US2704183A - Flexible container - Google Patents

Flexible container Download PDF

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US2704183A
US2704183A US132170A US13217049A US2704183A US 2704183 A US2704183 A US 2704183A US 132170 A US132170 A US 132170A US 13217049 A US13217049 A US 13217049A US 2704183 A US2704183 A US 2704183A
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gusset
bag
panel
supplemental
main
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US132170A
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Stern Walter
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Cromwell Paper Co
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Cromwell Paper Co
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/02Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
    • B65D5/06Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to iiexible containers for pckaging articles which are to be shipped, stored or the
  • the general object of the invention is to provide an improved expansible form of flexible container which can be opened up to a larger-than-normal size to facilitate the insertion of an article or articles into the container, following which the container can then be reduced to its normal size for obtaining a relatively snug fit over the article or articles.
  • One embodiment of my invention which particularly illustrates the advantages of being able to first expand or distend the container at the time of article insertion, and then reduce or contract the container into a snug fit over the article for shipment, storage or the like, is exemplified by an expansible paper bag for packaging a mattress. Because of the large size, weight and relative rigidity of a mattress, particularly one of the inner spring type, it is ordinarily very difficult to insert a mattress into a snug fitting paper bag, as specified by common carriers for interstate transit.
  • a paper bag of the proper weight and texture of paper can serve very satisfactorily for the shipment and storage of a mattress, but one of the principal objections to the use of a paper bag for this type of packaging has been the difficulty of getting the mattress quickly and easily into a snug fitting bag without damaging the bag.
  • the relatively snug fit of the bag over the mattress in the finished package is required so as to minimize tearing of the bag in handling the package.
  • This supplemental gusset enables the entrance opening of the bag and also the main body of the bag to be opened up to an expanded size, so as to facilitate the insertion of the mattress into the bag, following which the supplemental gusset can be folded down and into the main gusset so that the bag is reduced to its normal packaging size for obtaining a relatively snug fit over the mattress.
  • Supplemental gussets of this type can be provided along both side edges of the bag if desired, but ordinarily the provision of one supplemental gusset along one side edge of the bag is adequate to give the necessary range of expansion to the bag.
  • Another object of the invention resides in an improved arrangement of a supplemental gusset which can be folded back into closed position and into the main gusset after the insertion of the contained article into the bag, so that the supplemental gusset thereupon becomes a part of the main gusset.
  • This closing and folding of the supplemental gusset back into the main gusset brings the bag back to its normal size, and the supplemental gusset is preferably adhesively joined to the main gusset at this time to retain the snug fit of the bag over the article.
  • another feature of the invention resides in an improved arrangement of the main and supplemental gussets whereby a pressure sensitive type of adhesive may be employed for adhesively joining the supplemental gusset to the main gusset.
  • a pressure sensitive type of adhesive may be employed for adhesively joining the supplemental gusset to the main gusset.
  • the invention is not limited to paper bags, but that this supplemental gusset feature can also be embodied in bags or flexible containers made of treated fabric, plastic or any other desired material. Also, the invention is not limited to mattress bags. Still further, while the use of pressure sensitive adhesive for joining the supplemental gusset to the main gusset is preferred, nevertheless it will be understood that the securing of these two gussets together after the insertion of the article into the bag may be effected by a moistened type of adhesive, or by heat sealing, stapling, or in any other suitable manner. Moreover, the supplemental gusset does not have to be an extension of the regular gusset, but could, for example, be located down the center of the bag.
  • Figure l is a plan view of the original blank of the bag, upon which l have illustrated by crease lines, folding lines, panel areas, folding slit, etc. the subsequent operations which are performed upon this blank in producing Lilie nished bag, this View illustrating the inside of the Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the reverse or outer side of the blank, particularly that portion which foms the bottom of the bag at the supplemental gusset s1 e;
  • Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lower corner of the bag at the supplemental gusset side, showing the finished bag, in its flat folded condition;
  • Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4 4 of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5, 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views through the finished bag, showing the different stages of expanding the supplemental gusset to open position for article insertion, then folding it inwardly after the article has been inserted into the bag, and finally sealing the folded supplemental gusset to the main gusset;
  • Figures 8, 9 and l() are fragmentary rear perspective views of the bag; Figure 8 showing the main gussets expanded but the supplemental gusset not expanded; Figure 9 showing the bag in a partly folded condition; and Figure l0 showing the supplemental gusset folded down almost flat upon the body of the bag.
  • Figure l illustrates the original blank from which the bag is made, this blank being of oblong, rectangular shape cut of at stock, either transversely of the length of the stock or longitudinally thereof.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the inner side of the original blank, corresponding to that side which will be the inside of the finished bag. Also, that portion of the blank appearing at the top in Figure 1 represents that portion of the blank which will form the bottom of the finished bag.
  • the bag will be described as having a single supplemental gusset disposed at the left hand side of the finished bag and projecting outwardly from the main gusset and from the front panel of the bag, but this reference to left and right, front and back is purely relative for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, and is not limitative.
  • the creasing or folding lines are indicated by dashand-dot lines, these creasing or folding operations being performed upon the blank after the cutting of the blank out of the stock strip, these creasing or folding operations being performed either entirely by one or more folding machines, or partly by the cutting machine after the cuttingv operation and partly by a folding machine.
  • Different bag manufacturers have different preferred practices in this regard.
  • the large rectangular area near the center of the blank, designated 15, constitutes the main back panel in the finished bag, the front panel being in this description considered as that part of the bag which is formed by adhesively joining the overlapping edges of the blank together down the center of the bag.
  • This front portion of the bag comprises a left hand panel, designated 16, which is adapted to fold over the front side of the back panel 15, to constitute the left hand half of the front panel.
  • a right hand panel, designated 17, extends from the right hand edge of the back panel and is adapted to fold over the front side of this back panel to constitute the right hand half of the front panel.
  • adhesive 18 is applied over the adhesive zone or area on the back side of the right hand half-panel 17, this adhesive area being indicated by the dotted lines 19.
  • adhesive 18 is applied over the adhesive zone or area on the back side of the right hand half-panel 17, this adhesive area being indicated by the dotted lines 19.
  • the left hand edge of the finished bag is shown as being provided with a main gusset and a supplemental gusset
  • the right hand edge of the bag is shown simply as having a main or plain folding gusset.
  • this main or plain folding gusset designated 21, is located between the back panel 15 and the right hand front half-panel 17.
  • This plain gusset comprises a gusset back panel 21a and a gusset front panel 2lb which meet at a reverse crease line 21C.
  • the back panel 21a is defined between the reverse crease line 21c and a crease line 21d
  • the front panel 2lb is defined between the reverse crease line 21C and the front crease line 21e.
  • this portion also has a conventional or standard gusset, in addition to the new and improved supplemental gusset, as above described.
  • This standard or main left hand gusset, designated 22, comprises a gusset back panel 22a, and a gusset front panel 22b, which meet along a reverse crease line 22C.
  • the panel 22a is defined between the reverse crease line 22e ⁇ and the crease line 22d
  • the front panel 22b is defined between the reverse crease line 22e and the reverse crease line 22e.
  • This left hand main gusset 22 can be practically the same as the right hand gusset 21.
  • this supplemental gusset comprises an inner panel 23a and an outer panel 23b which join along crease line 23C.
  • This inner panel 23a is defined between the crease line 23C and the reverse crease line 22e
  • the outer panel 23b is defined between the crease line 23C and the reverse crease line 23d.
  • the backs or outside surfaces of the main gusset panel 22b and of the adjoining supplemental gusset panel 23a are both coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 24, when this mode of fastening the supplemental gusset is employed.
  • An auxiliary folding line or reverse crease 26 is provided between the left hand half-panel 16 and the supplemental gusset folding line 23d.
  • the space between these two folding lines 26 and 23d defines an auxiliary panel 27 of the same width as the gusset panels 21a, 2lb, 22a, 22b, etc.
  • This auxiliary folding line 26 enables the adhesive bearing panels 22b and 23a of the main and supplemental gussets 22 and 23, respectively, to be folded down fiat in the same common plane when the empty bags are folded flat for storage or shipment, as shown in Figures 4 and 10. This prevents the two adhesive bearing panels of the main and supplemental gussets from accidentally contacting each other prior to the opening of the bag and the insertion of the contained article therein.
  • the bag may be made with a so-called square bottom or Satchel bottom, or with any other desired formation of bottom so long as it does not interfere with the functioning of the supplemental gusset 23.
  • a conventional manner of producing this square bottom is to provide panel areas 31, 32, separated by a crease line 33, extending transversely across the end of the back panel 15; to provide panel areas 34, 35 separated by a crease line 36, extending transversely across the end of the half-panel 16; and to provide panels 37 and 38, separated by a crease 39, extending across the end of the other half-panel 17.
  • a crease line 41 enables the panels 31 and 32 to be folded inwardly with respect to the back panel 15, and crease lines 42 and 43 enable the panels 34, 35 and 37, 38 to be folded outwardly with respect to the half-panels 16 and 17.
  • Diagonal folding lines 44 and 45 extend diagonally outwardly from the center crease line 21c of the right hand gusset 21, so as to provide for the square bottom formation at the right hand side of the bottom. Certain differences occur where the main gusset and supplemental gusset intersect the bottom panels at the left hand side of the bag. For example, three diagonal folding lines 46, 47 and 47 extend upwardly from the crease line 33 to the edge of the blank, and additional diagonal folding lines 48, 49 and 50 are disposed downwardly and to the right of folding line 46. Also, a folding slit 51 is cut transversely across the panels 23a and 23b of the supplemental gusset substantially in line with or between the ends of the bottom crease lines 33 and 36.
  • adhesive is applied on the inner side of the blank ( Figure 1) along the edge portion of panel 31, as indicated at 55.
  • adhesive is also applied on the areas indicated by the dotted lead lines 56, 57 and 58 ( Figure 1).
  • adhesive is applied on the areas 59, 60, 61 and 62 ( Figure 2).
  • FIG. 2 fragmentarily illustrates the left hand portion of the blank turned over for the purpose of illustrating the folding operation at the left hand side.
  • the two panel areas 65 and 66 which lie just beyond the folding slit 51 can be folded together toward the inside of the bag, and adhesively joined in this folded condition.
  • the slit 51 permits the panels 65 and 66 to fold inwardly while still permitting the supplemental gusset panels 23a and 23b, which are coextensive with the panel areas 65 and 66, to fold outwardly.
  • the front half-panel 16 is then folded over the front side of the back panel 15.
  • Triangular area 67 is thereupon folded over along the fold lines 23d and 46 to overlie portions of the panel areas 68 and 69, and is then secured thereto.
  • Triangular area 71 is then folded outwardly and upwardly along folding lines 22d and 47 to overlie portions of the outside surfaces of panel area 68 and bottom flap 34; being then secured to these surfaces.
  • the joining of the inside edge portion 55 of the central bottom flap portion 31 to the outside surfaces of the other two bottom flap portions 34 and 37 completes the folding and joining at the bottom of the bag, which, together with the adhesive uniting of the half-panels 16 and 17 along the seam line of the bag, completes the folding and joining operations.
  • main gusset and supplemental gusset are folded out fiat across the top of the bag, in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. This folding occurs along the crease lines 22d and 26. This places the outer surface of main gusset panel 22b and the outer surface of supplemental gusset panel 23a in fiat co-planar relation, substantially as shown in Figures 4 and 8.
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 24 is then spread over these two surfaces 22b and 23a.
  • the bags are stored or shipped in this fiat condition, with the tacky surfaces of the pressure sensitive adhesive arranged in alternating relation first on one side and then on the other side of the stack of bags, so
  • the bag When the bag is to be used for packaging a mattress or other article, the bag is opened up in conventional manner, i. e. the right hand gusset is opened, the left hand main gusset is opened, and the bottom of the bag made flat, so that the bag is then of its normal size.
  • the left hand side of the bag When starting the insertion of a mattress M into the bag, or the bag over the mattress, the left hand side of the bag is expanded in size by opening up the supplemental gusset 23, as illustrated in Figure 5. This greatly increases the entry area of the bag along this left hand edge. so that the mattress can be inserted much more easily and more quickly than with a conventional bag. This expanded 'dimension of the bag along the left hand side extends practically to the bottom of the bag.
  • the supplemental gusset is folded back into a closed relation ( Figure 6) and is then folded inwardly into or over the main gusset 22.
  • the tacky surface of the supplemental gusset panel 23a is then pressed iirmly in against the tacky surface of the main gusset panel 22b, in order to seal the supplemental gusset in its closed, folded position against the main gusset (see Figure 7).
  • the open end of the bag can then be closed in any preferred manner. The closed bag thus affords a tight or snug fitting enclosure for the mattress.
  • a exible container comprising a rectangular front main panel, a rectangular rear main panel, a left hand main gusset and a right hand main gusset, both of rectangular form, located at the left and right hand sides of the container respectively, said left hand main gusset comprising a front rectangular main gusset panel and a on said inner supplemental gusset panel, said main and supplemental gussets joining said front and rear main panels for movement toward and away from one another, said container normally assuming a contracted or rst position wherein said front and rear main panels contact one another but have their edges offset from one another by the width of each of said left and right hand main gussets, wherein said left hand main gusset overlies said front main panel, wherein said supplemental gusset is folded and also overlies said front main panel, and wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated left hand front main gusset panel and the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated inner supplemental gusset panel lie at in coplanar or edge-to-edge relationship to prevent

Description

March 15, 1955 w. STERN FLEXIBLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1949 www www. www
GNN H IN VEN TOR.
March 15, 1955 w. STERN FLEXIBLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-'Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1949 March l5, 1955 w. STERN FLEXIBLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 9, 1949 INVENTOR Waler i6/vz,
United States Patent O FLEXIBLE CONTAlNER Walter Stern, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Cromwell Paper Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application December 9, 1949, Serial No. 132,170
1 Claim. (Cl. 229-53) The present invention relates to iiexible containers for pckaging articles which are to be shipped, stored or the The general object of the invention is to provide an improved expansible form of flexible container which can be opened up to a larger-than-normal size to facilitate the insertion of an article or articles into the container, following which the container can then be reduced to its normal size for obtaining a relatively snug fit over the article or articles.
One embodiment of my invention which particularly illustrates the advantages of being able to first expand or distend the container at the time of article insertion, and then reduce or contract the container into a snug fit over the article for shipment, storage or the like, is exemplified by an expansible paper bag for packaging a mattress. Because of the large size, weight and relative rigidity of a mattress, particularly one of the inner spring type, it is ordinarily very difficult to insert a mattress into a snug fitting paper bag, as specified by common carriers for interstate transit. A paper bag of the proper weight and texture of paper can serve very satisfactorily for the shipment and storage of a mattress, but one of the principal objections to the use of a paper bag for this type of packaging has been the difficulty of getting the mattress quickly and easily into a snug fitting bag without damaging the bag. The relatively snug fit of the bag over the mattress in the finished package is required so as to minimize tearing of the bag in handling the package.
I obtain the above described expansible feature in my improved bag by the provision of a unique, supplemental gusset which supplements the main gusset along one side edge of the bag. This supplemental gusset enables the entrance opening of the bag and also the main body of the bag to be opened up to an expanded size, so as to facilitate the insertion of the mattress into the bag, following which the supplemental gusset can be folded down and into the main gusset so that the bag is reduced to its normal packaging size for obtaining a relatively snug fit over the mattress. Supplemental gussets of this type can be provided along both side edges of the bag if desired, but ordinarily the provision of one supplemental gusset along one side edge of the bag is adequate to give the necessary range of expansion to the bag.
Another object of the invention resides in an improved arrangement of a supplemental gusset which can be folded back into closed position and into the main gusset after the insertion of the contained article into the bag, so that the supplemental gusset thereupon becomes a part of the main gusset. This closing and folding of the supplemental gusset back into the main gusset brings the bag back to its normal size, and the supplemental gusset is preferably adhesively joined to the main gusset at this time to retain the snug fit of the bag over the article.
In this regard, another feature of the invention resides in an improved arrangement of the main and supplemental gussets whereby a pressure sensitive type of adhesive may be employed for adhesively joining the supplemental gusset to the main gusset. The use of pressure sensitive adhesive on these bag containers is frequently objectionable because of the possibility of two adhesive coated surfaces of such a bag being accidentally brought together while the empty bags are being transported or stored, or before the article has been completely inserted into the bag; also because of the possibility that two of these adhesive coated surfaces may be brought together ICC at the wrong angle or wrong location, with the result that these surfaces cannot be separated for proper use of the bag and hence the bag must be discarded. I avoid or minimize these difficulties by an improved arrangement wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is placed upon one of the panels of the main gusset and upon an adjoining panel of the supplemental gusset, and wherein these two panels are arranged to lie flat in coplanar edge-to-edge relationship while the bag is in its empty, flat condition for shipment or storage. This relation of these two panels prevents the panels from contacting each other until it is desired to have them do so in the final operation of folding the supplemental gusset closed and into the main gusset.
I wish it to be understood that the invention is not limited to paper bags, but that this supplemental gusset feature can also be embodied in bags or flexible containers made of treated fabric, plastic or any other desired material. Also, the invention is not limited to mattress bags. Still further, while the use of pressure sensitive adhesive for joining the supplemental gusset to the main gusset is preferred, nevertheless it will be understood that the securing of these two gussets together after the insertion of the article into the bag may be effected by a moistened type of adhesive, or by heat sealing, stapling, or in any other suitable manner. Moreover, the supplemental gusset does not have to be an extension of the regular gusset, but could, for example, be located down the center of the bag.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings illustrating one preferred embodiment of my improved exible container, and one preferred method of making the same;
Figure l is a plan view of the original blank of the bag, upon which l have illustrated by crease lines, folding lines, panel areas, folding slit, etc. the subsequent operations which are performed upon this blank in producing Lilie nished bag, this View illustrating the inside of the Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the reverse or outer side of the blank, particularly that portion which foms the bottom of the bag at the supplemental gusset s1 e;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the lower corner of the bag at the supplemental gusset side, showing the finished bag, in its flat folded condition;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4 4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5, 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views through the finished bag, showing the different stages of expanding the supplemental gusset to open position for article insertion, then folding it inwardly after the article has been inserted into the bag, and finally sealing the folded supplemental gusset to the main gusset; and
Figures 8, 9 and l() are fragmentary rear perspective views of the bag; Figure 8 showing the main gussets expanded but the supplemental gusset not expanded; Figure 9 showing the bag in a partly folded condition; and Figure l0 showing the supplemental gusset folded down almost flat upon the body of the bag.
Referring rst to Figure l, this illustrates the original blank from which the bag is made, this blank being of oblong, rectangular shape cut of at stock, either transversely of the length of the stock or longitudinally thereof. In order to facilitate an understanding of the subsequent folding and adhering operations, Figure 1 illustrates the inner side of the original blank, corresponding to that side which will be the inside of the finished bag. Also, that portion of the blank appearing at the top in Figure 1 represents that portion of the blank which will form the bottom of the finished bag. The bag will be described as having a single supplemental gusset disposed at the left hand side of the finished bag and projecting outwardly from the main gusset and from the front panel of the bag, but this reference to left and right, front and back is purely relative for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, and is not limitative.
The creasing or folding lines are indicated by dashand-dot lines, these creasing or folding operations being performed upon the blank after the cutting of the blank out of the stock strip, these creasing or folding operations being performed either entirely by one or more folding machines, or partly by the cutting machine after the cuttingv operation and partly by a folding machine. Different bag manufacturers have different preferred practices in this regard.
The large rectangular area near the center of the blank, designated 15, constitutes the main back panel in the finished bag, the front panel being in this description considered as that part of the bag which is formed by adhesively joining the overlapping edges of the blank together down the center of the bag. This front portion of the bag comprises a left hand panel, designated 16, which is adapted to fold over the front side of the back panel 15, to constitute the left hand half of the front panel. Correspondingly, a right hand panel, designated 17, extends from the right hand edge of the back panel and is adapted to fold over the front side of this back panel to constitute the right hand half of the front panel. These left and right hand half-panels are secured together in lapped relation, to form a bag seam extending down the approximate center of the front panel. In the adhesive joining stage of the bag forming operation, adhesive 18 is applied over the adhesive zone or area on the back side of the right hand half-panel 17, this adhesive area being indicated by the dotted lines 19. When the left and right hand half-panels are brought together in overlapping relation to form the front of the bag, these two half-panels are secured together by means of the adhesive 18.
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the left hand edge of the finished bag is shown as being provided with a main gusset and a supplemental gusset, and the right hand edge of the bag is shown simply as having a main or plain folding gusset. Referring first to this right hand edge, this main or plain folding gusset, designated 21, is located between the back panel 15 and the right hand front half-panel 17. This plain gusset comprises a gusset back panel 21a and a gusset front panel 2lb which meet at a reverse crease line 21C. The back panel 21a is defined between the reverse crease line 21c and a crease line 21d, and the front panel 2lb is defined between the reverse crease line 21C and the front crease line 21e. The manner in which this right hand gusset 21 extends outwardly and folds inwardly will be apparent from the perspective view of the bag shown in Figure 8.
Referring now to that part of the blank which will form the left hand edge of the finished bag, this portion also has a conventional or standard gusset, in addition to the new and improved supplemental gusset, as above described. This standard or main left hand gusset, designated 22, comprises a gusset back panel 22a, and a gusset front panel 22b, which meet along a reverse crease line 22C. The panel 22a is defined between the reverse crease line 22e` and the crease line 22d, and the front panel 22b is defined between the reverse crease line 22e and the reverse crease line 22e. This left hand main gusset 22 can be practically the same as the right hand gusset 21.
Referring now to the supplemental gusset, designated 23 in its entirety, this supplemental gusset comprises an inner panel 23a and an outer panel 23b which join along crease line 23C. I have used the terms inner and outer to designate the panels 23a and 23b, because when the supplemental gusset 23 is closed and folded down into its final position in adhesive engagement with the main gusset 22, the panel 23a will lie on the inside of this fold and the panel 23b will lie on the outside. This inner panel 23a is defined between the crease line 23C and the reverse crease line 22e, and the outer panel 23b is defined between the crease line 23C and the reverse crease line 23d. The backs or outside surfaces of the main gusset panel 22b and of the adjoining supplemental gusset panel 23a are both coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 24, when this mode of fastening the supplemental gusset is employed.
An auxiliary folding line or reverse crease 26 is provided between the left hand half-panel 16 and the supplemental gusset folding line 23d. The space between these two folding lines 26 and 23d defines an auxiliary panel 27 of the same width as the gusset panels 21a, 2lb, 22a, 22b, etc. This auxiliary folding line 26 enables the adhesive bearing panels 22b and 23a of the main and supplemental gussets 22 and 23, respectively, to be folded down fiat in the same common plane when the empty bags are folded flat for storage or shipment, as shown in Figures 4 and 10. This prevents the two adhesive bearing panels of the main and supplemental gussets from accidentally contacting each other prior to the opening of the bag and the insertion of the contained article therein.
The bag may be made with a so-called square bottom or Satchel bottom, or with any other desired formation of bottom so long as it does not interfere with the functioning of the supplemental gusset 23. In the drawings, I have illustrated the folding operations inci dental to producing a square bottom bag, but it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. A conventional manner of producing this square bottom is to provide panel areas 31, 32, separated by a crease line 33, extending transversely across the end of the back panel 15; to provide panel areas 34, 35 separated by a crease line 36, extending transversely across the end of the half-panel 16; and to provide panels 37 and 38, separated by a crease 39, extending across the end of the other half-panel 17. A crease line 41 enables the panels 31 and 32 to be folded inwardly with respect to the back panel 15, and crease lines 42 and 43 enable the panels 34, 35 and 37, 38 to be folded outwardly with respect to the half- panels 16 and 17. Diagonal folding lines 44 and 45 extend diagonally outwardly from the center crease line 21c of the right hand gusset 21, so as to provide for the square bottom formation at the right hand side of the bottom. Certain differences occur where the main gusset and supplemental gusset intersect the bottom panels at the left hand side of the bag. For example, three diagonal folding lines 46, 47 and 47 extend upwardly from the crease line 33 to the edge of the blank, and additional diagonal folding lines 48, 49 and 50 are disposed downwardly and to the right of folding line 46. Also, a folding slit 51 is cut transversely across the panels 23a and 23b of the supplemental gusset substantially in line with or between the ends of the bottom crease lines 33 and 36.
In the folding and joining operations, adhesive is applied on the inner side of the blank (Figure 1) along the edge portion of panel 31, as indicated at 55. On the opposite or outer side of the blank, adhesive is also applied on the areas indicated by the dotted lead lines 56, 57 and 58 (Figure 1). Also, on this outer side, adhesive is applied on the areas 59, 60, 61 and 62 (Figure 2).
The folding of the bottom of the bag at the right hand side will be well understood by those skilled in the art, since it follows conventional practice in the formation of a square bottom bag. Figure 2 fragmentarily illustrates the left hand portion of the blank turned over for the purpose of illustrating the folding operation at the left hand side. At this side, the two panel areas 65 and 66 which lie just beyond the folding slit 51 can be folded together toward the inside of the bag, and adhesively joined in this folded condition. The slit 51 permits the panels 65 and 66 to fold inwardly while still permitting the supplemental gusset panels 23a and 23b, which are coextensive with the panel areas 65 and 66, to fold outwardly. The front half-panel 16 is then folded over the front side of the back panel 15. Triangular area 67 is thereupon folded over along the fold lines 23d and 46 to overlie portions of the panel areas 68 and 69, and is then secured thereto. Triangular area 71 is then folded outwardly and upwardly along folding lines 22d and 47 to overlie portions of the outside surfaces of panel area 68 and bottom flap 34; being then secured to these surfaces. The joining of the inside edge portion 55 of the central bottom flap portion 31 to the outside surfaces of the other two bottom flap portions 34 and 37 completes the folding and joining at the bottom of the bag, which, together with the adhesive uniting of the half- panels 16 and 17 along the seam line of the bag, completes the folding and joining operations.
Upon the completion of the bag to this stage, the main gusset and supplemental gusset are folded out fiat across the top of the bag, in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. This folding occurs along the crease lines 22d and 26. This places the outer surface of main gusset panel 22b and the outer surface of supplemental gusset panel 23a in fiat co-planar relation, substantially as shown in Figures 4 and 8. The pressure sensitive adhesive 24 is then spread over these two surfaces 22b and 23a. Following this, the bags are stored or shipped in this fiat condition, with the tacky surfaces of the pressure sensitive adhesive arranged in alternating relation first on one side and then on the other side of the stack of bags, so
that these tacky surfaces of adjacent bags do not come in contact with each other.
When the bag is to be used for packaging a mattress or other article, the bag is opened up in conventional manner, i. e. the right hand gusset is opened, the left hand main gusset is opened, and the bottom of the bag made flat, so that the bag is then of its normal size. When starting the insertion of a mattress M into the bag, or the bag over the mattress, the left hand side of the bag is expanded in size by opening up the supplemental gusset 23, as illustrated in Figure 5. This greatly increases the entry area of the bag along this left hand edge. so that the mattress can be inserted much more easily and more quickly than with a conventional bag. This expanded 'dimension of the bag along the left hand side extends practically to the bottom of the bag. After the mattress has been inserted all the way to the bottom of the bag, the supplemental gusset is folded back into a closed relation (Figure 6) and is then folded inwardly into or over the main gusset 22. As the final operation, the tacky surface of the supplemental gusset panel 23a is then pressed iirmly in against the tacky surface of the main gusset panel 22b, in order to seal the supplemental gusset in its closed, folded position against the main gusset (see Figure 7). The open end of the bag can then be closed in any preferred manner. The closed bag thus affords a tight or snug fitting enclosure for the mattress.
While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such is merely exemplary and that numerous modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention.
I claim:
A exible container comprising a rectangular front main panel, a rectangular rear main panel, a left hand main gusset and a right hand main gusset, both of rectangular form, located at the left and right hand sides of the container respectively, said left hand main gusset comprising a front rectangular main gusset panel and a on said inner supplemental gusset panel, said main and supplemental gussets joining said front and rear main panels for movement toward and away from one another, said container normally assuming a contracted or rst position wherein said front and rear main panels contact one another but have their edges offset from one another by the width of each of said left and right hand main gussets, wherein said left hand main gusset overlies said front main panel, wherein said supplemental gusset is folded and also overlies said front main panel, and wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated left hand front main gusset panel and the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated inner supplemental gusset panel lie at in coplanar or edge-to-edge relationship to prevent contact therebetween during shipment and storage of the empty container, said container being expandable to an enlarged or second position wherein said front main panel and said rear main panel are spaced apart, wherein said left and right hand main gussets are positioned generally normal to the plane of said rear main panel, wherein said supplemental gusset is unfolded and said front main panel is disposed in spaced relation and at an inclination to said rear rectangular main gusset panel, said rear main gusset panel of said left hand main gusset being joined to said rear main panel, a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the outer surface of said front main gusset panel of the left hand main gusset, a rectangular supplemental gusset at the left hand side of the container joining said left hand main gusset to said front main panel, said supplemental gusset comprising an inner supplemental gusset panel, an outer supplemental gusset panel and an auxiliary supplemental gusset panel, all of rectangular form and joined to each other and joined to the front main gusset panel of said left hand main gusset and to said front main panel by crease lines, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive rear main panel, in which position said container is unfolded for the ready insertion of an article into said container, said supplemental gusset thereafter being adapted to be folded to a closed position overlying said left hand main gusset to contract said container to a third position, wherein said front main panel is disposed in spaced parallel relation to said rear main panel, whereby said con tainer closely conforms to the configuration of the article inserted therein, in which third position the adhesive coated surfaces of said left hand front main gusset panel and of said inner supplemental gusset panel are pressed together in adhering relation.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 134,244 Benner Dec. 24, 1872 392,964 McCulla Nov. 13, 1888 1,030,655 Ellis June 25, 1912 1,789,699 Durham Ian. 20, 1931 2,051,711 Heywood Aug. 18, 1936 2,085,038 Perreton June 29, 1937 2,205,529 Heywood June 25, 1940 2,386,062 Roehrl Oct. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,998 France Aug. 28, 1920 55,656 Denmark Dec. 19, 1938 94,989 Sweden Dec. 29, 1938 61,243 Netherlands May 16. 1948 614,223 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1948
US132170A 1949-12-09 1949-12-09 Flexible container Expired - Lifetime US2704183A (en)

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Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2996238A (en) * 1957-11-12 1961-08-15 Crown Zellerbach Corp Pasted container
US2995990A (en) * 1956-04-18 1961-08-15 Union Carbide Corp Apparatus for the production of gusseted tubing
US3185384A (en) * 1962-02-28 1965-05-25 Waldorf Paper Prod Co Bags
US3311289A (en) * 1966-02-21 1967-03-28 French Paul Prefabricated wrapper for containers
US3325963A (en) * 1964-09-02 1967-06-20 Robert E Walton Method of sealing a bag
US3366313A (en) * 1966-03-22 1968-01-30 Cps Ind. Inc. Arrangement for wrapping packages
US4096987A (en) * 1976-08-30 1978-06-27 The Ritter Company Reinforced paper bag
US4874125A (en) * 1988-09-12 1989-10-17 Calpac Incorporated Folding corrugated board carton
WO1992018393A1 (en) * 1991-04-15 1992-10-29 Schou Diane D Stamp storage envelope and method of making same
US5836696A (en) * 1996-05-02 1998-11-17 H.G. Weber And Companu, Inc. Sack having outwardly expandable walls
US20090293431A1 (en) * 2006-10-13 2009-12-03 Primo International Method and system for shipping mattresses
US10349790B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2019-07-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Refillable, flexible dispenser with handle for stacked moist wipes

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NL61243C (en) *
US134244A (en) * 1872-12-24 Loeenzo d
US392964A (en) * 1888-11-13 Frank m
US1030655A (en) * 1911-05-09 1912-06-25 Edwin H Ellis Cigar cell or pocket.
FR509998A (en) * 1919-06-10 1920-11-24 Paul Charles Joseph Corbiere Package for dressings
US1789699A (en) * 1927-09-02 1931-01-20 Hortense R Durham Wrapping
US2051711A (en) * 1934-01-23 1936-08-18 Us Envelope Co Envelope
US2085038A (en) * 1936-01-25 1937-06-29 Perreton Arnold Receptacle
US2205529A (en) * 1937-06-14 1940-06-25 Us Envelope Co Dry-sealing envelope
US2386062A (en) * 1943-09-09 1945-10-02 Gen Aniline & Film Corp Package for rolls of flexible material
GB614223A (en) * 1945-08-11 1948-12-10 Auto Wrap Corp Packaging

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL61243C (en) *
US134244A (en) * 1872-12-24 Loeenzo d
US392964A (en) * 1888-11-13 Frank m
US1030655A (en) * 1911-05-09 1912-06-25 Edwin H Ellis Cigar cell or pocket.
FR509998A (en) * 1919-06-10 1920-11-24 Paul Charles Joseph Corbiere Package for dressings
US1789699A (en) * 1927-09-02 1931-01-20 Hortense R Durham Wrapping
US2051711A (en) * 1934-01-23 1936-08-18 Us Envelope Co Envelope
US2085038A (en) * 1936-01-25 1937-06-29 Perreton Arnold Receptacle
US2205529A (en) * 1937-06-14 1940-06-25 Us Envelope Co Dry-sealing envelope
US2386062A (en) * 1943-09-09 1945-10-02 Gen Aniline & Film Corp Package for rolls of flexible material
GB614223A (en) * 1945-08-11 1948-12-10 Auto Wrap Corp Packaging

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2995990A (en) * 1956-04-18 1961-08-15 Union Carbide Corp Apparatus for the production of gusseted tubing
US2996238A (en) * 1957-11-12 1961-08-15 Crown Zellerbach Corp Pasted container
US3185384A (en) * 1962-02-28 1965-05-25 Waldorf Paper Prod Co Bags
US3325963A (en) * 1964-09-02 1967-06-20 Robert E Walton Method of sealing a bag
US3311289A (en) * 1966-02-21 1967-03-28 French Paul Prefabricated wrapper for containers
US3366313A (en) * 1966-03-22 1968-01-30 Cps Ind. Inc. Arrangement for wrapping packages
US4096987A (en) * 1976-08-30 1978-06-27 The Ritter Company Reinforced paper bag
US4874125A (en) * 1988-09-12 1989-10-17 Calpac Incorporated Folding corrugated board carton
WO1992018393A1 (en) * 1991-04-15 1992-10-29 Schou Diane D Stamp storage envelope and method of making same
US5362299A (en) * 1991-04-15 1994-11-08 Schou Diane D Stamp storage envelope and method of making same
US5836696A (en) * 1996-05-02 1998-11-17 H.G. Weber And Companu, Inc. Sack having outwardly expandable walls
US20090293431A1 (en) * 2006-10-13 2009-12-03 Primo International Method and system for shipping mattresses
US10349790B2 (en) 2014-01-31 2019-07-16 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Refillable, flexible dispenser with handle for stacked moist wipes

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