NL2015961B1 - A closure system for a bag. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag comprising an opening defined by a top rim, said bag further comprising at least one string for closing the opening of said bag, said at least one string being guided along said bag and being operatively coupled to said bag at least partly. The bag is characterized in that said string comprises an elongate body with an opening at a first end, a second end of said string being passed through said opening, wherein near said first end said string comprises a body part provided with protrusions allowing said body part to be passed through said opening by moving said opening from said second end towards said first end and preventing a movement in the opposite direction.

Description

A CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR A BAG

The present invention relates to a closure system for a bag according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a bag comprising such closure system.

Such closure system is known in the art. For example, garbage bags are provided with a loop hole at their upper edge containing a tape, a ribbon or a rope for closing the bag by pulling the string and tying same. These tapes or the like are fixedly connected to the bag which may make it cumbersome to gently pull the tapes for closing the bag. So as to be able to ty these tapes, two hands are required which renders it impossible to carry any other item simultaneously or to control anything else than the bag.

Such embodiment for closing off a bag provides a solution for completely open bags. However, it is difficult to completely close the bag. Generally, some opening remains, allowing smells and garbage to be removed from the bag. Also, closing the bag with one hand or with only one or two fingers of two hands is impossible.

In the art, no solution is available for these disadvantages.

The present invention therefore aims at providing an improved closure system of the kind mentioned above.

The invention especially aims at providing an improved bag that can be easily closed.

More in particular the invention aims at providing a bag that can be sealed permanently without objects contained in the bag may get out.

So as to obtain at least one of the above mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a bag, comprising the features according to claim 1. This bag provides the advantage that it can be easily closed without the chance that it is reopened again. Therefore, items in the bag are safely stored.

It has surprisingly shown that the bag according to the present invention allows to be closed easily by a single hand or optionally by using only one finger of each hand. Such synergetic effect is highly useful.

As a consequence, the present invention relates to a bag comprising an opening defined by a top rim, said bag further comprising at least one string for closing the opening of said bag, said at least one string being guided along said bag and being operatively coupled to said bag at least partly, said bag being characterized in that said string comprises an elongate body with an opening at a first end, a second end of said string being passed through said opening, wherein near said first end said string comprises a body part provided with protrusions allowing said body part to be passed through said opening by moving said opening from said second end towards said first end, wherein at least one of said opening and said protrusion is embodied such that said protrusion is allowed to pass through said opening in said first direction and a movement in the opposite direction is substantially prevented.

It is preferred for the string to be guided along and at least partly being coupled to the top rim of said bag. Such embodiment provides a proper seal. Also, no interruptions will be met when closing the bag.

In the bag according to the invention, said bag preferably comprises a tunnel along a substantial part of said top rim, inside said tunnel said string being provided that partly protrudes from said tunnel. The use of such tunnel allows an accurate guiding of said string along the top rim, ensuring a perfect closing off of the opening of the bag. When pulling the string, any bag material will strip up along the top rim, ensuring a full closing of said bag, such that any items stored therein will not get out.

According to an alternative embodiment, said bag may comprise an even number of through holes in said top rim, said string being woven alternately though said holes. An even number ensures that ends of the string pop out at the same side of the bag (i.e. both at the inside or both at the outside of said bag).

Depending on the size of the opening, the bag may comprise small or larger number of holes. In case of a small bag, for example an opening with a diameter of less than about 10 cm, it may comprise at least 4 holes, preferably at least 6 holes, whereas larger bags may more preferably comprise at least 8 or even 10 holes. Still more holes is possible as well, if required.

When providing a closure system for a large bag, it may be advisable that said bag comprises two strings, each string comprising an elongate body with an opening at a first end, wherein a second end of a string is passed through the opening of the other string. Hence, when pulling at the second ends of said strings, the bag will be closed due to the guidance of the string through the respective opening of the other string. This embodiment provides the advantage that plastic will not roll up when pulling both said strings. Such rolling up is certainly encountered if only a single string is used in large bags.

So as to ensure that the body part of said string remains positioned substantially locked up inside said opening it is preferred that the protrusion is shaped as a barb.

However, a simple protrusion may be provided as well for ensuring a locking up of the body part inside said opening, in which case said protrusion may be shaped as a thickening or a knot of said body part.

After using the bag according to the invention, it is preferred if the user would be able to hang said bag on a hook or the like. To that end, it is preferred if at the second end of said string a loop is provided for hanging the bag. As a matter of fact, such loop may be embodied as a loop in a pull lip, said pull lip being provided at the free end of said string.

An easy way of using the bag is provided if said loop is embodied for receiving the tip of a finger. In that case, closing the bag may be performed by using a single finger, for example by hanging one hook on a clip that may be designed for temporarily hanging the bag and inserting a finger in said other hook and simply pulling said other hook. Such may be extremely useful for pet owners who have to clean the poop of their pet and only have a single hand available for cleaning said poop, since they hold a leash in the other hand. A highly preferred embodiment is obtained when the bag is a poop bag.

Since many garbage cans have a removable top, comprising the lid, the garbage bag can only be removed and closed if the top is put aside. However, if said top has become polluted, it would be highly preferred if the bag could be closed with one hand. As a consequence, the bag according to the present invention provides a huge advantage, since it can be easily closed with a single hand. Therefore, in the present invention the bag preferably is a garbage bag. An additional advantage is that the bag can be positioned with a tight fit around a rim of the garbage can by pulling the string after positioning the bag in the can and folding the upper part of the bag containing the string around the can's top rim.

So as to easily determine which side of the bag contains the opening, it is preferred that said top rim is designed in a color other than a main portion of the bag.

According to an alternative embodiment, opening the bag is eased by designing the top rim in a surface finish other than a main portion of the bag, easing the determination of which side of the bag is to be opened.

Especially if the bag is provided as a flat folded bag, opening the bag is eased by providing the top rim with a surface rougher than a main portion of the bag.

According to an alternative embodiment, a permanent closing of the bag is ensured if said top rim at its inside is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Hence, when closing the bag by pulling the string, a pressure is exerted on said pressure sensitive adhesive ensuring a one-time closure of the bag.

Hereafter, the invention will be described by way of a drawing. The drawing shows in:

Fig. 1 shows a bag with a closure system according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a bag with a closure system according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a closure system according to Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of a bag with a closure system according to the invention.

In the drawing, the same and analogous parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, for ease of understanding the drawing, not all parts that will be required for a practical embodiment have been shown.

Fig. 1 shows a bag 1 comprising a bottom 2 and a side wall 3 extending from said bottom 2 towards a top rim 4. Said top rim 4 defines an opening 5 providing entrance to the inside 6 of the bag 1. Near said top rim 4 a closure system 7 is provided. Said closure system 7 comprises a string 8 guided through a plurality of tunnels 9. Said tunnels 9 may be provided along the outside 10 of the top rim 4 of said bag 1. Alternatively, tunnels 11 may be provided at the inside 7 of bag 1.

In the embodiment shown, the closure system 7 comprises a so-called tie-wrap 12. The tie-wrap 12 is guided with its elongate string like body 13 through said tunnels 9.

As a matter of fact, a single tunnel 9, 11 may be provided, extending at the full circumference of the top rim 4, either at the outside 10 or the inside 6 of the bag.

The closure system 7 is at a first end 14 provided with an opening 15, the second end 16 being passed through said opening 15. When pulling at the second end 16, said string like body will be pulled through opening 15, such that a treaded part 17 is pulled through opening 15 ensuring that it is locked up inside said opening 15. Removal of said treaded part from opening 15 is impossible, ensuring a perfect closure of bag 1.

So as to easily open said bag 1 before use, a material part 18 is provided with a rough surface. Hence, an improved grip is obtained, easing opening of the bag 1. Said material part 18 may have a color different from the remaining part of the bag, identifying a user where to grasp the bag.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a bag 1 according to the invention. The bag 1 according to Fig. 2 comprises a somewhat different closure system 19. Closure system 19 comprises a string like body 13, also provided with an opening 15 at a first end 14 thereof. In this case, protrusions 23 are provided that are passed through the opening 15 when closing the bag 1. The protrusions are shaped as barbs 23.

As in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 shows that at second end 16 of string like body 13 an opening 24 is provided. This opening 24 may be used for hanging the bag 1 after use. Also, a finger may be in serted in said opening 24, enabling one to close the bag by using only one finger.

In Fig. 3 a detailed view of closure system 25 is shown.

Fig. 4 shows a bag 1 wherein a still different closure system 25 is shown. The closure system 25 is comprised of two closure systems 7; 23. Two string like bodies 13 are combined so as to obtain openings 15 at opposite sides of the bag 1. Each string like body 13, each at an opposite side of the bag 1, is contained within a tunnel 26, in this embodiment shown as a tunnel extending over a substantial part of a side of said bag 1. Two tunnels 26 are provided at opposite sides of the bag 1 (only one is visible).

The invention is not limited to the embodiment as shown in the figures. The invention is limited only by the appending claims .

The invention also relates to all combination of features and embodiments that have been described above and that are shown in the drawing independently from each other.

Claims (16)

A bag comprising an opening defined by a top edge, which bag further comprises at least one wire for closing the opening of the bag, the at least one wire being guided along the bag and at least partially operatively coupled to the bag, characterized in that the wire comprises an extending body with an opening at a first end, wherein a second end of the wire is passed through said opening, wherein near the first end the wire comprises a body part which is provided with protrusions that allow the body to be passed through the aperture by moving the aperture from the second end to the first end, with at least one of the aperture and the protrusions configured so that the protrusions pass through the opening can be made and movement in the opposite direction is substantially prevented. The bag of claim 1, wherein the wire is guided along and at least partially coupled to the top edge of the bag. A bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a tunnel along a major portion of the top edge, wherein the wire is provided in the tunnel that at least partially protrudes from the tunnel. A bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag comprises an even number of through holes in the top edge, the thread being interwoven through the through holes. A bag according to claim 4, wherein the bag comprises at least four holes, preferably at least six holes, more preferably comprises eight or even ten holes. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag comprises two wires, each wire comprising an extending body with an opening at a first end, wherein a second end of one wire is passed through the opening of the other wire . The bag of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is shaped as a barb. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one protrusion is formed as a bulge or as a knot in the body part. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a loop is provided at the second end of the wire for suspending the bag. The bag of claim 9, wherein the loop is adapted to receive the tip of a finger. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge is in a different color than a main part of the bag. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge is designed in a different surface finish than the main part of the bag. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge is provided with a rougher surface than a main part of the bag. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge is provided on its inside with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is a shit bag. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is a waste bag.