EP3445671B1 - Bag for carrying articles and method of manufacturing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article transport bag, in particular of the take-away fast food type, comprising a bottom and lateral sides defining internal walls delimiting an internal storage space. In general, this type of bag is made of paper, such as kraft paper, or plastic. The preferred field of application of the present invention is therefore that of packaging and transport of various articles, and more particularly ready meals and drinks.

Conventionally, this type of article transport bag is produced from a sheet roll which is fed through a whole series of roll forming machines to ultimately constitute an article transport bag. More particularly, a first series of roll forming machines makes it possible to wind and close the sheet on itself to form a continuous cylinder. Then, a second series of roll forming machines makes several folds, like an envelope, to form the bottom of the bag. Optionally, it is also possible to integrate cuffs, in particular by gluing, upstream of the first series of roll forming machines. In the end, a bag is obtained whose lateral sides form a cylinder or a closed loop on itself, while the bottom is obtained by successive folding and gluing, generally in the manner of an envelope. This is a completely classic or conventional design for a fast food take-out type bag.

In the context of a fast food establishment, the items ordered by the customer are placed on the bottom of the bag in a standing position. The customer thus leaves with his bag filled to the place where he has decided to consume what he has just bought. The user can take the articles out of the bag to place them on a table. Some customers have become accustomed to tearing the bag along the edges which connect the lateral sides. Thus, once completely torn, the bag has the shape of a cross with four branches with the bottom constituting the central part. The items purchased can then be placed on this torn and unfolded bag. These customers or users therefore use the bag to make a sort of tablecloth on which they will consume the items purchased. However, the cross shape of the tablecloth gives a patchy coverage, and there is a risk of contaminating the surface underlying the bag / tablecloth between the lateral sides arranged in a cross. In other words, the bag makes it possible to constitute a tablecloth, and its effectiveness is very limited.

In the prior art, the document is known for example FR2813292 which describes a bag made of a sheet in one piece and forming a bottom, four lateral sides, as well as connecting sectors connecting two adjacent lateral sides. When the bag is formed, the connecting sectors are folded in the manner of a fan or a bellows under the action of a string which will also serve as a wrist. When this sachet is in its unfolded flat state, it offers a covering surface similar to a square tablecloth with rounded corners. Therefore, this particular bag includes a bottom in one piece (not obtained by folding) and side walls which are connected together, not continuously, but through the connecting segments. With such a design, the initial state of the bag before folding is identical to its final state after unfolding. In short, we start from a flat monobloc tablecloth to form a bag which can be unfolded in its initial form of a monobloc tablecloth. With such an architecture, it is not possible to manufacture this bag on a production line as described above, making it possible to produce the side walls in the form of a continuous cylinder and a bottom by successive folding.

The document EP1595811 A1 describes a paper bag formed by a sheet wound in a continuous cylinder of rectangular section and provided with bellows in the corners allowing an enlargement of the bag.

The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining another type of unfoldable bag in the form of a sheet but the manufacture of which makes it possible to be automated, in particular on a production line as described above. . Another object of the present invention is to produce a bag whose starting structure before folding is different from its final structure after unfolding. Yet another object of the present invention is to be able to implement it without completely modifying the conventional design of conventional bags.

To achieve these various objectives, the present invention provides an article transport bag, in particular of the take-away fast food type, comprising a bottom and lateral sides defining internal walls delimiting an internal storage space, characterized in that '' at least one bellows element is attached in a folded state and fixed on at least one internal wall of the lateral sides at two adjacent fixing zones separated by a frangible zone provided at at least one lateral side, so to be able to bring the bellows element into an unfolded state after rupture of the frangible zone. Thus, the bottom and the lateral sides are formed by a single monobloc sheet on which is fixed one or more bellows element (s) of the invention before being folded (s) to form the article transport bag. After rupture of the frangible zone (s), the bag can be opened by unfolding the bellows element (s). Consequently, the initial state of the bag before folding does not at all correspond to its final state after unfolding. When the bag is formed, the bellows element (s) are completely inoperative, since they are prevented from unfolding by the frangible zones which are still intact. Therefore, the bag has, before rupture of its frangible zone (s), a completely conventional configuration with the lateral sides connected to each other continuously.

In this regard, it is possible to make the bag with the lateral sides interconnected so as to form a continuous cylinder and the bottom formed by several folded overlapped sides, as explained above with reference to the conventional manufacturing machine. However, it is possible to implement the present invention with a different bag architecture.

According to a first embodiment, two adjacent lateral sides form a connecting edge, the frangible zone being provided at this connection edge, the two adjacent fixing zones being respectively provided on the two adjacent lateral sides on the one hand and other from the frangible area. Advantageously, the bellows element comprises a bellows, advantageously in the form of a quarter of camembert in the unfolded state and an eighth of camembert in the folded state, bordered by the two fixing flaps, which extend parallel adjacent to the folded state and at right angles to the unfolded state. In other words, the bag can be provided with one, two, three or preferably four bellows elements which have the shape of a quarter of Camembert in the unfolded state and of an eighth of Camembert in the folded state. In this folded state, the fixing flaps are adjacent and can be fixed, for example by gluing, on either side of the connecting edges which form frangible zones. One can for example provide that the connecting edge is weakened in its thickness, is pierced with dotted lines or even open over a certain length.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the frangible zone is formed at a lateral side, the two adjacent fixing zones being respectively provided on the lateral side on either side of the frangible zone. Advantageously, the bellows element comprises two bellows each bordered by the two fixing flaps, advantageously in the form of an isosceles right triangle, which extend adjacent to the folded state and at right angles to the unfolded state. Preferably, the bellows element is made from a sheet having a width and a length which corresponds to four times its width so as to define four aligned squares, each square being folded along one of its diagonals. so as to define eight isosceles right triangles, two pairs of adjacent isosceles right triangles connected by their points respectively form the two bellows, while the other four isosceles right triangles form the four fixing zones, the frangible zone comprising two frangible lines connected at an angle straight at a junction point, to which a frangible segment is advantageously connected, in particular in the form of a tear-away pulling strip, which extends over the height of the lateral side. In this second version, the bag can be provided with one, or preferably two, bellows elements arranged at the lower part of two opposite lateral sides, near the bottom. The frangible segment and the two frangible lines together have a shape similar to an inverted Y.

Whether in the first or the second embodiment, the bag comprises from one to four bellows elements added and fixed astride one to four frangible zones produced at the lateral sides.

• a- fournir une feuille plane,
• b- réaliser au moins une zone frangible dans la feuille plane,
• c- rapporter au moins un élément de soufflet dans un état plié sur la feuille plane,
• d- fixer l'élément de soufflet à l'état plié sur la feuille plane au niveau de deux zones de fixation adjacentes séparées par la zone frangible,
• e- fixer éventuellement des poignées sur la feuille plane,
• f- enrouler et refermer la feuille plane sur elle-même de manière à former un cylindre continu formant les côtés latéraux,
• g- replier une extrémité du cylindre continu de manière à former le fond.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an article transport bag comprising a bottom and lateral sides delimiting an internal storage space, the method comprising the following steps:

• a- provide a flat sheet,
• b- making at least one frangible zone in the flat sheet,
• c- bringing back at least one bellows element in a folded state on the flat sheet,
• d- fix the bellows element in the folded state on the flat sheet at two adjacent fixing zones separated by the frangible zone,
• e- possibly fix handles on the flat sheet,
• f- winding and closing the flat sheet on itself so as to form a continuous cylinder forming the lateral sides,
• g- fold one end of the continuous cylinder so as to form the bottom.

This manufacturing process can easily be implemented on a conventional manufacturing machine. This manufacturing process makes it possible to produce a bag according to the first or the second embodiment described above.

The spirit of the invention resides in the fact of attaching and fixing bellows elements inside the lateral sides of the bag and of providing frangible or breaking zones at the level of the lateral sides to allow the folding of the bag, rupture of the frangible zones and deployment of the bellows elements, so as to achieve a final configuration similar to a conventional ply.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of nonlimiting examples, two embodiments of the invention.

In the figures:

• The figure 1a is a plan view of a sheet usable for making a bag according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 1b is a view of this same sheet with bellows elements attached and fixed on it,
• The figure 2a is a plan view, in the initial or unfolded state, of a bellows element according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 2b is a view of the bellows element of the figure 2a during folding,
• The figure 2c is a perspective view of the bellows element of the Figures 2a and 2b in the folded state,
• The figure 3a is a schematic representation of a line for manufacturing a bag according to the invention from a sheet roll,
• The figure 4a is a schematic representation of a handle which can be attached and fixed to the sheet roll of the figure 3a ,
• The Figures 4b and 4c are identical to Figures 2a and 2b , and make it possible to understand how the bellows elements can be integrated on the sheet of the roller of the figure 3a ,
• The figure 4d illustrates in more detail how the bellows element is attached and fixed to the sheet of the roll of the figure 3a ,
• The figure 3b illustrates schematically the continuation and the end of the manufacturing line of the figure 3a at the end of which the bags of the invention are obtained,
• The figure 5a is a very schematic view of the bag according to the first embodiment of the invention with the bellows elements visible by transparency,
• The figure 5b is another perspective view of the bag of the figure 5a ,
• The figure 5c represents two stacks of bags produced according to the first embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 6a is a substantially realistic perspective view of the bag according to the first embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 6b is a schematic view of the bag of the figure 6a during unfolding,
• The figure 6c is a plan view of the bag of Figures 6a and 6b fully unfolded,
• The Figures 7a and 7b are views similar to Figures 1a and 1b for a second embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 8a is a plan view, in the initial or unfolded state, of a bellows element according to this second embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 8b represents the bellows element of the figure 8a during folding,
• The figure 8c represents the bellows element of Figures 8a and 8b folded and ready to be attached and attached to the sheet of the figure 7a ,
• The figure 9a is a substantially realistic perspective view of a bag according to this second embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 9b represents a detail of the interior of the bag revealing the bellows element according to this second embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 9c is a schematic perspective view of the bag of the figure 9a during unfolding, and
• The figure 9d is a plan view of the bag of Figures 9a and 9c fully unfolded or deployed.

We will first refer to Figures 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and 2c to describe in detail the various constituent elements, as well as their mutual arrangement, of an article transport bag according to a first embodiment of the invention. These figures do not show the bag in the final state, but allow to understand how it is made. The first main component of this S1 bag is an F1 sheet, visible on the figure 1a , which here has a rectangular shape. The sheet F1 can be made with any suitable flexible material, such as paper, suitable plastic, etc. It is common to use kraft paper for this type of bag. The sheet F1 is shown on its face or inner wall F1i. The sheet F1 defines several zones separated by fold lines F14 which will be used to form the bag and to condition it in a flattened manner.

First of all, the sheet F1 defines four side walls F12, F13 which are identical in pairs. The two side walls F12 have a substantially square configuration, while the other two side walls F13 have a rectangular configuration. The walls F12 and F13 are arranged one next to the other in an alternating manner. The sheet F1 also defines sections F10 which extend parallel to the column of side walls F12, F13. These sections F10 will form after folding the bottom F11 of the bag S1, as will be seen below. The sheet F1 also includes an assembly tab F16 which extends over the entire width of the side wall F12, as well as on the face F10. This assembly tab F16 will serve to constitute a closed cylinder by attaching it to the lower edge of the side wall F13 located at the bottom of the sheet F1. At this stage, the sheet F1 has a completely conventional configuration for an article transport bag, such as for example the bags used in fast food establishments to take away cooked hot dishes.

According to the invention, the lateral sides F12, F13 are connected to each other by frangible zones F15 which are easily breakable. These frangible zones F15 are situated exactly at the level of the connecting edges connecting two adjacent lateral sides, once the bag has been formed. It could also be said that the connecting edges formed by the lateral sides of the bag are designed so as to facilitate tearing of the bag in a controlled manner. These frangible zones F15 can be formed by a local reduction in the wall thickness of the sheet F1 or by a precut of this sheet. The precut can for example be carried out in a dotted fashion, or even more widely. The frangible zone can for example be formed by cuts a few centimeters long separated by intact, weakened or precut areas. The frangible zone can also be in the form of a strip or pull tab that the user will pull. Whatever the nature and structure of these frangible zones, their main function is to generate a controlled tear in the sheet F1, more particularly at the level of its connecting edges. The frangible zones F15 can even extend at the level of the panels F10.

On the figure 1a , it is also possible to identify several fixing zones Z14 and Z15 which are represented in dotted lines. We can count four pairs of attachment zones Z14 and Z15 which extend along and on either side of the frangible zones F15. The first pair located at the very top of the figure 1 comprises an area F14 which extends over the assembly tab F16 and an area F15 which extends over the lateral side F12. The other three pairs each extend on a lateral side F12 and a lateral side F13. These zones Z14 and Z15 can be coated with glue. They can extend over the F10 panels.

The Figures 2a, 2b and 2c represent the bellows element E1 which is used to make the bag S1 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The bellows element E1 is here produced from a piece of sheet, the nature of which may be substantially similar or identical to that of the sheet F1. They can be rigid or semi-rigid to increase the rigidity of the sides on which they are pressed and thus increase the stability of the sheet, once the bag is unfolded. This piece of sheet has the shape of a quarter circle or quarter camembert with two straight edges arranged at right angles and a rounded edge in quarter circle which connects the two straight edges. It can be noted that the bellows element E1 defines two bellows leaves S11 and S12, identical by mirror symmetry along a fold line S13. The two bellows vent S11 and S12 are articulated relative to each other along the fold line S13. Each bellows fan S11 and S12 forms an eighth of a circle or pie chart. It can also be noted that the bellows element E1 comprises two elongated fixing flaps S14 and S15 for fixing the bellows element E1 to the sheet F1, as will be seen below with reference to the figure 1b . The elongated fixing flaps S14 and S15 extend at right angles to each other on the figure 2a , which corresponds to the initial or unfolded state of the bellows element E1. The two elongated flaps S14 and S15 are then in contact with each other at an oblique end edge. The shutter S14 is connected to the bellows fan S11 along a fold line, while the flap S15 is connected to the bellows fan S12 by another perpendicular fold line.

It is therefore easily understood that it is possible to fold the bellows element E1 of the figure 2a in a configuration shown on the figure 2b , with the two bellows leaves S11 and S12 forming an angle between them and the flaps S14 and S15 also forming an angle with respect to their respective leaves S11 and S12.

By continuing to fold the bellows element E1, we finally arrive in the folded configuration of the figure 2c wherein the two bellows S11 and S12 are arranged in parallel contact with each other with the two fixing flaps S14 and S15 arranged adjacent in the same plane. It can also be said that the bellows S11 and S12 extend in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the fixing flaps S14 and S15.

According to the invention, four bellows elements E1 can be brought back in the folded state ( figure 2c ) on the sheet F1 so that the fixing flaps S14 and S15 of the same bellows element E1 are positioned respectively on a pair of fixing zone Z14, Z15 on either side of a frangible zone F15. It can thus be said that the two elongated fixing flaps S14 and S15 of the same bellows element E1 are separated by a frangible zone F15. The first highest bellows element E1 on the figure 1b has its flap S14 fixed on the tongue F16 and its other flap S15 fixed on the lateral side F12. It can be noted that the tips of the flaps extend at the level of the panels F10. The second highest bellows element E1 on the figure 1b has its flap S14 fixed on the side F12 and its other flap S15 fixed on the side F13. The third bellows element E1 is fixed astride the side F13 and the side F12, while the last bellows element E1 is the lowest on the figure 1b is fixed astride the F12 side and the F13 side. The fixing of the flaps S14 and S15 on the sheet F1 can be done by any suitable technique, such as gluing, or welding. It can thus be said that the sheet F1 defines attachment zones which extend along and on either side of the frangible zones F15. These areas are visible on the figure 4d which will be described below. Once the elements E1 are in place on the sheet F1, the bellows S1 can be folded over each other in pairs, as shown in the figure 1b . In other words, the leaves S11 and S12 can be folded down on the large lateral sides F12, leaving the small lateral sides F13 free.

With this configuration shown on the figure 1b , the sheet F1 can be rolled up and closed on itself by fixing, for example by gluing, the assembly tab F16 on the lower edge of the lowest lateral side F13 of the figure 1b . A cylinder is thus formed which can be folded appropriately in order to constitute the bottom of the bag using the F10 sections. The bag S1 according to the first embodiment of the invention is thus produced. It can optionally also be provided with handles for gripping and transporting.

We will now refer to figures 3a to 5c to describe how the bag of Figures 1a to 2c can be carried out according to a conventional manufacturing process. The different work stations have not been shown, but it is possible to understand the different stages of manufacture from a roll R of sheet similar or identical to sheet F1. Once a strip of the roll has been unwound, the first step may consist in making pre-cuts or weakening of the sheet so as to form the frangible zones F15. An optional second step can consist of depositing and fixing on the sheet two handles P, more clearly visible on the figure 4a . Then, a first pair of bellows elements E1, as visible on the Figures 4b and 4c , can be attached and fixed in the folded state on the sheet straddling two frangible zones F15. The other two bellows elements E1 can then be attached and fixed on the sheet straddling two frangible zones F15, so that the four bellows elements E1 are then in place on the sheet. With more specific reference to the figure 4d , it can be seen how a bellows element E1 is attached in the folded state and fixed on the sheet of the roll at the level of two fixing zones Z14 and Z15 which extend along and on either side of a frangible zone F15. These zones Z14 and Z15 can be coated with glue before returning the bellows element E1 and fixing it on its areas glued by these two fixing flaps S14 and S15.

Except for the presence of the handles P, the section of the roller R where the four bellows elements E1 are fixed have a configuration identical to that of the figure 1b .

On the figure 3b , we recognize the configuration of the figure 1b which will then be wound on itself to form a cylinder C. This cylinder is then shaped to create connecting edges at the frangible zones F15. A section of the cylinder is then detached revealing the handles P. An additional step consists in gluing and folding the sides F10 to constitute the bottom F11 of the bag B1. As we can see on the figure 5a , the two leaves of the bellows elements E1 extend over the internal wall of the long lateral sides F12. On the figure 5b , it can be seen that the bottom F11 is folded in such a way that it extends substantially in the same plane as the large lateral sides F12, while the short lateral sides F13 are folded in the portfolio. This is a completely classic configuration for a bag in the field of fast food, except for the inclusion of the bellows elements E1 of the invention. Such B1 bags can then be placed in T batteries, as visible on the figure 5c .

We will now refer to Figures 6a, 6b and 6c to describe how the bag B1, according to the first embodiment of the invention, can be torn and unfolded so as to constitute a suitable sheet. On the figure 6a , the bag B1 is seen in its final state of use with the bottom disposed flat and the short lateral sides F13 substantially or completely unfolded, so that the bag B1 constitutes a storage space formed by the internal walls of the bottom F11 and the lateral sides F12 and F13 of the sheet F1. In this state, articles, such as ready meals and drinks, can be placed inside the bag B1 on the bottom F11. We can notice on the figure 6a that the substantially vertical connecting edges, which separate the lateral sides F12 and F13, form frangible zones F15, which may for example be in the form of strips or tear-off tabs on which one can pull. So a user can pull on these tabs or strips so as to separate the lateral sides from each other. On the figure 6b , the bag is seen being unfolded, after the frangible zones F15 have been torn. Finally, on the figure 6a , we see the bag B1 in its fully unfolded or deployed state, revealing the bottom F11 consisting of folded and superimposed sections F10, the four lateral sides F12, F13, as well as the four bellows elements E1 with their fixing flaps S14, S15. The bag B1 then has a completely conventional configuration for a tablecloth. Because the frangible areas are easily divisible and the bag, when unfolded, has the shape of a rectangle with rounded edges without breaks (and not a cross), it is not useful to take out the contents of the bag to switch from bag mode to tablecloth mode.

We will now refer to Figures 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b and 8c to describe a second embodiment of a B2 bag according to the invention. As in the first embodiment, a main component of the bag is a sheet F2 forming sections F20, two large lateral sides F22 and two small lateral sides F23. The sheet F2 also includes an assembly tab F26 and has fold lines F24.

According to the invention, the sheet F2 comprises two frangible zones located at the level of the short lateral sides F23. These frangible zones each comprise two frangible lines F25a and F25b which are arranged relative to each other by forming a right angle or a square. One end of the frangible lines F25a, F25b touches a face F20, while they meet at a junction point F25d, which is here located substantially one third of the width of the side wall F23. According to the invention, an additional frangible segment F25c can extend from the junction point F25d to the free edge of the lateral side F23, as can be seen on the figure 7a . It can thus be said that the frangible zone on a lateral side F23 has a Y-shaped configuration. As in the first embodiment of the invention, the frangible zones can be produced by reducing the wall thickness from sheet F2 or by precuts. The frangible segment F25c can be made in the form of a strip or tear-off tab on which the user can pull.

This bag B2 comprises two bellows elements E2 which are produced from a sheet of rectangular shape whose length corresponds to four times the width. Thus, the sheet can be delimited in four squares which can each be separated in two along their diagonal to form right isosceles triangles. Referring to the figure 8a , we can see that the shutter element E2 comprises eight isosceles right triangles formed by four squares whose diagonals extend in a zigzag. Among these eight isosceles right triangles, two pairs of adjacent isosceles right triangles S21, S22 can be identified which are connected together by fold lines S23. Each pair of triangles forms a large isosceles right triangle which can be articulated at the fold line S23. The two large isosceles right triangles are connected only at their 45 ° point. The other four isosceles right triangles form fixing flaps S24, S25 intended to be fixed, for example by gluing or welding, on the sheet F2 at the level where they form the frangible lines F24a and F25b.

On the figure 8b , we can see how the leaf of the figure 8a can be folded along lines S23 and diagonals to achieve a folded state as shown in the figure 8c . It can then be noted that the bellows element E2 forms two bellows S2 each consisting of two bellows leaves S21 and S22. The fixing flaps S24 and S25 of each bellows S2 are fixed along and on either side of the frangible lines 25a and 25b.

Referring to the figure 7b , we see the two bellows elements E2 in the folded state, attached and fixed on the two short lateral sides F23 adjacent to the sides F20 and contiguously at the end of the frangible segment F25c. It can be said that each bellows element E2 occupies substantially one third of the total surface of the lateral side F23. It can also be noted that the bellows elements E2 do not protrude either on the sides F20 or on the large lateral sides F22, or on the tongue assembly F26: they are fully inscribed inside the lateral sides F23.

It can be seen that the small lateral side F23 defines four distinct fixing zones, namely two pairs of fixing zones Z24 and Z25 extending along and on either side of the frangible lines F25a and F25b. The fixing flaps S24 will be fixed on the fixing zones Z24, while the fixing flaps S25 will be fixed on the fixing zones Z25.

On the figure 9a , we see the bag B2 according to the second embodiment of the invention. More particularly, we see the lateral side F23 with its two frangible lines F25a and F25b which connect at the level of the junction point F25b from which extends the frangible segment F25c which goes to the top of the bag. The figure 9b shows a detail of the interior of the bag at which we can see a bellows element E2 fixed on the inner wall of the lateral side F23. We see the two bellows S2 as well as two fixing flaps S24 and S25. We can also notice the background F11.

A user can then pull on the frangible segments F25c to tear the lateral side 23 up to the junction point F25d. Continuing the traction on the segment F25c, the frangible lines F25a and F25b will give way so as to be able to open the bag, in a configuration represented on the figure 9c . We can then see the bellows element E2 as shown in the figure 8a . By proceeding in the same way on the second lateral side F23, the user achieves the fully unfolded or deployed configuration shown on the figure 9d . We can then notice the two bellows elements E2 as visible on the figure 8 , that is to say in the initial or unfolded state, as well as the two large lateral sides F22 and the four lateral side ends F23 which have been torn. We can also note the bottom F21 consisting of sections F20 which have been folded, glued and superimposed.

In place of the frangible zones F15 of the first embodiment and of the frangible lines F25a and F25b and frangible segments F25c of the second embodiment, it is possible to use sectioning wires having a gripping end which the user can grasp to pull on it strong enough to cut the lateral side. These wires can be fixed, for example loosely glued, on the internal wall of the lateral sides with the grip end projecting from the bag.

In the two embodiments of the invention which have just been described, the bags B1 and B2 comprise bellows elements E1, E2 which are attached and fixed in the folded state on a sheet which is then profiled, assembled and folded to form a usable bag. The bellows elements E1 and E2 are fixed astride or on either side of frangible lines or zones, which the user can easily break to unfold or deploy the bag in the form of a suitable sheet. The two embodiments have been described with several bellows elements, namely four in the first embodiment and two in the second embodiment: however, it is conceivable to make bags with only one bellows element, so to be able to open the bag by forming a tablecloth zone and one or two vertical screens which can guarantee a certain intimacy to the user when he eats.

The present invention has been illustrated with reference to bags which are produced by forming a continuous cylinder which will constitute the four lateral sides of the bag and of which a part will be folded to constitute the bottom. However, the present invention can also be implemented in other bag architectures, insofar as it is possible to attach and fix the bellows elements in the folded state on a sheet constituting the bag.

Thanks to the invention, there is a bag with a completely conventional appearance, and which can moreover be produced on completely conventional assembly lines, but which incorporates the additional functionality of enabling it to be torn apart and deployed. easy in the form of a tablecloth.

Claims (10)

1. An article carrier bag (B1; B2), in particular of the fastfood takeaway type, formed from a plane sheet, the bag comprising a bottom (F11; F21) and sides (F12, F13; F22, F23) defining inside walls bounding an inside storage space, and being characterized in that at least one gusset element (E1; E2) in a folded state is fitted to and fastened on at least one inside wall of the sides (F12, F13; F22, F23) in two adjacent fastener zones (Z14, Z15; Z24, Z25) that are separated by a frangible zone (F15; F25a; F25b) provided in association with at least one side (F12, F13; F22, F23), so as to be capable of bringing the gusset element (E1; E2) into an unfolded state after breaking the frangible zone (F15; F25a; F25b).
2. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 1, wherein the sides (F12, F13; F22, F23) are connected together so as to form a continuous cylinder (C), the bottom (F11; F21) being formed by a plurality of superposed folded flaps (F10; F20).
3. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein two adjacent sides (F12, F13) form a connecting edge, the frangible zone (F15) being provided at the connecting edge, the two adjacent fastener zones (Z14, Z15) being provided respectively on the two adjacent sides (F12, F13) on either side of the frangible zone (F15).
4. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 3, wherein the gusset element (E1) comprises a gusset (S1), advantageously in the form of one fourth of a circle in the folded state and one eighth of a circle in the unfolded state, between two fastener tabs (S14; S15), that extend in parallel and in adjacent manner in the folded state and at right angles in the unfolded state.
5. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frangible zone (F25a, F25b) is formed in a side (F23), the two adjacent fastener zones (Z24, Z25) being provided on the side (F23), respectively on either side of the frangible zone (F25a, F25b).
6. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 5, wherein the gusset element (E2) comprises two gussets (S2) each between two fastener flaps (S24, S25), advantageously in the form of isosceles right triangles, that extend adjacent to each other in the folded state and at right angles in the unfolded state.
7. A carrier bag (B1; B2) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the gusset element (S2) is made from a sheet presenting a width together with a length that corresponds to four times the width so as to define an alignment of four squares, each square being folded along one of its diagonals so as to define eight isosceles right triangles, two pairs of adjacent isosceles right triangles connected together via their points respectively forming the two gussets, while the other four isosceles right triangles form the four fastener flaps (S24, S25), the frangible zone having two frangible lines (F25a, F25b) connected together at right angles at a junction point (F25d), advantageously having a frangible segment (F25c), connected thereto, in particular in the form of a tear-off pull strip that extends over the height of the side (F23).
8. A fabrication method for fabricating an article carrier bag (B1; B2) comprising a bottom (F11; F21) and sides (F12, F13; F22, F23) defining an inside storage space, the method comprising the following steps:

   a- providing a plane sheet (F1; F2),

   b- making at least one frangible zone (F15; F25a; F25b) in the plane sheet (F1; F2),

   c- fitting at least one gusset element (E1; E2) in a folded state on the plane sheet (F1; F2),

   d- fastening the gusset element (E1; E2) in the folded state on the plane sheet (F1; F2) via two adjacent fastener zones (Z14, Z15; Z24, Z25) that are separated by the frangible zone (F15; F25a; F25b),

   e- optionally fastening handles (P1) on the plane sheet (F1; F2),

   f- rolling up and closing the plane sheet (F1; F2) so as to form a continuous cylinder (C) forming the sides (F12, F13; F22, F23),

   g- folding one end of the continuous cylinder (C) so as to form the bottom (11).
9. A fabrication method according to claim 8, wherein two adjacent sides (F12, F13) form a connecting edge, the frangible zone (F15) being provided at this connecting edge, the two adjacent fastener zones (Z14,Z15;Z24,Z25) being provided respectively on the two adjacent sides (F12, F13) on either side of the frangible zone (F15), the gusset element (E1) comprising a gusset (S1) between two fastener tabs (S14, S15) that extend in adjacent manner and in parallel in the folded state and at right angles in the unfolded state.
10. A fabrication method according to claim 8, wherein the frangible zone (F25a; F25b) is formed in a side (F23), the two adjacent fastener zones (Z24, Z25) being provided respectively on the side (F23) on either side of the frangible zone (F25a; F25b), the gusset element (E2) comprising two gussets (S2) each between the two fastener tabs (S24, S25), each advantageously in the form of an isosceles right triangle, which gussets extend in adjacent manner in the folded state and at right angles in the unfolded state.

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