Bag construction with side gussets

Abstract

A bag construction filled with dispersible material. The bag construction has first and second panel sections, first and second side gusset sections and a bottom gusset panel section. The various panel sections are fastened together to form a generally rectangle shape with a 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. When the removable panel layer is removed, the bag can be held so that the dispersible material disperses through the apertures as appropriate.

Description

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.

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. Pat. Nos. 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. 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.

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 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 U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,036; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,272; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,073, incorporated herein by reference.

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 62 of bottom gusset panel section 22 and panel layer 68 is affixed thereto during the manufacture of bag construction 10. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to panel layer 68. An appropriate releasable adhesive is ______ and can be obtained from ______.

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, Wis.

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 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 U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,036; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,272; U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,073, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. The methods are modified effectively to provide for 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.

Claims

1. 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; and

a removable panel layer covering said 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 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 aperture.

2. The bag construction in accordance with claim 1, including a tape section removably fastened in an original position to one of said first and second panel sections, said first and second said gusset panel sections, and said bottom gusset panel section, wherein when said removable panel layer has been removed and some of said dispersible material has been dispersed, said bottom gusset panel can be folded or rolled from one of said edges to an opposite of said edges and said tape section removed from the original position to fasten one of said first and second panel sections to a portion of either said bottom gusset panel section or the other of said first and second panel sections.

3. 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; and

means for removably covering said aperture, said covering means being fastened to the outer surface of said bottom gusset panel section wherein when said covering means is fastened in place, said aperture is covered to prevent dispersing the dispersible material and when said covering means is removed from covering said aperture, said dispersible material may be dispersed through said aperture.

4. The bag construction in accordance with claim 3, including means for fastening together one of said first and second panel sections to a portion of either of said bottom gusset panel section or the other of said first and second panel sections, wherein when some of said dispersible material has been dispersed, said bottom gusset panel can be folded or rolled from one of said edges to an opposite of said edges to cover said aperture and said fastening means used to fasten one of said first and second panel sections to a portion of either said bottom gusset panel section or the other of said first and second panel sections.

5. 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 means for removably covering said aperture, said covering means being fastened to the outer surface of said bottom gusset panel section, said method comprising:

removing said covering means from covering said aperture; and

dispersing through said aperture at least some of said dispersible material.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said bag construction further includes means for fastening together one of said first and second panel sections to a portion of either of said bottom gusset panel section or the other of said first and second panel sections and wherein said method further includes:

following said dispersing step, folding or rolling said bottom gusset panel from one of said edges toward an opposite of said edges to cover said aperture; and

fastening with said fastening means one of said first and second panel sections to a portion of either said bottom gusset panel section or the other of said first and second panel sections.