Bag provided with an optimized closing device and method of packaging at least one product in such a bag.

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag (1) comprising two sheets (2, 3) forming a pocket (7) delimited by an opening (8) defined by two edges (10, 11) on these sheets, which each comprise an external face (2b, 3b). Two flaps (12, 13) are arranged in the extension of the edges which define two fold lines (14, 15) of the flaps, which are folded into an initial position against the respective external faces. An adhesive strip (16) is placed on a first flap (12), a protective strip (17) temporarily covers the adhesive strip and a receiving area (18) on a second flap (13) receives the adhesive strip when closing the opening. The adhesive strip and the protective strip are placed on a first external side (101) of the bag and the receiving area is placed on a second external side (102) of the bag, opposite the first external side, before closing the opening. Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Bag provided with an optimized closing device and method for packaging at least one product in such a bag. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sachet-type package which comprises a closure system. The invention also relates to a method of packaging at least one product in this package.

[0002] The invention will be implemented by packaging manufacturers and will find its application in particular in large-scale distribution or among artisan butchers, delicatessens, cheesemakers or fishmongers, for example, in order to allow the transport of food products sold in bulk, by weighing or retail. State of the art

[0003] Sachet-type packaging with a closure system is very widespread on the market.

[0004] Traditionally, a bag comprises two sheets which are assembled together by welding or by gluing, depending on the properties of the sheets used, in order to form a pocket provided in the upper part with an opening through which one or more products are introduced. The two sheets can be separated and assembled together by an assembly cord on the two side edges and on the lower edge. The two sheets can also be made up of a single sheet folded in two at the lower edge, an assembly cord then being necessary only on the two side edges. The upper edge is free of assembly cord so as to define the access opening to the pocket. The two sheets can further be configured to form a gusset on the bag.

[0005] Two types of closure system can be implemented on the bag. The first type of closure system comprises an adhesive strip arranged on an internal face of a first of the two sheets, at the opening, this adhesive strip being temporarily coated with a protective strip. Once the bag is filled with one or more products, the protective strip is removed and the adhesive strip on the internal face of the first sheet is pressed against a receiving area on the internal face of the second sheet, the receiving area also being defined at the opening.

[0006] The second type of closure system comprises a flap present on a first of the two sheets which is longer than the second of the two sheets, the flap on the first sheet extending beyond the upper edge of the second sheet. The closure system closure comprises an adhesive strip which is arranged either on the flap, on the side of the internal face of the first sheet, or below the upper edge of the second sheet, on the external face of this second sheet. This adhesive strip is temporarily coated with a protective strip. Once the pocket is filled with one or more products, the protective strip is removed and the flap is folded against the external face of the second sheet so that the adhesive strip comes into contact with a receiving zone which is arranged either below the upper edge on the external face of the second sheet, when the adhesive strip is arranged on the flap, on the side of the internal face of the first sheet, or on the flap, on the side of the internal face of the first sheet, when the adhesive strip is arranged below the upper edge of the second sheet, on the external face of this second sheet.

[0007] When filling one or more products into the bag, it may happen that the adhesive strip or the receiving area becomes soiled with material, rendering the closure system totally or partially ineffective. This is the case, for example, for bags used to contain foodstuffs containing liquid or fat, for example a roast chicken which generates grease on the surface. When introducing the foodstuffs into the pouch, liquid or grease may be deposited on the receiving area and / or on the protective strip which becomes soaked with liquid or grease, rendering the closure system ineffective on the soiled parts. Similarly, when introducing one or more bulky products into the pouch, these may rub against the protective strip during introduction and partially detach it, thus soiling the adhesive strip. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims at a new design of the closure system on a bag, which has the particular advantage of keeping intact the adhesive strip and the receiving zone intended to come into contact with each other when the closure of the bag is put in place. In other words, the bag which is the subject of the invention avoids soiling the closure system during the introduction of one or more products into the bag in order to keep it intact until it is put in place.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bag comprising two sheets and assembly means between the two sheets, configured so that said sheets form a pocket delimited by an opening allowing the introduction of at least one product into the pocket, the opening being defined by two edges arranged respectively on the two sheets. The two sheets may be separated initially, in which case the assembly means will allow an assembly of the lateral edges and the lower edges of the sheets, on the bag. These two sheets may also be formed from a single sheet folded in two, in which case the assembly means will allow the lateral edges of the sheets to be assembled onto the bag. These two sheets each comprise an internal face and an external face. In addition, the bag comprises a system for closing the opening after filling the pocket.

[0010] According to the invention, the closure system comprises two flaps formed respectively on the two sheets in the extension of the edges, beyond the pocket, the two edges defining two fold lines of the flaps, the flaps being folded into an initial position against the respective external faces of the sheets. In addition, the closure system comprises an adhesive strip deposited on a first of the flaps, on the side of the internal face of the sheet comprising the first flap. The closure system also comprises a protective strip configured to temporarily cover the adhesive strip and to be removed when the opening is closed. The closure system also comprises a receiving area defined on a second of the flaps, on the side of the internal face of the sheet comprising the second flap, said receiving area being configured to receive the adhesive strip when the opening is closed.The adhesive strip and the protective strip temporarily covering said adhesive strip are placed on a first outer side of the bag and the receiving area is placed on a second outer side of the bag, opposite the first outer side, before closing the opening.

[0011] Thus, according to the bag which is the subject of the invention, the closure system implemented makes it possible to initially keep both the adhesive strip temporarily coated with the protective strip and the receiving zone, outside the bag, that is to say outside the environment of the volume of the pocket and the opening, which prevents the product(s) or even utensils allowing this or these product(s) to be handled, from coming into contact with the protective strip temporarily coating the adhesive strip, arranged on the first external side of the bag, or with the receiving zone, arranged on the second external side of the bag.

[0012] The initial position is understood to mean that in which the flaps are located just before the bag is filled with products. Thus, this initial position may be that provided for when the bag is made, the two flaps then already being in the folded position against the external faces of the two sheets. This initial position may, on the contrary, be that obtained just before the bag is filled, the two flaps then being at the start, that is to say during the making of the bag, arranged against each other, the protective strip preventing the adhesive strip from sticking against the receiving zone, the two flaps in this case being previously folded against the external faces of the sheets, to be placed in said initial position then allowing the bag to be filled with products.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, the flaps each comprise an opening, the two openings being configured so that when the flaps are moved into a final position, one against the other, said two openings correspond and form a gripping member allowing the bag to be grasped and carried with one hand. This design facilitates the manual transport of the bag. Of course, variants of the bag according to the invention may be implemented without these openings. Other gripping members may also be provided on the flaps, so as to allow the bag to be handled once the pocket is closed, the flaps then being pressed against each other, the adhesive strip adhering to the receiving area.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, the sheets are configured to form a gusset allowing an increase in the volume of the bag. This will allow a larger volume of products to be introduced into the bag, for example a chicken. Variants of the bag according to the invention may also be implemented without a gusset.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, the sheets are configured so that their internal faces are impermeable to liquid and semi-liquid materials. This will allow the introduction of fatty products or products containing liquid into the bag without risk of leakage. These products could be, for example, roast chicken, fish, cold meats, rare meat, etc. Of course, other variants of the bag according to the invention could be envisaged without any impermeability, for example a single sheet of paper.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, the sheets are configured so that their external faces are capable of receiving ink prints of various types. For example, these ink prints may indicate the name of the merchant, the nature, origin and type of the product to be packaged, the method of using the bag, etc. Of course, variants of the bag according to the invention may be provided with an external face not allowing any ink print, but which may, for example, receive a label.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the sachet according to the invention, the sheets each have a multi-layer structure. A variant of the sachet according to the invention with sheets having a single-layer structure is however also conceivable.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the bag which is the subject of the invention, the assembly means are implemented by a sealing cord of the welding or gluing type, between the two sheets. This allows in particular the production of a bag with a waterproof pocket. For a use not requiring sealing, it would be possible to provide other assembly means on the bag, for example stapling.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the bag according to the invention, in the presence of a sealing cord, the adhesive strip comprises two ends which are configured to join respectively two ends of the sealing cord. In other words, the two ends of the sealing cord and the two ends of the adhesive strip join at the edges of the opening defining the fold lines of the flaps. This makes it possible to ensure that the bag is sealed once the closure system is in place. Of course, variants of the bag according to the invention can be envisaged without sealing between the closure system and the bag.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for packaging at least one product in a sachet having one or other of the aforementioned characteristics, which comprises the following steps: a) insert at least one product into the pocket by introducing it through the opening, if necessary first spreading the edges of the opening so as to have easy access to the volume of the pocket; b) remove the protective strip to release the adhesive strip on the inner face of the first flap, the flaps being in the initial position; c) pivoting the two flaps along their respective fold lines so as to press said two flaps against each other, the adhesive strip coming into contact with the receiving area on the internal face of the second flap, thus ensuring the closure of the pocket.

[0021] The packaging method according to the invention could comprise a step prior to inserting the at least one product into the pocket, said preliminary step consisting of pivoting the two flaps into the initial position, against the respective external faces of the sheets, said flaps initially bearing against each other with the protective strip positioned on the adhesive strip, on the first flap, so as to prevent the adhesive strip from sticking to the receiving area on the second flap.Indeed, the bag according to the invention could be delivered to the user, for example a trader, in the aforementioned configuration, that is to say with the flaps initially resting against each other and with the protective strip positioned on the adhesive strip, this configuration being able for example to reduce the size of the bags stacked on top of each other, in particular when such bags do not include a gusset. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which: [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic sectional view, in profile, of a sachet according to the invention in the initial position, that is to say before the introduction of one or more products into the pocket; [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic front view of the bag of [Fig.l], in the final position, i.e. after closing the bag; [Fig.3] illustrates a three-dimensional schematic view of the bag of [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], in final position; [Fig.4] illustrates a partial schematic view of a sachet according to the invention in the initial position; [Fig.5] illustrates a partial schematic view of the bag of [Fig.4], in the final position, i.e. after closing the bag. Detailed description

[0023] In the remainder of the description, the same references are used to describe the same characteristics according to the different variants. In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "lower", "upper", which could be used, will be used in consideration of the normal position of use of the bag, the opening on the pocket being placed on the upper side to allow the introduction of one or more products into the pocket.

[0024] With reference to [Fig. 1], the bag 1 comprises two sheets 2, 3 which are assembled together at their lateral edges 4, 5 by means of a sealing bead 6 which, preferably, can be a welding bead or a glue bead when it is desired to implement a sealed bag. The sealing bead 6 is shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 4] and in [Fig. 5] and can also be applied for the variant from [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 3]. The sheets 2, 3 each comprise an internal face 2a, 3a and an external face 2b, 3b. The sheets 2, 3 may have a single-layer structure, made of plastic or biodegradable material, or have a multi-layer structure, the layers of the multi-layer structure being able to be of a different composition.For example, the sheets 2, 3 may each comprise a first layer of paper material defining the external faces 2b, 3b of the sheets 2, 3 and capable of receiving ink prints in order to indicate the name of the merchant, the nature and origin of the packaged product and / or the mode of use of the bag 1, for example, and a second layer of plastic material or other materials ensuring impermeability to liquid or semi-liquid ingredients such as water, juice and fats, for example, this second layer defining the internal faces 2a, 3a of the sheets 2, 3. The first and second layers are not illustrated in the figures. The assembly of the two sheets 2, 3 by means of the sealing cord 6 makes it possible to define a pocket 7 delimited by an opening 8. The two sheets 2, 3 and the sealing cord 6 are configured to define a gusset 9 making it possible to increase the volume of the pocket 7.Variants without this gusset 9 are also possible. The design of a bag with or without gusset is already well known, and those skilled in the art can . draw inspiration from the prior art existing in this field to apply it to the bag 1 according to the present invention and for various variant embodiments, with the aim of constituting the pocket 7 and the opening 8.

[0025] With reference to [Fig. 1], the opening 8 is defined by two edges 10, 11 respectively on the two sheets 2, 3. These sheets 2, 3 each comprise a flap 12, 13 which extends said sheet 2, 3 beyond the edge 10, 11. These two edges 10, 11 define two fold lines 14, 15 allowing the flaps 12, 12 to be pivoted respectively against the two external faces 2b, 3b of the two sheets 2, 3, thus defining an initial position of the flaps 12, 13 according to which one or more products can be inserted into the pocket 7, by introducing them through the opening 8. In one embodiment of the bag 1, the flaps 12, 13 will be arranged in this initial position directly during the making of said bag 1.A variant could be envisaged, according to which when making the bag 1, the two flaps 12, 13 would be placed in a pivoted position against each other, then subsequently returned to the initial position by the user at the time of use, before filling the bag with products.

[0026] As shown in [Fig.l], in the initial position, the internal faces 2a, 3a of the two sheets 2, 3, on their portions corresponding to the flaps 12, 13, which are pressed against the external faces 2b, 3b of said sheets 2, 3, are arranged outside the bag 1, the first flap 12 being on a first external side 101 of the bag 1 and the second flap 13 being on a second external side 102 of the bag 1, opposite the first external side 101. On the first flap 12, the internal face 2a comprises an adhesive strip 16 which extends over the width of the bag 1, between the two lateral edges 4, 5, as shown in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3]. The adhesive strip 16 is positioned in the vicinity of the fold line 14 (or edge 10) and is temporarily coated with a protective strip 17, illustrated in [Fig. 1]. On the second flap 13, a receiving area 18 is defined on the inner face 3a. In [Fig.l], this receiving zone 18 is defined by a slight excess thickness on the internal face 3a; this is only a schematic representation, the receiving zone 18 being able to be - and will preferably be - merged with said internal face 3a.

[0027] When packaging one or more products in the bag 1, the flaps 12, 13 are in their initial position, folded against the external faces 2b, 3b of the sheets 2, 3. However, if the bags 1 have been delivered to the retailer with the flaps 12, 13 pivoted against each other, the presence of the protective strip 17 on the adhesive strip 16 preventing the latter from sticking to the receiving area 18 and closing the opening 8, the user must then first place the flaps 12, 13 in the initial position by folding them against said external faces 2b, 3b. The user then inserts one or more products into the pocket 7 by introducing them through the opening 8. During this introduction, the adhesive strip 16 coated with the protective strip 17, on the first flap 12, and the receiving zone 18, on the second flap 13, are suitably clear of the upper side 103 of the bag 1 arranged above the opening 8, thus avoiding any risk of contact of the protective strip 17 covering the adhesive strip 16 and of the receiving zone 18, with the product(s) when they are introduced into the pocket 7, so as not to soil them. Once the product(s) have been inserted into the pocket 7, the user removes the protective strip 17 to release the adhesive strip 16 and then pivots the two flaps 12, 13 to bring them back against each other, in a final position, as shown in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the adhesive strip 16 thus coming into contact with the receiving zone 18, closing the opening 8 for access to the pocket 7. In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], no product has been inserted into the pocket 7, simply to facilitate the schematic representation.

[0028] In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the flaps 12, 13 each comprise an opening 19, the adhesive strip 16 being placed between the opening 19 and the fold line 14 on the first flap 12, the openings 19 being placed in identical positions on the two flaps 12, 13. Thus, when the two flaps 12, 13 are pivoted against each other and the adhesive strip 16 adheres to the receiving zone 18, the pocket 7 being closed, these two openings 19 form a gripping member 20 allowing the bag 1 to be grasped for transport, avoiding, for example, burning oneself when hot food is placed in the pocket 7. A variant of the bag 1 without these openings 19 is also possible. Variants of the gripping member are also conceivable, for example handles (not shown) arranged in the extensions of the end edges 21, 22 of the flaps 12, 13.

[0029] With reference to [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrating a variant of the bag 1 having characteristics similar to those described previously, the adhesive strip 16 comprises two ends 16a, 16b which are curved towards the fold line 14 on the first flap 12, and which extend to said fold line 14 so as to join the ends 6a, 6b of the sealing cord 6 and, thus, ensure a continuity of sealing between the sealing cord 6 and the adhesive strip 16, when closing the pocket 7. The protective strip 17 in this case covers the entirety of the adhesive strip 16, including its ends 16a, 16b, and is therefore arranged adjacent to the fold line 14.The ends 17a, 17b of the protective strip 17, or at least one of the two ends 17a, 17b, may protrude from the lateral edges 4, 5 of the bag 1, so as to facilitate gripping of the protective strip 17, for its removal from the adhesive strip 16. This is also conceivable for the embodiment of [Fig.l] to [Fig.3].

[0030] Other variants of the bag 1 could be envisaged within the scope of the invention. For example, the closure system could additionally comprise a secure device making it possible to detect fraudulent opening of the bag 1. Such a secure device is for example described in patent application FR 3 028 249 A1 in the name of the Applicant. According to another example, the bag 1 could comprise on one of the external faces 2b, 3b a pocket (not illustrated) allowing an air intake to be provided to move the bag by means of a pneumatic network, that is to say a compressed air network allowing the bag 1 to be propelled in conduits to transport it from a starting point to an arrival point, such a bag 1 being for example used for the transport of articles such as tubes for sampling on the human body, for example a blood sample, such a bag being for example described in patent application FR 3 044 302 A1 in the name of the Applicant.

Claims

1.

2. Claims Bag (1) comprising two sheets (2, 3) and assembly means between the two sheets configured so that said sheets form a pocket (7) delimited by an opening (8) allowing the introduction of at least one product into the pocket, the opening being defined by two edges (10, 11) arranged respectively on the two sheets, the two sheets each comprising an internal face (2a, 3a) and an external face (2b, 3b), said bag comprising a system for closing the opening after filling the pocket, characterized in that the closing system comprises two flaps (12, 13) formed respectively on the two sheets (2, 3) in the extension of the edges (10, 11), beyond the pocket (7), the two edges (10, 11) defining two fold lines (14, 15) of the flaps (12, 13), the flaps (12, 13) being folded down in a position initial against the respective external faces (2b, 3b) of the sheets (2, 3),the closure system comprising an adhesive strip (16) deposited on a first of the flaps (12), on the side of the internal face (2a) of the sheet (2) comprising the first flap (12), the closure system comprising a protective strip (17) configured to temporarily cover the adhesive strip (16) and to be removed at the time of closing the opening (8), the closure system comprising a receiving zone (18) defined on a second of the flaps (13), on the side of the internal face (3a) of the sheet (3) comprising the second flap (13), said receiving zone (18) being configured to receive the adhesive strip (16) when closing the opening (8), the adhesive strip (16) and the protective strip (17) temporarily covering said adhesive strip (16) being placed on a first outer side (101) of the bag (1) before closing the opening (8) and the receiving zone (18) being placed of a second outer side (102) of the bag (1),opposite the first outer side (101)., Bag (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flaps (12, 13) each comprise an opening (19), the two openings (19) being configured so that when moving the flaps (12, 13) into a final position, one against the other, said two openings (19) correspond and form a gripping member (20) allowing the bag (1) to be grasped and carried with one hand.

3. Bag (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the sheets (2, 3) are configured to form a gusset (9) allowing an increase in the volume of the pocket (7).

4. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheets (2, 3) are configured so that their internal faces (2a, 3a) are impermeable to liquid and semi-liquid materials.

5. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the sheets (2, 3) are configured so that their external faces (2b, 3b) are capable of receiving ink prints of various types.

6. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheets (2, 3) each have a multi-layer structure.

7. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the assembly means are implemented by a sealing bead 6), of the welding or gluing type, between the two sheets (2, 3).

8. Bag (1) according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive strip (16) comprises two ends (16a, 16b) which are configured to respectively join two ends (6a, 6b) of the sealing cord 6.

9. A method of packaging at least one product in a bag (1) having the characteristics of any one of claims 1 to 8, which comprises the following steps: a) inserting at least one product into the pocket (7) by introducing it through the opening (8); b) removing the protective strip (17) to release the adhesive strip (16) on the inner face (2a) of the first flap (12), the flaps (12, 12) being in the initial position; c) pivoting the two flaps (12, 13) along their respective fold lines (14, 15) so as to press said two flaps (12, 13) against each other, the adhesive strip (16) coming into contact with the receiving zone (18) on the inner face (3a) of the second flap (13), thus ensuring the closure of the pocket (7).

10. Packaging method according to claim 9, which comprises a step prior to inserting the at least one product into the pocket (7), said prior step consisting of pivoting the two flaps (12, 13) into the initial position, against the external faces (2b, 3b) respective of the sheets (2, 3), said flaps (12, 13) being initially pressed against each other with the protective strip (17) positioned on the adhesive strip (16), on the first flap (12), so as to prevent the adhesive strip (16) from sticking with the receiving zone (18) on the second flap (13).

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