TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging bag for absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence guards, sanitary napkins or bed protectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to facilitate transportation, storage and sale of absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence guards, sanitary napkins or bed protectors, a number of such individual absorbent articles are commonly packaged in a packaging bag. The packaging bag may be made of a flexible material such as, for example, a plastic film.

There are different types of packaging bags for absorbent articles known today. One common type of packaging bag is formed from a folded plastic film, which has front and rear panels overlying one another. The front and rear panels are connected to each other (e.g. sealed) along side edge regions thereof. The top cover section of the packaging bag is formed from a top gusset, which is folded between the facing front and rear panels and is articulated to the upper edges thereof. The packaging bags are filled from the bottom, after which the bottom part is closed by means of, for example, sealing.

Furthermore, this type of packaging bag may be provided with a handle in order to enable the bag to be readily lifted and carried. Typically, the packaging bag is also provided with one or more weakening lines, such as e.g. one or more perforations, in the top gusset, front panel and/or rear panel. Each weakening line is provided in order to constitute an opening means for opening the packaging bag.

Examples of the described type of packaging bag are disclosed in US 4,854,733 and EP 0,473,089.

However, the weakening line(s) provided as opening means in the above described type of packaging bag is/are often not readily visible. Consequently, the user might have difficulties in finding where to open the packaging bag, i.e. the user may have to spend some time in order to determine the type and location of the opening means. In addition, many manufacturers utilize compressed packaging of absorbent articles today in order to reduce the overall size of their packages. The compressed packaging implies that the absorbent articles are tightly packaged in the packaging bags and that the material of the packaging bags is stretched to a rather high degree. Thereby it may be difficult for the user to open a compressed packaged packaging bag of the above mentioned type which is provided with one or more weakening lines as opening means since it may be difficult to get a sufficient grip of the stretched packaging bag material along the weakening line(s) in order to open the bag.

Thus, there is still a need for an improved packaging bag of the above mentioned type which comprises an opening means not being associated with the above mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging bag for absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence guards, sanitary napkins or bed protectors, which comprises

- a front panel and a rear panel, said front panel having two opposed first side regions with a first side edge region and further having a first top region with a first top edge region, said rear panel having two opposed second side regions with a second side edge region and further having a second top region with a second top edge region, whereby said front and rear panels are arranged in facing relation to each other,

- a top gusset having a first gusset panel and an opposed second gusset panel, said first gusset panel having a first gusset top edge region being connected with said first top edge region of said front panel and further having two opposed first gusset side edge regions, said second gusset panel having a second gusset top edge region being connected with said second top edge region of said rear panel and further having two opposed second gusset side edge regions, - a first rim portion and a second rim portion, said first rim portion being connected with the outside of said first top edge region of said front panel and said second rim portion being connected with the outside of said second top edge region of said rear panel, said first and second rim portions together forming a rim having an upper edge and a lower edge, and - two opposed end seals, each end seal connecting one of said first side edge regions with one of said second side edge regions, and further connecting one of said first gusset side edge regions with one of said second gusset side edge regions, one of said first side edge regions and one of said second side edge regions, whereby said first and second top regions of said front and rear panels, said top gusset and said rim form a top part of said bag.

This object is achieved by the fact that the top part comprises at least one interruption, each interruption being provided in said top part such that two pull tabs for opening said bag are formed, each pull tab comprising parts of at least one of said rim portions, at least one of said side regions and at least one of said gusset panels, each interruption at least completely interrupting said rim in the vertical direction.

Preferred embodiments are listed in the dependent claims.

Still other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

Figure 1a is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state;

Figure 1 b is an enlarged view of a part of the first embodiment of the bag shown in figure 1 a;

Figure 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the bag according to the invention in its unfilled, flat state;

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the bag according to the invention taken along line A-A in figure 2; Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the bag according to the invention, which corresponds to figure 3a except for the fact that the front and rear panels have been pulled apart to some extent;

Figure 3c is a top view of the front and rear panels and the top gusset of the first embodiment of the bag in a flat state, i.e. before any folding has been performed;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of the bag according to the invention without any handle;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the third embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the third embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state, and

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the third embodiment of a bag according to the invention in its filled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described in further detail in the following, with reference to the accompanying figures. As mentioned previously, the invention concerns a packaging (or carrying) bag for absorbent articles. The bag is particularly useful for packaging disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, incontinence guards, sanitary napkins, bed protectors and the like. However, it is readily apparent that the bag also is suitable for packaging other absorbent articles, which may be stacked or otherwise arranged adjacent to each other for packaging.

As used herein, the expressions "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "side", "bottom", "downwards", "upwards" and the like, relate to a filled bag placed in a carrying position with the bottom part facing downwards and the top gusset facing upwards, such as e.g. shown in the figures. Figures 1 a and 2 show a first embodiment of a packaging bag 1 according to the invention in a filled state and an unfilled, flat state, respectively. Figure 1 b is an enlarged view of a part of the first embodiment shown in figure 1 a. The bag 1 has approximately a hexahedron shape in its filled state. However, depending on the contents of the bag 1 , it may also assume a pillow-like shape with bulges, rounded edges, etc.

The packaging bag 1 comprises a front panel 2 and a rear panel 3. The front panel 2 has two opposed first side regions 4. Each first side region 4 has a first side edge region 5. Furthermore, the front panel 2 has a first top region 6 with a first top edge region 7 and a first bottom region 8. Correspondingly, the rear panel 3 has two opposed second side regions 9. Each second side region 9 has a second side edge region 10. Furthermore, the rear panel 3 has a second top region 11 with a second top edge region 12 and a second bottom region 13 (figs. 3a-b). The first and second top regions 6, 11 will be further defined below. The first and second bottom regions 8, 13 are those parts of the bag 1 that form the bottom of the bag 1 in its filled state. The front and rear panels 2, 3 are arranged in facing relation to each other, i.e. they face each other. In the illustrated first embodiment, the front panel 2 is generally coextensive with the rear panel 3. However, they may alternatively have different extensions.

The bag 1 comprises further a top gusset 16, which also may be denoted as a top cover section. The top gusset 16 will now be described in greater detail with reference to figures 1 a, 2 and 3a-c. Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in figure 2 and figure 3b corresponds to figure 3a except for the fact that the front and rear panels 2, 3 have been pulled apart to some extent. Figure 3c is a top view of the front and rear panels 2, 3 and the top gusset 16 of the first embodiment of the bag 1 in a flat state, i.e. before any folding has been performed. In the illustrated first embodiment, the top gusset 16 is integrally formed with the front and rear panels 2, 3. The top gusset 16 has a first gusset panel 17 and a thereto connected, opposed second gusset panel 18. The first gusset panel 17 has a first gusset top edge region 19 being connected with the first top edge region 7 of the front panel 2. In addition, the first gusset panel 17 has two opposed first gusset side edge regions 24a. The second gusset panel 18 has a second gusset top edge region 20 being connected with the second top edge region 12 of the rear panel 3. In addition, the second gusset panel 18 has two opposed second gusset side edge regions 24b. With reference to figures 3a-3b, when producing the illustrated packaging bag 1 , a web of material is selectively folded over itself so as to form a generally V-shaped top-forming gusset 16 between the front panel 2 and the rear panel 3. The web of material is folded along a first fold line 21 , a second fold line 22 and a third fold line 23. The top gusset 16 extends from the first fold line 21 to the second fold line 22. The first fold line 21 constitutes a line of demarcation between the front panel 2 and the top gusset 16. Similarly, the second fold line 22 constitutes a line of demarcation between the rear panel 3 and the top gusset 16.

The third fold line 23 divides the top gusset 16 into the first gusset panel 17 and the second gusset panel 18. In the illustrated first embodiment, the third fold line 23 has such a location that it constitutes a central fold line, whereby the first and second gusset panels 17, 18 have essentially the same dimensions. The central fold line 23 lies essentially along a central axis in a longitudinal direction of the packaging bag 1 when it is filled. However, the third fold line 23 may have any other location than in a central part of the top gusset 16.

Thus, the first and second gusset panels 17, 18 are articulated to the front panel 2 and the rear panel 3 along the first fold line 21 and the second fold line 22, respectively. More specifically, the first gusset top edge region 19 is connected with the first top edge region 7 of the front panel 2 at the first fold line 21. The second gusset top edge region 20 is connected with the second top edge region 12 of the rear panel 3 at the second fold line 22. As mentioned above figure 3c is a top view of the front and rear panels 2, 3 and the top gusset 16 of the bag 1 in a flat state, i.e. before any folding has been performed. Thus, in the flat state shown in figure 3c, the fold lines 21 , 22, 23 are not formed yet. However, the respective locations of the fold lines 21 , 22, 23 are indicated with dashed lines in figure 3c. In the folded state, one pair of one first gusset side edge region 24a and one second gusset side edge region 24b is located between each pair of one first side edge region 5 and one second side edge region 10.

As described above, the top gusset 16 may be integrally formed with both the front panel 2 and the rear panel 3. However, the top gusset 16 may instead be a separate member, which is assembled to the first top edge region 7 of the front panel 2 and the second top edge region 12 of the rear panel 3. In addition, the top gusset 16 may alternatively be integrally formed with one of the front and rear panels 2, 3 only. The front and rear panels 2, 3 and the top gusset 16 may be made of the same material or different materials. There are various materials that could be utilized for fabricating the front and rear panels 2, 3 and the top gusset 16. However, the utilized material(s) should 5 be flexible such that the bag 1 may assume the hexahedron shape when it is filled with absorbent articles. Furthermore, the utilized material(s) should be capable of being deformed, compressed or squeezed without the material being destroyed or broken. Examples of suitable materials are polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephtalate. Typically, the utilized material has a thickness of 30-1 OOμm.

10

In addition, the packaging bag 1 comprises a first rim portion 25 and a second rim portion 26. The first rim portion 25 is connected with the outside of the first top edge region 7 of the front panel 2 and the second rim portion 26 is connected with the outside of the second top edge region 12 of the rear panel 3. Thereby the first and second rim portions

15 25, 26 cover parts of the front and rear panels 2, 3. The expression "the outside of a top edge region" is herein intended to mean the side of a top edge region which forms part of the outside of the bag in normal use thereof and, thus, faces outwards during normal use thereof.

20 The rim portions 25, 26 may be connected with the first and second top edge regions 7, 12 by any suitable means. In the illustrated first embodiment, the rim portions 25, 26 are connected with the first and second top edge regions 7, 12 by two weld lines 31. The weld lines 31 extend essentially horizontally.

25 The first and second rim portions 25, 26 form together a rim 28 having an upper edge 29 and a lower edge 30. As will be further described below, the ends of the first and second rim portions 25, 26 may be connected with each other by means of an end seal. However, alternatively they may be non-connected.

30 The first embodiment of the bag 1 shown in figures 1 , 2 and 3a-3b comprises further a handle 27, which is arranged to bridge between the first and second rim portions 25, 26 and over the top gusset 16. The handle 27 is constructed in order to constitute a part, which a user may easily grip in order to carry the bag 1 , and may have any suitable shape that facilitates the carriage of the bag 1. In the illustrated first embodiment, the handle 27

35 comprises two opposed handle portions 32, which are generally coextensive and connected to each other in a central region 33 of the handle 27. In addition, the handle portions 32 are connected to the first and second rim portions 25, 26, respectively. Each handle portion 32 may optionally comprise a grip opening 34.

As shown in the illustrated first embodiment, the handle portions 32 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the two handle portions 32 may be assembled along the central region 33 by any suitable means. In addition, each handle portion 32 may be integrally formed with one of the rim portions 25, 26.

The rim portions 25, 26 and the handle 27 may be made of the same material or different materials. There are various materials that could be utilized for fabricating the rim portions 25, 26 and the handle 27. However, the utilized material(s) should be flexible and have sufficient tensile strength such that it withstands the weight of the filled bag 1. One example of a suitable material is low density polyethylene (LDPE). Typically, a suitable material has a thickness of 50-100 μm.

The handle 27 may, however, optionally be omitted from the bag 1. Figure 4 shows the bag 1 according to the first embodiment, but without any handle 27.

Furthermore, the bag 1 comprises two opposed end seals 14. Each end seal 14 connects one of the first side edge regions 5 with one of the second side edge regions 10. In addition, each end seal 14 connects one of the first gusset side edge regions 24a with one of the second gusset side edge regions 24b, one of the first side edge regions 5 and one of the second side edge regions 10. Thus, each first side edge region 5 of the front panel 2 is connected with the corresponding second side edge region 10 of the rear panel 3 along one of the end seals 14 and each first gusset side edge region 24a is connected with the corresponding second gusset side edge region 24b along parts of one of the end seals 14. The term "end seal" is herein intended to mean a seal which comprises a connection of a first side edge region 5 with a second side edge region 10 along the complete seal or along at least parts thereof.

In the first embodiment shown in figures 1 a and 2, the two end seals 14 have different extensions. The end seals 14 of the first embodiment will be further described below. However, as will be apparent from the other embodiments described below, the two end seals 14 may have the same or different extensions in the vertical direction of the bag 1. Each end seal 14 is provided such that it at least includes a sealing connection of at least parts of one of the first side edge regions 5 with at least parts of one of the second side edge regions 10 in the vertical direction and a sealing connection of at least parts of one of the first gusset side edge regions 24a with at least parts of one of the second gusset side edge regions 24b in the vertical direction. In addition, one or both of the end seals 14 may also be provided such that it includes a sealing connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26. Optionally, one or both of the end seals 14 may also be provided such that it includes a sealing connection of the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 at the bottom part 8, 13 or parts thereof.

Each end seal 14 comprises a seam, which provides the sealing connection of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the sealing connection of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the sealing connection, if any, of the first and second rim portions 25, 26. The seam may be formed by any suitable technique known to a person skilled in the art. For example, the seam may be formed by welding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like. Alternatively, the seam may be formed by sewing, stapling, riveting or any other inter-engaging mechanical fastening systems. However, the seam has to provide such a sealing that dirt and other contaminants may not enter into the bag through the end seals 14.

By the expression that "a first side edge region is connected with a second side edge region" or the like is herein meant that the first side edge region is directly connected with the second side edge region (i.e. without any intermediate parts) or that the first side edge region is connected with the second side edge region with one or more parts sandwiched there between (e.g. the first and second gusset side edge regions). Likewise, by the expression that "the first rim portion is connected with the second rim portion" or the like is herein meant that the first rim portion is directly connected with the second rim portion (i.e. without any intermediate parts) or that the first rim portion is connected with the second rim portion with one or more parts sandwiched there between (e.g. the first and second gusset side edge regions and the first and second side edge regions). Furthermore, the expression that "a gusset side edge region is connected with a side edge region" is herein intended to mean that the gusset side edge region is directly connected with the side edge region (i.e. without any intermediate parts) or that it is connected with the side edge region with one or more parts sandwiched there between (e.g. another gusset side edge region). In use of the bag 1 (i.e. when the bag 1 is filled), each pair of one first side region 4 and one second side region 9 form an end wall 15 of the bag 1. Thus, in a filled state, the bag 1 comprises two end walls 15. Each end wall 15 comprises one first side region 4, one second side region 9 and one end seal 14.

Furthermore, the bag 1 comprises a top part 35. The top part 35 is herein defined as being formed by the first and second top regions 6, 11 of the front and rear panels 2, 3, the top gusset 16 and the rim 28.

The first top region 6 is herein defined as that part of the front panel 2 that corresponds to the first gusset panel 17 in an unfilled, flat state of the bag 1 , i.e. that part of the front panel 2 that lies adjacent to the first gusset panel 17 in an unfilled, flat state of the bag 1 as shown in figures 2 and 3a. Thus, the first top region 6 and the first gusset panel 17 have essentially the same length and height dimensions in an unfilled flat state of the bag 1 as shown in figures 2 and 3a. Likewise, the second top region 11 is herein defined as that part of the rear panel 3 that corresponds to the second gusset panel 18 in an unfilled, flat state of the bag 1 , i.e. that part of the rear panel 3 that lies adjacent to the second gusset panel 18 in an unfilled, flat state of the bag 1 as shown in figures 2 and 3a. Thus, the second top region 11 and the second gusset panel 18 have essentially the same length and height dimensions in an unfilled, flat state of the bag 1 as shown in figures 2 and 3a.

In the first embodiment, the top part 35 of the bag 1 comprises an interruption 41 (figs. 1a- b). The interruption 41 is provided in the top part 35 such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are formed. Thus, the interruption 41 constitutes a notch (i.e. an indication of fracture) and the pull tabs 37 are opening means for opening the bag 1. In the first embodiment, the interruption 41 is a slit. The slit 41 will now be described in further detail.

In the first embodiment, one end seal 14 has such an extension that the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 are partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, that the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b are partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, and that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are non-connected by means thereof. More specifically, in the first embodiment one end seal 14 has such an extension that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are non-connected and that the corresponding parts of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 and the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b also are non-connected. Consequently, this end seal 14 extends from a position at the lower edge 30 of the rim 28 and to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13. Thus, this end seal 14 includes a sealing connection of only parts of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 and a sealing connection of only parts of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b in the vertical direction (figure 1a).

The slit 41 of the first embodiment is formed by the non-connection of the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the non-connection of the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the non-connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26. The slit 41 is provided such that two pull tabs 37 are formed. Each pull tab 37 comprises parts of one of the rim portions 25, 26, one of the side regions 4, 9 and one of the gusset panels 17, 18 (figures 1 a-b). In the first embodiment, the slit 41 extends from the upper edge 29 to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

Thus, in the first embodiment, two pull tabs 37 are formed due to the provision of the slit 41. As mentioned above, the slit 41 constitutes a notch (i.e. an indication of fracture) and the two pull tabs 37 constitute an opening means for opening the packaging bag 1. The two pull tabs 37 are intended to be gripped by a user when the bag 1 is to be opened. Furthermore, the strength of the seam provided in the end seal 14 extending downwards from the slit 41 is preferably adapted such that the seam withstands the forces applied thereon by the contents of the bag (e.g. due to compressed packaging), but is preferably adapted such that the seam may be broken when a user grips the two pull tabs 37 and pulls them downwards and/or outwards in order to open the bag 1. Then the seam in the end seal 14 that extends downwards from the slit 41 constitutes a weakening line. In case a user grips the two pull tabs 37 and pulls them downwards and/or outwards with such a force that the seam in the end seal 14 is broken, an opening for getting hold of the absorbent articles packaged in the bag 1 is created. For example, the seam in the end seal 14 may be adapted such that it is broken by the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b being pulled apart in the top part 35 of the bag 1 when the pull tabs 37 are pulled downwards and/or outwards. In case of continued pulling downwards and/or outwards of the pull tabs 37, the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 may be pulled apart in the part of the bag 1 beneath the top part 35. In case the strength of the seam is not adapted such that it constitutes a weakening line according to the above, the material of the adjacent first and/or second side regions 4, 9 may alternatively or additionally be broken when the user pulls the pull tabs 37 downwards and/or outwards for opening the bag 1. 5

Since the two pull tabs 37 are formed by an interruption in the top part 35, they may readily be seen by the user. Thus, by means of the pull tabs 37 the user may easily find where to open the packaging bag 1 , i.e. the user may easily determine the type and location of the opening means. In addition, it is easy for the user to get a sufficient grip of

10 the two pull tabs 37 in order to open the bag 1 even if compressed packaging has been utilized for packaging absorbent articles in the bag 1. As mentioned above, absorbent articles may be packaged by means of compressed packaging in packaging bags in order to reduce the overall size of the packaging bags. The compressed packaging implies that the absorbent articles are tightly packaged in the packaging bags and that the material of

15 the packaging bags is stretched to a rather high degree. However, even if compressed packaging is utilized for packaging absorbent articles in the packaging bag 1 according to the invention such that the material of the packaging bag 1 is stretched to a rather high degree, it is easy for the user to get a sufficient grip of the opening means in order to open the bag 1.

20

As is schematically shown in figures 1a and 4, the pull tabs 37 may optionally be provided with a marking 42 so as to further improve their visibility. Furthermore, the pull tabs 37 may optionally be provided with a text or symbols instructing the user how to open the bag 1.

25

Thus, in the first embodiment, one end seal 14 has such an extension that the slit 41 is formed. The other end seal 14 of the first embodiment may have any suitable extension. As illustrated in figures 1 a and 2, the other end seal 14 may have, for example, such an extension that a complete sealing connection of the first and second side edge regions 5,

30 10 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 , a complete sealing connection of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b in the vertical direction of the bag 1 and a complete sealing connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 are provided. Thus, this end seal 14 is provided in such a way and has such an extension that the first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the first and

35 second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are completely connected (sealed) in the vertical direction of the bag 1. In other words, this end seal 14 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13 (fig. 2).

5 The first embodiment may be varied such that the slit 41 has another extension than that described above and shown in figures 1 a-b. However, in all cases the slit 41 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position in the top part 35. In addition, in all cases the slit 41 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. Thus, the slit 41 may extend from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28

10 and to a position that is located lower in the vertical direction of the bag 1 than the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. The longer extension of the slit 41 is achieved by increasing the extension of the non-connection of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the non-connection of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 in the top part 35 of the bag 1. Then the corresponding end seal 14 extends from a position in the top part

15 35 lower than the lower edge 30 of the rim 28 and to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13.

In variants (not shown), both end seals 14 of the first embodiment have such an extension that a slit 41 corresponding to the slit 41 described above is formed. Then the top part 35 20 comprises two slits 41. The slits 41 may then have the same or different extensions. However, each of the slits 41 has such an extension that the rim 28 is interrupted, i.e. each slit 41 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

25 In further variants (not shown) of the first embodiment, one or both of the end seals 14 may extend to another position at the bottom regions 8, 13 than that shown in figures 1a and 2. Thus, according to the above, the extension in the vertical direction of one or both end seals 14 may be varied. However, in all cases at least one of the end seals 14 has such an extension that the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 are at least

30 partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, that the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b are at least partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, and that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are non- connected by means thereof. Preferably, the first side edge region 5 is connected with the first gusset side edge region 24a along the slit 41 and the second side edge region 10 is connected with the second gusset side edge region 24b along the slit 41. Each of these connections may be provided by a separate seal including e.g. a seam. The seams may be formed by any of the above described techniques. Furthermore, these seams and the respective adjacent end seal 14 have preferably such extensions that they together imply that the bag 1 is sealed at the respective end wall 15 in a filled state, i.e. such that dirt, contaminants, or any other matter may not enter into the bag 1 through the end wall 15.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the bag 1 , which corresponds to the first embodiment shown in figures 1a-b, 2 and 3a-c except for concerning the fact that the interruption is an opening instead of a slit. Thus, in the second embodiment, the top part 35 of the bag 1 comprises an opening 40. The opening 40 will now be described in further detail.

In the second embodiment, the two end seals 14 have the same extensions as in the first embodiment and may be varied in the same way as in the first embodiment. Thus, one end seal 14 has such an extension that the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 are partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, that the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b are partly non-connected with each other in the top part 35, and that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are non-connected by means thereof. More specifically, in the second embodiment one end seal 14 has such an extension that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are non-connected and that the corresponding parts of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 and the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b also are non-connected. Consequently, this end seal 14 extends from a position at the lower edge 30 of the rim 28 and to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13. Thus, this end seal 14 includes a sealing connection of only parts of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 and a sealing connection of only parts of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b in the vertical direction (figure 5).

The opening 40 of the second embodiment is formed by the above described non- connection of the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the non-connection of the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the non- connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26, and by parts of the rim portions 25, 26, the first and second side regions 4, 9 and the first and second gusset panels 17, 18 corresponding to the opening 40 being cut out from the bag 1 (fig. 5). The opening 40 extends in both rim portions 25, 26, one pair of adjacent side regions 4, 9 and both gusset panels 17, 18. The opening 40 is provided such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are formed. Each pull tab 37 comprises parts of one of the rim portions 25, 26, one of the side regions 4, 9 and one of the gusset panels 17, 18. In the illustrated second embodiment, the opening 40 extends from the upper edge 29 and to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

The opening 40 constitutes a notch (i.e. an indication of fracture) and the pull tabs 37 are opening means for opening the bag 1.

The second embodiment may be varied such that the opening 40 has another extension than that described above and shown in figure 5. However, in all cases the opening 40 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position in the top part 35. In addition, in all cases the opening 40 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. Thus, the opening 40 may extend from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position that is located lower in the vertical direction of the bag 1 than the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. The longer extension of the opening 40 in a downward direction is achieved by increasing the extension of the non-connection of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the non-connection of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 in the top part 35 of the bag 1 and by increasing the parts of the first and second side regions 4, 9 and the first and second gusset panels 17, 18 that are cut out from the bag 1 in order to form the opening 40.

Preferably, the first side region 4 is connected with the first gusset panel 17 along the opening 40 by means of a separate seal. Equally, the second side region 9 is preferably connected with the second gusset panel 18 along the opening 40 by means of a separate seal.

In variants (not shown), the top part 35 comprises two openings 40, whereby each corresponds to the opening 40 described above. Then each opening 40 is formed by one of the end seals 14 having such an extension that the above described non-connections are formed and by parts of the bag corresponding to the opening 40 being cut out from the bag. Thus, in a filled state, the bag 1 comprises then one opening 40 at each end wall 15. The two openings 40 may then have the same or different extensions. However, each of the openings 40 has such an extension that the rim 28 is interrupted, i.e. each opening 40 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. 5

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the bag 1 , which corresponds to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 a-b, 2 and 3a-c except for concerning the interruption and the extension of one of the end seals 14. In the third embodiment, each end seal 14 is provided such that it includes a complete sealing connection of the respective first and

10 second side edge regions 5, 10 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 , a complete sealing connection of the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b in the vertical direction of the bag 1 and a complete sealing connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26 in the vertical direction. Thus, both end seals 14 are provided in such a way and have such an extension that the first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the

15 first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are completely connected (sealed) in the vertical direction of the bag 1. In other words, each end seal 14 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13.

20 Furthermore, in the third embodiment, one of the above described completely connecting end seals 14 has an associated interruption in the form of a slit 36. The slit 36 is provided in the top part 35 and adjacent to the respective end seal 14. The slit 36 is provided through the first rim portion 25, the adjacent first side region 4 and the thereto adjacent first gusset panel 17 such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are formed. As may

25 be seen in figure 6, one of the pull tabs 37 comprises parts of the first rim portion 25, the first side region 4 and the first gusset panel 17 and the other pull tab 37 comprises parts of the first and second rim portions 25, 26, the respective first and second side regions 4, 9 and the first and second gusset panels 17, 18. In the third embodiment, the slit 36 extends from the upper edge 29 and to a position lower than the lower edge 30 of the rim

30 28. In alternative embodiments, the slit 36 may have another extension. However, the slit 36 extends in all cases from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position in the top part 35. In addition, in all cases the slit 36 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. Thus, in all cases the rim 28 is completely cut-off in one location together with the corresponding parts of the first side region 4 of the

35 front panel 2 and the first gusset panel 17 so as to form the pull tabs 37. As a maximum, the slit 36 may extend over almost the complete height of the first gusset panel 17. However, the slit 36 may not have such an extension such that parts of the slit 36 constitute an opening into the interior of the bag 1.

Furthermore, as shown in figure 6, the slit 36 is preferably formed adjacent to the respective end seal 14. However, the location of the slit 36 may be varied, but in all cases the slit 36 is located adjacent to or near the associated end seal 14.

Furthermore, the first gusset panel 17 and the first side region 4 may be sealed with a separate seal along the slit 36.

In a corresponding manner to that described above, the slit 36 may of course likewise be formed through the second rim portion 26, the adjacent second side region 9 and the thereto adjacent second gusset panel 18 such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are formed. Then the second gusset panel 18 and the second side region 9 may be sealed with a separate seal along the slit 36.

Thus, in general terms, in the third embodiment the slit 36 is provided through one of the rim portions 25, 26, one of the side regions 4, 9 and one of the gusset panels 17, 18 such that two pull tabs 37 are formed. Each pull tab 37 comprises parts of at least one of the rim portions 25, 26, at least one of the side regions 4, 9 and at least one of the gusset panels 17, 18. The slit 36 extends from the upper edge 29 and to at least the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

The third embodiment may be varied (not shown) such that both end seals 14 have an associated slit 36 corresponding to the slit 36 described above.

The third embodiment or any variant thereof may be varied such that one or both end seals 14 has/have any other suitable extension than that shown in figure 6 and described above. However, in all cases each end seal 14 with an associated slit 36 has such an extension that the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 are completely connected with each other in the vertical direction of the bag 1 in the top part 35, that the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b are completely connected with each other and with parts of the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 in the top part 35 and that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are completely connected with each other in the vertical direction of the bag 1 by means thereof.

Figure 7 shows another variant of the third embodiment, which corresponds to the third 5 embodiment except for concerning the fact that the slit 36 has an associated first weakening line 38 in the first side region 4. The first weakening line 38 is associated with the slit 36 so as to extend the slit 36. The first weakening line 38 may be positioned such that it extends from the slit 36, i.e. it may be positioned adjacent to the slit 36 (figure 7), or may be positioned at a distance from the slit 36. In the third embodiment the first 10 weakening line 38 extends in a vertical direction along the end seal 14 at which the slit 36 is located. Alternatively, it may, however, extend in another direction (not shown). The first weakening line 38 is arranged for further facilitating the opening of the bag 1.

The first weakening line 38 defines a direction of separability (e.g. frangibility) and may be 15 provided by any suitable treatment which reduces the strength of the side region 4 at the extension of the first weakening line 38. For example, the first weakening line 38 may be a perforation line.

In correspondence with the above, in case the slit 36 instead is formed through the 20 second rim portion 26, the adjacent second side region 9 and the thereto adjacent second gusset panel 18, the second side region 9 may, instead of the first side region 4, be provided with the first weakening line 38.

In order to open the variant of the third embodiment of the bag 1 with the weakening line 25 38, a user may grip the two pull tabs 37 and pull them downwards and/or outwards such that the material of the front panel 2 (or the rear panel 3) is torn along the first weakening line 38, whereby an opening for getting hold of the absorbent articles packaged in the bag 1 is created.

30 Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the bag 1 , which corresponds to the third embodiment shown in figure 6 except for concerning the fact that the interruption is an opening 43 instead of a slit and the fact that the bag 1 further comprises the first weakening line 38. Thus, in correspondence with the third embodiment, each end seal 14 is provided such that it includes a complete sealing connection of the respective first and

35 second side edge regions 5, 10 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 , a complete sealing connection of the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b in the vertical direction of the bag 1 and a complete sealing connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26 in the vertical direction. Thus, both end seals 14 are provided in such a way and have such an extension that the first and second side edge regions 5, 10, the 5 first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are completely connected (sealed) in the vertical direction of the bag 1. In other words, each end seal 14 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 to a position at the bottom regions 8, 13.

10 Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, one of the above described completely connecting end seals 14 has an associated interruption in the form of an opening 43. The opening 43 is provided in the top part 35 and adjacent to the respective end seal 14. The opening 43 is provided in the first rim portion 25, the adjacent first side region 4 and the thereto adjacent first gusset panel 17 such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are

15 formed. The opening 43 may, for example, be formed by corresponding parts of the first rim portion 25, the first side region 4 and the first gusset panel 17 being cut out from the bag 1.

As may be seen in figure 8, one of the pull tabs 37 comprises parts of the first rim portion 20 25, the first side region 4 and the first gusset panel 17 and the other pull tab 37 comprises parts of the first and second rim portions 25, 26, the first and second side regions 4, 9 and the first and second gusset panels 17, 18. In the fourth embodiment, the opening 43 extends from the upper edge 29 and to a position lower than the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. In alternative embodiments, the opening 43 may have another extension. However, 25 the opening 43 extends in all cases from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and to a position in the top part 35. In addition, in all cases the opening 43 extends from the upper edge 29 of the rim 28 and at least to the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

Furthermore, as shown in figure 8, the opening 43 is preferably formed adjacent to the 30 respective end seal 14. However, the location of the opening 43 may be varied, but in all cases the opening 43 is located adjacent to or near the associated end seal 14. In addition, the first gusset panel 17 and the first side region 4 may be sealed with a separate seal along the opening 43. The fourth embodiment is provided with a first weakening line 38 corresponding to the first weakening line in the variant of the third embodiment shown in figure 7. The first weakening line 38 is associated with the opening 43 so as to extend the opening 43. The first weakening line 38 may be positioned such that it extends from the opening 43 (figure 8), or may be positioned at a distance from the opening 43. In the fourth embodiment, the first weakening line 38 extends in a vertical direction along the end seal 14 at which the opening 43 is located. Alternatively, it may, however, extend in another direction (not shown).

In a corresponding manner to that described above, the opening 43 may of course likewise be provided in the second rim portion 26, the adjacent second side region 9 and the thereto adjacent second gusset panel 18 such that two pull tabs 37 for opening the bag 1 are formed. Then the second side region 9 may be provided with the first weakening line 38. Furthermore, the second gusset panel 18 and the second side region 9 may then be sealed with a separate seal along the opening 43.

Thus, in general terms, in the fourth embodiment the interruption is an opening 43 extending in one of the rim portions 25, 26, one of the side regions 4, 9 and one of the gusset panels 17, 18 such that two pull tabs 37 are formed. Each pull tab 37 comprises parts of at least one of the rim portions 25, 26, at least one of the side regions 4, 9 and at least one of the gusset panels 17, 18. The opening 43 extends from the upper edge 29 and to at least the lower edge 30 of the rim 28.

The fourth embodiment shown in figure 8 or any variant thereof may be varied such that the first weakening line 38 is omitted (not shown).

In addition, the fourth embodiment may be varied (not shown) such that both end seals 14 have an associated opening 43 corresponding to the opening 43 described above.

The fourth embodiment or any variant thereof may be varied such that one or both end seals 14 has/have any other suitable extension than that shown in figure 8 and described above. However, in all cases each end seal 14 with an associated opening 43 has such an extension that the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 are completely connected with each other in the vertical direction of the bag 1 in the top part 35, that the respective first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b are completely connected with each other and with parts of the respective first and second side edge regions 5, 10 in the vertical direction of the bag 1 in the top part 35 and that the first and second rim portions 25, 26 are completely connected with each other in the vertical direction of the bag 1 by means thereof.

In addition, the third or fourth embodiments or variants thereof may be further varied such that the interruption 36, 43 has an associated second weakening line 39, whereby the second weakening line extends from the associated interruption 36, 43 and at least partly along or at a distance from the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. One such variant is shown in figure 9, which corresponds to the variant of the third embodiment shown in figure 7, except for concerning the fact that it further comprises a second weakening line 39 in the front panel 2. The second weakening line 39 extends from, or from a location in the vicinity of, the slit 36 and along parts of the lower edge 30 of the rim 28. Alternatively, the second weakening line 39 may have a shorter or longer extension. The second weakening line 39 is arranged for further facilitating the opening of the bag 1.

The second weakening line 39 defines a direction of separability (e.g. frangibility) and may be provided by any suitable treatment which reduces the strength of the respective panel 2, 3 at the extension of the second weakening line 39. For example, the second weakening line 39 may be a perforation line.

In addition, any of the above described embodiments or variants thereof may be varied such that it further comprises a third weakening line in one or both gusset panels 17, 18 (not shown).

Furthermore, the pull tabs 37 in any of the above embodiments or variants thereof may be releasable attached to the top gusset 16, i.e. the inner sides of the pull tabs 37 may be releasable attached to the top gusset 16 (not shown). For example, the pull tabs 37 may be attached by adhesive to the top gusset 16.

Alternatively, the pull tabs 37 in any of the above embodiments or variants thereof may be folded and releasable attached to the front and rear panels 2, 3. Figure 10 shows such a variant in which the pull tabs 37 of the variant of the third embodiment shown in figure 7 are folded and the outer sides thereof are releasable attached to the front and rear panels 2, 3, respectively. In addition, the second, third and fourth embodiments and variants thereof have been shown in the figures as comprising the handle 27. However, the handle 27 may optionally be omitted.

The bag 1 according to the invention is typically filled from the bottom of the bag 1. After filling, the first and second bottom regions 8, 13 are connected to each other so as to close the bag 1. The first and second bottom regions 8, 13 may be interconnected with each other by any of the above mentioned interconnection means.

One example of a method for producing packaging bags 1 according to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 a-b, 2 and 3a-c will now be briefly described. A first continuous web material forming the bag part (i.e. the parts of the packaging bag except for the handle and the rim portions) and a second continuous web material forming the handle 27 and the first and second rim portions 25, 26 may be utilized for producing bags 1. Both the first continuous web material and the second continuous web material are preferably constituted by any of the above described weldable plastic materials. The first continuous web material is selectively folded along longitudinal fold lines such that fold lines forming the first, second and third fold lines 21 , 22, 23 (see figs. 3a-c) of the respective packaging bags 1 are provided and the second continuous web material is selectively folded such that a fold line is formed in an area forming the central region 33 (see figs. 3a-b) of each respective handle 27. Furthermore, the first and second continuous web materials are connected with each other as shown in figures 3a and 3b and described above. After the connection of the first and second continuous web materials, a continuous combined bag material is formed. Before the folding of the second continuous web material, material is removed from areas forming the grip openings 34 and from areas where no material is to be left in order to form the shape of the handle 27.

Subsequent manufacturing steps include end sealing of the individual packaging bags, i.e. forming the end seals 14, and separation (e.g. cutting) of the individual packaging bags 1. The end sealing may, for example, be performed by means of heat welding, ultrasonic welding or the like.

One way of performing the end sealing and separation of individual packaging bags from each other is to provide a relatively wide seal and separate individual bags by cutting essentially in the middle of the wide seal. One of the halves of the wide seal will thereby constitute one end seal of one packaging bag and the other half of the wide seal will constitute one end seal of a subsequent bag.

For the present invention, a suitable method is to provide every other sealing with a first sealing device and every other sealing with a second sealing device. One of the sealing devices will thereby provide the end seal 14 having such an extension that the slit 41 is formed and the other sealing device will provide the other end seal 14. Such a method implies that separated packaging bags are oriented head to foot with regards to the end seals.

Preferably, heat welding equipment is utilized for providing the end seal 14 whose extension does not imply that the slit 41 is formed, i.e. the end seal 14 extending over the complete width of the continuous combined bag material. The heat welding equipment comprises clamping jaws (heat seal members) which are pressed against the opposite surfaces of the continuous combined bag material at a location at which the end seal is to be formed. The clamping jaws may be arranged on rotating rolls or the like. Alternatively, the clamping jaws may be arranged on pneumatic cylinders which are pressed against each other, with the continuous combined bag material in between, when they are activated (intermittent manufacturing). The hot clamping jaws melt the plastic materials together such that a durable welding seam is formed.

The end seal 14 having such an extension that the slit 41 is formed may be provided by a first pair of clamping jaws that extend over that part of the continuous combined bag material at which the end seal 14 is to be formed. This pair of clamping jaws works in the same way as the clamping jaws described above. Furthermore, a sealing of the first side edge region 5 and the first gusset side edge region 24a as well as a sealing of the second side edge region 10 and the second gusset side edge region 24b along the extension of the slit 41 may be provided by a second pair of clamping jaws. In order to avoid a connection of the first and second rim portions 25, 26, a connection of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and a connection of the first and second side edge regions 5, 10 along the slit 41 , a relatively thin metal plate is introduced between the respective parts of the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b extending along the slit 41. The metal plate has such an extension that it is contacted with the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b and with parts of the first and second rim portions 25, 26 extending outside the front and rear panels 2, 3 along the slit 41. Preferably, the metal plate is heated and one of its surfaces constitutes an anvil for one of the clamping jaws and the opposite surface constitutes an anvil for the other clamping jaw. The arrangement of a metal plate between the first and second gusset side edge regions 24a, 24b implies that one clamping jaw is pressed against one surface of the metal plate and the other clamping jaw is pressed against the other surface of the metal plate. The two clamping jaws are pressed essentially simultaneously against the two opposed surfaces of the metal plate. Thereby, a first welding seam is formed of the plastic materials arranged between the metal plate and one of the clamping jaws and a second welding seam is formed of the plastic materials arranged between the metal plate and the other clamping jaw.

Alternatively, only one pair of clamping jaws may be utilized in order to form the end seal 14 having such an extension that the slit 41 is formed and to form the above described first and second weld seams. Then the clamping jaws may be designed such that there is space for the relatively thin metal plate between the clamping jaws during welding. Thus, the clamping jaws present one section in which the distance between the clamping jaws is greater than in the remainder section of the clamping jaws, whereby both clamping jaws or only one clamping jaw may be compensated such that the greater distance is achieved.

Of course these compensated clamping jaws may also be arranged on rotating rolls or the like, whereby the mentioned thin metal plate has to be arranged such that it follows the material during the welding operation.

The invention has been described with reference to the embodied figures. However, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments alone. Features from one or more of the above embodiments or variants thereof may be combined as required, and the ultimate scope of the invention should be understood as being defined in the appended claims.