EP1375367A2

EP1375367A2 - Bag with carrying handle

Info

Publication number: EP1375367A2
Application number: EP03014127A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henrik Pape
Original assignee: Schur Packaging Systems AS
Current assignee: Schur Packaging Systems AS
Priority date: 2002-06-24
Filing date: 2003-06-24
Publication date: 2004-01-02
Also published as: US20030235348A1; EP1375367A3

Abstract

A bag 1 consists of two superposed bag sides 2, 3. With the purpose of achieving a particularly simple carrying handle in a bag with substantial reduction of material, a carrier section 4 is formed by a side edge 5. The carrier section 4 is connected with an adjacent bag side 3 by means of connecting zones 7 which delimit a pocket 8 having a downwardly facing opening 9. The pocket 9 thus constitutes a carrying handle for accommodating the user's fingers when carrying the bag. Due to distribution of tensile forces from areas 12 at the pocket opening, it becomes possible to achieve great strength even when using film material which is thin compared with traditional thickness.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a bag comprising two superposed bag sides and a carrying handle formed at one of the side edges of the bag. The invention also concerns use of such a bag and a method for packing an article into such a bag.

Background Art

A variety of bags, usually rectangular, having a carrying handle in the shape of a punched, elongated opening provided at a side edge of the bag are prior art. Such bags may be traditional open bags for carrying, but may also be closed bags used for packing and distributing different articles, including printed matter, e.g. newspapers.

The bags are preferably made of plastic, but may also be made of paper.

By carrying a bag with contents in such a carrier handle, a notch effect will arise at the end of the elongate opening, and concentrated tensile forces directed into the film material of the bag sides will appear. In order to reduce the risk of breakage, a reinforcement is established by using a supplementing film web which is bonded or welded to the bag sides. This carrier section may extend over the whole length of the side edge at which the carrying handle is provided, or only in an area around the carrying handle itself.

Alternatively, it is possible to make the entire bag of a stronger material for achieving the necessary strength at the handle.

The prior art bag designs are thus disadvantageous as it is more expensive to make the entire bag side of a very strong material, only with the object of providing strength in a very limited area at the ends of the handle where notch effect occurs. Alternatively, it is a costly process to embed separate carrier sections, though this is made relatively simple with the present technology.

A further problem with the prior art bags is providing the handle going through the front side and back side of the bag. If a number of bags are placed upon each other in a stack, which e.g. is the case when used as closed bags for packing printed matter such as newspapers, the user or the paper man taking a bag may thus grip through the punched opening and thereby risk catching several superposed bags when the finger with primates' grip are passed through the elongated opening and tend to engage an elongated opening in an underlying bag.

US patent no. 3 858 789 discloses a plastic bag with a folded top part of the bag, where the top part is provided with a pair of linear, convergent heat seals for forming a pocket to receive a hand. Such a bag constitutes a simpler bag which is technically simple to make and which at the same time provide the possibility of material saving, and which is particularly suited for use when packing printed matter, preferably newspapers, in closed bags. However, this plastic bag has a major disadvantage. Under load, the linear heat seals tend to tear holes into the plastic bag, because a large fraction of the load is concentrated at the lower end of the linear seals.

Summary of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a plastic bag, which is suitable for a higher load with a reduced risk for tears in the plastic bag.

According to the present invention, this is achieved with a bag comprising two superposed bag sides and a carrying handle formed at one of the side edges of the bag, where a carrier section is provided at the side edge, the carrier section covering an edge area of the bag side, and where the carrier section is connected to the adjacent bag side in connecting zones delimiting a pocket between the carrier section and the adjacent bag side, the pocket having an opening directed away from the side edge and constituting a carrying handle for accommodating fingers of a user when carrying the bag. Furthermore, the pocket has a concave, outwardly directed shape in the vicinity of the opening of the pocket.

It should be mentioned here, that the bending of the concave, outwardly directed shape - which as seen from the inside of the pocket is convex - does not be a smooth curve, though it is preferred, but can as well be a curve made of linear sections. This will be illustrated in more detail in the detailed description. Important is the fact, in contrast to the aforementioned disclosure of US 3 858 789, that for the pocket, the connecting zones are not simply linear but continue in some curved manner in order to distribute the load over a larger area. This reduces the risk for tear of the bag in a substantial degree.

The carrier section is fastened to the adjacent bag side, either by welding, bonding, sewing or in other ways. The pocket will be disposed in parallel with the bag side and have an opening which in use will be directed downwards, away from the side edge of the bag and thus be oriented towards the center of the bag. When a user inserts the fingers in the pocket with a primates' grip and lifts the bag, the concentration of tensile forces in the film material of the bag sides will be located at the concave corner areas, which are disposed at the side of the pocket and particularly be oriented at the parts of the connecting zones provided in immediate association with the opening of the pocket. Hereby is achieved an advantageous distribution of the load. Hereby it becomes possible to achieve a sufficient strength, even when using film material having substantially less thickness than used traditionally in order to carry a corresponding weight in bags with punched handles in the bag sides. A substantial saving of material is thus possible.

Furthermore, the pocket forming handle will be placed so that the fingers are inserted along a bag side without risk of the fingers being passed out on the other side of the bag. This facilitates finger engagement of only one bag even if this is placed in a stack.

According to a particular embodiment, the carrier section may be formed by a folding which is oriented in parallel with the said side edge and which is formed by at least one layer of a film material used for the bag sides.

It is also possible to let one bag side constitute a carrier section which will cover an edge area of the other bag side. Thus a pocket is formed between the two bag sides in an edge area where connecting zones are formed between the two bag sides. In this embodiment, the opening for the pocket is formed in the film material of one or the other bag side.

In a further embodiment, the folding may be provided by the film material used for the bag side and farthest from the pocket being folded about an upper edge of the bag side situated closest to the pocket.

Alternatively, a folding forming a flip in the bag side being closest to the pocket may be formed. In this embodiment, a double thickness of material is attained in the carrier section compared with the material thickness of the bag side. Hereby it becomes possible to achieve greater strength.

The strength may furthermore be improved by establishing connecting zones which simultaneously increase the rigidity of the material. This may be effected by the connecting zones not just being elongated and strip-like in the areas delimiting the pocket, but also extending over substantial distance from the pocket towards the side edges of the bag. Hereby greater or lesser parts of the folding/carrier section are connected to the bag side. It is particularly preferred that the free edge areas of the folding/carrier section are secured to the bag side in order to achieve a distribution of the force action on the connecting zones and thereby increase the strength.

In order to adapt the pocket to the shape of the stretched primates' fingers, it is preferred that the pocket has a convex, rounded delimitation in direction towards the side edge. This also may positively influence the stability of the bag under load. Furthermore, it is preferred that the delimitation close to the pocket opening has a concave, outwardly and oppositely directed smoothly curved shape as hereby is achieved an improved distribution of the load in the film of the bag side. For adaptation to general shapes of human hands, the pocket will have dimensions with a width in the range 80 to 140 mm, preferably 100 to 120 mm, and a depth in the range 50 to 130 mm, preferably in the range from 60 to 90 mm.

It is possible provide the carrier section at the inner side or at the outer side of the bag. It is preferred to dispose the carrier section at the outer side of the bag. If the carrier section is disposed at the inner side of the bag, it is required that an opening is formed through the film material of the bag side at the position opposite to the inlet opening of the pocket.

It is mentioned above that it is possible to form bag sides from different film sheets of the same or different materials. However, it is also possible to form the bag sides of one film sheet. In this situation it will often be preferred that the carrier section is formed by a double layered folding of the film material. Hereby it becomes possible to form the bag and the carrier section of one and the same thin film material and at the same time to attain great strength in the carrying handle.

According to a special embodiment, the bag is intended for being filled from the side edge opposite to the handle and thus may be said to form the bottom of the bag. However, it is also possible to fill the bag from the side edge where the carrier section is placed and to close this edge area subsequently.

In a particular embodiment, the bag can be made for packing articles, preferably printed matter in the form of newspapers. The printed matter will usually be inserted into the bag from the side edge located opposite to the carrier section and which is closed after insertion of the article into the bag. Such a design is possible to make from one piece of film and to provide a double layered folding at the carrier section. It has been possible to attain such breaking strength that a 40µ film of polypropylene has greater strength than a traditional bag with 100µ film provided with an elongated carrying handle opening along the edge area.

It is also possible to make the bag as a standing bag with a standing bottom disposed farthest from the carrying handle.

In order to facilitate access to the bag, it is preferred that within the delimitation of the pocket there is formed a weakening line in at least one of the bag sides. It appears that the film material in the bag sides within the area covered by the extension of the pocket will be largely in the neutral state whereby tension does not occur during normal use. Therefore, it will be possible to have a weakening line which does not provide risk of inadvertent breaking of the bag and which simultaneously enables easy access for the user. The user may thus grip around the edge area of the folding at the pocket opening and the material adjacent to the perforation, and then easily rend the bag in order to access the contents.

It is possible to perform complete tearing of the bag for emptying its contents. It is also possible to perform breaking only along the weakening line. Hereby, the bag may be used as a dispenser bag when placed with the handle facing downwards. In such a situation, the pocket will act as an upwardly open bowl receiving items, e.g. bulk material flowing out of the through the opening formed by breaking the perforation. A possible application of such a bag could be as dispenser bag for bird feeding or the like.

The Drawing

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, where:

Fig. 1: shows a partial view of a bag according to the invention,
Fig. 2: shows a section through the bag in Fig. 1,
Fig. 3: shows a partial view of a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention,
Fig. 4: shows a section through the bag shown in Fig. 3,
Fig. 5: shows a partial view of a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention,
Fig. 6: shows a section through the bag shown in Fig. 5,
Fig. 7: shows a partial view of a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention,
Fig. 8: shows a section through the bag in Fig. 7,
Fig. 9: shows a partial view of a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention, and
Fig. 10: shows a section through the bag in Fig. 9.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Identical or corresponding elements in different Figures will be provided with the same designations below. No specific explanation will be given in connection with each embodiment.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is seen a bag 1 comprising two superposed

bag sides

2, 3. The bag has a carrying handle 4 which is placed at one of the side edges 5 of the bag. The bag is made of weldable thermoplastic.

The carrying handle 4 is formed of a carrier section provided in the shape of a folding 6, which is formed of material from the bag side 2 in a position so that it covers an edge area of the opposite bag side 3. The folding 6 thus covers an edge area adjacent to the side edge 5. The folding 6 is connected with the adjacent bag side 3 via connecting zones 7. The connecting zones 7 can be established by welding/bonding provided only between the folding 6 and the bag side 3. Alternatively, the connecting zones may be weldings/bonding which additionally create a connection between the bag sides 2 and 3 in the area at the connecting zones.

The connecting zones 7 delimit a pocket 8 constituting the carrying handle. The pocket 8 has an opening 9 directed away from the side edge 5 and intended for receiving the user's fingers in a primates' grip when carrying the bag.

The bag may e.g. have a content of newspapers 10 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The bag may, however, also be used for other articles distributed in a closed bag.

The connecting zones 7 can have different shape. It is preferred that the connecting zones 7 delimit a pocket 8 having a rounded bottom 11 near the side edge 5 and having a concave, outwardly directed corner area 12 close to the pocket opening 9. For clarity, it should be mentioned that the concave, outwardly directed corner area 12 is convex when seen from the inside of the pocket 8. A good distribution of tensile actions from the weight of the load in the bag is achieved with the concave, outwardly directed corner area 12. The tensile actions will thus be concentrated over the concavely shaped connecting zones in the corner areas 12 at the pocket opening 9.

In order to achieve reinforcement of the carrier section 6 there may be provided further connecting zones. As shown, there may thus be provided connecting zones 13 extending out against the side edges 14, 15 of the bag from the side edge of the pocket 8. Connecting zones 16 running along edge areas of the carrier section out to the side edges 14, 15 and in parallel with the side edges 14, 15 in direction toward the side edge 5 may also be provided. Likewise, it is possible to establish a connecting zone 22 (see Fig. 7) running in parallel with the side edge 5. By providing more

connecting zones

7, 13, 16 and 22 there may be achieved great rigidity and thereby strength in the edge area.

As mentioned, tensile forces will be oriented from corner areas 12 and downwards in the bag sides 2, 3. This implies an area 17 within the delimitation of the pocket in which hardly any loads/tensions occur in the materials of the bag sides. The meaning of this will be explained later. As it particularly appears from Fig. 2, the carrier section 6 is formed by a folded part of the film sheet used for forming the bag side 2.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a further embodiment, where only a part of the possible connecting

zones

7, 16 are shown for the sake of clarity. The corner areas are still concave outwardly directed, but with straight sections with a mutual angle and not in a smooth manner. This is not a preferred solution, as this embodiment is not optimal for load resistance, but may be advantageous in certain cases where a more simple production method is desired. However, this embodiment may also be provided with more connecting zones than shown. In Fig. 4, the bag is shown without contents for the sake of clarity.

In this embodiment, the carrier section is formed by a folding 18. The folding 18 is formed by a double layered structure, and the bag is made of one film sheet. This film sheet is used for forming the folding 18 as well as for forming the two

bag sides

2, 3. This embodiment thus provides the possibility of making a bag with a carrying handle 4, starting with a film web which is passed through a machine in which folding, welding and filling are accomplished.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is illustrated a further embodiment. Here is seen that the carrying handle is formed by a folding 19 consisting of a folded part of the film sheet for the bag side 3. It is noted that there will also be possibility of letting some of the film sheet 2 follow around and be disposed down along the outer side of the folding 19, so that a double layer structure is achieved.

In this embodiment there is shown a weakening line 20 placed in the area 17. In Fig. 6, the weakening line 20 is shown as being provided in the bag side 3. Alternatively, the weakening line may be provided in the bag side 2. In both bag sides there will be a neutral area in the area 17 where no tensile forces/tensions occur, which can imply risk of rending in normal use of the bag.

The weakening line 20 makes it easier for the user to get access to the interior of the bag. With starting point in the weakening line 20, it is possible to perform a complete opening of the bag, alternatively to break the bag along the weakening line 20 in order thereby to establish a dispensing unit where the bag 8 may act as an upwardly open bowl when the bag is suspended with the pocket 8 facing downwards. The bag may therefore be provided with an eye for suspending at its side edge opposite the side edge 5.

A weakening line 20 may be provided in connection with any embodiment and not only the embodiment of the bag shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a further embodiment of a bag according to the invention. This bag differs in that the carrier section is formed by a separate web of material 21, which is fastened to the bag side 3 by means of the connecting

zones

7, 16, and 22. Even though it is preferred to use an embodiment with folding of material from one or both bag sides for formation of the carrier section, it is also possible to use a separate web of material in situations where special requirements are made for the carrier section, e.g. for reasons of strength or appearance.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a further embodiment of a bag 1 according to the invention. This bag differs in that an edge area of a

bag side

3 or 2 can be said to constitute the carrier section. In the area between the two bag sides 2, there is provided a pocket 8 at the upper edge area, to which pocket 8 access is formed through the opening 9 which is placed in one bag side. There are provided connecting

zones

7 and 16, which are welded together at

opposite bag sides

2, 3, whereby the pocket 8 is formed with a rounded bottom close to the side edge 5 and with concave, outwardly directed corner areas 12 close to the pocket opening 9. This embodiment is particularly simple as it does not require further folded parts of one or the other of the bag sides. If increased strength is desired, one or the other of the bag sides 2,3 may be provided with a reinforcing film at the edge area between the side edge 5 and the connecting zones 16.

The shown embodiment has a bag, the edge area of which is welded together as indicated by the designation 23. Such a welding at the bag side may also be used in the other embodiments.

Above is shown embodiments where there is provided a pocket 8 at one bag side. However, alternatively it is possible to make the bag with a pocket 8 at each bag side.

It is also possible to provide the bag with a folding directed inwardly between the two

bag sides

2, 3, or to provide a separate web of material which is embedded between the two bag sides. By such alternative embodiments it will be necessary to form an opening in one bag side at a position corresponding to the pocket opening 9 so that the user can pass his fingers through the opening, after which they are received in a pocket 8 formed in the area within the bag sides 2, 3. It is noted that this design will not be suited for bags where the content is to be protected. However, a closed bag may be established by welding or bonding together the bag sides 2, 3 transversely of the opening.

It is possible to make bags with different plastic materials, such a poly propylene, poly ethylen or other suited plastic materials or laminates thereof. It is possible to establish connecting zones by welding (possibly combined with bonding) when weldable plastic materials are used, or by bonding when non-welding plastic materials are used.

Claims

A bag (1) comprising two superposed bag sides (2, 3) and a carrying handle formed at one of the side edges (5) of the bag (1), wherein a carrier section (4) is provided at the said side edge (5), the carrier section (4) covering an edge area of the bag side, and where the carrier section is connected to the adjacent bag side in connecting zones (7) delimiting a pocket (8) between the carrier section and the adjacent bag side (3), the pocket (8) having an opening directed away from the side edge and constituting a carrying handle for accommodating fingers of a user when carrying the bag (1), characterised in that the pocket (8) has a concave, outwardly directed shape in the vicinity of the opening of the pocket (8).
A bag according to claim 1, wherein the carrier section is formed by a folding (6) which is oriented in parallel with the said side edge (5) and which is formed by at least one layer of a film material used for the bag sides.
A bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the pocket is in the range 80 to 140 mm, and the depth of the pocket is in the range 50 to 130 mm.
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the pocket is in the range 100 to 120 mm, and the depth of the pocket is in the range 60 to 90 mm.
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket has a convex, rounded delimitation in direction towards the side edge (5) of the pocket (8).
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting zones (7, 16) extend outwards from the delimitation of the pocket and towards the side edges (14, 15) of the bag (1) for connecting the edge areas of the folding (6) to the bag side (3).
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag is closed along all side edges (14, 5, 15) and where a weakening line (20) is formed in at least one of the bag sides in an area within the delimitation of the pocket (8).
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag is made of weldable plastic film, and where the connecting zones are formed by weldings joining the carrier section to both bag sides.
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag sides are formed by one piece of film, and where the carrier section is formed by a double layered folding.
A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the carrier section is provided at the outer side of the bag.
Use of a bag according to any preceding claim for wrapping newspapers.
Method for packing an article in a bag according to any of the claims 1-10, where the article is inserted into the bag from the side edge located opposite to the carrier section, and where this side edge is closed after the article has been inserted into the bag.