Self-Opening bags with attaching features

09676523 ยท 2017-06-13

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    A self-opening bag includes front and real walls joined at their respective first and second side and bottom edges. The bag is folded at least once parallel to its side edges. At least one attaching feature is located on the outer surface of the bag adjacent the upper end and between the folded walls. The bag is releasably attached to a subsequent bag. The at least one attaching feature causes the bag to open as the bag is pulled from the subsequent bag. The once folded bag may be sealed at the bottom edges after folding to form a star-sealed bag bottom. The bags may be removably attached to each other at a perforation line and wound onto a compact roll for use with a bag dispenser. The bags may have an upper seam, a U-shaped cut and a pair of bag handles. The bags may be corona treated.

    Claims

    1. A self-opening bag, comprising: a front wall, said front wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; a rear wall, said rear wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; said front wall being joined to said rear wall adjacent respective first and second side edges thereof; said front wall being sealed to said rear wall adjacent respective bottom edges thereof; said bag being folded once parallel to said side edges to form a folded bag one half of a width of said bag; an open mouth disposed adjacent said top edges; said outer surface of said front wall having first and second portions, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; said outer surface of said rear wall having third and fourth portions, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; at least one attaching feature, said attaching feature being selected from the group comprising: cold staking, hot pinning, multiple corona treatment, corona treatment with pressure points, knife cutting with pressure, wherein said knife cutting with pressure causes edges of a knife cut through adjacent bag layers to adhere together, special resin formulations, and glue spotting; said attaching feature disposed at a point between said first portion and said second portion adjacent said upper end; said attaching feature securing said first portion to said second portion; said bottom edges of said folded bag being releasably attached to said top edges of a subsequent folded bag; said folded bags being rolled into a compact bag roll; and said at least one attaching feature causing said bag to open as said bag is pulled from said subsequent bag.

    2. A self-opening bag, comprising: a front wall, said front wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; a rear wall, said rear wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; said front wall being joined to said rear wall adjacent respective first and second side edges thereof; said bag being folded once parallel to said side edges to form a folded bag one half of a width of said bag; said front wall being sealed to said rear wall adjacent respective bottom edges thereof; an open mouth disposed adjacent said top edges; said outer surface of said front wall having first and second portions, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; said outer surface of said rear wall having third and fourth portions, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; at least one attaching feature, said attaching feature being selected from the group comprising: cold staking, hot pinning, multiple corona treatment, corona treatment with pressure points, knife cutting with pressure, wherein said knife cutting with pressure causes edges of a knife cut through adjacent bag layers to adhere together, special resin formulations, and glue spotting; said attaching feature disposed at a point between said first portion and said second portion adjacent said upper end; said attaching feature securing said first portion to said second portion; said bottom edges of said folded bag being releasably attached to said top edges of a subsequent folded bag; said folded bags being rolled into a compact bag roll; and said at least one attaching feature causing said bag to open as said bag is pulled from said subsequent bag.

    3. A self-opening bag, comprising: a front wall, said front wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; a rear wall, said rear wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge; said front wall being joined to said rear wall adjacent respective first and second side edges thereof; said bag being folded at least once parallel to said side edges along at least one vertical fold line to form a folded bag having a width less than an unfolded width of said bag; said front wall being sealed to said rear wall adjacent respective bottom edges thereof; an open mouth disposed adjacent said top edges; said outer surface of said front wall being divided into at least two portions along said vertical fold lines, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; said outer surface of said rear wall being divided into at least two portions along said vertical fold lines, each of said portions having an upper end adjacent said open mouth; at least one attaching feature, said attaching feature being selected from the group comprising: cold staking, hot pinning, multiple corona treatment, corona treatment with pressure points, knife cutting with pressure, wherein said knife cutting with pressure causes edges of a knife cut through adjacent bag layers to adhere together, special resin formulations, and glue spotting; said attaching feature disposed at a point between at least one adjacent pair of said portions adjacent said upper end; said attaching feature securing at least one adjacent pair of said portions together; said bottom edges of said folded bag being releasably attached to said top edges of a subsequent folded bag; said folded bags being rolled into a compact bag roll; and said at least one attaching feature causing said bag to open as said bag is pulled from said subsequent bag.

    4. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said front and rear walls of each of said bags is removably attached by a perforation line at said bottom edges to said top edges of said subsequent bag.

    5. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the bags are rolled about a core.

    6. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, further comprising at least one side gusset, said side gusset extending inwardly from at least one of said first and second side edges of said front and rear walls.

    7. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said outer surface of at least one of said front wall and said rear wall of said bags is corona treated.

    8. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said attaching feature is any of sprayed, rolled and dropped on said outer bag surfaces.

    9. The self-opening bag, as described in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said attaching feature comprises any of mechanical and electrical manipulation of said bag surfaces.

    Description

    DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

    (1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Z-fold Tri-fold bag with attaching features;

    (2) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment being folded;

    (3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a C-fold Tri-fold bag with attaching features;

    (4) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 embodiment being folded;

    (5) FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a compact roll of FIG. 1 bags in a dispenser illustrating the self opening feature;

    (6) FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating joined attaching features during opening of the bag;

    (7) FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the parting of an attaching feature during bag opening;

    (8) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gusseted C-fold Tri-fold bag with attaching features;

    (9) FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the FIG. 3 embodiment being folded;

    (10) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gusseted Z-fold Tri-fold bag with attaching features;

    (11) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment being folded;

    (12) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a once folded rectangular bag with attaching feature;

    (13) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 embodiment being folded;

    (14) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a once folded, gusseted rectangular bag with attaching feature;

    (15) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 embodiment being folded;

    (16) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a once folded rectangular bag with attaching feature prior to folding;

    (17) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the FIG. 7 embodiment with bottom sealed after being folded;

    (18) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a once folded, gusseted rectangular bag with attaching feature prior to folding;

    (19) FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment with bottom sealed after being folded;

    (20) FIG. 8B is a bottom side perspective view of the FIG. 8 embodiment after bag opening;

    (21) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a multi-fold bag with attaching feature that is sealed prior to folding;

    (22) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 embodiment partially folded;

    (23) FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the FIG. 9 embodiment after folding;

    (24) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a multi-fold bag with attaching feature that is sealed after folding;

    (25) FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the FIG. 10 embodiment partially folded;

    (26) FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the FIG. 10 embodiment after folding;

    (27) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a stack of vertically folded bags with an attaching feature adjacent an upper end of the bag;

    (28) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of multiple stacks of header bags prior to insertion in a dispensing container;

    (29) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of multiple stacks of bags enclosed in a flexible outer cover with dispensing aperture;

    (30) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of multiple stacks of bags in a dispensing container;

    (31) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a t-shirt style bag with attaching feature that is sealed at the bottom after folding;

    (32) FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the FIG. 15 embodiment partially folded;

    (33) FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the FIG. 15 embodiment after folding;

    (34) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a film tube from which a bottom gusset bag with attaching feature is formed;

    (35) FIG. 16A is a partial perspective view of the FIG. 16 tube after formation of the gusset and sealing of the side edges;

    (36) FIG. 16B is a partial perspective view of the FIG. 16 embodiment prior to folding; and

    (37) FIG. 16C is a partial perspective view of the FIG. 16 embodiment partially folded.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

    (38) (1) FIGS. 1-16 illustrate a self opening bag 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The bag 10 is folded twice parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 to form a Z-folded bag 74 one third of a width 78 of the bag 10.

    (39) The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 has first 82, second 86 and third 90 portions. Each of the portions 82, 86, 90 has an upper end 94 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 has fourth 98, fifth 102 and sixth 106 portions. Each of the portions 98, 102, 106 has an upper end 110 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at at least one of a first point 118 between the second portion 86 and the third 90 portion adjacent the upper end 94 and a second point 122 between the fourth portion 98 and the fifth 102 portion adjacent the upper end 110. The attaching feature 114 secures at least one of the second portion 86 to the third portion 90 and fourth portion 98 to the fifth portion 102. The bottom edges 38, 66 of the folded bag 74 are releasably attached to the top edges 34, 62 of a subsequent folded bag 74. The folded bags 74 are rolled into a compact bag roll 166. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 74 to open as the bag 74 is pulled from the subsequent bag 74.

    (40) (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2A-2D, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The bag 10 is folded twice parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 to form a C-folded bag 126 one third of a width 78 of the bag 10.

    (41) The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 has first 82, second 86 and third 90 portions. Each of the portions 82, 86, 90 has an upper end 94 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 has fourth 98, fifth 102 and sixth 106 portions. Each of the portions 98, 102, 106 has an upper end 110 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at at least one of a first point 118 between the first portion 82 and the sixth portion 106 adjacent the upper end 94, 110 and a second point 122 between the second portion 86 and the third portion 90 adjacent the upper end 94, 110. The bag 10 is releasably attached to a subsequent bag 10. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 126 to open as the bag 126 is pulled from the subsequent bag 126.

    (42) (3) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. The bag 10 is folded once parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 to form a folded bag 130 one half of a width 78 of the bag 10. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 has first 134 and second 138 portions. Each of the portions 134, 138 has an upper end 142 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 has third 146 and fourth 150 portions. Each of the portions 146, 150 has an upper end 154 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at a point 158 between the first portion 134 and the second portion 138 adjacent the upper end 142. The attaching feature 114 securing the first portion 134 to the second portion 138. The bottom edges 38, 66 of the folded bag 130 are releasably attached to the top edges 34, 62 of a subsequent folded bag 130. The folded bags 130 are rolled into a compact bag roll 166. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 130 to open as the bag 130 is pulled from the subsequent bag 130.

    (43) (4) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 7A and 8B, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. The bag 10 is folded once parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 to form a folded bag 158 one half of a width 78 of the bag 10. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 has first 134 and second 138 portions. Each of the portions 134, 138 has an upper end 142 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 has third 146 and fourth 150 portions. Each of the portions 146, 150 has an upper end 154 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at a point 156 between the first portion 134 and the second portion 138 adjacent the upper end 142. The attaching feature 114 securing the first portion 134 to the second portion 138. The bottom edges 38, 66 of the folded bag 130 are releasably attached to the top edges 34, 62 of a subsequent folded bag 130. The folded bags 130 are rolled into a compact bag roll 166. The bag 158 is releasably attached to a subsequent bag 158. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 158 to open as the bag 158 is pulled from the subsequent bag 158.

    (44) (5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 9A and 9B, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The bag 10 is folded at least once parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 along at least one vertical fold line 160 to form a folded bag 164 that has a width 168 less than an unfolded width 78 of the bag 10. The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 is divided into at least two portions 172, 176 along the vertical fold lines 160. Each of the portions 172, 176 has an upper end 142 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 is divided into at least two portions 180, 184 along the vertical fold lines 160. Each of the portions 180, 184 has an upper end 154 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at a point 188 between at least one adjacent pair of the portions 172, 176, 180, 184 adjacent the upper end 142, 154. The bag 164 is releasably attached to a subsequent bag 164. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 164 to open as the bag 164 is pulled from the subsequent bag 164.

    (45) (6) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 10A and 10B, a front wall 14 is provided. The front wall 14 has an inner surface 18, an outer surface 22, first 26 and second 30 side edges, a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 38. A rear wall 42 is provided. The rear wall 42 has an inner surface 46, an outer surface 50, first 54 and second 58 side edges, a top edge 62 and a bottom edge 66. The front wall 14 is joined to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges thereof. An open mouth 70 is located adjacent the top edges 34, 62. The bag 10 is folded at least once parallel to the side edges 26, 54, 30, 58 along at least one vertical fold line 160 to form a folded bag 164 that has a width 168 less than an unfolded width 78 of the bag 10. The front wall 14 is sealed to the rear wall 42 adjacent respective bottom edges 38, 66 thereof. The outer surface 22 of the front wall 14 is divided into at least two portions 172, 176 along the vertical fold lines 160. Each of the portions 172, 176 has an upper end 142 adjacent the open mouth 70. The outer surface 50 of the rear wall 42 is divided into at least two portions 180, 184 along the vertical fold lines 160. Each of the portions 180, 184 has an upper end 154 adjacent the open mouth 70. At least one attaching feature 114 is provided. The attaching feature 114 is located at a point 188 between at least one adjacent pair of the portions 172, 176, 180, 184 adjacent the upper end 142, 154. The attaching feature 114 secures at least one adjacent pair of the portions 172, 176, 180, 184 together. The bottom edges 38, 66 of the folded bag 164 are releasably attached to the top edges 34, 62 of a subsequent folded bag 164. The folded bags 164 are rolled into a compact bag roll 166. The at least one attaching feature 114 causes the bag 166 to open as the bag 164 is pulled from the subsequent bag 164.

    (46) (7) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the front 14 and rear 42 walls of each of the bags 10 is removably attached by a perforation line 162 at the bottom edges 38, 66 to the top edges 34, 62 of the subsequent bag 10.

    (47) (8) In yet another variant, the bags 10 are rolled to form a compact bag roll 166.

    (48) (9) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, the bags 10 include a chisel cut 170. The chisel cut 170 extends through a center point 174 of the perforation line 162. When the compact roll 166 is installed in a bag dispenser 178 the chisel cut 170 will engage a separating tongue 182 when bags 10 are pulled from the roll 166.

    (49) (10) In still a further variant, the bags 10 are rolled about a core 186.

    (50) (11) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A, 6, 6A, 8 and 8A, the bags 10 include at least one side gusset 190. The side gusset 190 extends inwardly from at least one of the first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges of the front 14 and rear 42 walls.

    (51) (12) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side gusset 190 extends inwardly from at least one of the first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges of the front 14 and rear 42 walls for up to one third of the width 78 of the bags 10.

    (52) (13) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A, 8 and 8A, the side gusset 190 extends inwardly from at least one of the first 26, 54 and second 30, 58 side edges of the front 14 and rear 42 walls for up to one half of the width 78 of the bags 10.

    (53) (14) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 16, 16A, 16B and 16C, the bag 10 further includes a bottom gusset 194. The bottom gusset 194 extends upwardly from the bottom edges 38, 66.

    (54) (15) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the outer surface 22, 50 of at least one of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 42 of the bags 10 is corona treated 198.

    (55) (16) In still a further variant, the corona treatment 198 of the outer surface 22, 50 of at least one of the front wall 14 and the rear wall 42 of each of the bags 10 is an amount sufficient to result in a surface tension on the wall 14, 42 of at least about 38 dynes/cm.

    (56) (17) In yet a further variant, the outer surface of at least one of the front wall and the rear wall of the bags is printed.

    (57) (18) In another variant, the bags 10 are formulated from about 40-48 wt. % high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, 12-20 wt. % high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene, 20-30 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, 0-8 wt. % color concentrate.

    (58) (19) In still another variant, the bags 10 are formulated from about 10-20 wt. % recycled material, the recycled material includes about 40-48 wt. % high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, 12-20 wt. % high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene, 20-30 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, 0-8 wt. % color concentrate.

    (59) (20) In yet another variant, 10-15 wt. % of the linear low density polyethylene has a density ranging from 0.923-0.924 gm/cc.

    (60) (21) In a further variant, 10-15 wt. % of the linear low density polyethylene has a melt index ranging from 0.25-0.30 gm/10 minutes.

    (61) (22) In still a further variant, the high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene has a density ranging from 0.937-0.947 gm/cc.

    (62) (23) In yet a further variant, the high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene has a melt index ranging from 0.10-0.30 gm/10 minutes.

    (63) (24) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the bags 10 are removably attached to a header 202.

    (64) (25) In still another variant, the bags 10 are removably attached to the header 202 at a perforation line 206.

    (65) (26) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 15A and 15B, an upper seam 210 is provided. The seam 210 seals the front wall 14 to the rear wall 42 adjacent the top edges 34, 62. A U-shaped cut-out 214 is provided. The cut-out 214 commences at a first point 218 on the top edges 34, 62 spaced inwardly from the first side edges 26, 54, extends downwardly toward the bottom edges 38, 66, extends inwardly toward the second side edges 30, 58 and continues upwardly to a second point 222 on the top edges 34, 62 spaced inwardly from the second side edges 30, 58. The cut-out 214 forms an open bag mouth 226 and a pair of bag handles 230 that terminate at the upper seam 210.

    (66) (27) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the bags 10 are formed into a registered bag stack 234.

    (67) (28) In still a further variant, each of the bags 10 is releasably attached to a subsequent bag 10 in the bag stack 234 using a method selected from the group that includes cold staking (not shown), hot pinning 242, multiple corona treatment (not shown), corona treatment with pressure points (not shown), knife cutting (not shown), special resin formulations (not shown), and glue spotting (not shown).

    (68) (29) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 13, at least one of the bag stacks 234 is secured within a flexible covering 262. The covering 262 has an aperture 266 for removal of bags 10 from the at least one bag stack 234.

    (69) (30) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a container 270 is provided. The container 270 is sized and shaped to slidably enclose at least one of the bag stacks 234. The container 234 has an aperture 274 for removal of the bags 10 from the at least one bag stack 234.

    (70) (31) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 12, each of the bags 10 has a dispensed portion 278 and a remaining portion 282. The remaining portion 282 is secured within the container 270.

    (71) (32) In a final variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, at least one bag stack 234 located within the flexible covering 262 is located within the container 270.

    (72) The self opening bags 10, 74, 126, 130, 158, 164, 166 have been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.