FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag with a tear-resistant handle that has improved durability against tearing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional bags may typically comprise a handle for receiving the hands of users. It is typically the case if the filled bag exceeds a certain weight. Due to the heavy weight of the contents, such handles are prone to tear-out by the forces required to lift the bags. In addition, the repeated carrying and lifting processes during handling, transportation and storage may lead to the bags to be torn apart which may lead to spillage of the contents. Such spillage causes waste burdens and clean-up expenses for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers.

It is thus an objective of the present invention to provide a bag comprising a tear-resistant handle.

It is an advantage of the bag according to the present invention that it has improved durability in transportation and storage. Consequently, the breakage and spillage rate is reduced with the improved bags. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bag having a first and a second opposed side, a top end, a bottom end, and a seal line adjacent said top end, said two opposed sides, top end, and bottom end defining a front panel and a rear panel of said bag, said bag comprising a handle positioned between said top end and said first seal line, said handle comprising:

a) a bottom portion, wherein said bottom portion is positioned substantially horizontal or within the 10 degree range above or below the horizontal axis, said bottom portion having a center and a length LI along the horizontal axis, b) a top portion, wherein said top portion is positioned substantially horizontal or within the 10 degree range above or below the horizontal axis, said top portion having a center on the same vertical axis as the center of said bottom portion, wherein the distance between the center of the top portion and the center of the bottom portion along the vertical axis is L2, and wherein the ratio between L2 and LI is from 0.417 to 0.625,

c) two arcuate end portions connecting said bottom portion and said top portion, said two arcuate end portions are mirror symmetric to each other about the centers of said top and bottom portions, wherein each of said arcuate end portions extend from 0 to 180 degrees above said bottom portion toward said top portion, wherein each of said arcuate end portions comprise at least two arcs Rl and R3, wherein the connections between said bottom portion, Rl, R3, and said top portion are in tangency, respectively, and wherein the radius of Rl is rl , the radius of R3 is r3, and the ratio between the r3 and rl is from 1.1 to 3.4.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the bag according to the present invention. Fig. 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the bag with a handle as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the bag with a handle in a different preferred embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the bag with a handle in a different preferred embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the bag according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the bag with a handle as shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 illustrates the bag of the comparative sample 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1, 2, and 6 generally show bags 1 comprising a handle 6 according to the present invention. Although the bags are as described and illustrated in the figures, they need not have these particular configurations provided that they comprise a tear-resistant handle. For example, the bag could comprise gussets along the side. The bag could additionally comprise one or more side panels joined to the front panel and rear panel. In a further example, the bag could additionally comprise internal partitions. Moreover, although the front panel of the bags as described and illustrated in figures is generally rectangular, it may take other suitable shapes. For example, the front panel could have circular corner. Alternatively, the bottom of the bag can be a single seal or a panel of any shape.

Bag 1 comprises a first and a second opposed side 2, 2', a top end 3, and a bottom end 4, defining a front panel 7 and a rear panel 8 of bag 1. A preferred embodiment of the bag according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. Bag 1 has a first seal line 5 adjacent the top end 3. Preferably, the first seal line 5 is substantially horizontal. The overlying panels in the portion between the top end 3 and the first seal line 5 is preferably joined together. The front panel 7 and the rear panel 8 are also joined at the bottom end 4. The term "joined" is used herein to mean either being connected together, or integrally formed. The methods of connecting the panels together include any suitable method that will provide a seal that serves as a moisture barrier. Non-limiting examples include ultrasonic welding, autogeneous bonding, pressure sealing, adhesive sealing and combinations thereof. Any suitable means of creating a frangible seal joining the front and rear panels together is of use. Non-limiting examples include perforating, applying a line of weakness, peelable seal, reasealable closures and combinations thereof. The top end 3 of bag 1 has a length L4 along the horizontal axis. The side 2 of bag 1 has a length L5 along the vertical axis. Preferably, L4 is equal to or greater than 200 mm, more preferably from 250 mm to 400 mm. Preferably, L5 is equal to or greater than 300 mm, more preferably from 350 mm to 600 mm.

In another preferred embodiment, bag 1 further comprises a bottom panel 10 that is intermediate to and joins the front panel 7 and the rear panel 8, as shown in Fig. 2. More preferably, the bottom panel 12 of the bag is transparent such that at least a portion of the contents contained in bag 1 are visible there through.

A variety of materials can be used to form the bag, the seal(s) and other elements of the present invention. One or more materials may be used to form one or more panels of bag 1. Materials of use include, but are not limited to film forming plastics. Technical requirements such as moisture protection and compatibility with product as well as costs and ease of manufacture are several factors to consider when selecting these materials.

In a preferred embodiment, bag 1 is made of a plastic film or a mixture thereof. One or more panels may comprise one or more layers of materials. Indeed preferably, the layers are laminated together. Suitable plastic films are preferably selected from the group of polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, mixtures thereof, and laminates thereof. Suitable films are commercially available under the trade names of Nylon™, Barex™, and Evoh™. Preferably, the thickness of the film is from 30 μιη to 400 μιη, more preferably from 90 μιη to 200 μιη. Bag 1 preferably holds a household care composition including, but not limited to laundry fabric enhancer or softener, and dish or hard surface cleaning compositions. The compositions can have a variety of forms and shapes including, but not limited to powders, gels, liquids, and unit does pouches. Preferably, the bag according to the present invention is designed to have a capacity of at least 1.3 kg, more preferably from 1.3 kg to 30 kg. Preferably, the bag according to the present invention has a volume above 300 mL, more preferably from 500 mL to 50 L, even more preferably from 1 L to 10 L.

Fig. 3 is the enlarged view of the handle portion of bag 1 in Fig. 1. Bag 1 comprises a handle 6 positioned between the top end 3 and the first seal line 5. Handle 6 comprises a bottom portion 61, a top portion 62, and two arcuate end portions 63, 64 connecting the bottom portion

61 and the top portion 62. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 61 and the top portion

62 are substantially horizontal. In another embodiment, the bottom portion 61 and the top portion 62 are within the 10 degree sector range above or below the horizontal axis, respectively. The bottom portion 61 has a center 65 and the top portion 62 has a center 66. Centers 65 and 66 are on the same vertical axis, and the distance there between along the vertical axis is defined as L2. The distance from the top end 3 to the top portion 62 of the handle 6 along the vertical axis is defined as L3. L3 is preferably equal to or greater than L2. The length of the bottom portion 61 along the horizontal axis is defined as LI. The ratio between L2 and LI is from 0.417 to 0.714, preferably from 0.625 to 0.714. In a preferred embodiment, LI is equal to or greater than 17 mm, preferably from 22 mm to 33 mm. L3 is preferably from 13 mm to 40 mm.

The two arcuate end portions 63, 64 are mirror symmetric to each other about the centers 65, 66. Each of the two arcuate end portions extend from 0 to 180 degrees above the bottom portion 61 toward the top portion 62. Each of the two arcuate end portions comprise two arcs Rl and R3 connected at point Pi _;3 . The connections between said bottom portion 61, Rl, R3, and said top portion 62 are in tangency, respectively. The radius of Rl is rl, while the radius of R3 is r3. The ratio between rl and r3 is from 1.1 to 3.4. If a straight line is drawn to connect center 65 and point Ρχ, ₃ , a sector covered by Rl is defined. The angle a of the sector is defined as the angle covered by Rl. Preferably, a is equal to or less than 65°.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the two arcuate end portions comprise three arcs Rl, R2, and R3. Fig. 4 is the enlarged view of the handle portion of the embodiment wherein each of the two arcuate end portions comprise three arcs. Bag 1 in Fig. 4 is the same to that in Fig. 1 except for the handle portion. The two arcuate end portions 63, 64 are mirror symmetric to each other about the centers 65, 66. Each of the two arcuate end portions extend from 0 to 180 degrees above the bottom portion 61 toward the top portion 62. The connecting points between Rl, R2, and R3 are defined as Pi, ₂ and P ₂ ,3, respectively. The connections between said bottom portion 61, Rl, R2, R3, and said top portion 62 are in tangency, respectively. The radius of R2 is r2. The ratio between rl and r2 is from 0.625: 1 to 1 : 1. The ratio between r2 and r3 is from 1 : 1.1 to 1 :2.125. If two straight lines are drawn from the center 65 and to the connecting points Pi,2 and P ₂ ,3, respectively, two respective sectors covered by Rl and R2 are defined. The angles α, β of the two sectors are the angles covered by Rl and R2, respectively. Preferably, α+β is less than or equal to 65°. More preferably, the ratio between a and β is 1 : 1.

Fig. 5 is the enlarged view of the handle portion of bag 1 of another preferred embodiment. Bag 1 in Fig. 5 is the same to that in Fig. 1 except for the handle portion. Each of the two arcuate end portions comprise four arcs Rl, R2, R3, and R4. The connecting points between Rl, R2, R3, and R4 are defined as Pi, ₂ , P ₂ ,3, and P3, ₄ , respectively. The connections between said bottom portion 61, Rl, R2, R3, R4, and said top portion 62 are in tangency, respectively. The ratio between rl and r2 is from 0.625: 1 to 1 : 1. The ratio between r2 and r3 is from 1 : 1.1 to 1 :2.125. If three straight lines are drawn from the center 65 and to the connecting points Pi, ₂ , P ₂ ,3 and P3, ₄ , respectively, three respective sectors covered by Rl, R2 and R3 are defined. The sectors covered by Rl, R2, and R3 have angles α, β, and γ, respectively. The ratio between α+β and γ is preferably from 1 :3 to 3: 1, more preferably from 2:3.7 to 1 : 1. The ratio between a and β is preferably 1 : 1.

Another preferred embodiment of the bag according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the handle portion of the bag 1 in Fig. 6. In the embodiment, bag 1 further comprises a vertical seal line 9 in the rear panel 8 along the central axis of bag 1. The bag 1 comprises two handles 6, 6' symmetric about the vertical seal line 9. Handle 6, 6' can be any handles of the embodiments as shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. Examples

A bag with two handles (as shown in Fig. 7, numerals 6 and 6') is modeled with different handle designs listed in Table 1. A comparative sample 1 is also modeled with dimensions listed in Table 1. Fig. 8 illustrates the bag of the comparative sample 1. The strength of the bag is tested using computer simulation software Abaqus/CAE® provided by Dassault Systemes, using the following parameters to describe the bag and the testing.

The bag has a rectangular shape with L5 of 395 mm and L4 of 275 mm. The bag is made of a plastic film having the thickness of 92 μιη, the density of 0.9539 kg/m ³ , the elastic modulus of 1.568 ^χ 10 ⁹ Pa, and the Poisson's ratio of 0.4. The joined front and rear panels in the portion between the top end 3 and the first seal line 5 has the thickness of 165.6 μιη. The bottom end of the bag model is fixed in the three dimensional coordinate. The critical point of bag breakage is defined as the equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) of the top end of the bag reaches 0.5. The equivalent plastic strain is defined as " W ^;: A> ^ίί , where - ^' H> is the initial equivalent plastic strain. The definition of i depends on the material model. Simulate forces applied on the handles 6, 6' by adapting the handles to two hooks moving upward at a constant rate of 8.3mm/s. The calculated force applied on the handles 6, 6' is a function of parameters including, but not limited to the rate, PEEQ, and the bag material. Record the force when PEEQ reaches 0.5 for each example. Test results are provided in Table 2.

Table 1. Bag samples

Sample No. a/degree β/degree γ/degree rl /mm r2/mm r3/mm L2/L1

1 15 15 35 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

2 15 15 30 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

3 12 12 36 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

4 10.5 10.5 39 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

5 7.5 7.5 45 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

6 19.5 19.5 21 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

7 21 21 18 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

8 22.5 22.5 15 6 8 ¹¹ 0.520

9 14 16 34 6 8 13 0.520

10 14 16 34 6 8 15 0.520

11 14 16 34 6 8 17 0.520

12 14 16 34 8 8 ¹¹ 0.520

13 14 16 34 5 8 ¹¹ 0.520

14 14 16 34 5 7 ¹¹ 0.520

15 14 16 34 9 9 ¹¹ 0.520

16 14 16 34 9 10 ¹¹ 0.520

17 14 16 34 6 10 ¹¹ 0.520

18 14 16 34 6 8 ¹¹ 0.625

19 14 16 34 6 8 ¹¹ 0.714

20 14 16 34 6 8 ¹¹ 0.416

Comparative 6 6 6 0.520 1

Table 2. Test results

As is seen from Table 2, the force at breakage for the bag according to the present invention is much higher than that for the bag with traditional round-hole handles as detailed in the Comparative Sample 1. With the handle design of the present invention, the strength of the bag according to the present invention is greatly improved.

A bag having two handles with parameters as detailed in Sample 1 is made from a laminate of a polyethylene terephthalate layer and a polyethylene layer. The thickness of the laminate is 120μιη.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".