Flexible bag filled with compressed flexible articles

Abstract: Opening device for flexible bags (1) filled with compressed flexible articles (2) whereby the filled bags have a substantially squared form, the opening device (11) being provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed flexible articles.

Description: The present invention relates to a flexible bag filled with truly compressed flexible articles, said bag having an opening device and having attained a substantially squared form after filling with said compressed articles, said squared form consisting of front panels, side panels, a bottom panel, a top panel and a carrying handle. A polybag containing flexible articles and provided with an opening device and a carrying handle is disclosed in DE-A-3,629 563. The bag is more specifically provided for disposable diapers and a perforated opening device is provided in the top gusset of of the filled bag, under the handle, so that individual articles can be taken out of the bag once the perforation is broken. A flexible bag containing flexible articles which can be successively removed through an opening defined by a perforated front opening line, which extends preferably over about 1/3 of the front panel, is disclosed in DE-A-3,642,327. This front opening is enlarged further down as the articles are to be removed, so that the remaining articles are more or less protected until they are taken out. In order to prevent untimely tearing of the perforation line, a protective pull-away layer can be provided. The US-A-3 227 359 discloses a package for square surgical sponges or the like, comprising a bag of tearable material such as paper. The sponges are packed facewise, and a substantial pressure Is used to squeeze air out of the sponges. For opening the bag, a tab is provided for tearing away a part of the panel perpendicular to the squeezing direction and the greatest part of a panel parallel to this direction. The preamble of claim 1 is based on this prior art. The EP-A-258 573 refers to a bag for diapers or the like having an opening for filing the diapers into the bag and for successive removal in the top thereof. The application is silent with respect to compressing the diapers. The position thereof inside the bag is not defined. The DE-U-7 934 619 and the EP-A-0 223 262 relate to soft packages for paper handkerchiefs or paper wipers. The bags described in the above art would not be suitable for delivering in a both convenient and orderly way truly compressed articles packed in them. The polybag of the art with the perforated opening device provided in the top gusset of the filled bag is unsuitable in that it does not allow easy removal of one of the compressed articles while leaving the remaining compressed articles in an undisturbed position. The same applies to the flexible bag showing a front opening device extending over about 1/3 of the front panel and which has to be gradually opened in order to enable successive removal of individual items. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opening device for a flexible bag filled with compressed flexible articles, said opening device being resistant to the inside compression but still easy to operate, thereby allowing convenient and orderly access to the articles, while the remaining articles are still maintained within the bag in an orderly way. To comply with this object, the opening device according to the invention is characterized in that said opening device is provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed flexible articles, the opening device being a flap starting from one edge of the panel and extending over a part of the panel between perforation lines having a distance to the lateral edges of the panel, whereby a part of the articles is automatically pushed out through the opening under the compression force. The opening device allows convenient access to the contents and resisting the force of the inside compressed product during filling and handling operations without requiring the use of additional reinforcing materials. To achieve this, an opening device, defined by perforation lines, is provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed flexible articles. The perforation lines are so positioned that they are not directly subjected to the stretching force of the compressed flexible articles, so that no additional protective material is needed to prevent untimely tearing. A convenient feature for initiating tearing of the device along the perforation lines in order to get access to the articles is provided. In a preferred embodiment, advantages is taken of one of the seams of the filled flexible bags to provide a convenient means for initiating opening of the device. In a further preferred embodiment, the opening device does not extend further down than 75% of the height of the panel on which it is provided. In a highly preferred embodiment, the flexible articles packed in the flexible bags equipped with the opening device according to the invention, are compressed to 50% of their initial volume. Brief Description of the Drawings While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements and in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag with opening device according to the invention, the opening device being provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed articles, the bag being of the top gusset type. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bag with opening device represented in Fig. 1, but with the opening device torn down and the articles ready to be pulled out. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the bag with opening device with grip tab according to the invention, provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed articles, the bag being of the side gusset type. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bag with opening device represented in Fig. 4, but with the opening device torn down and the articles ready to be pulled out. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the bag with opening device represented in Fig. 3 but without grip tab, the opening device being provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed articles, the bag being of the side gusset type. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the bag with opening device according to the invention, the opening device being provided on the bag panel perpendicular to the compression direction of the packed articles, the bag being of the side gusset type and containing two superposed rows of articles and consequently two opening devices. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bag with opening devices and containing two superposed rows of article represented in Fig. 6, but with the opening device corresponding to the upper row of articles torn down and the articles ready to be pulled out. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the bag with opening devices and containing two superposed rows of articles represented in Fig. 6, but with the opening device corresponding to the lower row of articles torn down and the articles ready to be pulled out. Detailed Description of the Drawings and the Preferred Embodiments The filled bag of Fig. 1 is of the so-called top gusset type. In the present execution, this bag attains a substantially squared form (1) after filling with compressed articles (2) of which only a few are shown in dotted lines for illustration. The squared form consists of front panels (4a and 4b), side panels (8a and 8b), bottom panel (13), top panel (5), and carrying handle (6). The compressed articles (2) exert a stretching force onto the film in compression direction as indicated by arrows (3) on front panel (4a). Top panel (5) is provided with a carrying handle (6) and a seam (7) which surrounds and somewhat stands up over the plane of top panel (5). Side panel (8a) shows perforation lines (9) defining the potential area of accession to the articles, which corresponds to the opening device (11). Perforation lines (9) extend through the part of seam (7) bordering the edge between top panel (5) and side panel (8a), thereby defining a gripping zone (10). In Fig. 2 it can be seen how the opening device (11) is torn down and how the compressed articles (2) are released from bag (1). The preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is carried out in conjunction with a bag of the side gusset type. As shown in fig. 3, bag (101) has attained a substantially squared form after filling with compressed articles (2) of which, again, only a few are shown in dotted lines for illustration. The squared form consists of front panels (104a and 104b), side panels (108a and 108b), bottom panel (113), top panel (105), and carrying handle (106). The compressed articles (2) exert a stretching force onto the film in compression direction as indicated by arrows (3) on front panel (104a). Top panel (105) is provided with a carrying handle (106). Perforation lines (109) are provided in side panel (108a) and extend slightly into top panel (105). Opening device (111) is provided with a grip tab (112), applied in the viscinity of the area (110) of perforation lines reaching into the top panel (105). Fig. 4 shows how, after opening device (111) has been torn down, compressed articles (2) are released from bag (101). The bag (201) of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 is also of the side gusset type. It differs from the bag illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 in that no grip tab is needed in order to tear down opening device (211). Indeed, the area of perforation lines (209) reaching into the top panel (205) are forming a small, rounded area (210) which can be easily ruptured by crushing with one finger to start tearing opening device (211) which, by tearing further down, allows access to the compressed articles (2). Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate a preferred embodiment carried out in conjunction with a bag of the side gusset type, but wherein two superposed rows of compressed articles (2) are packed. Fig. 6 shows a bag (301) corresponding to the one described in Fig. 5, but with the exception that it is higher and contains two superposed rows of compressed articles (2). The opening device (311a) giving access to the upper row of articles is of the same type as the one described in Fig. 5. In order to give access to the lower row of articles, after at least a part of the upper row has been used, perforation lines (309), defining opening device (311b), are foreseen underneath opening device (311a) and are situated in such a way that small, rounded area (310) on the upper end of the device (311b) extends over the upper end of the lower row of compressed articles (2) so that it can be conveniently torn in order to give access to the lower row of compressed articles (2) after removing at least part of the upper row of compressed articles (2), by tearing down opening device 311b. As an be clearly seen, Fig. 7 shows how upper row of compressed articles (2) is released from bag (301), as described in Fig. 6, after opening device (311a) has been torn out. Fig. 8 shows how compressed articles (2) are released from bag (301) after opening device (311b) has been torn down. Opening devices according to the invention are especially advantageous for flexible bags filled with e.g. compressed disposable diapers. In a highly preferred embodiment, when the finished diapers reach the packing station, the stack to be packed in the bag is submitted to a 60% compression and inserted into the bag of the top gusset or side gusset type well-known to the man of the art, and subsequently sealed in a conventional way. At this stage the compressed stack of diapers has reached 50% of its original volume. The filled and sealed bag offers consequently quite a saving in storing and transportation space since the initial volume of the diapers has been reduced by 50%. Since the compression exerts most of the stretching force on the film in the compression direction, it is possible to provide a perforated opening device perpendicular to this referred compression direction, without the need for protective materials to prevent the perforation from tearing apart due to the forces which the compressed diapers exert. By placing the perforation lines delimiting the opening device on the side panel opposite to stretching forces and at least 2 mm from the edge of the panel submitted to said forces, no protection of the perforation lines is needed, although this does not mean that e.g. a peel-off label showing usage instructions may not be provided within the scope of this invention. It has been found that opening devices of a slightly tapered configuration are especially advantageous, the upper width ranging between 40% and 85% of the width of the side panel of the filled bag and the lower width ranging from 50% to 90% of the total width of the side panel of the filled bag. Tapered configurations are however not essential to the smooth operation of the device. In order to allow the bag to continue its protective function for the unused articles to the best extent possible, it is preferable to extend the perforation lines defining the area of the opening device not further down than 75% of the height of the side panel of the filled bag. For easy access, a minimum height dimension of the opening device of 50% is preferred. At the time the bag filled with the compressed articles is to be opened, the opening device is torn down by grabbing either the gripping zone (10) or grip tape (112), thereby releasing part of the compression force inside the bag. This release allows the first article to come forward and be easily removed from the bag, the subsequent article coming thereafter automatically forward due to the compression force which is gradually released. As each article comes forward and is removed, the compression force inside the bag obviously decreases. Since the initial compression was, however, of 50%, the opening device according to the invention acts as a dispenser for at least 50% of the contents of the bag. Removal of the remaining articles is easy since they will have regained their uncompressed condition. The fact that the opening device does not extend further down than 75% of the height of the side panel combined with the compression force existing within the bag, even after opening, prevents the remaining articles from falling out of the bag, even if the bag is moved around. It has been found that the opening device according to the invention works also very well when the flexible articles are submitted to a lower compression, i.e. between 1.5 % and 4.5 %, the only difference being that a smaller proportion of the compressed flexible articles will come forward one after the other, as articles are removed. This is however not a problem, since the remaining articles are still easily accessible. Although the preferred embodiments show an execution in which only one row or two superposed rows of articles are packed, it is also possible to pack more than one row of articles, positioned side by side, each row of articles being accessible through an opening device as described hereabove. It is also possible to equip squared bag 1 with a grip tab (112) , in addition to or rather than to take advantage of the coinciding portion of seam (7). The bag can be made of any flexible material, like different types of plastic film, paper, or any combination of those. Although four preferred embodiments have been described in detail and illustrated in the drawings, many variations are possible which still fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims: Flexible bag filled with truly compressed flexible articles (2), said bag having an opening device (11,11,211,311) and having attained a substantially squared form (1,101,201,301) after filling with said compressed articles (2), said squared form consisting of front panels (4a and 4b, 104a and 104b, 204a and 204b, 304a and 304b), side panels (8a and 8b, 108a and 108b, 208a and 208b, 308a and 308b), a bottom panel (13,113,213,313), a top panel (5,105, 205,305) and a carrying handle (6,106,206,306), characterized in that said opening device (11,111,211,311) is provided on the bag panel (8a,108a, 208a,308a) perpendicular to the compression direction (3) of the packed flexible articles (2), the opening device being a flap starting from one edge of said panel (8a,108a, 208a,308a) and extending over a part of said panel between perforation lines (9,109,209,309) having a distance to the lateral edges of the panel, whereby a part of the articles is automatically pushed out through the opening under the compression force. Flexible bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said perforation lines (9,109,209,309) delimiting the opening device are placed at least 2 mm from the edge of the panel (8a,108a,208a,308a) perpendicular to the compression direction (3). Flexible bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said opening device (11) is provided in one of said side panels (8a), said top panel (5) being surrounded by a seam (7) which somewhat stands up over the plane of the top panel (5), said perforation lines (9) provided on said bag panel (8a) extending through the adjoining part of seam (7), thereby defining a gripping zone (10). Flexible bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said opening device (111) is provided in one of said side panels (108a), said perforation lines (109) extending slightly into the top panel (105) where they define an area (110), said opening device being provided with a grip tab (112) applied in the vicinity of said area (110). Flexible bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said opening device (211,311a,311b) is provided in one of said side panels (208a, 308a), said perforation lines (209,309a) extending slightly into the top panel (205,305) where they define an area (210,310), the perforation lines defining said area (210, 310) being easily ruptured thereby initiating opening of said device (211, 311a,311b). Flexible bag according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perforation lines (9,109,209,309) extend not further down than 75 % of the height of said side panel (8a,108a,208a,308a). Flexible bag according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening device (11,111,211,311) is slightly tapered. Flexible bag according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper width of the opening device ranges between 40 and 85 % of the width of the side panel (8a,108a,208a,308a) of the filled bag and the lower width ranges from 50 to 90 % of the total width of the side panel of the filled bag.

Inventors: FRANK MARTIN WERNER, RAMOS BLANCO AGUSTIN, FRANK, MARTIN WERNER, RAMOS BLANCO, AGUSTIN
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65D33
IPC codes: B65D33, B65D77, B65D75