[0001] The instant invention for a utility model concerns a semi-rigid paper carrier bag
with an opening which can be hermetically sealed without using buttons, ties or other
means.
[0002] The article in question can be considered as new and interesting in a field in which
manufacturing styles and solutions have been firmly consolidated for many years.
[0003] In particular, semi-rigid paper bags have been widely diffused, in many commercial
fields for use in consigning goods to buyers.
[0004] To date, however, these bags have always been produced in several typical versions,
now traditionally standardized; these bags are nomally of a certain size and have
handles at their top opening.
[0005] These conventional bags may or may not be able to be firmly closed at the top, or
they may have some specific means of firmly closing at the top, such as buttons, ties,
fasteners, probably made of plastic and in any case always using very low cost methods.
[0006] Within this technological viewpoint, the article according to the invention is intended
to be presented as something significantly new; as already mentioned, it consists
of a semi-rigid paper carrier bag in which it is provided that that the top opening
be closed without resorting to conventional means.
[0007] In fact, the hermetic closing of this new type of bag is guaranteed by its own top
edges, those which bound the opening; actually, these edges, of a suitable shape and
pre-folded, are able to fit together so as to completely seal the opening of the bag
in a stable manner.
[0008] The coupling of these edges, in spite of providing sufficient stablity, it also easy
to eliminate, so that there are no problems in re-opening the bag in question, a major
difference compared to what may happen with traditional bags which use buttons,ties
or fasteners.
[0009] Also from the design point of view, the article is particularly attractive and practical
and above all, the external aspect is so original as to provide the commercial businesses
wishing to make use of it with a considerable degree of individuality.
[0010] For further clarity of explanation, the description of the invention continues with
reference to the attached drawings, reproduced for illustrative and limitative purposes,
wherein:
- Figure 1 and Figure 2 are axomometric representations of the bag according to the
invention which is illustrated both in the open and closed position:
- Figure 3 is the front view of one of the transversal sides of the bag in question.
[0011] With reference to the attached drawings, the article in question (1) consists of
a carrier bag, the structure of which is more or less conventional.
[0012] The version illustrated in the drawings has a rectangular base (2), with vertical
walls (3) and (4) oppostite each other; it being provided that the narrow transversal
walls (3) have a vertical pre-folded line at the centre (A) which branches out in
an upside-down "V" shape near the bottom of the bag.
[0013] At the opening, both the transversal walls (3) and the longitudinal walls (4) have
sections, respectively (3a) and (4a), which are internally reinforced in thin carton;
more particularly, the height (h) of these four reinforced sections is equal to half
the width (1) of the opening of the bag.
[0014] The top edges of the two longitudinal walls (4) are cut in such a way as to provide
a section with a raised profile (4b), which extends over about half of the edge and
which is connected to the other half by means of a ridge with an inclined profile
(4c).
[0015] Another important feature is the pre-folding of the reinforced sections (3a) of the
transversal sides (3); each of these has been pre-folded in an upside-down "V" shape
(B) with the tip at a point corresponding to the top edge and the ends of the "V"
at a point corresponding to the corners of the bag which bound each transversal wall
on opposite sides; this folding line bounds a central triangular area (3b) which is
of a considerable size and two small triangular areas (3c) to the left and to the
right of said central area (3b).
[0016] It is again specified that in order to guarantee the closing of the bag (1), both
the reinforced sections (4a) at the top of the longitudinal walls (4), and the reinforced
sections (3a) at the top of the transversal sides (3), are able to rotate around horizontal
axes represented by segments of a pre-folding line (C) provided all around the bag
(1) just below these reinforced sections.
[0017] With particular reference to Figure 2, it should be said that the longitudinal reinforced
sections (4a) are intended to rotate at 90° inwards, one against the other, until
they reach a horizontal position; at this point, each section closes one longitudinal
half of the bag opening (1), it being provided that the raised ridge (4b) of each
wall is positioned above the other opposite wall during this phase, while the inclined
profiles (4c) of the two walls fit perfectly together.
[0018] It is moreover specified that said inward rotation by the reinforced longitudinal
sections (4a) takes place automatically following the lowering of the reinforced transversal
sections (3a).
[0019] In practise therefore, the inward rotation of the reinforced longitudinal sections
(4a) of the bag (1), takes place at the same time as the outward 90° rotation of the
reinforced transversal sections (3a), the latter, however, making use of the aforementioned
upside-down "V" shaped pre-folding (B), also fold back so as to create on each side
of the now closed bag (1) a double triangular flap shape.
[0020] The lower layer of each of these flap is actually made up of the central area (3b)
of the reinforced transversal section (3), while the top layer of said flap consists
of two separate edges, created by the two small triangular surfaces (3c) on the reinforced
transversal section (3a) to the left and to the right of the upside-down "V" fold
(B).
[0021] The definitive and stable closure of the bag opening is carried out by effecting
a further 90° fold, this time downwards, of the aforementioned flaps, until they come
into contact with the transversal edges (3) of the bag, in the position precisely
illustrated in Figure 2.
[0022] It can be understood how the reinforced sections (3a) and (4a) at the top of the
bag according to the invention provide a type of closure which is similar to a parcel
lined with wrapping paper; it could also be said that this new bag (1), once closed,
takes on the semblance of a real box with all the guarantees of stability that this
provides.
[0023] Finally, it should be added that the bag in question can be fitted with traditional
handles applied to the transversal walls (4) or directly to the reinforced longitudinal
sections (4a):
[0024] In particular, a version of the bag in question fitted with cord handles at the reinforced
longitudinal sections (4a) in the attached drawings.
1. Hermetically sealed carrier bag in semi-rigid paper, of the type made up of a rectangular
base (2) with vertical walls (3) and (4) opposite each other, of which the trasversal
walls (3) have a pre-folding line (A) at the centre which branches out in an upside-down
"V" shape towards the bottom of the bag, characterised by the fact that at the opening,
it has transversal sections (3a) and longitudinal sections (4a), internally reinforced
by thin carton, the height (h) of which is equal to half the width (1) of the bag's
opening, more particularly, sections (4a) are cut in such a way as to provide a section
in raised profile (4b), which covers about half the edge and which is linked to the
other half by means of a ridge with an inclined profile (4c), while the reinforced
transversal sections (3a) have a pre-folding line in the shape of an upside-down "V"
(B), with the tip corresponding to the top edge and the two ends of the "V" corresponding
to the corners of the bag which bound on opposing sides each transversal wall; it
being provided that on the bag (1) there be a perimetral pre-folding line (c) just
below the reinforced sections (3a) and (4a)