Oyster bag, and corresponding assembly and manufacturing method
The oyster bag with a reinforced transverse row and thermoplastic construction addresses wear and closure issues, ensuring high resistance and yield with recyclable materials.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CNG EMBALLAGES IND
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing oyster bags face issues with high wear, mechanical resistance, and closure reliability, particularly under tidal forces, while also being costly and difficult to recycle.
The oyster bag features a reinforced transverse row with filled meshes, a plastic mesh filling, and a retaining element made of thermoplastic material, allowing for a reliable closure mechanism and easy recyclability.
The solution provides high mechanical resistance, low wear, and easy closure, while maintaining high oyster farming yields and being economically viable with recyclable materials.
Smart Images
Figure EP2026051018_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] TITLE: Oyster bag, assembly and corresponding manufacturing process
[0002] The present invention relates to an oyster bag, of the type defining a central axis of the oyster bag, the oyster bag comprising a basic body including a first end, a second end and two walls, the first end forming an edge of the basic body and an opening of the basic body, the basic body comprising transverse mesh filaments and longitudinal mesh filaments intersecting to form meshes of the basic body, the basic body being made of plastic material, the oyster bag comprising a retaining element adapted to retain a closure element of the oyster bag on the basic body.
[0003] We know of oyster bags, for example, those described in document FR2858175A1. The oyster bag in this document consists of a basic body with mesh and an opening. The oyster bag includes two cords positioned near the opening of the basic body and attached to the basic body by welding, gluing, or insertion into the mesh.
[0004] Document FR3127673A1 describes an oyster bag with a retention element overmolded onto the mesh of a base body.
[0005] Other oyster bags or bag closure devices are known from FR2858174A1, FR1256087A, FR2515481A3, and FR2607358A1.
[0006] The invention aims to provide an economical and preferably easily recyclable oyster bag. Additional objectives of the invention are to provide an oyster bag with high reliability that allows for high oyster farming yields.
[0007] The invention aims in particular to provide an oyster bag with low wear and high mechanical resistance, given that oyster bags are commonly subjected to significant forces, especially tidal forces. Furthermore, the oyster bag according to the invention is preferably designed to be easily closed and to have a defined closing behavior.
[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an oyster bag of the type indicated above, characterized in that the mesh of the base body forms a reinforced transverse row extending transversely to the central axis of the oyster bag and located on the side of the retaining element opposite the first end, in that the oyster bag comprises a plastic mesh filling, and in that the reinforced transverse row comprises filled meshes that are filled by the mesh filling. According to particular embodiments of the oyster bag, it may include one or more of the following characteristics:
[0009] - the mesh filling came from material with transverse mesh filaments and longitudinal mesh filaments;
[0010] - the mesh filling has an ERM filling thickness less than an EFT thickness of the transverse mesh filaments and / or an EFL thickness of the longitudinal mesh filaments;
[0011] - the walls define at least one wall edge and one LMP wall midline and in which filled meshes of the reinforced transverse row are arranged closer to a wall edge than to the LMP wall midline;
[0012] - at least 50% of the stitches in the reinforced transverse row are filled stitches, preferably at least 75% of the stitches in the reinforced transverse row are filled stitches, and in particular all the stitches in the reinforced transverse row are filled stitches;
[0013] - the stitches include or are square-shaped stitches;
[0014] - the transverse mesh filaments include a retaining mesh filament which has a retaining filament thickness EFR which is greater than the thickness of the other transverse mesh filaments, in which the retaining element forms a retaining protrusion, in which the retaining element includes the retaining mesh filament;
[0015] - the retaining mesh filament is adjacent to the reinforced transverse row or partly forms the reinforced transverse row;
[0016] - the basic body includes a retaining portion which extends between the retaining element and the first end, and the retaining portion includes portions of the longitudinal mesh filaments and a plastic retaining filler, the retaining filler extending between the portions of the longitudinal mesh filaments;
[0017] - the oyster bag includes one or more of the following characteristics: . the retention portion is made up of the portions of longitudinal mesh filaments and by the retention filling;
[0018] . the holding portion is free of transverse mesh filaments;
[0019] . the retaining filler has an ERP retaining filler thickness less than one or the thickness of the longitudinal mesh filaments;
[0020] The support portion has a longitudinal height HLM greater than the mesh height HM of a mesh; and
[0021] The retaining portion forms the edge of the base body; the base body is made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene, especially high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene; and
[0022] - the basic body is made of extruded plastic material, in particular the retaining element which is part of the basic body and is made of extruded plastic material.
[0023] The invention further relates to an assembly of an oyster bag and a closure element, characterized in that the oyster bag is an oyster bag as defined above, in that the closure element is a closure bar having a hollow cross-section and comprising two slotted edges forming a slot, and in that, in the closed state of the oyster bag, the retention element extends inside the closure bar, and the slotted edges extend over the reinforced cross-row.
[0024] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an oyster bag as defined above or an assembly as defined above, characterized by the steps: - extrusion of transverse mesh filaments and longitudinal mesh filaments so that they intersect, forming the mesh of the basic body; - during the extrusion of the transverse mesh filaments and longitudinal mesh filaments, formation of the reinforced transverse row by extrusion of the mesh filling.
[0025] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0026] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an oyster bag according to the invention;
[0027] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the oyster bag in Figure 1;
[0028] [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the oyster bag in Figures 1 and 2, taken along line lll-lll of Figure 2; and
[0029] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of Figure 3, of an assembly of the oyster bag according to the invention of Figures 1 to 3 and of a closure element, in the closed state of the oyster bag.
[0030] The following description contains technical features of the invention. These technical features, although presented in a technical context and possibly in combination with other technical features, can each time be used individually, without the other technical features, insofar as this is technically possible.
[0031] In the description of the various embodiments, analogous elements bear the same reference numerals. Also, unless otherwise indicated, each feature described with reference to an embodiment of the invention or to a variant of an embodiment is applicable individually or in any technically feasible combination to the other embodiments or variants.
[0032] Figure 4 shows an assembly according to the invention designated by the general reference 2. The assembly 2 comprises an oyster bag 4 and a closure element 6 for this oyster bag 4.
[0033] The oyster bag 4 has a base body 8 and a retaining element 10 which is adapted to retain a closure element of the oyster bag, such as the closure element 6, on the base body 8. The oyster bag 4 defines a central axis AA of the oyster bag, which in this case extends from top to bottom in the Figures.
[0034] The basic body 8 extends along the central axis AA. The terms "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" will be used unless otherwise indicated, with respect to the central axis AA. The basic body 8 comprises a first end 12, in this case axial, and a second end 14, in this case axial.
[0035] The first end 12 forms a base body edge 16 and an opening in the base body 18. The second end 14 is closed, for example by welding.
[0036] The basic body 8 comprises two opposing basic body walls 20, these walls 20 being connected to each other along the second end 14 and along longitudinal wall edges 22, 24 that extend parallel to the central axis AA. The longitudinal wall edges 22, 24 can, for example, be obtained by extruding the basic body 8 as a single piece in the form of a tubular extrudate having a closed cross-section. Alternatively, the two wall edges 22, 24 can be obtained by welding the walls 20 to each other. Generally, the walls define at least one longitudinal wall edge 22, 24. Each wall 20 generally defines a wall midline LMP, which is the line extending essentially midway between the two wall edges 22, 24 of the wall in question.
[0037] The basic body 8 comprises transverse mesh filaments 26 and longitudinal mesh filaments 28 interlacing to form meshes 30 of the basic body.
[0038] The transverse mesh filaments 26 are a series of substantially parallel filaments extending transversely to the central axis AA or parallel to the edge of the basic body 16. The transverse mesh filaments 26 have a thickness similar to that of the transverse mesh filaments EFT. (see Figure 3)
[0039] The longitudinal mesh filaments 28 are a series of substantially parallel filaments extending parallel to the central axis AA or transversely to the edge of the basic body 16. The longitudinal mesh filaments 28 have a thickness of EFL. The meshes 30 have a mesh height HM, measured along the central axis AA, and a mesh width LM.
[0040] The 30 stitches include, and more specifically are, advantageously square-shaped stitches. Alternatively, the 30 stitches may be rectangular.
[0041] The meshes 30 of the base body thus form transverse rows of meshes 32 and longitudinal rows of meshes 34. Each transverse row of meshes 32 extends, in this case, transversely or essentially transversely to the central axis AA of the oyster bag. Each transverse row of meshes 32 extends, in this case, parallel to the edge of the base body 16. Each longitudinal row of meshes 34 extends essentially parallel to the central axis AA of the oyster bag.
[0042] One of the transverse rows of meshes 32 is a transverse row of meshes which will subsequently be designated as reinforced transverse row 36.
[0043] This reinforced transverse row 36 also extends transversely to the central axis AA of the oyster bag and is located on the side of the retaining element opposite to the first end 12.
[0044] To limit wear on the closure element 6 and to reinforce the mesh of the reinforced transverse row 36, the oyster bag includes a plastic mesh filling 40. The reinforced transverse row 36 therefore comprises filled meshes 42 which are filled with this mesh filling 40.
[0045] The base body 8 is made of plastic. More specifically, the base body 8 is made of thermoplastic material, particularly high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene.
[0046] The mesh filling 40 is advantageously made of the same material as the transverse mesh filaments 26 and the longitudinal mesh filaments 28. Advantageously, the mesh filling 40 is therefore made of the same material as the basic body 8. Advantageously, the mesh filling 40 is made of the same material as the basic body 8. The mesh filling 40 has an ERM filling thickness that is less than the thickness of the transverse mesh filaments EFT and / or the thickness of the longitudinal mesh filaments EFL.
[0047] Figure 3 shows that the mesh filling 40 is offset from the center lines of the transverse mesh filaments 26 and the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 forming each mesh of the reinforced transverse row 36. Thus, the mesh filling 40 essentially lies flush with a plane enveloping the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 and transverse mesh filaments 26 and forms a generally flat bearing surface 44 onto which the closure element 6 can be applied (see below). In this case, all the meshes of the reinforced transverse row 36 are filled meshes 42. In other words, the reinforced transverse row 36 does not include any empty or unfilled meshes. Alternatively, some of the meshes in the reinforced transverse row 36 are filled meshes 42, while the remaining meshes in the reinforced transverse row 36 are empty and unfilled by the mesh filling 40.For example, at least 50% of the stitches in the reinforced transverse row 36 are filled stitches 42 or at least 75% of the stitches in the reinforced transverse row 36 are filled stitches 42.
[0048] Also advantageously, particularly in cases where only some of the meshes in the reinforced transverse row 36 are filled meshes 42, the other meshes in the reinforced transverse row 36 being empty or unfilled, the filled meshes 42 in the reinforced transverse row are positioned closer to a wall edge than to the wall's midline. Thus, the meshes most stressed by the closing element are reinforced.
[0049] The retaining element 10 is advantageously made of plastic, and in this case, of thermoplastic material, for example, high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene. Preferably, the thermoplastic materials of the base body 8 and the retaining element 10 can be melted together and reused to manufacture objects. In particular, the base body 8 and the retaining element 10 are made of the same material.
[0050] Advantageously, the retaining element 10 is formed from the same material as the base body 8 and is therefore integral with it. In particular, the base body 8 is made of extruded plastic, and in this case, advantageously, the retaining element 10 can be part of the base body and is therefore also made of extruded plastic.
[0051] The retaining element 10 is adapted to oppose a withdrawal of the closing element 6 in the direction parallel to the central axis AA and directed away from the second end 14 (see below; upwards in the Figures).
[0052] For this purpose, the retaining element 10 forms a retaining projection 46.
[0053] The retaining element 10 extends over a circumference of the base body 8. The retaining element 10 therefore extends around the central axis AA and advantageously goes all the way around the circumference of the base body 8. The retaining element 10 advantageously extends near the first end 12 (see below).
[0054] The retaining projection 46 located on one of the walls 20 extends from the opposite side of the other of the walls 20. Viewed in section parallel to the axis AA and in a plane perpendicular to the planes of the walls 20, for example in the plane of Figure 3, two portions of the retaining projection 46 protrude on either side of the two walls 20 and away from each other.
[0055] Advantageously, in this case, the transverse mesh filaments 26 include a retaining mesh filament 48 which has a retaining filament thickness EFR that is greater than the thickness of the other transverse mesh filaments, and therefore greater than the transverse filament thickness EFT. The other transverse mesh filaments 26, which are not the retaining mesh filament 48, can also be called ordinary transverse mesh filaments. The cross-section of the retaining mesh filament 48 is preferably greater than the cross-section of the other transverse mesh filaments 26. Advantageously, the retaining element 10, or the retaining protrusion 46, comprises or is formed by the retaining mesh filament 48.
[0056] Advantageously, the retaining mesh filament 48 is adjacent to the reinforced transverse row 36 or forms part of the reinforced transverse row 36. This is visible in Figures 3 and 4.
[0057] The retaining projection 46 preferably goes around the base body 8. In an alternative not shown, the retaining projection 46 includes portions of projection extending around the base body 8 and being circumferentially spaced from each other.
[0058] Advantageously, the base body 8 includes a retaining portion 50 which extends between the retaining element 10 and the first end 12. In this case, the retaining portion 50 extends from the retaining element 10 and forms the edge 16 of the base body.
[0059] The retaining portion 50 is adapted to oppose an untimely shift of the closing element 6 towards the second end 14.
[0060] In this case, the support portion 50 is a longitudinal section of the base body 8. The support portion 50 has a longitudinal height HLM greater than the mesh height HM of a mesh 30. The longitudinal height HLM is for example twice a mesh height HM.
[0061] The retaining portion 50 comprises portions 52 of the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 and a retaining filler 54 made of plastic. The retaining filler 54 extends between the portions of the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 and closes the space between the portions of the longitudinal filaments.
[0062] The 54 retaining filler has an ERP retaining filler thickness that is less than the thickness of the EFT transverse mesh filaments and / or the thickness of the EFL longitudinal mesh filaments.
[0063] In particular, the support portion 50 is made up of the longitudinal mesh filament portions 28 and the support filling 54. This does not preclude the support portion 50, or the support filling 54, from forming a terminal bead 58 at the edge of the base body 8. This terminal bead 58 can be created by the extrusion manufacturing process when the support portion 50 is separated from the base body material of the next oyster bag.
[0064] Advantageously, the holding portion 50 is free of transverse mesh filaments 26.
[0065] The closing element 6 is a closing bar 100 having a hollow cross-section and comprising two slot edges 102 forming a slot 104 (see Figure 4). In the closed state of the oyster bag, the retaining element 10 extends inside the closing bar 100. In the closed state of the oyster bag, the slot edges 102 extend over the reinforced transverse row 36. Advantageously, in this state, the slot edges 102 bear against the reinforced transverse row 36 and clamp portions of the reinforced transverse row 36 located opposite each other.
[0066] The closing bar is therefore advantageously a split tube. In this case, the closing bar 100 has a substantially circular cross-section with an internal diameter DI. This internal diameter DI is advantageously between 1.1 and 1.5 times the longitudinal height HLM of the retaining portion 50. This promotes reliable closure of the oyster bag.
[0067] The locking bar 6, for example, is made of thermoplastic material, specifically polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The material of the locking bar 6 is recyclable and compatible with the materials of the base body 8 and the retaining element 10. This means that the materials can be melted together and reused to manufacture objects. In particular, the locking bar 6 and the base body 8 are made of the same material.
[0068] Set 2 works as follows and when closing the oyster bag the following steps are implemented.
[0069] In order to close the oyster bag 4, the closing element 6 is slid in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AA, or substantially parallel to the edge of the base body 16, and substantially parallel to the walls 20 on the reinforced transverse row 36, such that the closing element 6 applies itself to the reinforced transverse row 36 and overhangs the retaining element 10.
[0070] When the closing element 6 is installed, the mesh filling 40 of the reinforced transverse row 36 reduces or prevents the shearing of the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 by the closing element. Thus, the oyster bag has a long lifespan. The assembly 2, and more specifically the oyster bag 4, can contain or contains at least one oyster and preferably a plurality of oysters.
[0071] Assembly 2, respectively the oyster bag 4 or the basic body 8, is advantageously manufactured by a process comprising one, several or all of the following successive steps:
[0072] - extrusion of transverse mesh filaments 26 and longitudinal mesh filaments 28 so that they interlock, forming the meshes 30 of the basic body;
[0073] - formation of the reinforced transverse row 36 by simultaneous extrusion of the longitudinal mesh filaments and the mesh filling, between the extrusion of two successive transverse mesh filaments;
[0074] - where applicable, formation of the retaining element 10 by extrusion of the retaining mesh filament 48;
[0075] - where applicable, formation of the holding portion 50 by simultaneous extrusion of the longitudinal mesh filaments 28 and the holding filler 54.
[0076] In the case where the retaining element 10 or the holding portion 50 is / are manufactured after the manufacture of the base body 8, it / they can be fixed for example by overmolding onto the base body.
[0077] As an alternative not shown, the support portion 50 is omitted. Alternatively, the support portion comprises an element distinct from the basic body 8, for example, a separate element.
[0078] The oyster bag 4 according to the invention is economical because it can be reliably closed and is resistant to wear at the closure point, all achieved with simple means. Oyster production losses are therefore very low.
[0079] The manufacture of the bag is economical, in particular thanks to the combination of the base body 8 and the retaining element 10 manufactured by extrusion in one piece.
[0080] Recycling the pouch is easy and economical, thanks in part to the choice of materials for the different components of the set.
Claims
DEMANDS 1. Oyster poached (4), of the type defining a central axis (AA) of the oyster bag, the oyster bag comprising a basic body (8) comprising a first end (12), a second end (14) and two walls (20), the first end forming an edge of the basic body (16) and an opening (18) of the basic body, the basic body (8) comprising transverse mesh filaments (26) and longitudinal mesh filaments (28) intersecting to form meshes (30) of the basic body, the basic body (8) being made of plastic, the oyster bag comprising a retaining element (10) adapted to retain a closure element (6) of the oyster bag on the base body, characterized in that the meshes (30) of the base body form a reinforced transverse row (36) which extends transversely to the central axis (AA) of the oyster bag and which is located on the side of the retaining element (10) opposite the first end, in that the oyster bag (4) comprises a mesh filling (40) made of plastic material, and in that the reinforced transverse row includes filled meshes (42) which are filled by the mesh filling (40).
2. Oyster bag according to claim 1, in which the mesh filling (40) is made of material with transverse mesh filaments (26) and longitudinal mesh filaments (28).
3. Oyster bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mesh filling (40) has an ERM filling thickness less than an EFT thickness of the transverse mesh filaments and / or an EFL thickness of the longitudinal mesh filaments.
4. Oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the walls (20) define at least one wall edge (22, 24) and a wall midline LMP and wherein filled meshes (42) of the reinforced transverse row are arranged closer to a wall edge than to the wall midline LMP.
5. Oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least 50% of the meshes of the reinforced transverse row (36) are filled meshes, preferably at least 75% of the meshes of the reinforced transverse row (36) are filled meshes, and in particular all the meshes of the reinforced transverse row (36) are filled meshes.
6. Oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the meshes (30) comprise or are square-shaped meshes.
7. Oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transverse mesh filaments (26) comprise a retaining mesh filament (48) which has a retaining filament thickness EFR which is greater than the thickness of the other transverse mesh filaments, wherein the retaining element (10) forms a retaining projection (46), wherein the retaining element (10) comprises the retaining mesh filament (48).
8. Oyster bag according to claim 7, wherein the retaining mesh filament (48) is adjacent to the reinforced transverse row (36) or forms part of the reinforced transverse row (36).
9. Oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the basic body comprises a retaining portion (50) extending between the retaining element (10) and the first end (12), and wherein the retaining portion comprises portions (52) of the longitudinal mesh filaments (28) and a retaining filling (54) of plastic material, the retaining filling extending between the portions of the longitudinal mesh filaments.
10. Oyster bag according to claim 9, wherein the oyster bag comprises one or more of the following features: - the holding portion (50) is made up of the portions (52) of longitudinal mesh filaments and of the holding filling (54); - the holding portion (50) is free of transverse mesh filaments (26); - the retaining filler has an ERP retaining filler thickness less than one or the thickness of the longitudinal mesh filaments; - the support portion has a longitudinal height HLM greater than the mesh height HM of a mesh; and - the retaining portion forms the edge (16) of the base body.
11. Oyster bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic body (8) is made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene, especially high-density polyethylene or low-density polyethylene.
12. Oyster bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic body (8) is made of extruded plastic material, in particular the retaining element (10) forming part of the basic body and being made of extruded plastic material.
13. Assembly (2) of an oyster bag (4) and a closing element (6), characterized in that the oyster bag is an oyster bag (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the closing element (6) is a closing bar (100) having a hollow cross-section and comprising two slotted edges (102) forming a slot (104), and in that, in the closed state of the oyster bag, the retaining element (10) extends inside the closing bar, and the slotted edges extend over the reinforced cross-row (36).
14. A method for manufacturing an oyster bag according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or an assembly according to claim 13, characterized by the steps: - extrusion of transverse mesh filaments (26) and longitudinal mesh filaments (28) so that they intersect, forming the meshes (30) of the basic body; - during the extrusion of the transverse mesh filaments and the longitudinal mesh filaments, formation of the reinforced transverse row (36) by extrusion of the mesh filling.