U.S. patent application number 09/819798 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for gusset bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kuge, Raizo.
Application Number | 20020141666 09/819798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27224342 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020141666 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuge, Raizo |
October 3, 2002 |
Gusset bag
Abstract
The present invention provides a gusset bag in which a
sufficient area for indication can be retained on flat surfaces,
paying attention to the structure of the gusset bag. The gusset bag
1 of the invention comprises flat surfaces 2 and 2 opposed to each
other; and side surfaces 3 and 3 capable of being tucked in at
creases by connecting the both ends of the flat surfaces 2 and 2;
wherein a part of the side surfaces 3 and 3 is made transparent to
form windows 9 and 9. Since windows 9 and 9 are provided on the
side surfaces 3 and 3, it is possible to retain a sufficient area
for indication in the flat surfaces 2 and 2, and observe the
contents from outside.
Inventors: |
Kuge, Raizo; (Saitama-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Assignee: |
Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
27224342 |
Appl. No.: |
09/819798 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/106 ;
383/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/04 20130101;
B65D 31/10 20130101; B65D 33/004 20130101; B65D 77/28 20130101;
B65D 2203/06 20130101; B65D 2231/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/106 ;
383/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/04; B65D
030/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
and side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by
connecting the both ends of said flat surfaces; wherein: at least a
part of said side surfaces is made transparent to form a
window.
2. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by connecting
the both ends of said flat surfaces; and a flat bottom surface
closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by said flat surfaces
and said side surfaces; wherein: at least a part of said bottom
surface is made transparent to form a window.
3. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by connecting
the both ends of said flat surfaces; and a flat bottom surface
closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by said flat surfaces
and said side surfaces; wherein: at least a part of said side
surfaces is made transparent to form a window.
4. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by connecting
the both ends of said flat surfaces; and a flat bottom surface
closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by said flat surfaces
and said side surfaces; wherein: at least one of the flat surfaces
is made transparent to form a window.
5. A gusset bag according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of
said side surfaces is made transparent to form a window.
6. A gusset bag comprising according to claim 2, wherein at least a
part of said side surface is made transparent to form a window.
7. A gusset bag according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the
flat surfaces is made transparent to form a window.
8. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
and side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by
connecting the both ends of said flat surfaces; wherein: a straw is
attached to said side surface.
9. A gusset bag according to claim 8, wherein said flat surfaces
and said side surfaces comprise plastic films, and said flat
surfaces and said side surfaces are heat-sealed.
10. A gusset bag comprising: flat surfaces opposite to each other;
side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by connecting
the both ends of said flat surfaces; and a flat bottom surface
closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by said flat surfaces
and said side surfaces, wherein: a POS mark is affixed to said
bottom surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a gusset bag having
portions known as gores in sides thereof.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There is conventionally known a gusset bag having flat
surfaces opposite to each other and side surfaces capable of being
tucked in at creases by connecting the both ends of the flat
surfaces. This gusset bag is formed by heat-sealing a plastic film
or the like. The gusset bag is filled with contents such as food,
and the commercial product name, features, raw materials, uses,
quantity of contents, precautions for use, and the use-by date are
indicated thereon. In general, this indication is made on a flat
surface of the gusset bag forming the front surface thereof and
standing out when displayed on a merchandise shelf.
[0005] However, the gusset bag poses problems in that it is
necessary to provide a window for observing the contents from
outside, that it is necessary to use a straw for sucking up a
charged liquid, or that it is necessary to indicate a barcode
representing the amount of the contained product. If a window, a
straw, or a barcode is provided carelessly on the gusset bag, the
area for indicating the product name of the content would be
reduced, or hidden, thus preventing retaining a necessary area on
the flat surface of the gusset bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide, taking notice of the structure of the gusset bag, a gusset
bag permitting retaining a sufficient area for indication in the
flat surface.
[0007] The present invention will now be described. For the purpose
of solving the aforementioned problems, the present inventor paid
attention to the fact that the gusset bag has gores on the sides
thereof, and the gores do not attract general attention on a shelf
displaying merchandise, and obtained the following findings. By
providing a window in a gore, there is available a gusset bag in
which it is possible to retain a sufficient area for indication in
the flat surface, and also to observe the contents from outside.
More specifically, the present invention provides a gusset bag
comprising flat surfaces opposite to each other; and side surfaces
capable of being tucked in at creases by connecting the both ends
of said flat surfaces; wherein at least a part of said side
surfaces is made transparent to form a window, thus solving the
aforementioned problems.
[0008] According to this aspect of the present invention, in which
at least a part of the side is made transparent to form a window,
there is provided a gusset bag in which it is possible to retain a
sufficient area for indication on the flat surfaces and to observe
the contents from outside.
[0009] The aforementioned problems are solved in the present
invention by a gusset bag comprising flat surfaces opposite to each
other; side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by
connecting the both ends of the flat surfaces; and a flat bottom
surface closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by the flat
surfaces and the side surfaces; wherein at least a part of the
bottom is made transparent to form a window.
[0010] According to this aspect of the invention, the flat bottom
makes it possible to obtain a highly self-standing gusset bag.
Since this self-standing gusset bag is displayed on a merchandise
shelf in the upright posture, the bottom surface thereof does not
attract attention. Providing a window in the bottom therefore gives
a gusset bag which permits retaining a sufficient area for
indication on the flat surfaces, and observation of the contents
from outside.
[0011] The invention solves the aforementioned problems by
providing a gusset bag comprising flat surfaces opposite to each
other; and side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by
connecting the both ends of the flat surfaces; wherein a straw is
attached to the side surface.
[0012] According to this aspect of the invention, in which a straw
is attached to the side surface, a sufficient area for indication
can be retained on the flat surfaces with the indication on the
flat surface not hidden. The side surfaces of the gusset bag are
tucked in at the creases and folded inward. By attaching the straw
on this side surface, the straw can be provided at a position
inside a plane formed by connecting the ends of the side. When
displaying the gusset bags together with the other goods on the
shelf, it is possible to prevent the straw from falling.
[0013] The present invention furthermore provides a gusset bag
wherein the flat surfaces and the side surfaces comprise plastic
films, and the flat surfaces and the side surfaces are
heat-sealed.
[0014] According to this aspect of the invention, the heat-sealed
portions of the flat surfaces and the side surfaces form the build
of gusset bag, and the straw is attached within the build. It is
therefore possible to more certainly prevent the straw from
falling.
[0015] The invention solves the aforementioned problems by
providing a gusset bag comprising flat surfaces opposite to each
other; side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases by
connecting the both ends of the flat surfaces; and a flat bottom
surface closing the bottom of a hollow body formed by the flat
surfaces and the side surfaces; wherein a POS mark is affixed to
the bottom surface.
[0016] According to this aspect of the invention, in which a POS
mark is affixed onto the bottom surface, there is available a
gusset bag in which it is possible to retain a sufficient area for
indication in the flat surfaces. By passing the self-standing
gusset bag while keeping the upright posture through a register,
the register reads the POS mark affixed to the bottom surface, thus
facilitating read operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a gusset bag of a
first embodiment of the present invention in use;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the gusset bag shown in FIG. 1
(the same applies also to the rear elevation);
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a method
of forming the gusset bag shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the gusset bag shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the gusset bag shown in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a center-enlarged sectional view of the gusset bag
shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the gusset bag shown in FIG. 1
(the same applies also to the right side);
[0024] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 cut along the line
A-A;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a left side view of an unfolded state of the
gusset bag shown in FIG. 1 (the same applies also to the right
side);
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gusset bag without a
bottom surface;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gusset bag of a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a front view of the gusset bag of the second
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a gusset bag of a third
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a front view of the gusset bag of the third
embodiment (the same applies also to the rear elevation);
[0031] FIG. 15 is a broken perspective view of a gusset bag having
a window on the bottom surface;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a gusset bag of a fourth
embodiment of the invention; and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a gusset bag of a fifth
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a gusset bag of a first embodiment of the
present invention. The gusset bag 1 comprises flat surfaces 2 and 2
opposite to each other; side surfaces 3 and 3 capable of being
tucked in at crases by connecting the both ends of the flat
surfaces 2 and 2; and a flat bottom surface 4 closing the bottom of
a hollow body formed by the flat surfaces 2 and 2 and the side
surfaces 3 and 3. This gusset bag 1 has gores on the sides and a
flat bottom. It can therefore contain a larger quantity of contents
and is excellent in self-standing property. The window 9 may be one
of the side surfaces 3 and 3.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a method of forming the gusset bag 1. The
method comprises connecting the side surfaces 3 and 3 to the both
ends of the flat surfaces 2 and 2 opposite to each other, and
connecting the bottom surface 4 to the bottom of the hollow body
comprising the flat surfaces 2 and 2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3,
thereby forming the gusset bag 1.
[0036] A method of forming the bottom surface 4 will now be
described. The method comprises the steps of first preparing a
rectangular sheet for forming the bottom surface, forming a bottom
crease 5 by folding the sheet along the longitudinal center line,
providing base points P and P at arbitrary positions near the both
ends of the bottom crease, folding the portion of the bottom crease
from the base points P and P to the sheet ends in a direction
counter to the original tucking direction, thereby forming creases
6 and 6, and tucking in, at the same time, the lines connecting the
two corners Q and Q at the both ends of the sheet to the base
points P and P as four edge lines 7 protruding inward in the bag,
thereby forming open surfaces 8 corresponding to pleats of the side
surfaces 3 and 3. The thus tucked bottom forming sheet is inserted
into the bottom of the hollow body comprising the flat surfaces 2
and 2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3.
[0037] The other bottom edges of the tucked sheet are heat-sealed
to the inner surfaces of the flat surfaces 2 and 2 and the inner
surfaces of the side surfaces 3 and 3, respectively (heat-sealed
surfaces R are indicated by oblique lines in the drawing). The flat
surfaces 2 and 2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3 are heat-sealed
(heat-sealed surfaces S are indicated by oblique lines in the
drawing). By heat-sealing, four heat-sealed surfaces S are formed
with a prescribed width on the both sides of the flat surfaces 2
and 2. When the gusset bag 1 is filled with contents, the tucked
bottom surface 8 becomes flat, and the gusset bag 1 can stand up in
the self-standing manner. The heat-sealed surfaces S play the role
of build for the self-standing gusset bag 1. The gusset bag 1 after
putting the contents in it is reinforced by the heat-sealed
surfaces S. After charging the contents, the mouth of the gusset
bag 1 is heat-sealed again to seal up the interior of the bag.
[0038] FIGS. 3 to 9 show the gusset bag prior to filling the same
with contents. FIG. 3 is a front and rear views of the gusset bag
1; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the gusset bag 1; FIG. 5 is a bottom
view of the gusset bag 1; FIG. 6 is a center-enlarged sectional
view of the gusset bag 1; FIG. 7 is a left or right side view of
the gusset bag 1; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 cut along
the line A-A; and FIG. 9 is a left or right side view of a state in
which the sides of the gusset bag 1 are unfolded.
[0039] The flat surfaces 2 and 2 comprise plastic films, on which
printing can be accomplished by a known printing method such as
gravure printing or flexography. The commercial name of contents,
features, raw materials, uses, quantity of contents, precautions
for use, use-by data and the like are printed on the flat surfaces
2 and 2. For this indication, importance is placed on design taking
account of sales promotion. The side surfaces 3 and 3 comprise
transparent plastic films.
[0040] A part of the side surfaces is made transparent to provide a
window 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 9). This window 9 is formed by printing
information on portions of the side surfaces 3 and 3 other than the
window 9. The window 9 is rectangular in shape and formed
right-left symmetrically with the crease as a center. The contents
inside is observed through this transparent window 9 from outside
the gusset bag 1. When the window 9 is provided on any of the side
surfaces 3 and 3, it is not necessary to provide a window on any of
the flat surfaces 2 and 2, and it is possible to retain a
sufficient area for indication on the flat surfaces 2 and 2. The
window 9 may be provided, not on a part of the side surfaces 3 and
3, but over the entire area of a side.
[0041] In the above embodiment, the gusset bag 1 has the bottom
surface 4, and however a window 50 may be provided on a side
surface 3 on a gusset bag without a bottom surface.
[0042] A material for the plastic films of the flat surfaces 2 and
2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3 is, for example a multi-layer film
laminating an OPP film (biaxially drawn polypropylene), a polyester
film, a nylon film, a straight-chain low-density polyethylene film,
and a non-drawn polypropylene film. A material is appropriately
selected, depending upon the kind of contents such as a solid,
powder, liquid, retort, milk or an outer wrapping of a small
package. A multi-layer film laminating, for example, a nylon film
and a straight-chain low-density polyethylene film may be used as a
material for the plastic film forming the bottom surface 4. A
material is appropriately selected, in this case also, in
accordance with the kind of contents such as a solid, powder,
liquid retort or milk. The plastic films of the flat surfaces 2 and
2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3 may be requested in some cases to
have barrier property against gases such as oxygen, or even pinhole
resistance.
[0043] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a gusset bag 11 of a second embodiment
of the invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the gusset bag;
and FIG. 12 is a front view thereof. The rear elevation, the plan
view, the bottom view, the left or right side view, and the
sectional view are the same as those of the gusset bag of the
above-mentioned first embodiment. The gusset bag of the second
embodiment of the invention has a window 9 on one of the side
surfaces 3 and 3, and has another window 12 also on the front side
flat surface 2. A part of the front side flat surface 2 is made
transparent to form the window 12. The window 12 of the flat
surface 2 is formed in the same manner as the windows 9 and 9 on
the above-mentioned side surfaces 3 and 3. According to this gusset
bag 11, the front and sides of the contents can be observed from
outside, thus further facilitating confirmation of the contents.
Because the windows 9 and 9 are provided also on the side surfaces
3 and 3, the necessity to enlarge the window 12 on the flat surface
2 is eliminated to such an extent, thus enabling to retain a
sufficient area for indication on the flat surface 2.
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a gusset bag 13 of a third embodiment
of the invention. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the gusset bag
13; and FIG. 13 gives front and rear views thereof. The front view,
the bottom view, the left or right side view and the sectional view
are the same as those of the gusset bag 1 of the first embodiment.
This gusset bag 13 of the third embodiment has a window 9 on the
side surface 3, and in addition, windows 12 on the front flat and
rear flat surfaces 2 and 2. More specifically, windows 12 and 12
are provided on portions made transparent of the flat surfaces 2
and 2. The windows of the flat surfaces 2 and 2 are formed in the
same manner as the windows 9 and 9 of the side surfaces 3 and 3. As
shown in FIG. 14, at least a part of the bottom surface 4 of the
gusset bag may be made transparent to provide a window 40. By
providing the window 40 on the bottom surface 4 of the gusset bag,
the bottom of the contents can be confirmed. It is not necessary to
provide a window on the flat surface 2, while retaining a
sufficient area for indication on the flat surface 2. Further, a
window may be provided on the bottom surface 4 in each of the first
and second embodiments.
[0045] According to this gusset bag, the contents can be observed
from front, side and back from outside, thus further facilitating
confirmation of the contents. Because the windows 9 and 9 are
provided on the side surfaces 3 and 3, it is not necessary to
provide large-sized windows 12 and 12 on the flat surfaces 2 and 2,
still retaining a sufficient area for indication on the flat
surfaces 2 and 2.
[0046] FIG. 14 illustrates a gusset bag 15 of a fourth embodiment
of the invention. A straw 16 is detachably attached to the side
surface of this gusset bag 15. The gusset bag 15 has the same
configuration as the gusset bag 1 of the first embodiment mentioned
above except that no window is provided on the side surface 3. The
straw 16 is attached near the crease 17 of the side surface 3 by a
bonding means such as hot melt after filling the gusset bag 15 with
a liquid so as to extend along the crease 17. A straw inserting
hole 18 is formed in the side surface 3. This hole 18 is formed,
for example, by piercing an opening hole at a prescribed position
of the outside plastic film layer composing the side surface, and
placing this plastic layer on top of the inside plastic film layer
not having an opening hole pierced therein. The liquid inside is
sucked by breaking through the straw inserting hole 18 with the
straw 16. This embodiment may be applied to a gusset bag without a
bottom surface as shown in FIG. 10.
[0047] According to the gusset bag 15 of this embodiment, the straw
16 is attached to the side surface 3. The indication on the flat
surfaces 2 and 2 is not therefore hidden by the straw 16, retaining
a sufficient area for indication on the flat surfaces 2 and 2. The
side surface 3 of the gusset bag 15 is depressed as the surface is
tucked in at the crease 16. By attaching the straw 16 to this side
surface 3, the straw can be located at a depressed position
relative to a plane connecting the ends of the side surface 3. As a
result, it is possible to prevent the straw from falling even when
the gusset bag 15 is displayed on a shelf in line with the other
goods. In addition, the heat-sealed surfaces 5 of the flat surfaces
2 and 2 and the side surfaces 3 and 3 form the build of the gusset
bag 15, and the straw 16 is attached within this build. The straw
16 is therefore protected by the build, thus further preventing the
straw 16 from falling. The straw 16 can be housed in a small bag so
as to ensure hygiene.
[0048] FIG. 15 shows a gusset bag 19 of a fifth embodiment of the
invention. In this gusset bag 19, a POS mark 20 is affixed to the
bottom surface 4. The gusset bag 19 has the same configuration as
that of the gusset bag of the above-mentioned first embodiment
except that no window is provided on the side surface 3. The POS
mark 20 is printed by a known printing method. The barcode of the
POS mark expresses the item code of the good and the price code.
The POS mark is read in by an optical automatic reading register,
and automatically calculates the product price.
[0049] According to the gusset bag 19 of this embodiment, the POS
mark 20 is affixed to the bottom surface 4. It is therefore
possible to retain a sufficient area for indication on the flat
surfaces 2 and 2. By causing the upright self-sustained gusset bag
19 to pass through the register, the register reads in the POS mark
affixed onto the bottom surface 4, thus facilitating read operation
of the barcode.
[0050] The bottom 4 as a component may be made of the same material
as the main body comprising the flat surfaces 2 and the side
surfaces 3, or may be formed by inserting a different material into
the main body.
[0051] According to the present invention, as described above,
there is provided a gusset bag comprising flat surfaces opposite to
each other; and side surfaces capable of being tucked in at creases
by connecting the both ends of the flat surfaces; wherein at least
a part of the side is made transparent to form a window. It is
therefore possible to retain a sufficient area for indication on
the flat surfaces, and to observe the contents from outside.
* * * * *