Abstract:
A novel bag for holding, transporting, and pouring a bulk product is provided. The bag comprises two handles, with one handle being primarily configured for carrying (but also useful for pouring), and the other being primarily configured for pouring. The handles are positioned on adjacent sides of the bag, with the pouring handle being positioned near the bottom half of the bag to facilitate a controlled tilting of the bag. In one embodiment, the bag also includes a third handle on the same side of the bag as the pouring handle. The bag is typically formed of plastic, and can be used for salt, animal food, and other pourable products. The bag has a very high strength, with the second handle being particularly strong as a result of a longitudinal seam positioned adjacent that handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is broadly concerned with the field of bags for holding pourable products such as salt, and more particularly bags having a second handle configured for pouring. In another embodiment, the inventive bags also include a third handle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Bag are commonly used to hold and transport pourable products (i.e., products comprising numerous small pieces). Such products include salt cubes or pellets, animal food, flour, and sugar, to name a few. These pourable products are typically sold in large quantities (e.g., 30-50 lbs.) and in bulk sizes that are difficult for the average person to handle. Even more difficult than carrying these bags is pouring the product from the bulky bag. That is, the consumer must open the bag, attempt to pick up the very heavy bag, and carefully pour the product in a controlled manner. This often results in spilling of the product, which goes from not coming out at all to rapidly falling from the bag and outside of the target area. 
         [0005]    This problem is exacerbated in situations where the product must be poured into an opening that is higher than ground level (e.g., into a water softener) because now the consumer must hoist the heavy bag even higher while attempting to carefully pour the product. This awkward lifting and pouring is not only an inconvenience, but it can lead to back and muscle strain or injury. Many attempts have been made to overcome these problems, but they have all been lacking in some way. There is a need for a bag that not only provides for easier transport of these bulk products, but also allows the consumer to more readily handle the bag and pour product from the bag, while not compromising the strength of the bag. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing for such a bag. In one embodiment, the bag comprises front and back panels having: first and second end portions presenting respective outermost edges; and first and second side portions presenting respective outermost edges. The front and back panels and end and side portions cooperate to form a chamber for holding the pourable product. The bag includes a first handle at the first end portion, with the improvement being that the bag comprises a second handle and a seam at the first side portion, and the seam is spaced away from the outermost edge of the first side portion. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the bag comprises front and back panels having: first and second end portions presenting respective outermost edges; and first and second side portions presenting respective outermost edges. The front and back panels and end and side portions cooperate to form a chamber for holding the pourable product. The bag also comprises a first handle at the first end portion. The first side portion has a centerpoint defined as a point that is halfway between the end portion outermost edges, and the first side portion has a first half on the side of the centerpoint that is adjacent the first end portion and a second half on the side of the centerpoint that is remote from the first end portion. The first end portion and the second side portion cooperate to form a first corner, with the improvement being that the bag comprises a second handle positioned entirely within the second half, and the first corner comprises a pouring spout. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method of dispensing a pourable product from a bag. The method comprises providing a bag comprising front and back panels including: first and second end portions having respective outermost edges; and first and second side portions having respective outermost edges. The front and back panels and end and side portions cooperate to form a chamber having a quantity of the pourable product therein. The bag further comprises a first handle at the first end portion, a second handle at the first side portion, and a seam at the first side portion that is spaced away from the outermost edge of the first side portion. After providing a bag, the method further comprises gripping the second handle and tilting the bag so as to cause the pourable product to exit the bag. 
         [0009]    Finally, in a further embodiment, the method of dispensing a pourable product comprises providing a bag comprising front and back panels including: first and second end portions having respective outermost edges; and first and second side portions having respective outermost edges. The first side portion has a centerpoint defined as a point that is halfway between the end portion outermost edges. The first side portion further has a first half on the side of the centerpoint that is adjacent the first end portion and a second half on the side of the centerpoint that is remote from the first end portion. The front and back panels and end and side portions cooperate to form a chamber having a quantity of the pourable product therein. Further, the first end portion and the second side portion cooperate to form a first corner comprising a pouring spout. The bag further comprises a first handle at the first end portion and a second handle positioned entirely within the second half. After providing the bag, the method further comprises gripping the second handle and tilting the bag so as to cause the pourable product to exit the bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Figure (FIG.)  1  is a front isometric view of a bag according to the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of a bag according to the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a bag according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary section view of one of the handles of a bag according to the invention, with the view being taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a bag according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a bag  10  already filled with pourable product is illustrated. Bag  10  includes a front panel  12  and a back panel  14 . As shown, front and back panels  12 , 14  are rounded to demonstrate their respective shapes when filled with product. Front panel  12  and back panel  14  share a first end portion  16  and a second end portion  18 . 
         [0016]    Front panel  12  and back panel  14  further share a first side portion  20  and a second side portion  22 . First and second end portions  16 ,  18  and first and second side portions  20 ,  22  present respective outermost edges  24   a - d,  which define an outer boundary or periphery  26  of the bag  10 . Outermost edges  24   a  and  24   b  oppose, and are substantially parallel to, one another, while outermost edges  24   c  and  24   d  oppose, and are substantially parallel to, one another. Furthermore outermost edges  24   c  and  24   d  are substantially perpendicular to outermost edges  24   a  and  24   b.    
         [0017]    Each of the first and second end portions  16 ,  18  intersects with first and second side portions  20 ,  22  at corners  28   a - d.  Front and back panels  12 ,  14  as shown include microvents  30 , although microvents  30  may be omitted, depending upon the end use of the bag  10 . Front and back panels  12 ,  14 , first and second end portions  16 ,  18 , and first and second side portions  20 ,  22  cooperate to form a chamber  31  for holding a pourable product (not shown). 
         [0018]    First end portion  16  comprises a first horizontal seam  32  spaced apart from outermost edge  24   a,  thus forming a first flap  34  in first end portion  16 . First horizontal seam  32  has a thickness of from about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch (and more preferably about ⅛ inch) and is substantially parallel to outermost edge  24   a.  First flap  34  comprises a first handle  36  formed therein and shown in greater detail in  FIG. 4 . Handle  36  comprises a patch  38  that is heat-sealed to the first flap  34 . Patch  38  could be heat-sealed on either side of the first flap  34  (i.e., on front panel  12  or on back panel  14 ), or on both sides if extra strength is required. Patch  38  can be any material typically used for bags carrying bulk products, including plastics such as linear low density polyethylenes (LLPDE). A C-shaped grip  40  is formed through patch  38  and first flap  34  to form opening  42 , through which a user may place his or her fingers during carrying, pouring, etc. 
         [0019]    Outmost edge  24   a  of first end portion  16  is bisected by centerline  43  (see  FIG. 3 ). In a preferred embodiment, first handle  36  is positioned such that some portion of the grip  40  falls upon the centerline  43 . Also, while it will be appreciated that the first handle  36  is integrally formed with the bag  10  (and particularly with first flap  34 ) as described above, one may also substitute an integrally formed handle with a separately formed handle that is then physically attached to the bag  10 . Also, first flap  34  could include a small opening (not shown) in or around corner  28   b  to provide a place for the user to place his or her finger during pouring to assist with that process. 
         [0020]    First end portion  16  also preferably comprises a pouring spout  44 , preferably at corner  28   a.  In the preferred embodiment, the spout  44  comprises microperforations  46 , which allow for easy opening of the spout  44  at the time of use. 
         [0021]    First side portion  20  preferably comprises a longitudinal seam  48  spaced apart from outermost edge  24   c,  thus forming a second flap  50  in first side portion  20 . Longitudinal seam  48  has a thickness of from about 1/16 inch to about ¼ inch (and more preferably about ⅛ inch), is substantially parallel to outermost edge  24   c,  and substantially perpendicular to first horizontal seam  32 . In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal seam  48  can be omitted so that chamber  31  extends to outermost edge  24   c.  Second flap  50  comprises a second handle  36   a  formed therein. The construction of handle  36   a  is identical to that of handle  36  as shown in  FIG. 4 , with like parts being similarly numbered. Thus, handle  36   a  comprises a patch  38   a  that is heat-sealed to the second flap  50 . Patch  38   a  could be heat-sealed on either side of the second flap  50  (i.e., on front panel  12  or on back panel  14 ), or on both sides if extra strength is required. Patch  38   a  can be any material typically used for bags carrying bulk product, including plastics such as LLPDE. A C-shaped grip  40   a  is formed through patch  38   a  and second flap  50  to form opening  42   a,  through which a user may place his or her fingers during carrying, pouring, etc. 
         [0022]    Outmost edge  24   c  of first side portion  20  is bisected by centerline  52  (see  FIG. 3 ), thus defining a first half  54  and a second half  56  of first side portion  20 . In a preferred embodiment, second handle  36   a  is positioned such that it falls entirely within second half  56 . In another preferred embodiment, second handle  36   a  falls entirely within outer periphery  26 . Furthermore, while it will be appreciated that the first handle  36   a  is integrally formed with the bag  10  (and particularly with second flap  50 ) as described above, one may also substitute an integrally formed handle with a separately formed handle that is then physically attached to the bag  10  at a similar location relative to centerline  52 . 
         [0023]    Second end portion  18  comprises a second horizontal seam  58  spaced apart from outermost edge  24   b,  thus forming a third flap  60  in second end portion  18 . Second horizontal seam  58  is substantially parallel to outermost edge  24   b  and first horizontal seam  32 . Second horizontal seam  58  is also substantially perpendicular to longitudinal seam  48 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , several dimensions of the inventive bag  10  have been defined. The ranges for those dimensions are shown in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Preferred Bag Dimensions 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Dimension 
                 Broad Range 
                 Preferred Range 
                 Most Preferred Range 
               
               
                 from FIG. 3 
                 (inches) 
                 (inches) 
                 (inches) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 L 
                 about 20 to about 35 
                 about 24 to about 30 
                 about 26 to about 28 
               
               
                 W 
                 about 10 to about 24 
                 about 14 to about 20 
                 about 16 to about 18 
               
               
                 D 1   
                 about 5 to about 7 
                 about 5.3 to about 6.7 
                 about 5.7 to about 6.5 
               
               
                 D 2   
                 about 4 to about 6 
                 about 4.3 to about 5.3 
                 about 4.6 to about 5.1 
               
               
                 D 3   
                 about 2 to about 3 
                 about 2.1 to about 2.9 
                 about 2.3 to about 2.7 
               
               
                 H 1   
                 about 1.8 to about 3.5 
                 about 2.1 to about 3.0 
                 about 2.4 to about 2.8 
               
               
                 H 2   
                 about 1.8 to about 3.5 
                 about 2.1 to about 3.0 
                 about 2.4 to about 2.8 
               
               
                 X 
                  about 6 to about 13 
                  about 7 to about 11 
                  about 8 to about 10 
               
               
                 X/Y 
                 about 0.45 to about 0.85 
                 about 0.55 to about 0.75 
                 about 0.6 to about 0.7 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention, where like parts have been assigned like numbering. In this embodiment, a bag  62  is shown. The second handle  36   a  has been shifted from about 1 inches to about 4 inches, and more preferably from about 2 inches to about 3 inches, in the direction of second end portion  18 . Thus, X/Y in this embodiment is from about 0.3 to about 0.6, preferably from about 0.4 to about 0.6, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.6. 
         [0026]    Bag  62  also includes a third handle  36   b.  The construction of handle  36   b  is preferably identical to that of handles  36  and  36   a  described above. Thus, handle  36   b  comprises a patch  38   b  that is heat-sealed to the second flap  50 . Patch  38   b  could be heat-sealed on either side of the second flap  50  (i.e., on front panel  12  or on back panel  14 ), or on both sides if extra strength is required. As was the case with patches  38  and  38   a,  patch  38   b  can be any material typically used for bags carrying bulk product, including plastics such as LLPDE. A C-shaped grip  40   b  is formed through patch  38   b  and second flap  50  to form opening  42   b,  through which a user may place his or her fingers during carrying, pouring, etc. The handle  36   b  is preferably positioned entirely within first half  54 . It will be appreciated that the inclusion of third handle  36   b  offers a number of significant benefits, including providing additional pouring assistance as well as making it easier to carry bag  62  and to remove bag  62  from a pallet. 
         [0027]    The inventive bag  10  (or bag  62 ) can be manufactured by various methods, but the preferred method is described herein. First, a tube or sleeve of plastic is cut to the desired length (represented by “L” in  FIG. 3 ). The plastic of which the inventive bag is formed can be any material typically used to form bags carrying bulk products. The plastic should be flexible and stretchable so that the bag collapses as the bulk product is poured from the bag. Preferably, the plastic of which the bag is formed stretches from about 1 to about 2 times at yield, and more preferably about 1.5 times at yield. Furthermore, it is preferred that the bag be formed of a plastic that stretches at least about 4 times, preferably at least about 5 times, and more preferably from about 5 to about 7 times at its break point. Thus, the preferred plastic has an ASTM D882 percent elongation of from about 200% to about 800%, preferably from about 400% to about 700%, and more preferably from about 500% to about 650%. The thickness of the preferred plastic is from about 2 mil to about 14 mil, preferably from about 4 mil to about 10 mil, and more preferably from about 6 mil to about 8 mil. The most preferred material is LLDPE. 
         [0028]    A heat seal is then applied at first end portion  16  in order to form horizontal seam  32 . A film (typically having a 10-mil thickness) is heat-sealed to first flap  34  to form patch  38 . C-shaped grip  40  is then cut (e.g., die-cut) through the patch  38 ) and flap  34 , thus forming handle  36 , which serves as the primary carrying handle. The microperforations  46  can be added at this time according to conventional methods in order to form pouring spout  44 . 
         [0029]    Next, a heat seal is applied at first side portion  20  in order to form longitudinal seam  48 . A film (again, typically having a 10-mil thickness) is heat-sealed to second flap  50  to form patch  38   a.  C-shaped grip  40   a  is then cut (e.g., die-cut) through the patch  38   a  and second flap  50 , thus forming handle  36   a,  which primarily serves as the pouring handle. In embodiments where third handle  36   b  is included, that handle can be formed in a similar manner, either before or after the formation of handle  36   a.    
         [0030]    The microvents  30  can be added via conventional methods at any convenient time during manufacturing. The manufactured bag can then be stored until needed, or immediately filled and sealed. Either way, after the bag  10  is filled to the desired level, a final heat seal is applied at second end portion  18  to create second horizontal seam  58 , making the filled bag  10  ready for distribution. It will be appreciated that the inventive bag  10  can be used to transport and store numerous types of pourable products, including cubes, pellets, tablets, powders, compacted pieces, and/or granules of those selected from the group consisting of: salt (e.g., water softening, pool treatment, deicing, etc.); animal food (e.g., bird seed, grain, dog or cat food); bulk flour or sugar; cement; seed (e.g., grass seed) and other lawn and garden products; fertilizers; ice; sand; rice; spices; soil (including soil mixtures); pesticides (e.g., fire ant treatments); industrial chemicals; mortar; plaster; marble dust; stones (including pebbles and gravel); and constructions products. Such products will typically cause the bags to weigh from about 20 lbs. to about 100 lbs., and more typically from about 40 lbs. to about 60 lbs. 
         [0031]    In use, both handles  36  and  36   a,  as well as handle  36   b  in embodiments where it is included, could be used for loading and unloading the bag  10 , although handle  36  is the primary carrying handle. Before pouring, a user would tear microperforations  46  to remove corner  28   a  at spout  44 , so that spout  44  is ready for pouring. One hand can optionally be used to grip handle  36 , while the second hand can be used to grip handle  36   a  or handle  36   b,  if present. It will be appreciated that the hand gripping handle  36   a  (and handle  36   b,  when present) will be able to controllably tilt the bag  10  into a pouring position while the product is poured from the bag  10 . This controlled pouring allows for fairly exact dispensing of the product, while preventing spillage and waste of the product. Furthermore, the longitudinal seam  48  provides substantial extra strength to the overall bag and particularly to the second handle  36   a  (and handle  36   b,  if included), an advantage that is missing from the prior art. Finally, the use of two or even three handles provides the user with more carrying and pouring options that will substantially reduce the likelihood of back injury to the users.