FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a carrying device of a container, the container comprising a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume de- pends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side walls being joined along a common connecting por- tion. The invention also relates to a container compris- ing this carrying device, and the method of making the carrying device.

BACKGROUND ART A container of a collapsible type is disclosed in, for instance, W09941155. The container comprises three wall portions, of which two form opposite side walls and a third forms the bottom wall. The walls which are made of a plastic material are flexible and interconnected to form a compartment whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls. The container further comprises a carrying device which is integrated with the connecting portion and has openings for the forming of a handle.

Such a carrying device makes it possible to grasp the container like a jug and thus handle it like a jug also in its open state. During the pouring motion, a turning of the container and its carrying device takes place in the plane which is made up by the connecting portion.

The container is very convenient and advantageous for container volumes below about two litres. For larger vol- umes, the container will on the one hand be too heavy to be handled safely using one hand and, on the other, the flexibility of the container and the design of the carry- . ing device may cause the pouring motion to be unstable.

For larger volumes, the container is also difficult to

grasp and carry, which is a problem to the consumer when bringing home the container from the shop.

A container of the above type has therefore prefera- bly been used for volumes below two litres although in other respects it has most advantageous properties in the form of method of production, consumption of material and garbage disposal.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device for containers of a collapsible type which is suitable to use for containers whose volume ex- ceeds two litres.

Another object is that it should be possible to in- troduce the carrying device in existing production equip- ment with only minor modifications thereof.

One more object is that a new type of material does not have to be added to the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above objects as well as additional objects that have not been stated, the present invention relates to a carrying device having the features defin- ed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are evident from claims 2-14. Moreover the invention concerns according to claim 15 a container comprising such a carrying device, and according to claim 16 a method of making such a car- rying device.

More specifically a carrying device of a container is provided, said container comprising a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume de- pends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side walls being joined along a common side-connecting portion. The carrying device is characterised in that the carrying device is formed in one piece and is attached on both sides of a centre axis extending longitudinally in the container, the compartment of the container, during

the pouring motion, being arranged for turning relative to the carrying device in a plane transversely of a plane made up by the side-connecting portion.

By arranging the carrying device in one piece which extends between fixing points on both sides of the longi- tudinal centre axis of the container, a container is ob- tained, which can be carried like a bucket. When lifting only, the lifting point of the container will be verti- cally aligned with its centre of gravity, thus resulting in a container which is easy to carry with larger volumes since the moment arm is minimal. This makes it easy and convenient for the consumer to bring home the container from the place of purchase. During the actual pouring Eo- tion, the container is held with a supporting hand at the lower edge of the container while it is being lifted by means of the carrying device, using the other hand. The compartment of the container is then turned relative to the carrying device in a plane transversely of the plane made up by the side-connecting portion. This results in a stable and controlled pouring motion for containers hold- ing larger volumes.

By the carrying device extending like a band between two fixing points on both sides of the compartment of the container, a carrying device is obtained, which is conve- nient to carry irrespective of the container volume, the size of the consumer's hand or his grip, and by making the carrying device of the same thin-walled flexible ma- terial as the rest of the container, there will be no sharp edges which can cut into the consumer's fingers since the carrying device is folded/bent in his hand.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrying device is attached to. the side-connecting portion. By the side-connecting portion, as a rule, being welded/ glued and having a thickness which is twice the material thickness, it affords a good and stable base for fixing of the carrying device. Fixing in the side wall portion

also means that the actual container wall will remain un- affected.

Moreover it is preferred for the carrying device to be a band-shaped element. The band shape provides a simple handle using a small amount of material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the carrying device consists of joined flaps which project from the side-connecting portion. As a result, the flaps can be formed as an extension of the side-connecting portion and be punched in connection with the punching of the contour of the container blank. The joining of the flaps takes place in the form of an overlapping joint. By designing the carrying device in this way, no extra material need be added to the container to provide the carrying device, which is favourable in terms of production.

Preferably the carrying device is attached to the side-connecting portion by welding or gluing. Alterna- tively, the attachment of the carrying device can take place in the side-connecting portions in matching holes.

Moreover it is advantageous if the carrying device is made of the same material as the rest of the con- tainer. Thus no new material is added to the container, which facilitates both handling of materials and handl- ing of used containers.

In order to provide a comfortable carrying device, a gas-filled duct means can be included.

The carrying device should be attached to the upper half of the container. The pouring motion in fact takes place by holding the container with a supporting hand at the lower edge thereof while it is lifted by means of the carrying device. As the container is being angled, the centre of gravity of the container will be moved closer to the outlet. By arranging the carrying device on the upper half of the container, the user can easily balance the container during the pouring motion, independently of the position of the centre of gravity.

The container should have such a length as to be freely turnable over an outlet which is longitudinally arranged in the container. This means, in fact, that the lifting point of the container will be vertically aligned with the centre of the gravity of the container when the container is being carried, which results in a container that is comfortable to carry.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrying device forms in the unfilled state of the container a seal for an out- let means arranged in the container. This is advantageous in a number of aspects. When making the container blank and its side walls, parts of the carrying device can be punched in connection with the punching of the form of the container. The amount of waste material will thus be minimal since the material that was previously lost as waste can be used for the carrying device. In connection, with the filling of the container, the carrying device is separated from the outlet means, thereby forming an open connection between the compartment of the container and the ambient air. After filling, the outlet means is seal- ed once more, thereby forming a closed container. By the carrying device extending between two opposite sides of the container blank and by being initially connected with the outlet means, the shape of the blank will be very stable, which facilitates handling and feeding of the blank in the filling equipment. Moreover, this embodiment eliminates the handling of a separate carrying device.

The carrying device according to the present inven- tion should be used for containers of volumes exceeding two litres since the container for larger volumes tends to be too heavy to be handled by means of a carrying de- vice according to prior-art technique.

It is advantageous that the carrying device and its container are made of a material comprising a filler of mineral material and a binder of polyolefin material; moreover the mineral material should be chalk (calcium carbonate).

According to another aspect of the invention, it re- lates to a container comprising a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side walls being joined along a common side-connecting portion, said container being characterised by a carrying device which is formed in one piece and which is attached on both sides of a centre axis extending longitudinally in the container, the compartment of the container, during a pouring motion, being arranged for turning relative to the carrying device in a plane transversely of a plane made up by the side-connecting portion.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a carrying device in a container blank for a container comprising a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls, two opposite side walls being joined along a common side-connecting portion, characterised by arranging, in the production of the side walls of the container blank, a carrying device which is formed in one piece with the respective side wall, said carrying device extending between two opposite edges of each side wall, and joining the carrying devices of each side wall in connection with the joining of two opposite side walls.

By arranging the carrying device in each side wall when the container blank is being made, no separate pro- cess steps are required to provide at a later stage the container with a separate carrying device. When the car- rying device in the two side walls is joined while at the same time the side-connecting portion is being made, for instance by gluing or welding, a steady carrying device is obtained, which besides has a thickness which is twice the material thickness. Another advantage of this method of production is that the amount of waste material will be small since the material that has previously been wasted is now used for the carrying device.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a currently preferred embodi- ment.

Fig. 1A shows a container of a collapsible type com- prising a carrying device according to prior-art tech- nique.

Figs 1B-C illustrate a schematic pouring motion with a container comprising a carrying device accord- ing to prior-art technique.

Fig. 2A illustrates a container comprising a carry- ing device according to the present invention.

Figs 2B-C illustrate a schematic pouring motion with a container comprising a carrying device accord- ing to the present invention.

Figs 3A-C illustrate different preferred embodi- ments of the carrying device according to the present in- vention.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION With reference to Fig. 1A, a container 1 is illus- trated, comprising a carrying device 20 according to prior-art technique, which below will be referred to as lifting ear. The container 1 is of a collapsible type, i. e. compressible or foldable, and comprises three flex- ible walls. Two of the walls constitute opposite side walls 3 and the third constitutes a bottom wall (not shown). The walls are interconnected to form a compart- ment 4 whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls. The two side walls 3 are, along the upright sides of the container 1, interconnected along a side- connecting portion 5. In the bottom area of the container 1, the side walls 3 are also connected with the bottom wall via a bottom connecting portion (not shown). The

joining of the connecting portions suitably takes place by welding.

The lifting ear 20 is arranged in the side-connect- ing portion 5 on one side of the longitudinal centre axis 6 of the container 1 and comprises one or more holes 7 through which the user can insert his fingers to grasp and lift the container 1.

Figs 1B-C are schematic views of the pouring motion.

The container 1 is handled like a jug, i. e. in the pour- ing motion, the compartment 4 of the container is turned along with the lifting ear 20 in a plane 8 which is made by the side-connecting portions 5.

With reference to Fig. 2A, a container 1 of the same type as above is shown, however with the difference that it comprises a carrying device 2 according to an embodi- ment of the present invention. Therefore the construction of the container will not be described further.

The carrying device 2 according to the present in- vention is in its simplest form a band-shaped element 9 which extends between the side-connecting portions 5 on both sides of the longitudinal centre axis 6 of the container. The band-shaped element 9 is of such a length between. its fixing points 10 that it can be raised and go clear-of the container upper edge and, formed therein, an outlet 11 of the compartment 4. Thus the container 1 can be lifted like a bucket by means of the carrying device 2.

With reference to Figs 2B-C a schematic pouring mo- tion is shown, involving a container 1 with the inventive carrying device 2.

The container 1 is most comfortable to carry since the lifting point 12 of the carrying device 2 forms an almost vertical line with the centre of gravity of the container. The moment arm will thus be minimal. This can be compared with the lifting ear 20 in Figs 1A-1C, which gives a moment arm corresponding to at least half the width of the container since its lifting point 12 is po-

sitioned outside the side-connecting portion 5 of the container 1.

During the pouring motion, the container 1 is car- ried in two points, on the one hand in the carrying de- vice 2 and, on the other, using a supporting hand at the lower edge 13 of the container. Subsequently, the com- partment 4 of the container is turned relative to the carrying device 2 in a plane 16 transversely of the plane 8 made up by side-connecting portions 5. Thus the turn- ing takes place in the fixing points 10 of the carrying device 2. This means that the carrying device 2 allows a very stable and controlled pouring motion, which is im- portant when the container holds larger volumes. By ar- ranging the pouring motion in a plane 16 perpendicular to the plane 8 which is made up by the connecting portion 5, a container will thus be obtained, which is easy for the consumer to handle both in its unopened and open state.

The carrying device 2 can be designed in a number of different ways, of which a few examples will be given below.

With reference to Fig. 3A, the most preferred embo- diment of the carrying device is illustrated. The carry- ing device 2 here consists of part of the side walls 3 of the container 1, and its form is punched in connection with the production of the container blank. The method of production will be described below. The embodiment is advantageous in a number of aspects. The amount of waste material is minimised since a large amount of the mate- rial that was previously lost as waste is now used for the carrying device. The carrying device is very stable since it has a thickness corresponding to twice the side wall thickness. Moreover, no separate joining or handling of a loose band element is necessary.

Moreover this variant affords possibilities as re- gards filling and sealing of the container. In the un- filled state, the carrying device 2 can in fact, together with a temporarily stabilising portion 17, form a seal of

the container, whereby the container can retain its ste- rility from the production of the blank up to the filling operation. In connection with filling, the temporarily stabilising portion 17 is separated from the carrying de- vice 2 and the outlet means 11, thereby obtaining an open duct (not shown) to the compartment 4 of the container.

After filling, sealing of the outlet means 11 takes place by means of e. g. welding.

It will be appreciated that the separation of the temporarily stabilising portion 17 between the outlet means 11 and the carrying device 2 can also take place after filling. In this case, filling takes place through an open connection (not shown) between the compartment' and the ambient air, which extends through the outlet means 11, the stabilising portion 17 and the carrying de- vice 2.

By the carrying device being connected with the out- let means via the stabilising portion 17 up to and in- cluding the filling or after the filling, a container blank is obtained, which is stable and easy to handle while being advanced through the production equipment.

Fig. 3B shows a different embodiment of the carrying device 2. In this embodiment, the carrying device 2 con- sists of two flaps 14 which are punched in connection with the forming of the container blank. The free ends 15 of the two flaps 14 are then joined to form a closed loop which constitutes the carrying device 2. This embodiment is advantageous since there are no loose parts to be han- dled and added to the container to form the carrying de- vice 2.

With reference to Fig. 3C, one more embodiment of a container 1 with a carrying device 2 is illustrated. The container has an outlet means 11'which, instead of pro- jecting from the container 1, extends into the container 1. The carrying device 2 is punched in connection with the forming of the container blank. The carrying device 2 can either be completely separated from the outlet means

11'or be separated therefrom in connection with filling.

The separation can take place either direct before fill- ing, in which case filling takes place direct through the outlet means 11', or after filling, in which case filling takes place through both the carrying device 2 and the outlet means 11'. In the case where the carrying device 2 is initially connected with the outlet means 11', the stabilising portion 17 can be used to provide a carrying device which is more comfortable to grasp. By letting the stabilising portion 17 be connected with the carrying de- vice 2 after separation from the outlet means 11', the stabilising portion 17 in fact forms a broad flap 18 that forms in the user's hand without any edges cutting into his hand.

The band-shaped element 9 can also consist of a com- pletely separate band which is joined with the side-con- necting portions 5, for example, by welding or gluing. In this embodiment (not shown) the same material should be used in the band-shaped element as in the rest of the container, since recycling of the container will be faci- litated. However, it will be appreciated that the band- shaped element may also consist of e. g. a string. As an alternative to gluing or welding, the band-shaped element can be arranged in matching holes (not shown) which are formed in the side-connecting portions. The band-shaped element can be locked from leaving the holes by, for ex- ample, forming a thickened portion of material in the free ends of the band element.

To provide a better grasp, it is possible to ar- range, for example, a gas-filled duct in the carry- ing device (not shown).

Irrespective of how the carrying device is designed, its fixing points should be arranged on the upper half of the container. The ideal location of the carrying device in fact depends on the form of the container since it is a matter of achieving suitable balancing of the container during the pouring motion.

The carrying means, as well as the container, is preferably made of a material comprising a filler of min- eral material and a binder of polyolefin material.

The mineral material can be, for example, chalk.

The container blank for such a container can either be produced direct in connection with a filling machine or be supplied to the filling machine in a roll. The con- tainer blank comprises three wall portions, viz. two side walls and a bottom wall. The three walls are intercon- nected in connecting portions along their circumferences.

The connection portions can be arranged, for example, by welding or gluing. The desired contour of the container is obtained, for example, by roll-punching. The carry-' ing device 2 according to the embodiments as shown in Figs 3A-C can thus easily be provided by rearranging the roll punching tool in such manner that it also punches the desired form of the carrying device 2. The carrying device 2 according to the embodiments as shown in Figs 3A-C can thus be said to be part of the side walls 3, and the two wall layers of the carrying device are, like the connecting portion, welded or glued together.

According to the present invention, a carrying de- vice 2 is thus provided for a container 1 of a collaps- ible type for volumes preferably exceeding two litres.

The carrying device 2 is arranged on both sides of a lon- gitudinal centre axis 6 of the container 1 and in such manner that the compartment 4 of the container, during the pouring motion, is turned in a plane 16 which is ar- ranged transversely of the plane 8 which is made up by the connecting portion 5. During the pouring motion, also turning of the compartment 4 relative to the carry- ing device 2 takes place. Such a carrying device 2 en- ables an even and stable pouring motion independently of the volume and the degree of filling of the container 1.

Moreover the container 1 is very comfortable to carry since it can be carried like a bucket, so that the lift- ing point 12 of the carrying device 2 and the centre of

gravity of the container 1 form an essentially vertical line.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the shown embodiment of the inven- tive container. Several modifications and variations are thus feasible, and consequently the invention is defined exclusively by the appended claims.