Bag, Especially Suitable for Dry, Flowable Materials, With Attached Carrying Strap

Abstract

A bag with attached carrying strap is formed from a section of tubular bag material, having a material strip releasably adhered to the exterior surface of the bag material. The sealing of the ends of the open ends of the tubular bag material, in order to contain a product within the bag, also securely attaches the ends of the material strip to the bag. The central portion of the material strip can then be pulled away from the bag material, forming a carrying strap. The tubular bag material is preferably provided in a long roll and cut to length. Suitable bag materials include woven synthetic fiber, for example biaxial oriented polypropylene.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/140,102, filed Mar. 30, 2015, for all purposes. The disclosure of that provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent not inconsistent with this disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bags for carrying flowable materials or products, typically dry materials or products. With more specificity, this invention relates particularly to bags produced from a long section of material, initially in a tube-type shape, typically used to carry products such as dry corn, animal feed, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The bag embodying the principles of the present invention comprises a bag typically made from woven synthetic material, having an attached carrying strap fixed to the bag. In one embodiment, the bag material comes in the form of a long tube (tubular bag material). The carrying strap is formed from a material strip, initially adhesively fixed or otherwise releasably adhered to the exterior surface of the bag material, for example longitudinally down a centerline, also in a long material strip. A suitable length of tubular bag material is cut off of the long tube section, forming a bag section, and one end of the bag section is folded over and stitched closed, at the same time securing one end of the material strip (which ultimately forms the carrying strap) to the bag by stitching as well as adhesive. The bag can be filled with desired materials or products, then the other end of the bag section is folded over and stitched closed, at the same time securing the other end of the material strip to the resulting bag by stitching as well as adhesive. The bag of product (corn, pet food, etc.) product is then typically offered for sale. When desired, a portion of the strip of material intermediate the ends thereof can be pulled away from the central portion of the main body of the bag section (overcoming the adhesive or other means of attachment), forming a carrying strap secured at both ends to the bag by stitching and adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a long section of tubular bag material, before cutting, embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the continuous tubular bag material, with a bag section cut off, embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bag section of FIG. 2, with one end of the bag section folded over and stitched closed, thereby also attaching one end of the material strip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bag section, filled with dry material (product) or the like, with both ends folded over and stitched closed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 4, with a portion of the material strip pulled up from the bag surface, forming a carrying handle.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bag of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section view as indicated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a section view as indicated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

While various bags can embody the principles of the present invention, with reference to the drawings some of the presently preferred embodiments can be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bag of the present invention is formed from a long section of tubular bag material 10, which may be in a long roll and can be unrolled and a desired length cut off to form a bag section. Various materials can be used for the tubular bag material; one commercially available and suitable material for the bag of the present invention is woven synthetic fiber, known in the art. If desired, a printed overlay may be placed on the outer surface of the bag to indicate contents, serve as advertising, etc. It is understood that any suitable material may be used for the bag, including but not limited to natural fibers such as cotton; synthetic woven fabrics; polyethylene; the material known in the art as BOPP (biaxial oriented polypropylene), or paper.

FIG. 2 shows a desired length of tubular bag material 10 cut off, forming bag section 20, having first and second ends 22 and 24. The length of bag section 20 can be varied as desired for the desired volume. As can be seen in the figures, a material strip 30 is adhesively fixed or otherwise releasably adhered on the exterior of the bag material, as can be seen in the figures may be a longitudinal strip of equal length to the length of bag material; material strip 30 thus comprises first and second ends 32 and 34. This material strip is what ultimately forms the carrying strap. Material strip 30 may be of a thin, strong material, such as a woven synthetic fabric, for example 2″-3″ wide. A number of adhesives, or other ways of releasably adhering, known in the art are suitable for holding the strip to the exterior of the bag section during cutting, filling, stitching, etc., yet still permit the buyer to readily pull the material strip up from the bag with relative ease.

In FIG. 3, a first end 22 of the bag section 20 has been folded over and stitched closed. It is to be noted that a first end 32 of material strip 30 is likewise then secured to bag section 20 by the stitching. Second end of bag section 20 remains open for filling with material as described below. It is understood that bags embodying the present invention may be closed by any means, including but not limited to sewn, glued, heat sealed, or any combination thereof, and all are covered within the scope of this invention.

In FIG. 4, bag section 20 has been filled, through the remaining open end, with material or product, typically dry, flowable material or product 50 (as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8), such as corn (for deer feeders and the like), dog or other pet food, soil, sand, or any other like material or product. It is understood that the scope of the invention encompasses any type of material or product within the bag. Also in FIG. 4, after bag section 20 is filled, the remaining second end 24 is folded over and stitched closed. Now, both first and second ends 32 and 34 of material strip 30 are fixed to the filled bag section 20 by stitching, while the central part of material strip 30 is adhesively fixed or otherwise releasably adhered to bag section 20. FIG. 7 is a cross section of the filled bag section 20, along the section line shown in FIG. 4. Material strip 30 can be seen, with adhesive layer 40 holding it to the exterior of the bag.

At a desired time, typically after purchase of the bag of material by the consumer, a portion of material strip 30 intermediate the first and second ends thereof can be detached from the central part of bag section 20, while remaining attached at either end, and lifted away from the surface of bag section 20 to form a carrying strap 60, as can be seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8. Carrying strap 60 can be gripped by one or both hands, or the strap can be slung over a shoulder to carry the filled bag. Carrying strap 60 (which is formed from material strip 30) is of sufficient strength to carry the filled bag. FIG. 6 is a cross section view which shows material strip 30 pulled away from the bag in its central portion, while remaining fixed at both ends, forming carrying strap 60. FIG. 8 is a cross section along the line indicated in FIG. 5, showing a section of material strip 30 pulled away from bag section 20, forming carrying strap 60.

It is understood that various materials can be used for the tubular bag material and for the strip of material forming the carrying strap. Dimensions/size of the bag may be made as desired for particular applications.

Conclusion

While the preceding description contains many specificities, it is to be understood that same are presented only to describe some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not by way of limitation. Changes can be made to various aspects of the invention, without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the bag may be of any particular dimension/capacity; the carrying strap may be of any desired size; orientation of the carrying strap on the bag may be angled if desired; more than one carrying strap may be placed on the bag; the ends of the bag, and of the strip of material forming the strap, may be secured or releasably adhered by stitching, high-strength adhesive, or a combination thereof; the bag may be used to contain a large variety of materials and products, etc.

Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined not by the illustrative examples set forth above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A bag, comprising:

a length of tubular bag material forming a bag section, comprising a material strip releasably adhered to an exterior surface of said length of bag section, said bag section and said material strip comprising first and second ends,

whereby said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed, and wherein said first and second ends of said material strip are securely attached to said bag section by said sealing, and

wherein a portion of said material strip intermediate said first and second ends thereof may be pulled away from said bag section, forming a carrying strap.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed by stitching, and wherein said first and second ends of said material strip are securely attached to said bag section by said stitching.

3. The bag of claim 2, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are additionally sealed by an adhesive, and wherein said first and second ends of said material strip are additionally attached to said bag section by said adhesive.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed by an adhesive, and wherein said first and second ends of said material strip are securely attached to said bag section by said adhesive.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein said tubular bag material comprises a woven synthetic fiber.

6. The bag of claim 1, wherein said tubular bag material comprises biaxial oriented polypropylene.

7. The bag of claim 2, wherein said tubular bag material comprises a woven synthetic fiber.

8. The bag of claim 2, wherein said tubular bag material comprises biaxial oriented polypropylene.

9. A product bag, comprising:

a length of tubular bag material forming a bag section and having first and second ends, said first and second ends closed by stitching so as to contain a flowable product within said bag section;

a material strip having first and second ends, releasably adhered to an exterior surface of said bag section, said first and second ends of said material strip securely attached to said bag section by said stitching.

10. The bag of claim 9, further comprising a volume of product contained within said bag section.

11. The bag of claim 10, where said material strip is pulled away from said bag section surface, intermediate said first and second ends, thereby forming a carrying strap.

12. The bag of claim 11, wherein said tubular bag material comprises a woven synthetic fiber.

13. A method of forming a bag for containing a product, comprising:

(a) providing a length of tubular bag material, said bag material further comprising a material strip releasably adhered to an exterior surface of said length of bag material;

(b) cutting said tubular bag material to a desired length, thereby forming a bag section and material strip, each comprising first and second ends;

(c) sealing said first end of said bag section, thereby securely attaching said first end of same material strip to said bag section;

(d) placing a desired volume of product into said bag section; and

(e) sealing said second end of said bag section, thereby securely attaching said second end of said material strip to said bag section.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed by stitching same closed, thereby also stitching said first and second ends of said material strip to said bag section.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising the further step of folding over said first and second ends of said bag section and said material strip during said stitching.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising the further step of using an adhesive to seal said bag ends.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second ends of said bag section are sealed by an adhesive, thereby also adhesively connecting said first and second ends of said material strip to said bag section.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said tubular bag material comprises a woven synthetic fiber.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said tubular bag material comprises biaxial oriented polypropylene.

20. The method of claim 13, comprising the further step of pulling said material strip away from said bag section surface, intermediate said first and second ends, thereby forming a carrying strap.