DISPOSABLE BAGS WITH INTEGRAL TIE STRIPS

Abstract

A disposable bag can include a first side wall, a second side wall, and a tie strip secured to the second side wall. The first and second side walls can have top edges that define an opening of the bag therebetween, and the tie strip can be secured adjacent to the opening. The top edge of the second side wall can extend beyond the top edge of the first side wall to define a flap, and the tie strip can be secured to the flap. The bags disclosed herein can be easy to open, they can be easy to tie with the tie strips, the tie strips can also be used as a handle by the consumer and text can be written on them, and the bags and the tie strips together can be readily reprocessed, including composting and/or recycling.

Claims

1. A disposable bag, comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall; and a tie strip secured to the second side wall.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls have top edges that define an opening of the bag therebetween, and the tie strip is secured adjacent to the opening.

3. The bag of claim 2, wherein the top edge of the second side wall extends beyond the top edge of the first side wall to define a flap.

4. The bag of claim 3, wherein the tie strip is secured to an inner surface of the flap.

5. The bag of claim 4, wherein the tie strip is loosely adhered to the inner surface of the flap.

6. The bag of claim 4, wherein the tie strip is secured to the inner surface of the flap with adhesive.

7. The bag of claim 3, wherein the tie strip is secured to the flap with at least one weld.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein the at least one weld is positioned intermediate of a width of the bag.

9. The bag of claim 7, wherein the at least one weld is positioned intermediate of a height of the flap.

10. The bag of claim 2, wherein the flap is the tie strip and is separatable from the remainder of the bag.

11. The bag of claim 10, wherein the flap is formed of two layers of the second side wall, joined together by a heat seal.

12. The bag of claim 1, wherein a width of the tie strip is about equal to a width of the bag.

13. The bag of claim 2, comprising a second tie strip that is secured adjacent to the opening.

14. The bag of claim 13, wherein the tie strips are positioned in parallel along the flap.

15. The bag of claim 13, wherein widths of the tie strips are each about equal to a width of the bag.

16. The bag of claim 13, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, and the tie strips are joined by a heat seal positioned adjacent to a first side edge of the bag.

17. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls are joined by a heat seal to define first and second side seams that are positioned adjacent to respective first and second side edges of the bag.

18. The bag of claim 1, wherein a fold between the first and second side walls defines a bottom edge of the bag.

19. The bag of claim 1, wherein at least one of a side edge and a bottom edge of the bag comprises a gusseted seam.

20. The bag of claim 1, comprising at least one perforation line for removing the tie strip from a remainder of the bag.

21. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tie strip are each formed of a biodegradable plastic material, a compostable plastic material, and/or a recyclable plastic material.

22. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tie strip are each formed of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPT), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.

23. The bag of claim 1, wherein the tie strip comprises at least one of a monoaxially oriented and biaxially oriented polymer.

24. The bag of claim 1, wherein the tie strip is formed of a different material than the first and second layers.

25. The bag of claim 24, wherein the tie strip is formed of polypropylene, and the first and second layers are formed of polyethylene.

26. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tie strip each have a thickness of between 6 and 200 microns.

27. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first layer, the second layer and the tie strip each have a thickness of between 10 and 25 microns.

28. The bag of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer is substantially transparent or translucent, and the tie strip is substantially translucent or opaque.

29. The bag of claim 1, wherein the tie strip is colored.

30. The bag of claim 1, wherein the tie strip comprises text.

31. A roll comprising a plurality of the bag of claim 1.

32. The roll of claim 31, comprising perforation lines arranged alongside side edges between adjacent ones of the bags.

33. A plurality of disposable bags, comprising: a first side wall; and a second side wall, wherein each of the bags is formed as a tube in which the side walls are joined by a heat seal to provide a closed bottom edge, wherein one of the bags comprises a first perforation line adjacent to the heat seal of the next bag that allows separation of the bag from the next bag, and wherein the bag comprises a second perforation line adjacent to the first perforation line that defines a tie strip therebetween.

34. A disposable bag, comprising: a first side wall; and a second side wall; wherein the first and second side walls have top edges that define an opening of the bag therebetween, wherein the top edge of the second side wall extends beyond the top edge of the first side wall to define a flap, wherein the flap comprises at least two layers and a heat seal extends at least partially across a width of the flap to hold the at least two layers together, and wherein the flap is separatable from the remainder of the bag to serve as a tie strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a roll of grocery produce bags with integral tie strips according to a first example.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows several of the grocery produce bags released from the roll.

[0010] FIG. 3 shows one of the grocery produce bags.

[0011] FIG. 4 shows the grocery produce bag of FIG. 3 carrying produce.

[0012] FIG. 5 shows the grocery produce bag of FIG. 3 with text written on the tie strip.

[0013] FIG. 6 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strips according to a second example.

[0014] FIG. 7 shows the grocery produce bag of FIG. 6 carrying produce.

[0015] FIG. 8 shows the grocery produce bag of FIG. 6 with text written on the tie strip.

[0016] FIG. 9 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a third example.

[0017] FIG. 10 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a fourth example.

[0018] FIG. 11 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a fifth example.

[0019] FIG. 12 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a sixth example.

[0020] FIG. 13 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a seventh example.

[0021] FIG. 14 shows several grocery produce bags according to an eighth example.

[0022] FIG. 15 shows several grocery produce bags according to a ninth example.

[0023] FIG. 16 shows a grocery produce bag with integral tie strip according to a tenth example.

[0024] FIG. 17 shows production of several grocery produce bags from a tube of material.

[0025] FIG. 18 shows one of the grocery bags of FIG. 17 with a seal extending across a flap to form an integral tie strip.

[0026] FIG. 19 shows the finished grocery produce bag of FIGS. 17 and 18, according to an eleventh example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below, or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0028] Typically made from polyethylene or other plastic film, grocery produce bags are used for consumer in-store packaging of fruits, vegetables and other products. Such bags are typically very thin and transparent, and can be filled by the consumer and closed with twist ties or bread clips. Grocery produce bags have disadvantages including that they can be difficult to open, they can be wasteful when the customer uses the bag itself to close the top, and the twist ties or bread clips can get lost and can contaminate the waste stream for reprocessing.

[0029] In general, the concepts described herein address some of the aforementioned disadvantages by providing grocery produce bags having integral ties. The bags herein can be easy to open, they can be easy to tie with the tie strips, the tie strips can also be used as a handle by the consumer and text can be written on them, and the bags and the tie strips together can be readily reprocessed, including composting and/or recycling.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a roll 10 is formed of a plurality of grocery produce bags 12. In the example illustrated, perforation lines 14 are positioned along side edges between adjacent ones of the grocery produce bags 12. The perforation lines 14 allow a consumer to easily separate an individual one of the grocery produce bags 12 from the roll 10.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the grocery produce bag 12 includes a first side wall 16, a second side wall 18, and a tie strip 20 secured to the second side wall 18. The first and second side wall 16, 18 have respective top edges 22, 24 that define an opening 26 of the bag 12 therebetween, and the tie strip 20 is shown secured adjacent to the opening 26.

[0032] In the example illustrated, the top edge 24 of the second side wall 18 extends beyond the top edge 22 of the first side wall 16 to define a flap 28, and the tie strip 20 is secured to the flap 28. Specifically, the tie strip 20 is shown secured to an inner surface 30 of the flap 28. The flap 28 can make it easier for the consumer to open the bag 12 and put items in it.

[0033] In the example illustrated, the tie strip 20 is secured to the flap 28 with a weld 32. In the example illustrated, the weld 32 is positioned intermediate of a width of the bag 12, and the weld 32 is positioned intermediate of a height of the flap 28. In other examples, the tie strip 20 can be secured to the flap 28 with more than one weld, and the welds can be provided in various positions relative to the flap.

[0034] In the example illustrated, a width of the tie strip 20 is about equal to a width of the bag 12.

[0035] In the example illustrated, the first and second side walls 16, 18 are joined by a heat seal to define first and second side seams 34, 36 that run alongside respective first and second side edges 38, 40 of the bag 12.

[0036] In the example illustrated, a fold between the first and second side walls 16, 18 defines a bottom edge 42 of the bag 12.

[0037] With this configuration, with the tie strip 20 disposed within the area of the flap 28, having a width not greater than the bag 12, and if the tie strip 20 has a thickness that is about the same as a thickness of the first side wall 16, then it should be appreciated that integration of the tie strip 20 will not cause an increase in thickness such that the roll 10 (FIG. 1) of the bags 12 can have a uniform diameter.

[0038] Although not shown, it should be appreciated that, in some examples, at least one of the side edges and the bottom edge of the bag can include a gusseted seam. In such examples, the thickness of the tie strip can be made thicker, e.g., double or triple the thickness of the side walls. Furthermore, in some examples, the bag can be folded, including in half, in thirds or in other configurations, for the purposes of packaging.

[0039] In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 each are made of the same material. In some examples, the tie strip 20 can be made of a different material than each of the side walls 16, 18. In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 are each formed of plastic materials. In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 are each formed a biodegradable plastic material, a compostable plastic material, and/or a recyclable plastic material.

[0040] In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 are each formed at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPT), copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. In some particular examples, the side walls 16, 18 can be formed from LDPE and the tie strip 20 can be formed from HDPE.

[0041] In some examples, the tie strip 20 can include at least one of a monoaxially oriented and biaxially oriented polymer, for strength. In some particular examples, the tie strip 20 can formed of monoaxially oriented or biaxially oriented polyethylene (PE) or EVA.

[0042] In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 each have a thickness of between 6 and 200 microns. In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 each have a thickness of between 10 and 25 microns. In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 and the tie strip 20 each have the same thickness. In some examples, the tie strip 20 can be thicker than each of the side walls 16, 18.

[0043] In some examples, the side walls 16, 18 are each substantially transparent or translucent. In some examples, the tie strip 20 is substantially translucent or opaque.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the bag 12 is shown carrying items 44, and the tie strip 20 is tied to close the opening of the bag 12.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, text 46 can be written on the tie strip 20; for example, the consumer can write on the tie strip 20 when in-store packaging of fruits, vegetables and other products.

[0046] Although not shown, it should be appreciated that, in some examples, the bags can be wicketed bags, with the flap of each bag including punched openings for receiving the metal wicket to hold the stack of bags together.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, a grocery produce bag 48 includes first and second side walls 50, 52, and first and second tie strips 54, 56 are secured to an inner surface of a flap 58. In the example illustrated, the tie strips 54, 56 are positioned in parallel along the flap 58. In the example illustrated, widths of the tie strips 54, 56 are each about equal to a width of the bag 48. In the example illustrated, the side walls 50, 52 and the tie strips 54, 56 are joined by a heat seal positioned adjacent to a first side edge 60 of the bag 48.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 7, the bag 48 is shown carrying items 44, and the tie strips 54, 56 are tied together to close the opening of the bag 48.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, text 46 can be written on the tie strips 54, 56.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, a grocery produce bag 62 includes a first side wall 64, a second side wall 66, and a tie strip 68 secured to an inner surface of a flap 70.

[0051] In the example illustrated, the tie strip 68 is positioned in parallel along the flap 70, with a width of the tie strip 68 being about equal to a width of the bag 62.

[0052] In the example illustrated, the first and second side walls 64, 66 are joined by a heat seal to define first and second side seams, and the tie strip 68 is secured to the flap 70 with the same heat seals to form side seams 72, 74. This can allow the tie strip 68 to be secured in the same step as the heat sealing of the first and second side walls 64, 66.

[0053] In some examples, the tie strip 68 can be formed of a differential material so that the heat sealing only loosely adheres the tie strip 68 to the flap 70, allowing a customer to easily remove the tie strip 68 from the remainder of the bag 62. For example, the tie strip 68 can be formed of a material that does not seal well with a polyethylene bag but still can be reprocessed because is soluble in the polyethylene polymer; e.g. HDPE, PP, or PE modified with additives. In some examples, the tie strip 68 can also have a different thickness from the remainder of the bag 62. In some examples, adhesion can be enough to keep the tie strip 68 fastened to the bag but can be easily peeled off when needed. In some examples, the tie strip 68 can be directly extruded on the PE bag, and can be extruded polymer or monoaxially oriented.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 10, a grocery produce bag 76 includes first and second side walls 78, 80, and a tie strip 82 is secured to an inner surface of a flap 84.

[0055] In some examples, the tie strip 82 can be formed of a differential material and heat pressed to the flap 84. The temperature, pressure and duration of the joining process can be selected so that the tie strip 82 is only loosely adhered to the flap 84. This can allow a customer to easily remove the tie strip 82 from the remainder of the bag 76.

[0056] In the example illustrated, the tie strip 82 is colored to emphasize it as compared to the remainder of the bag 76, and optionally includes text.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 11, a grocery produce bag 86 includes first and second side walls 88, 90, and a tie strip 92 is secured to an inner surface of a flap 94.

[0058] In the example illustrated, the tie strip 92 is secured to the flap 94 with a heat press or weld 96 that runs across a full width of the tie strip 92, but only a portion of a height of the tie strip 92 and it is positioned centrally relative to its height. With this configuration, it can be easier for the customer to grasp the tie strip 92, either by the lower or upper longitudinal edge, and remove it from the remainder of the bag 86. In some examples, the tie strip 92 can be formed of a differential material to the flap 84 so that it is only loosely adhered to the flap 94 by the weld 96.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 12, a grocery produce bag 98 includes first and second side walls 100, 102, and a tie strip 104 is secured to an inner surface of a flap 106.

[0060] In the example illustrated, the tie strip 104 is secured to the flap 106 with a line of adhesive 108 that runs across a full width of the tie strip 104, but only a portion of a height of the tie strip 104 and it is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the tie strip 104. A light adhesive can be used to ensure easy removal of the tie strip.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 13, a grocery produce bag 110 includes first and second side walls 112, 114, which have respective top edges that define an opening of the bag 110.

[0062] In the example illustrated, there is no flap. A tie strip 116 is secured to an outer surface of the side wall 112, towards the top edge thereof adjacent to the opening. The tie strip 116 is shown secured with a line of adhesive 118 that runs across a full width of the tie strip 116, but only a portion of a height of the tie strip 116 and it is positioned centrally relative to its height. A light adhesive can be used to ensure easy removal of the tie strip.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 14, bags 120 have side walls that are joined by a heat seal to define side seams, and side perforation lines 122 are arranged in between the side seams of adjacent ones of the grocery produce bags 120. The perforation lines 122 allow a consumer to easily separate an individual one of the bags 120 from the others.

[0064] In the example illustrated, top perforation lines 124 are provided to define tie strips 126. If the bags 120 are formed of a sufficiently strong plastic material, the tie strips 126 can be pulled off by the consumer and used as ties, without further components or reinforcement. The top perforation lines 124 can extend through both of the side walls. A fold between the side walls defines a bottom edge of each bag 120.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 15, bags 128 are formed as a tube in which the side walls are joined by a heat seal 130 to provide a closed bottom edge. A first perforation line 132 adjacent to the heat seal 130 of the next bag allows a consumer to easily separate the bag from the next.

[0066] In the example illustrated, a second perforation line 134 adjacent to the first perforation line 132 defines tie strips 136 therebetween. If the bags 128 are formed of a sufficiently strong plastic material, the tie strips 136 can be pulled off by the consumer and used as ties, without further components or reinforcement.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 16, a grocery produce bag 138 includes first and second side walls 140, 142, and a tie strip 144 is secured to an inner surface of a flap 146. In some examples, the tie strip 144 can be formed of a tape and adhered or pressed to the flap 146.

[0068] In the example illustrated, a perforation line 148 is arranged in the side wall 142 between the tie strip 144 and a top edge of the side wall 140. The perforation line 148 can allow the tie strip 144 and the majority of the flap 146 to be removed by the consumer and used. Because it includes more than one layer, the resulting tie strip can be stronger.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 17, a plurality of grocery produce bags 150 are shown formed from a tube of material, which can be an extruded plastic film. In the example illustrated, lateral cuts 152 are formed to separate the individual bags 150, and a longitudinal slit 154 defines a top flap from the remainder of each of the bags 150.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 18, a heat seal 156 can be applied longitudinally across a full width of the bag 150 to keep the film that is folded over together to form the flap 158. The flap 158 therefore has two layers of material with a fold along its top edge.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 19, the side walls can also be joined by a heat seal to define side seams 160, 162 that run laterally fully alongside side edges of the bag 150. Finally, as illustrated, the bag 150 can include a perforation line 164 that allows the flap 158 to be easily removed by the consumer and used as a tie strip. The perforation line 164 can extend through both of the side walls.

[0072] Although the above description provides specific examples of grocery produce bags, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to other implementations, including garbage bags, recycling bags, bread and bakery packaging, and/or other types of disposable bags for packaging or repackaging of items, where an integral tie strip will be helpful.

[0073] While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatuses or methods, it will be appreciated that other apparatuses or methods may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.