Bag

Abstract

Bag (1) comprising a first layer (2) and a second layer (3) of a material, wherein the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) is merged at several of their edge areas (10a, 10b, 10c) thereby forming a compartment (11). The first layer (2) and the second layer (3) comprise an additional edge area (10d) which forms an opening (12) into the compartment (11). The bag (1) comprises a closing device (20) comprising a tightening element (21) provided in a channel (22) transverse to the bag (1) close to the opening (12). A first end (21a) of the tightening element (21) projects from the channel in an initial state. The closing device comprises a stopping device (23) provided inside the channel in the initial position. The stopping device, when pulled out of the channel in the closed state, prevents the tightening device from moving back into the channel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a bag comprising a closing device for closing the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several types of bags exist, specifically disposal bags. Such disposal bags may also comprise a closing device for closing the opening of the bag. Bags having features corresponding to the preamble of enclosed patent claim 1 are known.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a bag having a closing device which is easy to use, and wherein the bag remains closed after the closing device is tightened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined in independent claim 1, and relates to a bag comprising a first layer and a second layer of a material, wherein

the first layer and the second layer is merged at several of their first edge areas (10a, 10b, 10c) thereby forming a compartment,
the first layer and the second layer comprises an additional edge area forming an opening into the compartment,
the bag comprises a closing device,
the closing device comprises a tightening element provided in a channel transverse to the bag adjacent to the opening,
a first end of the tightening element projects from the channel in an initial state,
the bag is configured to be brought into a closed condition wherein the opening is at least partially closed by pulling the tightening element,
characterized in that the tightening element comprises a stopping device, wherein
the stopping device is provided inside the channel in the initial position,
the stopping device, when it is pulled out from the channel in the closed state, prevents the tightening element from moving into the channel again.

In one aspect the stopping device is provided as a barb at the tightening device. The barb may for example be provided at a recess in the tightening device, or as a stiffened area of the tightening area.

In one aspect the stopping device is provided as a wing on the tightening element,

In one aspect, the wing is provided by bending or folding an area of the tightening element, wherein the bended or folded area is subsequently fixed to the tightening element.

In one aspect, the bended or folded area is fixed to the tightening element by gluing, plastic welding or the like.

In one aspect, the stopping device is provided as a double wing on the tightening element.

In one aspect, a second end of the tightening element is fixed to the bag.

In one aspect, the closing device comprises an additional tightening element provided in the channel, wherein the first end of the tightening element projects from the channel at the opposite side of the end at the first tightening element in the initial state, and wherein the additional tightening element comprises a second end fixed to the bag.

In one aspect, the channel has an opening in both ends.

In one aspect, the tightening element is provided as a continuous loop through the channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the first and second layers of the bag,

FIG. 2 illustrates the layers merged into a bag in the initial state,

FIG. 3 illustrates the bag in the closed state,

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the circle A in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5a-c illustrate an embodiment of the tightening element viewed from different sides,

FIGS. 6a-f illustrate different embodiments of the stopping device,

FIGS. 7a-e illustrate several embodiments of the stopping device,

FIG. 8 shows a detail of an opening in the channel for the tightening element.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. A bag 1 comprises a first layer 2 and a second layer 3 of a material, e.g., a plastic material. These layers are shown in FIG. 1.

The first layer and the second layer are merged at several of their first edge areas 10a, 10b, 10c, as shown in FIG. 2. Consequently, a compartment 11 is provided between layers 2 and 3. The second layer and the first layer may be provided as two separate parts which are merged, or which may be provided as one part being merged using a fold along the area 10b, and then merged by welding or gluing or by other means along the areas 10a and 10c. In FIG. 2, the edge area 10b forms the bottom of the bag, and the edge areas 10a, 10c form the sides of the bag.

The first layer 2 and the second layer 3 comprise an additional, or a second, edge area 10d, which forms an opening 12 to the compartment 11. The edge area 10d may comprise an opening 19 which forms a handle for carrying.

The bag comprises a closing device which in general is referred to in the figures by an arrow 20.

In FIG. 2, it is shown that each layer 2, 3 comprise two channels 22a, b transverse to the bag 1 close to the opening 12, a lower channel 22a and an upper channel 22b. However, the invention is not limited to this, it is possible to provide the bag 1 with only one channel 22 in each layer 2, 3. The one channel or the channels 22 may be provided in the upper part of the bag 1 in an embodiment without handles; in embodiments with handle 19, the channel is preferably provided under the handles.

The channels 22 may be open in one end or may be open in both ends. The opening in the channel 22 is generally referred to by reference number 26 in the figures. Each layer 2, 3 may have one channel or may have two channels 22. In FIGS. 1 and 2, it is shown that each layer 2, 3 has two channels, one above the other. The channels 22 are provided in the same position in each of the layers 2, 3, such that a tightening element 21 may be arranged in the channels.

The tightening element 21 is in the embodiments shown in the figures provided as a strip or ribbon, and is adapted to be arranged in one channel 22. Preferably, the tightening element 21 is flat, such that a flat bag is achieved. This is advantageous when many bags are to be placed on top of each other during storage and transport of the bags.

Different embodiments of the invention will now be described. The bag 1 may have an initial state as shown in FIG. 2, in which the bag is substantially flat, possibly the opening 12 of the bag is open, and may then be filled with disposables or other objects. In the initial state, the first end 21a of the tightening element 21 projects from the channel 22 such that it is available for being pulled.

The bag 1 may also be present in a closed state, as shown in FIG. 3, in which pulling of the tightening element 21 via the available end 21a has caused the bag 1 to be brought into the closed state. In the closed state, the opening 12 is at least partially closed.

The bag and the tightening element may be formed from a plastic material, e.g., a new plastic material, a recycled plastic material, or a mixture of these. They may also be provided from a biologically degradable material. Other materials may also be used.

The tightening element 21 further comprises a stopping device 23. The stopping device 23 is provided inside the channel 22 in the initial position. When the stopping device 23 is pulled out from the channel 22, i.e., when the bag 1 is in the closed state, the stopping device 23 prevents the tightening element 21 from moving back into the channel 22 again. Thus, in the closed state, the stopping device 23 is engaged against the opening 26 in the channel 22.

Reference is made to FIGS. 5a-c, wherein an embodiment of the tightening element 21 is shown. Here, the tightening element comprises the previously described ends 21a, as well as the stopper element 23. Further, also a second end 21b is shown here: in FIG. 2, this end 21b is attached innermost in respective channel 22, e.g., by a plastic weld (heating of the second end 21b of the tightening element 21 and the channel 22 in the same area, which causes a melting together of the tightening element 21 and the channel 22 in the layers 2, 3) or the like.

The stopping device 23 is in the figures provided as a wing at the tightening element 21. The wing, which is shown in detail in FIG. 6f, may be provided by bending or folding an area 31 of the tightening element 21, wherein, subsequently, the bended or folded area is attached to the tightening element 21 through a plastic weld 32 or through another means of attachment, such as gluing, seam etc. The wing 31 is engaged against the opening 26 in the channel 22 and prevents the tightening element 21 from sliding further back into the channel 22.

An alternative stopping device 23 is shown in FIG. 6a. Here, the stopping device 23 is provided using a stiffened area 33. The stiffened area 33 is provided using several inclined seams in the tightening element 21, which makes this area of the tightening device 33 stiffer than the rest of the tightening element 21, which prevents the stiffened area 33 from returning into the channel 22 after having been pulled out of the channel 22.

An alternative stopping device 23 is shown in FIG. 6b; here, the stopping device 23 is provided as two spaced apart seams 34a, 34bg transverse to the tightening element 21, and this will have a corresponding function to the stopping device 23 in FIG. 6a.

An alternative stopping device 23 is shown in FIG. 6c: here, the stopping device 23 is provided having two spaced apart seams 35a, 35b formed as two arrows or angles transverse to the tightening element 23.

Also the stopping devices in FIGS. 6a-6c will engage against the opening 26 in the channel 22 and prevent the tightening element 21 from sliding further back into the channel 22. An alternative stopping device 23 is shown in FIGS. 6d and 6e. Here, the stopping device 23 is formed as a double wing with two projecting elements 31a, 31b from the stopping device 21, wherein the stopping device 21 first is folded as in FIG. 6e and then is merged together by a plastic seam or plastic weld 32 as in FIG. 6d. Again, the wings 31a, 31b will engage against the opening 26 in the channel 22 and prevent the tightening element 21 from further sliding back into the channel 22.

The stopping device may then be provided as an area of the tightening device which comprises an extension which prevents the tightening device from entering into the channel again after being pulled out, or the stopping device may cause friction against the channel 22 and in the same way prevent the tightening device from entering back into the channel again after being pulled out. The friction may be provided by a structure or surface as mentioned above, or by the stopping device being formed from one or more materials which will provide friction against the channel 22 and which thus keep the bag closed.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 6a-f the stopping device 23 is generally provided by using the material of the tightening element 21 itself, in addition to attachment means such as glue/seam etc.

It is now referred to FIGS. 7a-e. The pulling direction for pulling the tightening element 21 out of the channel 22 is shown by arrow T.

In FIG. 7a the stopping device 23 is provided by an extra material 41 being attached to the tightening element 21. The extra material 41 is preferably formed such that it slides easily out of the opening 26 of the channel 22, but is prevented from sliding back into the opening again. As shown, the extra material 41 is formed with a sliding face 41a and a barb 41b.

In FIG. 7b the stopping device 23 is provided by removing parts of the tightening element 21. The tightening element 21 is here made from a thicker material, wherein a wedge shaped recess 42 is provided on both sides of the tightening element 21 by removing parts of the tightening element 21.

FIG. 7c corresponds substantially to FIG. 7b. Here, the stopping device 23 in the form of the wedge shaped recess 42 is only provided on one side of the tightening element 21.

In FIG. 7d, the tightening element 21 is not necessarily made from a thicker material; here the tightening element 21 is a slim ribbon as shown in FIGS. 1-6. Here, the stopping device 23 is also provided with a wedge shaped recess 42 on both sides of the ribbon.

In FIG. 7e, the stopping device 23 is provided as a recess 43 in the shape of a hole in the tightening element 21 proper. The recess 43 is substantially V shaped, with a V shaped barb 42b formed from the material of the tightening element 21.

In the description above, the term “wedge shaped” designates that the stopping device 23 has a sliding face 42a which easily slides in the direction out of the channel and a barb 42b which stops against the opening 26. The sliding face 42a and the barb 42b are only shown in FIGS. 7b and 7d.

In the examples of FIG. 7 above it is thus the barbs 41b, 42b which are engaged against the opening 26 in the channel and prevents the tightening element 21 from sliding further back into the channel 22.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8. Here, it is shown that an area 26a close to the opening 26 in the channel 22 may be stiffened to contribute to the stopping device 23 being prevented from sliding into the channel 22 again after having been pulled out. The stiffened area 26a may be provided using the above mentioned methods, e.g., plastic welds, plastic seams etc.

Embodiments of Channels/Tightening Devices

Example 1

Here, the first layer 2 has one channel 22, and the other layer 3 has one channel 22, arranged at at the same height inside the bag 1. The channels has only openings in one end. The opening in the channel 22 in the first layer 2 is arranged on a first side (e.g., to the left) and the opening in the channel 22 in the second layer 3 is arranged on the opposite side (e.g., to the right). A first tightening element 21 is arranged in the channel 22. A first end 21a of the tightening element projects out from the channel 22 in the first layer 2, and a first end 21a of the tightening element 21 projects from the channel 22 in the second layer 3 in the initial state. The ends 21a are attached to each other. The other ends 21b are attached to the bag 1 innermost in the channels 22.

Example 2

Correspond substantially to example 1. Here, the channels 22 have opening in both ends. The closing device comprises 20 an additional tightening element 21 provided in the same channels 22, wherein a first end 21a of the additional tightening element 21 projects from the channel 22 on the opposite side of the end 21a at the first tightening element 21 in the initial state, and wherein the additional tightening element 21 comprises a second end 21b attached to the bag 1.

Example 3

Corresponds to example 2, however, here the second ends 21b, 21b are not attached to the bag, instead they are attached to each other such that each of the first tightening element 21 and the additional tightening element 21 form a continuous loop through the channel 22.

Example 4

As in the Figures. Here, there are two channels 22 in the first layer 2 and two channels in the second layer 3.

Claims

1. Bag (1) comprising a first layer (2) and a second layer (3) of a material, wherein characterized in that the tightening element (21) comprises a stopping device (23), wherein

the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) is merged at several of their first edge areas (10a, 10b, 10c) thereby forming a compartment (11),

the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) comprises an additional edge area (10d) forming an opening (12) into the compartment (11),

the bag (1) comprises a closing device (20),

the closing device (20) comprises a tightening element (21) provided in a channel (22) transverse to the bag (1) adjacent to the opening (12),

a first end (21a) of the tightening element (21) projects from the channel (22) in an initial state,

the bag (1) is configured to be brought into a closed condition wherein the opening (12) is at least partially closed by pulling the tightening element (21),

the stopping device (23) is provided inside the channel (22) in the initial position,

the stopping device (23), when it is pulled out from the channel (22) in the closed state, prevents the tightening element (21) from moving into the channel (22) again.

2. Bag (1) according to claim 1,

wherein the stopping device (23) is provided as a stiffened area (33) on the tightening element (21).

3. Bag (1) according to claim 1,

wherein the stopping device (23) is provided as a wing (31) at the tightening element (21),

4. Bag (1) according to claim 2,

wherein the wing (31) is provided by bending or folding an area (31a) of the tightening element (21), wherein the bended or folded area is subsequently fixed to the tightening element (21).

5. Bag (1) according to claim 2,

wherein the bended or folded area is fixed to the tightening element (21) by gluing, plastic welding or the like.

6. Bag (1) according to claim 1,

wherein the stopping device (23) is provided as a double wing (33) on the tightening element (21).

7. Bag (1) according to claim 1,

wherein a second end (21b) of the tightening element (21) is fixed to the bag (1).

8. Bag (1) according to claim 1,

wherein the closing device (20) comprises an additional tightening element (25) provided in the channel (22), wherein a first end (25a) of the tightening element (25) projects from the channel (22) at the opposite side of the end (21a) at the first tightening element (21) in the initial state, and wherein the additional tightening element (25) comprises a second end (25b) fixed to the bag (1).

9. Bag (1) according to one of the claims above,

wherein the channel (22) has an opening in both ends.

10. Bag (1) according to one of the claims above,

wherein the tightening element (21) is provided as a continuous loop through the channel (22).