouth 30 is defined by opposite borders 19', 21' of the flaps 19, 21 of the respective gusset 16 and by respective borders 126', 146' of the front and rear walls 12, 14 of the bag, which substantially coincide with or match the borders of the gusset flaps 19', 21' when the bag is closed, as illustrated in Figure 3, and which are, instead, inclined in the opposite direction to the borders 19', 21' at the end 16' of the gusset 16, when the end portion 161 of the gusset 16 extends transversally beyond the edges 12a, 14a of the front and rear walls 12, 14.
• the borders 19', 21' of the respective flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 extend obliquely in the same way as the borders 126', 146' of the portion of the respective walls 12 and 14 facing the respective flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16.
• the mouth 30 extends transversally for substantially the full width of the respective gusset 16.
• the product outlet mouth 30 might, however, also extend for a short transversal section, remaining substantially within the transversal dimension of the gusset 16.
• the bag comprises an upper transversal edge 41 for closing the bag and which is defined by opposite end strips joined together, in particular sealed, on the front and rear walls 12, 14 of the bag before the flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 are opened.
• the mouth 30 opens at the upper transversal edge 41.
• the product outlet mouth 30 opens on one side of the upper transversal closing edge 41.
• the bag also has longitudinal closing edges, labelled 31s and 33s, provided, respectively, between the front wall 12 and the opposite gusset flap 19, between the rear wall 14 and the opposite flap 21 of the gusset 16, and on the opposite side of the longitudinal closing edges 35s, 37s provided between the front wall 12 and the opposite flap 23 of the gusset 18 and between the rear wall 14 and the opposite flap 25 of the gusset 18.
• the longitudinal edges 31s, 33s, 35s, 37s are provided by corresponding joined portions of the front and rear walls 12 and 14 and of the respective flaps 19, 21, 23, 25 forming the gussets 16 and 18 and which are joined by longitudinal seals.
• the product outlet mouth 30 opens at respective longitudinal edges 31s, 33s, in particular along a longitudinal upper end zone of the longitudinal edges 31s, 33s joining the front and rear walls 12, 14 to the flaps of the gusset 16.
• the longitudinal end 16'a of the edge 16a that joins the flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 extends at the transversal closing edge 41.
• the bag is provided with a tear line, preferably in the form of a pre- weakened line 31, for removing a corner portion 10' of the bag, said pre-weakened line 31 coinciding, once the portion 10' has been removed, with the border delimiting the product outlet mouth 30.
• the tear line 31 extends obliquely relative to the principal direction in which the bag extends, that is to say, or at an angle to the longitudinal sides of the bag, and is obtained, as may be better inferred from Figure 5, from respective sections 319, 321, that extend at the parts of the film which constitute the gusset flaps 19, 21 and which are oriented, starting from a common junction point, in opposite angular directions, and further oblique sections 314, 312, that extend at the parts of the film which constitute the front and rear bag walls 12, 14 and which extend from, and in an angular direction opposite to, the respective ends of the oblique portions 319, 321.
• the tear or pre-weakened line 31 is advantageously in the form of a part of the plastic film that is thinner than the rest of the film and is, in particular, made by laser thinning.
• Other means for pre-cutting the film are also imaginable, however, provided always that they keep the bag hermetically sealed before opening.
• the film might be cut mechanically but without cutting right though it, or the film might simply have a line printed on it indicating that the user should cut it using scissors or another cutting tool.
• tearing aid means are provided at the pre-weakened line 31, in the form of notches 31a, 31b located at the ends of the pre-weakened line 30, said notches 31a, 31b being cut in the longitudinal closing edges 31s, 33s and in the transversal closing edge 41, as well illustrated in Figure 2 A.
• Means 40 are also advantageously provided for sealing the respective end 18' of the gusset 18, said means, as mentioned above, being in the form of a short sealing band 40 extending only at the end 18' of the short gusset 18.
• the portion 33 defining the bag gripping means extends at the sealing means 40 of the gusset 18 end 18'.
• the numerals 53 and 63 denote further bag gripping means located on the longitudinal side opposite the product outlet side and, in particular, on the longitudinal side of the bag opposite the side where the first gripping means 33 are located, or, other words, at the bottom of the bag 10.
• the bag gripping means 53, 63 are provided on the extensions of the gussets 16, 18, at the bottom ends 16", 18" of the respective gussets.
• first means 53 are provided on the side 18 of the bag, and second gripping means 63 on the other side 16 of the bag.
• first gripping means 53 located at the bottom of the bag on the side 18 of the bag, are longitudinally aligned with the first gripping means 33, while second gripping means 63, located at the bottom of the bag on the side 16 of the bag, are longitudinally aligned with the outlet mouth 30.
• the gripping means 53 and 63 at the bottom of the bag comprise respective holes 55, 65 which are delimited by respective edges 55', 65 and into which the user can insert at least one finger.
• the gripping portions 53, 63 on the bottom of the bag are made by sealing the gusset flaps 19, 21 and 23, 25 to the respective front and rear walls 12, 14.
• first and second portion defining the first and second gripping portions 53 and 63, respectively, which can also be joined to each other to form a single, compact whole for the gripping portions 53, 63.
• the product outlet mouth 30 opens only on one side of a lateral area of the bag.
• the bag thus has an upper area where the product outlet mouth 30 is made and a bottom area longitudinally opposite it.
• the bag comprises gripping means 33 extending at the top of the bag and, more specifically, at the upper transversal edge 41 of the bag.
• the bag gripping means 33 extend longitudinally beyond the bottom edge of the mouth 30 towards the bottom of the bag, thus facilitating the tasks of pouring out the product and generally handling and transporting the bag.
• the bag gripping means 33 are provided on one side of the bag, and, in particular, on the extension of a respective gusset 18, in an area situated beyond the upper longitudinal edge of that gusset.
• These gripping means are in the form of advantageous means that can be held or gripped by the user's fingers in opposition to the palm of the hand.
• the user's fingers are wrapped around the gripping portion 35", as may be inferred from Figure 4.
• the portion 35" of the gripping means located between the opening 35 and the respective outer lateral edge of the bag constitutes a handy elongated grip extending longitudinally of the bag along the outer lateral edge of the bag.
• an advantageous process for making the first preferred embodiment 10 of the bag according to the invention comprises feeding a flat web of film 51 suitable for making the bag 10, providing an area 58 of the web 51, where the bag gusset 18 will be formed, with an opening 57 and cutting a line, in particular using laser means, in a portion of the web transversally aligned with said opening 57, that is to say, in a portion 56 of the film where the gusset 16 of the bag 10 will be formed.
• Said laser cut comprises a first section 319, a second section 321, together defining a shape substantially like a V, a third section 312 on the extension of the section 319 and forming with the latter a portion having a general V shape, and a fourth section 314 on the extension of the section 321 and forming with the latter a portion having a general V shape, said sections together forming the pre-cut area designed to make the product outlet mouth 30 in the finished bag.
• the bag gripping portion 133 at the upper longitudinal end of the bag can be made by sealing the respective ends of a gusset 18.
• a first portion 133a is provided between the flap 23 of the gusset 18 and the front wall 12 and a second portion 133b is provided between the flap 25 of the gusset 18 and the rear wall 14, both portions being suitably perforated to afford respective openings 135a and 135b for gripping and holding the bag.
• the perforated gripping portions 133a, 133b to create a single gripping portion 133, as illustrated in Figure 6, thanks to the provision of respective openings, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, in the flaps 23, 25 of the gusset 18, which enable the sealable inside faces of the front and rear walls 12 and 14 to come into direct contact with each other.
• the wall 12 can thus be made to adhere to the wall 14 to create a single gripping portion 133.
• the gussets 16 and 18 are equal in length and extend preferably to the top edge of the bag.
• a first and a second band 140a, 140b are provided for sealing the respective gussets 16, 18, both being reduced in length, that is to say, ending with respective ends 16', 18' that are longitudinally spaced from the upper edge 41 of the bag.
• seals 190, 210 and 230, 250 which are located longitudinally beneath the respective bands 140a, 140b that seal the gussets 16, 18, and which join the respective gusset flaps 19, 21 and 23, 25 to the front and rear walls 12, 14, in such a way as to form means for channelling the product out of the bag.
• a second preferred embodiment of the process for making the bag, in particular for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.
• This second preferred embodiment of the process contemplates the use of a plurality of webs of film 351, 352, 353, 354, unwound from respective rolls 301, 302, 303, 304, for making the front and rear walls and the side walls, or gussets, of the bag.
• the second preferred embodiment comprises feeding a first and second web of film 351, 352, oriented horizontally, to make the front and rear walls of the bag and transversally inserting between them respective webs of film 353, 354 suitably folded to form the respective gussets of the bag.
• the webs of gusset film 353, 354 are inserted transversally in such a way that for each assembled length of film that will form a bag, the gussets 318, 316 are made in different lengths, and more specifically, long gussets 316 extending for substantially the entire width of the webs 351, 352 of the front and rear walls, and short gussets 318 extending from one lateral edge of the webs 351, 352 only across a predetermined part of the width of the respective webs 351, 352.
• the bag gripping portion 33 is subsequently made at the short gusset 318 of the bag.
• a third preferred embodiment of the process for making the bag, in particular for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag, is illustrated in Figure 11.
• This third preferred embodiment of the process contemplates the use of a plurality of webs of film 451, 452, 453, 454, unwound from respective rolls not illustrated in the drawing, for making the front and real walls and the side walls, or gussets, of the bag.
• the third preferred embodiment comprises feeding a first and second web of film 451, 452, oriented vertically, to make the front and rear walls of the bag and transversally inserting between them respective webs of film 453, 454 suitably folded to form the respective gussets of the bag.
• the webs of gusset film 453, 454 are inserted transversally in such a way that for each assembled length of film that will form a bag, the gussets 418, 416 are made in different lengths, and more specifically, long gussets 416 and short gussets 418, where the bag gripping portion 33 is subsequently made, substantially as described in connection with the process of Figures 9 and 10 described above.
• a fourth preferred embodiment of the process for making the bag, in particular for making the first preferred embodiment of the bag, is illustrated in Figure 12.
• This fourth preferred embodiment of the process contemplates the use of a plurality of webs of film 551, 552, 553, 554, unwound from respective rolls not illustrated in the drawing, for making the front and real walls and the side walls, or gussets, of the bag.
• the fourth preferred embodiment comprises feeding a first and second web of film 551, 552, oriented vertically, to make the front and rear walls of the bag and longitudinally inserting between them respective webs of film 553, 554 suitably folded to form the respective gussets of the bag.
• the webs of gusset film 553, 554 are inserted longitudinally in such a way that for each assembled length of film that will form a bag, the gussets are made in different lengths, and more specifically, long gussets and short gussets, made by interrupting feed of the web of gusset film 553 to form longitudinally spaced portions 553, 553 with an opening 553a between them, where the bag gripping portion 33 is subsequently made.
• Figure 13 illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment 600 of the bag, which is similar to the third embodiment 200 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the gussets 16, 18 are sealed by folding back the end portion 619', 621', 623' and 625' of the respective gusset flaps 19, 21 and 23, 25 towards the bottom of the bag and joined, in particular sealed, to the respective facing portions of the front and rear walls 12, 14. This allows the gussets to be sealed without using specific sealing bands or strips.
• FIG 14 illustrates a fifth preferred embodiment 700 of the bag, which is similar to the third embodiment 200 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• a pre- weakened line 731 for removing a corner portion of the bag, where a longitudinal section 731a of the pre- weakened line 731 extends on the front and rear walls of the bag, and a transversal section 731b runs on the front and rear walls and on the gusset flaps.
• the pre- weakened line 731 is advantageously in the form of a part of the plastic film that is thinner than the rest of the film and is, in particular, made by laser thinning. Tearing aid means or notches 731c, 73 Id similar to those of the first embodiment 10 are advantageously provided at the pre- weakened line 731.
• This provides a product outlet mouth that opens both longitudinally and transversally of the bag.
• the bands or strips 40, 140a, 140b for sealing the gussets are made preferably of heat-sealable material, and especially of material that is heat sealable on both sides or faces.
• a fifth preferred embodiment of the process for making the bag is illustrated in Figure 15.
• the fifth preferred embodiment of the process is particularly suitable for making a bag having an L-shaped product outlet mouth, that is, a mouth delimited by a border or portion extending transversally of the bag and a border or portion extending longitudinally of the bag in a manner similar that described in connection with the fifth preferred embodiment of the bag illustrated in Figure 14.
• the lateral product outlet mouth is obtained by pre-cutting or weakening the portions of film defining the gusset flaps and the respective portions of the film defining the front and rear walls of the finished bag.
• the pre-cutting or thinning of the film is defined by a first transversal portion, or line, 771 running along a longitudinal area 756, where a respective side gusset is made on the bag, and across the longitudinal lines 752a, 754a which delimit or separate the film portions defining the gusset flaps 759, 761 from the film portions defining the front and rear walls 752, 754 of the bag.
• the pre-cutting or thinning of the film also comprises respective longitudinal sections or lines 772, 774 running from the ends of the transversal pre-cut or weakening line 771 to a longitudinal area of the film that will form the transversal upper end edge of the bag.
• the pre-cut or pre-weakened area of the film defined in its entirety by the line 771, 772, 774 has the general shape of a U.
• the pre-weakened line 771, 772, 774 is transversally aligned with an opening 757 made by punching the web of film 751 and located at the film portion 758 defining a respective flap of a side gusset of the bag.
• Figure 16 illustrates the top of a sixth preferred embodiment 800 of the bag, which is similar to the first embodiment 10 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the invention contemplates the provision of a pre-cut line, preferably a pre- weakened line 813 for removing a corner portion of the bag, where said pre-cut line 813 extends between the lateral longitudinal edges 31s, 33s and the upper transversal edge 41 of the bag.
• the sixth preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in that it has a pre-cut line 813 which extends at the front and rear bag walls 12 and 14 transversally beyond the inside edge 16a of the gusset 16.
• Figure 17 illustrates the top of a seventh preferred embodiment 820 of the bag, which is similar to the first embodiment 10 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the invention contemplates the provision of a pre-cut line, preferably a pre-weakened line 823 for removing a corner portion of the bag, where said pre-cut line 823 extends between the lateral longitudinal edges 31s, 33s and the upper transversal edge 41 of the bag.
• the seventh preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in that it has a pre-cut line 823 which extends at the front and rear bag walls 12 and 14 transversally beyond the inside edge 16a of the gusset 16.
• the seventh preferred embodiment differs from the first and sixth preferred embodiments in that the pre-cut line 823 is divided into a first and a second part 823 a and 823b each extending on the front and rear bag walls at a different angle from the other with respect to the longitudinal line along which the bag extends.
• the first part 823a of the pre-cut line extends from the gusset 16 at an angle Aa to the longitudinal direction of the bag, said angle Aa being greater than the angle Ab made by the second part 823b of the pre-cut line extending from the upper edge 41 of the bag.
• the first part 823a of the pre-cut line extending from the lateral edge 31s, 33s at the gusset 16 and beyond the inside edge 16a of the gusset makes an obtuse angle A, that is, greater than 90°, with the second part 823a of the pre-cut line extending from the upper edge 41 of the bag.
• Figure 18 illustrates the top of a eighth preferred embodiment 840 of the bag, which is similar to the first embodiment 10 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the invention contemplates the provision of a pre-cut line, preferably a pre-weakened line 843 for removing a corner portion of the bag, where said pre-cut line 843 extends between the lateral longitudinal edges 31s, 33s and the upper transversal edge 41 of the bag.
• the eighth preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in that it has a pre-cut line 843 which extends at the front and rear bag walls transversally beyond the inside edge 16a of the gusset 16.
• the pre-cut line 843 of the eighth preferred embodiment has an arcuate shape both on the front and rear walls 12 and 14 and on the flaps of the gusset 16, as clearly shown in Figure 19, which illustrates a bag with a similar opening cut.
• the pre-cut line 843 extends from an outer edge of the bag in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective longitudinal edge 31s, 33s, and ends substantially perpendicular, or slightly inclined, to the upper transversal closing line 41 of the bag.
• this provides an outlet mouth 30 which extends across part of the width of the bag, and more specifically, for slightly more than half the width of the respective gusset 16, and which is conveniently large and effective in channelling or guiding the product out of the bag.
• Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the top of a ninth preferred embodiment 850 of the bag, which is similar to the first embodiment 10 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the ninth preferred embodiment of the bag advantageously comprises means 861 for closing the product outlet mouth 30 after the bag has been opened.
• the closing means 861 are designed to keep the outlet mouth 30 closed after the bag has been opened and are provided at or near the product outlet mouth 30 itself.
• the means 861 for closing product outlet mouth 30 are integral with the bag and are embodied by means forming part of the mouth 30 and designed to keep the top 850' of the bag at the product outlet mouth 30 closed by keeping it in a folded condition, as illustrated in Figure 20, over an outside face of the respective bag wall 14 to which it is suitably fixed.
• the means for closing or folding the top 850' of the bag comprise a tab 861, preferably made from a strip of film and having one portion 861a that is integral with or fixed to an outside face of one bag wall 12 and another portion 861b designed to adhere or be fastened to the outside face of the opposite wall 14 of the bag.
• the closing tab 861 before use is in a disengaged condition at the top of the bag and of the gusset 16, being located just under the respective portion of the line 843 that delimits the product outlet mouth 30.
• the length of the tab 861 and its distance from the line 843 that delimits the product outlet mouth 30 are such that when it is used it folds the top 850' of the bag at the product outlet mouth 30, that is to say, at the side gusset 16, over an outside face of the bag wall 14.
• the part 850' of the bag at the gusset 16 is folded with respect to an oblique line 850" inclined at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the bag, the closing tab 861 extending in a direction perpendicular to the fold line 850".
• Figures 21 and 22 illustrate the top of a tenth preferred embodiment 900 of the bag, which is similar to the first embodiment 10 and in which the components similar to those of that embodiment are labelled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, will not be described again in detail.
• the tenth preferred embodiment of the bag advantageously comprises means 911 for closing the product outlet mouth 30 after the bag has been opened.
• the means for closing or keeping in a closed condition the outlet mouth 30 are in the form of means 911 designed to keep the flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 close to each other after the bag has been opened, and are provided at or near the product outlet mouth 30 itself.
• the means 911 for keeping the flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16 close to each other are integral with the bag and located at the top of the bag and of the gusset 16, under the respective portion of the pre-cut line, or edge, 843 delimiting the product outlet mouth 30.
• the means for keeping the gusset flaps close to each other at the product outlet mouth comprise mutually engageable and disengageable means 911a, 911b applied to the facing surfaces of the opposite flaps 19, 21 of the gusset 16.
• the engageable and disengageable means comprise a respective element 911a fixed to the outside face of the gusset flap 19 and having adhesion means for connecting it to an element 91 Ib fixed to the outside face of the opposite gusset flap 21.
• the mutually engageable and disengageable means 911a and 91 Ib which keep the opposite gusset flaps 19, 21 close to each other in the closed or mutually engaged condition are provided on the face of the flap 19 or 21 that faces the flap 21 or 19 opposite it.
• the mutually engageable and disengageable means 911a and 911b are preferably in the form of Velcro strips or other suitable means that can be fastened to each other.
• the means for gripping or holding the bag are located, preferably, at or near the respective longitudinal end edge of the bag. It will be understood, however, that in another embodiment, the means for gripping or holding the bag might be provided at any other intermediate longitudinal position of the respective lateral edge or area of the bag.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=39860736

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (33)

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• 2007
  • 2007-05-31 IT IT000387A patent/ITBO20070387A1/it unknown
• 2008
  • 2008-05-29 WO PCT/IB2008/001357 patent/WO2008146142A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-05-29 EP EP08762735A patent/EP2150471B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2008-05-29 AT AT08762735T patent/ATE517042T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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