BAG HANDLE

Abstract: A carrier bag handle closure which is resistant to separation due to heavy or bulky items being carried in the bag. The bag handle closure comprises a pair of handle strips (10, 20) having interlocking tabs (26) and slots (16) at the base of the strips to hold the lower portions of the strips securely together when the strips are connected to close a bag. Connecting means, preferably of snap engagement type, are provided to secure the strips together.

Description: BAG HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to carrying handles and more particularly to handles for sealing and carrying thermo¬ plastic bags. Handles for bags designed for carrying products or arcticles are well known. Certain paper bags are provided with cardboard reinforcing handles secured to the paper bag by gluing or stapling. Larger paper bags are often provided with loop type carrying handles secured to reinforced areas of the paper bag by gluing or stapling. Plastic bags, however, such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic bags, are usually too thin or are otherwise unsuitable for the attachment of handles by gluing or stapling. Such thermoplastic bags are typically provided with handles of several layers of the bag material heat welded to form a rein¬ forced handle section thicker than the bag material. Such han¬ dles are typically manufactured of a compatible thermoplastic material and attached to the bag opening by heat welding. Such handles often provide for sealing of the bag opening through frictional engagement of pins or posts on one section of the handle assembly with holes or recesses in the complementary sec¬ tion of the handle assembly. The seal provided by such posts and hole closure of the handle is of limited strength. The frictional engagement of the post with the hole is the only retaining force provided. When bags employing such a handle closure are used to carry heavy or bulky objects such closures tend to separate. Increas¬ ing the frictional engagement between the pin and hole can be helpful, but the use of an excessive frictional engagement 5L ' _ 'E; * Π S - - ..- 3 --« « -.. ..—•_■*> results in a bag handle which is very difficult to open or close. Often it is desirable to keep relatively heavy objects sealed within a carrier bag. For example, insulated bags that carry hot or cold products, such as food and drink, need to be sufficiently strong so as not to tear or open while maintaining the appropriate seal on the bag to achieve the insulation effect. Handles for such a carrier bag must be sufficiently strong to support the weight contained in the bag. The handle must also be capable of remaining in a closed position so that the carrier bag is sealed while being carried and does not tear open. Various problems arise in both keeping the carrier bag airtight and providing the requisite strength in the carrier bag handle. It is especially difficult to keep the carrier bag air¬ tight during the lifting of the bag because the free weight of the contents of the bag puts a downward pressure on the bag han¬ dle and the size of the contents of the bag creates outward hor¬ izontal forces on the handle, the bigger the size the larger the horizontal forces. As a result, the bag handle opens to expose the bag contents . If the carrier bag is being used as an insu¬ lation bag, the insulation effect is consequently broken. Thus, there is a significant, unmet need for a carrier bag handle that both effectively seals the carrier bag in a closed position and is sufficiently strong to support a rela¬ tively heavy weight in the carrier bag. Moreover, it is espe¬ cially desirable that the carrier bag handle be easy to use so that the carrier bag can be readily opened and closed as desired. S SHEfiT In accordance with the present invention there is pro¬ vided a bag handle closure device comprising a pair of opposing handle strips adapted to be attached to a bag or the like, at least one of said handle strips having a handle loop, releasable connecting means on said handle strips above the lower edge por¬ tions of said strips to connect said handle strips releasably together in substantially parallel relationship, characterized in that interlocking means are provided on the lower portion of each of said handle strips for retaining said handle strips to¬ gether at said lower portion thereby to hold the strips against opening apart when they are adjacent to each other with the interlocking means engaged. A carrier bag handle closure embodying the invention can effectively maintain a carrier bag in a closed condition even when relatively heavy or bulky items are carried in the carrier bag. Furthermore, the bag closure can be easy to open and close when required and be economic to manufacture. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the releasable connecting means comprises an outer closure member on one handle strip and an inner closure member on the other handle strip, the inner and outer closure members coacting in a comple¬ mentary snap-on engagement when the handle strips are connected together. The use of both the outer and inner closure members and the interlocking means on the carrier bag handle provides a tight, double lock seal to keep the bag handle in a closed posi¬ tion even if a relatively heavy weight, such as 50 lbs., is within the carrier bag. Even when the outer closure member and SUBST "i >f_; SHEET the inner closure member are not in a snap-on engagement, the interlocking means still prevents the closure bag from opening. The carrier bag opens only when the double lock is open, namely both the snap-on engagment of the inner and outer closure mem¬ bers and the interlocking means . A full understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description of some embodiments, refer¬ ence being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:— Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a bag handle closure of the present invention in an open position; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a bag handle closure in a closed position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another carrier bag handle closure of the present invention in a closed position; Figure 4 is a side view of the carrier bag handle clo¬ sure of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 ; Figure 7 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a cross-section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3 ; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the carrier bag handle closure of Figure 3 in an open position. Figure 10 is a side view of yet another carrier bag handle of the present invention in a closed position. SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 11 is a top view of the carrier bag handle shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a cross-section taken along line 7-7 of Figure 10. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the carrier bag handle shown in Figure 10., The bag handle closures of the present invention are described as fixed to thermoplastic bags, but they could easily be adapted to other types of bags . The bag closure of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pair of opposing or complementary handle portions or strips 10 and 20. The handle portions 10 and 20 are preferably of a thermoplastic material suitable for attachment to the bag 30, shown in phan¬ tom, by heat welding. Each handle portion 10, 20 preferably has formed along its top edge 10a and 20a, respectively, a handle loop 12 and 22. However, only one of the handle portions 10, 20 may have a handle loop in some cases. Extending from handle portion or strip 10 are pins 14, preferably adjacent the handle loop 12. On handle portion 20 adjacent the handle 22 corresponding to pins 14 of strip 10 are holes 24. Each hole 24 is slightly smaller in diameter or size than each pin 14 so that when strip 10 is oriented adjacent to strip 20, pins 14 frictionally engage holes 24 to releasably maintain the strips 10 and 20 in a bag closed position (Figure 2). Other suitable griping means, preferably of snap-engagement type either on the handle strips 10, 20 or the handle loops 12, 22 may be used . SUBSTI T UTE SHEET Extending from the bottom edge 10b of strip 10 are one or more notch-forming elements 16. The notch-forming elements 16 preferably are formed from end sections 16a extending sub¬ stantially perpendicular to strip 10 and a crossbar 16b interconnecting the end sections 16a so as to form an opening or slot 10c adjacent strip 10. On strip 20, corresponding to each element 16 on strip 10 is a tab 26. Each tab 26 extends from the bottom edge 20b of handle portion 22 (Figure 1). Tabs 26 correspond in number and orientation with respect to the posi¬ tion and number of the notch-forming members 16 such that tabs 26 can slide into the openings or slots 10c prior to engagement of holes 24 by pins 14. In practice, the handle closure is preferably used in combination with a bag made of relatively thin polyethylene material. Handle strips 10 and 20 are also preferably poly¬ ethylene and are heat welded to the bag. To close the bag, tabs 26 of strip 20 are aligned above the elements 16 of strip 10 and then are slid downwardly into the slots 10c. The upper part of the handle portions 10 and 20 are at least slightly separated from each other at the time the tabs 26 are being seated in the slots 10c, so that the pins 14 do not enter the holes 24. After the tabs 26 are fully seated in the slots 10c as shown in Figure 2, the pins 14 are still not in the holes 24 until the pins 14 are frictionally forced into holes 24 by the user squeezing the handle portions 10, 20 towards each other, thereby sealing the bag opening (Fig¬ ure 2) and providing a convenient carrying handle H. The posi¬ tioning of tabs 26 in slots 10c provides a closure resistant to SUBSTITUTE SHEET inadvertent release of pins 14 from holes 24 which might other¬ wise cause separation of the bag material due to heavy or bulky items in the bag . When it is desired to re-open the bag, the user simply pulls the handle portions 10 and 20 apart, usually by pulling on the handle loops 12, 22, which initially releases the pins 14 from the holes 24. Thereafter, by removing the handle portions 10, 20 laterally away from each other with a slight lifting movement, the tabs 26 easily lifted out of the slots 10c and the bag is fully opened (Figure 1). It should be understood that although only two pins 14 and two holes 24 are illustrated in the drawings, it is prefera¬ ble to have more of each, generally at positions along the length of the handle portions 10, 20. Also, the notch-forming members 16 may be formed in other shapes and configurations so long as it is adapted to receive and interlock with some lower portion of the opposite handle portion. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to , the carrier bag handle 110 has a pair of opposing handle strips 112 and 114 capable of being attached to a carrier bag 111. At least one of the handle strips 112 and 114 has a handle loop 116. Preferably, the handle strips 112 and 114 are made of thermoplastic or thermoset material that provides the requisite strength to the bag handle. Typically, the thermoplastic or therinoset material, such as polyethylene, can be attached to the carrier bag by heat seal or sonic weld techniques. Of course, other materials for the handle strips 112 and 114 and other methods of attaching these strips to the carrier bag can be used SUBSTITUTE :ET within the scope of the invention. Preferably, both handle strips 112 and 114 have a handle loop 116 that is of the size and shape to accommodate the hand of a person carrying the car¬ rier bag. In some situations, only one of the handle strips 112 and 114 may need to have a handle loop 116. The handle strips 112 and 114 can be of various sizes and shapes depending upon the type of carrier bag 111 to which the handle 110 is attached and the anticipated contents of the carrier bag. For example, in one embodiment, each handle strip 112 and 114 can be about 16 inches (35 cms) in length, one inch (2.5 cm) in height, and about a tenth of an inch (2.5 mm) in widt . In accordance with the present ivention, one of the opposing handle strips has an outer closure member and the other opposing handle strip has an inner closure member. The outer closure member and the inner closure member coact in a comple¬ mentary snap-on engagement when the carrier bag is in a closed position. One of the opposing handle strips 114 has an outer closure member 120. The outer closure member 118 and the inner closure member 120 coact in a complementary snap-on engagement when the carrier bag is in a closed position, as illustrated in Figure 3. The outer closure member 118 and the inner closure member 120 are located on the upper portions 122 of the handle strips 112 and 114. The outer closure member 118 comprises a curved wall 124 that defines a groove 126 between the. curved wall 124 and the upper portion 122 of the handle strip 114 having the outer closure member 118. The inner closure member es rruTE SHEET 120 may be an arcuate surface is of a size and shape to fit within the groove 126 when the carrier bag handle 110 is in a closed position. As shown in Figures 3 and 9, the curved wall 124 extends along a major portion of the length of the handle strip 114. Likewise, the arcuate surface 128 on the handle strip 112 extends along a major portion of the length of the handle strip 112. Such an embodiment strengthens the snap-on engagement due to the relatively long length of the handle strips 112 and 114 over which the weight of the carrier bag is distributed by snap-on engagement. Ribs 140, as shown in Figure 3, can also be positioned within the arcuate surface 128 and enhance the snap-on engagement. This snap-on engagement of the inner clo¬ sure in Figures 5 and 6. In such an embodiment, the arcuate surface 128 is positioned within the groove 126 of the curved wall 124 to provide a complementary snap-on engagement between the arcuate surface 128 and the curved wall 124 defining the groove 126. The snap-on engagement is achieved by snapping the curved wall 124 over the arcuate surface 128. Likewise, the snap-on engagement is relieved by removing the curved wall 124 from the arcuate surface 128 by lifting up a small tab 142 in the center of the curved wall 124. An interlocking means on the lower portion of each handle strip retains the handle strips together at the lower portion when the handle strips are adjacent to each other. The interlocking means is formed by one or more complementary interlocking slots 130 and tabs 132 on the handle strips 112 and 114 near the bases 134 of the handle strips 112 and 114. Each SUBSTITUTE SHEET slot 130 is preferably formed by end sections 136 extending sub¬ stantially perpendicular to the handle strip 114. A crossbar 138 interconnects the end sections 136 to form an opening or slot 130 on the handle strip 114, as shown in figures 8 and 9. The opposing handle strip 112 has one or more tabs 132 extending from the base 134 of the handle strip 112. The tabs 132 on the handle strip correspond in number, size and orienta¬ tion with the slots 130 on the handle strip 114. Consequently, the tabs 132 slide into the slots 130 when the handle strips 112 and 114 are in the closed position. To close the bag, the tabs 132 on the handle strip 112 are aligned above the slots 130 on the handle strip 114. The tabs 132 are then slid downwardly into the slots 130. After the tabs 132 are fully seated within the slots 130, the curved wall 124 is snapped onto the arcuate surface 128 to form a snap-on engagement of the inner closure member 120 and outer closure member 118. As a result, the carrier bag handle provides a dou¬ ble lock system for the carrier bag, namely the tab and slot engagement and the snap-on engagement. To reopen the bag, the curved wall 124 is first snapped off of the arcuate surface 128 to release the snap-on engagement of the inner closure member 120 and the outer closure member 118 by lifting up the small tab 142 in the center of the curved wall 124. Then, the handle strips 112 and 114 are moved laterally away from each other so that the tabs 132 are lifted out of the slot 130. Only then is the carrier bag fully opened. The closure bag handle of the present invention is preferably used in combination with a bag made of relatively TI T UTESHEET thin polyethylene material. However, other bag materials can also be used within the scope of the invention. The bag handle strips 112 and 114 are preferably attached to the carrier bag 111 along lines 144 of each handle strip 112 and 114 by various techniques shown in the art, such as heat welding. It is an im¬ portant feature of the invention that the interlocking means lo¬ cated adjacent the lower edges of the handle strips are applied below the line of attachment of the bag to the handle strips, i.e., on the side of the attachment line remote to the handle loop. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, the carrier bag handle 160 has a pair of sym¬ metrical opposed handle strips 162, 164 capable of being attached to a carrier bag 166. Arcuate surfaces walls 170, 172 and 173 are preferably at the upper portion of the handle strips 162, 164 and are curved to form a groove with ribs which are il¬ lustrated in more detail in Figure 9, reference numbers 120, 128 and 140. Arcuate surfaces walls 170, 172 and 173 are provided on the handle strips 162, 164, in part, to enhance the strength of the carrier bag handle 160. The increased strength and ri¬ gidity provided by arcuate surfaces 170, 172 and 173 increases the size and load capacity of bags incorporating a carrier bag handle of the present invention. It should be understood that the arcuate surfaces 170, 172 and 173 could be formed in other shapes and still fall within the present invention. Moreover, ^ the arcuate surface could be one continuous element rather than three separate curved walls as illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 13. Providing three separate curved wall elements on each SUBSTITUTE SHEET handle strip, however, provides a further modification of appli¬ cant's invention as explained in further detail below. The carrier bag 166 is attached to the handle strips 162, 164 at a line attachment 167 above interlocking means 165 which are identical to the interlocking means shown in the ear¬ lier embodiments. Preferably, when the bag and handle strips are plastic, the bag 166 is attached to handle strips 162, 164 by heat sealing along a line or area which extends the full length of handle strips 162, 164 above interlocking means 165. For instance, the bag may be fastened to the handle strips at line 167 along the length of the handle strips 162, 164 beneath curved walls 170, 172 and 173 and above interlocking means 165. The handle strips 162, 164 illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 13 are divided into a central segment 176 and two end segments 178, 179. The central segment 176- and the end segments 178 and 179, are separated from the central segment 176 by a hinge 180. In Figures 10, 11 and 13 hinge 180 is the space or area between one end of curved wall 170 and curved wall 173. The hinge 180 is further defined in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention by making the material forming the han¬ dle strips thinner along line 182 between end segments 178, 179 and central segment 176, than the material forming the remainder of the handle strips 162, 164. Hinge 180 may, of course, be provided in a number of ways besides that illustrated in the drawings. For instance, thinning the material making up the handle strips may alone be sufficient to provide hinges for the end segments of the handle strips. Moreover, separate curved walls may be used alone to define hinged handle strips without thinning the material making up the handle strips. When a bag using the hinged handle embodiment illus¬ trated in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13 is opened, end segments 178 and 179 move at hinge 180 relative to the central segment 176 to form a substantially rectangular opening. In other words, when a bag is opened and the handle strips are spaced apart, the end segments 178, 179 end up substantially perpendicular to central segment 176 when the bag is fully opened. The hinged end seg¬ ments aid in maintaining the bag in an open position while the bag is being filled. Additional features of the handle illustrated in Fig¬ ure 10, 12 and 13 are tips 184, 186 which are used to separate the handle strips. By pressing tips 184 and 186 in opposite directions, the frictional lock provided by engagement of pins in holes 188 is more easily overcome. Finally, opening 190 through handle loop 192 provides a convenient opening by which the handle or a bag incorporating the disclosed handle may be suspended. Opening 190, however, may be in any suitable shape such as a traingle or oval . There will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations could be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and content of the invention. For example, it may be mentioned that in the embodiment of Figs. 3 to 9 the handle strips 114 could be pro¬ vided with the interlocking tabs 132, and the other handle strips 112 formed with the slots for receiving the tabs. SUBSTϊTUTE SHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A bag handle closure device comprising a pair of opposing handle strips (10, 20; 112, 114) adapted to be attached to a bag (30; 111) or the like, at least one of said handle means (14, 24; 118, 20) on said handle strips above the lower edge portions of said strips to connect said handle strips releasably together in substantially parallel relationship, characterised in that interlocking means are provided on the lower portion of each of said handle strips for retaining said handle strips together at said lower portion thereby to hold the strips together at said lower portion thereby to hold the strips against opening apart when they are adjacent to each other with the interlocking means engaged . 2. A device acccόrding to claim 1, wherein the interlocking means comprises projection means (26; 132) extend¬ ing downwardly from one handle strip adjacent the lower edge thereof, and projection receiving means (16; 136, 138) on the other handle strip adjacent the lower edge thereof, the projec¬ tion means and projection receiving means being engageable by relative movement of the handle strips generally parallel to the plane of abutment between the strips. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking means includes at least one notch-forming element (16, 130) on one handle strip adapted to receive a lower portion of the other handle strip. UBSTITUTE SH£E* 4. A device acccording to claim 3, wherein said notch-forming element defines a slot, and said lower portion of the other handle strip comprises a tab (26; 132) arranged to fit into said slot. 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said slot (16; 130) and said tab (26; 132) are arranged to allow an interlocking thereof to engagement of the releasable connecting means . 6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the releasable connecting means comprises an outer clo¬ sure member (118) on one handle strip (112) and an inner closure member (120) on the other handle strip (114), the outer closure member and the inner closure member coacting in a complementary snap-on engagement when the handle strips are connected togeth¬ er. 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the outer closure member and the inner closure member are positioned on the upper portions of the handle strips. 8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the outer closure member comprises a curved ball (124) that defines a groove (126) between the curved wall and the upper portion (122) of the handle strip (114). 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the inner closure member (120) comprises an arcuate surface (128) on the other handle strip (112) arranged to fit within the groove (126) when the connecting means are engaged . UBSTITUTE SHEET 10. A device according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the inner and outer closure members extend along a major portion of the length of the handle strips . 11. A bag handle comprising: a) opposing handle strips having a line of attach¬ ment for a bag; and b) releasable interlocking means on said handle s-trip below said line of attachment for said bag, for holding said handle strips together. 12. A bag handle as recited in claim 11 wherein said interlocking means comprises a slot on one handle strip and a tab on the opposing handle strip, wherein said tab is insertable in said slot for securing said strips together. 13. A bag handle as recited in claim 11 further com¬ prising a releasable gripping means disposed above a lower por¬ tion of said strips to releasably hold said handle strips to¬ gether. 14. A bag handle as recited in claim 13 wherein said releasable gripping means comprises a pin in one of said handle strips which frictionally engages a hole in the opposite handle strip when said handle strips are brought together. 15. A bag handle as recited in claim 14 wherein said interlocking means comprises a slot on one handle strip and a tab on the opposing handle strip, wherein said tab is insertable in said slot for securing said strips together. 16. A bag handle as recited in claim 11 wherein said handle strips include a hinge perpendicular to the length of the strips . SHEET 17. A bag handle as recited in claim 11 wherein said handle strip includes an arcuate surface for increasing the strength of said handle strip. 18. A bag handle as recited in claim 16 wherein said handle strip includes an arcuate surface for increasing the strength of said handle strips. 19. A bag handle as recited in claim 18 wherein said handle strip includes three separate arcuate surfaces which divide said handle strip into a central segment and two end seg¬ ments . 20. A bag handle as recited in claim 19 wherein a hinge is located between said central segment and each of said two end segments . SUBS , ' τ ΓΓUTE SHEET

Inventors: ARANI ASPEE A, IRANI ANDREW A, SCHULTE-LADBECK BERND H, ARANI, ASPEE, A., IRANI, ANDREW, A., SCHULTE-LADBECK, BERND, H.
Applicants: POLSUN MFG
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B65D33
IPC codes: B65D33