Blank and relative compostable bag

Abstract

A blank (2) made of compostable material comprising a plurality of lateral panels (22, 23, 24, 25), a plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29), a layer (30, 31) comprising an operating portion (30a, 31a) and an anchoring portion (32, 33). The layer (30, 31) is associated in a stable manner with a first base panel (27, 29) by means of the anchoring portion (32, 33). The operating portion (30a, 31a) is able to be swinged with respect to the anchoring portion (32, 33) in order to configure the layer (30, 31) alternatively between a rest configuration (P1, P2) in which the operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with a first lateral panel (23, 25) adjacent to the first base panel (27, 29) with which the anchoring portion (32, 33) is coupled, and an operating configuration (S1, S2) in which the operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with the first base panel (27, 29) with which said anchoring portion (32, 33) is coupled.

Description

[0001] Blank and relative compostable bag

[0002] The present invention relates to a blank with which it is possible to erect a relative bag. In particular, the blank and the bag are made of biodegradable material in such a manner that the collection of organic material, such as waste, is allowed.

[0003] The need to sort waste according to their type already at the domestic level of the disposal chain so that they can be directed, in this first step, towards an optimized disposal from which their optimal exploitation derives is now known. More precisely, the organic waste material should be separated from other types of waste as it can be appropriately treated to obtain therefrom, for example, biofuels, such as methane, and fertilizers for agriculture.

[0004] To facilitate the domestic separate collection of organic material, it is also known to use biodegradable bags in order to dispose together of both the bag and the waste contained in it. However, the known types of bag suffer from the problem of hindering air circulation, thus speeding up the decomposition of the organic waste itself, resulting in the production of unpleasant odours. Likewise, the uncontrolled decomposition of organic waste hinders the subsequent exploitation of the waste, from which a poor quality compost will be obtained, often compromising its exploitation.

[0005] In addition, the biodegradable bags, being made of bioplastics, obtained for example from corn starch, enjoy poor elastic properties, and degrade even more easily in contact with the liquids released by the decomposing organic waste. Consequently, the bags made with such materials often break, releasing their contents too soon.

[0006] A further type of bag for organic waste is made of paperboard, this material more easily allows air circulation such that the decomposition of organic waste is slowed down so as to avoid the formation of unpleasant odours and allow a subsequent adequate exploitation of the organic waste disposed of.

[0007] However, these bags have poor mechanical qualities, particularly when the paperboard has absorbed the liquids released by decomposing organic waste. In addition, the known bags made of paperboard and bioplastics are typically unable to contain significant masses of material. Therefore, these bags tend to deform over time and open at the bottom, the portion where the weight weighs the most, releasing their contents.

[0008] Bags have been proposed having a reinforcement element to be positioned at the bottom of the bag in order to improve the overall mechanical strength of the bag. However, such bags can be difficult to erect especially for non-expert users. In particular, in some bags it is not always easy and immediate to correctly position the reinforcement element on the bottom of the bag. This results in the overall performance of these bags being compromised.

[0009] The term "swinging hinge" refers to the portion that mechanically connects a pair of elements and also allows their mutual rotation around it.

[0010] The term "bellows-like" refers to an element that can be alternately folded and extended in such a manner as to reduce and increase its surface area, respectively.

[0011] A task of the present invention is to make a blank and a relative bag in biodegradable material that at least partially overcome the defects highlighted with reference to the cited prior art.

[0012] A task of the present invention is to make a blank and a relative bag in mechanically resistant biodegradable material. A further task of the invention is to provide a blank and a relative bag that has a better resistance to the action of the liquids that are released over time by the organic material contained in the bag.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to make a bag that is mechanically resistant and at the same time foldable in such a manner as to have a minimum footprint.

[0014] An object of the invention is to make a disposable bag in an environmentally friendly manner.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to make a bag that is disposable together with organic waste deposited therein.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to make a bottom-reinforced bag easily and quickly formable by a user.

[0017] This task, as well as these and other purposes are achieved by a blank and by a bag in accordance with one or more of the appended claims.

[0018] In particular, in a first aspect thereof, the present invention is directed to a blank made of compostable material. Preferably, the blank comprises a sheet having a plurality of lateral panels. Preferably, the lateral panels are arranged in succession and separated by means of lateral creasing lines which develop in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the sheet of the blank comprises a plurality of base panels. Preferably, the base panels are mutually arranged in succession and are mutually separated by means of respective bottom creasing lines developing along the longitudinal direction. Preferably each base panel of the plurality of base panels is connected to a corresponding lateral panel by means of a bottom creasing line so that each lateral panel is adjacent to a corresponding base panel. Preferably, the bottom creasing line develops in the transverse direction. Preferably, the transverse direction develops orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0019] Preferably, the blank comprises a layer. Preferably, the layer comprises an operating portion and an anchoring portion for anchoring the layer to the sheet. Preferably, the layer is associated in a stable manner with a first base panel of the plurality of base panels by means of the anchoring portion.

[0020] Preferably, the layer is provided with a swinging hinge for allowing the swinging of the operating portion with respect to the anchoring portion in order to configure the layer alternately between a rest configuration and an operating configuration. Preferably in the rest configuration the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with a first lateral panel of the plurality of lateral panels which is adjacent to the first base panel with which the anchoring portion is coupled. Preferably in the operating configuration the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with the first base panel with which the anchoring portion is coupled.

[0021] Advantageously, this blank allows the relative lateral and base panels to be folded at the creasing lines in such a manner as to conform and erect a bag. More precisely, the anchoring portion is coupled to the base panel, i.e. below the bottom creasing line, allowing the layer to cover the bottom creasing line entirely, reinforcing it mechanically. Likewise, the anchoring portion associated and overlapping with the base panel already allows to provide a first mechanical reinforcement.

[0022] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a bag constructed from a blank comprising a plurality of lateral walls and a base wall. Preferably, the base wall is delimited by a bottom creasing line and is substantially orthogonal with respect to the lateral walls. Preferably, the bag comprises a layer comprising a first operating portion and an anchoring portion. Preferably, the layer is associated in a stable manner with the base wall by means of the anchoring portion. Preferably, the operating portion is able to be swinged about a swinging hinge provided on the layer with respect to the anchoring portion in order to configure the layer alternately between a rest configuration and an operating configuration. Preferably according to the operating configuration the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with the base wall. Preferably, according to the rest configuration, the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with a first lateral wall which is adjacent thereto. Advantageously, associating the layer with the base wall allows it to be reinforced, in particular at the bottom creasing line, where the accumulation of organic waste and any liquids released by them particularly weighs on and weakens the bag. Advantageously, the operating portion by overlapping with the base wall, preferably by overlapping with it integrally, allows the entire base wall to be reinforced with an additional layer of material, the base wall is particularly stressed in the event that the content of the bag releases liquids absorbed by the material of the bag and consequently weakening the structure of the bag itself.

[0023] More precisely, the base wall, the anchoring portion and the operating portion, when the layer assumes the operating configuration, by mutually overlapping they substantially create a triple reinforcement layer of material at least on one side of the base wall.

[0024] Furthermore, the overlapping of the operating portion with the first lateral wall, when the layer is configured according to the rest configuration, allows the same first lateral wall to be mechanically reinforced, guaranteeing in any case a partial support of one side of the base wall, more precisely that of the boundary between the base wall and the first lateral panel, by means of the anchoring portion associated with it.

[0025] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a bag constructed from a blank which is configurable in a folded or erect configuration comprising a plurality of lateral walls and a base wall.

[0026] Preferably at least a first pair of the lateral walls is mutually opposite and comprises respective median creasing lines. Preferably, the median creasing lines extend in the longitudinal direction so as to make the lateral walls foldable about themselves.

[0027] Preferably, the base wall is separated from the lateral walls by means of a perimeter bottom creasing line. Preferably, the base wall comprises a terminal creasing line so as to make the base wall foldable, preferably in a bellows-like manner, about itself.

[0028] Preferably, the bag includes a layer comprising a first operating portion and an anchoring portion. Preferably, the layer comprises a swinging hinge which is interposed between the first operating portion and the anchoring portion and is configured to allow the swinging of the operating portion with respect to the anchoring portion. Preferably, the layer is associated in a stable manner with the base wall by means of the anchoring portion. Preferably, the operating portion is able to be swinged with respect to the anchoring portion in order to configure the layer alternately between a rest configuration and an operating configuration. Preferably, according to the rest configuration, the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with a first lateral wall. Preferably according to the operating configuration the operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with the base wall.

[0029] Preferably according to the erect configuration the walls are mutually spaced in pairs from, and are orthogonal to, the base wall. Preferably, according to the folded configuration, the operating portion of the layer assumes the rest configuration, likewise the base wall is folded about itself by means of the terminal creasing line, each wall of the pair of lateral walls is folded about itself by means of the median creasing lines and a second pair of walls adjacent to the first pair of walls which are not adjacent is mutually overlapping. These features allow the bag to be erect in such a manner that it can be filled, for example, with organic waste, and at the same time they allow it to be folded in such a manner that it is substantially flattened.

[0030] The present invention, in one or more of the aspects described above, may also have at least one of the preferred features described below.

[0031] Preferably, the blank comprises a second layer.

[0032] Preferably, the anchoring portion is arranged near the bottom creasing line in such a manner that the swinging hinge of the operating portion is provided near the bottom creasing line.

[0033] According to embodiments of the invention, the swinging hinge is a creasing line acting as a hinge for allowing the swinging of the operating portion. This feature allows the operating portion to swing in such a manner as to change the configuration of the layer from the operating configuration to the rest configuration and vice versa.

[0034] Preferably, the swinging hinge of the operating portion is overlapping with the bottom creasing line. These features allow the layer and the first lateral panel and / or the first base panel to be folded simultaneously into the conformation of the bag. The overlapping of the bottom creasing line and of the layer swinging hinge allows the relative positioning between panels and layer to be changed by means of a single folding, making a blank that results in a bag being erected more simply.

[0035] According to embodiments of the invention, the swinging hinge develops parallel to a transverse direction. Preferably, the transverse direction develops orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0036] According to embodiments of the invention, the bottom creasing line develops parallel to the transverse direction. Preferably, the bottom creasing line is overlapping with the swinging hinge of each layer. This feature allows the blank to be foldable with respect to a single creasing line and it also allows the operating portion to swing between the operating and rest position around the same creasing line, as it corresponds, at each layer, to the bottom creasing line.

[0037] Preferably, the first lateral panel and / or a further lateral panel has a length which develops in the longitudinal direction greater than the respective length of the operating portion of the respective layer in such a manner that in the rest configuration the operating portion extends solely over a longitudinal portion of the lateral panel. Preferably, the first lateral panel has a width developing in a transverse direction greater than or equal to the respective width of the operating portion of the layer. Preferably, the longitudinal direction is substantially orthogonal to the transverse direction. In particular, this feature allows the operating portion of the layer to be contained within the lateral panel. Preferably, the operating portion has a length which develops in the longitudinal direction that is less than or equal to a respective width, developing in a transverse direction of a second base panel which is adjacent with respect to the first base panel with which the layer is associated.

[0038] Preferably, the operating portion has a length which develops in the longitudinal direction at least substantially equal to half of a respective length developing in a transverse direction of a second base panel which is adjacent with respect to the first base panel with which the layer is associated.

[0039] Preferably, the transverse direction is substantially orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal direction. These features dimensionally allow the operating portion to be overlapping with the second base panel, obtaining a mechanical reinforcement of the same, in such a manner as to cover it only partially or entirely.

[0040] Preferably, the blank comprises a second layer. Preferably, the second layer comprises a second operating portion and a second anchoring portion. Preferably, the second layer is provided with a second swinging hinge for allowing the swinging of the second operating portion with respect to the second anchoring portion. Preferably, the second layer is associated in a stable manner with a further base panel of the plurality of base panels by means of the second anchoring portion. Preferably, the second operating portion is able to be swinged with respect to the second anchoring portion in order to configure the second layer alternately between a second rest configuration and a second operating configuration.

[0041] Preferably according to the second rest configuration the second operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with a second lateral panel which is adjacent to the further base panel with which the second anchoring portion is coupled. Preferably according to the second operating configuration the second operating portion is, at least partially, overlapping with the further base panel with which the second anchoring portion is coupled. Advantageously, a second layer allows to further reinforce the blank, in particular alternatively the second lateral panel and the further base panel depending on the configuration assumed.

[0042] In some preferred versions, the first layer and the second layer are respectively associated with a first base panel and a further base panel which are not adjacent to each other. Preferably, the first base panel and the further base panel are spaced apart from a second base panel.

[0043] These features allow the blank to be mechanically reinforced in a more uniform way. Advantageously, this allows to make layers that are mutually identical.

[0044] Preferably, the blank comprises a plurality of coupling layers each protruding with respect to the relative base panel and foldable with respect thereto. Advantageously, these coupling layers allow, by cooperating with the respective base panels, and facilitate the conformation of a base wall of the bag.

[0045] Advantageously, these coupling layers allow the opening and closing of the bag in a bellows-like manner. Preferably each coupling layer protrudes beyond the relative base panel along the longitudinal direction. Preferably each coupling layer is foldable with respect to a longitudinal creasing line and a transverse creasing line. Preferably each longitudinal creasing line is aligned with a respective lateral creasing line. Preferably, the longitudinal creasing line develops in the longitudinal direction and is substantially parallel to the bottom creasing line.

[0046] These features allow the blank to be easily folded so as to form the bag and in particular so as to conform a base wall that is foldable in a bellows-like manner. Advantageously, these coupling layers allow the opening and closing of the bag in a bellows-like manner.

[0047] Preferably each coupling layer has a different extension along the longitudinal direction.

[0048] Preferably, the base wall comprises at least one shoulder arranged near the first lateral panel and developing towards a further lateral panel opposite said first lateral panel. Advantageously, the shoulder makes it possible to reinforce the base wall and, more precisely, the junction between the lateral panel which is adjacent to it and the base wall. In particular, this reinforcement plays an important role in resisting to the impregnating and consequently weakening action of the liquids towards paperboard. More precisely, the shoulder arranged on the base wall when it absorbs the liquids released, for example from waste or other types of moisture released for example from food products, blocks the advancement of the liquids towards the base wall, substantially temporarily preventing the absorption of liquids therein. This action is even more stressed when the base wall is overlapped by an operating portion of a layer, the solidity of the bottom of the bag increases and the absorption capacity of liquids, or moisture, increases, thus slowing down the deterioration of the bag.

[0049] Preferably, the base wall comprises a first shoulder and a second shoulder which are arranged opposite with respect to respective lateral walls and developing towards each other. This feature allows to further increase the resistance of the bottom of the bag and also the ability to absorb and support the action of liquids.

[0050] Preferably, the operating portion of the layer has a longitudinal extension at least equal to half of the longitudinal extension of the shoulder. This feature allows a further reinforced base wall to be obtained from the layered overlap of the wall itself, the shoulder and the operating portion of the layer.

[0051] Preferably, the shoulder is conformed by folding and mutually associating the coupling layers and / or the base panels of the blank. Preferably, the shoulder has a substantially triangular or trapezoidal shape.

[0052] These features allow the shoulder to be made in a manner induced by folding the blank into a bag, in particular without the need to further reinforce the bottom by applying further portions of paperboard.

[0053] Preferably, the blank comprises a coupling portion which develops mainly in the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the lateral creasing lines in such a manner as to flank the second lateral panel and the further base panel. Preferably, the coupling portion is configured in order to be coupled to a third lateral panel which is arranged at an opposite end of the blank. Advantageously, this feature allows opposite ends of the blank to be associated in a stable and reliable manner in such a manner as to allow it to be conformed into a bag.

[0054] Preferably, the operating portion has a longitudinal extension greater than or equal to the extension of the shoulder. This feature allows the base wall to be further reinforced. This feature, when the layers are two and the shoulders are two and positioned near the same layers respectively, allows to obtain a further reinforcement of the base wall.

[0055] Preferably, the anchoring portion is glued to the base panel. Preferably, the second anchoring portion is glued to the further base panel. Preferably, the anchoring portion is associated with interlocking to the base panel. Advantageously, these features allow the layer to be reliably associated with the relative base panel.

[0056] According to embodiments of the invention, the first lateral panel comprises a first median creasing line which is arranged between respective lateral creasing lines delimiting the first lateral panel. Preferably, the median creasing line develops in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the first median creasing line is configured to close about itself the first lateral panel.

[0057] According to embodiments of the invention a second lateral panel of the plurality of lateral panels comprises a second median creasing line which is arranged between respective lateral creasing lines delimiting the second lateral panel. Preferably, the first panel and the second panel are mutually separated by a further panel. Preferably, the second median creasing line is configured to close about itself the second lateral panel.

[0058] According to embodiments, the first median creasing line identifies in the first lateral panel a first flap and a second flap in such a manner that the first lateral panel is foldable about itself. In this way the first flap and the second flap can assume a positioning between a coplanar configuration, in which the first flap is coplanar to the second flap, and an overlapping configuration, in which the first flap and the second flap are mutually overlapping.

[0059] Advantageously the median creasing lines identify respective first layers and second layers in the first lateral panel and in the second lateral panel which are separated from the respective median creasing lines.

[0060] In this way, when the bag is in the folded configuration, the relative first flap overlaps the relative second flap, that is, the lateral panel folds about itself, so that the bag is folded in a bellows-like manner. When the bag is in the erect configuration the first flap and the second flap are substantially coplanar. These features allow the bag to be folded in a bellows-like manner when it assumes the folded configuration so as to reduce its volume and facilitate its transportability.

[0061] Advantageously, these features allow each layer to assume, substantially automatically, the operating configuration, during the transition of the bag from the folded configuration to the erect configuration.

[0062] Preferably, the layer comprises a layer creasing line. Advantageously, the layer creasing lines identify a respective first portion of the layer and a second portion of the layer of the operating portion of the respective layer which are separated from the respective layer creasing line.

[0063] In this way the first layer portion and the second layer portion can assume a positioning between a further coplanar configuration, in which the first layer portion is coplanar to the second layer portion, and a further overlapping configuration, in which the first layer portion and the second layer portion are mutually overlapping.

[0064] In this way, when the bag is in the folded configuration, the relative first layer portion overlaps the relative first flap and the relative second layer portion overlaps the second flap of the relative reference lateral panel, that is, when the lateral panel folds about itself, the operating portion of the relative layer will also fold in turn, exploiting the layer creasing line obtained on the layer and the median creasing line obtained on the relative lateral panel, as it is associated with the lateral panel at the anchoring portion and both share the bottom creasing line.

[0065] When the bag is in the erect configuration, the first layer portion and the second layer portion of each layer are substantially coplanar. These features allow the bag to be folded in a bellows-like manner when it assumes the folded configuration so as to reduce its volume and facilitate its transportability.

[0066] Advantageously, these features allow each layer to assume, substantially automatically, the operating configuration, during the transition of the bag from the folded configuration to the erect configuration. Particularly in the transition from the folded configuration to the erect configuration of the bag, the first and second flap pass from being overlapped and folded around the median creasing line to being substantially coplanar, at the same time the first layer portion and the second layer portion of each operating portion of the relative layer are pushed by the same first flap and by the same second flap so as to unfold in turn until they become substantially coplanar, in a completely similar way to what happens with the relative lateral panel. When the bag assumes the erect configuration, the tension offered by the median creasing line and by the bottom creasing line push the operating portion of the relative layer towards the centre of the bag, that is, so as to assume the operating configuration, in which each operating portion is overlapping with the base wall of the bag.

[0067] Preferably, the second layer comprises a second layer creasing line. In this way, each layer is subdivided into a first layer portion and into a second layer portion. These features make it possible to fold the layer about itself, particularly by overlapping the first layer portion with the second layer portion in the second layer. Preferably, the median creasing line and / or the layer creasing line are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blank.

[0068] According to embodiments of the invention, each layer creasing line, when the operating portion of the relative layer is overlapping with the respective lateral panel, is overlapping with the median creasing line. Advantageously, this feature allows the bag to be folded effectively in a bellows-like manner. Particularly, the bag in the folded configuration has each lateral panel with the first and the second flap that are mutually overlapping, the relative median creasing line is overlapping with the respective layer creasing line, while the first layer portion of the respective layer is overlapping with the relative first flap of the respective lateral panel and the second layer portion of the respective layer is overlapping with the relative second flap of the respective lateral panel. In the erect configuration, the first flap and the second flap of each lateral panel rotate with respect to the median creasing line until they are substantially coplanar, in this way the flaps force the first layer portion and to the second layer portion to rotate mutually around the layer creasing line so as to unfold the layer. In this way, during the passage from the folded configuration to the erect configuration of the bag, the median creasing line, thanks to the tension offered by the foldings, pushes the layer creasing line towards the base wall of the bag so as to force the layer to pass from the rest configuration to the operating configuration.

[0069] Preferably, the first base panel comprises a first median folding line which is arranged between respective median creasing lines delimiting the first base panel.

[0070] Preferably, the first median creasing line and the first median folding line are mutually aligned.

[0071] Preferably, the plurality of lateral walls comprises a first lateral wall having a first median creasing line. Preferably, the base wall comprises a first median folding line. Preferably, the first median folding line and the first median creasing line have a coincident first end and a second end, respectively. Preferably, the first end is at the bottom creasing line. Preferably, the second end of the first median creasing line is at the first bottom creasing line. In addition, the operating portion of the layer overlapping the base wall of the bag prevents the bag from unintentionally assuming the folded configuration. Preferably, the base wall comprises respective median folding lines.

[0072] Preferably, the second swinging hinge is a creasing line acting as a hinge for allowing the swinging of the second operating portion. Preferably, the second lateral panel comprises a second median creasing line which is arranged between respective lateral creasing lines delimiting the second lateral panel and preferably developing along the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the second median creasing line is configured to close the second lateral panel. Preferably, the second median creasing line identifies in the second lateral panel a further first flap and a further second flap in such a manner that the second lateral panel is foldable about itself. Preferably, the second layer is interposed between respective lateral creasings of the plurality of lateral creasings and preferably having a further width less than or equal to the width of the second lateral panel.

[0073] Preferably, the second layer comprises a second layer creasing line developing in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the second layer creasing line is configured to close the second layer about itself. Preferably, the second layer creasing line identifies in the second layer a further first layer portion and a further second layer portion in such a manner that the second layer is foldable about itself. These features allow the bag to be closed in a bellows-like manner at the opposite lateral walls having the respective layers. In addition, a pair of layers allows the bottom of the bag to be reinforced more, increasing its absorbent power, particularly in the case of moisture-releasing content. Both opposite panels can thus be folded about themselves, at the same time as the relative layers, in such a manner as to allow the operating portions to be automatically released from the engagement during the passage from the folded configuration to the erect configuration of the bag.

[0074] According to embodiments of the invention the median creasing lines and / or the layer creasing lines develop in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] Preferably, a pair of mutually non-adjacent lateral panels comprises median creasing lines which are interposed between pairs of lateral creasing lines and developing along the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the median creasing lines are configured to fold the non-adjacent lateral panels about themselves. This feature allows a further folding of the blank to be obtained, in particular by means of creasing lines internal to the lateral panels.

[0076] Preferably, the first base panel comprises a first median folding line. Preferably, the first median folding line is aligned with the median creasing line of the first panel. Preferably, the further base panel comprises a third median folding line. Preferably, the third median folding line is aligned with the second median creasing line. Advantageously, these features allow the relative base panels to be further folded about themselves and, by cooperating with the first and second median creasing lines, to further fold the whole blank.

[0077] The operating portion of the first layer and / or of the second layer which can overlapping with the first lateral panel provided with a relative median creasing line allows to achieve a formation of the bag, i.e. an effective transition from the folded configuration to the erect configuration. These features also allow the bag to be easily formed by a user.

[0078] Furthermore, these features allow the first layer to assume the operating configuration in a substantially automatic manner when the bag assumes the erect configuration.

[0079] In a preferred version, the first layer and the second layer are associated with a base panel and a further adjacent base panel, respectively.

[0080] This version allows to arrange the layers in adjacent panels, thus avoiding the folding of a layer along the median creasing line, these features therefore allow to reduce the thickness of the bag when in the folded configuration.

[0081] Preferably, the blank comprises a plurality of coupling layers each protruding at respective base panels. These coupling layers are configured in order to be associated with the base panels, for example by interlocking or gluing, in particular in such a manner as to conform a base of a bag.

[0082] Preferably, the blank is made of paperboard or flexible cardboard.

[0083] These features allow an eco-sustainable disposal of the blank.

[0084] Preferably, the operating portion entirely covers the base wall when the layer assumes the operating configuration.

[0085] Preferably, the bag comprises a second layer associated with the base wall at a different side from that of the layer.

[0086] Preferably, the terminal creasing line is made by aligning the first median folding line, the third median creasing line, the edge of a fourth base panel and the edge of the second base panel.

[0087] Preferably, the first and second layers are associated with the base wall on sides thereof in such a manner that, when the bag assumes the folded configuration, the first and second layers are mutually overlapping. This feature allows the bag to be folded without the need to provide creasing lines on each layer, reducing the processing necessary to make the blank.

[0088] Preferably, the operating portion entirely covers the base wall when the layer assumes the operating configuration.

[0089] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of the blank and of the bags, illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, in the attached drawings in which:

[0090] - figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the blank according to the invention;

[0091] - figures 2, 2a show the bag constructed from the blank of figure 1 respectively according to a partially folded and totally folded configuration respectively in a perspective view and in a side view;

[0092] - figures 3 - 5 illustrate the erect bag from the blank of figure 1 in a rest configuration and in an operating configuration.

[0093] - figure 6 illustrates an overall side view of the apparatus;

[0094] - figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus shown in figure 5;

[0095] - figure 8 shows an intermediate step of making a plurality of mutually associated blanks of figure 1.

[0096] The blank 2 depicted in figure 1 is made of compostable material, such as for example paperboard or cardboard, and is configured to be suitably folded and glued in order to conform a bag 1 as illustrated in figures 2 - 5.

[0097] The blank 2 comprises a plurality of lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 which are arranged in succession and mutually divided by respective lateral creasing lines 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a. The lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 develop mainly along a longitudinal direction L and their width develops in a transverse direction T orthogonal thereto and have a substantially rectangular shape. The blank 2 at one end thereof comprises a coupling portion 20 which is side by side with and divided from a second lateral panel 25 by means of a second lateral creasing line 25a configured to be glued to a third lateral panel 22 arranged at the opposite end of the blank 2. Each lateral panel 22, 23, 24, 25 is side by side with and respectively connected to a corresponding base panel 26, 27, 28, 29 by means of a same bottom creasing line 21a developing in the transverse direction T. This bottom creasing line 21a develops substantially over the entire width of the blank 2 and subdivides the elements that will conform, when folded, a base wall E from the elements that will conform lateral walls A, B, C, D of the bag 1, as will be better clarified in the following description.

[0098] The base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 are, completely similarly to what described for the lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25, arranged in succession and mutually divided by respective bottom creasing lines 26a, 27a, 28a, 29a developing in the same longitudinal direction L, and substantially aligned with the respective lateral creasing lines 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a.

[0099] In particular, the coupling portion 20 develops mainly along the same longitudinal direction L and extends in such a manner as to flank both the second lateral panel 25 and a third base panel 29 and is divided from the same panels 25, 29 by means of the aforementioned second lateral creasing line 25a and by means of a second bottom creasing line 29a substantially aligned along the same longitudinal direction L.

[0100] The blank 2 also comprises a first layer 30 and a second layer 31 which are also made of compostable material, such as for example paperboard or cardboard, so that they can be properly disposed of together with the further elements of the blank 2, without the need to sort these elements for them to be suitably disposed of. The first layer 30 and the second layer 31 are respectively associated to a first base panel 27 and to the third base panel 29 by means of a first gluing portion 32 and a second gluing portion 33. These layers 30, 31 each respectively have a first operating portion 30a and a second operating portion 31a which, respectively, in a first rest configuration Pl and in a second rest configuration P2 overlap, at least partially, respectively, the first lateral panel 23 and the second lateral panel 25. More precisely, the first operating portion 30a and the second operating portion 31a are each reversibly able to be swinged about the bottom creasing line 21a respectively between the aforementioned first rest configuration Pl and second rest configuration P2, and respectively a first operating position SI and a second operating position S2. Respectively, the first operating portion 30a of the first layer 30 and the second operating portion 31a of the second layer 31 according to the first operating position SI and the second operating position S2 overlap, at least partially, the first base panel 27 and the third base panel 29. In particular, the first operating portion 30a and the second operating portion 31a are movable in a mutually independent manner, so that only one of the operating portions 30a, 31a can possibly swing.

[0101] Likewise, the first lateral panel 23 and the second lateral panel 25 comprise respectively a first median creasing line 230 and a second median creasing line 250 which develop in the longitudinal direction L and are configured to allow the folding about themselves of the relative panels 23, 25 at the same. Also, the first layer 30 and the second layer 31 respectively comprise a first layer creasing line 300 and a second layer creasing line 310. In particular, the first median creasing line 230 and the second median creasing line 250, when the first operating portion 30a and the second operating portion 31a respectively assume the first rest position Pl and the second rest position P2, respectively overlap the first layer creasing line 300 and the second layer creasing line 310. In particular, this feature simultaneously allows the folding of the first lateral panel 23 together with the relative first layer 30 which is overlapping with it according to the first rest configuration Pl and, independently, the second panel 25 with the relative second layer 31 which is overlapping with it according to the second rest configuration P2.

[0102] Furthermore, the first base panel 27 and the third base panel 29 respectively comprise a first median folding line 270 and a second median folding line 290, which develop substantially aligned respectively with the first median creasing line 230 and with the second median creasing line 250 along the same longitudinal direction L. Respectively, the first median creasing line 230 and the second median creasing line 250 each comprise a respective end at the bottom creasing line 21a. Respectively, the first median folding line 270 and the second median folding line 290 each comprise a respective further end. Particularly, each end of the first median creasing line 230 and of the second median creasing line 250 respectively coincides with each respective further end of the first median folding line 270 and of the second median folding line 290 Furthermore, the blank 2 comprises a plurality of coupling layers 320, 330, 340, 350 which protrude along the longitudinal direction L each at a respective base panel 26, 27, 28, 29 and are configured to be glued to them in such a manner as to conform and make the base wall E of the bag 1 in a stable manner. Each coupling layer 320, 330, 340, 350 has a different length along the longitudinal direction L, i.e. it protrudes differently from the corresponding base panel 26, 27, 28, 29. In particular, the coupling layers 320, 330, 340, 350 are configured in order to be suitably coupled with the base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 so as to make the base wall E foldable in a bellows-like manner.

[0103] The bag 1 is made, as previously described, starting from the blank 2 and comprises a first wall A, a second wall C, a third wall B and a fourth wall D which are mutually opposite and formed respectively by the lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 which are folded at the respective creasing lines 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a and side by side in such a manner as to define an opening 11 from which the bag 1 can be accessed.

[0104] Also for conforming the bag 1 in a stable manner, the coupling portion 20 is glued, in a known manner, to one end of the third lateral panel 22.

[0105] Also, at the end of the formation of the bag 1, the coupling layers 320, 330, 340, 350 are folded and glued with the base panels 26, 27, 28, 29. The same base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 are also folded both with respect to the bottom lateral creasing lines 26a, 27a, 28a, 29a and with respect to the bottom creasing line 21a and glued in such a manner as to overlap each other and conform the aforementioned base wall E of the bag 1. Also the base wall E comprises a pair of shoulders 40, 41 which are conformed by folding and gluing the base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 with the coupling layers 320, 330, 340, 350. These shoulders 40, 41 are mutually opposite and are foldable in a bellows-like manner between a folded configuration R. and an erect configuration F of the bag 1. Therefore, the base wall E is made by folding and gluing the base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 and the coupling layers 320, 330, 340, 350 in such a manner as to confer stability and foldability to the base wall E, and consequently to the whole bag 1.

[0106] The conformation of the base wall E implicitly involves the overlapping, at least partial, of the first operating portion 30a of the first layer 30 with the first wall A and of the second operating portion 31a of the second layer 31 with the second wall C, while the first gluing portion 32 and the second gluing portion 33, being arranged respectively in the first base panel 27 and in the third base panel 29 of the blank 2, belong to the same base wall E of the bag 1.

[0107] Furthermore, the overlapping of the base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 so as to conform the base wall E is made in such a manner as to align the first median folding line 270 of the first base panel 27 and the second median folding line 290 of the third base panel 29 with the edge of a fourth base panel 26 and with the edge of the second base panel 28 along the transverse direction T thereby inducing the conformation of a terminal creasing line 4 of the bag 1.

[0108] This terminal creasing line 4 allows, by cooperating with the first and second median creasing lines 230, 250 and with the first and second layer creasing lines 300, 310 to fold the base wall E about itself and therefore the whole bag 1 and thus to assume the aforementioned folded configuration R. More precisely according to this folded configuration R, the bag 1 has the third wall B and the fourth wall D which are substantially overlapping, while the base wall E is folded about itself in a bellows-like manner by means of the terminal creasing line 4, at the same time the first wall A and the first layer 30 are folded about themselves respectively by means of the first median creasing line 230 and the first layer creasing line 300 which are mutually overlapping, at the same time the second wall C and the second layer 31 are folded about themselves respectively by means of the second median creasing line 250 and the second layer creasing line 310, also mutually overlapping.

[0109] Alternatively to the folded configuration R, the bag 1 can assume an erect configuration F in which, similarly to what is described for the folded configuration R, the first lateral wall A is substantially parallel and opposite to the second lateral wall C with respect to the base wall E, similarly the third lateral wall B is parallel and opposite to the fourth lateral wall D with respect to the same base wall E, likewise the first operating portion 30a of the first layer 30 is overlapping, at least partially, with the first lateral wall A while the second operating portion 31a of the second layer 31 is overlapping, at least partially, with the second lateral wall C thus assuming respectively a first rest position Pl and a second rest position P2.

[0110] Alternatively, according to the same erect configuration F, the first and second layers 30, 31 respectively assume a first operating configuration SI and a second operating position S2 in which the first operating portion 30a and the second operating portion 31a swing until they overlap each other at the base wall E in such a manner as to cover it entirely and form a protective layer of the same base wall E.

[0111] In particular, when each layer 30, 31 assumes the relative operating configuration SI, S2 it overlaps the base wall E in such a manner as to overlap at least partially the relative opposite shoulder 40, 41.

[0112] Likewise, the bag 1 subject matter of the invention is made by means of the apparatus 100 as represented in figures 6 - 8. More precisely, the apparatus 100 comprises a source of a first tape material M and a source of a second tape material N1 which are intended to be associated and to form respectively the outer member of the blank 2 and, consequently once it is erect, of the bag 1, and the layers 30, 31. Advantageously, the apparatus can provide a pair of second sources of second material Nl, N2, in particular two reels. The first tape material M and the second tape material Nl, N2 are wound respectively on a first reel 101 and on a pair of second reels 102. Reels having various transverse extension can be used depending on the dimensions of the bag 1 to be formed and / or the reinforcement element, i.e. the layers 30, 31, to be associated therewith.

[0113] Particularly, the bag 1 in the folded configuration has each operating portion 30, 31 subdivided into a first layer portion 30b, 31b and into a second layer portion 30c, 31c by the relative layer creasing line 300, 310 of the relative layer 30, 31, while the relative lateral panel 23, 25 is subdivided into a first flap 23b, 25b and into a second flap 23c, 25b by the relative median creasing line 230, 250.

[0114] The overlap of the relative median creasing line 230, 250 with the respective layer creasing line 300, 310 means that each first layer portion 30b, 31b and each second layer portion 30c, 31c of the relative operating portion 30a, 31a is respectively overlapping with a relative first flap 23b, 25b and relative second flap 23c, 25c of the respective lateral panel 23, 25 when the bag 1 assumes the erect configuration F or the folded configuration R and if the layers 30, 31 assume the rest configuration Pl, P2.

[0115] Particularly, when the bag 1 assumes the folded configuration R the each first flap 23b, 25b is overlapping with the relative second flap 23c, 25c by rotation around the relative median creasing line 230, 250, likewise each first layer portion 30b, 31b of the relative operating portions 30a, 31a is overlapping with the respective first flap 23b, 25b of the respective lateral panel 23, 25 and each second layer portion 30c, 31c of the relative operating portions 30a, 31a is overlapping with the respective second flap 23c, 25c of the same lateral panel 23, 25.

[0116] Particularly, during the transition of the bag 1 from the folded configuration R. to the erect configuration F, the operating portion 30a, 31a and the relative lateral panel 23, 25 simultaneously pass from being folded, as described above, to being unfolded along the transverse direction T until the respective lateral panel 23, 25 is substantially flat, i.e. until when each lateral panel 23, 25 is conformed as a respective wall A, C of the bag 1. In this way, the relative operating portion 30a, 31a is freed from the cohesion offered by the folding of the respective lateral panel 23, 25 of the bag 1 so as to allow its swinging about the relative swinging hinge 34, 35, coinciding with the bottom creasing line 21a. More precisely, the unfolding of the relative lateral panel 23, 25 entails a detachment, at least partial, of the operating portion 30a, 31a of the layer 30, 31 from the surface of the same lateral panel 23, 25. The operating portion 30a, 31a is thus stressed by the creasing and folding lines arranged as described so as to rotate around the bottom creasing line 21a in order to overlap the base wall E at the same time as the unfolding of the lateral panels 23, 25 of the bag 1 in a substantially automatic manner, i.e. without the need for an explicit intervention by the user who physically modifies the configuration of the layers 30, 31 so as to detach the operating portion 30a, 31a from the relative lateral wall A, C. The first tape material M is unwound along the transverse direction T and has a width LI measured in the transverse direction T which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to an unwinding direction Y2 chosen on the basis of the dimensions of the bag to be formed.

[0117] The second tape material Nl, N2 is unwound along its longitudinal direction Y3 and has a second width L2 measured in the transverse direction T which is perpendicular to the longitudinal unwinding direction Y3 chosen on the basis of the dimensions of the bag 1 to be formed.

[0118] The second width L2 of the second tape material Nl, N2 substantially corresponds to the width W of the lateral wall A, C of the bag 1 when it assumes the erect configuration F.

[0119] The first tape material M and the second tape material Nl, N2 are in paperboard or cardboard and the second material Nl, N2 has a greater thickness than the first material M. However, all the materials suitable for making and forming bags 1 and the relative layers 30, 31 can be used. Purely by way of example, recycled paperboard with weight comprised between 60 and 80 g / m2 can be used for the first tape material M. Purely by way of example, for the second tape material Nl, N2 it is possible to use recycled paperboard with weight comprised between 60 and 140 g / m2 if the bag 1 provides a single sheet 10A, while the weight of the recycled paperboard is comprised between 40 and 100 g / m2 if the bag 1 provides for the coupling of a pair of sheets 10A, 10B to the first tape material M.

[0120] The apparatus 100 comprises a first unwinding device 103 for unwinding the first tape material M from the first reel 101 and advancing it through the treatment devices provided in the apparatus 100 along an advancement flap P so that it is subjected to the operations necessary to form a bag 1. The first tape material M is moved in an advance direction V along the advancement flap P delineated within the apparatus 100.

[0121] The first unwinding device 103 is designed so that the first tape material M is moved at an advance speed VA that depends on the productivity of the apparatus 100 and that can be defined while designing the apparatus 100 itself. The apparatus 100 further comprises a second unwinding device 104 comprising a pair of unwinding elements respectively for unwinding the second tape material Nl, N2 from the pair of second reels 102 and advancing it along the advancement flap P within the apparatus 100.

[0122] The first unwinding device 103 comprises a plurality of towing devices 105 which are spaced along the advancement flap P and arranged to tow the first tape material M, and a plurality of advance rollers 106 which are spaced along the treatment path and on which the first tape material M is led in order to be guided in the advance direction V and along the advancement flap P.

[0123] The advance rollers 106 may be idle and be driven in rotation by the towing devices 105 in order to advance the first tape material M in the way of the advance direction V. The first unwinding device 103 further comprises return rollers to define the desired path for the first tape material M in the apparatus 100.

[0124] The apparatus 100 may optionally comprise a printing device 108, wherein the first tape material M is towed to be printed in order to make any decorations on the bag 1. The printing device 108 can preferably be arranged downstream of the first unwinding device 103 in such a manner as to decorate the first tape material M as soon as it is unwound from the relative reel and above all before it receives other treatments such as for example cuts or foldings. Alternatively, the printing device 108 can be arranged differently along the advancement flap P, as long as upstream with respect to the forming device 140, so that the printings are made in the first tape material M before it is folded to conform the bag 1.

[0125] The apparatus 100 further comprises a cutting device 130 and a pairing device 200 which is placed upstream of the same pairing device 200 and of the forming device 140, wherein the second tape material N is towed by means of second towing devices 110 arranged downstream of the second unwinding device 104 and wherein the second tape material N is cut into a plurality of sheets 10A, 10B, each intended to respectively form the layers 30, 31 of a plurality of bags 1. Advantageously, the cutting device 130 comprises a pair of cutting areas arranged in such a manner as to be supplied each by a respective reel 102 of second tape material N to thereby make a pair of sheets 10A, 10B.

[0126] The cutting device 130 is operated at predefined and adjustable time intervals tl in such a manner to generate sheets 10A, 10B and, therefore, support elements 10, having a desired longitudinal extension D2.

[0127] The first unwinding device 103 is designed so that the first tape material M is moved at an advance speed VA that depends on the productivity of the apparatus 100 and that can be defined while designing the apparatus 100 itself. The second unwinding device 104, 107 is designed so that the second tape material Nl, N2 is moved at a second advance speed VB lower than the first advance speed VA. The ratio between the first and the second advance speed VA / VB depends on the dimensions of the bag 1 to be formed, on the dimensions of the base wall E of the bag 1 to be formed and on the dimensions of the reinforcement element, i.e. of the layer 30, 31 it is wished to be made. By varying the second advance speed VB and / or the cutting interval tl it is possible to vary the longitudinal extension D2 of the sheets 10A, 10B of the second tape material Nl, N2 and / or the frequency with which these are supplied.

[0128] The cutting device 130 is controlled by a timer, not shown in the figures, which adjusts the cutting interval tl.

[0129] The cutting device 130 is operated so as to obtain sheets 10A, 10B having longitudinal extension D2 less than or equal to a first dimension G of the base wall E of the bag 1, also equal to the width of a fourth lateral panel 24 of the blank, and also having transverse extension L2 less than or equal to a second dimension Q of the same base wall E

[0130] Between the cutting device 130 and the forming device 140 there is provided the aforementioned pairing device 200 which is configured to pair the sheets 10A, 10B of the second tape material Nl, N2 with the first tape material M, as better described below. The pairing device 200 is intended to receive the first tape material M moved by the unwinding device 103 in the advance direction V and towards the forming device 140, and the sheets 10A, 10B of the second tape material Nl, N2 exiting the cutting device 130 and to pair them with each other to supply them already constrained to the forming device 140. The apparatus 100 further comprises a creasing device 133 which is arranged downstream of the pairing device 200 for preliminarily folding the first tape material M as soon as the sheets 10A, 10B have been mutually associated. More precisely, this operation is aimed at creating on the first tape material M, to which the first and / or second layer 30, 31 have already been adhered, the bottom creasing line 21a, which, as previously described, is a common folding line both to the lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 of the blank 2 and to the sheets 10A, 10B.

[0131] Unlike the creasing device 133, the forming device 140 receives the first tape material M, with which the sheets 10A, 10B are already associated, and is folded there to form a continuous tubular member having the relative folding and creasing lines previously described and made as better described below.

[0132] The pairing device 200 allows to pair the sheets 10A, 10B with the first tape material M so that they are constrained in the desired positions on the first tape material M. More precisely, the pairing device 200 anchors the sheets 10A, 10B in pairs on the first tape M so that they are side by side and mutually spaced along the transverse direction T.

[0133] The apparatus 100 comprises an application device 160 which is configured to apply on predefined portions 27, 29 of the tape M, in which the sheets 10A, 10B must be constrained, dots or stripes of adhesive in such a manner as to be able to anchor the sheets 10A, 10B in a stable manner to the same first tape material M. The pairing device 200 couples the sheets 10A, 10B to the first tape material M in such a manner that a pair of sheets 10A, 10B are glued for each bag 1 exiting the apparatus 100. The pairing device 200 comprises pairs of coupling rollers 200A which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the first tape material M and configured to compress the sheets 10A, 10B on the first tape material M so as to allow the glue to associate them in a stable manner.

[0134] The sheets 10A, 10B are positioned and substantially simultaneously glued in predefined positions 27a, 29a to then be subject to foldings, in particular the realization of the bottom creasing line 21a by the creasing device 133. To this end, each sheet 10A, 1OB is positioned on the first tape material M so as to be placed with the anchoring portion 32, 33 below the bottom creasing line 21a and the operating portion 30a, 31a above the same bottom creasing line 21a, as previously described.

[0135] More precisely, the sheets 10A, 10B are arranged on the first tape material M parallel with respect to the advance direction V, in such a manner that both proceed simultaneously along the advancement flap P at the same time as the first tape material M, as they are associated with it. Particularly the sheets 10A, 10B are oriented in such a manner as to have the relative anchoring portions 32, 33 upstream with respect to the respective operating portion 30a, 31a along the advancement flap P. This arrangement of the sheets 10A, 10B in the first tape material M allows to more stably constrain the sheets 10A, 10B to the first tape material M. Particularly, the pairs of coupling rollers 200a by compressing in a first engagement step the anchoring portions 32, 33 to the predefined portions 27a, 29a of the first tape material M stabilize the association between layers 30, 31 and first tape material M. By proceeding along the advancement flap P, the coupling rollers 200a engage the swinging hinges of the layers 30, 31 and the relative operating portions 30a, 31a against the relative lateral panels 23, 25 thus maintaining the layers 30, 31 in the respective rest configurations Pl, P2. In this way, unwanted stresses of the operating portions 30a, 31a are prevented, which, pulled by the coupling rollers 202, could lead to an unwanted detachment of the layers 30, 31 from the first tape material M. In this way, the amount of blanks or bags discarded from the production process is reduced and it is also possible to move the first tape material M associated with the relative layers 30, 31 at a higher speed along the advancement flap P.

[0136] Likewise, the apparatus 100 comprises a precutting device 202 configured to preliminarily obtain on the first tape material M the conformation of the shaping that each blank 2, or bag 1, will have to assume at the end of the advancement flap P. The precutting device 202 therefore realizes fracturable lines in order to facilitate the subdivision of the same into a plurality of bags 1 in the subsequent processing steps of the first tape material M. The precutting device 202 is preferably arranged between the supply device 103 and the pairing device 200, and preferably of the cutting device 130, in such a manner as to preliminarily conform the profile of each blank 2 on the first tape material M.

[0137] The cutting device 130 comprises a plurality of pairing rollers, not illustrated in the attached figures, defining a path along the cutting device 130 for the sheets 10A, 10B and conformed so as to provide for the pairing thereof between the latter and the first tape material M by the pairing device 200.

[0138] The apparatus 100 may further comprise a first guide device 210 and a second guide device 220 for guiding respectively a first sheet 10A and a second sheet 10B of the second tape material Nl, N2 along the cutting device 130 so that each sheet 10A, 10B is arranged at a first predefined portion 27a and a second predefined portion 29a. According to embodiments of the invention, the cutting device 130 is side by side with, or immediately adjacent to, the first and second guide devices 210, 220, in such a manner as to arrange each sheet 10A, 10B immediately after these have been made by cutting the second tape material Nl, N2.

[0139] The first and second guide devices 210, 220 are preferably at the same longitudinal height of the advancement flap P of the first tape material M, so as to guide the respective first and second sheets 10A, 10B simultaneously in predefined positions 27, 29 which are beside each other in the first tape material M.

[0140] The apparatus 100 further comprises a first application device 160 for applying an adhesive at the predefined portions 27a, 29a in order to anchor the sheets 10A, 10B to the first tape material M in a stable manner. In particular, the application device 160 is arranged upstream of the pairing device 200 with respect to the advancement flap P. A second gluing device 161 is also provided which is intended to apply further adhesive on the first tape material M, in particular in the portion that will conform the coupling portion 20 of the blank 2 in order to subsequently mutually constrain the two opposite sides of the first tape material M so as to conform the tubular member from which the bag 1 will be made. In this way, when the coupling portion 20 and the third lateral wall 22 of the blank 2 are folded towards each other, they are glued so as to conform the tubular member.

[0141] The first application device 160 is preferably arranged near the cutting device 130 and upstream of the pairing device 200, so that the adhesive is applied on the predefined portions 27a, 29a of the first tape material M and the sheets 10A, 10B obtained from the second tape material Nl, N2 are positioned there as soon as possible.

[0142] According to embodiments, the second gluing device 161 is arranged upstream of the or in the forming device 140, in such a manner as to apply the adhesive before the first tape material M is folded so as to conform the tubular member and, advantageously, at the pairing device 200 so as to reduce and optimize the overall dimensions of the apparatus 100 and exploit the arrangement of all the first and second application devices 160, 161 in a single area of the same apparatus 100 or alternatively during the folding process of the first tape material M, in such a manner as to allow a minimum time lapse between the application of the glue and the actual gluing between the respective edges of the tape material.

[0143] The forming device 140 comprises a first plate 41 and a second forming plate 42 which extend in the advancement flap P on which the first material M is wound to form the tubular member.

[0144] The first plate 41 and the second plate 42 are, in a horizontal positioning of the apparatus 100, mutually spaced along a vertical axis Z and are positioned so that the first plate 41 is interposed between the second plate 42 and the ground. The first plate 41 which, in a horizontal positioning of the apparatus 100 is closer to the ground, extends substantially parallel to a horizontal axis Y of the apparatus 100, the second plate 42 is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis Y with respect to the advance direction V.

[0145] In general, the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 are inclined with respect to each other in the advance direction V.

[0146] The first 41 and the second 42 plates are positioned so that a gap with decreasing dimensions in the advance direction V is defined between them.

[0147] Such positioning of the plates 41, 42 allows to facilitate the formation of the bag 1 as better clarified below.

[0148] The inclination angle between the second plate 42 and the horizontal Y is chosen on the basis of the dimensions of the bag to be formed and in particular of its lateral walls 22, 23, 24, 25.

[0149] The forming device 140 is provided with adjustment elements, not visible, for adjusting the mutual distance between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 and / or for adjusting the inclination of the second forming plate 42.

[0150] The first 41 and the second plate 42 have a width measured in the transverse direction T of the first tape material M, almost corresponding to the width LI of the bag 1 to be formed.

[0151] Advantageously the first 41 and the second plate 42 have a predefined width less than the width LI of the bag 1 to be formed, preferably about 99-90% of the width of the bag 1 to be formed.

[0152] This further favours the formation of the tubular member by avoiding the formation of wrinkles in the first tape material M. This also favours the adherence of the sheets 10A, 10B to the first plate 41, in such a manner as to allow an effective and precise folding thereof.

[0153] Furthermore, this conformation makes it possible to avoid the use of pushing elements to push the first tape material M towards the first plate 41 and to keep it adhering thereto.

[0154] This also allows to avoid having to stretch the first tape material M to make it adhere to the first plate 41, effectively avoiding unwanted stresses in the first tape material M.

[0155] The first plate 41 is delimited at the mouth of the forming device 140, i.e. at the end facing the pairing device 200, by a rounded edge.

[0156] The rounded edge defines the mouth of the forming device 140.

[0157] The rounded edge is advantageously curved towards the pairing device 200 to improve the connection with the forming device 140 and avoid jams of the first tape material M.

[0158] The rounded conformation of the edge makes it possible to avoid jams of the first M and / or of the second tape material N entering the forming device 140. In the version shown, the forming device 140 is also provided with an accompanying device, not shown in the figures, to accompany the winding of the first tape material M on the plates 41, 42.

[0159] Advantageously, the accompanying device comprises at least one pair of accompanying elements arranged on opposite parts in the transverse direction X of the forming device 140 and intended to engage transversely opposite lateral bands of the first tape material M to accompany them towards the forming plates 41, 42.

[0160] In the version shown, the accompanying elements are provided at the mouth of the forming device 140.

[0161] Each accompanying element comprises, in the form shown, an arm 44A, 44B which is pivoted on a support pin, not shown, and intended to intercept the first tape material M to accompany it towards the plates 41, 42.

[0162] In the version shown, there is provided a plurality of pairs of accompanying elements, which are spaced along the forming device 140 in the advance direction V.

[0163] Advantageously, the forming device 140 further comprises a folding element 45 for folding the layers of first tape material M on the second plate 42 in order to form the tubular member.

[0164] Advantageously, the folding device 45 comprises a plurality of pairs of pressure rollers 45A, the rollers of each pair of pressure rollers being spaced apart in the transverse direction X so as to engage opposite layers of the first tape material M.

[0165] A plurality of pairs of pressure rollers 45A, 45B are positioned along the advance direction V.

[0166] The pressure rollers 45A, 45B are intended to intercept the layers of the first tape material M and to fold them on the second plate 42, in such a manner as to mutually overlap the coupling portion 20 and the third lateral wall 22 of the blank 2 so as to conform the tubular member, and, since they are provided with glue supplied by the second application device 161, they are mutually constrained to each other and the tubular member is progressively defined.

[0167] The pressure rollers 45A, 45B are fixed to an adjustment element for adjusting their position with respect to the first tape material M and adjusting the pressure acting on it. The position of the pressure rollers 45A is adjusted independently of each other.

[0168] The forming device 140 further comprises at least one creasing element 47 intended to fold the first tape material M in order to define the lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 and the relative creasing lines of the blank 2, and therefore of the bag 1. Each creasing element 47 is intended to fold the first tape material M by inserting it into the gap between the first 41 and the second plate 42.

[0169] The creasing element 47 comprises at least one pair of forming wheels 47A, 47B arranged at opposite parts in the transverse direction X of the forming device 140.

[0170] The forming wheels 47A, 47B allow to define the longitudinal creasing lines 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a of the panels in order to be able to fold the walls A, B, C, D of the bag 1 in a bellows-like manner between the plates 41, 42.

[0171] Advantageously, the creasing element 47 comprises a plurality of pairs of forming wheels 47A, 47B which are spaced along the advance direction V.

[0172] The forming wheels 47A, 47B are idle on their own rotation pin and are driven into rotation by contact with the first tape material M.

[0173] The wheels of the pairs of wheels 47A, 47B are placed at a decreasing mutual distance in the advance direction V.

[0174] The forming device 140 comprises at least one support roller 85 arranged below the first plate 41, i.e. so that the first plate 41 is interposed between the support roller 85 and the ground. The support roller 85 is arranged to accompany the first tape material M along the forming device 140 keeping it stretched and adhered to the first plate 41.

[0175] At the exit of the forming device 140, a tubular member is obtained having a width corresponding to the width W, G of the lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the bag 1 being formed, with the lateral walls A, C folded in a bellows-like manner between the two further walls B, D and the sheets 10A, 10B of the second tape material Nl, N2 glued to the respective lateral walls A, C.

[0176] The apparatus 100 further comprises, downstream of the forming device 140, a separation device 150 in which the tubular member is separated at predefined fracturable points previously imposed by means of the precutting device 202, so as to generate distinct tubular portions each suitable for forming a single bag 1 each comprising the respective constrained sheets 10A, 10B, i.e. the layers 30, 31.

[0177] In particular, the operation of the apparatus 100 above is illustrated below. Preliminarily, the first tape material M is unwound by means of the supply device 101 and the second supply device 104 unwinds a pair of second material tapes Nl, N2 along the advancement flap P.

[0178] Subsequently, the printing device 108 decorates the outer face of the first tape material M with predefined images and the same is sent towards the advance direction V to the precutting device 202 in which the outer profile of each blank 2 resulting from the first tape material M by making fracturable lines is defined. The applicator device 160 subsequently provides an adhesive in each predefined first portion 27 and second portion 29. While as far as the second material tapes Nl, N2 are concerned, these are cut by the cutting device 130 so as to make pairs of first sheets 10A and second sheets 10B. The first guide device 210 and the second guide device 220 respectively convey the first sheet 10A and the second sheet 10B in the predefined first portions 27 and second portions 29 of the first tape material M in which the adhesive has previously been provided by the applicator device 160. Likewise, the first tape material M and the sheets 10A, 10B are moved along the advancement flap P to be mutually constrained there. More precisely, on each pre-cut blank 2 the adhesive is provided in the first portion 27 and in the second portion 29 and a first sheet 10A and a second sheet 10B is anchored there respectively by conveying them by means of the first guide device 210 and the second guide device 220. The rollers of the pairing device 200 constrain the sheets 10A, 10B to the predefined portions 27, 29.

[0179] Subsequently, the first tape material M to which the sheets 10A, 10B have been constrained is folded by means of the creasing device 133 in such a manner as to make the bottom creasing line 21a thus making the creasing line that is interposed both between lateral panels 22, 23, 24, 25 and base panels 26, 27, 28, 29 and between operating portions 30a, 31a and anchoring portions 32, 33 of the layers 30, 31.

[0180] The first tape material M that has received the treatments described above is then conveyed towards the forming device 140 where the first and second plates 41, 42 conform the tubular member.

[0181] During the crossing of the first tape material M, conformed as a tubular member, in the forming device 140 all the predefined creasing or folding lines for the blank 2 are made by means of the components of the same forming device 140 as previously described. The second gluing device 161 applies, during the crossing of the forming device 140, to the first tape material M adhesive at each coupling portion 20 of the blank 2 for the opposite sides of the blank 2 to be constrained during the same crossing of the forming device 140. At the exit of the forming device 140, the separation device 150 separates the single tubular member made by winding the first tape material in each bag 1 following the profile defined by the fracturable lines during the precutting of the first tape material M by the precutting device 202.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Blank (2) made of compostable material comprising:- a sheet (2a) comprising a plurality of lateral panels (22, 23, 24, 25) which are mutually arranged in succession and separated by means of respective lateral creasing lines (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) which develop in a longitudinal direction (L), and- a plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29) which are mutually arranged in succession and mutually separated by means of respective bottom lateral creasing lines (26a, 27a, 28a, 29a) which develop in a longitudinal direction (L), each base panel (26, 27, 28, 29) of said plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29) being connected to a corresponding lateral panel (22, 23, 24, 25) by means of a bottom creasing line (21a) developing in a transverse direction (T) which is substantially orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal direction (L) so that each lateral panel (22, 23, 24, 25) is adjacent to a corresponding base panel (26, 27, 28, 29);- said blank further comprising a layer (30, 31) comprising an operating portion (30a, 31a) and an anchoring portion (32, 33) for anchoring said layer (30, 31) to said sheet (2a), said layer (30, 31) being associated in a stable manner with a first base panel (27, 29) of said plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29) by means of said anchoring portion (32, 33); said layer (30, 31) being provided with a swinging hinge (34, 35) for allowing the swinging of said operating portion (30a, 31a) with respect to said anchoring portion (32, 33) in order to configure said layer (30, 31) alternatively between a rest configuration (Pl, P2) in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with a first lateral panel(23, 25) of said plurality of lateral panels (22, 23, 24, 25) which is adjacent to said first base panel (27, 29) with which said anchoring portion (32, 33) is coupled and an operating configuration (SI, S2), in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with said first base panel (27, 29) with which said anchoring portion (32, 33) is coupled.

2. Blank (2) according to claim 1, wherein said anchoring portion (32, 33) is arranged near said bottom creasing line (21a) in such a manner that said swinging hinge (34, 35) of said layer (30, 31) is provided near, and preferably at, said bottom creasing line (21a).

3. Blank (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said swinging hinge (34, 35) is defined by a creasing line made on said layer (30, 31) and acting as a hinge for allowing the swinging of said operating portion (30a, 31a).

4. Blank (2) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first lateral panel (23, 25) comprises a first median creasing line (230, 250) developing in said longitudinal direction (L) and positioned between respective lateral creasing lines (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) delimiting said first lateral panel (23, 25), said first median creasing line (230, 250) being configured to close said first lateral panel (23, 25).

5. Blank (2) according to claim 4, wherein said first median creasing line (230, 250) identifies in said first lateral panel (23, 25) a first flap (23b, 25b) and a second flap (23c, 25c) in such a manner that said first lateral panel (23, 25) is foldable on itself, preferably by overlapping said first flap (23b, 25b) and said second flap (23c, 25c).

6. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said first layer (30, 31) is interposed between respective lateral creasings (22a, 23a, 24a,width (L2) less than or equal to the width (W) of said first lateral panel (23, 25).

7. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said layer (30, 31) comprises a first layer creasing line (300, 310) developing in said longitudinal direction (L), said first layer creasing line (300, 310) being configured to close said first layer (30, 31) about itself.

8. Blank (2) according to claim 7, wherein said first layer creasing line (300, 310) identifies in said layer (30, 31) a first layer portion (30b, 31b) and a second layer portion (30c, 31c) in such a manner that said layer (30, 31) is foldable on itself. Blank (2) according to claim 4, wherein said first base panel (27, 29) comprises a first median folding line (270, 290) which is arranged between respective bottom lateral creasing lines (26a, 27a, 28a, 29a) delimiting said first base panel (27, 29), said first median creasing line (230, 250) and said first median folding line (270, 290) being parallel to each other.

9. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said first lateral panel (23, 25) has a length which develops in said longitudinal direction (L) greater than the respective length of said operating portion (30a, 31a) of said layer (30, 31) in such a manner that in said rest configuration (Pl, P2) said operating portion (30a, 31a) extends solely over a longitudinal portion of said lateral panel (23, 25).

10. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said operating portion (30a, 31a) has a length which develops in said longitudinal direction (L) less than or equal to a respective width (G), developing in a transversedirection (T), which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said longitudinal direction (L), of a second base panel (26, 28) which is adjacent with respect to said first base panel (27, 29) with which said layer (30, 31) is associated.

11. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second layer (31) comprising a second operating portion (31a) and a second anchoring portion (33), said second layer (31) being provided with a second swinging hinge (35) for allowing the swinging of said second operating portion (31a) with respect to said second anchoring portion (33), said second layer (31) being associated in a stable manner with a further base panel (29) of said plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29) by means of said second anchoring portion (33), said second operating portion (31a) being able to be swinged with respect to said second anchoring portion (33) about said second swinging hinge (35) in order to configure said second layer (31) alternatively between a second rest configuration (P2) in which said second operating portion (30a) is, at least partially, overlapping with a second lateral panel (25) adjacent to said further base panel (29) with which said second anchoring portion (33) is coupled, and a second operating configuration (S2) in which said second operating portion (31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with said further base panel (29) with which said second anchoring portion (32) is coupled, said second swinging hinge (35) being defined by means of a creasing line defined on said layer and acting as a hinge for allowing the swinging of said second operating portion (31a), said third lateral panel (25), said second lateral panel (25) comprising a second median creasing line (250) which is arranged between respectivelateral creasing lines (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) delimiting said second lateral panel (25) and developing in said longitudinal direction (L), said second median creasing line (250) being configured to close said second lateral panel (25), said second median creasing line (250) identifies in said second lateral panel (23, 25) a further first flap (25b) and a further second flap (25c) in such a manner that said second lateral panel (25) is foldable about itself, said second layer (30) being interposed between respective lateral creasings (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) of said plurality of lateral creasings (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) and having a further width (Q) less than or equal to the width of said second lateral panel (25), said second layer (31) comprising a second layer creasing line (310) developing in said longitudinal direction (L), said second layer creasing line (310) being configured to close said second layer (31) about itself, said second layer creasing line (300, 310) identifying in said second layer (31) a further first layer portion (31b) and a further second layer portion (31c) in such a manner that said second layer (31) is foldable about itself.

12. Blank (2) according to claim 11, wherein said first layer (30) and said second layer (31) are associated with a first base panel (27) and a third base panel (29), respectively which are not adjacent to each other, of said plurality of base panels (26, 27, 28, 29), preferably said first base panel (27) and said third base panel (29) being spaced apart from a second base panel (28).

13. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said anchoring portion (32, 33) is glued to said base panel (27, 29).

14. Blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least onepair of lateral panels of said plurality of lateral panels (23, 25) which are not adjacent to each other comprises median creasing lines (230, 250) which are interposed between pairs of lateral creasing lines (22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) and which develop in said longitudinal direction (L), said median creasing lines (230, 250) being configured to fold said non-adjacent lateral panels (23, 25) about themselves. Bag (1) constructed from a blank (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Bag (1) constructed from a blank (2) comprising:- a plurality of lateral walls (A, B, C, D);- a base wall (E) which is peripherally delimited by a bottom creasing line (21a) and which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said lateral walls (A, B, C, D);- a layer (30, 31) comprising a first operating portion (30a, 31a) and an anchoring portion (32, 33), said layer (30, 31) being associated in a stable manner with said base wall (E) by means of said anchoring portion (32, 33), said operating portion (30a, 31a) being able to be swinged about a swinging hinge provided on said layer (30, 31) with respect to said anchoring portion (32, 33) in order to configure said layer (30, 31) alternatively between a rest configuration (Pl, P2) in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with an adjacent first lateral wall (A, C) and an operating configuration (SI, S2), in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with said base wall (E).

16. Bag (1) according to claim 15, wherein said operating portion (30a, 31a) in said operating position (SI, S2) covers at least half of, and preferably thewhole of, said base wall (E).

17. Bag (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said plurality of lateral walls (A, B, C, D) comprises a first lateral wall (A, C) with which said layer is associated (30, 31) having a first median creasing line (230, 250) so as to be able to fold said first lateral wall about itself.

18. Bag (1) constructed from a blank (2) configurable in a folded (R.) or erect (F) configuration and which comprises:- a plurality of lateral walls (A, B, C, D), at least a first pair of said walls (B, D; A, C) being mutually opposite and comprising respective median creasing lines (230, 250) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) so as to make said walls (B, D; A, C) foldable about themselves;- a base wall (E) separated from said lateral walls (A, B, C, D) by means of a perimeter bottom creasing line (21a) and comprising a terminal creasing line (4) so as to make said base wall (E) foldable about itself;- at least one layer (30, 31) comprising a first operating portion (30a, 31a) and an anchoring portion (32, 33) and a swinging hinge which is interposed between said first operating portion (30a, 31a) and said anchoring portion (32, 33) and configured for allowing the swinging of said operating portion (30a, 31a) with respect to said anchoring portion (32, 33), said layer (30, 31) being associated in a stable manner with said base wall (E) by means of said anchoring portion (32, 33), said operating portion (30a, 31a) being able to be swinged with respect to said anchoring portion (32, 33) in order to configure said layer (30, 31) alternatively between a rest configuration (Pl, P2) in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with anadjacent first lateral wall (A, C), and an operating configuration (SI, S2) in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) is, at least partially, overlapping with said base wall (E); said bag (1) being alternatively configurable in said erect configuration (F), in which said walls (A, B; C, D) are mutually spaced and are substantially orthogonal with respect to said base wall (E) and in said folded configuration (R.) in which said operating portion (30a, 31a) of said layer (30, 31) is positioned in said rest configuration (Pl, P2), said base wall (E) is folded about itself by means of said terminal creasing line (4), each wall of said pair of walls (B, D; A, C) being folded about itself by means of said median creasing lines (230, 250), a second pair of walls (A, C; B, D) adjacent to said first pair of walls (B, D; A, C) which are not adjacent is mutually overlapping.

19. Bag (1) according to claim 18, further comprising a first layer (30) and a second layer (31) which are associated at respective sides of said base wall (E), wherein said layer (30, 31) is preferably associated in a bellows-like manner with said base wall (E), and wherein said operating portion (30a, 31a) in said operating position (SI, S2) covers at least half of said base wall (E).

20. Blank (2) and / or bag (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made from paperboard or flexible cardboard.

21. Bag according to one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said base wall (E) comprises a first median folding line (270, 290), said first median folding line (270, 290) and said first median creasing line (230, 250) having respectively a first end and a second end which are coinciding andpreferably arranged at said bottom creasing line (21a).

22. Bag (1) according to one of claims 15 to 21, wherein said layer (30, 31) comprises a relative layer creasing line (300, 310), when said layer (30, 31) assumes said rest configuration (Pl, P2) said layer creasing line (300, 310) being overlapping with said first median creasing line (230, 250) of said first lateral panel (27, 29).

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