RESEALABLE, REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE SECONDARY PACKAGING TRANSPORT BAG

Abstract

A secondary packaging transport bag has a body (44) formed from a multilayer polyethylene film containing post-consumer resin. The body (44) defines a front panel (48), and a rear panel (52) located opposite the front panel (48). The front and rear panels (48, 52) define an open top edge (68) and are connected along opposite, left and right peripheral edges (56, 60) and are further connected along a bottom edge (64) to define an internal cavity (72) configured to receive packages in a distribution hub. The body (44) has a resealable closing means (76) proximate to the open top edge (68).

Claims

1. A secondary packaging transport bag comprising: a body formed from a multilayer polyethylene film containing post-consumer resin, said body defining a front panel and a rear panel located opposite said front panel, said front and rear panels defining an open top edge and being connected along opposite, left and right peripheral edges and being connected along a bottom edge to define an internal cavity configured to receive packages in a distribution hub, said body having a resealable closing means proximate to said open top edge.

2. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said resealable closing means is located at said open top edge or is recessed below said open top edge.

3. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said multilayer polyethylene film has thickness of about 4 mil.

4. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said multilayer polyethylene film contains at least 20% post-consumer resin by weight.

5. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said body includes at least two vent holes that extend fully through both of said front and rear panels at a location below said resealable closing means.

6. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 5 wherein said vent holes are configured to withstand at least 25 reuses at less than 50% deformation.

7. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said bottom edge includes a gusset to permit axial expansion of said internal cavity.

8. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said resealable closing means is a polyolefin slider constrained to polyethylene tracks on said front and rear panels.

9. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein portions of said front and rear panels are corona treated to have a surface energy of about 50 dyne.

10. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 further comprising an external pouch that is adhered to, or integral with, one of said front and rear panels for retaining scannable tracking documentation.

11. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said front and rear panels have a depth of about 30 inches and a width of about 36 inches.

12. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 11 further comprising a gusset configured to provide about 10 inches of depth at a midpoint of said body.

13. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said multilayer polyethylene film has an impact strength of about 670 g.

14. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said multilayer polyethylene film has a machine direction flexural modulus of about 30-40 kpsi and a transverse direction flexural modulus of about 40-50 kpsi.

15. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said body is configured to be recycled, after no fewer than 25 uses.

16. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said resealable closing means lies along a central horizontal axis and is configured to remain closed when said top edge of said body is subjected to a pulling force of up to 25 lbf in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to said central horizontal axis.

17. The secondary packaging transport bag according to claim 1 wherein said resealable closing means lies along a central horizontal axis and is configured to remain closed when said front and rear panels of said body are subjected to a separating force of up to 12 lbf in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to said central horizontal axis.

18. A secondary packaging transport bag comprising: a body formed from a multilayer polyethylene film containing at least 20% post-consumer resin by weight, said body defining a front panel and a rear panel located opposite said front panel, said front and rear panels defining an open top edge and being connected along opposite, left and right peripheral edges and being connected along a bottom edge to define an internal cavity configured to receive packages in a distribution hub, said body having a polyolefin slider on a zipper track closing means at a location proximate to said open top edge, said bottom edge having a gusset to permit axial expansion of said internal cavity, said body having at least two vent holes extending fully through both of said front and rear panels at a location below said polyolefin slider on a zipper track closing means, and said body configured to be recycled.

19. A method of using a secondary packaging transport bag, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining a secondary packaging transport bag having a body formed from a multilayer polyethylene film containing post-consumer resin, said body defining a front panel and a rear panel located opposite said front panel, said front and rear panels defining an open top edge and being connected along opposite, left and right peripheral edges and being connected along a bottom edge to define an internal cavity configured to receive packages in a distribution hub, said body having a resealable closing means proximate to said open top edge; using the secondary packaging transport bag a plurality of times for intermediary transfer of packages within a distribution hub; and depositing all of said secondary packaging transport bag in a recycling stream.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of a secondary packaging transport bag according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows the bag hanging from a stand;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, taken from above and the front, of the secondary packaging transport bag of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 shows the bag partially opened on the stand;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a right-side elevation view of the opened bag of FIG. 2;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the opened bag of FIG. 2;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of bag of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows the bag partially closed;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a right-side elevation view of the bag of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 shows the bag fully closed;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a secondary transport bag according to the present invention, wherein the bag has the closing means located along the top edge (and not recessed below the top edge);

[0030] FIG. 8 is a right-side elevation view of the bag of FIG. 7; and

[0031] FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a secondary transport bag according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described the presently preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

[0033] In accordance with the illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention, and components thereof, as illustrated in the attached FIGS. 1-9, the invention has the form of an article of manufacture in the form of a secondary transport bag 40.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 2, the secondary transport bag 40 includes a body 44 formed from a multilayer polyethylene (PE) film. The PE film contains a post-consumer resin (PCR), preferably at least 20% by weight, and more preferably at least 25% PCR by weight. Preferably, the PE film is 4 mils thick to provide the right balance of structural rigidity and flexural modulus. The stiff film and strong seams support the shape of the body 44 to deter collapsing during filling or becoming wedged or caught in machinery pinch points during conveyance. The body 44 of the secondary transport bag 40 includes a front panel 48 and a rear panel 52, located opposite the front panel 48. The panels 48,52 are connected or sealed along opposite, left and right peripheral edges 56, 60 and are connected along a bottom edge 64. The body 44 includes a gusset 66 (visible in FIG. 7) to permit further axial expansion or depth of the bag. The panels 48,52 have an open top edge 68 to define an internal cavity 72 configured to receive packages in a distribution hub for internal conveyance of smaller packages.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 2, the body 44 is further provided with a resealable closing means 76 in the form of a slider on zipper tracks at the top edge 68 (as shown in FIGS. 7-8) or at a location that is recessed location below the top edge 68 (as shown in FIG. 9). The zipper and tracks are preferably formed from a polyolefin, more preferably a PP, resin. In other forms, the zipper and zipper tracks may be formed from the same resin of the body 44 such that the bag 40, and its components, such that the bag 40 may be fully recycled in a single resin identification code recycling stream. The slider preferably has a color (e.g., red) that differs from a color (e.g., white) of the body 44 for easy identification by workers within the distribution hub.

[0036] Again referring to FIG. 2, the body 44 includes a pair of spaced apart vent holes 80 that extend fully through both the front and rear panels 48,52. The vent holes 80 are located below the resealable closing means 76 to support the body 44 on arms of a stand 82 during filling or removing packages from within the cavity 72. The vent holes 80 function to prevent or at least minimize the over pressurization of the transport bag 40. The vent holes 80 are preferably configured to withstand at least 25 uses of the transport bag 40, experiencing typical use at the transport hub, at less than 50% deformation (e.g., stretching or change of shape).

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 9, the transport bag 40 may further be provided with an optional external pocket or pouch 84 that may be adhered to, or formed integrally with, the body 44. The external pouch 84 is configured to retain scannable tracking documentation that may accompany the transport bag 40.

[0038] Still referring to FIG. 9, areas or portions 86 of the body 44 may optionally be corona treated to have a surface energy of about 50 dyne for improved adhesion of the external pouch 84 to the body 44.

[0039] In one presently preferred embodiment of the transport bag 40, the front and rear panels 48, 52 have a depth D of about 30 inches (+/3 in.) and a width W of about 36 inches (+/3 in.). The gusset 66 preferably provides about 10 inches (+/1 in.) of additional depth of the cavity 72 at the midpoint or center of the bag 40.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the PE film of the body 44 has an impact strength of about 670 g, a machine direction flexural modulus of about 30-40 kpsi, and a transverse direction flexural modulus of about 40-50 kpsi. The bag 40 is preferably configured to be fully recyclable after no fewer than 25 uses within the distribution hub. It will be understood that the bag 40 may be recycled before this threshold, such as in the case where the bag 40 becomes degraded or damaged prior to this threshold service life.

[0041] The resealable closing means 76, which extends along a central horizontal axis when the bag 40 is upright, is configured to remain closed (i.e., sealed) when the top edge of the body 44 is subjected to a pulling force of up to 25 lbf, as measured in a vertical direction (e.g., upwards in the illustrations) that is perpendicular to the central horizontal axis. Furthermore, the resealable closing means 76 is configured to remain closed (i.e., sealed) when the front and rear panels 48,52 of the body 44 are subjected to a separating force of up to 12 lbf, in opposite directions in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the central horizontal axis.

[0042] FIGS. 1-9 show various embodiments of the secondary packaging transport bag 40 according to the present invention, wherein like numerals illustrate common features throughout.

[0043] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.