GB2216867A

GB2216867A - Sacks

Info

Publication number: GB2216867A
Application number: GB8905925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Ward
Original assignee: WARD SACKS Ltd
Current assignee: WARD SACKS Ltd
Priority date: 1988-03-18
Filing date: 1989-03-15
Publication date: 1989-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-15
Also published as: GB8806509D0; GB8905925D0; GB2216867B

Abstract

A sack 50 includes six layers 52,54,56,58,60 and 62 (see Fig 3) and the bottom end of the sack is closed by folding five of the layers 54,56,58,60 and 62 about a fold 64 (see Fig 4), and then folding all six layers about a further fold 70, Fig 5. The layer 52 then overlaps the exposed front face of the layer 62 and is adhered thereto at spaced areas 72,74 and 76, Fig 6. The sack is opened by a user inserting their fingers between the layers 52 and 62 into the openings 78 and 80 formed between the adhesive areas 72, 74 and 76 to grip layers 54-62 at fold line 64 and pull them away from the remainder of the sack with the layer 52 tearing across its width. To assist such tearing, layer 52 may include perforations. Layer 52 may include finger holes 82,84 for access to layers 54-62 at fold 64. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SACKS.

The present Invention relates to a method of forming a closure at one end of a sack, a sack in which one end Is closed and to a method of opening one end of a sack.

In one prior proposal for securing the end of a sack 10 shown schematical ly In Flgure 1, the corners 12 at one end of the sack 10 are first folded inwardly along a fold line 14 extending at 135 degrees adJacent side 18 of the sack. The end of the sack has then been folded to overlap the previously folded corners 12 of the sack about a fold 20 and a wide strip of paper 22 has then been placed to extend over the folded end of the sack, but spaced from the end fold 20 and previous free end of the sack and over a portion of the originally folded corners 12 and a portion of the uncovered remaining surface 24 of the sack. The paper 22 is glued to the sack over Its complete downwardly facing surface. In order to open that end of the sack, the paper 22 is torn at either side along lines 26 to allow the sack to be unfolded.The provision of a separate paper strip Increases the cost of the sack both In terms of the cost of material and in terms of the manufacturing cost of the sack. Furthermore, as the corners of the sack are folded inwardly a proportion of the internal volume of the sack is lost.

In a further prior proposal shown schematically In Flgures 2A and 2B, which are respectively a plan of a sack 28 and a sectlon through the end thereof, the sack Is closed by making an initial fold 30 parallel to and adjacent to the end and then a further parallel fold 34 spaced from the fold 30 In order to cover the end. Each side 36 of the sack is formed from a triple layer of paper (although only a single layer has been shown) and the uppermost layer 38 is sllt at either side along the extent Indlcated by the line 40 such that the free end 42 of the layer 38 overlaps the Initlal fold 30. The layer 38 and the portion concealed by the folds 30 and 34 are each glued to the portion of the surface 44 of the sack which they overlap over their complete extent.In order to open the bag, stitching may be provided across the sack as indlcated by the chain line 46 whereby pulling of the stitch breaks the layer 38 and allows the folds 34 and 30 to be pulled down. However, with such a sack, the st Itching is loose after detachment which may be a problem to its user If it subsequently becomes included with a mix Into which the sack contents are being emptied, and the opening of the bag Is difficult as the user has to pull the folds down along their complete extent. Furthermore, the manufacture of the sack is expensive as the stitching has to be added.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a closure at one end of the sack in which one end is initially defined by two generally flat sides having an opening between them includes folding at least part of a first side back over the second side about a fold extending between the sides and adhering the first side to the second side along part of the overlap only.

The method may comprlse adhering the first side to the second side at at least two locations spaced from each other on the overlap. The method may comprlse adhering the two sides together at three locations spaced from each other along the overlap.

The method may comprlse the first side Including at least one opening extending over the overlap, and that opening may comprise the portion of the overlap which is not adhered to the second side.

The overlap may be comprised by a single layer of material from the first side.

The method may Include folding at least part of the second side back on Itself about a first fold extending between the sides and subsequently folding both sides about a second fold In the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold such that a portion of the sack which was not Included In the first fold overlaps at least part of the first fold and adhering that overlapping portion at Its extent beyond the first fold to the second side along part of the overlap only. The first fold may include at least one layer of material from the first side.

According to another aspect of the present invent ion, a sack is provided in which one end Is closed with at least part of the first side at that end having been folded over a second side about a fold extending between the sides such that a part of the first side overlaps the second side and is adhered to the second side along part of the overlap only. The present invent Ion also Includes a sack in which one end has been closed as herein referred to.

According to a further aspect of the present invent ion a method of opening one end of a sack which is initially closed with at least part of a first side of that end having been folded over a second side about a fold extending between the sides such that part of the first side overlaps the second side and has been adhered to the first side along part of the overlap only comprises initially pulling the first side away from the second side by exerting a force acting In the region of the overlap of the first side to the second side which Is not adhered. The method may comprise applying the pulling force by hand, and the method may comprise applying the pulling force at two spaced regions, for instance by two spaced hands.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a closure at one end of a sack in which one end Is initially defined by two general ly flat sides having an opening between them includes folding at least part of the second side back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides and subsequently folding both the first and second sides about a second fold In the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold and affixing the first side to the second side along at least part of an overlap of the first and second sides with the first fold being accessible. The first side may be affixed to the second side by adhering the first and second sides together, and that adhesive may be along part of the overlap only.

According to another aspect of the present inventlon, a sack is provided in which one end Is closed with at least part of a second side having been folded back on Itself about a first fold extending between the sides with a subsequent fold having been made to both the first and second sides about a second fold In the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold with the first side having been affixed to the second side along at least part of an overlap of the first and second sides, the first fold being accessible along at least part of its extent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of opening one end of a sack which has been closed with at least part of a second side having been folded back on Itself about a first fold extending between the sides with a subsequent fold having been made to both the first and second sides about a second fold in the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold with the first side having been affixed to the second side along at least part of an overlap of the first and second sides, the first fold being accessible along at least part of Its extent comprlses at least initially applying a pulling force in the region of the first fold to tend to pull the first fold away from the unfolded portion of the second side.

The present invention also includes a method of opening one end of a sack which is closed as herein referred to, or which has been formed with a closure by a method as herein referred to.

The present invention may be carried into practice in varlous ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings In which: Flgure 3, 4 and 5 are sequentlal longitudinal side sectlonal views through the lower portion of a sack showing the progressive operatlon which is made to close one end thereof, and Figure 6 is a front view of the lower portion of a sack which has been closed.

The sack 50 shown In the drawings Is made up of six layers 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62. The cavity In the sack Is ultimately to be formed from three layers 52, 54 and 56 on one side and three layers 58, 60 and 62 on the other side.

Referring now to how the end of the sack Is closed, the bottom end of the sack 50 has a fold 64 made In all of the layers, except the layer 52, such that the free ends 66 of the folded layers I le against the front face 68 of the layer 62. All of the layers are then folded about a further fold 70 extending across the bag located in the region of the free ends 66 of the layers 54 to 62 such that, as shown in Flgure 5, the free ends 66 of the layers 54 to 62 are concealed and the layer 52 overlaps the original fold 64 to lie against the front face 68 of the layer 62.It will be appreciated that Flgures 3, 4 and 5 are schematic vlews only and that in practice the configuration of the layers shown in the Flgures 3, 4 and 5 will be somewhat more compact and flat In appearance.

The portion of the layer 52 which overlaps the front face 68 of the layer 62 is then adhered to that front face at three separate locations indlcated by areas 72, 74 and 76 with the areas 72 and 76 being towards either side of the bag and the area 74 being centrally located.

In order to open the sack an operative places his hands Into the openings 78 and 80 formed between the adhesive areas 72, 74 and 76 and between the layer 62 and the layer 52 in order to grip the layers 54 to 62 In the region of their fold line 64. The user then pulls the layers 54 to 62 away from the remainder of the bag to cause the layer 52 to tear across the sack, with that tear passing through the layer 52 In the region of the fold line 64. If desired, the layer 52 can have a series of weakened portions or perforatlons across its width adJacent to the fold line 64 In order to assist In the tearlng of the layer 57 on opening.Once the layer 52 has been ruptured across its complete extent the layers can then be caused or allowed to unfurl about the folds 70 and 64 to allow the bag to open and the contents to exit from between the layers 56 and 58.

In Figure 6 a pair of holes 82 and 84 have been shown In chain lines In the layer 52. In this embodiment a user can Insert their hands through the holes 82 and 84 in order to grip the layers 54 to 62 about the fold line 64 and subsequently pull those layers to open the bag as previously described without having to Insert their hands through the openings 78 and 80. In this embodiment it can be seen that the only area in which the overlapping portion of the layer 52 to the layer 68 above the fold line 64 which need not be adhered Is that portion Immediately behind the holes 82 and 84 In order that the fingers of the operative can be Inserted between the layers 54 and 62 behind the fold 64.

The layers In the bag are made up from sheets of paper which are continuous about their widths and accordingly the layers 56 and 58 are comprised by one endless sheet, the layers 54 and 58 by another such sheet and the layers 52 and 62 by a third such sheet.

Accordingly, in order to allow the sheet 52 to remain projecting downwards, as shown In Flgure 4, whilst the remaining layers have the fold 64 applled thereto, either side of the layer 52 has a silt placed therein to separate it from the layer 62 with the silt extending from a lowermost point of the layer 52 up to the fold 64 of Flgure 4.

Although a sack having three layers on each side has been described, it will be appreciated that sacks having a single layer or two layers on each side may also be closed In the manner described.

Claims

1. A method of forming a closure at one end of a sack initially comprising generally flat first and second portions defining a back and front respectively, the first and second portions having an opening between them, including folding part of the first portion to overlap the forwardly facing surface of the second portion and affixing the overlap of the first portion to the second portion with at least part of the sack behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 comprising adhering the overlap to the second portion along part of the overlap only.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 comprising adhering the overlap to the second portion at at least two locations spaced from each other.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 comprising adhering the overlap to the second portion at three locations spaced from each other.

5. A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 comprising affixing the overlap to the second portion with the overlap including at least one opening.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim In which the overlap is comprised by a single layer of material from the first portion.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including folding at least part of the second portion back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides and subsequently folding both portions about a second fold in n the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold such that a portion of the sack which was not included in the first fold overlaps at least part of the first fold, and affixing that overlapping portion at its extent beyond the first fold to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 in which the first fold includes at least one layer of material from the first portion.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 includlng separating one layer of the first portion which Is not folded about the first fold at either side of the sack from the end of the sack prior to folding another layer of the first portion about the first fold.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the first fold is accessible from the front of the sack.

11. A method of forming a closure at one end of a sack substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown In Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A sack in which one end is closed with an opening being present between a first and second portion defining a back and front of the sack respectively, the end having been closed by part of the first portion having been folded to overlap the forwardly facing surface of the second portion and the overlap of the first portion having been affixed to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion, with at least part of the sack behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack.

13. A sack as claimed In Claim 12 In which at least part of the first portion which overlaps the second portion is adhered to the second portion.

14. A sack as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which one end of the sack is closed by at least part of the second portion having been folded back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides with a subsequent fold having been made to both the first and second portions about a second fold in the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold with at least part of the first portion overlapping the forwardly facing surface of the second portion.

15. A sack as claimed in Claim 14 in which the first fold is accessible along at least part of Its extent from the front of the sack.

16. A sack as claimed In Claim 15 in which the first portion includes at least one opening through which the first fold may be accessed from the front of the sack.

17. A sack substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown In any of Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A sack as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 17 in which one end of the sack has been closed by a method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11.

19. A method of opening one end of a sack which is initially closed with first and second portions defining a back and front respectively, the first and second portions having an opening between them with part of the first portion having been folded to overlap the forwardly facing surface of the second portion, and the overlap of the first portion having been affixed to the second portion with at least part of the sack behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack, the method of opening comprising initially pulling the first portion away from the second portion by accessing a portion of the sack behind the overlap from the front of the sack and exerting a force acting In the region of the overlap of the first portion and the second portion.

20. A method of opening one end of a sack as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19 when the sack is according to any of Claims 10 to 14 or when the sack has had a closure formed at one end therefor by a method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19 comprising applying the pulling force by hand.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 19 or 20 comprising applying the pulling force at two spaced locations.

22. A method as claimed In Claim 21 comprising applying the pulling force at two spaced locations by two spaced hands.

23. A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 21 in which the one end of the sack which has been closed with at least part of the second portion having been folded back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides with a subsequent fold extending between the sides with a subsequent fold having been made to both the first and second portions about a second fold in the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold with the first portion having been affixed to the second portion along at least part of an overlap of the first and second portions, the first fold being accessible along at least part of its extent from the front of the sack, the method of opening comprising at least initially applying a pulling force in the region of the first fold to tend to pull the first fold away from the unfolded portion of the second portion.

24. A method of opening one end of a sack substantlally as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of opening one end of a sack as claimed in any of Claims 19 to 24 when the sack is according to any of Claims 12 to 18 or when the sack has had a closure formed at one end therefor by a method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 11.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method of forming a closure at one end of a sack initially comprising generally fiat first and second portions defining a back and front respectively, the first and second portions having an opening between them, Including folding at least part of the second portion back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides and subsequently folding both portions about a second fold In the same sense as, and spaced from the first fold such that a portion of the sack which was not included in the first fold overlaps at least part of the first fold, and affixing that overlapping portion at its extent beyond the first fold to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion with at least part of the first fold behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 comprising adhering the overlapping portion to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion along part of the overlap only.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 comprising adhering the overlapping portion to the second portion at at least two locations spaced from each other.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 comprising adhering the overlapping portion to the second portion at three locations spaced from each other.

5. A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 in which the overlapping portion includes at least one opening.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first fold is made including at least one layer of material from the first portion.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 including separating one layer of the first portion which Is not folded about the first fold at either side of the sack from the end of the sack prior to folding another layer of the first portion about the first fold.

9. A method of forming a closure at one end of a sack substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A sack in which one end is closed with an opening being present between a first and second portion defining a back and front of the sack respectively, the end having been closed by at least part of the second portion having been folded back on itself about a first fold extending between the sides with both portions subsequently having been folded about a second fold in the same sense as but spaced from the first fold with a portion of the sack which was not included In the first fold, overlapping at least part of the first fold with that overlapping portion being affixed at its extent beyond the first fold to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion, at least part of the first fold behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack.

11. A sack as claimed in Claim 10 in which at least part of the overlapping portion is adhered to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion.

12. A sack as claimed in Claim 10 or.11 in which the first portion includes at least one opening through which the first fold may be accessed from the front of the sack.

13. A sack substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown In any of Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A sack as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13 in which one end of the sack has been closed by a method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9.

15. A method of opening one end of a sack which is initially closed with first and second portions defining a back and front respectively, the first and second portions having an opening between them with at least part of the second portion having been folded back on .itself about a first fold extending between the sides with both portions subsequently having been folded about a second fold in the same sense as but spaced from the first fold with a portion of the sack which was not Included In the first fold, overlapping at least part of the first fold with that overlapping portion being affixed at its extent beyond the first fold to the forwardly facing surface of the second portion, at least part of the first fold behind the overlap being accessible from the front of the sack, the method of opening comprising accessing the first fold from the front of the sack and initially pulling the first fold away from the forwardly facing surface of the second portion.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 15 comprising pulling the first fold by hand.

17. A method as claimed In Claim 15 or 16 comprising pulling the first fold at two spaced locations.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 17 comprising pulling the first fold at two spaced locations by two spaced hands.

19. A method of opening one end of a sack substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.