US20110002559A1

US20110002559A1 - Embossed Drawtape for Polymeric Bags

Info

Publication number: US20110002559A1
Application number: US12/883,846
Authority: US
Inventors: Greg J. Wood; George M. Hall
Original assignee: Poly-America LP
Current assignee: Poly-America LP
Priority date: 2008-08-13
Filing date: 2010-09-16
Publication date: 2011-01-06

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an embossed drawtape embossed with an enhanced gripping pattern. The enhanced gripping pattern features one or more embosses which enhance the ability of a person to grip the drawtape of a drawstring trash bag when gripping the drawtape in the direction of the width of the drawtape.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/190,856 filed Aug. 13, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in the construction and manufacture of polymeric bags. In particular, the present invention relates to improvements to the drawtape used in drawstring-type polymeric bags, especially polymeric trash bags.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polymeric bags are ubiquitous in modern society. As a natural result of the widespread adoption and use of polymeric bags, the bags are available in a countless number of combinations of capacities, thicknesses, dimensions and colors. Polymeric bags may be used in numerous ways including for long-term storage, food storage and trash collection. In response to consumer demand, manufacturers of polymeric bags have also developed several innovations over the years to improve the utility and performance of polymeric bags. The present invention is of particular interest to the use of polymeric bags for trash collection and with respect to the methods for securely closing and carrying such trash bags.
While the polymeric trash bags available to consumers are available in a variety of different configurations, certain configurations are designed to cater to certain uses and particular segments of the population. When considering the utility of polymeric trash bags, one issue of primary concern to both consumers and manufacturers is how the consumer can securely close and carry the trash bag after filling it with debris. Securing the trash bag is of critical importance to containing the trash and other debris inside the trash bag when it is collected and transported. Over the years, the industry has developed several different methods for securely closing and carrying trash bags, each method having certain advantages and disadvantages over the other methods.
Drawstring trash bags are a popular alternative to flapped or twist-tie trash bags. As the name suggests, drawstring bags utilize a drawstring, also known as a drawtape, which is incorporated into the bag design. Drawtapes are typically enclosed within the hems running along the upper opening of the bag. To minimize the possibility of puncture or tear during use, the drawtapes are usually stronger than the material used to construct the bag. To close the bag, the central portions of the drawtapes are pulled vertically through the small access cut-outs in the hems, thereby pulling the opposing upper corners of the bag together. The drawtapes can then be tied together, securing the contents of the bag and allowing the drawstring bag and its contents to be hauled away. The demand for new and improved drawtapes and drawstring bags is the driving force behind the innovation of the present invention.
The invention disclosed herein will be especially advantageous in the context of lawn and leaf bags. Lawn and leaf bags are typically used for the collection and disposal of yard waste such as grass clippings, fallen leaves, and other bulky yard debris. As a person collects yard waste or works on outdoor projects, it is common for the person to wear outdoor yard gloves to protect one's hands from dirt and other matter which may irritate the skin. However, outdoor yard gloves can also negatively affect the dexterity of a person's fingers when the gloves are worn, making it difficult to grasp smooth, slippery surfaces such as the drawtapes of trash bags. This problem is further compounded as oils, dirt, and other contaminants accumulate on the surfaces of the gloves making gripping even more difficult.
This gripping challenge is highlighted by the difficulty in certain circumstances to quickly and easily grip the drawtapes of a lawn and leaf bag while wearing outdoor yard gloves. For example, it may be difficult to grasp the drawtapes contained in a drawstring lawn and leaf bag due to the relatively small exposed area of the drawtapes, the decreased dexterity associated with wearing outdoor gloves, and contaminants which may accumulate. Furthermore, this same problem may also be present with respect to drawstring kitchen bags where liquids and oily cleansers may make it moderately more difficult to grip the drawstring.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a drawstring trash bag which features a drawtape that is easier to grasp. This would be advantageous in numerous contexts, especially in the context of lawn and leaf bags and, in other situations, when gripping a drawstring may be complicated due to the use of gloves or the presence of contaminants which make the drawtape “slippery” due to a decreased coefficient of friction.
It is known to provide a ribbed drawtape for a thermoplastic bag. In particular, the ribbed drawtape is known to permit decreasing the thickness of the drawtape while providing substantially similar functional qualities. Specifically, it is known that drawtapes used in connection with drawstring bags have a tendency to “rope” when a force is applied such as when the drawtapes are pulled to close the trash bag. “Roping” is the effect of a drawtape curling in as stress is applied and can result in the formation of a circular, rope-like structure. For a traditional drawtape, the diameter of the rope is correlated with the stiffness of the drawtape across its width. Accordingly, thicker drawtapes, which tend to be stiffer, often result in the formation of larger diameter “ropes.” The known ribbed drawtape contains vertical ribs across the width of the drawtape, stiffening an otherwise thin tape, and thereby increasing the diameter of the resulting “rope.” Therefore, by providing vertical ribs across the width of the drawtape, the stiffness increases, which permits decreasing the thickness of the thermoplastic drawtape. However, to provide the desired effect, the ribs must extend vertically across the width of the drawtape. Since the ribs are in the same direction as a force applied by a person pulling on the drawtape, the vertical ribs do not facilitate in making the drawtape easier to grip.
It is also known to provide a flexible bag having a drawtape closure wherein the drawtape exhibits elastic-like behavior by embossing the drawtape with an accordion-type pattern. Specifically, it is known to emboss a drawtape with a plurality of deeply-embossed deformations which are vertically oriented across the width of the drawtape. The vertical embosses are intended to impart elastic-like properties, allowing the drawtape to stretch and retract in a manner similar to an accordion. Importantly, because the behavior is desired along the length of the drawtape, the deep embossing necessarily extends in the vertical direction. In light of the foregoing, like the ribbed drawtape discussed previously, the embossing is oriented in the same direction as a person pulling on the drawtape of the drawstring bag. Again, this does not substantively facilitate a person's ability to grip the drawtape.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a drawtape for a polyethylene bag wherein the drawtape is more easily grasped during use. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide an embossed drawstring with an enhanced gripping surface to facilitate the gripping of the drawstring. The present invention addresses these needs by providing an enhanced gripping surface on the drawtape as discussed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a drawtape for drawstring polymeric bags. The drawtape is manufactured from polyethylene and is imprinted with an embossing pattern comprised of a plurality of embosses. In certain embodiments, the plurality of embosses may be substantially circular or elliptical in shape, substantially uniform in size, and distributed evenly within the embossing pattern. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the plurality of embosses may have a substantially uniform depth and be imprinted so as to extend from the base of the drawtape in a single direction. It is contemplated that the present invention may be manufactured with at least 20% high-density polyethylene. In certain embodiments, the drawtape has a width of between 0.5 inches and 2 inches with a thickness of between 1.5 and 3 mils. In certain embodiments, the width may be 1 inch with a thickness of 2.25 mils. In certain embodiments, the polyethylene drawtape is a three-ply, co-extruded drawtape.
The present invention is also directed to a polymeric bag comprised of a front panel and a back panel which are joined along a first side, a second side, and the bottom of the respective panels. The top end of the front panel is folded and sealed to form a first hem while the top end of the back panel is folded and sealed to form a second hem. A drawtape is disposed within at least one of the two hems and is imprinted with an embossing pattern comprising a plurality of embosses. In certain embodiments, the plurality of embosses are substantially circular in shape, are substantially uniform in size and are distributed evenly within the embossing pattern. Furthermore, the plurality of embosses may have a substantially uniform depth. In some embodiments, the embossed drawtape may have a width between 0.5 inches and 2 inches and a thickness of between 1.5 mils and 3 mils. In certain embodiments, the width of the drawtape is 1 inch with a thickness of 2.25 mils.
It is contemplated that the present invention may be utilized in ways that are not fully described or set forth herein. The present invention is intended to encompass these additional uses to the extent such uses are not contradicted by the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in view of the present disclosure, the accompanying figures, and the appended claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

A full and complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the detailed description of the present invention and certain embodiments when viewed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings can be briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a drawstring-style polymeric trash bag as known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 provides an overhead elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side elevation view of the embossed drawtape as contemplated by a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a drawstring-style polymeric trash bag incorporating an embodiment of the embossed drawtape as contemplated by the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 provides an elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 provides an exaggerated elevation view of a drawtape as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention when viewing the drawtape from the edge.

FIG. 17 provides an elevation view of a drawstring bag as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure illustrates several embodiments of the present invention. It is not intended to provide an illustration or encompass all embodiments contemplated by the present invention. In view of the disclosure of the present invention contained herein, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that innumerable modifications and insubstantial changes may be incorporated or otherwise included within the present invention without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments disclosed herein. The appended claims are intended to more fully and accurately encompass the invention to the fullest extent possible, but it is fully appreciated that certain limitations on the use of particular terms is not intended to conclusively limit the scope of protection.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the upper portion of a drawstring trash bag 100 as known is the prior art is depicted to provide context for the discussing the present disclosure. The drawstring trash bag 100 consists essentially of a front panel 102 and a back panel 104, both panels being substantially rectangular in shape. The front panel 102 and the back panel 104 are usually formed from a single piece of polymeric film, folded to form the bottom of the bag to form the two panels 102 and 104. However, other configurations utilizing two distinct panels 102 and 104 sealed along the bottom are known in the art. The front panel 102 and back panel 104 are sealed proximate to the sides of the bag to form a left bag seal 112 and a right bag seal 114. However, prior to forming the left bag seal 112 and right bag seal 114, a first hem 122 is formed along the top of edge of the front panel by folding the top edge of the front panel 102 a distance of approximately one to two inches and creating a hem seal 126 to form the bottom of the first hem 122. Similarly, a second hem 124 is formed along the top edge of the back panel 104 by folding the back panel 104 over and providing a second hem seal 128.
Still referring to FIG. 1, before the first and second hem seals 126 and 128 are created to form the first and second hems 122 and 124, drawtape 150 is inserted. The hem seals 126 and 128 are created to keep the drawtape within the hems 122 and 124. Left and right drawtape seals, respectively 116 and 118, are formed along the edge of the bag during production. The drawtape seals 116 and 118 bind the respective first hem 122 and second hem 124 to the drawtape 150. The drawtape seals 116 and 118 keep the ends of the drawtape 150 secure when the drawtape is pulled by the user through the holes 132 and 134 provided in the hems 122 and 124.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a drawtape is depicted as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 2 provides an elevation view of one embodiment of the embossed drawtape 200 contemplated by the present invention with an embossing pattern 202. The embossing pattern 202 depicted is comprised of a plurality of embosses 204. For this embossing pattern 202, the individual embosses 204 are circular, substantially uniform in size, evenly distributed and have substantially uniform depth as better depicted in FIG. 3. It is contemplated that essentially any conceivable embossing pattern may be utilized with the present invention. In particular, it is contemplated that the shapes of the plurality of embosses may be non-circular such as ellipses and/or irregular shapes. In fact, a combination of different shapes may be utilized within the same embossing pattern 202. Furthermore, the embossing pattern may utilize embosses 204 that are not uniform in size and that may be randomly or unevenly distributed. The particular embossing pattern 202 used in each application is dependent on several factors such as the desired tactile feel of the embossing pattern, the width and thickness of the drawtape and the desired application of the drawstring bag.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an exaggerated side elevation view of the embossed drawtape 200 is depicted. As can be seen, the embossed drawtape 200 is comprised of the base polyethylene drawtape 206 which is embossed to form the plurality of embosses 204. In this embossed drawtape 200, the plurality of embosses 204 are unidirectional in that each of the plurality of embosses extends away from the base polyethylene drawtape 206 in a single direction. Furthermore, in the embossed drawtape 200, each of the plurality of embosses 204 is substantially uniform in depth. However, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments may utilize non-uniform depths and a combination of embosses extending in both directions away from the base polyethylene drawtape 206.
Now referring to FIG. 4, a bag 400 incorporating an embossed drawtape 200 is depicted. The bag 400 of FIG. 4 is similar, in several respects, to the drawstring bag 100 known in the prior art. However, the embossed drawtape 200 provides the end consumer with a more pleasing and desirable drawstring in the final product. The embossed drawtape 200 provides a better tactile feel for the consumer and may result in a drawtape with more desirable physical characteristics.
As with the drawtape 150 utilized with the drawstring bag 100 of FIG. 1, it is contemplated that the embossed drawtape 200 will preferably have a thickness of approximately 2.25 mils. However, it is contemplated that the thickness of the embossed drawtape 200 in certain embodiments may be reduced to as little as 1.5 mils or less. Similarly, it is also contemplated that the thickness of the embossed drawtape 200 in certain embodiments may be increased to 3 mils or greater. Furthermore, the width of the embossed drawtape 200 is expected to be approximately 1 inch in most applications. However, it is contemplated that widths of 0.5 inches or less may be desirable in some applications while in other applications it may be desirable to use an embossed drawtape 200 having a width of as much as 2 inches or greater.
Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of an embossed drawtape 200 is shown in an elevation view. In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5, an embossing pattern 502 comprises a plurality of embosses 204. In the depicted embodiment, it is contemplated that a plurality of embosses 204, but not necessarily all embosses 204, may be substantially elliptical in shape. Each of the substantially elliptical embosses 204 defines a major axis and a minor axis. In certain embodiments, the orientation of the major axes of the substantially elliptical embosses 204 may be substantially parallel as shown in FIG. 5.
Referring now to FIG. 6, another embossing pattern 602 is depicted wherein it is contemplated that the major axis of each of the substantially elliptical embosses 204 may extend in a first direction 610 or a second direction 612. In some embodiments, the first direction 610 may be substantially perpendicular to the second direction 612. Furthermore, in some embodiments the first direction 610 may be substantially parallel to the width of the drawtape, depicted by arrow W, while the second direction 612 may be substantially parallel to the length of the drawtape, depicted by arrow L. It is further contemplated that each of the plurality of embosses 204 may be substantially circular as shown with respect to the embossing pattern 702 in FIG. 7.
Referring collectively to FIGS. 5 through 7, each of the plurality of embosses 204 is distinct and located a particular distance from adjacent embosses 204. The spacing between adjacent embosses 204 can be defined herein as the shortest distance between the center point of a first emboss 550 and the center point of the closest adjacent emboss. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for the spacing between adjacent embosses 204 to be substantially uniform throughout the pattern and approximately 2 mm. However, in other embodiments, the spacing between adjacent embosses 204 may vary between 0.5 mm and 8 mm. In certain embodiments, the spacing between adjacent embosses 204 may vary between 1 mm and 5 mm.
An alternative way to describe the relationship between adjacent embosses 204 is to describe the separation between adjacent embosses 204. The separation between adjacent embosses 204 is defined herein to be the shortest distance from the outer edge of a first emboss 550 to the outer edge of the closest adjacent emboss. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for the separation between adjacent embosses 204 to be substantially uniform throughout the pattern and approximately 1.5 mm. However, in other embodiments, the separation between adjacent embosses 204 may vary between 0.2 mm and 7 mm. In certain embodiments, the separation between adjacent embosses 204 may vary between 0.8 mm and 4 mm.
The embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5 through 7 have been found to be particularly advantageous in the context of lawn and leaf bags. As discussed earlier, lawn and leaf bags are frequently used by a person wearing gloves which may adversely affect the dexterity of their fingers. Furthermore, dirt and other contaminants may build up on the surfaces of the gloves reducing the ability to easily grip the drawtape of a drawstring trash bag. Therefore, when the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5 through 7 are applied to drawtapes of a drawstring trash bag, the embossing patterns 502, 602, 702 provide an enhanced gripping pattern, increasing the ability of a person to grip the embossed drawtape 200.
For purposes of the present invention, an enhanced gripping pattern can be defined as an embossing pattern which enhances the gripping properties of the material that is embossed. More specifically, an enhanced gripping pattern for a drawtape is an embossing pattern which increases the gripping properties, i.e. an increased coefficient of friction, across the width of the drawtape which is the direction in which the drawtape is pulled out of a trash bag. The enhanced gripping patterns disclosed herein are known to provide the desirable increase in gripping. The increased gripping properties are notably lacking in the known ribbed or elastic-like drawtapes.
An enhanced gripping pattern may comprise a plurality of embosses 204 wherein at least some of the plurality of embosses 204 are not aligned substantially in the direction of the width of the drawtape 200. Specifically, in several depicted embodiments of the present invention, at least one emboss of an enhanced gripping pattern has a dimensional ratio defined as ratio of the height of the emboss (measured in the direction of the width of the drawtape shown by arrow W) to the breadth of the emboss (measured in the direction of the length of the drawtape as shown as arrow L). The dimensional ratio of the at least one emboss should be less than about 10:1. In certain embodiments, the dimensional ratio should be less than 3:1. Furthermore, in other embodiments the dimensional ratio should be less than 1:1 with the breadth of an emboss being greater than or equal to the height of the emboss. In other embodiments, the ratio may apply to a subset of the plurality of embosses or all of embosses of the embossing pattern.
Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, yet another embossing pattern 802 is depicted with embosses 204 provided in sets, and in this particular embodiment, embosses 204 are provided in sets of three. In the depicted embodiment, the embosses 204 are oriented in one of two directions, with some embosses 204 oriented in a first direction, specifically in the direction of the width of the drawtape shown by arrow W. The remaining embosses 204 are oriented in a second direction, which, in the depicted embodiment, is the direction of the length of the drawtape illustrated by arrow L. Moreover, in this particular embodiment, each emboss 204 is shown to be equal in shape and size.
Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This particular embodiment shows another embossing pattern 902 with enhanced gripping properties. In particular, the embossing pattern 902 comprises a plurality of embosses 204 that are both polygonal and concave in shape. The depicted embosses 204 are substantially identical in shape and size. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some or all embosses 204 may be oriented to point upward while some or all embosses 204 may be oriented to point downward.
Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 10. This particular embodiment shows yet another embossing pattern 1002. Embossing pattern 1002 is very similar to previously discussed embossing pattern 902 except embosses 204 are not concave. In both embossing pattern 902 and embossing pattern 1002, adjacent pairs of embosses 204 collectively form hexagon-shaped embossed areas 1050.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 11. This particular embodiment shows an alternative embossing pattern 1102. Like the embodiment of FIG. 8, embosses 204 are provided in sets and shown in sets of three. In this depicted embodiment, the sets of embosses 204 are oriented in one of two directions. In this particular embodiment, the first direction is roughly oriented at an angle of 45 degrees counter-clockwise from the width of the drawtape illustrated by arrow W while the second direction is roughly perpendicular to the first direction or roughly 45 degrees clockwise from the width of the drawtape illustrated by arrow W.
Referring now to FIG. 12, yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted showing embossing pattern 1202. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 has a plurality of embosses 204. The embosses 204 are generally diamond-shaped 1250 and oriented in embossing pattern 1202 as shown. The embodiment may also feature triangular embosses 1252 to fill in the pattern along the bottom and top edges.
Another embodiment of the present invention is provided as depicted in FIG. 13. The embossing pattern 1302 in this particular embodiment features a plurality of embosses 204 wherein each of the embosses 204 has four sides and is square in shape.
Another embodiment of the present invention is provided as depicted in FIG. 14. The embossing pattern 1402 in this particular embodiment features a plurality of embosses 204 wherein the plurality of embosses are triangular in shape. In certain embodiments, embosses 204 are equilateral triangles. Additionally, in some embodiments, some or all embosses 204 may be oriented to point upward while some or all embosses 204 may be oriented to point downward.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is provided as depicted in FIG. 15. The embossing pattern 1502 in this particular embodiment features a network of embosses 1504 which extend in perpendicular directions.
Referring now to FIG. 16, it is shown that embosses 204 of the various embodiments may also extend in both a first and second direction from the surface of the drawtape base 206.
Referring now to FIG. 17, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed wherein the drawtape 200 is embossed with a first embossing pattern 702 and the body of the drawstring trash bag is embossed with a second embossing pattern 1702. This embodiment provides an opportunity to discuss another advantage of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention has a tendency to reduce the blocking that can occur between the plastic film of a bag and the drawtapes.
Blocking is the tendency of certain plastic materials to stick or adhere to one another due to compression, warm temperatures, and other factors. Blocking is frequently present in traditional drawstring trash bags such as that depicted in FIG. 1. However, the present invention results in an embossed drawstring wherein the surface area that directly contacts the drawstring trash bag panel is reduced. Therefore, the tendency to block is also reduced. Furthermore, by embossing the panels themselves with a different pattern than that used to emboss the drawtapes, the contacting surface area between the drawtapes and the drawstring trash bag panels can be further decreased which, in turn, further decreases blocking.
As previously noted, the specific embodiments depicted herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, it is contemplated that any number of different embodiments may be utilized without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to more fully encompass the full scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An embossed drawtape for a drawstring trash bag comprising:

a drawtape comprised of polyethylene,

an embossing pattern embossed on the drawtape, the embossing pattern comprising an enhanced gripping pattern.

2. The embossed drawtape of claim 1, further comprising:

the enhanced gripping pattern comprising a plurality of embosses.

3. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

the plurality of embosses comprising at least one emboss selected from the group consisting of a substantially elliptical emboss, a triangular emboss, a quadrilateral emboss, and a polygonal emboss.

4. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

the plurality of embosses comprising at least one substantially elliptical embosses.

5. The embossed drawtape of claim 4, further comprising:

the plurality of embosses comprising at least one substantially circular emboss.

6. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

each of the plurality of embosses comprising a substantially elliptical emboss.

7. The embossed drawtape of claim 6, further comprising:

each of the plurality of embosses comprising a substantially circular emboss.

8. The embossed drawtape of claim 6, further comprising:

the plurality of substantially elliptical embosses having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis of at least one of the plurality of substantially elliptical embosses extending substantially parallel to a length of the drawtape.

9. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

a spacing of adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses, the spacing of adjacent embosses being between 0.5 mm and 8 mm.

10. The embossed drawtape of claim 9, further comprising:

the spacing of adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses being between 1 mm and 5 mm.

11. The embossed drawtape of claim 10, further comprising:

the spacing of adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses being approximately 2 mm.

12. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

a separation between adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses, the separation being between 0.2 mm and 7 mm.

13. The embossed drawtape of claim 12, further comprising:

the separation between adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses being between 0.8 mm and 4 mm.

14. The embossed drawtape of claim 13, further comprising:

the separation between adjacent embosses of the plurality of embosses being approximately 1.5 mm.

15. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

each of the plurality of embosses having a dimensional ratio defined by a height of the emboss to a breadth of the emboss wherein the height of the emboss is measured along a width of the drawtape and the breadth of the emboss is measured with along a length of the drawtape, and

the dimensional ratio of at least one of the plurality of embosses being less than 10:1.

16. The embossed drawtape of claim 15, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of at least one of the plurality of embosses being less than 3:1.

17. The embossed drawtape of claim 16, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of at least one of the plurality of embosses being less than 1:1 wherein the breadth of the emboss is greater than the height of the emboss.

18. The embossed drawtape of claim 17, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of at least one of the plurality of embosses being greater than 1:3.

19. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of each of the plurality of embosses being less than 10:1.

20. The embossed drawtape of claim 19, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of each of the plurality of embosses being less than 3:1.

21. The embossed drawtape of claim 19, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of each of the plurality of embosses being less than 1:1 wherein the breadth of the emboss is greater than the height of the emboss.

22. The embossed drawtape of claim 19, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of each of the plurality of embosses being greater than 1:3.

23. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

a first set of embosses comprising one or more of the plurality of embosses, wherein each of the embosses comprising the first set of embosses is oriented in a first direction.

24. The embossed drawtape of claim 23, further comprising:

a second set of embosses comprising one or more of the plurality of embosses which are not part of the first set of embosses, wherein each of the embosses comprising the second set of embosses is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

25. The embossed drawtape of claim 24, further comprising:

the first set of embosses and the second set of embosses being substantially adjacent to each other.

26. The embossed drawtape of claim 24 further comprising:

the first direction of the first set of embosses and the second direction of the second set of embosses are substantially perpendicular.

27. The embossed drawtape of claim 2 further comprising:

a set of embosses comprising one or more of the plurality of embosses, the set of embosses forming a hexagon-shaped embossed area.

28. The embossed drawtape of claim 1, further comprising:

the enhanced gripping pattern comprising an embossed network

29. The embossed drawtape of claim 28, further comprising:

the embossed network comprises interconnected embossing lines which extend in substantially perpendicular directions.

30. A drawstring trash bag with an embossed drawtape comprising:

a first panel and a second panel, the first panel and second panel joined along a first side, a second side, and a bottom,

a first drawtape disposed within a first hem on the first panel,

a first embossing pattern embossed on the first drawtape, the first embossing pattern comprising an enhanced gripping pattern.

31. The drawstring trash bag of claim 30, further comprising:

a second drawtape disposed within a second hem on the second panel.

32. The drawstring trash bag of claim 31, further comprising:

the first embossing pattern embossed on the first drawtape comprising a plurality of embosses extending away from the second drawtape.

33. The drawstring trash bag of claim 31, further comprising:

a second embossing pattern embossed on the second drawtape, the second embossing pattern comprising an enhanced gripping pattern.

34. The drawstring trash bag of claim 33, further comprising:

the second embossing pattern embossed on the second drawtape comprising a plurality of embosses extending away from the first drawtape.

35. The drawstring trash bag of claim 33, further comprising:

the first embossing pattern being substantially identical to the second embossing pattern.

36. The drawstring trash bag of claim 30, further comprising:

the first panel being embossed with a bag embossing pattern, wherein the bag embossing pattern is different from the first embossing pattern.

37. The drawstring trash bag of claim 30, further comprising:

the enhanced gripping pattern comprising a plurality of embosses.

38. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

the plurality of embosses comprising at least one emboss selected from the group consisting a substantially elliptical emboss, a triangular emboss, a quadrilateral emboss, and a polygonal emboss.

39. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

the plurality of embosses comprising at least one substantially elliptical emboss.

40. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

41. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

each of the plurality of embosses comprising a substantially elliptical emboss.

42. The drawstring trash bag of claim 41, further comprising:

each of the plurality of embosses comprising a substantially circular emboss.

43. The drawstring trash bag of claim 41, further comprising:

44. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

45. The drawstring trash bag of claim 44, further comprising:

46. The drawstring trash bag of claim 45, further comprising:

47. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

48. The drawstring trash bag of claim 47, further comprising:

49. The drawstring trash bag of claim 48, further comprising:

50. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

51. The drawstring trash bag of claim 50, further comprising:

52. The drawstring trash bag of claim 50, further comprising:

53. The drawstring trash bag of claim 50, further comprising:

54. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

55. The drawstring trash bag of claim 54, further comprising:

the dimensional ratio of each of the plurality of embosses being less than 3:1.

56. The drawstring trash bag of claim 55, further comprising:

57. The drawstring trash bag of claim 56, further comprising:

58. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

59. The drawstring trash bag of claim 58, further comprising:

60. The drawstring trash bag of claim 59, further comprising:

61. The drawstring trash bag of claim 59, further comprising:

62. The drawstring trash bag of claim 37, further comprising:

63. The drawstring trash bag of claim 30, further comprising:

the enhanced gripping pattern comprising an embossed network.

64. The drawstring trash bag of claim 63, further comprising:

the embossed network comprising interconnected embossing lines which extend in substantially perpendicular directions.

65. The embossed drawtape of claim 2, further comprising:

each the plurality of embosses selected from the group consisting of a substantially elliptical emboss, a triangular emboss, a quadrilateral emboss, a polygonal emboss, and a combination thereof.