Flexible bags – Lifting or suspending element – Unitary with bag
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-29
2001-10-09
Pascua, Jes F. (Department: 3727)
Flexible bags
Lifting or suspending element
Unitary with bag
C383S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299351
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to heavy duty plastic bags, and more specifically to side gusset style bags made from single or multi-ply polyolefin materials, such as LD, HD, and LLD polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as other woven or nonwoven, synthetic or non-synthetic materials. Such bags are typically used to package materials such as fiberglass insulation, salt, potting soil, small landscaping rocks, pet food and similar heavy materials. While the invention has particular application to bags with a capacity of from 20 to 80 pounds, the principle of the invention is applicable to bags of any size. The invention includes a carry handle formed in a multi-ply end portion of the bag to permit convenient handling and carrying of the bag when filled.
Heavy duty bags of the prior art are generally difficult and awkward to carry due in part to the relatively heavy weight or bulkiness of contents stored in the bag, and due to the lack of convenient means for handling the bag. Typically, such bags have a single die-cut handle centrally located in a top end portion of the bag above a seal line separating the handle from the bag contents. When lifting the bag from the handle, the downward pulling force acting on the bag concentrates in an area of the handle causing substantial discomfort to the hand and sometimes resulting in tears along the handle and below the seal line. Once the seal line is breached, the contents of the bag are more likely to leak out or be inadvertently spilled. Handling the bag with both hands is also troublesome due to shifting of loose contents contained in the bag.
The bag of the present invention addresses these and other problems of the prior art by providing a handle formed in a multi-ply end portion of the bag, such that the bag can be conveniently handled and moved without substantial risk of tearing into the bag contents. The handle is readily formed in the bag prior to filing, and is conveniently located to facilitate carrying the bag when filled with less strain on the hands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a side gusset style bag with a convenient carry handle formed in a multi-ply end portion of the bag.
It is another object of the invention to provide a side gusset style bag which is conveniently carried with relatively little strain on the hands.
It is another object of the invention to provide a side gusset style bag which resists tearing at the handle when carried.
It is another object of the invention to provide a side gusset style bag which can be readily carried using both hands.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of forming a side gusset style bag which includes a convenient carry handle.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a bag including front and back panels having joined first and second opposing side edges, and opposing top and bottom end edges. An end edge seal line adjacent one of the top and bottom end edges extends laterally from one side of the bag to the other for sealably closing the adjacent end edge of the bag. The opposite end edge of the bag is open for receiving contents therein and is subsequently closed to retain the contents within the bag. The improvement in the bag includes a folded in-tuck formed along one of the first and second side edges of the bag. The in-tuck cooperates with the front and back panels to define a side gusset adapted for allowing expansion of the bag when filled. The in-tuck is sealed along the end edge seal line to form a multi-ply reinforced end portion of the bag. A handle is formed with the reinforced end portion of the bag to allow convenient handling of the bag when filled.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, an opposing second in-tuck is formed along the other of the first and second side edges of the bag. The second in-tuck cooperates with the front and back panels to define an opposing second side gusset adapted for allowing expansion of the bag when filled. The second in-tuck is sealed along the end edge seal line to form an opposing second multi-ply reinforced end portion of the bag.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a second handle is formed with the second reinforced end portion of the bag to allow convenient handling of the bag when filled.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle includes a generally L-shaped die-cut having a relatively straight vertical segment extending perpendicularly outward from the end edge seal line, and a lateral end segment. The die-cut is formed through the front and back panels of the bag and through the in-tuck such that the front and back panels cooperate when the bag is filled to form a generally C-shaped hand-receiving slit.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle includes a generally C-shaped die-cut formed through the front and back panels of the bag, and through the in-tuck.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the die-cut defines a relatively straight center segment extending generally parallel to the end edge seal line and opposing first and second arcuate end segments defining respective tear-resistant curved ends of the handle.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the front and back panels of the bag are integrally formed together of a polyolefin sheet.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the polyolefin sheet is in the range of 3 and 12 mils or any mil thickness sufficient to contain the filled product.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the polyolefin sheet is formed of a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.
In another embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a bag. The method includes the steps of providing first and second panels having joined first and second opposed side edges, and top and bottom end edges. At least one seal line is formed adjacent one of the top and bottom end edges and extending laterally from one side edge of the bag to the other for sealably closing the adjacent end edge of the bag. The opposite end edge of the bag is open for receiving contents therein and subsequently closed to retain the contents within the bag. An in-tuck is formed along at least one of the first and second side edges of the bag. The in-tuck cooperates with the front and back panels to define a side gusset adapted for allowing expansion of the bag when filled. The in-tuck is sealed along the end edge seal line to form a multi-ply reinforced end portion of the bag. A handle is formed with the reinforced end portion of the bag to allow convenient handling of the bag when filled.
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Adams, Schwartz & Evans P.A.
Pascua Jes F.
Rex International Incorporated
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