Abstract:
A bag arrangement for conversion to a flag or vice versa, the arrangement comprising: a bag incorporating a volume for holding goods; and a pole to be provided with the bag and attached or attachable thereto to convert the bag into a flag having a flag pole extending therefrom.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 35 USC 371 application of International PCT Patent Application No. PCT/GB2011/052282 filed on Nov. 21, 2011, and further claims priority to GB1019608.7 filed Nov. 19, 2010, the entire contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a bag arrangement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bag arrangement that may be converted into a flag or vice-versa. In addition the present invention relates to a flag pole configured for use in converting a bag into a flag. 
     Flags are a common way for showing allegiance to a particular country, location, sports team, person, political party or company. As such it is common to see flags being waved at various sporting, cultural, or political events. It is also common to see flags being statically displayed in various locations such as homes and offices. 
     Similarly, at such events, as well as trade shows and exhibitions it is usual for bags to be distributed with having indicia such as company, sports team, or other logos, either as promotional items, or containing food or merchandise that has been purchased. 
     Previously, it has not been recognised that a marketing opportunity exists by combining these two articles into one in a convenient manner to add value to merchandising, food and other products conventionally conveyed in bags. Furthermore it has not been recognised that natural resources may be saved by using a single product for two purposes. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a bag arrangement for conversion to a flag or vice versa, the arrangement comprising: a bag incorporating a volume for holding goods; and a pole to be provided with the bag and attached or attachable thereto to convert the bag into a flag having a flag pole extending therefrom. 
     The present invention provides a cost effective way of providing an additional use for an existing product that may be particularly effective in the promotional and merchandising markets at sports, musical or cultural events, and as well as at trade shows and the like. 
     The pole is preferably secured to the bag, more preferably, the pole is embedded within the bag, even more preferably the pole is secured between two panels of material forming a second volume. 
     The pole may be provided in the volume. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pole is heat sealed to the bag. 
     The bag may comprise a tear-open portion to access the pole. 
     The pole is advantageously extendible, preferably telescopic so it can be stored within the dimensions of the bag. 
     The pole may be mechanically engageable with the bag 
     In a preferred embodiment the bag comprises a mechanical reseal closure formation and the pole is configured to secure thereto 
     Alternatively, the pole may clip to the bag and advantageously comprises formations to pierce the bag and clip thereto. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides a flag pole configured to convert a bag into a flag or vice versa, the flag pole comprising a formation to mechanically engage and retain a bag along an edge thereof and thereby form a flag. 
     In a preferred embodiment the formation is configured to mechanically engage a resealable closure on the bag. 
     Alternatively, the formation is a clip formation to be clipped to the bag, preferably a formation to pierce the bag and clip thereto. 
     A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a bag arrangement comprising a step of attaching a pole thereto or providing a pole therewith during manufacture thereof, the pole being subsequently usable as a flag pole for converting the bag arrangement to a flag. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention provides flag converted from a bag arrangement, the arrangement comprising: a bag incorporating a volume for holding goods; and a pole to be provided with the bag and attached or attachable thereto to convert the bag into a flag having a flag pole extending therefrom. or comprising a flag pole having a formation to mechanically engage and retain a bag along an edge thereof and thereby form a flag. 
     A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising a flag pole configured to convert a bag into a flag, the flag pole comprising a formation to mechanically engage and retain a bag along an edge thereof and thereby form a flag. and a bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an perspective view of a bag arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bag arrangement of  FIG. 1  with a portion removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bag arrangement of  FIG. 1  inverted and converted to a flag; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bag arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cut-away perspective view of the bag arrangement of  FIG. 4  when converted to a flag; 
         FIG. 6  is a bag arrangement according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-section view through plane  7 - 7  of the connection between the bag and pole of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a telescopic pole for use in the bag assemblies of the first and second embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a telescopic connection of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the pole of  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a bag arrangement; and 
         FIG. 12  is a bag arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, whereby the flag is clamped to the pole by a toothed snap fit connection arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a bag arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention indicated generally at  10  comprises a bag  12  formed from first and second overlying panels of plastics material  11  and  13 , such as polyethylene or polypropylene (preferably formed integrally in a tube-like manner). The bag further comprises a lower edge  14  having an adjacent a first heat sealed seam  16 , an upper edge  18  having an adjacent second heat sealed seam  20 , a first side  22  and a second side  24 . 
     The first and second sheets  11  and  13 , second side  24 , the first and second seams  16  and  20 , and a further longitudinal seam  30  set in from the first side  22  define a first volume  26  therebetween. In this first volume  26 , one or more suitably dimensioned articles (not shown) may be contained. Examples of such articles may include foodstuffs, printed literature, merchandise, mementos, or the like. A second volume  28  is defined by the first edge  22 , first and second seams  16  and  20  the first and second panels  11  and  13  and is separated from the first volume  26  by the longitudinal heat seal seam  30 . 
     In order to access both the first and second volumes  26  and  28  a weakened line, e.g. a perforated tear strip  32  extends parallel to the top edge  18  through the top of the first and second volumes  26  and  28 . 
     In order to function as a flag, printed indicia is preferably printed onto at least one panel  11  or  13  of the bag  12 . In this embodiment, as an example, a St George cross  34  is printed thereon. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a user has now removed the top of the bag  12  including the heat sealed seam  20  by tearing along the tear strip  32 . This enables items to be removed from the first volume  26 —e.g. food to be consumed or clothing merchandise to be worn. 
     Additionally a lower tip  36  of a rigid, telescopic flag pole  38  that is stowed within the second volume  28  is revealed. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the bag arrangement  10  may then be inverted and the flag pole  38  extended, in order that the visible part of the pole  38  may be grasped by a user (not shown) and waved in a similar manner to a conventional flag. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , the flag pole  38  can be seen in more detail. The flag pole comprises two components, in this embodiment, an outer sleeve  40  that is intended to be secured, e.g. by heat sealing  31  within the second volume  28  in a fixed position, and a hollow, telescopic inner portion  42  that is a close fit within the outer sleeve. In  FIGS. 1 and 2  the inner portion  42  is stowed within the outer sleeve portion, with only the tip  36  protruding therefrom. 
     The outer sleeve  40  has a series of cut outs  44  provided therein in order to save material and weight. The upper end thereof (in use) thins to a relatively thin tongue  46  so as to provide a transition in the overall arrangement from the relatively thick pole to the relatively thin lower heat sealed seam. In a preferred embodiment, only the tongue  46  is heat sealed to the bag  12 . In other embodiments, heat sealing may be undertaken at other locations, or the pole  38  secured by other means, such as adhesive or RF welding. 
     In order to minimise the risk of the inner portion  42  becoming separated from the outer sleeve  40 , an aperture  48  visible in  FIG. 9  is provided towards the lower end of the outer sleeve  40  such that when the inner portion  42  is extended fully, a corresponding resiliently loaded tooth  50  springs out from the wall of the inner portion to restrain any further movement. In addition, the inner portion comprises a recessed track  25  that aligns with a complementary ridge provided on the inner face of the sleeve  40  to inhibit relative rotation, in order to ensure correct engagement of the tooth  50  with the aperture  48 . In other embodiments, the outer sleeve  40  and inner portion  42  may have other non-circular profiles to restrict rotation. 
     The bag arrangement  10  of the first embodiment may be manufactured on a vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) machine with minimal adaptation thereof. Thus, if the bag is to be supplied filled with contents in the first volume  26 , the pole may be inserted into the second volume  28  simultaneously therewith. Alternatively, if the bag is to be supplied empty, the VFFS machine may simply be used to insert the pole and to seal this into the first seam  16 . The bag  12  may then be filled later at a separate location. The flag pole  38  may be formed by injection moulding prior to insertion in the bag. In other embodiments, alternative manufacturing methods may be employed, such as flow-wrap techniques. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, in which like parts are labelled by like numerals, with the addition of the prefix “1”. Only those parts that differ from the first embodiment are discussed in detail. 
     The bag arrangement  110  of this embodiment comprises a larger carrier type bag  112  having a carry handle  115  provided therein. 
     The bag  112  of this embodiment is in substantially the same format and construction as the bag arrangement  10  of the first embodiment, except that it is provided without the upper heat sealed seam  20  and tear strip arrangement  32 . Instead, the top edge  18  is supplied open. 
     The bag may be formed in a similar manner, but with a different cutting and heat sealing arrangement in a VFFS machine. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the bag arrangement  110  is converted to a flag in a similar manner to the bag arrangement  10  of the first embodiment, except that it is not necessary to tear off the top of the bag  12  to access the pole  138 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention in which like parts are labelled by like numerals but with the addition of the prefix “2”. 
     The bag arrangement  210  of this embodiment includes a mechanical reseal closure formation in the form of complimentary male and female “zip lock” formations to permit conversion to a flag. In this embodiment, the pole  238  is again telescopic (although in other embodiments it need not be) and is supplied loose within the volume  226  of the bag, optionally along with other contents thereof. 
     Once the bag has been used for its primary purpose, the pole  238  can be removed, extended, and attached to the opening as described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     From  FIG. 7  it can be seen that the first and second panels  211  and  213  have a complimentary, facing cylindrical protrusion  252  and a trough  254  extending parallel to and proximate the upper edge. In normal operation the trough receives the protrusion  252  to seal the closure. However, the flag pole  238  is itself provided with a recess  256  to receive the cylindrical protrusion  252  and a cylindrical protrusion  258  that is received by the trough  254 . Therefore, the flag pole  238  can be secured to the bag  212  by utilising the existing zip lock features of the closure, and as such no adaptation of the bag itself is required. 
     In this embodiment flag pole  238  may operate in a similar manner to the first two embodiments, but simply the outer sleeve may be provided with the additional recess and protrusion. The tongue  46  may be omitted, since the flag pole is intended to be supplied loose. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous alternative ways of converting a bag to a flag may be employed. For example, a flag pole may be provided in two halves, connected by a live hinge and with complementary snap fit connections on each half that punch through the bag such that the pole may be clamped around one edge of the bag and secured thereto and the halves secured to each other. Alternatively, the flag pole may be provided as a two part construction in which one part is slid into a complimentary recess in the other with the bag in place, in order to hold the flag pole to the bag. The pole may be foldable, in two or more portions to increase its length. The pole may be formed from two or more parts that can be threadedly connected to each other. Alternatively, an inner part may be compressible or resilient, compressed to fit into an outer part and be frictionally held in a desired position within the outer (either extended or retracted). The pole may be secured to the exterior of the bag. The pole may be formed from other materials e.g. wood, compressed paper, metal in other embodiments. The pole may not be foldable or extendable. 
     The bag may be manufactured from any number of materials including paper, a paper and plastics laminate, or a woven material. The bags may be gusseted and may be manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes and using any suitable manufacturing method. For example, the pole could be co-moulded or extruded together with the bag. The pole may be provided separately from the bag in order to convert existing, conventional bags to flags. The pole may be heat sealed or otherwise secured to the bag within the first volume (i.e. no longitudinal seam may be provided to form the second volume). 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing a bag arrangement. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the method includes making  1102  a bag including a volume for holding goods. The method also includes providing  1104  a handle in the bag to aid the carrying thereof. Further, the method includes attaching  1106  a telescopic pole thereto by securing a first component of the pole in a fixed position proximate one edge of the bag such that the edge is substantially rigid during manufacture. The method also includes mounting  1108  a second component with respect to the first such that the second component is subsequently moveable from a stowed position with respect to the first component, to an extended position in which the second component extends from the bag to be grasped by a user to be usable as a flag pole for converting the bag arrangement to a flag. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous alternative ways of converting a bag to a flag may be employed. For example, referring to  FIG. 12 , a flag pole  338  may he provided in two halves, connected by a live hinge  360  and with complementary snap fit connections  362 ,  364  on each half that punch through the hag  312  such that the pole  338  may be clamped around one edge of the hag  312  and secured thereto and the halves secured to each other. 
     It should be appreciated that terms such as upper and lower, top and bottom as used herein should not be regarded as limiting and are solely used for ease of explanation. 
     Whilst the invention has been described primarily from the point of view of converting a bag into a flag, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the same construction may be employed in reverse. In other words, the user may acquire a flag that can subsequently be converted into a bag.