WO2007013053A1

WO2007013053A1 - Resealable bag

Info

Publication number: WO2007013053A1
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000809
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yariv Sharmi
Original assignee: Plasto-Sac Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-07-28
Filing date: 2005-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-01

Abstract

A resealable bag, that includes a flexible bag for providing content, one or more non-elastic patches that assume a set position when bent, wherein the patches are attached to a wall of the flexible bag, and wherein the patches are positioned below the top of the flexible bag and extend downward toward the bottom of the bag.

Description

RESEALABLE BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to resealing of disposable flexible bags after they are opened.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many products, for example food products, cleaning products and others, are marketed today in sealed disposable flexible bags. Typically a consumer opens the seal, consumes the product, and discards the bag. However, in some cases the quantity supplied in the bag is greater than the amount required for a single use. Generally, the consumer is interested in resealing the bag in order to preserve the freshness of the content for later consumption. Simply folding over the top of the bag after use does not generally keep the bag in a closed position. As a result the remaining product tends to spoil and/or become stale.

Typically to overcome this problem people transfer the remaining content to sturdy containers, for example plastic containers. This requires stocking up on alternative containers and defeats the purpose of the bag.

Alternatively, various external closure devices are marketed such as clips or plastic coated bendable wires to effectively reseal the bag after an initial use. However this requires keeping such devices readily on hand since they are not connected to the bag.

U.S. patent number 6,231,234 to Gebhardt, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a plastic bag having a closure device attached thereto adjacent the opening and adapted to fold over the bag walls and hook to itself to seal the bag while allowing the opening to remain outside of the closure.

U.S. patent number 6,817,160 to Schmidt, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a vertical form fill seal bag with a reclosable seal. U.S. patent number 6,796,712 to Achhammer, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a butt ended bag with a buckle-over closing element.

U.S. patent number 4,973,171 to Bullard, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a closable plastic bag.

U.S. patent number 5,674,010 to Dussich, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a resealable bag with one side having embedded therein, a number of parallel spaced apart strips of inelastic bendable material, which are capable of assuming a set position when bent. The strips extend generally longitudinally along the full length of the bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of an embodiment of the invention relates to a sealed bag for supplying products (e.g. a consumable item), with one or more patches attached to the internal or external side of a wall of the bag near its opening in order to reseal the bag. The patch is non-elastic, bendable and assumes the position it is set to when folded. By folding over the top of the bag with the patch one or more times the bag is resealed. The patch causes the fold to remain in place and secure the fold, thus resealing the bag.

In some embodiments of the invention the patch comprises a thin elongated strip that is positioned on a wall of the bag and the patch extends generally vertically toward the bottom of the bag. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch may lean toward one side or the other of the bag while extending from top to bottom. Optionally, multiple patches are attached across the width of the bag. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention the patch extends from the opening to the bottom of the bag. Alternatively, the patch extends along less than 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of the height of the bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, the patch forms a two dimensional area with a width greater than half the width of the bag so only a single patch is used near the opening of the bag. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is shaped as a rectangle. Alternatively, the patch may be shaped as a circle an ellipse or any other shape. Optionally, the patch material is able to assume a set position. Alternatively, the patch comprises a coating material (e.g. paper, nylon, polyethylene) coating a bendable material (e.g. aluminum, steel or stainless steel), which is able to assume the set position. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is soldered on to the bag. Alternatively or additionally, the patch is glued on by a hot melting process or by a cold process (e.g. using a fast drying glue).

There is thus provided in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a resealable bag, comprising, a flexible bag for providing content, one or more non-elastic patches that assume a set position when bent, wherein the patches are attached to a wall of the flexible bag; and wherein the patches are positioned below the top of the flexible bag and extend downward toward the bottom of the bag. Optionally, the patches are attached to the internal side of the wall of said bag. Alternatively, the patches are attached to the external side of the wall of said bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible bag has two walls. Alternatively, the flexible bag has four walls. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is wider than half the width of said flexible bag. Optionally, the patch extends substantially along the entire height of said flexible bag. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch extends along less than 50% of the height of said flexible bag. Optionally, the patch extends along less than 30% of the height of said flexible bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, the patch extends along less than 10% of the height of said flexible bag. Optionally, the patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag along the entire length of said patch. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag at selected points along the length of said patch. Optionally, the flexible bag is originally opened by tearing off the top of the flexible bag. In some embodiments of the invention the flexible bag is originally opened by pulling apart a sealed top of the flexible bag. Optionally, the flexible bag comprises multiple patches along the width of said flexible bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible bag comprises multiple patches along the height of the flexible bag. Optionally, the patch is attached to the wall of the flexible bag without using an adhesive. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is attached to the wall of the flexible bag using an adhesive. Optionally, the patch has a rectangular shape. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch has an oval shape. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch comprises two parts, wherein a first part is permanently attached to the bag and a second part can be attached and removed from said first part. There is thus additionally provided in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of resealing an opened flexible bag, comprising, attaching a non-elastic bendable patch which assumes a set position when bent, to a wall of said bag, folding over the top of the flexible bag while bending over the patch with the top of the bag, whereby the patch keeps the folded top of the bag in a sealed position. Optionally, the patch is attached to the internal side of the wall of the bag. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the patch is attached to the external side of the wall of the bag. Optionally, the attaching comprises attaching more than one bendable patch. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the attaching comprises partially attaching the bendable patch. Optionally, the folding comprises folding over the top more than one time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with a same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:

Fig. IA is a schematic illustration of a sealed four sided bag with bendable elongated strips, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. IB is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed four sided bag with internal bendable elongated strips, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1C is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed four sided bag with external bendable elongated strips, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. ID is a schematic illustration of a side view of a resealed four sided bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of a sealed two sided bag with a bendable patch, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed two sided bag with an internal bendable patch, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2C is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed two sided bag with an external bendable patch, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2D is a schematic illustration of a side view of a resealed two sided bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a resealable bag with multiple patches for resealing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a roll of sheet material for manufacturing resealable bags with patches placed thereon, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. IA is a schematic illustration of a sealed four sided bag 100 with one or more bendable elongated strips 120, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, bag 100 is used for marketing content. In some embodiments of the invention, the consumer tears open bag 100 along a tear line 170 removing a sealed top 150. Typically, sealed top 150 is sealed during the manufacturing process (e.g. by soldering, welding, sewing, pasting, cold sealing or hot melting) to preserve the freshness of the content and/or to prevent leakage. Alternatively, the consumer may open bag 100 by pulling apart the seal without tearing off part of the bag. In this case the top of bag 100 can be referred to as a virtual tear line since no part of the bag is removed.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, during manufacture of bag 100 before content is inserted and bag 100 is sealed one or more patches formed as elongated strips 120 are attached to the internal side of a wall of one side of bag 100. Optionally, elongated strips 120 are positioned with one end close to, yet below, tear line 170 in order to be near the opened end of bag 100 for the purpose of resealing and not hinder the original opening of bag 100. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, elongated strips 120 are positioned to extend vertically downward. Alternatively, elongated strips 120 are positioned to extend generally downward but may be leaning to one side or another to enhance the effectiveness of the seal.

In some embodiments of the invention, elongated strips 120 extend to the bottom of bag 100. Alternatively, elongated strips 120 extend along less than 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% 20% or 10% of the height of bag 100. Optionally, elongated strips 120 do not extend along the entire height of bag 100 to preserve the flexibility of the bag.

Fig. IB is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed four sided bag with internal bendable elongated strips, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. IB elongated strips 120 are positioned inside bag 100 so that they do not interfere with the printing on the external side of bag 100. Additionally, elongated strips 120 do not interfere with the manufacturing process, for example machines that hold bag 100 from the outside while filling it. Further additionally, elongated strips 120 cannot be removed intentionally or unintentionally, until opening bag 100.

Fig. 1C is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed four sided bag with external bendable elongated strips, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention, elongated strips 120 are attached on the external side of a wall of bag 100, as shown in Fig. 1C, in order to simplify the manufacture process. Optionally, elongated strips are attached before filling the bag with content. Alternatively, elongated strips 120 can be attached after bag 100 is filled. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, bag 100 is formed from plastic materials such as cellophane, polyethylene, polyester or any other material which can be used to form a flexible bag (e.g. paper). In some embodiments of the invention, bag 100 is formed from multi-layer material, wherein the internal side of the wall is formed from a different material than the external side of the wall. In some embodiments of the invention, elongated strips 120 are formed from a bendable material which adheres to the position it is set to by a person bending it, for example certain metal compounds (e.g. comprising aluminum or stainless steel) or certain plastics. Optionally, the material is coated by a protective coating layer to protect the bendable material and the contents of bag 100 from each other, for example a metal bendable strip may be coated with paper, nylon or plastic in order to prevent corrosion of elongated strip 120 and protect the content of the bag from contamination from elongated strip 120.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, elongated strips 120 are attached to a wall of bag 100 by soldering, welding, sewing, pasting, cold sealing, hot melting or by other methods known in the art. Optionally, the attachment process by hot melting may be using ultrasonic means, laser means or standard heating tools.

In some embodiments of the invention, elongated strips 120 are attached using a non-permanent attachment that allows them to be removed and reattached by the consumer. Optionally, an attachment part of elongated strip 120 is permanently attached and a bendable part is non permanently attached to the part, for example elongated strip 120 may be attached using hook and loop fastener material, snaps, or by being slid in and out of a socket that is attached to the wall of bag 100. In some embodiments of the invention, elongated strips 120 are only partially attached to the wall of bag 100, for example at the center of elongated strip 120 or at the top or bottom of elongated strip 120.

In some embodiments of the invention, the attachment method is selected according to the material of bag 100 and the material of elongated strip 120. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment method is selected according to the content to be stored in the bag, for example in bags with food content elongated strips 120 are optionally not attached with an adhesive to prevent contamination of the food. In some embodiments of the invention, an adhesive from edible materials (e.g. flour and water) is used to meet health requirements. In some embodiments of the invention, the position (inside or outside) for attaching elongated strips 120 is selected according to the content to be stored in the bag.

Fig. ID is a schematic illustration of a side view of a resealed four sided bag 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. ID, after optionally consuming part of the content of bag 100 the consumer folds over the top of bag 100 one or more times to form a folded resealing 160 of bag 100 for future consumption. Elongated strips 120 are bent over by the folding and retain the position in which they are placed to effectively keep bag 100 sealed.

Fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of a sealed two sided bag 200 with a bendable patch 220, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Bag 200 and bag 100 are based on common variations of flexible disposable bags used for marketing products; however it should be noted that the ideas presented in the current description are applicable to other variations of bags. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, bag 200 comprises a sealed bottom 240, and a sealed top 250. In some embodiments of the invention, sealed top 250 and sealed bottom 240 are sealed the same way, for example by soldering or gluing. Alternatively, sealed top 250 and sealed bottom 240 may be sealed by different methods, since sealed top 250 may require a weaker seal since it optionally allows the consumer to pull open the seal to use the product.

In some embodiments of the invention, bag 200 is opened by tearing off the top of bag 200. Optionally, bag 200 comprises a tear line 270 to indicate to the consumer, where to tear off the top of bag 200. In some embodiments of the invention, tear line 270 is marked by an indentation and/or weakening to bag 200 to make it easier to tear off its top.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a patch 220 is attached to the internal side of a wall or the external side of a wall of bag 200 as described above regarding elongated strip 120. Optionally, patch 220 covers a two dimensional area with a width greater than half the width of the bag so only a single patch is used near the opening of the bag. Alternatively, patch 220 may be supplied with any width. In some embodiments of the invention, the patch is shaped as a rectangle. Alternatively, the patch may be shaped as a circle an ellipse or any other shape.

Optionally, patch 220 is formed from a non elastic material or from one or more non-elastic strips, which assumes a set position when bent as described above regarding the patch formed as elongated strips 120. In some embodiments of the invention, patch 220 is coated with a protective coating, for example paper, nylon or plastic, which protect it from chemical interaction with the content of the bag if attached inside bag 200. In some embodiments of the invention, the protective coating unites the one or more elongated strips to form a patch with a two dimensional area like patch 220. Fig. 2B is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed two sided bag with an internal bendable patch, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and Fig. 2C is a schematic illustration of a side view of a sealed two sided bag with an external bendable patch, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the consumer opens bag 200 and optionally removes some of the content. The consumer then folds over, one or more times the top of bag 200 to form a folded resealing 260 of bag 200 for future consumption. Fig. 2D is a schematic illustration of a side view of bag 200 after being resealed, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a resealable bag 300 with multiple patches for resealing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. 3 bag 300 comprises a sealed bottom 340, a sealed top 320 and multiple patches 330 for resealing the bag. In some embodiments of the invention, a large bag may supply content for consumption over a long period of time. Optionally, after consuming content from the large bag a number of times resealing near the top of the bag may leave a large vacant area between the resealing and the content left in the bag. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, bag 300 can be shortened by tearing it at a lower tear line 350 and resealing it with one of the multiple patches 330 that is positioned below lower tear line 350.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a roll of sheet material 400 for manufacturing resealable bags with patches 430 attached thereon, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, resealable bags (e.g. bag 200) are created from roll 400 by cutting off a piece of sheet material from roll 400, folding it over, sealing it and filling it with content as is known in the art. In some embodiments of the invention, patches are attached onto the sheet material when roll 400 is unrolled, prior to cutting, folding it up and forming bags. Optionally, the above methods are used to prevent problems of misalignment such as may occur when using materials that are installed between layers of the walls of the bag. In some embodiments of the invention, a patch is attached to the internal side of a wall of the bag after forming the bags before being filled with content. Alternatively, a patch is attached to the external side of a wall of the bag after forming the bag, and before or after being filled with content.

It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the invention. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the invention.

Section headings are provided for assistance in navigation and should not be considered as necessarily limiting the contents of the section. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow.

Claims

1. A resealable bag, comprising: a flexible bag for providing content; one or more non-elastic patches that assume a set position when bent; 5 wherein said patches are attached to a wall of said flexible bag; and wherein said patches are positioned below the top of said flexible bag and extend downward toward the bottom of said bag.

2. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patches are attached to o the internal side of the wall of said bag.

3. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patches are attached to the external side of the wall of said bag.

5 4. A resealable bag according to claim I₅ wherein said flexible bag has two walls.

5. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag has four walls.

6. A resealable bag according to claim I₅ wherein said patch is wider than half the width of said flexible bag.

7. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch extends substantially along the entire height of said flexible bag.

8. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch extends along less than 50% of the height of said flexible bag.

9. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch extends along less than 30% of the height of said flexible bag.

10. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch extends along less than 10% of the height of said flexible bag.

11. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag along the entire length of said patch.

12. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag at selected points along the length of said patch.

13. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is originally opened by tearing off the top of said flexible bag.

14. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag is originally opened by pulling apart a sealed top of said flexible bag.

15. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag comprises multiple patches along the width of said flexible bag.

16. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said flexible bag comprises multiple patches along the height of said flexible bag.

17. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag without using an adhesive.

18. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch is attached to the wall of said flexible bag using an adhesive.

19. A resealable bag according to claim I₅ wherein said patch has a rectangular shape.

20. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch has an oval shape.

21. A resealable bag according to claim 1, wherein said patch comprises two parts, wherein a first part is permanently attached to the bag and a second part can be attached and removed from said first part.

22. A method of resealing an opened flexible bag, comprising: attaching a non-elastic bendable patch which assumes a set position when bent, to a wall of said bag; folding over the top of said flexible bag while bending over said patch with the top of said bag; whereby said patch keeps said folded top of said bag in a sealed position.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said patch is attached to the internal side of the wall of said bag.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein said patch is attached to the external side of the wall of said bag.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein said attaching comprises attaching more than one bendable patch.

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein said attaching comprises partially attaching said bendable patch.

27. A method according to claim 22, wherein said folding comprises folding over the top more than one time.