GB2460262A

GB2460262A - Carrier bag and bag dispenser/bag combination

Info

Publication number: GB2460262A
Application number: GB0809346A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Dickinson
Original assignee: Euro Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Euro Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-22
Filing date: 2008-05-22
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Also published as: GB0809346D0; WO2009141620A1

Abstract

A carrier bag 10 comprises front and rear layers 12, 14 forming an open mouth end 22, a closed base end 16 and closed side edges 18, 20, with optional gussets; a handle formation arranged at the mouth end, generally centrally spaced from the side edges; and a pair of apertures 28, 30 formed through the front and rear layers, arranged closer to the mouth end than the base end, preferably adjacent the mouth end, one on either side of the handle formation. The handle formation may be integrally formed in the front and rear layers, or separate handles 24, 26. The handle formation or the area around it may be reinforced. A stack of bags 10 which may be optionally adhered to one another, and a dispensing apparatus/bag combination are also claimed. The dispenser comprises a hook 42 for retaining the handle formation, arranged between two arms 40 extending through the apertures 28, 30 of the bag. An additional retention element (Figure 5, 54) may be used.

Description

CARRIER BAG, A STACK OF BAGS AND A BAG DISPENSER/BAG COMBINATION The present invention relates to a carrier bag, a stack of such bags and a bag dispenser/bag combination particularly, although not exclusively limited to, longer life plastic carrier bags.

Stacks of bags made of thin gauge polyethylene film are well known for use in stores, particularly in supermarkets. The most typical configuration of such bags is made from a tube of film material which is gusseted and sealed to form a base, then cut to form handles at opposite sides of an open mouth. That configuration is commonly referred to as a "vest-style" or "t-shirt" bag. It is known to arrange such thin gauge vest-style bags on a racking system which allows the first bag in a stack of bags on the rack to be retained in an open condition for filling with purchased goods.

More recently, retailers have introduced "longer life" plastic bags which are typically of much thicker gauge material, often with a high quality print and usually separate handle members adhered for additional strength. These bags tend to be displayed available for purchase, normally at or around the check-out area and are usually retained on a hook through the handles.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrier bag.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a carrier bag comprising front and rear layers forming a closed base end, closed sides and an open mouth end opposite the base end, a handle formation arranged at the mouth end, generally centrally of the mouth end and spaced from the side edges of the bag, a pair of apertures formed through the front and rear layers, the apertures being spaced apart from one another, one on either side of the handle formation and being arranged closer to the mouth end than the base end of the bag.

In that way, the handle formation and apertures can be used to effect mounting of the bag on an existing racking system previously used for mounting a stack of thin gauge vest-style bags. Further advantageous features of the carrier bag in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is set out in the claims appended hereto.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a stack of bags having the features of the carrier bag of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a bag dispenser and bag combination, the bag dispenser comprising first and second elongate arms spaced apart from one another and extending generally parallel one with the other, and a hook member arranged between the first and second arms, a bag comprising a carrier bag having the features of the first aspect of the invention and being arranged on the dispenser so that the first and second arms extend through the apertures and the hook member retains the handle formation of the bag.

Further features of the dispenser and bag combination are set out in the claims appended hereto.

A carrier bag, a stack of bags and a bag dispenser/bag combination in accordance with the above aspects of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a perspective view of a first carrier bag in accordance with the first aspect of the invention in combination with a bag dispenser in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the bag of Fig. 1 on an alternative dispenser where the bag is shown held open by the dispenser, Fig.3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 showing the dispenser of Fig.2 with another bag in accordance with the invention which is substantially wider than the bag of Figs. I and 2, again shown held open on the dispenser, Fig.4 is a perspective view of a third bag in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, forming a stack of bags in accordance with the second aspect of the invention on the dispenser of Fig.1, and Fig.5 is a perspective view of a fourth bag in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, arranged in a stack of bags in accordance with the second aspect of the invention on a further dispenser in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

In Fig.1, a bag 10 comprises a substantially rectangular front layer 12 and a substantially identical rear layer 14. The front and rear layers 12, 14 are joined together along one end edge to form a closed base 16 and along opposite side edges to form closed sides 18, 20. The base 16 andlor the sides 18, 20 optionally include gusset formations (not shown) which may be formed prior to or subsequent to sealing of the front and rear layers 12, 14. The respective end edges of the front and rear layers 12, 14 opposite the base 16 are not joined together, thus forming an open mouth end 22. Front and rear handles, 24, 26 are secured to respective front and rear layers 12, 14 of the bag 10 at the open mouth end 22. The handles 24, 26 are arranged generally centrally of the bag 10 about a longitudinal centre line running parallel with the side edges. Apertures 28, 30 are formed in the upper corners of the front and rear layers 12, 14. The apertures 28, 30 are approximately equally spaced about the aforementioned centreline.

In Fig.1, the bag 10 is arranged on a bag dispenser 32. The bag dispenser 32 comprises an L-shaped frame formed from a base platform 34 and an upstanding wall 36. The upstanding wall 36 and the base platform 34 are configured to be approximately the same width as the bag 10. A pair of arms 38, 40 are arranged in opposite upper corners of the wall 36 and extend substantially perpendicular to the wall 36 parallel to and above the base portion 34. A U-shaped hook 42 extends generally upwardly from the rear surface of the upstanding wall 36.

In use, the bag 10 is arranged on the dispensing apparatus 32 so that the arms 38, 40 extend through the apertures 28, 30 and the handles 26, 24 are arranged over the hook 42. The height of the arms 38, 40 above the base portion 34 is just larger than the height of the bag from the apertures 38, 30 to the base end 16 so that when bags are arranged on the bag dispensing apparatus 32 they are suspended above the base.

A combination of the hook 42 supporting the handle portions 24, 26, centrally of the bag and the arms 38, 40 supporting the bag at its corners serves to ensure that the bag is supported fliliy across its width.

In Fig.2, the bag 10 of Fig.1 is arranged on an alternative dispensing apparatus 44. Parts corresponding to parts in Fig. 1 carry the same reference numerals.

In Fig.2 the dispensing apparatus 44 is very similar to that shown in Fig. 1 with the exception that the arms 38, 40 are considerably shorter.

Again, the bag 10 is supported on the dispensing apparatus 44 by means of the arms 38, 40 projecting through the projections 28, 30 and the handles 26, 24 being secured by the hook portion 42.

In Fig.2 the bag 10 is shown in a mounted but open configuration. In that arrangement, the front layer 12 of the bag has been pulled off the dispensing apparatus so that the arms 38, 40 do not extend through the apertures 28, 30 in the front layer 12.

The arms 38, 40 do extend through the apertures 28, 30 in the rear layer 14 and the handle 24 in the front layer is pulled off the hook 42 but the handle 26 on the rear layer is retained by the hook.

In that case, the bag can be filled with purchased goods. Due to the size of the dispensing apparatus 44 and the bag 10, pulling of the front layer 12 from the dispensing apparatus and filling the bag with goods causes the base of the bag 16 to be supported by the base platform 34 which ensures that the weight of the goods in the bag during filling of the bag is taken by the base platform 34 rather than the plastic of the bag around the apertures 28, 30 and the plastic of the handle portion 26.

In Fig.3, the dispensing apparatus 44 has a different bag 46 mounted thereon.

The bag 46 is shown in the open configuration as in Fig.2. Parts corresponding to parts in Figs. 1 and 2 carry the same reference numerals.

In Fig.3, the bag 46 is similar to the bag 10 in Figs.1 and 2 with the exception that it is substantially wider. In turn, the apertures 28, 30 formed adjacent the upper edge thereof in each layer 12, 14 are spaced inwardly from the side edges of the bag 46. The apertures 28, 30 remain spaced on either side of the handles 24, 26.

In Fig.4, the dispensing apparatus 44 of Figs.2 and 3 is used to mount a further alternative bag 48. Parts corresponding to parts in Figs.1 to 3 carry the same reference numerals.

In Fig.4, the bag 48 comprises front and rear layers 12, 14 sealed together to form a closed base end 16, closed sides 18, 20 and an open mouth end 22.

Apertures 28, 30 are formed adjacent the side edges 18, 20 and are arranged in a position closer to the mouth end 22 than the base end 16.

An area of material is removed from the front and rear layers 12, 14 towards the mouth end thereof so as to define a handle aperture 50. A sheet of reinforcing material 52 is secured to each of the front and rear layers 12, 14 around the handle aperture 50. The rear surface of the rear layer 14 is partially and temporarily secured to the front surface of the front layer 12 of the next bag in the stack by means of an appropriate adhesive arrangement 53, whether that comprises a glue spot, a welding arrangement, local plastic deformation, corona treatment etc. That serves to pull the front face of the subsequent bag in the stack forwardly along the arms 38, 40 ready for opening upon dispensing of the first bag in the stack.

The top of the bag 48 is folded over the top of the wall 36 of the dispenser 32 at a fold line 55 which runs just beneath the handle aperture 50.

In Fig.5, a bag 48 substantially similar to the bag in Fig.4 is arranged on the dispensing apparatus 44 of Figs.2-4. In the Fig.5 embodiment, the hook 42 retains a separate retention element which extends across the top of the open mouth 22 of the bags in the stack. The retention element 54 comprises an elongate plate-like part 56 which is bent over at opposite ends thereof. At one end the bent over part includes an aperture 58 which is arranged to receive the hook 42 of the dispensing apparatus 44.

At the opposite end the bent over part 60 is intended to lip over the top edge of the front bag in the stack so as to retain the stack in a tidy configuration.

Claims

Claims 1. A carrier bag comprising front and rear layers forming a closed base end, closed sides and an open mouth end opposite the base end, a handle formation arranged at the mouth end, generally centrally of the mouth end and spaced from the side edges, a pair of apertures formed through the front and rear layers, the apertures being spaced apart from one another, one on either side of the handle formation and being arranged closer to the mouth end than the base end.
2. A carrier bag according to claim 1 in which the apertures are arranged adjacent the mouth end.
3. A carrier bag according to claim 1 or 2 in which the apertures are arranged adjacent the side edges spaced inwardly therefrom sufficiently distant to prevent failure of the bag to the side edge when loaded and sufficiently close to the edge to allow supporting the bag substantially flat when arranged on a dispensing apparatus.
4. A carrier bag according to any preceding claim in which the handle formation is integral with at least one of the front and rear layers.
5. A carrier bag according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the handle formation is separate from but attached to one of the front or rear layers.
6. A carrier bag according to claim 5 in which the handle formation is made of a different material than the front and rear layers.
7. A carrier bag according to claim 5 or 6 in which the handle formation is thicker than at least one of the front and rear layers.
8. A carrier bag according to claim 5, 6 or 7 in which the handle formation is reinforced.
9. A carrier bag according to any preceding claim in which the area of the bag around the handle formation is reinforced.
10. A carrier bag according to any preceding claim in which the handle formation comprises a handle associated with each layer.
11. A carrier bag according to any preceding claim in which one or both of the side edges andlor the base end is gusseted.
12. A stack of bags comprising a plurality of carrier bags in accordance with any preceding claim.
13. A stack of bags according to claim 12 in which the rear face of the rear layer of one bag in the stack is adhered to the front face of the subsequent bag in the stack by an appropriate adhesion method.
14. A dispensing apparatus and carrier bag combination, the dispensing apparatus comprising a pair of arms spaced apart from one another and a hook member arranged between the arms, the carrier bag being formed in accordance with any of claism 1 to 11, whereby the arms extend through the respective apertures and the hook member retains the handle formation.
15. A dispensing apparatus and carrier bag combination according to claim 14 in which a plurality of such bags is arranged on the dispensing apparatus.