EP2251271A1

EP2251271A1 - A bag

Info

Publication number: EP2251271A1
Application number: EP10161281A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ricard Xavier Rodríguez Salazar
Original assignee: Encuny SL
Current assignee: Encuny SL
Priority date: 2009-05-14
Filing date: 2010-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-28
Also published as: ES2376379T3; ES1070513Y; ATE534582T1; EP2251271B1; ES1070513U

Abstract

A bag made from a semi-rigid, flexible sheet (4) which configures at least two lateral walls (1) and a bottom, said bottom (2) featuring a curve and spindle outline, the two lateral walls (1) being joined to each other at their longer sides and transversally arched outwards, being defined in said bottom (2) arched folds affected by apertures or discontinuous cuts (48) with connecting portions (44) between said bottom (2) and the walls (1).

Description

A BAG

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag, more specifically to a bag formed from a semi-rigid, die-cut sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there is a large variety of bags which can be used in commercial establishments and with promotional aims. In one embodiment, these bags are made from a semi-rigid, flexible sheet, for example of cardboard or paperboard, which is die-cut and joined by gluing, configuring at least two lateral walls. These bags are very highly valued because they feature a more elegant aesthetic aspect than conventional plastic bags.
These bags commonly feature a bellowed configuration defined by longitudinal creases on the smaller sides, so that the bag can be stored flat and, in the use thereof, it features an improved capacity, although the bottom of the bag features a "V"-shaped angle.
In another configuration, the bottom is designed to remain flat when the bag is extended or opened to house an object in the interior, adopting a general rectangular, prismatic shape in the opened position. Nevertheless, the flat folding of these bags is achieved by folding down the flat bottom on one of the larger lateral walls, so that upon opening the bag, the folding line is marked on one of the sides, which gives it an unsightly finish.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The bag, object of the invention, features special technical features intended to offer an improved aesthetic aspect, preventing the appearance of undesirable marks on the lateral walls and permitting a considerable capacity and a reduced flat storage volume.
According to the invention, the bag features a curved bottom and spindle outline, the two lateral walls being joined at their larger and transversally arched sides, arched folds being found at said bottom, affected by apertures or discontinuous cuts with connecting portions between said bottom and the lateral walls. This shape permits the obtainment of an optimal aesthetic aspect, as the bag does not feature inward marks or folds once opened. Furthermore, the arched arrangement of the lateral walls is totally different from the other bags consisting of semi-rigid, folded sheets.
This bag features the advantage that the manufacture thereof in automatic machines is simple, as the sheet wherefrom it is made is formed of straight folding lines, the arched folding lines being unfolded when the bag is opened.
Thus, the bag consists of a rectangular-shaped sheet with a central folding line which defines the two lateral walls. It is not ruled out that the two walls are also independent, joining each other to form the bag.
The lateral walls are extended in a lower flap, whereon an arched folding line is defined in longitudinal direction, separating half of the bottom of one of the connecting portions from the inner face of the adjacent wall. The flap is of an approximately four-sided shape, featuring a "V"-shaped indentation in an intermediate area of its end, and a projecting tab being located to the side of this indentation and joined by a longitudinal folding line. This tab is intended to fasten to the half of the flap corresponding to the other wall of the bag, by means of glue or other means of attachment, to form the bottom. The arched folding lines are affected by the discontinuous cuts which facilitate the folding of the bag and permit the bottom to adopt a curved concave configuration towards the interior of the bag.
It is therefore possible to obtain a curved bottom, since the facing indentations, once the bag has been formed, configure a central aperture in the shape of a rhombus, disposed transversally with respect to the extended bottom. When the bag is extended from its folded position for its use, said rhombus configuration is deformed, closing, and thus permitting the bottom to be prepared in an arched shape, as intended.
As mentioned, to facilitate the bottom adopting a curved shape after the unfolding of the bag, the discontinuous cuts of the arched folds feature a "U"-shape. These discontinuous cuts also permit the lateral walls to remain perfectly arched towards the exterior, without forming any type of fold, crease, or unsightly mark.
In one embodiment, the bottom of the bag features transversal crease lines which extend between the arched folds to facilitate the assembly of the bag by permitting the tension formed in said bottom to move from the bottom of its flat configuration to its curved disposition, turning away at these weakened areas, and said bottom being better arched.
The transversal crease lines define isosceles triangles with curved sides, made on both sides of the indentation, with the bases on the longitudinal folding line and the opposite apexes on the arched folding line or on the outline of the tab.
The sheet features, on open ends of the lateral walls, fastening tabs with the edge of the other lateral wall and/or with the bottom flap, by conventional fastening means, for example by means of gluing, so that in the opened and useful position of the bag only the lateral walls are visible, it being necessary to look at it from the bottom to see the curved base which ends up inside and above the plane defined by the lower ends of the lateral walls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to complement the description being carried out and with the purpose of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the feature specification wherein the following, in an illustrative and non-limitative character, has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the bag.
Figure 2 shows a close up from underneath the bag.
Figure 3 shows a flattened view of the sheet wherefrom the bag is made.
Figure 4 shows another flattened view of the sheet with crease lines at the bottom.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be observed in the referenced figures of the bag, once opened, it features a general prismatic configuration with two transversally arched walls (1), joined by the two longer longitudinal edges, while the lower part features an inwardly curved bottom (2) between the lateral walls (1), and comprises an access mouth (3) above.
Said bag is formed from a semi-rigid sheet (4), in this case of thin cardboard, rectangular shaped, with a central folding line (41) in longitudinal direction which defines the two lateral walls (1). Each one of the walls (1) is extended in a lower flap (42) for configuring the bottom (2). The flaps (42) feature a longitudinal, arched folding line (43) separating half of the bottom (2) of one of the connecting portions (44) from the interior face of the adjacent wall (1).
The flap (42) is in an approximately four-sided shape, featuring a "V"-shaped indentation in an intermediate area of its end, and to the side of this indentation (45) is a projecting tab (46) which is joined by a longitudinal folding line (47). This tab (46) is intended to fasten to half of the connected flap (42), by means of glue, to form the bottom (2). Each arched folding line (43) is affected by discontinuous cuts (48) which make the folding of the bag and arched disposition of the lateral walls (1) outwards possible.
The discontinuous cuts (48) of the arched folding lines (43) are "U"-shaped.
In figure 4, it is observed that the bottom (2) features transversal crease lines (40) which extend between the arched folds to facilitate the assembly of the bag, by defining weakened areas where through the bottom changes its flat configuration to its curved disposition. These transversal crease lines (40) define isosceles triangles with curved sides, made on both sides of the indentation (45), with the bases on the longitudinal folding line (47) and the opposite apexes on the arched folding line (43) or on the outline of the tab (46).
The sheet (4) features fastening tabs (49) on open edges of the lateral walls (1) with the edge of the other lateral wall (1).
The nature of the invention having been sufficiently described, as well as an example of preferred embodiment, it must be noted that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described can be modified, as long as this does not alter the essential characteristics of the invention claimed below.

Claims

A bag, of the type made from a semi-rigid, flexible sheet (4) which configures at least two lateral walls (1) and a bottom (2), characterised in that it features a curved bottom (2) and with spindle outline, the two lateral walls (1) being joined to each other at their longer sides and transversally arched outwards, being defined in said bottom (2) arched folds affected by apertures or discontinuous cuts (48) with connecting portions (44) between said bottom (2) and the walls (1).
A bag, according to claim 1, characterised in that the sheet (4) is of rectangular configuration with a central folding line (41) which defines the two lateral walls (1).
A bag, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the lateral walls (1) are extended in a lower flap (42), whereon an arched folding line (43) oriented longitudinally is defined, separating half of the bottom (2) of one of the connecting portions (44) with the interior face of the adjacent wall (1), the flap (42) being of approximately four-sided configuration, featuring a "V"-shaped indentation (45) in an intermediary area of its end, and a projecting tab (46) on one side of this indentation (45) which is fastened to a longitudinal folding line (47), this tab (46) being intended to fasten on the half of the connecting flap (42), by means of glue or other means of attachment, to form the bottom (2); and in that the arched folding lines (43) are affected by the discontinuous cuts (48) which make the folding of the bag possible.
A bag, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the discontinuous cuts (48) of the arched folds are "U"-shaped.
A bag, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the sheet (4) features a fastening tab (49) on one of the open edges of the lateral walls (1) with the open edge of the other lateral wall (1).
A bag, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the bottom (2) features transversal crease lines (40) which extend between the arched folds to facilitate the assembly of the bag.
A bag, according to claims 3 and 6, characterised in that the transversal crease lines (40) define isosceles triangles with curved sides, made on both sides of the indentation (45), with the bases on the longitudinal folding line (47) and the opposite apexes on the arched folding line (43) or on the outline of the tab (46).