Handle assembly for packages and method of making same

Abstract

A handle assembly for a pourable package. The handle assembly attaches to a package having a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel and opposing side gussets in which each side gusset has an inside wall and an outside wall. The handle assembly partially positions within an opening of the side gusset and partially positioned beyond the opening. The handle assembly comprises hand portions, each hand portion having a tab that extends beyond the opening and along the inside wall of the side gusset. The handle assembly further comprises a seal member positioned on the inside wall of the side gusset and around the opening wherein the seal member seals the tabs to the inside wall of the side gusset and seals the opening.

1 . In a package having a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel and opposing side gussets in which each side gusset has an inside wall and an outside wall, the improvement comprising: 
 an opening defined through at least one of the side gussets;    a handle assembly partially positioned within the opening and partially positioned beyond the opening, the handle assembly comprising hand portions, each hand portion having a tab that extends through the opening and along the inside wall of the side gusset; and    a seal member positioned on the inside wall of the side gusset and around the opening wherein the seal member seals the tabs to the inside wall of the side gusset and seals the opening.    
   
   
       2 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein the tabs outwardly extend from the opening in opposing directions and along the inside wall of the side gusset.  
   
   
       3 . The improvement of  claim 2  wherein the tabs extend along the inside wall at a distance of about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches as measured from the opening.  
   
   
       4 . The improvement of  claim 3  wherein the tabs extend along the inside wall at a distance of about 0.50 inches as measured from the opening.  
   
   
       5 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein the hand portions each has a fold line.  
   
   
       6 . The improvement of  claim 5  wherein the hand portions fold along the fold line such that the hand portions position within the side gusset when the side gusset collapses to a retracted position.  
   
   
       7 . The improvement of  claim 6  wherein the side gusset in the retracted position encloses the hand portions.  
   
   
       8 . The improvement of  claim 6  wherein each fold line is positioned about 2.25 inches to about 2.75 inches as measured from an end of each hand portion.  
   
   
       9 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein the hand portions extend beyond the side gusset as the side gusset opens to an expanded position.  
   
   
       10 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein each hand portion has a top, the tops of the hand portions being connected to each other.  
   
   
       11 . A package having a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel and opposing side gussets in which each side gusset has an inside wall and an outside wall, the package comprising: 
 an opening defined through at least one of the side gussets;    a handle assembly partially positioned within the opening and partially positioned beyond the opening, the handle assembly comprising hand portions, each hand portion having a tab that extends through the opening and along the inside wall of the side gusset; and    a heat seal member positioned on the inside wall of the side gusset and around the opening wherein the heat seal member seals the tabs to the inside wall of the side gusset and the heat seal member seals the opening such that the hand portions fold within the side gusset when the side gusset collapses to a retracted position and the hand portions extend beyond the side gusset when the side gusset opens to an expanded position.    
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the tabs outwardly extend from the opening in opposing directions and along the inside wall of the side gusset.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 11  wherein each hand portion has a top, the tops of the hand portions being connected to each other.  
   
   
       14 . A method of attaching a handle assembly to a package having side gussets, comprising: 
 forming an opening in at least one of the side gussets;    inserting the handle assembly partially within the opening;    extending tabs of the handle assembly beyond the opening and along an inside wall of the side gusset; and    sealing the tabs to the inside wall of the side gusset and sealing the opening.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein sealing the tabs comprises heat bonding the tabs to the inside wall of the side gusset.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein extending the tabs comprises positioning the tabs along the inside wall of the side gusset.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the sealing the tabs further comprises heat bonding a seal member around the tabs and to the inside wall.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein positioning the tabs along the inside wall of the side gusset comprises positioning the tabs between the seal member and the inside wall.