U.S. patent application number 10/170522 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for plastic bag and packaging method using same.
Invention is credited to Rabiea, Jeffrey D..
Application Number | 20030230052 10/170522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29732526 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030230052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rabiea, Jeffrey D. |
December 18, 2003 |
Plastic bag and packaging method using same
Abstract
A plastic bag is supplied as a continuously attached length of
plural bags, each bag being separated from adjacent bags along a
supply length by a perforated tear line. A seal which runs
codirectionally with the tear line forms a closed bottom for each
bag, such that when a bag is separated along the tear line from a
remainder of the supply, the bag is enclosed along three of its
four edges enabling containment of produce or other items placed
therein via the opening at the fourth, and remaining edge of the
bag which is coextensive with the perforation line. The supply
length of bags is advantageously stored on a roll, fan folded,
bundlized or compactly stored in other suitable manner permitting
advancement of consecutive bags when pulled out of the stored
condition by a user. The perforation tear line cuts entirely
through the continuous web supply of bags, however, the perforation
along one side the bag is broken, such that the bag presents an
open flap through which contents can be added to each bag prior to
its removal from the remainder of the continuous bag supply. A
method of using the bags for packaging of produce, groceries or
other articles generally selected at point of sale and which are
generally segregated by type for later pricing by weight or unit,
permits a user to at least partially fill a bag prior to removal
from a continuous supply of plural bags.
Inventors: |
Rabiea, Jeffrey D.; (Locust
Valley, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JON L. WOODARD/EDWARD W. GOEBEL, JR.
MACDONALD, ILLIG, JONES & BRITTON, LLP
100 STATE STREET, SUITE 700
ERIE,
PA
16507-1459
US
|
Family ID: |
29732526 |
Appl. No.: |
10/170522 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/267 20130101;
B65D 33/002 20130101; B31B 2155/003 20170801; B31B 2160/10
20170801; B31B 70/942 20170801; B31B 2155/00 20170801; B65H 23/06
20130101; B31B 2170/10 20170801; B31B 70/81 20170801; B31B 70/946
20170801 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/459 |
International
Class: |
B65B 043/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of packaging point-of-purchase items, comprising the
steps of: producing bags as a continuous web, each of said bags
being separated from an adjacent bag by a perforated tear line
which extends through the web of bags crosswise to a length of the
continuous web of bags, each of said bags being sealed along a
sealing line adjacent to the perforated tear line, such that when a
particular bag is removed from the continuous web of bags, it can
suitably retain contents placed therein; breaking said perforation
line on one side of said continuous web, while retaining at least a
partial integrity of said perforation tear line on a remaining side
of said web such that a flap defining an entry to each of said bags
is formed prior to use; and loading the point-of-purchase items
into at least one of said bags though said entry prior to removal
of said at least one bag from a remainder of said web.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said continuous web is
comprised of thermoplastic tubing, and said step of producing
includes heat sealing said tubing at selected intervals to thereby
form said sealing line.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said point-of-purchase
items include items provided by a vender as a bulk commodity for
selection and repackaging by a consumer.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said bulk commodity
includes at least one of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein respective width and
height dimensions of said bags measured in inches are in a range of
about 10.times.15 to about 12.times.20.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of said
bags does not exceed about 1.4 mils.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein a wall thickness of said
bags is in a range of about 0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils.
8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising unrolling said
continuous web of bags from a dispensable supply roll prior to said
step of loading.
9. A web of plastic bags, comprising: mutually-connected individual
bags each being attached to an adjacent one of said bags by a
perforated tear line, said bags being opened along at least a
portion of said tear line to form a flap defining an entry into
each of said bags through which point-of-purchase items are
insertable into said bags, said bags having a volume sufficient to
contain a quantity of produce.
10. A web of bags according to claim 9, wherein respective width
and height dimensions of said bags measured in inches are in a
range of about 10.times.15 to about 12.times.20.
11. A web of bags according to claim 9, wherein a wall thickness of
said bags does not exceed about 1.4 mils.
12. A web of bags according to claim 9, wherein a wall thickness of
said bags is in a range of about 0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils.
13. A web of bags according to claim 9, wherein said bags are wound
on a dispensable supply roll.
14. A web of bags according to claim 9, wherein said produce
includes at least one of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a plastic bag which is
dispensable from a roll or other bulk supply, and a method for
conveniently packaging grocery items, particularly produce
including fruits, vegetables, and other consumer items at place of
purchase using said plastic bags.
[0002] Plastic bags stored in bulk, for example, on rolls
containing a plurality of attached bags, have conventionally been
provided in supermarkets and other locations to provide the
consumer with a convenient means for packaging items, such as, for
example, articles of produce and other groceries, selected for
purchase. Since, typically, fruits and vegetables are uniquely
priced per unit of weight, packaging each type of produce in its
own separate bag permits simplified determination of price at
checkout, while concomitantly protecting the contents from
contamination, damage and moisture loss. The lightweight nature of
the bags obviates the need for taking a tare weight of the bag
prior to weighing of the merchandise, further adding to the
convenience attendant their use .
[0003] Heretofore, such bags have typically been provided on a
continuous roll having perforations between adjacent bags to
readily permit separation of individual bags from the remainder of
the roll. Once removed, the bag is opened at the perforation line
and contents may then be inserted therein. Since the attached bags
are initially separated by an unbroken perforation line while on
the roll, the bags must be removed from the roll in order to permit
filling with produce or other items. This can prove inconvenient,
particularly if a person's hands are full. In addition, it is often
difficult to open the bags since, as a result of the manufacturing
process, the bag opening may cling together, sometimes as the
result of static electricity, and be difficult to open,
particularly when the user's hands are cold or excessively dry.
[0004] A plastic bag supplied from a continuously attached supply
of bags which would permit the user to easily open and fill each
bag as it was dispensed from the roll without requiring that the
bag be first removed from the continuous supply would, therefore,
be highly desirable.
[0005] Furthermore, a method of packaging using such plastic bag
would also provide advantage over conventionally practiced
point-of-purchase packaging methods by virtue of the fact that the
bag would be pre-opened before its removal from the roll or other
supply.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
bulk-supplied plastic bag which overcomes the drawbacks of the
prior art.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a plastic
bag, a plurality of which may be stored as a continues web on a
roll or other convenient bulk unit, and which, when unrolled or
otherwise dispensed, may be filled prior to detachment from the
rest of the bags stored as a continuously detached bulk supply,
such as a supply roll.
[0008] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a
method of packaging which utilizes plastic bags produced and
supplied in accordance with the invention for a conveniently
packaging point-of-purchase items, such as groceries, produce and
the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with these and other objects of the invention,
there is provided a plastic bag which is supplied as a continuously
attached length of plural bags, each being separated from adjacent
bags along a supply length by a perforated tear line. A seal, which
runs codirectionally with the tear line, forms a closed bottom for
each bag, such that when a bag is separated along the tear line
from a remainder of the supply length, the bag is enclosed along
three of its four edges, enabling containment of produce or other
items placed therein via the opening at the fourth and remaining
edge of the bag which is coextensive with the perforation line. The
supply length of bags is advantageously stored on a roll, fan
folded, bundlized or compactly stored in other suitable manner
permitting advancement of consecutive bags when pulled out of the
stored condition by a user. The perforation cuts entirely through
the continuous web supply of bags, however, the perforation along
one side the bag is broken, such that the bag, while still being
attached to the supply of bags presents an open end through which
contents can be added to each bag prior to its removal from the
remainder of the continuous bag supply.
[0010] Briefly stated, a method of using the above described bags
for packaging of produce, groceries or other articles generally
selected at point-of-purchase, and which are generally segregated
by type for later pricing by weight or unit, permits a user to at
least partially fill a bag prior to removal from a continuous
supply of plural bags.
[0011] Although not intended to be limiting to the invention as
broadly contemplated, bags produced in accordance with the
invention will advantageously present dimensions between about
10"w.times.14"h and about 12"w.times.20"h. Such dimensions are
deemed to provide a suitable accomodating volume to meet the needs
of a consumer encountered in connection with the above range of
uses. In addition, although similarly not intended to be limiting
to practice of the disclosed method in accordance with the
invention, a wall thickness of the bags not exceeding about 1.40
mils (thousandths of an inch) is deemed advantageous to practice of
the invention. More preferably, a wall thickness of the bags
produced in accordance with the invention lies in a range of about
0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils (or an approximate range of 8.75
microns to 25 microns).
[0012] The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll of plastic bags in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention shown partially
unrolled;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a production line for
producing a length of continuously attached bags in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a rewinding station for
providing a desired orientation of an opening of the bags relative
to the continuous supply when dispensed therefrom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Turning now to the figures, and in particular, FIG. 1, a
plurality of continuously attached bags provided in accordance with
the invention are depicted generally at 10. The bags 10, which
include individual bags 10', are supplied from a continuous bulk
supply, which is conveniently, in the depicted example, provided in
the form of a roll 1. The bags 10 are formed as a continuous web,
each bag 10' being separated from an adjacent bag 10' by a
perforated tear line 2 which extends through the web of bags 10
crosswise to a supply length of the continuous web of bags 10. Each
bag 10' is also sealed adjacent to the perforated tear lines 2
along a seal 3, such that when the bag 10' is removed from the
continuous web of bags 10, it can suitably retain contents placed
therein.
[0017] In accordance with the invention, each bag 10' is pre-opened
along the perforation tear line 2 during manufacture by breaking
the perforation on one side of the bag 10' only, thereby forming a
flap 4 providing an entry to the interior of each bag 10' through
which produce or other items can be inserted without requiring
removal of bag 10' from the continuous supply of bags 10. At least
a portion of the perforation 3 on the remaining side of the supply
of bags 10 remains unbroken, thereby maintaining attachment of bag
10' from a remainder of bags 10 until intentionally detached by a
user.
[0018] Use of the bags 10 produced in accordance with embodiment of
the invention is intended to provide particular advantage in the
specific venue of groceries, produce stores, supermarkets, etc.,
and in accordance with which, articles generally provided as bulk
commodities and selected by consumer at point-of-purchase, and
which items are routinely segregated by particular type for later
unique pricing by weight or unit, may be conveniently packaged and
brought to a register for checkout. Such advantageous use permits a
user (i.e., most commonly a consumer) to at least partially fill a
bag prior to removal from a continuous supply of plural bags,
providing added convenience and shopping ease.
[0019] Although not intended to be limiting to the invention as
broadly contemplated, bags produced in accordance with the
invention will advantageously present dimensions between about
10".times.14" and about 12" and 20" (width.times.height). Such
dimensions are deemed to provide a suitable accommodating volume to
meet the needs of a consumer utilizing the bags 10 within the above
range of uses. Further, a preferred wall thickness of the bags
produced in accordance with the invention will not exceed about
1.40 mils (thousandths of an inch), and more preferably lies in a
range of about 0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils (or an approximate range
of 8.75 microns to 25 microns)
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a conversion machine and method of
use of such machine for manufacturing the bags 10 in accordance
with the invention is shown schematically at 20. It is noted that
the described production line utilizing conversion machine 20 is
disclosed merely as a production example of the bags 10 according
to the invention, and is not intended to be exhaustive of possible
conventional and inventive machinery, and production methods, which
could be employed with suitable effectiveness in achieving the
objectives of the invention, without departure from the
invention.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a supply of raw material, for example
extruded thermoplastic tubing (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, or
any other suitable plastic material heretofore known or developed
in the future, etc.), is fed from a payout roll 21 as a web 22 via
feed and guide rollers 23, using conventionally practiced transport
and operational technology encountered in the typical manufacture
of continuous plastic bags. The web of raw material 22 is directed
to a rotating drum 24 about which the web 22 is contactably guided.
A heat sealer 25 is moved radially inward to the drum 24 to contact
the web of raw material 22 at intermittent intervals, and
circumferentially follows a rotational movement of the drum 24
while in contact with the web 22, thereby heat-sealing the web at a
selected spaced apart distance determined by a desired bag height,
and forming seal 3 shown in FIG. 1. When brought out of contact
with the web 22, heat sealer 25 is moved circumferentially backward
to return same to a starting position in anticipation of a
subsequent sealing operation as described.
[0022] The web of raw material next passes to a serrator 26 which
includes a perforating blade 27 which rotates with serrator 26 and
contacts and perforates the web 22 drawn between the serrator and a
stationary support bar 28, to thereby form perforation tear line 2
(see FIG. 1) in the web 22 at a location therealong adjacent to the
previously formed seal 3.
[0023] A scuffer section 29 is provided downstream of the serrator
26 for purposes of breaking the perforation tear line on one side
of the web 22. Scuffer section 29 includes a support, conveniently
provided in the form of a rotating drum 29a, and a scuffer pad
assembly 29b which rotates counter-directional to rotating drum
29a. Scuffer pad assembly includes one or more scuffer pads 29b'
made of suitable material, for example, rubber, which presents
sufficient friction to open the bags on one side only along
perforation tear line 2, and which intermittently contacts the web
at the perforation tear line 2 as scuffer pad assembly 29b rotates.
It will be understood that the pressure exerted by the scuffer pads
29a' on the web 22 will be adjusted based upon various parameters
including bag thickness, perforation characteristics, material
thickness, etc., such that one side of the perforation tear line 2
is broken, while the integrity of perforation tear line 2 on a
remaining side distant from the scuffer pads 29b' is at least
partially maintained.
[0024] If a width of the bags 10 produced in accordance with the
invention requires adjustment from that of the extruded tubing
transported as web of raw material 22, a slit sealer 31 is provided
which longitudinally slits and heat-seals the web 22 at a desired
distance inwardly of the original outermost edge of web of raw
material 22.
[0025] The web 22 is then subjected to an air test to establish
that the bags 10 have been successfully scuffed open by utilizing a
blower nozzle 32 which directs a stream of air to open the flap 4
(see also FIG. 1) in bags 10.
[0026] The web 22, which has now been converted to the continuously
attached length of bags 10 shown in FIG. 1, is wound onto a pickup
roll 33.
[0027] Because of the particular configuration of the conversion
machine 20 and the nature of transport of the web 22, a further
step is required to orient the flap 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Turning
now to FIG. 3, the pickup roll 33 serves as a payout roll when
transferred to a rewinding station 40, in which it is rewound onto
a rewind roll 34. As shown schematically, the flaps 4 are
originally oriented such that the openings in the bags 10 would
face downward if dispensed from the roll 33. By rewinding the bags
onto the rewind roll , the desired orientation is achieved, as
shown in FIG. 1, in which roll 1 corresponds to that produced on
rewind roll 34.
[0028] Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that
various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one
skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *