ENVELOPE OR BAG

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an envelope or bag for food use.

[0002] It is known that fresh dairy, delicatessen or deli products are usually cut into slices from a larger block (for example from a ham leg or from a sausage salami) through a slicing machine, and that these slices are then placed on a grease-resistant support sheet.

[0003] At a later stage, such suitably folded support sheet is placed in an envelope or bag, which is then sealed.

[0004] One of the main drawbacks of this solution is that this envelope must in turn be inserted into a further bag, in order to be transported easily.

[0005] The multiplication of packaging and bags is therefore evident which, in addition to entailing a cost to the seller, implies a waste of raw materials that is not insignificant.

[0006] The present invention falls within the above context by aiming to provide a food envelope or bag, especially designed to be provided with a resistant, solid and convenient transport handle, so as to make the use of a further transport bag for food superfluous. Examples of known envelopes or bags for food use having foldable lifting handles are disclosed in GB 840 339 A (basis for the preamble of claim 1) and WO 2013-191646 A1.

[0007] Such an object is achieved by an envelope or bag according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

[0008] The object of the present invention will now be described in detail, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of an envelope object of the present invention, according to a possible variant;
• figure 2 shows a top view of the envelope in figure 1, on the opposite side with respect to the latter, wherein the handle is folded around the envelope;
• figure 3 shows a step of closing the envelope in figure 1, according to a possible embodiment;
• figure 4 shows a plan view of a handle, according to a possible embodiment, in an extended position.

[0009] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an envelope or bag for food use according to the present invention.

[0010] It is specified that in the following description, the terms "envelope" or "bag" will be used in a substantially interchangeable manner. For this reason, the features described must be considered common to the envelope or bag, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] Such an envelope or bag 1 comprises an envelope wall 2 extending around a prevailing extension axis X to delimit an inner compartment 4; such a compartment 4 is delimited on one axial end 2' by an envelope bottom 8 and is accessible on the opposite end 2" by means of an access opening 6.

[0012] The food can then be introduced into the inner space (or extracted from it) through the access opening 6, while the bottom of the envelope 8 prevents it from coming out through the axial end 2'.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the envelope bottom 8 is rectangular or square.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the envelope bottom 8 is formed by a double transverse folding of the envelope wall 2 (previously collapsed) on itself.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the envelope wall 2 comprises, mutually coupled, at least a first layer of biodegradable paper material and at least a second layer, of transparent polymeric material.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the polymeric material consists of poly-lactic acid which is compostable according to the UNI EN 13432 standard.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the paper material could be resistant to fatty substances, or it could be an anti-grease paper.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the polymeric material consists of, or comprises, compostable poly-lactic acid (CAS No. 9051-89-2) .

[0019] For example, the polymeric material may be or comprise the polymer known under the trade name Nativia(TM) NTSS produced by Taghleef Industries S.p.A.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the second layer could develop across an inspection window delimited through the first layer.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the inspection window is made by punching through the first layer.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the second layer could have an average thickness of 15-50 micrometers.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the second layer has a weight of about 10-60 g/m2.

[0024] The envelope or bag 1 further comprises a lifting handle 10 of said envelope 1, having at least a pair of foot portions 12, 14 divided by a first scoring or creasing line 16 so that the handle 10 can be folded, in particular on itself.

[0025] More precisely, the lifting handle 10 is switchable between an extended position (for example visible in figure 1 or in figure 4), in which the foot portions 12, 14 lie at their maximum distance, and a folded portion (figure 2), in which such portions 12, 14 partially enclose the envelope wall 2.

[0026] According to an embodiment, in the extended position the foot portions 12, 14 are substantially coplanar.

[0027] According to an embodiment, in the folded position the foot portions 12, 14 lie at their minimum distance.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the lifting handle 10 is at least partly made of a paper material such as carton or cardboard.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the lifting handle 10 is at least partly made of a polymeric material.

[0030] A first foot portion 12 is applied to a first outer surface 18 of the envelope wall 2.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the first foot portion 12 is glued to the first outer surface 18, for example by means of a hot-melt adhesive.

[0032] A second foot portion 14 is free, rotatable about the first foot portion 12 and fixable to an opposite, second outer surface 20 of such wall 2 through a shape and/or force coupling with the latter.

[0033] It follows that, innovatively, the present envelope or bag comprises a handle sufficiently strong for lifting the envelope, so that the latter is transportable on its own (that is to say, without having to be inserted in a further envelope).

[0034] According to an embodiment, the second foot portion 14 can be fixed to the second outer surface 20 by mechanical coupling means.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the second foot portion 14 can be fixed to the second outer surface 20 by an adhesive connection.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the second foot portion 14 is rotatable about the first foot portion 12 between a compact position in which the above handle 10 completely overlaps the first outer surface 18, and a working position in which at least part of the lifting handle 10 lies outside the envelope wall 2.

[0037] According to an embodiment, in the working position the second foot portion 14 faces the second outer surface 20.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the second foot portion 14 comprises at least one adhesive zone 22 designed to adhere to the second outer surface 20.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the adhesive zone 22 is covered by a removable protective film (for example peelable), at least partially adhesively deadened.

[0040] According to an embodiment, a portion 32 of the envelope wall 2 is foldable on itself from the access opening 6 so as to close at least partially (for example: completely) the inner compartment 4.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the second foot portion 14 is configured so that the adhesive zone 22 fixes said folded portion 32 to the second outer surface 20.

[0042] According to an embodiment, when the foot portions 12, 14 are adjacent to each other and the second foot portion 14 is fixed to the second outer surface 20, the lifting handle 10 delimits a gripping through-space 24a, 24b through its own double thickness.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the gripping through-space 24a, 24b develops outside the space occupied by the envelope wall 2.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the gripping through-space 24a, 24b is delimited on one side by an arched edge 34a, 34b.

[0045] According to the invention, the first foot portion 12 comprises at least a second scoring or creasing line 26 which makes the rotation axis of the second foot portion 14 about the first foot portion 12.

[0046] According to the invention, the second creasing line 26 is substantially parallel to the first creasing line 16.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the distance between the first 12 and the second 14 foot portions is such as to allow the second foot portion 14 to pass beyond the opposite end 2" (specifically: through the first creasing line 16) to be fixed to a second outer surface 20) diametrically opposite to the first outer surface 18.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the envelope wall 2 comprises a pair of opposed substantially planar walls, separated by a pair of fold lines or bellow-shaped portions 28, 30.

[0049] According to an embodiment, a different foot portion 12, 14 is fixed to each substantially planar wall.

[0050] Innovatively, the invention described is able to overcome the above drawbacks of the prior art.

[0051] Advantageously, the envelope object of the present invention is designed to be extremely resistant in use, even if it is made with thicknesses that do not exceed the traditional solutions.

[0052] Advantageously, the envelope object of the present invention has a double handle able to homogeneously distribute the applied loads.

[0053] Advantageously, the envelope object of the present invention is resistant in use to moisture, water and food fats, but is nonetheless relatively quickly compostable.

[0054] Advantageously, the described layers ensure a high mutual adhesion, a feature which has a positive effect on the envelope de-lamination resistance.

[0055] Advantageously, the envelope object of the present invention is extremely compact in transport, and functional in use.

[0056] Advantageously, in the envelope object of the present invention the handle also acts as a seal for closing the inner compartment.

[0057] A man skilled in the art may make several changes or replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones to the embodiments of the above envelope or bag and method in order to meet specific needs.

[0058] Also such variants are included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

[0059] Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described.

Claims

1. An envelope or bag (1) for food use comprising an envelope wall (2) extending around a prevailing extension axis (X) to delimit an inner compartment (4), said compartment (4) being delimited on one axial end (2') by an envelope bottom (8) and being accessible on the opposite end (2") by means of an access opening (6);

further comprising a lifting handle (10) of said envelope (1) having at least a pair of foot portions (12, 14) divided by a first scoring or creasing line (16) so that said handle (10) is foldable, a first foot portion (12) being affixed to a first outer surface (18) of the envelope wall (2), a second foot portion (14) being free, rotatable around the first foot portion (12) and joinable to an opposite, second outer surface (20) of said wall (2) through a geometrical coupling and/or force coupling with the latter,

characterized in that the first foot portion (12) comprises at least a second creasing line (26) substantially parallel to the first creasing line (16), which forms the axis of rotation of the second foot portion (14) around the first foot portion (12).

2. An envelope or bag according to claim 1, wherein the second foot portion (14) is rotatable around the first foot portion (12) between a compact position wherein said handle (10) completely overlaps the first outer surface (18), and a working position wherein at least part of the lifting handle (10) extends externally from the envelope wall (2), and wherein the second foot portion (14) faces the second outer surface (20).

3. An envelope or bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second foot portion (14) comprises at least one adhesive zone (22) intended to adhere to the second outer surface (20), and wherein said adhesive zone (22) is covered with a removable protective film, at least partially adhesively deadened.

4. An envelope or bag according to claim 3, wherein a portion (32) of the envelope wall (2) is foldable on itself from the access opening (6) to close at least partly the inner compartment (4), and wherein the second foot portion (14) is configured so that the adhesive zone (22) fixes said folded portion (32) to the second outer surface (20).

5. An envelope or bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, when said foot portions (12, 14) are adjacent to each other and the second foot portion (14) is fixed to the second outer surface (20), the lifting handle (10) delimits a gripping through-space (24a, 24b) through its own double thickness.

6. An envelope or bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the first (12) and the second (14) foot portions is such as to allow the second foot portion (14) to pass beyond the opposite end (2") to be fixed to a second outer surface (20) diametrically opposite to the first outer surface (18) .

7. An envelope or bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope wall (2) comprises a pair of substantially planar opposing walls, separated by a pair of fold lines or bellow-shaped portions (28, 30), a different foot portion (12, 14) being secured to each of said walls.

8. An envelope or bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting handle (10) is at least partly made of a paper material such as carton or cardboard, or of a polymeric material.

9. An envelope or bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope bottom (8) is rectangular or square, or is made by means of a double folding of the envelope wall (2) on itself.

10. An envelope or bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope wall (2) comprises, coupled together, at least one first layer of biodegradable paper and at least one second layer of transparent polymeric material wherein the polymeric material consists of compostable polylactic acid according to UNI EN 13432.

11. An envelope or bag according to the preceding claim, wherein the second layer develops across an inspection window delimited through the first layer.

12. An envelope or bag according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second layer (10) made of polymeric material has an average thickness in the range of 15-50 micrometers and has a weight of approximately 10-60 g/m2.

Ansprüche

1. Umschlag oder Tasche (1) zur Verwendung für Lebensmittel, umfassend eine Umschlagwand (2), die sich um eine Haupterstreckungsachse (X) erstreckt, um ein inneres Fach (4) zu begrenzen, wobei das Fach (4) an einem axialen Ende (2') durch einen Umschlagboden (8) begrenzt ist und an dem entgegengesetzten bzw. gegenüberliegenden Ende (2") durch eine Zugangsöffnung (6) zugänglich;

ferner umfassend einen Hebegriff (10) des Umschlags (1), der zumindest ein Paar Fußabschnitte (12, 14) aufweist, die durch eine erste Ritz- oder Kerblinie (16) unterteilt sind, so dass der Griff (10) faltbar ist, wobei ein erster Fußabschnitt (12) an einer ersten äußeren Fläche bzw. Oberfläche (18) der Umschlagwand (2) befestigt ist, wobei ein zweiter Fußabschnitt (14) frei, um den ersten Fußabschnitt (12) drehbar und mit einer entgegengesetzten bzw. gegenüberliegenden zweiten äußeren Fläche bzw. Oberfläche (20) der Wand (2) durch eine geometrische Kopplung und/oder Kraftkopplung mit letzterer verbindbar ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Fußabschnitt (12) zumindest eine zweite Kerblinie (26) im Wesentlichen parallel zu der ersten Kerblinie (16) umfasst, die die Rotationsachse des zweiten Fußabschnitts (14) um den ersten Fußabschnitt (12) herum bildet.

2. Umschlag oder Tasche nach Anspruch 1, wobei der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) um den ersten Fußabschnitt (12) drehbar ist, und zwar zwischen einer kompakten Position, in der der Griff (10) die erste äußere Fläche (18) vollständig überlappt, und einer Arbeitsposition, in der sich zumindest ein Teil des Hebegriffs (10) extern der Umschlagwand (2) erstreckt, und wobei der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) der zweiten äußeren Fläche (20) zugewandt ist.

3. Umschlag oder Tasche nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) zumindest eine Klebezone (22) umfasst, die dazu bestimmt ist, an der zweiten äußeren Fläche (20) zu haften, und wobei die Klebezone (22) mit einem entfernbaren Schutzfilm abgedeckt ist, zumindest teilweise adhäsiv gedämmt bzw. mattiert.

4. Umschlag oder Tasche nach Anspruch 3, wobei ein Abschnitt (32) der Umschlagwand (2) von der Zugangsöffnung (6) aus auf sich selbst faltbar ist, um das Innenfach (4) zumindest teilweise zu verschließen, und wobei der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) so konfiguriert ist, dass die Klebezone (22) den gefalteten Abschnitt (32) an der zweiten äußeren Fläche (20) befestigt.

5. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei, wenn die Fußabschnitte (12, 14) aneinander angrenzen und der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) an der zweiten äußeren Fläche (20) befestigt ist, der Hebegriff (10) durch seine eigene doppelte Dicke einen Greifdurchgangsraum (24a, 24b) begrenzt.

6. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Abstand zwischen dem ersten (12) und dem zweiten (14) Fußabschnitt derart ist, dass der zweite Fußabschnitt (14) über das gegenüberliegende Ende (2") hinausgehen kann, um an einer zweiten äußeren Fläche bzw. Oberfläche (20) befestigt zu werden, die der ersten äußeren Fläche (18) diametral gegenüberliegt bzw. entgegengesetzt ist.

7. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Umschlagwand (2) ein Paar im Wesentlichen ebene gegenüberliegende bzw. entgegengesetzte Wänden umfasst, die durch ein Paar Falzlinien oder balgförmige Abschnitte (28, 30) voneinander getrennt sind, wobei ein anderer Fußabschnitt (12, 14) an jeder der Wände befestigt ist.

8. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Hebegriff (10) zumindest teilweise aus einem Papiermaterial wie Karton oder Pappe oder aus einem Polymermaterial besteht.

9. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Umschlagboden (8) rechteckig oder quadratisch ist oder durch doppeltes Falten der Umschlagwand (2) auf sich selbst gebildet ist.

10. Umschlag oder Tasche nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Umschlagwand (2), miteinander gekoppelt, zumindest eine erste Schicht aus biologisch abbaubarem Papier und zumindest eine zweite Schicht aus transparentem Polymermaterial umfasst, wobei das Polymermaterial aus kompostierbarer Polymilchsäure nach UNI EN 13432 besteht.

11. Umschlag oder Tasche nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei sich die zweite Schicht über ein Sichtfenster entwickelt erstreckt, das durch die erste Schicht begrenzt ist.

12. Umschlag oder Tasche nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei die zweite Schicht (10) aus Polymermaterial eine durchschnittliche Dicke in dem Bereich von 15-50 Mikrometer und ein Gewicht von etwa 10-60 g/m² aufweist.

Revendications

1. Enveloppe ou sac (1) à usage alimentaire comprenant une paroi d'enveloppe (2) s'étendant autour d'un axe d'extension dominant (X) pour délimiter un compartiment intérieur (4), ledit compartiment (4) étant délimité, à une extrémité axiale (2'), par un fond d'enveloppe (8) et étant accessible à l'extrémité opposée (2") au moyen d'une ouverture d'accès (6) ;

comprenant en outre une poignée de levage (10) de ladite enveloppe (1) présentant au moins une paire de parties de pied (12, 14) divisées par une première ligne d'entaillage ou de plissage (16) de sorte que ladite poignée (10) soit pliable, une première partie de pied (12) étant fixée à une première surface extérieure (18) de la paroi d'enveloppe (2), une deuxième partie de pied (14) étant libre, rotative autour de la première partie de pied (12) et joignable à une deuxième surface extérieure (20) opposée de ladite paroi (2) à travers un couplage géométrique et/ou un couplage de force avec celle-ci,

caractérisé en ce que la première partie de pied (12) comprend au moins une deuxième ligne de plissage (26) sensiblement parallèle à la première ligne de plissage (16), qui forme l'axe de rotation de la deuxième partie de pied (14) autour de la première partie de pied (12).

2. Enveloppe ou sac selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la deuxième partie de pied (14) est rotative autour de la première partie de pied (12) entre une position compacte à laquelle ladite poignée (10) chevauche complètement la première surface extérieure (18) et une position de travail à laquelle au moins une partie de la poignée de levage (10) s'étend à l'extérieur depuis la paroi d'enveloppe (2), et dans lequel la deuxième partie de pied (14) fait face à la deuxième surface extérieure (20).

3. Enveloppe ou sac selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la deuxième partie de pied (14) comprend au moins une zone adhésive (22) destinée à adhérer à la deuxième surface extérieure (20), et dans lequel ladite zone adhésive (22) est recouverte d'un film protecteur amovible, amorti au moins partiellement de manière adhésive.

4. Enveloppe ou sac selon la revendication 3, dans lequel une partie (32) de la paroi d'enveloppe (2) est pliable sur elle-même depuis l'ouverture d'accès (6) pour fermer au moins partiellement le compartiment intérieur (4), et dans lequel la deuxième partie de pied (14) est configurée de sorte que la zone adhésive (22) fixe ladite partie pliée (32) à la deuxième surface extérieure (20).

5. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel, lorsque lesdites parties de pied (12, 14) sont adjacentes l'une à l'autre et la deuxième partie de pied (14) est fixée à la deuxième surface extérieure (20), la poignée de levage (10) délimite un espace traversant de préhension (24a, 24b) à travers sa propre double épaisseur.

6. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la distance entre la première partie de pied (12) et la deuxième partie de pied (14) est telle qu'elle permet à la deuxième partie de pied (14) de passer au-delà de l'extrémité opposée (2") pour être fixée à une deuxième surface extérieure (20) diamétralement opposée à la première surface extérieure (18).

7. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la paroi d'enveloppe (2) comprend une paire de parois opposées sensiblement planes, séparées par une paire de lignes de pli ou des parties en forme de soufflet (28, 30), une partie de pied (12, 14) différente étant raccordée à chacune desdites parois.

8. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la poignée de levage (10) est au moins partiellement constituée d'un matériau en papier comme du carton ou une boîte en carton, ou d'un matériau polymère.

9. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le fond d'enveloppe (8) est rectangulaire ou carré, et constitué au moyen d'un double pliage de la paroi d'enveloppe (2) sur elle-même.

10. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la paroi d'enveloppe (2) comprend, couplées l'une à l'autre, au moins une première couche de papier biodégradable et au moins une deuxième couche de matériau polymère transparent, dans lequel le matériau polymère se compose d'acide polylactique compostable selon UNI EN 13432.

11. Enveloppe ou sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la deuxième couche se développe sur une fenêtre d'inspection délimitée à travers la première couche.

12. Enveloppe ou sac selon la revendication 10 ou 11, dans lequel la deuxième couche (10) constituée de matériau polymère présente une épaisseur moyenne dans la plage de 15 à 50 micromètres et un poids d'environ 10 à 60 g/m².

Drawing