BAG COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE HANDLE AND AT LEAST ONE BOW

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a bag comprising at least one handle and at least one bow, and to a method for forming a bow on a bag. Many solutions already commercially exist based on a traditional bag or shopping bag with more or less luxurious handles, but of which the functional aspect is diminished by a poor appearance relegated to a mere configuration of printed colours. Moreover it is normal in all countries, for all occasions, to distinguish a gift wrapped article from a normal wrapped article by the application of a bow.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bag comprising at least one handle and at least one bow which is of simple production. Another object is to provide a bag comprising at least one handle and at least one bow which requires small storage space. These and other objects are attained according to the present invention by a bag comprising at least one handle; and at least one drawstring ribbon comprising at least one drawstring, for forming a bow, characterised in that said bag further comprises fixing means for said drawstring ribbon; and fixing means for said at least one drawstring; said at least one drawstring forming part of said handle. These objects are also attained by a method for forming a bow on a bag, comprising the steps of fixing a drawstring ribbon onto a first edge of said bag; fixing a drawstring of said drawstring ribbon onto a second edge of said bag; pulling said drawstring of said drawstring ribbon.

Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims. The present invention integrates into a single article the container (of paper, cardboard, plastic film or other material), the handles, and the bow, for the purpose of quickly, practically and aesthetically packaging and presenting, for transportation, purchased products at the point of sale. By exerting a suitable pull on the small loops formed by the drawstrings at the container aperture, a decorative bow is automatically formed, while at the same time obtaining the presence of the handles for transportation.

As often requested in this field, both the container and the decorative ribbon can be of biodegradable and/or recycled and/or recyclable materials. At the same time, the materials used must possess properties which do not undermine the strength and functionality of the present invention.

Considerable advantages are attained by the present invention. Only a small storage space is required in that when at rest, the bag occupies little volume and does not present the projection offered by handles or bow, this latter because of its size and delicacy always representing a deterrent to storage.

It has a very practical aperture and makes a surprising impact at the moment in which it is used and the bow is formed. The decorative bow gives the bag the appearance of a gift and enhances its value and the surprise contained in its interior.

There is also the decisive presence of the transportation handles.

The decorative bow is aesthetically perfect and "fresh", in that it opens at the effective moment of need.

The whole is suitable for infinite personalization in terms of printing, marking and combination with different materials.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a traditional bag;

Figure 2 shows schematically a drawstring ribbon comprising two drawstrings, adapted to form a bow when the drawstrings are pulled and the ribbon is held at rest;

Figure 3 shows schematically a drawstring ribbon comprising one drawstring, adapted to form a bow when the drawstring is pulled and the ribbon is held at rest;

Figure 4 shows a bag comprising a drawstring ribbon, with the bow not yet formed and the handles retracted, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5a and 5b show two details in the fixing of the drawstring ribbon onto a bag in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the successive steps involved in forming the bow following extraction of the handles, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a bag comprising a drawstring ribbon, with the bow formed and the handles extracted, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a bag comprising a drawstring ribbon, with the bow not yet formed and the handles retracted, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 9a and 9b show two details in the fixing of the drawstring ribbon onto a bag in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a bag comprising a drawstring ribbon, with the bow not yet formed and the handles retracted, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 shows a bag comprising a drawstring ribbon, with the bow formed and the handles extracted, in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to the accompanying figures, these show a bag 10 of known type having a concertina fold along its short sides. The bag 10 lacks the handles, to be applied and described hereinafter, in accordance with the present invention.

Other types of bags or holders requiring at least one handle can be used.

A drawstring ribbon 11 or 12 is a ribbon formed with one drawstring 13 or, respectively, two drawstrings 14, and consists of a cord or tape fixed at one end to two strips 15 of paper, fabric, etc. The two strips face each other and contain between them the drawstrings 13 and 14. The shape of the strips 15 comprises lateral recesses 16 periodically at fixed distances apart. At each lateral recess 16 there is provided an endless ring 17 of cord, tape, etc., which tightly grips, but not such as to lock together, the two strips 15 and the drawstring 13 or 14. The drawstring ribbon is formed such that it can be stored wound on reels with the required length being cut off at the moment of use, then on pulling the drawstring an ornamental bow is formed, to be possibly locked in its final position by knots or by adhesive tape. According to the present invention, the length of the drawstrings 13 and 14 is greater than the length of the ribbons 15 by at least 10 cm before formation of the bow, while this length, plus the length which it will have once the bow has been formed, must be equal to the required length of the handles.

The length of the drawstring ribbon 11 or 12 to be used will be that necessary to obtain a bow of the required shape and dimensions. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the drawstring ribbon 11 is fixed onto the outside of the bag 10, on a major side thereof, in proximity to an opening edge 20 of the bag 10, by an adhesive tape 21 (which can also act as a label, carrying the trademark, the patent number, the bar code, other writings, or free space for dedications). The adhesive tape 21 fixes the two strips 15 to the bag 10 but leaving the two drawstrings 14 free to slide in their interior.

The ends of the two drawstrings 14 are fixed to the inside of the bag 10, on a major side thereof, in proximity to the other opening edge 22, by two adhesive tapes 23, one for each drawstring 14. The two adhesive tapes 23 are positioned at a distance apart equal to the width of the handles to be obtained. The two adhesive tapes 23 can be replaced by sewn tapes. Before use, the bag 10 including the drawstring ribbon 11 occupies little volume and does not present projecting handles, as can be seen in Figure 6a.

By suitably pulling on the small loops formed by the drawstrings 14 at the edges 20 and 21 of the bag 10, a decorative bow 24 is formed with simultaneous formation of the handles 25, to obtain a gift bag as in Figure 7. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the bag 10 comprises a hole 30 positioned centrally in a major side thereof, in proximity to the opening edge 20, and possibly reinforced by an internal or external adhesive tape. The drawstrings 14 of the drawstring ribbon 11 are inserted through the hole 30 from the outside of the bag 10 towards the inside.

The size of the hole 30 is such that the drawstrings 14 can enter but the strips 15 are blocked, in order to be able subsequently to form the bow. As an alternative to the aforedescribed fixing method, the ends of the two drawstrings 14 can be fixed to the bag 10 by knots. Two possibly reinforced holes 31 are provided in proximity to the other opening edge 22. The drawstrings 14 are made to pass through the holes 31 , for example from the outside to the inside of the bag 10, after which they are knotted at 32. The two adhesive tapes 31 are positioned at a distance apart equal to the width of the handle to be obtained.

To form the bow and extend the handles, the procedure previously described is followed by pulling the loops formed by the drawstrings 14. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a handle 35 of the bag 10 is already arranged in proximity to the edge 21 and is fixed to it by normal fixing methods, such as adhesive tapes, or is made to pass through holes and be knotted. Two holes 37 are positioned spaced apart in a major side of the bag 10, in proximity to the opening edge 20. In this case the drawstring ribbon 12 having a single drawstring 13 is used. The drawstring 13 is made to pass through one hole 37 from the outside to the inside, and then made to pass through the other hole 37 again from the outside to the inside, after which the end is knotted. In this case one handle is already provided, while the other is formed together with the bow, which this time is formed on the side of the bag in contrast to the central bow of the other embodiments. The methods for fixing the drawstrings 13 and 14 can be different from those normally used. The most varied methods can also be used to fix the drawstring ribbons 11 and 12.

Combinations of the aforedescribed expedients can also be used, together with variants to be able to apply the embodiments to bags of different type, to form a single handle or two handles, etc. The bow formed in accordance with the present invention does not necessarily have to be secured, in that while the handles remain extended and the weight of the bag maintains the handles pulled, the bow remains formed.

The materials used and the dimensions can be chosen at will according to requirements and to the state of the art.