Package making – Methods – Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-03-27
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Package making
Methods
Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
C053S138400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205747
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to the closure of net bags, especially of the type used for packing fruit and vegetables. It relates also to a net bag which has been closed in accordance with the present process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In net bags known at present for packing fruit and the like, it is conventional to use welding or stapling effected transversely to the tube of continuous net from which the bags are formed in succession. The net tube is fed continuously into the packing machine and the process of closing the bag consists in effecting a first transverse welding or stapling of the tubular element, then filling the bag with the predetermined weight of pieces of fruit and subsequently effecting a further welding or stapling operation in the upper portion, which delimits the bag, and at the same time producing a further upper transverse weld, corresponding to the bottom of the following bag and finally cutting the tubular net element in the region between the two adjacent upper welds or staples.
That process is economical and enables bags that are closed by welding or stapling at both ends to be obtained. However, when the bags are put to practical use by the consumers who purchase them, it is often convenient to use only some of the pieces of fruit contained in the bag. This is difficult because, in the currently known bags, once the closure produced by welding has been destroyed, the bag cannot be closed again and therefore all of its contents have to be removed and placed elsewhere.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The process of the present invention is intended to provide net bags for fruit and the like which are closed by welding or stapling at one end, corresponding to the bottom of the bag, and which are closed at the upper portion by a removable element, thereby providing bags that can be readily opened and closed, enabling only a portion of the contents to be used.
Therefore, the process of the present invention comprises the following successive stages:
a) Feeding the tubular net element into the filling machine or device, leaving the previously cut lower end of the tube free in order to be able to pinch it and weld it.
b) Pinching and welding the tubular element in a region near the cut lower end.
c) Filling the bag with the required amount of fruit or vegetables.
d) Advancing the tubular net element in order to leave free the tubular net region located above the mass of fruit placed inside it.
e) Transverse pinching, welding and closing of the bag by means of a removable closure element.
f) Cutting the tubular net element in the region between the removable closure device and the upper weld.
The bag for fruit and the like produced in accordance with the present invention therefore comprises a tubular net element which is closed by welding or stapling at its lower end and which contains the required amount of pieces of fruit, and the bag is closed at the top by a closure element enabling it to be opened and closed repeatedly, in order to permit use of only a portion of the pieces of fruit or vegetables contained in the bag.
The removable closure elements may be of various types, ranging from strip elements of some rigidity which are fitted onto the net bag and which fasten it by being twisted onto it, to clips produced from plastics or another material having a mouth which pinches and fastens the net bag, being resilient but sufficiently strong to prevent it from being opened inadvertently and nevertheless being able to be attached and detached manually with a small amount of force.
The closure elements may include labels which are provided with the desired written information.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3348595 (1967-10-01), Stevens et al.
patent: 3732662 (1973-05-01), Paxton
patent: 4247005 (1981-01-01), Buxton
patent: 4446677 (1984-05-01), Kokido
patent: 4999969 (1991-03-01), Holmes
patent: 5485711 (1996-01-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5600938 (1997-02-01), Trimble
patent: 6088999 (2000-07-01), Olaechea
patent: 23 07 354 (1974-08-01), None
patent: 182465 (1974-04-01), None
Darby & Darby
Johnson Brian L.
Luby Matthew
LandOfFree
Process for closing nets for fruits and the like and net... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for closing nets for fruits and the like and net..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for closing nets for fruits and the like and net... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2457174