Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
  • B65D29/00—Sacks or like containers made of fabrics; Flexible containers of open-work, e.g. net-like construction
  • B65D29/02—Sacks with laminated or multiple walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5861—Spouts
  • B65D75/5866—Integral spouts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/02—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with laminated walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
  • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
  • B65D31/10—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with gusseted sides

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to non-woven plastic bags with improved opening features.
• Laminated woven sacks were developed using a woven polypropylene structure laminated to a bi-oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) that can be reverse printed with high end graphics suitable for consumer type of packaging.
• the LWS provides a stronger, more attractive bag than the more conventional multiwall bags used for that purpose over the last 20 years. Due to their tough strong structure, conventional LWS bags are typically sewn shut on both ends. These LWS recently met with success and have been successfully substituted for the conventional multiwall paper bags used in the pet food industry for many years.
• sewn LWS One major drawback of the sewn LWS has been the closing of the bags at high speed filling lines, such as those for filling such bags with pet food. Experience has shown that sewing production lines are typically slower than the filling of the multiwall pinch bottom bags. Additionally, the sewn bags do not provide an aesthetically pleasing and useful clean display on the ends of the bags, thus making it difficult for consumers to identify or find a desired brand quickly when the bags are displayed on the shelves at the point of sale, such as when they are stacked on top of one another. In addition, the sewn ends required puncturing the plastic bags and thus result in a bag that is not sealed, leading to somewhat reduced shelf-life and possible infestation of the contents of the bag.
• Woven plastic bags have been used and are conventional for certain applications.
• An example of a conventional woven plastic bag is provided in U.S. Patent No. 4,373,979 ("the '979 patent"), issued on February 15, 1983.
• the '979 patent describes the use of woven strips of highly longitudinally-oriented, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene in a bag construction in which the bag is formed from a seamed tube made of the woven plastic material.
• the seamed tube has gussets on either side and, when a portion is cut from the rest of the tube, a bag having two open, unsealed ends is provided.
• the '979 patent describes the use of ultrasonic spot welds to seal portions of a bag made of such woven plastic strips, as opposed to sewing the seams of a bag or using a hot melt adhesive to seal the gusset forming pleat.
• the '979 patent is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
• the '979 patent purports to be an improvement for sealing a plastic bag. As noted in the '979 patent, sewing one end tends to take longer, thus adding time to the manufacturing process. In addition, the sewn ends in a conventional bag tend to be a weak portion of the bag, and a likely location for rips, tearing, and subsequent loss of contents during storing, shipping and handling. In addition, such bags may not provide sufficient protection from infestation from vermin and/or insects.
• Newly developed pinch laminated woven sacks overcome these drawbacks in the filling and closing operations while allowing an attractive graphic display of the bags' ends at the retail outlet and also providing a strong, durable bag which remains sealed.
• One major disadvantage of the newly developed pinch bottom laminated woven sack is that it does not allow the consumer or purchaser to quickly and easily open the bag without the use of scissors or knives. There is a need for such a pinch bottom laminated woven sack which is easy to open without the use of scissors, knives or other such instruments, and also does not require the use of excessive force.
• non-woven bags are sealed with a single or double fold at each end with tape over the single or double fold, stitching at both ends, or a zipper at one end and a single or double fold at the other end.
• opening certain non-woven bags has proven difficult, due to the strength of the bag. Therefore, what is needed are non-woven bags that are easier to open, that do not add much to the cost or time to manufacture, and are not susceptible to inadvertent tearing, punctures, breaking, or the like.
• the present disclosure provides non-woven plastic bags comprising a weakened portion, which makes the presently disclosed non-woven plastic bags easier to open than conventional non-woven plastic bags.
• the present disclosure provides a bag comprising a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottom end, and a first layer, each of the front wall, back wall, first side wall and second side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the first layer comprises a non-woven polymer, and wherein the bag comprises a weakened area located on the front wall of the bag, the first side wall of the bag and the back wall of the bag proximal the top end of the bag.
• the first layer comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments at least a portion of the first layer comprises a printed area thereon.
• the weakened area comprises a plurality of perforations that penetrate through at least a portion of the front wall of the bag, the first side wall of the bag and the back wall of the bag. In some embodiments the plurality of perforations forms a line.
• the plurality of perforations forms a line that extends from any location on the front wall of the bag, for example about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99% of a distance across the front wall of the bag, across the first side wall of the bag, to any location on the back wall of the bag, for example about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99% of a distance across the back wall of the bag.
• the plurality of perforations forms a wave pattern. In still further embodiments the plurality of perforations forms a zigzag pattern.
• the weakened area comprises a deformation in least a portion of the front wall of the bag, the first side wall of the bag and the back wall of the bag. In yet other embodiments the weakened area further comprises a scoring mark. In particular embodiments the back wall of the bag comprises a seam.
• the top end of the back wall projects further than the top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the top end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall
• the top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the top end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall projects further than the top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the top end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall
• the top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the top end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall projects further than the top end of the front wall.
• At least a portion of the bottom end of the front wall projects further than the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall, the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall project further than the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall, and the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall project further than the bottom end of the rear wall.
• top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the top end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall are separated by an angled cut, and the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall are separated by an angled cut.
• portion of the bottom end of the front wall that projects further than the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall that project further than the bottom end of the rear wall are sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of the rear wall.
• the bottom end of the bag is sealed using hot air or hot gas, an adhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination, stitching, ultrasonic energy, pressure, tape, or any combination thereof.
• the bottom end of the bag is sealed using adhesive-to-adhesive sealing or adhesive-to-bag sealing.
• the bottom end of the front wall, the bottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the rear wall and the bottom end of the second side wall each project the same distance.
• at least a portion of a single fold of the bottom end of the bag is sealed to the outer surface of the front wall or the outer surface of the rear wall of the bag.
• at least a portion of a double fold of the bottom end of the bag is sealed to the outer surface of the front wall or the outer surface of the rear wall of the bag.
• the top end of the front wall, the top end of the first side wall, the top end of the rear wall and the top end of the second side wall each project the same distance.
• at least a portion of the bottom end of the front wall projects further than the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall, the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the front wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the front wall project further than the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall, and the bottom end of a portion of the first side wall proximal to the back wall and the bottom end of a portion of the second side wall proximal to the back wall project further than the bottom end of the rear wall.
• the portion of the bottom end of the front wall that projects further than the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of the bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall that project further than the bottom end of the rear wall are sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of the rear wall.
• the bottom end of the front wall, the bottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the rear wall and the bottom end of the second side wall each project the same distance.
• top end and the bottom end of the bag are sealed, and wherein the bag comprises at least ten pounds by weight of a filling material.
• the bag further comprising a second layer comprising a polymer or paper attached to the first layer.
• the second layer comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof.
• each of the first layer and the second layer comprise a weakened portion.
• the bag comprises printing on the front wall, the first side wall, the back wall, the second side wall, the first end, the second end, or any combination thereof.
• at least portions of the exterior surfaces of each of the front wall and the back wall comprise a plurality of discrete areas further comprising printing thereon.
• a portion of the front wall and a portion of the back wall combine to form a discrete portion of the bag located at or near either the top end or the bottom end, wherein the discrete portion of the bag comprises printing thereon.
• FIG. 1 shows an outline of a step cut bag with a weakened area near the top end of the bag comprising a line of perforations extending from the front panel of the bag across the first side panel of the bag to the back panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 shows the top portion of the bag of FIG. 1 after closing the top end of the bag.
• FIG. 3 shows the first step in opening the closed bag from FIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 shows the second step in opening the closed bag from FIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 shows the third step in opening the closed bag from FIG. 2.
• FIG. 6 shows the fourth step in opening the closed bag from FIG. 2.
• FIG. 7 shows the top portion of the bag of FIG. 1 after closing the top end of the bag and a location for optional application of adhesive to keep the top portion of the gusseted portion of the first side panel closed.
• FIG. 8 shows an outline of a step cut bag with a weakened area near the top end of the bag comprising a line of perforations extending from the front panel of the bag across the first side panel of the bag to the back panel of the bag, and angled corners at the top and bottom of the portions of the first and second side panels on either side of the gusset fold, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 9 shows an outline of a bag with a step cut top end and a flush cut bottom end, and a weakened area near the top end of the bag comprising a line of perforations extending from the front panel of the bag across the first side panel of the bag to the back panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 10 shows an outline of a bag with a flush cut top end and a flush cut bottom end, and a weakened area near the top end of the bag comprising a line of perforations extending from the front panel of the bag across the first side panel of the bag to the back panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1 a planar view of an embodiment of a substantially flat sheet of material from which a "step cut” bag 1 is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 2, rear wall 3, seam 4, first side wall 5 having gusset portion 6, and second side wall 7 having gusset portion 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the bag 1 has a first or top end 9 and a second or bottom end 10, and thus each of the front wall 2, rear wall 3, first side wall 5 and second side wall 7 has a first or top end and a second or bottom end. It will be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bag ends 9 and 10 are unimportant and the "top” and “bottom” references are useful but may change depending upon the orientation from which one views the bag.
• Bag 1 is considered a "step cut" bag because the front wall 2, the first side wall 5 and the second side wall 7, and the rear wall 3 are cut so that the front wall 2, the first side wall 5 and the second side wall 7, and the rear wall 3 have different lengths on one end (or both ends) of the bag. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first side wall 5 and the second side wall 7 are cut to different lengths on either side of the gusset portion 6 and 8, respectively. As shown in FIG.
• the first end 9 of bag 1 has portions 3 a and 3 b of the rear wall 3 of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 1 than do portions 5a and 7a of the first side wall 5 and second side wall 7, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 1 than do portions 5b and 7b of the first side wall 5 and second side wall 7, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 1 than does the top end of the front wall 2 of the bag 1.
• the bottom end of the front wall 2 at the second end 10 of bag 1 extends further from the body of the bag 1 than do portions 5 c and 7c of the first side wall 5 and second side wall 7, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 1 than do portions 5d and 7d of the first side wall 5 and second side wall 7, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 1 than do portions 3c and 3d the bottom end of the rear wall 3 of the bag 1. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
• weakened portion 20 which in this embodiment is near the first end 9 of the bag 1 and comprises a plurality of perforations 21 extending from a first end 21a on the front wall 2 of the bag 1 across the first side wall 5 of the bag 1 to a second end 21b on the rear wall 3 of the bag 1.
• the weakened area is generally on or near the fold line (not shown) for closing or sealing the first end 9 of the bag 1. This weakened portion can be opened with less force than required to open or tear other portions of the bag 1.
• FIG. 2 the upper portion of the bag 1 from FIG. 1 is shown after sealing the first end 9 of the bag 1. Visible in FIG. 2 is front wall 2, back wall 3 having portions 3a and 3b, seam 4, first side wall 5 having gusset portion 6, and weakened portion 20 comprising a plurality of perforations 21 terminating at second end 21b.
• Bag 1 can be opened as shown in FIG. 3 through FIG. 6.
• FIG. 3 once again shows the upper portion of the bag 1 from FIG. 2, and visible is front wall 2, back wall 3 having portions 3a and 3b, seam 4, first side wall 5 having gusset portion 6, and weakened portion 20 comprising a plurality of perforations 21 terminating at second end 21b.
• Bag 1 is opened by initially pulling on the portions 3' and 3" of the rear wall 3 on both sides of the plurality of perforations 21, which creates a tear in the weakened portion 20 of the bag 1 and begins separating the portions of the first side wall 5 that are separated by the gusset portion 6.
• FIG. 3 once again shows the upper portion of the bag 1 from FIG. 2, and visible is front wall 2, back wall 3 having portions 3a and 3b, seam 4, first side wall 5 having gusset portion 6, and weakened portion 20 comprising a plurality of perforations 21 terminating at second end 21b.
• Bag 1 is opened by initially pulling on the portions 3' and 3" of the rear
• FIG. 4 the portions 3' and 3" of the rear wall 3 on both sides of the plurality of perforations 21 are further pulled apart, resulting in the expansion of the tear in the weakened portion 20 toward the second end 21b of the plurality of perforations 21.
• FIG. 5 the portions 3' and 3" of the rear wall 3 on both sides of the plurality of perforations 21 are pulled completely apart, resulting in the expansion of the tear in the weakened portion 20 further toward the second end 21b of the plurality of perforations 21 and to the first end 21a of the plurality of perforations (not visible in FIG. 5).
• FIG. 5 Additionally visible in FIG. 5 are front wall 2, back wall 3 having portions 3a and 3b, and seam 4.
• the plurality of perforations 21 are pulled completely apart, resulting in the expansion of the tear in the weakened portion 20 to the second end 21b of the plurality of perforations 21.
• FIG. 7 the upper portion of the bag 1 from FIG.
• the adhesive 30 located near the top end of the first side wall 5, which serves to keep the top end of the first side wall 5 closed (see arrows).
• the optional adhesive can also be applied near the top end of the second side wall.
• the adhesive can be applied in any manner that results in the closure of the top end of the first side wall 5, for example as a strip that runs from the edge of the intersection of the first side wall 5 and the back wall 3 to the edge of the intersection of the first side wall 5 and the front wall 2.
• front wall 2 back wall 3 having portions 3a and 3b, seam 4, first side wall 5 having gusset portion 6, and weakened portion 20 comprising a plurality of perforations 21 terminating at second end 21b.
• the bag 1 can be filled with the desired materials.
• a bag 1 with dimensions of 16.5 inches by 6.5 inches by 39.5 inches can durably hold up to about fifty five (55) pounds of material without showing undue stress, undue tearing, undue breakage, undue deformation, or leakage or the like. It is believed that any bulk material can be contained by bag 1, and in certain embodiments the contents can weigh up to 100 pounds or so without undue risk of tearing or damage to bag 1.
• the second end typically needs to be sealed.
• the second end of the bag 1 can be sealed in a similar manner as that described above.
• the bag 1 can have its second end sealed by conventional means such as sewing.
• Still another approach is to stitch the second end, and then seal the second end in a manner like that described above (not shown).
• a second end of bag 1 can be sealed using any conventional technique once bag 1 has been filled with the selected amount of the desired material.
• FIG. 8 a planar view of an embodiment of a substantially flat sheet of material from which a "step cut" bag 101 is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 102, rear wall 103, seam 104, first side wall 105 having gusset portion 106, and second side wall 107 having gusset portion 108. As shown in FIG. 8, the bag 101 has a first or top end 109 and a second or bottom end 1 10, and thus each of the front wall 102, rear wall 103, first side wall 105. and second side wall 107 has a first or top end and a second or bottom end.
• Bag 101 is considered a "step cut” bag because the front wall 102, the first side wall 105 and the second side wall 107, and the rear wall 103 are cut so that the front wall 102, the first side wall 105 and the second side wall 107, and the rear wall 103 have different lengths on one end (or both ends) of the bag. As shown in FIG. 8, the first side wall 105 and the second side wall 107, and the rear wall 103 have different lengths on one end (or both ends) of the bag. As shown in FIG. 8, the first side wall
• the first end 109 of bag 101 has portions 103a and 103b of the rear wall 103 of the bag that extend further from the body of the bag 101 than do portions 105a and 107a of the first side wall 105 and second side wall 107, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 101 than do portions 105b and 107b of the first side wall 105 and second side wall 107, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 101 than does the top end of the front wall 102 of the bag 101.
• the bottom end of the front wall 102 at the second end 110 of bag 101 extends further from the body of the bag 101 than do portions 105c and 107c of the first side wall 105 and second side wall 107, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 101 than do portions 105d and 107d of the first side wall 105 and second side wall 107, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 101 than do portions 103c and 103d the bottom end of the rear wall 103 of the bag 101. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
• both of the ends of the bag 101 have a "step cut.”
• the portions 105a and 105b, 107a and 107b, 105c and 105d, and 107c and 107d are not separated by a straight line, but rather an angled cut (see circles). Although in FIG. 8 this cut is shown as about 45°, the angle can vary in different embodiments (not shown). This angled cut serves to further prevent leakage of contents out of the bag, or infestation of organisms into the contents of the bag.
• weakened portion 120 which in this embodiment is near the first end 109 of the bag 101 and comprises a plurality of perforations 121 extending from a first end 121a on the front wall 102 of the bag 101 across the first side wall 105 of the bag 101 to a second end 121b on the rear wall 103 of the bag 101.
• the weakened area is generally on or near the fold line (not shown) for closing or sealing the first end 109 of the bag 101. This weakened portion can be opened with less force than required to open or tear other portions of the bag 101.
• FIG. 9 a planar view of an embodiment of a substantially flat sheet of material from which a bag 201 is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 202, rear wall 203, seam 204, first side wall 205 having gusset portion 206, and second side wall 207 having gusset portion 208.
• the bag 201 has a first or top end 209 and a second or bottom end 210, and thus each of the front wall 202, rear wall 203, first side wall 205 and second side wall 207 has a first or top end and a second or bottom end.
• the top end 209 of bag 201 is has a "step cut” because the front wall 202, the first side wall 205 and the second side wall 207, and the rear wall 203 are cut so that the front wall 202, the first side wall 205 and the second side wall 207, and the rear wall 203 have different lengths.
• the first side wall 205 and the second side wall 207 are cut to different lengths on either side of the gusset portion 206 and 208, respectively.
• the first end 209 of bag 201 has portions 203a and 203b of the rear wall 203 of the bag 201 that extend further from the body of the bag 201 than do portions 205a and 207a of the first side wall 205 and second side wall 207, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 201 than do portions 205b and 207b of the first side wall 205 and second side wall 207, respectively, which in turn extend further from the body of the bag 201 than does the top end of the front wall 202 of the bag 201.
• the bottom end of the front wall 202, the first side wall 205, the second side wall 207, and the rear wall 203 at the second end 210 of bag 201 each extend the same distance from the body of the bag 201. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 the bottom end 210 of the bag 201 has a "flush cut.” Although not shown, in certain embodiments the top end of the bag can be flush cut, and the bottom end of the bag can be step cut.
• weakened portion 220 which in this embodiment is near the first end 209 of the bag 201 and comprises a plurality of perforations 221 extending from a first end 221a on the front wall 202 of the bag 201 across the first side wall 205 of the bag 201 to a second end 221b on the rear wall 203 of the bag 201.
• the weakened area is generally on or near the fold line (not shown) for closing or sealing the first end 209 of the bag 201.
• This weakened portion can be opened with less force than required to open or tear other portions of the bag 201.
• FIG. 10 a planar view of an embodiment of a substantially flat sheet of material from which a flush cut bag 301 is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet are front wall 302, rear wall 303, seam 304, first side wall 305 having gusset portion 306, and second side wall 307 having gusset portion 308. As shown in FIG. 10, the bag 301 has a first or top end 309 and a second or bottom end 310, and thus each of the front wall 302, rear wall 303, first side wall 305 and second side wall 307 has a first or top end and a second or bottom end.
• the top end 309 of bag 301 has a "flush cut” because the front wall 302, the first side wall 305 and the second side wall 307, and the rear wall 303 are cut to the same length.
• the bottom end of the front wall 302, the first side wall 305, the second side wall 307, and the rear wall 303 at the second end 310 of bag 301 each extend the same distance from the body of the bag 301. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
• the bottom end 310 of the bag 301 also has a "flush cut.” Also shown is weakened portion 320, which in this embodiment is near the first end 309 of the bag 301 and comprises a plurality of perforations 321 extending from a first end 321a on the front wall 302 of the bag 301 across the first side wall 305 of the bag 301 to a second end 321b on the rear wall 303 of the bag 301.
• the weakened area is generally on or near the fold line (not shown) for closing or sealing the first end 309 of the bag 301. This weakened portion can be opened with less force than required to open or tear other portions of the bag 301.
• bag according to the invention may vary in size, dimensions, and shape without departing from the scope of the invention, and that the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
• the foregoing bag 1 can have sealed and sewn ends in a tubular bag with side gussets as shown, or a block bottom and top, or a combination thereof, although not shown.
• a weakened portion or area can be provided in a number of ways that may vary from those expressly described and shown, such as by stressing portions of the bag wall with or without deforming or perforating same, as well as varying the size, number, depth, and/or pattern of perforations and/or deformations in a bag wall.
• the bag 1 may be provided with a re-usable opening (not shown). Such features are conventional with prior art bags.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50156886

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (18)

• 2014
  • 2014-01-21 CA CA2898267A patent/CA2898267A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-01-21 MX MX2015009473A patent/MX2015009473A/es unknown
  • 2014-01-21 WO PCT/US2014/012277 patent/WO2014116568A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-01-21 US US14/159,756 patent/US20140205219A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (18)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events