Patent Description:
Disposal units, such as garbage cans, pails, composts, recycling bins are conventionally configured to support a bag. For convenience and cost-effective packaging, the bags are commonly part of a bag roll, with the bags interconnected one to another. In a particular configuration, bag rolls are stored in a bottom of a pail or wire rack, and a free end of the bag roll is raised to be supported open at a top end of the pail or wire rack. Accordingly, when a bag is full of waste or other items, the filled bag may be removed for the next bag in the roll to be deployed for receiving waste. However, as bags are filled with waste, they increase in volume and may be hard to remove from a pail or wire rack, especially if the filled bags are to be pulled upwardly out of the pail. Background art, which is useful for understanding the present invention, can be found in <CIT>, which relates to a bag having a larger open diameter at a top open end and a narrower open diameter adjacent to a bottom closed end, <CIT>, which relates to dual-section ultra-thin plastic produce bags, <CIT>, which relates to a bag and a strip of bags, <CIT>, which relates to a continuous strip of individually severable plastic bags, <CIT>, which relates to a lay-flat bag or sack of plastics material, <CIT>, which relates to a trash bag dispenser, <CIT>, which relates to a manufacturing method for a series of plastic bags, <CIT>, which relates to a roll of bags, comprising a length of tubular material, <CIT>, which relates to a combination of a waste container and a stack of disposable plastic liners, and <CIT>, which relates to a cassette for use in dispensing a pleated tubing.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim. The dependent claims are directed to optional features and preferred embodiments. In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims and in the remaining part of the description.

It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide a novel bag roll.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a bag comprising a tubular body with a top open end and a bottom closed end, the tubular body having a hooking section and a disposal section, the tubular body having a larger open diameter at the top open end and a narrower open diameter adjacent to the bottom closed end, and the tubular body in a flattened two-fold condition having a pair of side edges extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the top edge delimiting the top open end, the bottom edge delimiting the bottom closed end, wherein the pair of side edges are generally parallel to one another from the top edge to the bottom edge. At least one weld seam causes an inner narrowing of the disposal section so that a flattened two-fold width of the larger open diameter is larger than a flattened two-fold width of the narrower open diameter. The bag further comprises a flap adjacent to the at least one weld seam, the flap formed to the exterior of the weld seam.

In accordance with the invention, for example, a pair of the at least one weld seam may cause the narrowing in the taper and in the second portion.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the tubular body may be made of at least two layers of film.

Still further in accordance with the invention, at least one of the layers may be an ethylene vinyl alcohol.

Still further in accordance with the invention, at least one of the layers may be made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-base, plant-base.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the top edge in the flattened two-fold condition may have a sine waveform shape.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the bottom edge in the flattened two-fold condition may have a sine waveform shape.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the bag may be configured for being hung to a tubular bag support of a disposal unit, the tubular bag support having an inner circumference CS and a wall thickness T, the larger open diameter D of the bag being in accordance with (CS/π + 2T) < D < <NUM> (CS/π + 2T).

Still further in accordance with the invention, a relation between the flattened two-fold width WA of the larger open diameter and the flattened two-fold width WC of the narrower open diameter may be expressed as <NUM>. 60WA ≤ WC ≤ <NUM>.

Still further in accordance with the invention, the bag may be configured for being hung to a tubular bag support of a disposal unit, the tubular bag support having an outer circumference CO, the bag having the flattened two-fold width WA of the larger open diameter in accordance with: CO/<NUM> ≤ WA ≤ <NUM>(CO/<NUM>).

Still further in accordance with the invention, the bag may be configured for being hung to a tubular bag support of a disposal unit, the tubular bag support having an inner circumference C and a wall thickness T, the bag having the flattened two-fold width WA of the larger open diameter in accordance with: π/<NUM> (CS/π + 2T) ≤ WA ≤ <NUM>π/<NUM> (CS/π + 2T).

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a bag roll comprising: a plurality of bags according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the bags are connected end to end and from the bottom edge of a first of the bags in the bag roll, to the top edge of a second of the bags in the bag roll.

Further in accordance with the second aspect, the bag roll may be in a receptacle of a cassette body, a free end of the bag roll exiting the cassette body from a top opening in the receptacle.

Further in accordance with the second aspect, for example, the bags are made of a continuous tubular body separated by a weld seam and a tear line at a bottom edge of each of the bags.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to <FIG>, a bag roll cassette is generally shown at <NUM> (<FIG>). The bag roll cassette <NUM> may have a bag roll <NUM>, rolled onto a tube <NUM>, and inserted into a cassette body <NUM> (<FIG>). The bag roll <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure may also be with or without the tube <NUM> and/or the cassette body <NUM>.

The bag roll <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG> and <FIG>. The bag roll <NUM> may be made of a film of plastic material. For example, depending on the contemplated use, the plastic material may be of plastics such as polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE or HDPE), bioplastics, polylactic acid, to name a few of numerous possible materials. It is also contemplated to add functional layers to the plastic film, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol, for the film to form an odor barrier, or a nylon layer to reinforce the bag. The film may also be biodegradable and/or compostable material, such as starch-based or plant-based materials.

The bag roll <NUM> may be in the form of a length of tubular film, with weld lines and tear-off perforations delimiting a plurality of bags interconnected end to end, as shown as <NUM>', <NUM>" and so on. The tubular film may be accumulated on a roll, in a zig-zag pattern, etc. The bag roll <NUM> may consequently appear to be a continuous sheet as in <FIG> and <FIG> due to the thinness of the film, though the bag roll <NUM> has a pair of panels <NUM> overlaid onto one another, and joined at side edges <NUM>. In an embodiment, this is referred to as a flattened two-fold condition of the bags: the bags have two folds, i.e., one at each side edge <NUM>, and no gusset. Although the bags in the bag roll <NUM> could have gussets in accordance with the present disclosure, the transverse dimensions of the bag may be described herein as being in the flattened two-fold condition. This may be construed as meaning that, even if the bag roll <NUM> has gussets, the dimensions are for the transverse dimensions of the bag as if it were in a flattened two-fold condition. Even though the bags described herein may not be packaged or sold in the flattened two-fold condition (it may have even more folds, e.g., folded on itself), the flattened two-fold condition is the condition in which the bags are laid flat on a surface so as to have two lateral folds - two side edges -, between the top edge and the bottom edge. Moreover, reference is made to the bag as being unstretched. This may be construed as meaning that the bags are in their initial condition on the bag roll <NUM> prior to having a user handle the bags prior to installing same on a disposal unit, which may entail some elastic deformation or plastic deformation. The bags in their initial condition on the bag roll <NUM> may have been plastically prestretched in manufacturing, but in spite of such prestretching their condition on the bag roll <NUM> is said to be unstretched.

The side edges <NUM> of each bag extend from a top edge <NUM> to a bottom edge <NUM> of each bag, such as bag <NUM>'. In the end-to-end connection of the bag roll <NUM>, the bags are interconnected such that a bottom edge <NUM> of a leading bag is connected to a top edge <NUM> of a trailing bag in the bag roll <NUM>, in contrast to bag rolls in which bottom edges or top edges of adjacent bags are interconnected. The side edges <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, which show embodiments not recited in the claims, as each having an outline that may include a straight segment 22A adjacent to the top edge <NUM>, a tapering segment 22B, and another straight segment 22C. The straight segment 22C extends from the tapering segment 22B to the bottom edge <NUM> of the bags. Though the moniker "straight" is used for segment 22C, the side edges may taper, from a maximum dimension of WC. The expression "straight segment 22C" is used herein for differentiating purposes, in a non-limitative manner. Accordingly, the bags shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may have three different separate sections, namely a larger hooking section 20A, a tapering section 20B, and a narrower disposal section 20C, from top to bottom of the bags, such as bag <NUM>'. In an embodiment, the bags are without the tapering section 20B, and thus transition directly from the larger hooking section 20A to the narrower disposal section 20C. For clarity, the width described herein is the flat width as in <FIG>, i.e., with the bags of the roll in a flattened two-fold condition with the panels <NUM> coplanar. The larger hooking section 20A has a width WA that is greater than a width WC of the narrower disposal section 20C, i.e., WA>WC. Width WC may be constant throughout most or all of section and 20C, if segment 22C is parallel as in <FIG> and <FIG>. If the segment 22C tapers toward the bottom edge <NUM>, the larger hooking section 20A has a width WA that is greater than a maximum width WC of the narrower disposal section 20C. For example, the width ratio is as follows:
<NUM>. 60WA ≤ WC ≤ <NUM>. In another embodiment, the width ratio is as follows <NUM> WA ≤ WC ≤ <NUM>. In an embodiment, the segments 22A are parallel to one another, whereas the segments 22C taper toward the bottom edge <NUM>.

The bags, such as bag 20A, have a length L that may be segmented as LA, LB and LC, to be representative of the height of sections 20A, 20B and 20C, respectively. In accordance with an embodiment, LC is at least twice the length of LA, i.e., LC>2LA. In accordance with another embodiment including the tapering section 20B, LC is at least twice the length of the combination of LA and LB, i.e., LC><NUM>(LA+LB). LA may be separated into LA1 and LA2 if the top edge <NUM> defines a concavity or convexity as detailed below. LA2 is the portion of the section 20A below such concavity or convexity.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the top edge <NUM> may have different outlines. In <FIG>, the outline of the top edge <NUM> is a concave sine waveform segment. Other outlines are shown in <FIG>, such as (A) a straight segment, (B) a convex sine waveform segment, (C) a concave triangle waveform segment. As the bags of the roll <NUM> are a pair of overlaid panels <NUM> as in <FIG>, when the panels <NUM> are separated from one another to open the bag at the top edge <NUM>, the non-straight outlines of <FIG>, <FIG>, each form a pair of flaps that may be used to form a knot to attach the bag closed. As the bags are interconnected end to end in the bag roll <NUM> with adjacent bags connected bottom to top as described above, the bottom edge <NUM> has a shape that is complementary to the top edge <NUM>. Stated differently, if the outline of the top edge <NUM> is a concave sine waveform, the bottom edge <NUM> is a convex sine waveform, etc..

In order to give the side edges <NUM> the shape described above, a continuous seam <NUM> may extend from one of the side edges <NUM> to the other to connect the panels <NUM> laterally. This continuous seam <NUM> includes a portion that defines the bottom closed end of the bags <NUM>', <NUM>", etc. Alternatively, the bags may have separate weld seams <NUM>, i.e., the one(s) for the side edges <NUM> and the one for the bottom closed end. For simplicity, the expression "weld seams <NUM>" is used in the plural, though a single continuous seam <NUM> may be present, in a U shape for example. The weld seams <NUM> may be interpreted as weld seam segments of a continuous weld seam <NUM>. The seam <NUM> may be created by any appropriate welding or adhering method, such as heat welding, etc, whereby reference is made herein as a weld seam, although other types of jointing is contemplated, such as gluing. The weld seam <NUM> may also connect the panels <NUM> to define the bottom edge <NUM>, i.e., the closed bottom end of bags of the bag roll <NUM>. The weld seam <NUM> may also extend to the top edge <NUM>, although in <FIG>, the weld seam <NUM> ends at the larger hooking section 20A. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the straight segments 22A of the larger hooking section 20A are the two folds in the tubular film as described above for the flattened two-fold condition, the folds defining a boundary between the panels <NUM>. Therefore, in accordance with an embodiment, the weld seam <NUM> is made periodically in a straight continuous tube - a continuous tubular body - in a flattened two-fold condition, and portions of the film laterally outside of the weld seam <NUM> may be cut out to define the shape of <FIG>. In an embodiment, there is no such cut out, as the tubular film may remain present in spite of the weld seam <NUM> forming the narrower disposal section 20C.

Tear-off perforation lines <NUM> are punctured at the junction between the bottom edge <NUM> of a first bag, the leading bag such as <NUM>', and the top edge <NUM> of the subsequent bag in the bag roll <NUM>, the trailing bag such as <NUM>". The tear-off perforation line <NUM> may be defined by a series of spaced-apart punctures along an outline emulating that of the bottom edge <NUM> and the top edge <NUM>. The tear-off perforation line <NUM> is adjacent to the weld seam <NUM>, and forms a weakened portion of the bag roll <NUM>, causing a separation of one of the bags, such as <NUM>' in <FIG> and <FIG>, as a result of a tearing action. In an embodiment, the tear-off perforation lines <NUM> and cut outs at the sides of the weld seams <NUM> are done by die cutting.

Referring to <FIG>, the bag roll <NUM> may be inserted into a cassette body <NUM>, being for example a receptacle from the bag roll <NUM>. The cassette body <NUM> may have a slit <NUM> or like opening, such as a top opening, through which a free end of the bag roll <NUM> extends. The cassette body <NUM> is shown as having a cuboid geometry, although other shapes are considered as well, such as a rectangular prism, a cylinder, etc..

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the bag roll <NUM> as part of the cassette <NUM> (<FIG>), or as a bag roll <NUM> alone (<FIG>), i.e., without the cassette body <NUM>, is received in a disposal unit <NUM>. The expression "disposal unit" is used herein as encompassing a garbage, a diaper pail, a compost, a recycling bin, a litter pail, etc. The disposal unit <NUM> may have a base <NUM>, upon which projects an upstanding wall(s) <NUM>. The upstanding wall <NUM> is in the form of a cylindrical tube in <FIG>, but may have other shapes, with for example a square section, an oval section, etc. Although not shown, a hinged door may be part of the upstanding wall <NUM> to provide access to an interior of the disposal unit <NUM>. As another possibility, the upstanding wall <NUM> may be raised out of engagement with the base <NUM>. Various connection configurations may be present, such as quick connect mechanisms, fasteners, etc. A cover <NUM> is mounted atop the upstanding wall <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may define a central opening with a downwardly projecting rim 53A that may come into close proximity or in contact with a bag to ensure the bag remains hung to the disposal unit <NUM>, as in <FIG>. Moreover, the central opening of the cover <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be shut closed by a trap door <NUM> (also known as lid), hinged to a remainder of the cover <NUM>. 53A The trap door <NUM> opens or closes the top access to an inner cavity <NUM> of the disposal unit <NUM>. It may be biased by a spring, or operated by a pedal mechanism, etc. Also, although not shown, a closing mechanism of any appropriate form (translation, rotation) may be provided in the inner cavity <NUM> or other location on the disposal unit <NUM> to squeeze the bag shut.

The disposal unit <NUM> has a tubular bag support <NUM> adjacent to the cover <NUM>. In an embodiment, the annular bag support <NUM> may have any appropriate shape, and is shown as being cylindrical, with a circular cross-section. Other possible cross-sectional shapes include, non-exhaustively, square, rectangular, oval, squircle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc. Accordingly, the expression "tubular" in tubular bag support <NUM> covers these multiple shapes. The tubular bag support <NUM> has a height HS, an inner circumference CS, an outer circumference CO and a wall thickness T. In the embodiment of <FIG>, in which the tubular bag support <NUM> is circular, the inner diameter is DS, and the inner circumference CS is equal to πDS. The outer circumference CO may be expressed as π(DS +2T). In another embodiment, the disposal unit <NUM> has two or more hooks acting as bag support <NUM>. <FIG> may be interpreted as having two elongated straight or curved hooks <NUM> shown in cross section.

A funnel <NUM> is located below the tubular bag support <NUM> in the upstanding orientation of the disposal bin <NUM>. The funnel <NUM> has a central opening that may have the same shape as the tubular bag support <NUM>. Therefore, in <FIG>, the funnel <NUM> has a frusto-conical shape with a central circular opening have a circumference CF and inner diameter DF. The height of the funnel <NUM> is shown as being HF. In an embodiment, the funnel <NUM> is immediately below the tubular bag support <NUM>, whereby a height HT from a top edge of the tubular bag support <NUM> to the edge of the central opening of the funnel <NUM> is as follows: HT = HF + HS. In an embodiment, the funnel <NUM> is spaced apart from the tubular bag support <NUM>, whereby HT may include the spacing value along a vertical axis of the bin <NUM>. The funnel <NUM> centers waste or like items deposited into the deployed bag, for the bag to remain generally compact when filled. The funnel <NUM> may therefore facilitate the removal of the filled bag from the top of the disposal unit <NUM>, i.e., by an upward pull of the user.

As observed in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bag roll cassette <NUM> or bag roll <NUM> are disposed in a bottom of the disposal unit <NUM>. In an embodiment, a connection configuration is provided for the bag roll cassette <NUM> or the bag roll <NUM> to be retained by the base <NUM>, although the bag roll cassette <NUM> or the bag roll <NUM> may simply be deposited on the base <NUM> and remain in the bottom of the disposal unit <NUM> by gravity. The free end of the bag roll <NUM> extends upwardly, for the larger hooking section 20A of the bag <NUM>' to be partially folded over the tubular bag support <NUM>. In doing so, the top open end of the bag <NUM>' is held open, for objects to be dumped into the bag <NUM>'. A remainder of the bag <NUM>', including narrower disposal section 20C, extends into the inner cavity <NUM> of the bin <NUM>. While the bag <NUM>' is attached to the tubular bag support <NUM>, it remains connected to the bag roll <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In order for the bag <NUM>' to remain hung to the tubular bag support <NUM>, the bag <NUM>' may have a given unstretched transverse flattened two-fold width WA at its top end, expressed as follows: CO/<NUM> ≤ WA ≤ <NUM>(CO/<NUM>).

If the tubular bag support <NUM> is circular, the bag <NUM>' will adopt a circular shape when hung to the tubular bag support <NUM>, as in <FIG>. The diameter D of <FIG> at the opening of the bag <NUM>' can be expressed as (CS/π + 2T) ≤ D ≤ <NUM> (CS/π + 2T). If the bag is not circular when deployed open, the bag may comply with the following relation: π/<NUM> (CS/π + 2T) ≤ WA ≤ <NUM>π/<NUM> (CS/π + 2T), for the unstretched transverse flattened two-fold width WA. The latter relation may be for the bag as in <FIG>, for example.

In an embodiment, as in <FIG>, it is desired that the narrower disposal section 20C of the bag <NUM>' be located in line or below the bottom edge of the funnel <NUM>. Indeed, the the narrower disposal section 20C is configured to facilitate removal of a filled bag by upward pull in spite of the presence of the funnel <NUM> and closing mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, the bags of the roll <NUM> may comply with (LA+LB)> HT + HS. The bags of the roll <NUM> may also comply with <NUM>S ≤ LA2 ≤ <NUM>S in the case of the bags having the outlines of <FIG>, <FIG>, such that the subsection of length LA2 of section 20A of the bags covers at least half of the outer circumference of the tubular bag support <NUM> when taut. If the bags have the outline of <FIG>, the bags of the roll <NUM> may also comply with <NUM>S ≤ LA ≤ <NUM>S such that the section 20A of the bags covers at least half of the outer circumference of the tubular bag support <NUM> when taut.

Because of the funnel <NUM>, the bags of the roll <NUM> may have a given unstretched transverse flattened two-fold width WC, expressed as follows: WC ≤ CF/<NUM>. Therefore, even when filled with objects, the bags of the roll <NUM> may be pulled out of the bin <NUM> from the top, i.e., through the funnel <NUM> and tubular bag support <NUM>. In doing so, a subsequent bag in the bag roll <NUM> is pulled upward and its top end is generally aligned with the tubular bag support <NUM> when the filled bag exits the bin <NUM> from the top. The filled bag is detached from the roll of bags <NUM> once out of the bin <NUM>, and the subsequent bag in the roll <NUM> is hung to the tubular bag support <NUM> in the manner shown in <FIG>.

It is pointed out that the bag roll cassette <NUM> and/or the bag roll <NUM> may be used in any other disposal unit, with or without the same components as the disposal unit <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The disposal unit <NUM> is provided as an exemplary bin configuration adapted to be used with the bag roll cassette <NUM> and/or the bag roll <NUM>, yet it is clear that variants of the disposal unit <NUM> can be used with the bag roll cassette <NUM> and/or the bag roll <NUM> as well.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the bag roll <NUM> according to the present invention is illustrated. The bag roll <NUM> is similar to the bag roll <NUM> of <FIG>, though without any cut outs at the sides of the weld seams <NUM>. Accordingly, when laid flat as in <FIG>, the bag of the bag roll <NUM> has a constant width. The side edges <NUM> are parallel to one another on the full length of the bags from the bag roll <NUM>. However, due to the presence of the weld seams <NUM>, the dimension of the inside of the bag at WC - for instance in terms of inside diameter - is the same as in the embodiment of <FIG>. Indeed, as the open bag has an inner narrowing due to the presence of the weld seams <NUM>, the open diameter of the bag of <FIG> is similar to that of the bags of <FIG>. Flaps are formed to the exterior of weld seams <NUM>. For example, the width ratio is as follows: <NUM>. 60WA ≤ WC ≤ <NUM>. The description provided above for the bag roll <NUM> of <FIG> extends to the bag roll <NUM> of <FIG>, with the exception of the cutouts at the weld seam. In all embodiments described herein, there may be a single side portion for the weld seam <NUM> (i.e., only one extending along the side edges <NUM>) as opposed to the two side portions shown in the figures, and yet achieve the narrowing described herein. The bag <NUM>' of <FIG> - or of all figures - may also come as individual units, i.e., not as part of a bag roll.

Claim 1:
A bag (<NUM>', <NUM>") comprising
a tubular body with a top open end and a bottom closed end,
the tubular body having a hooking section (20A) and a disposal section (20C),
the tubular body having a larger open diameter at the top open end and a narrower open diameter adjacent to the bottom closed end, and
the tubular body in a flattened two-fold condition having a pair of side edges (<NUM>) extending from a top edge (<NUM>) to a bottom edge (<NUM>), the top edge (<NUM>) delimiting the top open end, the bottom edge (<NUM>) delimiting the bottom closed end,
wherein the pair of side edges (<NUM>) are generally parallel to one another from the top edge (<NUM>) to the bottom edge (<NUM>), and
wherein at least one weld seam (<NUM>) causes an inner narrowing of the disposal section (20C) so that a flattened two-fold width WA of the larger open diameter is larger than a flattened two-fold width WC of the narrower open diameter, and wherein the bag (<NUM>', <NUM>") further comprises a flap adjacent to the at least one weld seam (<NUM>), the flap formed to the exterior of the weld seam (<NUM>).