GB1604156A - Containers - Google Patents

Description

(54) CONTAINERS (71) I, NIGEL ERVINE CLAXTON, a citizen of British Nationality, of "VISTA", Andrews Road, Houtbay, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to containers and to the manufacture of containers.

According to the present invention there is provided a web of synthetic plastics material having a longitudinal fold therein to provide an elongate rear panel juxtaposed to an elongate front panel, each panel having an inner face and an outer face and the inner faces of the panels being juxtaposed, a plurality of transverse welds and a plurality of transverse lines of perforations dividing said web into a plurality of discrete, separable containers each of which is closed along two sides by said transverse welds, a third side of which is constituted by said fold and which is open along the side thereof remote from the fold to form a mouth through which articles can be placed in and removed from the container, the mouth being loaded by the juxtaposed inner faces of the front and rear panels, a flap which is elongate in the direction of the length of the web, the flap serving to close the mouths of the containers and being joined along one of its longitudinal edges to said rear panel, and pressure sensitive adhesive for releasably attaching said flap to the outer face of said front panel to close said mouth.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 4 are cross-sections through folded webs; Figure 5 is an elevation of a portion of the web of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a pictorial view of a container in its open condition; Figures 7 and 8 are cross-sections of further folded webs; Figure 9 is a pictorial view of a composite web; and Figure 10 is a pictorial view of a further composite web.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, an elongate web 10 of synthetic plastics material is shown in each Figure, me webs being longitudinally folded at 12 to provide a front panel 14 and a rear panel 16. The front panel 14, measured in the direction of the width of the web, is narrower than the rear panel and the rear panel is longitudinally folded at 18 to provide a narrow flat 20. In each of Figures 1 and 2 the web is shown as being folded so that the flap lies against the front panel 14 whereas in Figures 3 and 4 the web is folded so that the flap lies against the rear panel 16.

Reference numeral 22 indicates a bead line of releasable pressure sensitive adhesive. In Figures 1 and 4 the adhesive is on the edge portion of the panel 14 whereas in Figures 2 and 3 it is on the flap 20. The adhesive can be applied before or during folding.

To form the webs illustrated into discrete bags, they are heat-sealed and perforated transversely at intervals along their length.

If reference is made to Figure 5, which specifically shows the web of Figure 1, the elongate zones at which the front and rear panels 14 and 16 and the flap 20 are welded together, are shown at 24. The lines of perforations are shown at 26 and it will be seen that each of these bisects the associated zone 24.

It will be understood that as the welded zones 34 are formed after folding of the web, not only are the panels 14 and 16 secured together but also the flap 20 is welded either to the panel 14 (Figures 1 and 2) or to the panel 16 (Figures 3 and 4).

As a result of the manufacturing procedure described, the final product is a strip of material composed of a number of containers which can, when required for use, individually be detached from the strip along the Perforated lines 26.

One of the individual containers resulting from the procedure described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, is shown, in partly open condition, in Figure 6. Each container comprises a bag which has its lower end formed by the fold 12, and its sides closed by the weld zones 24. Thus the front and rear panels 14 and 16 are joined along the major portions of their peripheries to form the bag, the remaining portions of these peripheries defining the mouth (referenced 28) of the bag. In addition to the bag, each container includes the flap 20.

The bag formed in accordance with the procedure of Figures 3 and 4 is initially opened and is closed by turning the flap 20 over so that it closes the bag mouth and is adjacent the front panel 14.

To obtain access to the interior of the bag it is necessary simultaneously to squeeze the welded edges towards one another and insert a finger under the flap 20 and over the free upper edge of the panel 14 to pull the free upper edge of the panel 14 away from the rear panel 16. This has the effect of opening the mouth 28. After money, tablets or other articles have been removed from, or inserted in, the bag it is closed by tucking the free upper edge of the panel 14 beneath the flap 20 and pressing the flap 20 against the front panel 14 so that the line of adhesive 22 is effective to secure the flap 20 to the panel 14. The flap 20 thus provides some protection against the entry of dust into the bag and fatso makes it difficult for the contents to fall out.

An advantage of containers formed from the webs of Figures 2 and 3 is that the line of adhesive is covered by the flap prior to use and is not likely to be touched by articles while the bag is being filled or articles are being removed therefrom. This minimises the chances of contamination of the adhesive which renders it less effective. Containers formed from the webs of Figures 3 and 4 have the advantage that a wider mouth is obtained but the bag is puckered at the corners when closed.

If the bag is to receive bulky contents, a gusset 30 can be provided as shown in Figures 7 and 8, this being achieved by introducing further folds into the web. As with the other forms described, the line of adhesive 22 can be on the front panel 14 or on the flap 20.

Turning finally to Figures 9 and 10, these show webs in which the integral flap 20 is replaced by a ribbon 32 of synthetic plastics material which forms the flaps. In both forms the web is folded longitudinally to provide a rear panel 16 which is wider than the front panel 14 so that an edge portion of the rear panel projects beyond the free edge of the front panel. Subsequently the ribbon 32 is heat-sealed along the projecting edge portion of the rear panel the zone along which sealing takes place is shown at 34) to form a flap which overlies the free edge portion of the front panel. In the form of Figure 9 the web is transversely sealed before the ribbon is attached and in the form of Figure 10 transverse sealing takes place after the ribbon has been attached.

Thus in Figure 10 three edges of the flap are heat-sealed, the opposed edges which are heat-sealed to the bag being at right angles to the line along which the flap is heatsealed to the rear panel.

In both forms the web is transversely perforated after the ribbon 32 has been secured to the web, and the seal between the rear panel 16 and the ribbon 32 forms a hinge.

In Figures 9 and 10 the lines of releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive are shown on the ribbon 32 but could, of course, be on the panel 14.

Heat-sealing of the ribbon to the bag may take place ultrasonically or by the direct application of heat.

hile shown as having single weld zones at intervals, pairs of narrower weld lines can be provided with the lines of perforations between the pairs of weld lines.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A web of synthetic plastics material having a longitudinal fold therein to provide an elongate rear panel juxtaposed to an elongate front panel, each panel having an inner face and an outer face and the inner faces of the panels being juxtaposed, a plurality of transverse welds and a plurality of transverse lines of perforations dividing said web into a plurality of discrete, separable containers each of which is closed along two sides by said transverse welds, a third side of which is constituted by said fold and which is open along the side thereof remote from the fold to form a mouth through which articles can be placed in and removed from the container, the mouth being loaded by the juxtaposed inner faces to the front and rear panels, a flap which is elongate in the direction of the length of the web, the flap serving to close the mouths of the containers and being joined along one of its longitudinal edges to said rear panel, and pressure sensitive adhesive for releasably attaching said flap to the outer face of said front panel to close said mouth.

2. A web as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flap is integral with said rear panel, there being a further longitudinal fold in said web which further fold forms the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. As a result of the manufacturing procedure described, the final product is a strip of material composed of a number of containers which can, when required for use, individually be detached from the strip along the Perforated lines 26. One of the individual containers resulting from the procedure described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, is shown, in partly open condition, in Figure 6. Each container comprises a bag which has its lower end formed by the fold 12, and its sides closed by the weld zones 24. Thus the front and rear panels 14 and 16 are joined along the major portions of their peripheries to form the bag, the remaining portions of these peripheries defining the mouth (referenced 28) of the bag. In addition to the bag, each container includes the flap 20. The bag formed in accordance with the procedure of Figures 3 and 4 is initially opened and is closed by turning the flap 20 over so that it closes the bag mouth and is adjacent the front panel 14. To obtain access to the interior of the bag it is necessary simultaneously to squeeze the welded edges towards one another and insert a finger under the flap 20 and over the free upper edge of the panel 14 to pull the free upper edge of the panel 14 away from the rear panel 16. This has the effect of opening the mouth 28. After money, tablets or other articles have been removed from, or inserted in, the bag it is closed by tucking the free upper edge of the panel 14 beneath the flap 20 and pressing the flap 20 against the front panel 14 so that the line of adhesive 22 is effective to secure the flap 20 to the panel 14. The flap 20 thus provides some protection against the entry of dust into the bag and fatso makes it difficult for the contents to fall out. An advantage of containers formed from the webs of Figures 2 and 3 is that the line of adhesive is covered by the flap prior to use and is not likely to be touched by articles while the bag is being filled or articles are being removed therefrom. This minimises the chances of contamination of the adhesive which renders it less effective. Containers formed from the webs of Figures 3 and 4 have the advantage that a wider mouth is obtained but the bag is puckered at the corners when closed. If the bag is to receive bulky contents, a gusset 30 can be provided as shown in Figures 7 and 8, this being achieved by introducing further folds into the web. As with the other forms described, the line of adhesive 22 can be on the front panel 14 or on the flap 20. Turning finally to Figures 9 and 10, these show webs in which the integral flap 20 is replaced by a ribbon 32 of synthetic plastics material which forms the flaps. In both forms the web is folded longitudinally to provide a rear panel 16 which is wider than the front panel 14 so that an edge portion of the rear panel projects beyond the free edge of the front panel. Subsequently the ribbon 32 is heat-sealed along the projecting edge portion of the rear panel the zone along which sealing takes place is shown at 34) to form a flap which overlies the free edge portion of the front panel. In the form of Figure 9 the web is transversely sealed before the ribbon is attached and in the form of Figure 10 transverse sealing takes place after the ribbon has been attached. Thus in Figure 10 three edges of the flap are heat-sealed, the opposed edges which are heat-sealed to the bag being at right angles to the line along which the flap is heatsealed to the rear panel. In both forms the web is transversely perforated after the ribbon 32 has been secured to the web, and the seal between the rear panel 16 and the ribbon 32 forms a hinge. In Figures 9 and 10 the lines of releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive are shown on the ribbon 32 but could, of course, be on the panel 14. Heat-sealing of the ribbon to the bag may take place ultrasonically or by the direct application of heat. hile shown as having single weld zones at intervals, pairs of narrower weld lines can be provided with the lines of perforations between the pairs of weld lines. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A web of synthetic plastics material having a longitudinal fold therein to provide an elongate rear panel juxtaposed to an elongate front panel, each panel having an inner face and an outer face and the inner faces of the panels being juxtaposed, a plurality of transverse welds and a plurality of transverse lines of perforations dividing said web into a plurality of discrete, separable containers each of which is closed along two sides by said transverse welds, a third side of which is constituted by said fold and which is open along the side thereof remote from the fold to form a mouth through which articles can be placed in and removed from the container, the mouth being loaded by the juxtaposed inner faces to the front and rear panels, a flap which is elongate in the direction of the length of the web, the flap serving to close the mouths of the containers and being joined along one of its longitudinal edges to said rear panel, and pressure sensitive adhesive for releasably attaching said flap to the outer face of said front panel to close said mouth.

2. A web as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flap is integral with said rear panel, there being a further longitudinal fold in said web which further fold forms the

boundary between said rear panel and said flap, said transverse welds securing the flap to one of said panels.

3. A web as claimed in claim 2, wherein said further longitudinal fold is such that said flap lies adjacent said rear panel, said transverse welds securing said flap to said rear panel.

4. A web as claimed in claim 2, wherein said further longitudinal fold is such that said flap lies adjacent said front panel, said transverse welds securing said ap to said front panel.

5. A web as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear panel is wider than said front panel and the rear panel projects, in the transverse direction of the web, beyond said front panel, said flap being constituted by an elongate ribbon which has one longitudinal edge thereof heat sealed to that portion of said rear panel which projects beyond said front panel.

6. A web as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ribbon is heat sealed to said panels by said transverse welds.

7. A web as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adhesive is on said flap.

8. A web as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said adhesive Is on said front panel.

9. A web substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.