U.S. patent number 3,708,106 [Application Number 05/143,895] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-02 for bag structure and method of producing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to PPC Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cassius E. Sargent.
United States Patent |
3,708,106 |
Sargent |
January 2, 1973 |
BAG STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING
Abstract
A bag structure of the flap type wherein the flap is tack
heat-sealed for ready opening by virtue of heat-sealing webs
together, wherein the heat-seal overlies a coating substantially
resistant to union with thermoplastic material when the latter is
in a molten state.
Inventors: |
Sargent; Cassius E. (Chicago,
IL) |
Assignee: |
PPC Industries, Inc. (Wheeling,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22506145 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/143,895 |
Filed: |
May 17, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/84; 383/210;
383/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
33/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
33/22 (20060101); B65D 33/18 (20060101); B65d
033/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/62,66,51WB,48T
;161/147 ;156/289 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leclair; Joseph R.
Assistant Examiner: Garbe; Stephen P.
Claims
I claim:
1. A novel bag structure comprising generally rectangular first and
second superposed sheets of flexible thermoplastic material, said
second sheet at one end having a portion terminating in a free edge
reversely folded and overlapping said first sheet, said sheets
being united along two opposite sides and at said one end to
provide an open end opposite sad one end for filling, said first
sheet adjacent said one end being equipped with a coating
substantially resistive to union with said thermoplastic material
when the latter is in a molten state, said coating flanking said
free edge and including interrupted areas under said edge portion
spaced from said free edge, said interrupted areas adjacent said
opposite sides having greater interrupted portions than the area
intermediate thereof, a line of union spaced from said free edge
and parallel thereto uniting said reversely folded edge portion to
said first sheet and aligned with said interrupted coating pattern
to provide the above-mentioned union at said one end, said line of
union extending from one side to the other whereby the union
between said reversely folded edge portion and said first sheet is
stronger at the ends of said line than at the middle thereof, said
edge portion between said line of union and said free edge being
only lightly united to said first sheet along said opposite sides
whereby said edge portion is readily peelable from said first sheet
to open said one end.
2. The structure of claim 1 in which said sheets at said open end
have free edges out of alignment.
3. The structure of claim 1 in which said sheets are opaque.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Although varieties of bags constructed of flexible thermoplastic
material have been available in the past, there has existed a
problem of providing these bags with a secure closure, yet one
which is readily openable without harsh wrenching. Through the use
of a resistive coating, it is now possible to provide such a
closure. The coating is printed on a web, and thereafter a second
web is advanced in partial lapping relation to the first web. The
coating is equipped with interrupted portions so that when a
longitudinal seal is made between the two webs, the webs are tacked
together at spaced-apart areas yielding ready but selective
release.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrative
embodiment in the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag structure constructed
according to the teachings of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of a top corner
of the bag structure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure of FIG. 1
as would be seen along the sight line 3--3 applied to FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a schematic representation of a method and
apparatus for producing the bag structure of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the schematic representation
of FIG. 4 .
In the illustration given, and with reference to FIG. 1, the
numeral 10 designates generally the bag structure of the instant
invention. The bag structure is seen to be essentially rectangular
and, as can be appreciated from FIG. 3, is made up of a first sheet
or panel 11 and a second sheet or panel 12, both of flexible
thermoplastic material which may be advantageously opaque. The bag
structure 10 is open at one end as at 13 for filling with
merchandise. In the illustration given, the second sheet 12 extends
beyond the first sheet 11 to provide a portion 14 which, after the
bag is filled, may be folded over the sheet 11 and heat-sealed to
complete the bag.
The end 15 of the bag structure 10 is seen to be closed by a flap
16 which is heat-sealed as at 17 to the first sheet 11.
It is believed that the invention can be most readily appreciated
from a consideration of the method of producing the bag structure
10, and for this purpose reference is made to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the
practice of the invention, a first elongated thermoplastic flexible
web 18 is advanced from a parent roll 19. The web 18 has imprinted
thereon a coating generally designated 20 adjacent one longitudinal
edge 21. The coating can either be performed "in-line" or prior to
the reeling of the web to provide the parent roll 19. The coating
20 is essentially an elongated band divided into two sub-bands or
portions 22 and 23. The portion 22 (also designated in FIG. 2) is
immediately adjacent the longitudinal edge 21, and is interrupted
in various areas, as at 24, to expose the web 18. On the other
hand, the band 23 is substantially continuous, i.e., without
interrupted portions.
The web 18 is advanced along a predetermined path (to the right
initially in FIG. 4), and during the course of travel enters into
lapping relation with a second web 25. Like the web 18, the web 25
is constructed of flexible thermoplastic material and is likewise
advanced along the same general path. From FIG. 4 it will be seen
that one longitudinal edge 26 of the web 25 is positioned so as to
be aligned with the uninterrupted band portion 23. As the webs 18
and 25 proceed along the path in partial lapping relation, the web
25 being provided from a parent roll 27, they encounter a
heat-sealing mechanism generally designated 28 which develops a
longitudinal seal 29. Thereafter, the webs encounter a V-forming
device generally designated 30 (see FIG. 5) which folds the web 25
on itself, and, in the illustration given, under the web 18. This
provides the extension portion 14. Advancement of the webs along
the path is conveniently achieved by draw rolls (alternatively a
pull belt arrangement) schematically represented in FIG. 4 and
designated by the numeral 31. Thereafter, the webs are transversely
heat-sealed and severed by means of transverse heat-sealing knives
as indicated at 32, providing side seals for the bag 10 as at 33
and 34 in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 2, the upper right-hand corner of a bag is seen in the
process of being opened. The flap portion 16 is seen to be in the
process of being stripped away from the first sheet 11, with a
remnant of the heat-seal being designated 29a relative to the sheet
11, and 29b relative to the flap 16 (being a portion of the sheet
12). The heat-seal 29 is provided in an area where the resist
coating 20 has been interrupted as by the dots 24, so that, in
effect, the heat-seal is a series of relatively small "tacks."
Further, the flap 16 is of such a width relative to the location of
the longitudinal heat-seal 29 so as to overlie the uninterrupted
band portion 23. Thus, there is no possibility that the free edge
26 will become sealed. This provides a conveniently manually
manipulatable flap edge portion or selvage for the user to grasp in
opening the bag 10.
It is also advantageous, in some instances, to provide an area of
greater interruption, as at 35 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), in the area
where the transverse seals 33 and 34 are achieved. This insures
that there will be a slightly stronger seal achieved along the side
edges 36 of the flap 16, but not so strong a union as is achieved
between the sheets 11 and 12.
A wide variety of patterns and coatings may be employed for the
purpose of practicing the invention. For a bag 13 and 1/2 inches by
10 and 1/2 inches, with a 2 and 1/2 inch flap 16, it is
advantageous to coat the upper 3 inches to provide the band 20, and
where the thermoplastic material is opaque polyethylene, a suitable
resistive coating is made up of white pigment and laminating
varnish such as is obtainable from Converters, Inc. of Chicago,
Illinois under product designation V-41852. The heat-seal 29 is
located 1 and 1/4 inches from the top of the bag, and the
interruptions 24 are dots about 1/32 inch in diameter spaced on
1/16 to 1/8 inch centers. The greater interrupted areas 34 can be
diagonal stripes about 1/16 inch in width and extending over about
1/2 inch of web length so as to provide 1/4 inch on each side of
the transverse seal 33. By enlarging the interruptions or exposed
areas a stronger seal can be made -- the strength of the seal
depending on the material being packaged, the packaging material
and the contemplated handling. In some instances I may provide a
second longitudinal seal parallel to the seal 29 but between it and
the edge 26. This is a weak seal, overlying the area 23 but serves
to protect the main seal 26 from being unduly stressed in shipment
or the like.
In still other instances of contemplated use, the provision of
interrupted "resist" portions is advantageous in providing a
relatively secure but relative easily opened closure. In some
instances I may perforate the flat 16 in the portion 16a (see FIG.
1) and secure over the perforations a cellulosic sheet which is
permeable to gas yet is impermeable to organisms and other
pyrogenic material. In this way, the interior of the bag structure
10 can be gas sterilized as by the use of ethylene oxide yet the
advantage of the easy opening feature is retained.
* * * * *