WO2020178665A2

WO2020178665A2 - A composite bag and a method of and an apparatus for making it

Info

Publication number: WO2020178665A2
Application number: PCT/IB2020/051623
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siddharth LOHIA
Original assignee: Lohia Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Lohia Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-02
Filing date: 2020-02-26
Publication date: 2020-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-02
Also published as: WO2020178665A3

Abstract

The invention relates to manufacture of storage sacks made from tubular fabric and in particular to a device or an apparatus of and method for making multi-component sacks where packing sacks have an inner web inserted into them and joined together at the open end of the multi-component bag. In particular, the invention discloses a composite bags (C) made of an outer covering (1) and a liner insert (2) inserted into it are also termed as multi-component bags. The invention provides a process that allows the flexibility of joining the web liner insert along with the top edge of the outer covering to avoid separation of tapes at the edges. The invention also discloses an apparatus for making the composite bag and a process of making it.

Description

A Composite Bag And A Method Of And An Apparatus For Making It

Field of invention

The invention relates to manufacture of storage sacks made from tubular fabric and in particular to a device or an apparatus of and method for making multi- component sacks where packing sacks have an inner web inserted into them and joined together at the open end of the multi-component bag.

Background of invention

Multi -component woven sacks comprising packing sacks provided with moisture- resistant web liner (or a liner insert) are necessary for storing moisture-perishable materials such as sugar granules, chemicals or other similar material. Presently, multi-component bag consisting of an outer bag or covering and an inner web, preferable made from plastic film, are made mainly in a manual process, causing lower production rate. Also, the quality of sacks is sub-standard and variable as it depends on the operator skill. Further, on the edges at the open ends of the sacks that form during the cutting-to-length procedure, there is the risk of the tapes becoming detached, in particular with sacks made of uncoated woven fabric. The tapes close to the edge, running parallel to the cutting line, can shift in the direction of the cutting line or lose their parallelism and can consequently slip completely free from the fabric. These occurrences are greatly disadvantageous for filling and further handling of the sacks. For this reason, the open ends of the sacks are usually manually folded and the folded edge is connected to the fabric ply underneath including the inserted web liner, for example sewn up, or glued, or joined together using hot stapling, or seaming or their combination, wherein a type of hem and thus a cleanly sealed edge are obtained at the open ends of the sacks.

The disadvantage of this, however, is that this process of folding and connecting requires a high expenditure of work and materials (sewing thread), as well as causing a distinct loss of material from the sack material during the folding process.

The present invention thus aims to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, the invention aims to automatize the production of a multi -component sack, as well as minimise production costs and the material loss during production.

In particular, there is a need to provide a method and device that produces a multi- component bag or a composite bag comprising an outer covering (1) and a web liner insert (2) such that it maintains the moisture-integrity of the liner, thereby making it suitable for specific storage applications including storage of moisture- perishable goods. There is also a need to provide a process that allows the flexibility of joining the web liner insert along with the top edge of the outer covering. Objects of Invention

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a process that allows the flexibility of joining the web liner insert along with the top edge of the outer covering.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for making a composite bag (C), said bag having an outer covering (1) made from a first tubular hose (1 A) and an insert (2) made from a second tubular hose (2A), to carry out the aforementioned process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a composite bag (C) said composite bag (C) having a sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) into which a sealed insert cut piece (2C) is inserted using the aforementioned process and the apparatus and wherein the outer covering and the liner insert are joined together at their edges.

List of parts

C - Composite bag; Cl - first 1 - Outer covering; first tubular intermediate composite bag, C2 - hose (1 A), Outer covering cut piece second intermediate composite bag, 25 (IB), Sealed outer covering cut C3 - mouth piece (1C), G and 1” - layers of the outer covering 2 - Web liner insert (or just liner or FIS - first inserting station (FIS) liner insert); second tubular horse AS - aligning station (AS) (2A), liner cut piece (2B), Sealed LS - layer separation station (LS) liner cut piece (2C), 2 2” - layers 20 SIS - second inserting station (SIS) of the liner insert TS - third sealing station (TS)

3 - Bottom end of the outer UC - upper edge of outer covering covering; 3 A - bottom end of the cut piece

liner LC - lower edge of outer covering

4 - Top end of the outer covering; 25 cut piece

4A - top end of the liner; UI - upper edge of liner cut piece

5 - Inner tool LI - lower edge of liner cut piece

6 - Holes U - upper sealed edge or end

FC - first cutting station L - lower sealed edge or end FS - first sealing station 30 S/H - Suction means/hose

SC - second cutting station J - Joint area

SS - second sealing station

Summary Of Invention

Composite bags (C) made of an outer covering (1) and a liner insert (2) inserted into it are also termed as multi-component bags (See Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, the outer covering (1) has two layers (G, 1”) and the liner insert (2) has two layers (2’, 2”). Both outer covering and the liner insert may be made from tubular hoses. The walls of the composite bag (C) comprise a layer ( , 1”) of the outer covering (1) and a layer (2’, 2”) of the liner insert (2). The composite bags (C) have two ends - a top end (T) and a bottom end (B). The woven fabric from which the outer covering is made, comprises tapes that are woven in warp and weft directions. The tubular hoses are cut into pieces. The tapes close to the edge, running parallel to the cutting line, can shift in the direction of the cutting line or lose their parallelism and can consequently slip completely free from the fabric. These occurrences are greatly disadvantageous for filling and further handling of the sacks. The invention provides a process that allows the flexibility of joining the web liner insert along with the top edge of the outer covering to overcome the aforementioned drawback.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows the liner inserted bag of the invention without the top edge secured

Figure 2 shows front view of the mouth of the composite bag in a state of collapse of the web liner insert when the suction means are non-operational

Figure 2A shows the perspective view of the composite bag when suction means are operational

Figure 2B shows the perspective view of the composite bag when the edges of the bag layers are aligned Figure 3 shows the cross-section of bag of Figure 2A with the two faces of the bag opened up by using the separation means

Figure 3 A shows a liner tool inserted into the bag with its mouth opened

Figures 4 and 4A show schematics of the alternatives of the apparatus of the invention

Figures 5 and 5A show schematics of the alternatives of the method of the invention

Figure 6 shows the liner inserted into outer covering with the liner crumpled up near its edges

Figure 7 shows the bag of invention with the top edge secured

Figure 8 shows the features of the cut pieces for outer covering and the liner insert

Detail Description of Invention

Composite bags (C) made of an outer covering (1) and a liner insert (2) inserted into it are also termed as multi-component bags (See Figure 1). As shown in

Figure 2, the outer covering (1) has two layers (G, 1”) and the liner insert has two layers (2’, 2”). Both outer covering and the liner insert may be made from tubular hoses. The walls of the composite bag (C) comprise a layer (G, 1”) of the outer covering (1) and a layer (2’, 2”) of the liner insert (2). The composite bags (C) have two ends - a top end (T) and a bottom end (B). The individual components of the composite bags (C), i.e. the outer covering (1) and the liner insert (2) also respectively have two ends: a top end (4 - top end of the outer covering (1), and 4A - top edge of the liner insert (2)), and a bottom end (3 - bottom end of the outer covering (1), and 3 A - bottom end of the liner insert (2)). In the context of the present invention the ends denote the areas near the ends of the bag.

The outer covering (1) is made from woven or non-woven thermo-plastic fabric. The woven fabric is made from weaving tapes in warp and weft directions. The web liner insert (2) may be also made from plastic film, woven or non-woven thermo-plastic fabric in a tubular form (e.g. a hose). The liner (2) may be in the form of a bag, open at one end (say, the top end) but sealed at the other end (the bottom end) to form a seal that is moisture-integral. In other words, the seal is such that it is substantially moisture proof.

In one aspect of the invention (see Figures 1, 2 A, and 8), the width and the length of the liner insert (2) are slightly greater than the respective width and length of the outer covering (1). In this context, the length of the outer covering (1) is taken as the length between its open end and the seal of the outer covering that is provided at its other end. In the end product, i.e. the composite bag (C), the extra length of the liner insert, i.e. the length by which the liner insert is longer than the outer covering, accumulates (see Figure 6) at the bottom end (B), or possibly spread out over the length of the outer covering (1). Similarly (also see Figure 6), the extra width, i.e. the amount by which the width of the liner insert is wider than that of the outer covering, accumulates anywhere or spreads over the width of the outer covering (1). When the outer covering (1) is made of woven fabric made from tapes and is uncoated, the tapes close to the edge, running parallel to the cutting line, can shift away from each other laterally (or in the direction of the cutting line) or lose their parallelism and can consequently slip completely free from the fabric. To overcome this, the invention discloses a device and a method to manufacture a multi-component or composite bag comprising an outer covering (1) and a web liner insert (or simply the liner insert or liner) and joining together the web liner insert and the outer covering at their respective top ends (4, 4A) or mouths, whereby the lateral shift of the tapes is arrested.

In order to enjoin the liner insert (2) and the outer covering (1) of the composite bag (C) at their top ends (4/4A), it is necessary to separate the two layers ( , 1”) of outer covering and those (2’, 2”) of the liner insert (2) from each other to form an open mouth (Figure 2). In its another aspect, the present invention provides a mechanism and method of opening the mouth of the composite bags (C). It is important that layers G and 2’, and layers 1” and 2”, in their loose state, are opened or separated from each other as pairs (i.e. layers 172’ together and layers G72” together) so that the mouth or ends of the composite bag (C) opens fully as shown in Figure 3. It should not be the case that layers G and 1” are pulled apart from each other, however, layers T and 2” remain in a collapsed state so that the mouth does not open (see Figure 2). The layers ( 2’, 2”) of the web liner inserts (2) can be lifted or separated from each other at the open end of the web liner insert (2) using a separation means or device (S/H - see Figure 2A) which can be operated through pneumatic, hydraulic, motorized or any possible electro-mechanical arrangement capable of lifting (or moving) both layer pairs (172’ and G72”) individually. As an example, the separation means may comprise grasping units provided at the end of hoses (S/H - see Figure 2A) that are capable of grasping layers of the outer covering (1) and/or the liner insert (2) using suction. Details of such suction means are known to a person skilled in the art.

The inventor also realised that when a liner (2) is inserted into an outer covering

(1), simply separating the layers (2’, 2”) of the liner insert (2) from each other would necessarily lead to separation of the layers (G, 1”) of the outer covering from each other. Therefore in yet another aspect of the invention a method is disclosed for the separation means to access the layers (2’, 2”) of the liner insert

(2). In order to facilitate this, a hole (6) made in the layers (G, 1”) of the outer covering (1) of any geometry and size which exposes sufficient area of the layers (2’, 2”) of the liner insert (2) is provided along width of the layers (1, G) of the covering to facilitate suction of a layer ( T and 2”) of the web liner insert through above mention means. The sufficiency of the exposed area is determined on the basis of what is required for the grasping means of the separation means to be able to grasp the layers (2’, 2”) of the liners (2). The hole (6) is preferably provided near the end of the composite bag (C) that is to be left open. This allows the corresponding layers ( , 1”) of the outer covering (1) and the layers (2’, 2”) of the web liner insert (2) to remain together - i.e. forming layer pairs 172’ and G72” - through the process of separation of layers (171” and 272”) near the open mouth.

Invention is not limited to provision of hole (6) on woven fabric - a suction arrangement can be sufficient to pull the layers (G and 1”) of the outer bag (1) along with the corresponding layers (2’ and 2”) of the web liner insert (2) without having hole (6) on woven fabric. This arrangement ensures pulling together of woven bag layers (G & 1”) along with the corresponding layers ( T and 2”) of the inserted liner web (2).

The other side of woven bag can be left opened or can be closed through stitching, ultrasonic welding, gluing, hot stapling, seaming or their combination, or through any possible means which can be used for binding two separated surfaces of bag.

When the mouth of the composite bag gets opened (Figure 2), an electro mechanical arrangement pushes the inner tool (5) in between separated layers (2’ & 2”) of the sealed liner cut piece (2C) such that inner tool (5) completely isolates from each other the layers (2’& 2”) of the sealed liner cut piece (2C) so that the layers (2’, 2”) do not touch each other when lifting/moving arrangement gets deactivated. The inner tool (5), which is typically in the form of a flat, sturdy plate, for example made from metal, also provides a physical support to any tool that is used to form a joint near the top ends (4/4A) at the mouth edges or edges (UC, LC, UI, LI) of layers of the outer bag and the web liner insert. As shown in Figure 2A, edges of the layers (L, 1”) of the outer covering cut piece (1) are defined as the upper edge (UC) of the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C), and the lower edge (LC) of the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C). Similarly, the edges of the liner insert (2) are defined as the upper edge (UI) of the sealed liner cut piece (2C), and the lower edge (LI) of the sealed liner cut piece (2C). For example, if an ultrasonic method is used to make the joint at aforementioned edges (UC, LC, UI, LI) of the layers of the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and the sealed liner insert cut piece (2C), the inner tool (5) may function as an anvil.

On the bag open end where inner tool is inserted (see Figure 3 A), the both sides of open end of woven fabric layer (U & 1”) and layer of liner web (2’ & 2”) get joined together - i.e. the edges of the layers U, T get joined together, and edges of the layers (1”, 2”) get joined together - using an electro-mechanical arrangement like ultrasonic device, heat sealing, hot stapling or adhesive spraying. To achieve this, the top edges of layers U and T are aligned or lined or matched with each other and then sealed together. Similarly, the top edges of layers 1” and 2” are lined or matched together and sealed. The sealing of the two pairs may be carried out simultaneously or separately. Figure 7 shows the composite bag (C) of the invention. The area (J) near the top end (T) shown as grey area indicates the jointed area or joint over which the layers (172’ and G72”) are sealed or joined together. It should be noted that in the context of enjoining, although an edge may be considered as theoretically having zero width, joining of the edges is meant to convey that the joint may have definite width. The sealing may therefore have a measurable width or it may simply be a line seal or dotted straight or zig-zag sealing.

The method of the invention is now disclosed in a step-by-step manner. The method would be better understood in reference to Figure 5 which show steps in lower case letters (as used to indicate steps in the accompanying claims) next to arrows. Products obtained by any particular step are indicated in block letters inside boxes. The method of making a composite bag (C) according to the invention comprises the following steps.

Two rolls of tubular hoses are provided: a roll of first tubular hose (1 A) to make outer covering pieces and a roll of second tubular hose (2A) to make liner cut pieces. On a first cutting station (FC), outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1A) are cut. On a first sealing station (FS), top end of said outer covering cut piece (IB) is sealed to make a sealed outer covering cut piece (1C). At least one hole (6) is formed in each of the layers (G, 1”) of said outer covering cut piece (IB). On a second cutting station (SC), liner cut pieces (2B), are cut from said second tubular hose (2 A). On a second sealing station (SS) top end of said liner cut piece (2B) are sealed to make a sealed liner cut piece (2C). A first intermediate composite bag (Cl) having a mouth (C2) is made on a first insertion station (FIS) by inserting said sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C). At this stage, the top edges of the sealed liner cut piece (2C) sticks out of the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C), since the length of the former is greater than the length of the latter. Also at this stage, the sealed liner cut piece (2C) may still be in a collapsed state inside the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) (see Figure 2).

However, the top edges of the sealed liner insert cut piece (2C) and the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) need to be sealed together for each of their corresponding layers - i.e. layers G and T are enjoined at their top edges and layers 1” and 2” are enjoined at their top edges. For facilitating the enjoining operation, the top edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) need to be aligned (see Figure 2B) at an aligning station (AS) which leads to a second intermediate composite bag (C2) where top edges of layers 172’ are aligned with each other. Similarly top edges of layers F72” are also aligned with each other. However, to facilitate the edge alignment step, and also in order to facilitate enjoining operation, it is further found necessary to open up the mouth (C3) so that the layer pairs (172’ and 72”) are well separated. The layer separation operation is carried out on a layer separating station (LS) using separation means or devices of the type that are known to a person skilled in the art. Typically, such devices employ vacuum for the purpose of layer separation. using a separation device (S - see Figure 6), separating layers (G, 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to open the mouth (C3). Next, the inner tool (5) is inserted into the mouth (C3) that is now open. The inner tool insertion ensures that the layers of the sealed liner cut piece (2C) and the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) are secured together as much as possible before the enjoining of the edges is carried out. It is after the inner tool (5) has been inserted, that the edge alignment can be facilitated. The device for edge alignment may be a device known to a person skilled in the art which essentially causes a relative movement between the two layers (172’ and G72”) so that respective edges are brought together or aligned.

Next, the edges of paired layers (172’ and G72”) are enjoined together using sealing methods that are known to a person skilled in the art to form upper (U) and lower (L) sealed edges, thereby forming said composite bag (C) with sealed edges at its top end (T).

In a preferred embodiment (see Figure 5A) of the method of making a composite bag (C), the steps of separating the layers and inserting the liner tool are sequences differently. In this embodiment, the step of layer separation is carried out immediately after the liner insert (2) has been inserted into the outer covering (1). Next inner tool (5) is inserted into the open mouth (C3) that is formed as a result of the previous step. The steps of edge alignment and enjoining of the layer- pairs to form upper and lower sealed edges (U and L) follow.

The invention also discloses an apparatus to make a multi -component or composite bag (C). The apparatus has the following stations to execute the various stages of the method disclosed herein and illustrated in Figure 4. The apparatus has a first cutting station (FC) for making outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1 A). The apparatus also has a first sealing station (FS) for sealing a top end of said outer covering cut piece (IB) to make a sealed outer covering (1C). A second cutting station (SC) is also provided for making liner cut pieces (2B) of required length from said second tubular hose (IB). In order to seal a top end of said liner cut piece (2B) thereby making a sealed liner cut piece (2C), a second sealing station (SS) is provided. Next, in order to insert said sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) to produce a first intermediate composite bag (Cl), a first inserting station (FIS) is provided. At this stage, the top edges of the sealed liner cut piece (2C) sticks out of the sealed outer covering cut piece (1C), since the length of the former is greater than the length of the latter. An aligning station (AS) is therefore provided to align with each other the bottom edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said first intermediate composite bag (Cl) to produce second intermediate composite bag (C2). A layer separation station (LS) provided with a separation device (S) for separating layers (G, 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to form an open mouth (C3) at the bottom end of said second intermediate composite bag (C2). Next, in order to facilitate the enjoining operation, a second inserting station (SIS) is provided for inserting an inner tool (5) into said open mouth (C3). Finally, a third sealing station (TS) is provided for sealing the edges of paired layers (172’ and G72”) together to form upper (U) and lower (L) sealed edges.

In a preferred embodiment (see Figure 4A) of the apparatus, the layer separation station (LS) may be positioned immediately downstream of the first insertion station (FIS). Here, after the liner insert (2) has been inserted into the outer covering (1), the layer separation device (S) separates layers 172’ and layers F72” at the layer separation station (LS) to form an open mouth (C3) into which the insertion tool (5) is inserted at the second insertion station (SIS).

Present invention is not limited to given sequence of operation which can be interchanged as per requirement.

It is evident that the invention has a number of embodiments. In a preferred embodiment, a method of making a composite bag (C) is disclosed, said composite bag (C) having an outer covering (1) made from a first tubular hose (1 A) and an insert (2) made from a second tubular hose (2A), characterised in that said method comprises the steps of:

a. making outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1 A) and sealing a top end of said outer covering cut piece (IB) to make a sealed outer covering cut piece (1C)

b. making at least one hole (6) in each of the layers (G, 1”) of said cut piece (IB)

c. making liner cut pieces (2B), from said second tubular hose (2A) and sealing a top end of said liner cut piece (2B) to make a sealed liner cut piece (2C),

d. making a first intermediate composite bag (Cl) by inserting said sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) e. aligning with each other the top edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said first intermediate composite bag (Cl) to produce a second intermediate composite bag

(C2),

f. using a separation device (S), separating layers (G, 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to form an open mouth (C3) at the bottom end of said second intermediate composite bag (C2)

g. inserting an inner tool (5) into said open mouth (C3)

h. sealing the edges of paired layers (172’ and 72”) together to form upper (U) and lower (L) sealed edges, thereby forming said composite bag (C) with sealed edges at its top end (T).

In a second embodiment, the length of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the length of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

In a further embodiment, the width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the length of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

In a further embodiment, the sequence of the steps in the aforementioned preferred embodiment is changed to: a, b, c, d, f, g, e, h.

In a still further embodiment, the sealing operations of aforementioned step a is carried out using ultrasonic method. In another embodiment, the sealing operations of aforementioned step c is are carried out using ultrasonic method. In yet another embodiment, the sealing operations of aforementioned step h is are carried out using ultrasonic method.

In a further embodiment, the sealing operations of steps a and/or step c and/or step h are carried out using gluing, welding, hot stapling, seaming or their

combination.

In on embodiment, the said separation device (S) of step f uses suction for separating layers ( , 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed for making a composite bag (C), said bag having an outer covering (1) made from a first tubular hose (1 A) and an insert (2) made from a second tubular hose (2A), characterised in that said apparatus comprises:

a. a first cutting station (FC) for making outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1 A),

b. a first sealing station (FS) for sealing a top end of said outer covering cut piece (IB) to make a sealed outer covering (1C),

c. a second cutting station (SC) for making liner cut pieces (2B) of

required length from said second tubular hose (IB),

d. a second sealing station (SS) for sealing a top end of said liner cut piece (2B) to make a sealed liner cut piece (2C), e. a first inserting station (FIS) to insert said sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) to produce a first intermediate composite bag (Cl),

f. an aligning station (AS) to align with each other the bottom edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said first intermediate composite bag (Cl) to produce second intermediate composite bag (C2),

g. a layer separation station (LS) provided with a separation device (S) for separating layers (G, 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to form an open mouth (C3) at the bottom end of said second intermediate composite bag (C2), h. a second inserting station (SIS) for inserting an inner tool (5) into said open mouth (C3),

i. a third sealing station (TS) for sealing the edges of paired layers (172’ and G72”) together to form upper (U) and lower (L) sealed edges.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus, the layer separation station (LS) is placed immediately downstream of the first insertion station (FIS), and wherein the second insertion station (SIS) is placed immediately downstream of the layer separation station (LS), after which said alignment station (AS) and said third sealing station (TS) follow in that order. In another embodiment a composite bag (C) is disclosed having a sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) into which a sealed insert cut piece (2C) is inserted characterised in that the layers (172’ and G72”) at the bottom ends (4/4A) of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said intermediate composite bag (Cl) are joined together to form joints (J) resulting in upper (U) and lower (L) sealed ends.

In a further embodiment of the composite bag (C), the length of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the length of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

In a still further embodiment of the composite bag (C), the width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the width of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

In another embodiment of the composite bag (C), the extra length of said sealed liner cut piece gathers together near the top end of said composite bag (C).

However, it is possible that the extra length spreads over the entire length of or only a part length of the composite bag (C).

In a still further embodiment of the composite bag (C), the extra width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) gathers together near the side edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

Finally, it is possible that the joints (J) at the upper and lower sealed ends (U and L) have a measurable width.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of making a composite bag (C), said composite bag (C) having an outer covering (1) made from a first tubular hose (1 A) and an insert (2) made from a second tubular hose (2A), characterised in that said method comprises the steps of:

a. making outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1 A) and sealing a top end of said outer covering cut piece (IB) to make a sealed outer covering cut piece (1C); b. making at least one hole (6) in each of the layers (G, 1”) of said cut piece (IB);

c. making liner cut pieces (2B), from said second tubular hose (2A) and sealing a top end of said liner cut piece (2B) to make a sealed liner cut piece (2C);

d. making a first intermediate composite bag (Cl) by inserting said

sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C);

e. aligning with each other the top edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said first intermediate composite bag (Cl) to produce a second intermediate composite bag (C2);

f. using a separation device (S), separating layers (G, 1” and 2 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to form an open mouth (C3) at the bottom end of said second intermediate composite bag (C2);

g. inserting an inner tool (5) into said open mouth (C3);

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein length of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the length of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the width of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sequence of the steps is a, b, c, d, f, g, e, h.

5. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing operations of step a is carried out using ultrasonic method.

6. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing operations of step c is are carried out using ultrasonic method.

7. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing operations of step h is are carried out using ultrasonic method.

8 The method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing operations of steps a and/or step c and/or step h are carried out using gluing, welding, hot stapling, seaming or their combination.

9. The method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein said separation device (S) of step f uses suction for separating layers ( , 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces

(IB and 2B).

10. An apparatus for making a composite bag (C), said bag having an outer covering (1) made from a first tubular hose (1 A) and an insert (2) made from a second tubular hose (2A), characterised in that said apparatus comprises: a. a first cutting station (FC) for making outer covering cut pieces (IB) of required length from said first tubular hose (1 A),

c. a second cutting station (SC) for making liner cut pieces (2B) of

required length from said second tubular hose (IB),

d. a second sealing station (SS) for sealing a top end of said liner cut piece (2B) to make a sealed liner cut piece (2C),

e. a first inserting station (FIS) to insert said sealed liner cut piece (2C) into said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) to produce a first intermediate composite bag (Cl),

g. a layer separation station (LS) provided with a separation device (S) for separating layers (G, 1” and 2’, 2”) of said cut pieces (IB and 2B) to form pairs of layers (172’ and G72”) and to form an open mouth

(C3) at the bottom end of said second intermediate composite bag (C2),

h. a second inserting station (SIS) for inserting an inner tool (5) into said open mouth (C3),

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said layer separation station (LS) is placed immediately downstream of the said first insertion station (FIS), and wherein said second insertion station (SIS) is placed immediately downstream of said layer separation station (LS), after which said alignment station (AS) and said thirst sealing station (TS) follow in that order.

12. A composite bag (C) said composite bag (C) having a sealed outer

covering cut piece (1C) into which a sealed insert cut piece (2C) is inserted characterised in that the layers (172’ and L72”) at the bottom ends (4/4 A) of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C) and sealed liner cut piece (2C) of said intermediate composite bag (Cl) are joined together to form joints (J) resulting in upper (U) and lower (L) sealed ends.

13. The composite bag (C) as claimed in claim 12, wherein length of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the length of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

14. The composite bag (C) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) is greater than the width of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

15. The composite bag (C) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the extra length of said sealed liner cut piece gathers together near the top end of said composite bag (C).

16. The composite bag (C) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the extra width of said sealed liner cut piece (2C) gathers together near the side edges of said sealed outer covering cut piece (1C).

17. The composite bag as claimed in claims 12 to 16, wherein the joints (J) at the upper and lower sealed ends (U and L) have a measurable width.