TRANSIT PACKAGING

Abstract

The invention provides a container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container is sealable and wherein the container comprises one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a carrier bag when in an unsealed configuration.

Claims

1. A container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container is sealable and wherein the container comprises one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a carrier bag when in an unsealed configuration.

2. A container as defined in claim 1 which is a flexible container comprising a minimum of two vertical walls, an enclosed base and an open cavity.

3. A container as defined in claim 2 which is formed with an expandable folded base to provide additional depth and fill capacity to the container.

4. A container as defined in claim 2 which is formed from at least two walls.

5. A container as defined in claim 1 which has a flap to seal the container.

6. A container as defined in claim 5 which is formed from at least two walls wherein at least one of the walls extends to form the flap.

7. A container as defined in claim 5 wherein the flap incorporates an adhesive strip for sealing the container.

8. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein the one or more handles are adhered to an internal surface of the container.

9. A container as defined in claim 1 which has an aperture suitable for use in suspending the container.

10. A container as defined in claim 9 wherein the container has an extending portion in which the aperture is formed.

11. A container as defined in claim 9 wherein the aperture is formed in the flap such that a handle may be arranged to extend through the flap.

12. A container as defined in claim 1 which has a removable upper portion for opening the container.

13. A container as defined in claim 12 wherein the removable upper portion is defined by a tear line.

14. A container as defined in claim 13 which comprises at least two walls and wherein the tear line is provided on the walls.

15. A container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container is sealable and comprises at least two walls, wherein the container comprises one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a carrier bag when in an unsealed configuration and wherein the container has a removable upper portion for opening the container wherein the removable upper portion is defined by a tear line which is provided on the walls.

16. A container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container is sealable, wherein the container comprises one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a carrier bag when in an unsealed configuration, and wherein the container has an aperture suitable for use in suspending the container.

Description

[0022] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective of a flexible container according to the invention in an open position such that the container is in an unsealed configuration;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective of a flexible container according to the invention in a closed/sealed position or configuration;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective of a sealed flexible container according to the invention in a first half transformation position;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective of a flexible container according to the invention in a second half transformation position;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective of a flexible container according to the invention in the fully transformed position; i.e the upper portion has been fully removed;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective of a flexible container according to a second, alternative embodiment of the invention in the fully transformed position; i.e the upper portion has been fully removed;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a sealed flexible container according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a sealed flexible container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a flexible container according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a sealed flexible container according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0033] A container according to a first embodiment the invention is indicated generally at 101 on FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0034] Flexible container 101 is a bag-like structure with a front wall 110, a rear wall 120, a base 130 and open cavity 160. Rear wall 120 extends above cavity 160 to form a lip indicated at 124. Lip 124 has an adhesive strip running horizontally from edge to edge at 126. Walls 110,120 are joined at their sides to form the container 101.

[0035] Horizontal lines of perforation 112,122 are formed in walls 110,120 such that a removable upper portion 170 is formed by the parts of the walls 110,120 above the perforation lines 112,122. The perforations according to the invention are shown at 112 and 122. Perforation 112 is incorporated into wall 110 and perforation 122 is incorporated into wall 120. The perforation locations in relation to base 130 are shown by lengths A and B. It is preferable that A and B are equal.

[0036] The handles according to the first embodiment of the invention are indicated at 140, and the potential reinforced patch at 142. Handles 140 are mounted by patches 142 at the upper end of cavity 160 on each of walls 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, the patches 142 may be omitted for example if the handles 140 and the walls 110,120 are formed from plastic as each handle 140 may be welded on to its respective wall 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.

[0037] The pre-determined upper portion for removal from the container is shown at 170. During the removal of upper portion 170, perforation 112 creates edge 150 and perforation 122 creates edge 152.

[0038] A container 101 according the first embodiment of the invention has handles at 140 and 144, whereby both protrude above edges 150 and 152.

[0039] A container according to the second or alternative embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at 101 on FIG. 6. Like features to the features of the first and second embodiments are identified by like reference numerals. In the second alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, handles which do not protrude above edges 150 and 152 are shown at 160 and 164. In an alternative embodiment, the patches 142 may be omitted for example if the handles 140 and the walls 110,120 are formed from plastic as each handle 140 may be welded on to its respective wall 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.

[0040] A container according to the third embodiment is indicated generally at 201 on FIG. 7. Like features to the features of the first and second embodiments are identified by like reference numerals. Container 201 has an extending portion 180 which is attached to one side of container 201 and which forms an extension aperture 182 which is shaped to allow the container 201 to be hung. In an alternative embodiment, the patches 142 may be omitted for example if the handles 140 and the walls 110,120 are formed from plastic as each handle 140 may be welded on to its respective wall 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.

[0041] A container according to the fourth embodiment is indicated generally at 301 on FIG. 8. Like features to the features of the first, second and third embodiments are identified by like reference numerals. Container 301 has an extending portion 180 which is attached to the base 130 of container 301 and which forms an extension aperture 182 which is shaped to allow the container 301 to be hung upside down. In an alternative embodiment, the patches 142 may be omitted for example if the handles 140 and the walls 110,120 are formed from plastic as each handle 140 may be welded on to its respective wall 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.

[0042] A container according to the fifth embodiment is indicated generally at 401 on FIGS. 9 and 10. Like features to the features of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments are identified by like reference numerals. Container 401 has a first handle 140 attached at patch 142 to wall 120 and a second handle 144 attached at patch 146 to wall 110. Flap 124 of container 401 forms a flap aperture 172 through which handle 140 is arranged to extend. The handle 140 may therefore be used to suspend the container 401. The perforation lines 112,122 of container 401 are formed to either side of flap aperture 172 such that the removable upper portion 170 includes flap aperture 172. In an alternative embodiment, container 401 may have two handles 140,144. In an alternative embodiment, the patches 142 may be omitted for example if the handles 140 and the walls 110,120 are formed from plastic as each handle 140 may be welded on to its respective wall 110,120. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.