Stand-up bag for pourable goods and method for manufacturing the stand-up bag

Abstract

A stand-up bag for pourable goods includes a front wall, a back wall coupled to the front wall at a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, and a base fold, wherein the front wall, the back wall, and the base fold are manufactured from a film, and wherein the base fold provides a standing base and is coupled to lower edges of the front wall and the back wall. The bag further includes a bag top situated opposite from the base fold, a closure device, wherein the closure device is attached proximate the bag top, and a carrying handle on the first side edge between the base fold and the bag top, the carrying handle positioned a distance from the base fold and the bag top.

Claims

1. A stand-up bag for pourable goods comprising: a front wall; a back wall coupled to the front wall at a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, wherein the front wall and the back wall are jointly formed from a first film cutting folded on itself along the first side edge; a base fold formed from a second film cutting, wherein the base fold provides a standing base and is coupled to lower edges of the front wall and the back wall; a bag top situated opposite from the base fold; a closure device, wherein the closure device is attached proximate the bag top; a carrying handle on the first side edge between the base fold and the bag top, the carrying handle positioned a distance from the base fold and the bag top, the carrying handle coupled to an inner surface of the first film cutting and comprising a film strip; a first longitudinal sealing seam positioned along the first side edge above the carrying handle; and a second longitudinal sealing seam positioned along the first side edge below the carrying handle, the first and second longitudinal sealing seams being separated from one another by a region of film, wherein the carrying handle overlies the region of film, and wherein the first longitudinal sealing seam and the second longitudinal sealing seam are connected by a frame-shaped sealing seam extending around the carrying handle.

2. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the closure device is offset towards the second side edge.

3. A stand-up bag according to claim 2, wherein an angled corner region extends between an upper end of the second side edge and the bag top, the closure device positioned in the corner region.

4. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the film strip forms at least a portion of a carrying strap.

5. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the region of film separating the first and second longitudinal sealing seams is free of sealing seams.

6. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag top is formed by a top fold that is coupled to upper edges of the front wall and the back wall, and the closure device is attached to at least one of the top fold, the front wall, and the back wall.

7. A stand-up bag according to claim 6, wherein the top fold includes two flaps extending from a central folded edge, the closure device being attached to the flaps, the front wall, and the back wall.

8. A stand-up bag according to claim 6, wherein the top fold includes two flaps extending from a central folded edge, the closure device being attached to one of the flaps and one of the front wall and the back wall.

9. A stand-up bag according to claim 8, wherein the closure device is a pouring element.

10. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the closure device includes reclosure strips configured to connect to one another.

11. A stand-up bag according to claim 10, wherein the reclosure strips are oriented parallel to the second side edge.

12. A stand-up bag according to claim 10, wherein a joining seam couples the front wall to the back wall between the second side edge and a lower edge of the reclosure strips.

13. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the closure device is concealed by a detachable bag section prior to opening the stand-up bag.

14. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the carrying handle and the first and second longitudinal sealing seams are collinear.

15. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the region of film separating the longitudinal sealing seams is formed from a third film cutting formed separately from and attached to the first film cutting.

16. A stand-up bag according to claim 1, wherein the region of film is free of preformed creases and seams.

17. A method for manufacturing a stand-up bag comprising: positioning a carrying handle arrangement on an inner surface of a film section, the carrying handle arrangement having a carrying handle; folding the film section on itself to form a front wall and a back wall such that the carrying handle arrangement is positioned on a first side edge of the folded film section, wherein, viewed in a longitudinal direction of the side edge, the front wall and the back wall are separated from one another along the first side edge at a segment above the carrying handle arrangement and at a segment below the carrying handle arrangement; forming a base fold between the front wall and the back wall in an orientation transverse to the first side edge, wherein the base fold provides a standing base and is coupled to lower edges of the front wall and the back wall; providing a closure device proximate a bag top situated opposite the base fold; coupling the back wall to the front wall at the first side edge to provide a first longitudinal sealing seam above the carrying handle and a second longitudinal sealing seam below the carrying handle at the first side edge, the first and second longitudinal sealing seams being separated from one another by a region of film and connected by a frame-shaped sealing seam extending around the carrying handle, the carrying handle overlying the region of film being positioned a distance from the base fold and the bag top; and coupling the back wall to the front wall at a second side edge opposite the first side edge.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising separating the film section from abutting film sections, the film sections coupled to one another by a material web, wherein the film section is separated after placing the carrying handle arrangement and folding the film section.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising transporting the separated film section in a direction perpendicular to the first side edge.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising: forming an angled corner region that extends between the bag top and the second side edge, wherein the angled corner region is formed at least partially by the front wall, the back wall, and a top fold of the bag top; and attaching the closure device to the angled corner region.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein providing a closure device comprises providing a closure device that includes reclosure strips positioned between inner surfaces of the front wall and the back wall and a top fold of the bag top.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising forming a tear line in the bag top between the second side edge and the reclosure strips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The embodiments described herein are explained below with reference to figures, which represent possible exemplary embodiments solely by way of example.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stand-up bag in accordance with the present invention,

(3) FIGS. 2a through 2h show individual method steps for manufacturing the stand-up bag according to FIG. 1,

(4) FIGS. 3a through 3d show a modification of the method illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2h for manufacturing an alternative embodiment of the stand-up bag,

(5) FIG. 4a shows a side view of a stand-up bag which is manufactured according to the method illustrated in FIGS. 3a through 3d,

(6) FIG. 4b shows the bag according to FIG. 4a in the opened state, and

(7) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand-up bag shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a stand-up bag for pourable goods that includes a front wall 1, a back wall 2, a base fold 3, and a top fold 4 which are formed from film. The front wall 1 and the back wall 2 are joined together at a first side edge 5a and at a second side edge 5b. Situated in the vertical direction, halfway up at the first side edge 5a, is a carrying handle 6, which in the exemplary embodiment includes a separate film strip 7. The bag is indented in the region of the carrying handle at the front wall 1 and the back wall 2, and the film strip 7 together with the indented region forms a carrying strap which may be accessed from the side. In one embodiment, the carrying strap is initially integrated into the outer surface of the stand-up bag and accessible through a perforation (not illustrated) once the perforation is torn open.

(9) According to the exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1 shows that the front wall 1 and the back wall 2 are jointly formed from a film cutting, or film section, by folding the film cutting on itself along the first side edge 5a. Above and below the carrying handle 6, the front wall 1 merges directly into the back wall 2 without an additional connection by a sealing seam.

(10) The film cutting is folded such that the edges of this film cutting may be joined by a longitudinal sealing seam 8 to form the second side edge 5b.

(11) The base fold 3, which forms a standing base, is attached at lower edges of the front wall 1 and the back wall 2. The top fold 4 is attached at upper edges of the front wall 1 and the back wall 2. The base fold 3 and top fold 4 are each attached using transverse sealing seams 9. In addition, the lateral ends of the base fold 3 and the top fold 4 are joined to the front wall 1 and the back wall 2 using longitudinal sealing seams 8 and angled corner sealing seams 10. An angled corner region 11 extends from the upper end of the second side edge 5b.

(12) In the exemplary embodiment, the stand-up bag also includes a closure device which is attached to the top fold 4 and at least one of the front wall 1 and the back wall 2. This closure device is offset in the exemplary embodiment, starting from the middle of the top fold 4 in the direction of the second side edge 5b. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment in which a closure device in the form of a pouring element 12 is formed in the angled corner region 11. The pouring element 12 is thus situated obliquely opposite from the carrying handle 6, which allows for particularly easy handling.

(13) When the stand-up bag is lifted by the carrying handle 6, the vertical orientation of the stand-up bag (as shown in FIG. 1) changes to a horizontal orientation, and the pouring element 12 points obliquely downward. With the pouring element 12 pointing obliquely downward, only a substantially small force may need to be applied for control of the bag. That is, from a neutral position, the bag may be tilted using a substantially small force. Depending on the size of the stand-up bag and the weight of the filling material, the pouring or emptying of the filling material may be controlled by the user raising or lowering the base of the stand-up bag with his other hand, or simply tilting the carrying handle 6 to adjust the desired position and angle of the pouring element 12. The stand-up bag may thus be used as one would use a jug, and even a very large and heavy stand-up bag may be handled with ease.

(14) Overall, particularly high stability of the bag also results from the described arrangement of the carrying handle 6 at the first side edge 5a, and of the pouring element 12 proximate the second side edge 5b. The longitudinal sealing seams 8 situated above and below the carrying handle 6 thus provide considerable reinforcement and a particularly uniform distribution of force. Particularly high stability is also achieved by the arrangement of the pouring element 12 directly above the second side edge 5b in the angled corner region 11. Thus, during pouring or emptying of the filling material, there is no risk of the stand-up bag being uncontrollably deformed, which could greatly interfere with emptying of the stand-up bag. Even for a large stand-up bag, the filling material may be precisely dispensed and, for example, poured into a filling opening or the like.

(15) The pouring element 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed from a rigid plastic, for example by injection molding, and attached in a liquid-tight manner between the front wall 1 and a flap of the top fold 4 by heat sealing. To achieve the most symmetrical configuration possible, the two flaps of the top fold 4 are joined together in the region of the pouring element 12, for example via adhesive connection points. The pouring element 12 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment includes a screw cap 13, thus allowing easy opening and reclosing.

(16) In the filled state the stand-up bag has a bulging shape. The carrying handle 6, situated at the first side edge 5a, may be easily gripped from behind since the first side edge 5a is not provided with a longitudinal sealing seam and is not strongly creased proximate the carrying handle 6. Because the pouring element 12 is situated in the angled corner region 11, the pouring element 12 also does not extend or at least does not extend significantly, beyond the base area of the stand-up bag, and thus to a certain extent is protected from damage. In addition, multiple stand-up bags may be densely packed without the pouring elements 12 of the individual stand-up bags obstructing the packing of the bags.

(17) In particular, multilayer designs which are heat-sealable on at least one side are suitable as film for the front wall, the back wall, the base fold, and the top fold. To allow the filling level of the stand-up bag to be checked, transparent or translucent designs may be used. Moreover, printing may be provided in a customary manner outside a viewing window, not illustrated in FIG. 1.

(18) For a multilayer laminated bag film, the printing is usually provided before the lamination such that the printing is inside the bag film during the lamination in order to protect the printing from abrasion.

(19) FIGS. 2a through 2h show the method steps for manufacturing the stand-up bag illustrated in FIG. 1. According to FIG. 2a, first a material web 14 of a bag film is supplied in a longitudinal direction. Carrying handle arrangements 15, each having the previously described film strip 7 and at least one cover sheet 16 on the back side, are sealed at equidistant intervals at a heat-sealable side of the material web 14. Each region of the material web 14 that includes a carrying handle arrangement 15 corresponds to a film section from which a stand-up bag is may be subsequently formed.

(20) FIG. 2a also shows that the material web 14 is folded into a half loop in such a way that the carrying handle arrangement 15 is situated at a first side edge 5a.

(21) According to FIG. 2b, the edges of the material web which are placed one on top of the other are subsequently joined by a longitudinal sealing seam 8 which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the material web 14, is interrupted at regular intervals. The longitudinal sealing seam 8 which is formed is situated at the level of the carrying handle arrangement 15. At the individual film sections above and below the level of the carrying handle arrangement 15, the edges of the material web 14 are not sealed together at the second side edge 5b. In another method step, indentations 17 are formed at the first side edge 5a, above and below the carrying handle arrangement. The indentations 17 are preferably produced by cutting off an outer edge of the film in the region of the first side edge 5a.

(22) This separation of the front wall 1 and back wall 2 formed by folding the material web 14 is necessary to allow the base fold 3 and the top fold 4 to be subsequently formed.

(23) However, the film sections which initially contiguously abut one another along the material web 14 are separated before forming the base fold 3 and the top fold 4. According to FIG. 2c, after the film sections are separated, they are transported in a transverse direction perpendicular to the side edges 5a, 5b. According to FIG. 2d, film sections following in succession are transported one behind the other in the transverse direction, and the upper front wall 1 is folded back above and below the carrying handle arrangement 15 to allow prefolded material strips to be attached as the top fold 4 and the base fold 3. These material strips formed from a film are initially provided as a continuous strip for multiple film sections, and are not separated until later.

(24) To simplify the forming of the base fold 3 and the top fold 4, these folds are provided with punched holes 18. The folding back of the front walls 1 and the introduction of the base fold 3 and the top fold 4 are illustrated in FIG. 2d.

(25) After the top-side and bottom-side end sections of the front wall 1 are folded back (not illustrated), according to FIG. 2e the base geometry is formed by providing a transverse sealing seam 9 and two corner sealing seams 10. In addition, at the top fold 4 a corner which adjoins the second side edge 5b is obliquely detached, thus forming the angled corner region 11 illustrated in FIG. 1.

(26) According to FIG. 2f, at least the section of the front wall 1 situated on the top fold 4, and preferably a flap of the top fold 4, are then folded back to allow the other flap to be joined to the back wall 2 along a corner sealing seam 10.

(27) As illustrated in FIG. 2g, the closure device in the form of the pouring element 12 is then inserted into the angled corner region 11 between the not yet joined flap of the top fold 4 and the front wall 1, and permanently sealed. A transverse sealing seam 9 as well as corner sealing seams 10 are subsequently formed at the top fold 4.

(28) In addition, according to FIG. 2h, sections which are not yet closed are closed at the second side edge 5b by means of longitudinal sealing seams 8. Additional longitudinal sealing seams 8 are provided opposite from one another at the first side edge 5a, above and below the carrying handle 6 which is formed by the carrying handle arrangement 15. The additional longitudinal sealing seams 8 are also provided for reinforcing the first side edge 5a.

(29) The sealed bag edges may then be trimmed (not illustrated in the figures), and lastly, the two flaps of the top fold 4 may also be fixed to one another proximate the pouring element 12 by means of adhesive dots, for example.

(30) According to an alternative embodiment of the stand-up bag, the stand-up bag has interlockable reclosure strips 19a, 19b as a closure device. The carrying handle arrangement 15 is formed, and the base fold 3 is attached, in the same manner as in the manufacturing method illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2h. In this regard, reference is made to the above description.

(31) FIGS. 3a through 3d show a modification of the method illustrated in FIGS. 2a through 2h for manufacturing embodiments of the stand-up bag that include the reclosure strips 19a, 19b. According to FIG. 3a, in a modification of the method described above, to provide the reclosure strips 19a, 19b, after the film sections are separated, the section of the front wall 1 at which the top fold 4 is introduced is folded back. In the folded state, one of the closure strips 19a is then mounted on the inner surfaces of the front wall 1 and the back wall 2, and is permanently sealed at that location. The other closure strip 19b is snapped into the reclosure strip 19a.

(32) According to FIG. 3b, the top fold 4 is sealed to the second reclosure strip 19b. The associated part of the front wall 1 is then folded back so that the reclosure strips 19a, 19b in the region of the top fold 4 are located inside the bag.

(33) According to FIG. 3c, after the front wall 1 is folded back, a transverse sealing seam 9, a longitudinal sealing seam 8 in the region of the second side edge 5b, and a corner sealing seam 10 in the region of the first side edge 5a are formed.

(34) According to FIG. 3b, the reclosure strips 19a, 19b are slightly offset, starting at the second side edge 5b. According to FIG. 3d, to allow the stand-up bag to be opened and to gain access to the closure device which is formed by the reclosure strips 19a, 19b, a tear line 20 is formed between the reclosure strips 19a, 19b and the second side edge The tear line 20 may be formed, for example, by using a laser or providing a perforation. The previously formed sealing seams may then be trimmed in a customary manner. An angled sealing seam 21 which joins the front wall 1 to the back wall 2 between the second side edge 5b and a lower edge of the reclosure strips 19a, 19b is also formed. This sealing seam 21 is provided in order to guide the filling material in the direction of the reclosure strips 19a, 19b during pouring, and to avoid undesired accumulation of the filling material.

(35) FIGS. 4a and 4b show the stand-up bag produced according to the method illustrated in FIGS. 3a through 3d. FIG. 4a shows the stand-up bag in the closed state, while FIG. 4b shows that, after a detachable bag section 22 is torn off along the tear line 20, the top fold 4 may be turned upward, thus forming a particularly large removal opening 23 in which the reclosure strips 19a, 19b are situated approximately in the shape of a diamond. To allow reclosure of the removal opening 23, the top fold 4 is folded back in between the front wall 1 and the back wall 2, and the reclosure strips 19a, 19b are locked together by manual pressure.

(36) Lastly, FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a stand-up bag in a view according to FIG. 1. The stand-up bag illustrated in FIG. 5 has only one base fold 3, and the front wall 1 and the back wall 2 are directly joined together at the bag top. The pouring element 12, situated in a corner region 11 of the bag top, is appropriately permanently sealed between the front wall 1 and the back wall 2. The further design of the stand-up bag corresponds to the design according to FIG. 1.