WO1995031384A2

WO1995031384A2 - Container that dispenses articles made of thin and flexible plastic sheets

Info

Publication number: WO1995031384A2
Application number: PCT/BR1995/000031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Heinz Ernst Hoffrichter; Thomas Hoffrichter
Original assignee: Karl Heinz Ernst Hoffrichter; Thomas Hoffrichter
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-05-18
Publication date: 1995-11-23
Also published as: WO1995031384A3; AU2781795A

Abstract

'Container that dispenses articles made of thin and flexible plastic sheet' having: a bundle (1) of plastic articles pressed together along one side, with a perforated line (3) below the pressed strip; a plastic wrapping (2) pressed together with the bundle of articles (1) along the top and above the perforated line (3), and also containing at the front a removable plastic patch (6) surrounded by another perforated line (7); a weakened line (27) placed along the whole extension of the lower edge (28) of the container; a removable plastic patch (29) having a perforated contour (30), placed on the lower part of the container (2), in contact with the weakened line (27); a small lower appendage (34) placed behind the container, being said appendage vertically turned down.

Description

Descriptive Report of the Patent for the Invention of a "CONTAINER THAT DISPENSES ARTICLES MADE OF THIN AND FLEXIBLE PLASTIC SHEETS".

The novelty of this invention consists of an outer thermoplastic dispenser which contains a bumdle of plastic bags, pressed together at one of the edges with perforations below this strip to facilitate removal of each bag.

The dispenser itself should also be pressed toge ther with the package of bags, along the edge above the ope ning for removal, and having a plastic patch at the front sur rounded by a perforated line, making it also removable.

Packages consisting of plastic bags pressed toge ther are frequently wrapped in paper or light cardboard to serv as packaging for the entire bundle as well as protection for handling and sales. Inside the package of plastic bags are separate or folded inside a larger protective bag. To remove the bags one by one for use, the protective wrapping must be removed and the bundled package hung on a hook , by means of a hole in the plastic, making it possible to remove each bag separately through perforated line.

When the package is thus hung, however, it is subject to dirt from the air around it, and my be blown away where there are strong winds.

The basis of the novelty consists in protecting the package of bundled bags from dirt during exposition for sale and individual removal and to allow fast, safe individual removal. This objective is attained by the dispenser described herein by extending the removable piece of plastic above and below the perforations to facilitate removal, and by least one sticky area on the back of the dispenser protected by a pa per coating which is also removable.

For stability of the dispenser during individual removal of the bags, there are one or more sticky areas at the back for affixing it to a wall or other such area. Before placement, the paper coating is removed and the back side of the dispenser is affixed to a wall or other type of support. These sticky areas can be made of water-soluble adhesive substance, thus being compatible with environmental requirements. At least one of the sticky areas should be placed on the reverse side near the lower corner of the dispenser. Por example, a single sticky area can be placed in the middle, or two areas can be included, one in each corner. The areas may be round, oval or in a strip.

To allow removal of the entire bundle, the perforated line around the removable patch of plastic on the front of the dispenser can be extended by an additional perforated line, starting at the lower corner toward the lower middle of the dispenser. This will allow a larger opening and also protect the bags still inside. The removable patch of plastic over the opening may be rectangular, square, triangular, circular or oval.

To avoid tearing the edges of the opening of the dispenser (which can occur when the patch inside the perforated line is removed or when the plastic bags are removed individually), it is recommended that the edges of the opening be strengthened with plastic reinforcer. For example , the perforated line that surrounds the removable patch of plastic can be reinforced by a fused or glued sheet of thermo plastic material, inside or outside the dispenser.

Instead of printing directly on the dispenser , a printed sheet of paper can be placed inside for advertising, the advantage being that such paper can be 100% recyclable , thus contributing to environmental protection. The lack of printing on the dispenser will also contribute to ecological recycling of the plastic. It is preferable to use the same type of plastic material for the pressed bags, the dispenser and the reinforcement. The removable plastic patch is placed in such a way that it covers part of the perforation for re in such a way that it covers part of the perforation for removing the bags.

According to this invention, the package of pressed bags remains in view during sales, and the bags are removed from the dispenser one by one, protection being provided by the dispenser. To remove begs, a sufficiently large opening is provided at the front, surrounded by a perforated line . The dispenser protects the bundle of bags during the entire life of the dispenser, until all bags have been removed. Advertising can be printed on the dispenser, to remain visible during the entire period of use. This avoids having to print on every bag.

To permit handing of the pressed bags inside the dispenser, a hole must be positioned in the appropriate place . This hole can be above the bundle of pressed bags inside the dispenser, or placed over the pressed edge of the package, penetrating the dispenser and the pressed edge of the bags. The recommended configurations for the invention will be clari fied by use of the annexed drawings :

Figure 1 is a front view of the dispenser with a bundle of plastic bags inside.

Figure 2 is a side view of the dispenser as seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the dispenser and individual removal of bags from the dispenser.

Figure 4 is a front view of the dispenser with the bags inside.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the dispenser similar to Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a variation of the dispenser in front view.

Figure 7 shows a partial EF cuts as indicated in Figure 6.

All drawings show the invention in schematic configu ration .

As can be seen in Figure 1, a bundle (in place) of a large number of bags pressed together was placed at the upper edge for (bundle = 1C ) made of a thermoplastic sheet.The pressing of the bags 10 at the edge for can be carried out at cer tain points or in a continuous line. Below the pressed edge 4 the bags have a perforated line for removal 3, by which they can be pulled out of the dispenser one by one.

The dispenser 2, that protects the bundle of bags 1 is closed on all sides and held in piece together with the package 1 at the edge 4, or fused to it. The pressed edges 5 of the dispenser 2 with the package 1 can be on the front or back side. The pressed strips 5 may have a perforated surface or can be totally covered or in lines. On the front of the dispenser there is a removable plastic patch 6, surrounded by a perforated line 7. This removable plastic patch 6 is affixed in such away that it remains outside the pressed areas 5. It shoul cover at least a part of the perforation, to loosen 3 the bags 10, and after this patch is removed the opening 6 a is than free for removing the bags inside. The patch can also be placed beyond the edges of the opening 3 . By holding the front side of the dispenser with the hand 9 , the bags can be removed from the package 1, that is from the pressed edge 4 by being pulled out the dispenser 2 through the opening 3. The rest of the bundle of bags remains inside the dispenser 2. The removable plastic patch 6 can be triangular with one point turned toward the lower corner of the protective wrapping, or in oval or round form. For effective presentation, the dispenser should be hung and have a hole 8. This can be placed in the middle, above the package 1 inside the dispenser 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. In Figures 4 and 5, a variation of the dispenser 2 is represented with the package 1 of pressed bags 10, where the protective wrapping 2 was fused on both sides, with the package 1 extended to the pressed edge 4, in a continuous pressed strip 5. The hole 8 penetrates the protective wrapping and the pressed edge 4 of the package. Below the strips 4 and 5 there is a perforated line 7 around the removable plastic patch 6.

Since the dispenser in this configuration has already been firmely affixed to the package et the front and the back by the pressed edge 5, the aperture 20 of the protective wrapping 2 can remain open, as shown in Figure 5.This affords and advantage in manufacturing.

The dispenser can be manufactured in such away that the flat sheet which is twice as wide as the lenght of the protective wrapping 2, has the right lenght on one side for the perforations 7 for the removable plastic patch, and is then folded at the lower corner 21 and the pressed packages 1 are placed inside, with protection of the pressed edge 4 in the region of the open apertures 20.

Then the protective wrapping 2 is pressed together with the package 1 at the edges 5 on both sides. Then the hole 8 is bored. Next the individual protective wrappings 2 are obtained by gluing the separation along there entire length, depending on the widt of the bag.

In Figure 6 another variation of the dispenser 2 is represented with the package 1 of pressed bags can with the opening for removing the bags reinforced with reinforcing sheet 22, fused to avoid any tearing of the opening of the protective wrapping when the individual bags are removed.

To facilitate removal of the entire package 1, it is better to lengthen the perforated line 7 from the lower corner with a perforated line 23 starting from the middle of the front of the dispenser, down vertically to the lower corner of the protective wrapping 2. Instead of printing advertising on the protective wrapping 2, a printed sheet of paper can be inserted inside the package 1 in the dispenser 2,which will contribute to 100$ recycling for environmental prote ction. Not printing on the dispenser will also contribute to ecological recycling of the plastic.

For greater economy of material for the protective wrapping 2, it can be shortened by folding the packages at the ends 1 to one third of their lenght, and only then placed in protective wrappings with others, depending on the fold that is made. To steady the package during removal of individual bags, it is also advisable to place one or more holes 8 for hanging depending on the presentation, placing at least one sticky area protected by an easily-removed paper coating 26 at the lower corners at the back of the dispenser 2 . The sticky areas are made of water-solubre glue, in accordance with the environmental demands.

The present invention also relates to an improvement in which the wrapping 2 has a weakned line 27 placed along the whole extension of its lower edge 28 ; in which wrapping 2 has, alternatively, on its front a removal plastic patch 29 similar to the one foreseen on DT G 9408149.2, having , just like this one, a perforated line 30, being such patch placed on the lower part of the wrapping 2, in contact with said weakened line 27.

As described in DT G 94 C8149.2 above mentioned, the individual detachment of the plastic sheets stored inside wra pping 2, is made through en opening 31, formed by the removal of the plastic patch 29 as well by the stripping of its perforated line 30 and, at the same time, through the opening 32 , derived from stripping the weakened line 27 foreseen on the lower edge of the wrapping 2.

The annexed drawings (Figures 8 to 12) show the plas tic patch 29 foreseen in the lower part of the wrapping 2, in contact with the weakened line 27 placed along the lower edge 28 of said wrapping 2.

Figure 10 shows in a botton view the opening 32 formed by the stripping of the weakened line 27. Figures 11 end 12 repeat, substancially, the illustration of Figure 8, showing in two successive moves the individual detachment and removal of the plastic sheet stored inside the wrapping 2.

According to the above, once removed the patch 29 and stripped the weakened line 27, its enough to exert upon the plastic sheet immediately exposed, a slight digital pressure (Figure 11) pulling it downwards and finally removing it totally from the wrapping 2, as illustrade in Figure 12 .

As seen, the number of sheets thus removed is strictly limited to a single one at each individual detachment , remaining the subsequent one attached to the set of sheets.

It is a simple, practical and clean operation and , besides, the remnant plastic sheets remain perfectly protect ed inside the wrapping 2 , with a minimal external contact , restricted only to openings 31 and 32, large enough to allow the removal of one sheet at a time.

The sticky areas 33 on the back of the dispenser en sure its adequate affixation to a vertical surface of sup port, enough to resist the downward movement of sheet detach ment performed by the individual act of pulling out the plastic sheets through the perforated line 32.

The present improvement further foresees optionally (Figures 8 and 9) a small lower appendage 34 made of a pro per material placed behind the dispenser to be slightly pressed by one hand against the vertical surface of support, while the other hand removes the plastic sheet through openings 31 and 32, being said appendage (34) vertically turned down.

The container object of the invention can hold a mong others, thin and flexible plastic sheets, plastic bags to be used as domestic wrappers, food conditioner for fre ezers, etc.

In conclusion, as described also in BR 9403005-7 , the object of this patent is a container that dispenses articles made of thin and flexible plastic sheets, like bags, gloves, sheets for wrapping, and others, previously attached to one another by thermal welding.

One of the fundamental characteristics of the inno vention lies on the fact that the container 2 is attached, also by thermal welding, to the wad articles placed within it , forming a single, cohesive unit, linked by the above mentio ned process along the upper edge of the unit thus formed.

Thanks to the special arrangement of the device ob ject of the invention, users will only detach one unit at a time by individual (manual) removal, while the remainder will continue attached to the wads inside the container, protected on all sides (according to DT G 9408149.2 and BR 9403005-7 ) and/or on ell sides, excepting its botton (according to BR 9502003) from any external contact.

Still in regard to the plastic bags, the invention, due to its characteristics, will facilitate their handling by the users, as the container allows tha bags when being deta ched from the container, to open up ready for use, and users no long have to pull the edges apart to open them.

Similarly the invention is especially applicable to hold all and any articles made of thin and flexible plastic sheets for personal, domestic or even commercial use like , for example, the above-mentioned gloves, thin sheets for wrapping and others, sold in places where there is great popular demand.

In the drawings, Figures 13 to 16 illustrate inven tion being that Figures 15 and 16 show in two successive instances the manual act of detaching and pulling the from the inside of container 2. This is done simply, practically and hygienically.

Thus, once plastic patch 6 has been removed and once the access 6 a to stored articles has been opened, it is enou enough to apply on the container 2 immediately exposed a slight digital pressure (Figure 15) to find a point of support and pull it downwards and outwards in a continuous , smooth effort.

In the special case of plastic begs S , the bag , when being removed from the container as shown in Figure 16, opens automatically during the movement because, according to the invention, only the front part A of the beg is initially subject to manual pressure, and is the first to became detached from the cut line 3 of the container 2, beginning to became detached through opening 6 a. Only after this do we see, due to the continuation of the pressure mentioned abo - ve, the detachment of the back part P of the bag, that results from this movement of extraction, which ocurred practi cally in two siccessive phases, the automatic opening of edges D1 and D2 for opening the bag.

Figure 17 , finally, repeats the basic represents tion of Figure 15, illustrating, as an example, a bundle of gloves H equally glued along the upper edge forming the unitary strip 5 thermally welded.

Claims

1. Container that dispenses articles made of thin and flexible plastic sheets pressed together thermically along one side and with perforated lines also along the same edge, below the pressed line, the container, at least on the front side, also being pressed together with the arti cles themselves along the said pressed line and above the perforated lines, and also having an easily removed plastic patch surrounded by another perforated line, characterized by the fact that said removable plastic patch (6), extending above and below an opening to allow removal (3) of the articles (1), the container having at least one "sticky a rea" (25) on the back (2), said "sticky area" being protected by an easily removed paper co ating (26).

2. Container as claimed in 1 above, characterized by the fact that the "sticky area" is placed near the lower corner (2 a), at the back of the container (2).

3. Container as claimed in 1 and 2, characterized by a round, oval or striated configuration of the " sticky area" (25).

4. Container as claimed in 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the perforated line (7) which creates an opening (6) on the front side of the container, reinforced (2) by a plastic reinforcer (22), is affixed on the outside or inside of the front of the container.

5. Container as claimed in 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the perforated line (7) around the remo vable plastic patch over the opening (6) at the front of the container (2) extends to the lower corner of the protec tive wrapping (2 a) along another perforated line (23).

6. Container as claimed in 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the removable plastic patch (6) can be rectangular, square, triangular, round or oval.

7. Container as claimed in 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the container (2) has at least one hole (8) above the perforated line (3) in the bundle of articles (1).

8. Container as claimed in 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the hole for hanging (8) the container (2) also goes through the edge (4) where the articles are thermically pressed together (1).

9. Container as claimed in 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the removable plastic patch which provides the opening at the front of the container (6) is placed over one part of the perforated line (3) of the bundle of articles (1) on the front side of said container.

10. Container as claimed in 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the container (2) has a weakened line (27) placed along the whole extension of its lower edge (28).

11. Container as claimed in 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that the container (2) has on its front a remo vable plastic patch (2) having a perforated contour (3C) , being such patch placed on the lower part of the container (2), in contact with said weakened line ( 27 ) .

12. Container as claimed in 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the container (2) has a small lower appen dage (34) placed behind the container , being said appendage (34) vertically turned down.

13. Container as claimed in 1 to 9 , characterized by the fact that the bundles of articles 1 are totally covered by a plastic wrapping 2, like an envelope, with a thin , flexible sheet, thermally welded along the upper edge, both in front and behind the above mentioned strip 5 above the previously weakened line 3 ; by the fact that said container 2 has on the front plastic patch 6 with a perforated contour line 7, this may partially cover or not the above -mentioned strip 5 and/or at least one segment of the above -mentioned line 3 ; by the fact that the container 2 has one or more ho les 8 on its upper edge that coincide with the holes fore seen in the single strip 5 ; finally, by the fact that said container 2 has on its back one or more "sticky areas" 25 on its external surface being this surface covered by a protective coating 26 glued to the upper edge jointly with container 2 forming the single strip 5.