EASY OPEN PLASTIC BAG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Abstract

An easy open bag, method of use, and manufacture thereof is provided. The bag is defined as a flimsy material comprising a smooth outer surface, the bag having a first side, a second side, an opening end, and a closed end. A tackifier substance being applied to the first side and the second side. The tackifier substance is positioned near the open end and allows a secure grip on the bag for opening the bag with a rubbing motion.

Claims

1. A method of producing a bag, the method comprising: providing a bag in a flattened state; applying a tackifier substance to at least one of a first side or a second side of the bag, wherein the tackifier substance is provided near the opening of the bag on the first side or the second side of the bag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tackifier substance is disposed on both the first side and the second side of the bag.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tackifier substance is provided on the bag as a stripe in a rectangular shape, wherein a height of the stripe is a maximum one-eighth inch, and the width of the stripe is a minimum of one-fourth a width of the bag in the flattened state.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the stripe is placed adjacent to the open end of the bag.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the stripe is placed no more than one inch from an edge of the bag at the opening on both the front side and the back side of the bag.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag is folded before providing the bag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the bag is in a roll of a plurality of similar bags.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the tackifier substance comprises stamping, pressing, rolling, or spraying the tackifier substance on the bag.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the tackifier substance is applied to the first side and the second side of the bag simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 1, where the tackifier substance is applied to the first side and the second side of the bag separately.

11. A bag comprising: a flimsy material comprising a smooth outer surface, the bag having a first side, a second side, an opening end, and a closed end; and a tackifier substance applied to the first side and the second side, wherein the tackifier substance is positioned near the open end, and wherein the tackifier substance is configured to allow a secure grip on the bag for opening the bag with a rubbing motion.

12. The bag of claim 11, wherein the tackifier substance is provided on the bag as a stripe in a rectangular shape.

13. The bag of claim 12, wherein a height of the stripe is a maximum one-eighth inch, and the width of the stripe is a minimum of one-fourth a width of the bag in the flattened state.

14. The bag of claim 12, wherein the stripe is placed adjacent to the open end of the bag.

15. The bag of claim 12, wherein the stripe is placed no more than one inch from an edge of the bag at the opening on both the front side and the back side of the bag.

16. A method of opening a bag, the method comprising: gripping a bag near an opening end of the bag, wherein the bag comprises: a flimsy material comprising a smooth outer surface, the bag having a first side, a second side, an opening end, and a closed end; and a tackifier substance applied to at least one of the first side or the second side, wherein the tackifier substance is positioned near the open end, rubbing the first side and the second side at the tackifier substance; and opening the bag with the rubbing motion.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: preventing slippage of the bag during the gripping based on the tackifier substance.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the bag is in a folded state, and wherein the bag is in a roll of a plurality of similar bags.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: tearing the bag from the roll prior to gripping the bag.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the tackifier substance is disposed on both the first side and the second side of the bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a bag in a flattened state.

[0008] FIG. 2A illustrates a first side of a bag in a flattened state with tackifier.

[0009] FIG. 2B illustrates a second side of a bag with tackifier.

[0010] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate various applications of tackifier to a bag.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of bags in a roll with tackifier.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a bag in a flattened state tackifier.

[0013] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate folded bags in a flattened state with tackifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary bag 100 in a flattened state. In its flattened state, bag 100 comprises a first side 10, a second side 20, and a closed end 30. Bag 100 further comprises an open end 40, by which an opening is created by separating the first side 10 and the second side 20 at the open end 40. Non-limiting examples of bag 100 comprise pet waste bags, grocery bags, garbage bags, liners, packaging bags, etc.

[0015] As further shown, bag 100 further comprises a tackifier 50 applied to the first side 10 and/or to the second side 20, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In some aspects, the tackifier 50 is applied to both the first side 10 and to the second side 20 In this example of bag 100 in FIGS. 2A and 2B, tackifier 50 is applied near open end 40, for example within a distance of 25% of the length of the bag from the open end 40. Tackifier 50 provides a tactile surface on the first side 10 and the second side 20 of bag 100 which allows a user to easily grasp the flattened bag 100 with fingers of one hand. By having a good grip on the bag, one can then rub the front side 10 and the back side 20 of bag 100 together. For example, the rubbing can be used to open the bag 100 with a single hand. The rubbing action separates the first side 10 from the second side 20 to create an opening in bag 100. In the case of pet waste bags, one can then insert a hand into the opening to further open the bag for use.

[0016] Tackifier 50 provides a tactile feel and grip for the user to grasp and open bag 100. Tackifier 50 may also provide a noticeably different texture than the smooth surface of both the first side 10 and second side 20 of the bag. This feature may assist the user in locating the tackifier 50 area on the bag by touch alone. Another benefit is that the position of the tackifier 50 near the top of bag 100 may also identify the open end of the bag.

[0017] As used herein, the term tackifier 50 refers to chemical compounds used in formulating adhesives to increase the tack, or the stickiness of the surface of the adhesive. In a non-limiting embodiment, tackifier 50 may be a resin, a resin mixture, an adhesive, wax, or the like. However, it is contemplated that a tackifier of any appropriate composition may be used herein.

[0018] Bag 100 is typically constructed of a material having a smooth, non-textured surface on both first side 10 and second side 20. In some cases, however, first side 10 and second side 20 may be made of different materials with similar characteristics. The structure of bag 100 may also be flimsy and unstructured such that, for example, the bag is easily crumpled and/or twisted up, particularly when manipulating the bag to open it. In a non-limiting example, bag 100 may be made of any thin sheet or film of thermoplastic material, e.g., polyethylene, or other elastomeric or plastic material, suitable for the features described herein and that is able to or capable of accepting application of a tackifier 50 to the material. In other examples, bag 100 may be made from compostable, biodegradable, or other environmentally friendly substance, such as, starch or cornstarch, paper, or similar substances.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the tackifier 50 is applied to the bag as a rectangular stripe (also shown in FIG. 3C as tackifier 50C) near the opening of bag 100. The size of the stripe and the placement of the stripe on the bag may affect how easily a user is able grasp that portion of the bag. In an embodiment, the tackifier 50 is applied at a position on the first side 10 and second side 20 of the bag at which a user would naturally grab the bag at the open end 40 when planning to open the bag. In an example, tackifier 50 may be placed adjacent to the edge of the open end 40 of the bag. In another example, the tackifier 50 is placed no more than one inch from the edge of the bag. In an embodiment, the placement of tackifier 50 on both the first side 10 and the second side 20 is substantially the same. In other embodiments, the tackifier 50 on the first side 10 and the tackifier 50 on the second side 20 do not align. In yet another embodiment, the placement of tackifier 50 on the first side 10 overlaps, but does not fully align with, the placement of the tackifier 50 on the second side 20.

[0020] In an embodiment in which tackifier 50 is applied in a rectangular shape (also shown in FIG. 3C), the height of stripe is a maximum one-eighth inch and the width of is a minimum of one-fourth the width of the bag in the flattened state to provide an effective grip on the bag for rubbing bag 100 open. In some embodiments, stripe is centered between the edges of the bag 100 on the first side 10 and/or the second side 20. However, it is envisioned that the height and width dimensions of the stripe may vary from the above-described embodiments yet still provide an effective grip. Nevertheless, there are limits for positioning tackifier 50 on the bag during application. For example, the further away from the open end of the bag the tackifier 50 is positioned, the less effective it may be in opening bag 100 at the open end 40. In most embodiments, the depth of stripe 50 of tackifier, that is, how far it protrudes from the surface of bag 100, is negligible and is almost flat when applied to the bag 100.

[0021] In alternative non-limiting embodiments, tackifier 50 may be applied as a particular shape, such as a circle or oval shape in FIG. 3A, a square or rectangle in FIG. 3B, or other design shape, of sufficient size and placement to provide the grip necessary to rub open the bag. The size and/or shape may be selected based on the amount of tackifier 50 to be applied per bag 100. In other non-limiting embodiments, a stripe of tackifier 50 may be centered in the middle of the first side 10 or the second side 20 of bag 100, as shown in FIG. 3C, or the stripe of tackifier 50 may extend the full width of the first side 10 or the second side 20, as shown in FIG. 3D. Similarly, the placement of tackifier 50 with respect to the open end 40 may vary, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, bag 100 may be comprised in a roll of a plurality of similar bags 400. In this example, bag 100 may be separated from other bags 100a, 100b at perforation 110a between bag 100 and bag 100a. If other bags 100b remain in the roll of the plurality of bags 200, bag 100 may be separated from a remaining bag 100b at perforation 110b between bag 100 and bag 110b. It is anticipated that at each perforation, e.g., 110a, 110b, a closed end 30 of one bag is attached to an open end of another bag, e.g., open end 40 of 100a, is attached to closed end 30 of bag 100. However, it is beyond the scope of this application as to which way the plurality of bags 200 are rolledthat is, which end-a closed end 30 or an open end 40 of the first bag 100 of the roll of the plurality of bags 200 is attached to the second bag 100 in the plurality of bags 200, and so forth.

[0023] The tackifier 50 substance is flexible so as not to restrict the folding, rolling, or other shape associated with packaging of bag 100. The peel strength of tackifier 50 should not interfere with unrolling and separating individual bags 100 in the roll of the plurality of bags 200. In some embodiments, tackifier 50 may be clear, the same color as the material used to manufacture bag 100, or any other color.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a side-view 500 of bag 100 in a flattened state. First side 10 and second side 20 of bag 100 comprise tackifier 50 applied at the open end 40 of bag 100. If bag 100 has not been folded, then first side 10 and second side 20 of bag 100 are the front side and back side of a single bag 100. However, if bag 100 has been folded over, first side 10 and second side 20 may be as described with respect to FIGS. 6A-6B.

[0025] In some embodiments, bag 100 may be folded prior to packaging. FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate non-limiting examples of bag 100 folded proportionally in half. It is contemplated, however, that bag 100 may be folded in any other proportional dimensions, e.g., thirds, quarters, etc., or folded in a non-proportional dimension.

[0026] Generally, first side 10 and second side 20 are substantially similar in material, manufacture, and size, so it is inconsequential to the present application how the bag is folded. Further, whether and how bag 100 may be folded are outside the scope of this application.

[0027] It is noted that regardless whether bag 100 is folded or not, it will have at least two sides 10, 20. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, it does not matter whether the front side 10 is folded over the back side 20, as in folded bag 600A of FIG. 6A, where the first side is 10A and the second side is 10B, or whether the back side 20 is folded over the front side 10, as in folded bag 600B of FIG. 6B, where the first side is 20A and the second side is 20B, or whether bag 100 is folded in some other manner not shown.

[0028] However, in an example, folded bag 600A and folded bag 600B may have a visual or graphic placed on the front side 10A only, the back side 20A only, or partly on the front side 10A and the back side 20A. In that case, the placement of the visual or graphic on bag 100 may be a consideration when determining how or whether it is folded. Nevertheless, the determination of which side is folded over the other, is not within the scope of this application. Further, determining whether bag 100 should be folded, at all, and how it is folded, is also not within the scope of this application.

[0029] However, it is contemplated that the number of times bag 100 is folded, and how it is folded, may impact effectiveness of tackifier 50, which, in a preferred embodiment, is provided on at least two sides, including a first side 10 and a second side 20 of bag 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, if bag 100 shown in FIG. 1 may have only two sides 10,20 to be separated to create the opening. Bags folded in half, such as folded bags 600A and 600B shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively, have effectively four sides to separate including the exterior first and second sides 10, 20, and the interior sides created by folding. Any further folding effectively introduces additional sides to be separated in order to create the opening 40 in the bag. Accordingly, it is contemplated that tackifier 50 may be applied to more than front side 10 and back side 20 of bag 100 based on how a bag is folded.

[0030] In an embodiment of manufacturing bag 100, tackifier 50 is applied to bag 100 during manufacture of bag 100 itself. Manufacture of bag 100 may comprise, in no particular order, preparing bag 100 of a certain size and shape, creating perforations, e.g., in roll of bags 200, printing any logos or designs on the bag 100, folding the bag 100, applying tackifier 50, etc. In an alternate embodiment, bag 100 may already be manufactured and prepared for packaging, and tackifier 50 is applied in a separate process to the bag 100 after it is otherwise prepared for packaging.

[0031] In an embodiment, tackifier 50 is applied to first side 10 and second side 20 at the same time. In alternate embodiment, tackifier 50 is applied one side at a time. In the case of folded bags 600A and 600B, tackifier 50 is applied after the bag has been folded. In other embodiments, tackifier 50 may be applied prior the bag being folded. In this embodiment, tackifier 50 may be applied to only one side of the bag since after folding, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, folded bag 600A has first side 10A and second side 10B, and folded bag 600B has first side 20A and second side 20B.

[0032] Tackifier 50 may be applied to bag 100 via assembly line mechanism, in which tackifier 50 is applied to each bag 100 by stamping, pressing, rolling, or spraying the tackifier 50 onto each bag 100. In an embodiment, an amount of tackifier 50 is applied as determined to provide a particular size or shape on bag 100.