U.S. patent application number 10/212024 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for flat bottom bag with handle.
Invention is credited to Hanson, Violet.
Application Number | 20040022456 10/212024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31187723 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040022456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanson, Violet |
February 5, 2004 |
Flat bottom bag with handle
Abstract
A tubular sleeve is shaped with a pair of opposing faces, a pair
of opposing side walls, and a lowermost terminal edge. Double
gussets are simultaneously formed on each opposing side walls of
the shaped sleeve inward betweem the pair of opposing faces of the
shaped sleeve and defining substantially square corners at
intersection of the longitudinal ribs of the shaped sleeve and the
lowermost terminal edge of the shaped sleeve. The square corners of
the shaped sleeve are relieved and removed to form a flat bottom. A
pair of handles are unitarily formed and integral with the frontal
faces extending over the open top of bag.
Inventors: |
Hanson, Violet; (Old
Bethpage, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Violet Hanson
P.O. Box 68
Old Bethpage
NY
11804
US
|
Family ID: |
31187723 |
Appl. No.: |
10/212024 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/8 ; 383/104;
383/120; 383/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/02 20130101;
B65D 33/065 20130101; B65D 31/08 20130101; B65D 31/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/8 ; 383/120;
383/104; 383/121 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/10; B65D
030/16; B65D 030/20; B65D 030/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A plastic shopping bag compising a tubular sleeve having an open
top, a closed bottom, a pair of opposing frontal faces and a pair
of opposing side walls connecting said frontal faces, each of said
side walls being provided with at least one pair of gussets formed
of alternating longitudinal ribs and folds allowing the sleeve to
be compactly folded for and when in used opened and distended to
provide a wide mouth, a plurality of uniformly spaced ribs disposed
along the bottom, of said sleeve from the bottom edge to a selected
distance distance upwardly therefrom; the corners of said bottom
walls portions being bounded by an angled line intersecting the
bottom edge and side walls being removed therefrom along a tapered
line, and said bottom edge and side walls sealingly joined so that
when the sleeve is opened the bottom wll is raised into the plane
of the inersection of the angled line and the side walls, forming a
flat bottom wall comprising that portion of frontal faces and side
walls containing said strengthening means and have the side walls
extended extended perpendicularly thereto, and distended to provide
a wide-mouth self-sustaining walls and bag extending
perpendicularly to the bottom wall.
2. The bag according to claim 1 reinforced with transversly
directed ribs and sealing blocks strengthening the bottom wall when
said sleeve is opened.
3. The bag according to claim 1, wherein said handle is formed
integratedly and unitarily with said bag.
4. The bag according to claim 1 wherein said bottom is reinforced
with transversely directed ribs and sealing blocks and provided
with angular cuts adjacent to the intersection of the bottom and
the side walls, relieving the corners of said bag, said corners
being removed and the adjacent edges sealed together forming the
flat bottom.
5. The bag according to claim 3 wherein the corners of said bag and
the terminal end of the side walls form a laterally extending
portion from the bottom wall when said bag is opened.
6. The bag according to claim 4 wherein said end walls balloon
outwardly when said bag is cross-sectional area.
7. A method of making a flat bottom plastic shopping bag having
handles comprising the steps of: (a) providing a unitary tubular
sleeve; (b) shaping said unitary tubular sleeve with a pair of
opposing faces, a pair of opposing faces, a pair of opposing side
walls, and a lowermost terminal edge; (c) simultaneously forming i.
double gussets on each opposing side wall inwardly between said
pair of opposing faces so as to form alternating longitudinal
folds; ii. at least two handles joined to the opposing frontal
faces and extending over the open top; (d) removing the triangular
flaps forming the corner of the lowest terminal edge sealing said
terminal edges so as to define a flat closed bottom.
8. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said handles are formed
by cutting the tubular sleeve spaced from the open inwardly from
said side walls to a point spaced from the center of said frontal
faces.
9. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said tubular sleeve is
formed from a flat plastic sheet by joining the edges of said
plastic sheet along a longitudinal line
10. A plastic shopping bag comprising a tubular sleeve having an
open top, a closed bottom, a pair of opposing frontal faces and a
pair of opposing side walls connecting said frontal faces. each of
said side walls being provided with at least one pair of gussets
formed of alternating longitudinal ribs and folds allowing the
sleeve to be compactly folded for storage and when in use opened
and distended to provide a wide mouth, and a flat bottom, said bag
being unitarily formed with at least two handles joined to the
frontal faces and extended across the open top between the frontal
faces.
11. The bag according to claim 10, wherein said handle is formed
integratedly and unitarily with said bag.
12. The bag according to claim 10, wherein said bottom is
reinforced with transversely directed ribs and sealing blocks, and
provided with angular cuts adjacent to the intersection of the
bottom and the side walls, relieving the corners of said bag, said
corners being removed and the adjacent edges sealed together
forming the flat bottom.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the construction of a flat
bottom plastic shopping bag having self sustainly vertical wall
when opened and a plastic bag having handles unitarily formed with
the vertical walls.
[0002] Plastic shopping bags have supplanted paper bags for use in
supermarkets, and most retail establishments, because of their
versatility, decorativeness and cheapness. Generally, such bags,
have a disadvantage in that they are formed with hanging
triangularly shaped bottoms and are thus difficult to fill. It has
been attempted to provide plastic bags having flat bottoms, for
more conveniently receiving grocery items, boxes and the like. Such
bags, however, cannot be made inexpensively. Another problem with
convential plastic bag lies in the fact that they are not self
supporting and therfor their opening or mouth is neither wide or
distensible enough to make loading or filling of the bag easy.
[0003] In my prior patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,988,970, 3,916,770 and
4,230,030, I have disclosed plastic bags and their manufacture in
which flat bottoms have been formed. These serve to allow the bag
to be neatly folded for stacking and shipping and also to effective
an advantage in filling the bag. The bags shown in these patents
also have side gussets similarly designed to allow folding and
stacking for shipping. The bags known from these patents, however,
do not provide reinforced strong integrally and unitarily formed
handles, by which the filled bag can be easily carried.
[0004] It is the object of the present invention to provide a
plastic bag overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art bags.
[0005] It is another object to produce a plastic bag with
reinforced walls so that it can self susporting.
[0006] It is a further object to provide a plastic shopping bag
having an integrally formed handle allowing the user to carry a
full bag with ease and comfort.
[0007] The foregoing objects together with other objects and
advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure of the
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention, the foregoing objects
and advantages are obtained by forming a plastic bag with a
generally rectangular cross section having multiple gussetted side
walls and a flat bottom.
[0009] The plastic bag comprises a tubular sleeve, shaped to be
rectangular in transverse cross section and having a pair of
opposing faces and a pair of end walls. Each end wall is formed
with at least a pair of longitudinal gussets. The gussets are
folded inwardly and the tubular sleeve flattened by pressing the
opposing faces together. In this condition the corners formed by
the intersection of the lower edge and the side walls are removed,
and the side walls and the bottom are further sealed and shaped to
form the closed flat bottom. By removing the corners, before
closure of the bottom wall overlapping of the side walls are
avoided and ballooning of the bag to increase the volume is
obtained.
[0010] The bag is finished by providing it with a unitary integral
handle by cutting or scoring the bag along a line from the side
walls toward but spaced from the central longitudinal axis and
spaced below the topmost edge of the plastic. In use the plastic
sheet is separated along the score or cut lines freeing the the
material in the space above the score or cut lines, thus forming a
handle. Reinforcement ribs or seal members and the like can be
provided to strengthen the material particularly at the juncture of
the handle, score lines, bottom and side walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
IN THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perscpective view of a plastic sheet rolled into
a cylindrical tube;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the cylindrical tube formed
into a rectangular tubular sleeve having frontal faces, end walls
and double gussetts;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a planar view of the tubular sleeve, illustrated
in FIG. 3 showing the sleeve in flattened form and the bottom
corner removed;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view particularly cross sectioned
showing the lower portion of the bag with it relieved lower corners
being folded over the flat bottom in forming the bottom wall;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view looking at the bottom wall with
relieved corners seated together forming the flat bottom; flat
bottom;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an isometric view partially broken away to show
its interior and illustrating the distention and ballooning of the
gussets;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing the
formation of the handle for the bag; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the bag with the
handle open.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The resultant bag of the present invention will be most
easily understood by first detailing the several steps depicted om
FIGS. 1-6 by which the bag is made.
[0020] In accordance with the present invention, a cylinder 10 is
formed of an endless sheet of plastic film suitable for use as a
commercial shopping bag. The sheet 10 was initially laid flat and
cut to the desired longitudinal size, and thus in flat condition,
the bottom edge 12 is passed through a heating or shaping unit
where several ribs and/or seal blocks 14 are formed in a uniform
spaced parallel arrangement in a relatively wide band 16 adjacent
the edge 12. The ribs and seal blocks 14 will strengthen the film
and serve to form a reinforced bottom, as will be described.
[0021] The sheet 10, rolled into a cylinder, is then sealed along
the longitudinal adjoining edge 18 to provide a unitary cylindrical
body, open at both ends. The cylindrical body is thereafter placed
into a forming or creasing machine in which a plurality of
longitudinal edges 20 are folded to square the cylindrical body
into a tubular sleeve 22 having a rectangular cross-sectional
configuration with opposed frontal faces 24 and opposed narrower
end walls 26. At the same time that edges 20 are formed and the
body square, the end walls 26 are each folded along longitudinal
gusset ribs to form with the longitudinal edges 20 a pair of gusset
folds 30. Preferably, the ribs 20 are reinforced by heat to form a
somewhat rigid longitudinal bag, which forms a sustaining bag by
allowing the sleeve to stand when opened.
[0022] The bag is laid generally flat (FIG. 3) with the bottom edge
12 open and the gussets folds 30 running completely along the
length of the bag. At this stage, with the closed gussets 30 in
place, the bag is sealed at its bottom edge 12 thereby closing the
tubular sleeve 22. (See FIG. 5). Simultaneously, angular inwardly
directed cuts 32 are made, severing the corners 34 of the bag at
the intersection of the bottom 12 and longitudinal edges 20. The
severed corners 34 are removed and the adjacent tapered gusset
folds 28 and the end ribs 20 are heat sealed to each other and to
the bottom edge 12 insuring that the bag's integrity is
reestablished (See FIG. 5).
[0023] A plastic shopping bag comprising a tubular sleeve having an
open top, a closed bottom edge, a pair of opposing side walls
connecting said frontal faces, each of side walls (being) provided
with at least one pair of gussets formed of alternating
longitudinal ribs and folds allowing the sleeve to be compactly
folded for storage. When in use opened a plurality of uniformly
spaced ribs disposed along the bottom said sleeve from the bottom
edge to a selected distance upwardly therefrom, the corner said
bottom walls having portions bounded by an angled intersection the
bottom edge and side walls removed therefrom and said bottom edge
and side walls being sealingly joined so that when the sleeve is
opened the bottom wall is raised into the plane of the intersection
of the angled line and and the side walls, forming a flat bottom
wall comprising that portion of the front faces and side walls
distended to provide a wide mouth self-sustaining (wall,) bag
extending perpendicularly to the bottom wall.
[0024] The bag may be reinforced with transversely directed ribs
and sealing blocks to strengthen the bottom wall when said sleeve
is opened. In this condition, side wall balloon outwardly in
cross-sectional area when said bag is opened
[0025] The ribs 14 and gusset folds 20 form rigid lines which
terminate with associated ones in the bottom or vertical walls.
This strengthens the other folds in the bag and act to give shape
to the otherwise floppy character of the plastic sheet.
[0026] Lastly a folder or mandrel is employed to form and flatten
the bottom wall, about a horizontal line 40 approxmately at the
point 42 where the upper edge of the cut 32 intersects the gusset
ribs. Because the angular cut edge of the gusset ribs and folds are
sealed, the side walls 26 are pulled downwardly into the plane of
the bottom the sections 42 and 44 provide triangular sections
defining laterally extending wing portions 44 at the bottom wall,
as as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Consequently, once the bag is opened
the "foot" F of the flat bottom of the bag (FIG. 6) is larger than
the rectangular cross-sectional configuration of the tubular sleeve
itself, resulting in a large volume bag without substantial
increase in the sleeve diameter. It will also be seen that the ribs
and block seals 14 formed in the bottom edge of the tubular sleeve
(FIG. 2) now create a strong reinforcement of the bottom wall and
extensions creating a firm, well defined rectangular foot. The
seals long cuts 32, form reinforcing ribs strengthening the
triangular extension wing portion 44.
[0027] Similarly as seen from FIG. 6, the mouth 48 or top edge of
the bag is widened considerably once the bag is opened so allow
more ready access into the bag itself. This is accom plished by the
fact that when the bag is opened the bottom wall is flattened, the
gusseted end walls 30 balloon outwardly and distended both
transversely and laterally. Thus compared a single gussetted bag,
the present bag provided a substantially greater volume within the
bag without increasing the tubular diameter or the flat dimenions
of the bag. By reinforcing the longitudinal corners 28 with a heat
bead or seal, added provide vertical strength is provided forming
self sustainin walls allowing the bag to remain open without
difficulty.
[0028] By forming the bag with double gussets, a wide mouth and
wide body is formed easily and inexpensively. While the two gussets
are illustrated at each end it will be apparent, that more than two
can be formed with little difficulty or modification. The gusset
are actually smaller than would be expected and gold only a short
distance inward between the frontal walls. When the bag is opened,
the gussets however allow the bag to open squarely even larger than
the initial cross section.
[0029] Although, multi-gussets are formed providing at least six
layers of film, when laid flat, the bottom wall is not encumbered
with material. This is so because the corners are on the bias and
excess material removed. This has an added advantage, as well, when
the bag is opened, the angular walls of the bottom can open wide
forming in the effect a part of the bag bottom; increasing the
width and flatness of the bottom perfectly.
[0030] The bag is generally flat (FIG. 3) with the bottom edge 12
open and the gussets 30 running completely along the length of the
bag. At this stage, with the closed gussets 30 in place, the bag is
sealed at its bottom edge 12 thereby closing the tubular sleeve 22.
(See FIG. 5) Simultaneously, angular inward directed cuts 32 are
made, severing the corners 34 of the bag at the intersection of the
bottom 12 and longitudinal edges 20. The severed corners 34 are
removed and the adjacent tapered gusset folds 28 and the end ribs
20 are heat sealed to each others and to the bottom edge 12
insuring the bag's integrity is reestablished (See FIG. 5)
[0031] Lastly a folder or mandrel is employed to form and flatten
the bottom wall, about at horizontal line 40 approximately at the
point 42 where the upper edge of the cut 32 intersects the gusset
ribs. Because the angular cut of the gusset ribs and folds are
sealed, the side walls 26 are pulled downwardly into the plane of
the bottom the sections 42 and 44 provide triangular sections
defining laterally extending wing portions 44 at the at the bottom
wall, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Consequently, once the bag is
opened the "foot" F of the flat bottom of the bag (FIG. 6) is
larger than the rectangular cross-sectional configuration of the
tubular sleeve itself, resulting in a large volume bag without
substantial increase in the sleeve diameter. It will also be seen
that the ribs and block seals (FIG. 2 now create a strong
reinforcement for the bottom wall and extensions creating a firm,
well defined rectangular foot. The seals along cuts 32, like form
reinforcing ribs strengthing the triangular extension wing portion
44.
[0032] Similarly as seen from FIG. 6, the mouth 48 or top edge of
the bag is widened considerably once the bag is opened so as to
allow more ready access into the bag itself. This is acceomplished
by the fact that when the bag is opened and the bottom wall
flattened, the gusseted end walls 30 balloon out wardly and
distended both transversely and laterally. Thus compared to a
single gusseted bag, the present bag provides substantially greater
volume within the bag without increasing the tubular diameter or
the flat dimensions of the bag. By reinforcing the longitudinal
corners 28 with a heat formed bead or seal, added provide vertical
strength in provided allowing the bag to remain open without
difficulty.
[0033] By forming the bag with double gussets, a wide mouth and a
wide body bag is formed easily and inexpensively. While two gussets
are illustrated at each end it will be apparent, that more than two
can be formed with little difficulty or modification. The gussets
are actually smaller than would be expected and fold only a short
distance inward between the frontal walls. When the bag is opened,
the gussets however, allow the bag to open squarely, i.e., the
frontal walls and the side walls stand perpendicularly to the
horizontal, even larger than the initial cross-section.
[0034] Although, multi-gussets are formed providing at least six
layers of film, when laid flat, the bottom wall is not encumbered
with material. This is so because the corners are cut on the bias
and excess material is removed. This has an advantage as well, when
the bag is opened, the angular walls of the bottom can open wide
forming in effect a part of the bag bottom; increasing the wide and
flat bottom perfectly.
[0035] The present bag is provided with self or integral handles 50
as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the flat condition, gusseted tublar
sleeve 22 or the finished bag is scored or cut along transverse
lines 52 from each end wall inwardly toward each other, for a
selected distance terminating, spaced from the central longitudinal
axis of the frontal faces. This produces a pair of spaced handles
50 integrally and unitarily formed at 54 with the frontal faces 24
of the bag. To insure that the handles 52 do not tear away from the
frontal faces reinforcing ribs 56, reinforced edges or the like may
be made at the corners 58 or along the longitudinal junction 54 of
the handle and the bag, by heat sealing the edges adding additional
material or other conventional means. The scoring or cutting as
well as the reinforcement of the handles can effected
simultaneously with the formation of the flat bottom bag.
[0036] While invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a method of making a bag having a flat bottom and
double or more side gussets, however, it is not limited to the
details shown, since it will be understood that various, omissions,
modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details
of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of
the claims attached.
* * * * *