Recolsable gusset bag

Abstract

A bag has two flexible face panels and a pair of gussets each having a crease and two generally parallel side edges flanking the crease and joined to side edge of the panels. The face panels both have extensions extending upward past at least one of the gussets and of a horizontal width measured perpendicular to the side edges that is substantially less than a width of the face panels perpendicular to the side edges. A reclosable fastener extends along the upper edges only at the extensions and forms therewith a spout that can be folded over and juxtaposed with one of the face panels. The spout can be releasably secured to the one face when folded over the one face panel. This side gusset bag is intended, in particular, for packaging lumpy, granular, and pourable bulk material.

1 . A bag comprising:
 two similar and flexible face panels each having a pair of generally parallel side edges and upper and lower edges bridging upper and lower ends of the side edges;   a pair of gussets each having a crease and two generally parallel side edges flanking the crease, one of the side edges of each gusset being joined to the side edge of one of the panels and the other of the respective side edges being joined to one of the side edges of the other panel, the face panels both having extensions extending upward past at least one of the gussets and of a horizontal width measured perpendicular to the side edges that is substantially less than a width of the face panels perpendicular to the side edges level with the gussets;   a reclosable fastener extending along or next to the upper edges only at the extensions and forming therewith a spout that can be folded over and juxtaposed with one of the face panels; and   means for releasably securing the spout when folded over to the one face panel.   
     
     
         2 . The bag defined in  claim 1  wherein the extensions are generally central in the respective face panels and extend past both of the side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The bag defined in  claim 2  wherein the upper edges each comprise a pair of connecting portions extending at least partially nonparallel to the side edges and each connecting an end of a respective side edge with an end of a respective center portion extending generally perpendicular to the side edges. 
     
     
         4 . The bag defined in  claim 3  wherein the connecting portions are generally straight and impart a trapezoidal shape to the extensions. 
     
     
         5 . The bag defined in  claim 3  wherein the connecting portions are generally L-shaped and have a lower part extending generally perpendicular to the respective side edge and an upper part extending generally parallel thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The bag defined in  claim 5  wherein each connecting portion has an arcuate intermediate part between the respective lower and upper parts. 
     
     
         7 . The bag defined in  claim 2  wherein the gussets each have two flaps extending from the respective crease to a respective one of the side edges, each gusset having an angled seal fixing together the respective flaps and extending from the respective side edges to the respective crease. 
     
     
         8 . The bag defined in  claim 1 , further comprising
 a grip fixed to one of the face panels.   
     
     
         9 . The bag defined in  claim 1  wherein the extensions project noncentrally from one side edge of the respective face panels, the upper edges each being comprised of a connecting portion extending at least partially nonparallel to the respective side edges between an upper end of the other side edge of the respective face panel and a respective outer portion extending generally perpendicular to the side edges and terminating at the respective one side edge. 
     
     
         10 . The bag defined in  claim 9  further comprising
 a grip fixed to the gusset on the other side of the face panels. 
 
     
     
         11 . The bag defined in  claim 1  wherein the reclosable fastener has a pair of matable strips extending along the extensions and a slider movable along the strips in one direction to couple the strips together and in an opposite direction to separate the strips. 
     
     
         12 . The bag defined in  claim 11  wherein the strips are at an outer end of the spout. 
     
     
         13 . The bag defined in  claim 11  wherein the strips are recessed in the spout. 
     
     
         14 . The bag defined in  claim 1  wherein the means for releasably securing is a strap secured to one of the extensions and means for adhering it to the face panel of the other of the extensions. 
     
     
         15 . The bag defined in  claim 14  wherein the means for adhering is an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . A bag comprising:
 two similar flexible face panels each having a pair of generally parallel side edges and upper and lower edges bridging upper and lower ends of the side edges, the lower edges being joined together;   a pair of gussets each having a crease and two generally parallel side edges flanking the crease, one of the side edges of each gusset being joined to the side edge of one of the panels and the other of the gusset side edges being joined to the side edge of the other panel, the face panels both having at the upper edges extensions extending upward past at least one of the gussets and of a width measured perpendicular to the side edges that is substantially less than a width of the face panels perpendicular to the side edges;   a reclosable fastener extending along the upper edges at the extensions and forming therewith a spout that can be folded over and juxtaposed with one of the face panels;   a flexible grip secured to at least one of the face panels or gussets offset from the extension; and   means for releasably securing the spout when folded over to the one face panel.   
     
     
         17 . The bag defined in  claim 16  wherein the grip is secured to one of the face panels. 
     
     
         18 . The bag defined in  claim 17  wherein the grip includes a reinforcement patch secured to an inner face of the one face panel and a loop extending outward though a slot in the one face panel.