Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BAG CONSTRUCTION WITH FLAT BOTTOM HAVING REMOVABLE
LAYER
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bag or pouch construction. In
particular, it relates to a bag intended to be filled with dispersible
materials,
wherein the bag has a flat bottom with apertures therein and a removable
layer closing the apertures until use.
2. Background of the Invention
A wide variety of items comprise materials which, in use, are
dispersed or spread over an area. Many of these items include dry powder
or particulate materials. The term "dispersible materials" as used herein
is intended at least to include pellets, grains, powders, and any
combinations thereof. Examples of these include, but are not limited to,
icing salts, seeds, insecticides, chalk, etc.
Some improved arrangements for spreading particulate materials
have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 5,882,120 and 5,709,479.
However, the arrangements have several problems relative to the particular
usage to which the present invention is directed.
The prior art bag arrangements are difficult to store and arrange
because the bottom portion does not have a design which allows the bags to
stand upright. A storage bag which stands upright for product storage and
point-of-sale display is desirable because such a bag arrangement provides
an easier method of storing and stacking for distributors and retail
merchants.
Additionally, the prior art bag arrangements are not easily filled
since they have limited expandability along the sides and bottom portion.
This results in less volume and amount of material being filled into the bag.
Also, the rib-and-trough closure system of prior art bag arrangements is
expensive to manufacture and interferes with a bottom arrangement which
would allow the bag to stand upright. Furthermore, often particulate
materials become stuck inside the trough portions of the closure system.
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Undesirably, this may cause a lack of a good seal which can lead to leaks
and/or contamination of the particulate material therein.
Accordingly, an improvement is sought which would be simpler and
yet allow a bag to stand upright, while also providing for dispersability
when desired.
SUMMARY
The bag construction of the present invention is directed to a bag or
pouch for dispersing dispersible material. The bag has first and second
panel sections, first and second side gusset panel sections, and a bottom
gusset panel section. The various panel sections are fastened together to
form a generally rectangular shape with flat bottom. The
bottom gusset
panel section has one or more distribution apertures in it. A removable
panel layer is provided for covering the one or more apertures. The
removable panel layer is removably fastened to the outer surface of the
bottom gusset panel section.
When the bag construction of the present invention is used, the
removable panel layer covering the one or more apertures is removed to
uncover the one or more apertures. In that way, dispersable material can
be dispersed through the one or more apertures.
In a further embodiment, a tape section or other fastening
mechanism is provided so that following use of the bag construction where
there has been dispersion so that some of the dispersible material has been
removed from the bag, the bottom gusset panel is folded or rolled from one
of its edges toward the opposite edge so that the apertures are covered.
The tape section or other fastening mechanism is then used to fasten one of
the panel sections to either the bottom gusset panel section or the other of
the panel sections.
In this way, a simple and efficient bag construction is formed which
provides for upright display, easy uncovering of apertures in the bottom
gusset section so that dispersion can take place and, in a further
embodiment, a mechanism for covering the one or more apertures so that
the dispersible material can be further stored and used again.
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Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a bag construction for dispersing
dispersible material, comprising: first and second panel sections with each
having
bottom and side panel edges; first and second side gusset panel sections with
each
having bottom and side gusset edges, one of said side panel edges of each of
said first
and second panel sections being fastened to one of said side gusset edges of
each of
said first and second side gusset panel sections; a bottom gusset panel
section with
edges, each of said bottom panel edges of said first and second panel sections
and
said bottom gusset edges of said first and second side gusset panel sections
being
fastened to a different one of said edges of said bottom gusset panel section
to form
inner and outer surfaces, said bottom gusset panel section including at least
one
distribution aperture therein; a removable panel layer covering said at least
one
distribution aperture being removably fastened to the outer surface of said
bottom
gusset panel section wherein when said removable panel layer is fastened in
place,
said at least one distribution aperture is covered to prevent dispersing the
dispersible
material, and when said removable panel layer is removed from said bottom
gusset
panel section, said dispersible material may be dispersed through said at
least one
distribution aperture; and a peel off layer provided between said bottom
gusset panel
section and said removable panel layer, said peel off layer being penetrated
through
by the at least one distribution aperture, said at least one distribution
aperture being
a flap that has a fixed portion fixed to said bottom gusset panel section, and
said
removable panel layer is configured to be removed from said peel off layer in
a
peeling direction away from the fixed portion.
According to another aspect there is provided a bag construction for
dispersing dispersible material, comprising: first and second panel sections
with each
having bottom and side panel edges; first and second side gusset panel
sections with
each having bottom and side gusset edges, one of said side panel edges of each
of said
first and second panel sections being fastened to one of said side gusset
edges of each
of said first and second side gusset panel sections; a bottom gusset panel
section with
edges, each of said bottom panel edges of said first and second panel sections
and
said bottom gusset edges of said first and second side gusset panel sections
being
fastened to a different one of said edges of said bottom gusset panel section
to form
inner and outer surfaces, said bottom gusset panel section including at least
one
distribution aperture therein; a removable panel layer covering said at least
one
distribution aperture being removably fastened to the outer surface of said
bottom
gusset panel section wherein when said removable panel layer is fastened in
place,
said at least one distribution aperture is covered to prevent dispersing the
dispersible
material, and when said removable panel layer is removed from said bottom
gusset
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panel section, said dispersible material may be dispersed through said at
least one
distribution aperture; and a peel off layer provided between said bottom
gusset panel
section and said removable panel layer, said peel off layer being penetrated
through
by the at least one distribution aperture, said at least one distribution
aperture being
a flap that has a fixed portion fixed to said bottom gusset panel section, and
said
removable panel layer is configured to be removed from said peel off layer in
a
peeling direction away from the fixed portion, wherein said removable panel
layer
includes said peel off layer provided towards said outer surface of said
bottom gusset
panel section.
According to yet another aspect there is provided a method for using a bag
construction wherein the bag construction allows for dispersing dispersible
material,
said bag construction including first and second panel sections with each
having
bottom and side panel edges; first and second side gusset panel sections with
each
having bottom and side gusset edges, one of said side panel edges of each of
said first
and second panel sections being fastened to one of said side gusset edges of
each of
said first and second side gusset panel sections; a bottom gusset panel
section with
edges, each of said bottom panel edges of said first and second panel sections
and
said bottom gusset edges of said first and second side gusset panel sections
being
fastened to a different one of said edges of said bottom gusset panel section
to form
inner and outer surfaces, said bottom gusset panel section including at least
one
distribution aperture therein; and a peel off layer provided between said
bottom
gusset panel section and said removable panel layer, said peel off layer being
penetrated through by the at least one distribution aperture, said at least
one
distribution aperture being a flap that has a fixed portion fixed to said
bottom gusset
panel section, and said removable panel layer is configured to be removed from
said
peel off layer in a peeling direction away from the fixed portion, wherein
said
removable panel layer includes the peel off layer provided towards said outer
surface
of said bottom gusset panel section, said method comprising: removing said
removable panel layer from covering said at least one distribution aperture;
and
dispersing through said at least one distribution aperture at least some of
said
dispersible material.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag construction in accordance with
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the bag with the top open
and the bag being filled with dispersible material;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the bag showing the
removable panel layer partially removed;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view towards the bottom of the bag with the
removable panel layer removed and dispersible material being dispersed;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bag construction with tape
section;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the bag partially emptied of
dispersible material with the bottom gusset panel section folded and the
tape section used to maintain the folded condition;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom of the bag showing an
alternate embodiment of the bag construction with removable panel layer;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 showing
the removable panel layer folded back; and,
FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 showing
the removable panel holding the bottom gusset panel layer section in the
folded condition.
DESCRIPTION
The present invention is now described relative to the drawings
wherein the same numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts
throughout the several views and embodiments. A bag construction in
accordance with the present invention is shown in the figures as numeral 10.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, bag construction 10 includes first and second
opposing, sidewall, panel sections 14,16. Construction 10 also includes first
and second, opposed, side gusset panel sections 18,20. In addition, bag
construction 10 has a bottom gusset panel section 22.
The first and second panel sections 14,16 each have bottom and top
edges 24,26 and opposite side edges 28,30. Likewise, first and second side
gusset panel sections 18,20 each have bottom and top edges 32,34 and
opposite side edges 36,38. Bottom gusset panel section has opposite edges
40,42, meeting with the edges of the first and second panel sections and
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opposite edges 44,46 mating with the edges of the first and second side
gusset panel sections 18,20.
One of the side panel edges of each of the first and second panel
sections 14,16 is fastened to one of the side gusset edges of each of the
first
and second gusset sections 18,20. Each of the bottom panel edges of the
first and second panel sections 14,16 and bottom gusset edges of the first
and second side gusset panel sections 18,20 are fastened to a different one of
the edges of the bottom gusset panel section 22 to form inner and outer
surfaces 50,52 of the bottom gusset panel section 22.
In areas where the edges are fastened to one another, the fastening
mechanism preferably comprises heat sealing. The seals in this regard are
conventional, such as those illustrated in US 5,059,036; US 5,147,272; and
US 5,254,073.
Referring again to the figures, bag construction 10 is closed at the top
end after filling and then includes an upper flap 54. Upper flap 54 has a
handle aperture 56 therein. Before flap 54 is created, dispersable
material 12 is filled into bag 10. (Shown in Fig. 2). Once filled, first and
second side gusset panel sections 18,20 are appropriately folded between the
top end portions of first and second panel sections 14,16. Heat seals are
appropriately applied to create flap 54. That is, heat seals are applied at
side edges 58,60 and at top location 64 which is approximately an equal
distance on the other side of aperture 56 from the top edge 26.
Bottom gusset panel section 22 is perforated, as illustrated by
distribution apertures 66, as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Apertures 66 are appropriately sized, and there is a selected number of
apertures per unit area in order to provide desirable passage of dispersible
material 12. An aperture 66 is shown to be circular, but other shapes are
also possible. The sizes and shapes of the apertures are preferably sized
for the type and characteristics of the dispersible material 12 which will be
filled in bags 10 and appropriately dispersed.
Removable panel layer 68 is affixed to outer surface 52 of bottom
gusset panel section 22. Panel layer 68 covers apertures 66 and prevents
leakage of dispersible material 12 from bag 10 before it is desired to
disperse material 12.
A releasable adhesive having a width of about 0.375 inches is applied
as appropriate to the outer surface 52 of bottom gusset panel section 22 and
panel layer 68 is affixed thereto during the manufacture of bag construction
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10. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to panel layer 68.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6, bag construction 10 further includes
a tape section 70 removably fastened to one of first and second panel
sections 14,16, one of first and second gusset panel sections 18,20 or bottom
gusset panel section 22. In the figures, section 70 is shown removably
fastened to first panel section 14.
Pouch arrangements according to the present invention may be
provided with a variety of outer dimensions, depending on the intended use.
Pouch arrangements according to the present invention may be
manufactured from a variety of materials. It is particularly advantageous,
however, that they be constructed from relatively thin, strong material such
as polyester biaxially oriented nylon linear low density polyethylene
(PET/BON/LLDPE) film. Preferred embodiments which are particularly
useful, and which include advantages according to the present invention,
may be constructed wherein the first and second panel sections 14,16 and
the first and second gusset panel sections 18,20 comprise first and second
sheets of PET/BON/LLDPE 3-ply, each having a thickness within a range of
about 7 mils. Similar material may be utilized for the base gusset (with
appropriate apertures or slits therein). Preferably heat sealable film is
utilized, so that the means for securing the various panel sections to each
another, and securing the bottom gusset section in place, is by heat seals
without the need for additional adhesive.
The film materials are available in 3 substrates and are laminated
together in a conventional adhesive lamination process. The polyester
substrate has an adhesive applied, then the nylon substrate is applied.
The polyester substrate and nylon substrate are laminated together. This
resulting layer is coated with the linear low density polyethylene substrate,
and then laminated together.
The first substrate, polyester, is available from DuPont. The second
substrate, biaxially oriented nylon, is available from Allied Signal. The
third substrate, linear low density polyethylene, is available from
Consolidated Thermoplastics of Chippewa Falls, WI..
In use, the top of bag 10 is open and dispersible material 12 is
directed into the bag as shown in FIG. 2. First and second gusset panel
sections 18,20 are then folded near the top and first and second panel
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sections 14,16 are brought together and the appropriate heat sealing as
described previously, is done to create flop 54 as shown in FIG. 1. As
appropriate, advertising or promotional material can be applied or
associated with the bag, the bag is then displayed, and in due time the bag
is sold to a consumer.
When dispersion of dispersible material 12 is desired, removable
panel 68 is removed. Bag 10 is held by the handle aperture 56 and the
bag is appropriately moved over the area where dispersion is desired.
When sufficient dispersion has been applied, the bag is tipped upside
down and bottom gusset panel section 22 is folded or rolled from one of its
edges toward an opposite of its edges so that all apertures are covered.
Tape section 70 is removed from first panel section 14. Tape section 70 is
then fastened to one of first and second panel sections 14,16 and to a portion
of either bottom gusset panel section 22 or the other of first and second
panel sections 14,16, as shown in FIG. 5.
A second embodiment is illustrated in FIGs. 6 and 7. Bag
construction 100 is essentially the same as bag construction 10, except for
removable panel layer 102. Removable panel layer 68, as shown in FIG. 3,
is affixed at all four edges with a releasable adhesive so that it can be
completely removed before dispersion. Removable panel layer 102 is
affixed at one edge 104 by a heat seal or other permanent attachment.
The affixation of the other edges 106,108,110 is by a releasable adhesive.
In use, when dispersion of dispersible material 12 is desired, panel
layer 102 is pulled away from bottom gusset panel section 22 at the edges
106,108,110 held by adhesive and is folded about the heat seal at edge 104.
As shown in FIG. 8A, panel layer 102 may be temporarily affixed to, for
example, second panel section 114 so that angle panel 102 is out of the way
during dispersion of the dispersable material.
After some dispersion has been accomplished, but there still remains
some dispersible material 12 in bag 100, bottom gusset panel section 22 can
be folded and panel layer .102 extended beyond bottom gusset panel section
22 opposite edge 104 panel layer 102 having the heat seal, so that edge 108
can contact and adhere to first panel section 116 as shown in FIG. 8B.
Methodology for manufacturing bag constructions of the general
technology type of the present invention is described and illustrated in US
5,059,036; US 5,147,272; US 5,254,073, The methods are modified effectively
to provide for
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application of releasable adhesive and heat sealing affixing the removable
panel layer to the bottom gusset panel section and otherwise
accommodating the use of the removable panel layer as disclosed herein.
It is noted that Totani Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan
produces machines which can be utilized to manufacture bags in accordance
with the present invention.
Preferred embodiments have been described. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications and substitutions are possible,
without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed and disclosed,
including the full scope of equivalents thereof.
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