BAGS WITH REINFORCED HANDLES AND RELATED METHODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to bags, and more particularly to bags including reinforced handles and handle indicators and methods of manufacturing the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of an embodiment of a bag including a reinforced handle.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of the bag of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an embodiment of a bag including two reinforced handles.

FIG. 2B is a rear view of the bag of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a front of another embodiment of a bag including a reinforced handle.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a rear of the bag of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a front of another embodiment of a bag including two reinforced handles.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a rear of the bag of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

As further discussed below, certain features, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein can be applied suitably to various bag or packaging formats. For example, a variety of bag formats or styles may be used. In certain embodiments, the bag may include a gusseted pinch-bottom bag configuration, a non-gusseted pinch-bottom bag configuration, a flat bottom, a folded bottom, other various pinch-bottom configurations, a non-pinch straight heat-sealed bottom, and various self-opening sack (SOS) configurations. In various embodiments, the bag may also be described as having a pouch configuration.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear views, respectively, of a bag 100. In some embodiments, the bag 100 may be configured for heavy-duty applications. As shown, the bag 100 can include a first or front wall 114 and a second or rear wall 115. The first and second walls 114, 115 can cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity 111. In various embodiments, the first wall 114 and the second wall 115 may be integrally formed (e.g., the first wall 114 and the second wall 115 may be formed from a single portion of material). In various other embodiments, the first wall 114 and the second wall 115 may be separately formed (e.g., the first wall 114 may be formed from a first portion of material, and the second wall 115 may be formed from a second portion of material).

The first and second walls 114, 115 can meet at a top bag edge 118. The first and second walls 114, 115 can also meet at a bottom bag edge 119. As illustrated, the bottom bag edge 119 can be disposed at an opposite end of the bag 100 relative to the top bag edge 118. The first and second walls 114, 115 can be uncoupled or coupled (e.g., to each other) at or adjacent the top and/or bottom bag edges 118, 119. In other embodiments, a portion of the first and second walls 114, 115 can be coupled at or adjacent the top and/or bottom bag edges 118, 119. In some embodiments, one or more seals may be formed along at least a portion of the top bag edge 118 or the bottom bag edge 119, or along another suitable portion of the bag 100. In some other embodiments, the bag 100 may lack the one or more seals. Directional terms, such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used herein with respect to the orientation shown in FIGS. 1A-4B. The terms are used for the sake of convenience and are not necessarily intended to be limiting.

As illustrated, the bag 100 can also include a reinforcement member 140, a handle 120, and a handle indicator 150. The reinforcement member 140 may be coupled to a portion of the second wall 115. For example, the reinforcement member 140 may be coupled to a top portion of the second wall 115 as depicted in FIG. 1B. The handle 120 may be cut, disposed, or formed through the first wall 114, the second wall 115, and the reinforcement member 140. Accordingly, the handle 120 may be a reinforced handle. The handle indicator 150 may be disposed on a portion of the first wall 114, for example, at a position adjacent the handle 120.

In some embodiments, the handle 120 may be formed in the bag 100 by cutting a slit 121 having a predetermined shape in the bag 100 (e.g., through each of the first wall 114, the second wall 115, and the reinforcement member 140) at a spaced-apart distance from the top bag edge 118. Stated another way, the handle 120 may be disposed at a position below the top bag edge 118. To inhibit or prevent the contents of the bag 100 from spilling out through the handle 120 or a top end of the bag 100, a first elongate seal 132 may be formed below the handle 120 or at a location inside the handle 120.

The handle 120 can be sized and/or shaped to receive one or both hands of a user. For example, the user may use his or her hand(s) to grasp the bag 100 at the handle 120 to pick up, carry, and/or otherwise manipulate the bag 100. In certain embodiments, the bag 100 may include more than one handle 120; for example, the bag 100 may include two, three, four, or more handles.

A seal (e.g., the first elongate seal 132) may be formed by one or more of an adhesive, sewing, ultrasonic heating, or any other suitable method. A seal such as the first elongate seal 132 may be formed by a downstream user. For example, a manufacturer may form the bag 100 without the first elongate seal 132 and provide the bag 100 to the downstream user in an unsealed configuration. The bag 100, however, may include a portion wherein the downstream user may form the first elongate seal 132 (e.g., a first elongate sealable portion). A position of the first elongate sealable portion may also be indicated in the figures by the reference numeral 132. This also applies to other seals described herein.

As shown, the first elongate seal 132 can be disposed along a width of the bag 100, and the handle 120 can be disposed at a position between the top bag edge 118 and the first elongate seal 132. In embodiments wherein the bag 100 is in the unsealed configuration, the handle 120 can be disposed at a position between the top bag edge 118 and the first elongate sealable portion.

As illustrated, the slit 121 may include a middle slit portion 123 extending between first and second end slit portions 124, 125. The first end slit portion 124 may be disposed at a first end of the middle slit portion 123, and the second end slit portion 125 may be disposed at a second end of the middle slit portion 123. Stated another way, the first end slit portion 124 may be disposed at an opposite end of the slit 121 from the second end slit portion 125. As illustrated, a first opening or aperture 136 can be disposed at or adjacent the first end slit portion 124, and a second opening or aperture 137 can be disposed at or adjacent the second end slit portion 125. The slit 121 can include perforations (e.g., a series of perforations) or the slit 121 can include a continuous cut out region.

The shape and/or the size of the handle 120 and the components of the handle 120 (e.g., the slit 121, the middle slit portion 123, the first end slit portion 124, the second end slit portion 125, etc.) can vary. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, the first and second openings 136, 137 can be substantially circular. In some other embodiments, the shape of the first and second openings 136, 137 can be substantially oval, substantially rectangular, substantially square, or substantially triangular. Any other suitable shape can also be used. For example, the shape of the first and second openings 136, 137 can be irregular (i.e., not a traditionally defined shape). Likewise, as depicted, the middle slit portion 123 can be substantially linear. In certain other embodiments, the middle slit portion 123 may be curved, wavy, or zig-zag shaped. Any other suitable shape can also be used. As shown, the middle slit portion 123 can also be disposed such that it is substantially parallel with the top edge 118 and the bottom edge 119 of the bag 100 and substantially perpendicular to a first lateral edge 108 and a second lateral edge 109 of the bag 100.

With reference to FIG. 1B, the reinforcement member 140 can be coupled to an outside surface of the second wall 115. In other embodiments, the reinforcement member 140 can be coupled to an inside surface of the first or second walls 114, 115. The reinforcement member 140 may be formed from one or more of a tape (e.g., an adhesive tape), a film, a fabric, or a reinforcement material. The reinforcement material may include a polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), fibers, another suitable reinforcement material, or any combination thereof. As shown, a width and/or a height of the reinforcement member 140 can be greater than a width and/or a height of the handle 120. In other words, the reinforcement member 140 may surround the handle 120.

In some embodiments, the reinforcement member 140 may reinforce, strengthen, and/or support the handle 120. For example, the reinforcement member 140 may inhibit or prevent the handle 120 from tearing through a portion of the first wall 114 and/or the second wall 115. During use, a user may grasp the handle 120 to lift or carry the bag 100. The contents of the bag 100 may be heavy such that during lifting or carrying of the bag 100 substantial pressure is applied to at least a portion of the bag 100 at or adjacent the handle 120. As stated above, the reinforcement member 140 may act to reinforce, strengthen, and/or support the handle 120 during such use. In various embodiments, the handle 120, the reinforcement member 140, and/or the handle 120 in combination with the reinforcement member 140 may be substantially tear-resistant or tear-proof.

As stated above, with reference to FIG. 1A, at least a portion of the handle 120 may be surrounded by the handle indicator 150. The handle indicator 150 can be embossed, etched, labeled, printed, or otherwise suitably disposed on an outside surface of the first wall 114 of the bag 100. For example, the handle indicator 150 may be formed from an ink. In some other embodiments, the handle indicator 150 may be formed by an adhesive, stitching, or another suitable material or method. Furthermore, the material forming at least a portion of the bag 100 may be a first color and the handle indicator 150 may be a second color. For example, the first wall 114 may be white and the handle indicator 150 may be red. In other embodiments, the handle indicator 150 can be disposed on another surface of the first or second wall 114, 115. For example, the handle indicator 150 can be disposed on an inside surface of the first wall 114, or an inside or outside surface of the second wall 115. In some of such embodiments, the reinforcement member 140 can be coupled to another surface of the bag 100 (e.g., a surface opposing and/or aligned with the handle indicator 150).

In various embodiments, it may be advantageous to dispose, emboss, etch, label, or print the handle indicator 150 on a first surface of the first or second walls 114, 115 and couple the reinforcement member 140 to a second surface of the first or second walls 114, 115 such that the handle indicator 150 and the reinforcement member 140 do not contact or interact with each other. For example, as discussed above, the handle indicator 150 may be disposed on the outside surface of the first wall 114 and the reinforcement member 140 may be disposed on one of the inside or outside surfaces of the second wall 115 or the inside surface of the first wall 114.

The handle indicator 150 may communicate a position of the handle 120 to a user. The position of the handle 120, for example, may not be substantially clear or obvious (e.g., to the user). In other words, the slit 121 of the handle 120 may be substantially narrow or thin (or can include a series of perforations) such that it is not easily visible to the user. Accordingly, the handle indicator 150 may act to communicate, highlight, or indicate the position of the handle 120 to the user.

The shape and/or the size of the handle indicator 150 can vary. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, for example, the handle indicator 150 can be substantially C-shaped. In some other embodiments, the shape of the handle indicator 150 can be substantially semicircular, substantially D-shaped, substantially U-shaped, or substantially V-shaped. Any other suitable shape can also be used. For example, the shape of the handle indicator 150 can be irregular (i.e., not a traditionally defined shape). The handle indicator 150 can be disposed around a portion or all of the handle 120. The handle indicator 150 may also be handle-shaped (see, e.g., FIG. 1A) such that the handle indicator 150 looks like a handle and communicates, indicates, or signals the location or position of the handle 120 to the user.

In some embodiments, the bag 100 may be configured to stand upright. In other words, the bag 100 may be capable of standing on its own. The bag 100 may also be substantially capable of maintaining its structural conformation. In certain embodiments, a bottom portion 112 of the bag 100 may serve as a base on which the bag 100 rests. The first wall 114 and the second wall 115 may extend upwardly from the bottom portion 112.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict front and rear views, respectively, of a bag 200 that can resemble the bag 100 described above in certain respects. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “2.” Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the bag 200 may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the bag 200. Any suitable combination of the features and variations of the same described with respect to the bag 100 can be employed with the bag 200, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter, wherein the leading digits may be further incremented.

Analogous to the bag 100 as described above, the bag 200 can include a first wall 214 and a second wall 215. The first and second walls 214, 215 can cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity 211. The first and second walls 214, 215 can also meet at a top bag edge 218 and a bottom bag edge 219. As shown, the bottom bag edge 219 can be disposed at an opposite end of the bag 200 relative to the top bag edge 218. The first and second walls 214, 215 can be uncoupled or coupled (e.g., to each other) at or adjacent the top and/or bottom bag edges 218, 219. In other embodiments, a portion of the first and second walls 214, 215 can be coupled at or adjacent the top and/or bottom bag edges 218, 219.

The bag 200 can also include first and second reinforcement members 240a, 240b, first and second handles 220a, 220b, and first and second handle indicators 250a, 250b. The first reinforcement member 240a can be coupled to a top portion of the second wall 215, and the second reinforcement member 240b can be coupled to a bottom portion of the second wall 215 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The first handle 220a may be cut, disposed, or formed through the first wall 214, the second wall 215, and the first reinforcement member 240a. Likewise, the second handle 220b may be cut, disposed, or formed through the first wall 214, the second wall 215, and the second reinforcement member 240b. Accordingly, the first and second handles 220a, 220b may be reinforced handles. The first handle indicator 250a may be disposed, embossed, etched, labeled, or printed on the first wall 214 at a position adjacent the first handle 220a while the second handle indicator 250b may be disposed, embossed, etched, labeled, or printed on the first wall 214 at a position adjacent the second handle 220b as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The first handle 220a may be formed in the bag 200 at a spaced-apart distance from the top bag edge 218. For example, as shown, the first handle 220a can be disposed at a position below the top bag edge 218. Furthermore, a first elongate seal 232 may be formed below or inside the first handle 220a. In some embodiments, a first elongate sealable portion (i.e., at position 232) may be disposed below or inside the first handle 220a. The second handle 220b may be formed in the bag 200 at a spaced-apart distance from the bottom bag edge 219. For example, as shown, the second handle 220b can be disposed at a position above the bottom bag edge 219. Additionally, a second elongate seal 234 may be formed above or inside the second handle 220b. In certain embodiments, a second elongate sealable portion (i.e., at position 234) may be disposed below or inside the second handle 220b. In various embodiments, the bag 200 may include more than one first and/or second handle 220a, 220b; for example, the bag 200 may include three, four, or more handles.

As shown, the first elongate seal 232, or the first elongate sealable portion, can be disposed along a width of the bag 200, and the first handle 220a can be disposed at a position between the top bag edge 218 and the first elongate seal 232, or the first elongate sealable portion. Likewise, the second elongate seal 234, or second elongate sealable portion, can be disposed along a width of the bag 200, and the second handle 220b can be disposed at a position between the bottom bag edge 219 and the second elongate seal 234, or the second elongate sealable portion.

With reference to FIG. 2B, the first and second reinforcement members 240a, 240b can be coupled to an outside surface of the second wall 215. In other embodiments, the first or second reinforcement members 240a, 240b can be coupled to inside surfaces of the first or second walls 214, 215. As shown in FIG. 2B, a width and/or a height of the first reinforcement member 240a can be greater than a width and/or a height of the first handle 220a. A width and/or a height of the second reinforcement member 240b can also be greater than a width and/or a height of the second handle 220b.

With reference to FIG. 2A, at least a portion of the first handle 220a may be surrounded by the first handle indicator 250a, and the first handle indicator 250a may be coupled, disposed, or printed on an outside surface of the first wall 214 of the bag 200. Analogously, at least a portion of the second handle 220b may be surrounded by the second handle indicator 250b, and the second handle indicator 250b may be coupled, disposed, or printed on an outside surface of the first wall 214 of the bag 200.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of a front and a rear, respectively, of a bag 300. As shown, the bag 300 can include a first wall 314, a second wall 315, a first gusset 316, and a second gusset 317. The first wall 314, the second wall 315, the first gusset 316, and the second gusset 317 can cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity 311 in the interior of the bag 300.

The first wall 314 can include a top edge 361, a bottom edge 362, a first lateral edge 363, and a second lateral edge 364. The second wall 315 can include a top edge 366, a bottom edge 367, a first lateral edge 368, and a second lateral edge 369. The top edge 361 of the first wall 314, or a portion of the top edge 361, can be coupled or sealed, or coupleable or sealable, to the top edge 366 of the second wall 315, or a portion of the top edge 366, to form a top bag edge 318. The bottom edge 362 of the first wall 314, or a portion of the bottom edge 362, can be coupled or sealed, or coupleable or sealable, to the bottom edge 367 of the second wall 315, or a portion of the bottom edge 362, to form a bottom bag edge 319. In certain embodiments, the top edge 361 of the first wall 314 can be uncoupled to the top edge 366 of the second wall 315 at the top bag edge 318. Likewise, the bottom edge 362 of the first wall 314 can be uncoupled to the bottom edge 367 of the second wall 315 at the bottom bag edge 319.

The first gusset 316 can extend from the first lateral edge 363 of the first wall 314 to the first lateral edge 368 of the second wall 315. Likewise, the second gusset 317 can extend from the second lateral edge 364 of the first wall 314 to the second lateral edge 369 of the second wall 315.

The bag 300 can include a reinforcement member 340 coupled to a first portion of the second wall 315. As illustrated, for example, the reinforcement member 340 may be coupled to the second wall 315 at a position adjacent the top bag edge 318. A handle 320 can be disposed through the first wall 314, the second wall 315, and the reinforcement member 340. The bag 300 can also include a handle indicator 350 disposed or printed on a first portion of the first wall 314 at a position adjacent the handle 320.

To inhibit or prevent the contents of the bag 300 from spilling out through the handle 320 or a top end of the bag 300, a first elongate seal 332 can extend or be disposed along a width of the bag 300 at a position below the top bag edge 318. The handle 320 can be disposed or formed at a position between the top bag edge 318 and the first elongate seal 332. As discussed above, the manufacturer of the bag 300 may provide or supply the bag 300 to the downstream user in an unsealed configuration. For example, the bag 300 may include a first elongate sealable portion (e.g., at position 332).

With reference to FIG. 3B, the reinforcement member 340 can be coupled to or disposed on an outside surface of the second wall 315. In other embodiments, the reinforcement member 340 can be coupled to an inside surface of the first or second walls 314, 315. A width and/or a height of the reinforcement member 340 can be greater than a width and/or a height of the handle 320.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the handle indicator 350 can be coupled to, embossed, etched, labeled, or printed on an outside surface of the first wall 314. The handle indicator 350 can surround at least a portion or all of the handle 320. Analogous to the handle indicators 150, 250a, 250b, the handle indicator 350 may communicate or signal a position of the handle 320 to a user.

The handle 320 may be formed in the bag 300 by cutting, disposing, or forming a slit 321 having a predetermined shape in the bag 300 at a spaced-apart distance from the top bag edge 318. For example, the handle 320 may be disposed at a position below the top bag edge 318. The slit 321 can be cut, disposed, or formed through each of the first wall 314, the second wall 315, and the reinforcement member 340. Accordingly, the handle 320 can be a reinforced handle.

The slit 321 may include a middle slit portion 323 extending between first and second end slit portions 324, 325. The first end slit portion 324 may be disposed at a first end of the middle slit portion 323, and the second end slit portion 325 may be disposed at a second end of the middle slit portion 323. In other words, the first end slit portion 324 may be disposed at an opposite end of the slit 321 from the second end slit portion 325. As depicted, the first and second end slit portions 324, 325 can be arcuate or curved in shape. The slit 321 can include perforations (e.g., a series of perforations) or the slit 321 can include a continuous cut out region.

In some embodiments, the bag 300 may be configured to stand upright. In other words, the bag 300 may be capable of standing on its own. The bag 300 may also be substantially capable of maintaining its structural conformation. In certain embodiments, a bottom portion 312 of the bag 300 may serve as a base on which the bag 300 rests. The first wall 314, the second wall 315, the first gusset 316, and the second gusset 317 may extend upwardly from the bottom portion 312.

It may be appreciated that the first and second gussets 316, 317 may serve various functions. For example, the first and second gussets 316, 317 may include a creased, folded, or pleated piece of material that is configured to transition from a flattened state to an expanded state. The first and second gussets 316, 317 may also be configured to permit portions of the first and second walls 314, 315 to be spaced apart from each other as shown in the configuration depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The first and second gussets 316, 317 may also provide structural integrity to the bag 300. For example, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first and second gussets 316, 317 extend from the first wall 314 and the second wall 315. Stated another way, the first and second gussets 316, 317 can be attached or otherwise directly coupled with each of the first and second walls 314, 315. The attachment of the first and second gussets 316, 317 to the first and second walls 314, 315 may provide relative rigidity and assist in maintaining the structural integrity of the bag 300.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of a front and a rear, respectively, of a bag 400. As shown, the bag 400 can include a first wall 414, a second wall 415, a first gusset 416, and a second gusset 417. The first wall 414, the second wall 415, the first gusset 416, and the second gusset 417 can cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity 411.

The bag 400 can also include first and second reinforcement members 440a, 440b, first and second handles 420a, 420b, and first and second handle indicators 450a, 450b. The first reinforcement member 440a can be coupled to a top portion of the second wall 415, and the second reinforcement member 440b can be coupled to a bottom portion of the second wall 415 as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The first handle 420a may be cut, disposed, or formed through the first wall 414, the second wall 415, and the first reinforcement member 440a. Likewise, the second handle 420b may be cut, disposed, or formed through the first wall 414, the second wall 415, and the second reinforcement member 440b. Accordingly, the first and second handles 420a, 420b may be reinforced handles. The first handle indicator 450a may be disposed or printed on the first wall 414 at a position adjacent the first handle 420a while the second handle indicator 450b may be disposed or printed on the first wall 414 at a position adjacent the second handle 420b as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

The first handle 420a may be formed in the bag 400 at a spaced-apart distance from the top bag edge 418. For example, as shown, the first handle 420a can be disposed at a position below the top bag edge 418. Furthermore, a first elongate seal 432 may be formed below or inside the first handle 420a. In some embodiments, a first elongate sealable portion (i.e., at position 432) may be disposed below or inside the first handle 420a. The second handle 420b may be formed in the bag 400 at a spaced-apart distance from the bottom bag edge 419. For example, as shown, the second handle 420b can be disposed at a position above the bottom bag edge 419. Additionally, a second elongate seal 434 may be formed above or inside the second handle 420b. In various embodiments, a second elongate sealable portion (i.e., at position 434) may be disposed below or inside the second handle 420b. In certain embodiments, the bag 400 may include more than one first and/or second handle 420a, 420b; for example, the bag 400 may include three, four, or more handles.

As shown, the first elongate seal 432, or first elongate sealable portion, can be disposed along a width of the bag 400, and the first handle 420a can be disposed at a position between the top bag edge 418 and the first elongate seal 432, or first elongate sealable portion. Likewise, the second elongate seal 434, or second elongate sealable portion, can be disposed along a width of the bag 400, and the second handle 420b can be disposed at a position between the bottom bag edge 419 and the second elongate seal 434, or second elongate sealable portion.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the first and second reinforcement members 440a, 440b can be coupled to an outside surface of the second wall 415. In other embodiments, the first or second reinforcement members 440 can be coupled to inside surfaces of the first or second walls 414, 415. As shown in FIG. 4B, a width and/or a height of the first reinforcement member 440a can be greater than a width and/or a height of the first handle 420a. A width and/or a height of the second reinforcement member 440b can also be greater than a width and/or a height of the second handle 420b.

With reference to FIG. 4A, at least a portion of the first handle 420a may be surrounded by the first handle indicator 450a, and the first handle indicator 450a may be coupled, disposed, or printed on an outside surface of the first wall 414 of the bag 400. Analogously, at least a portion of the second handle 420b may be surrounded by the second handle indicator 450b, and the second handle indicator 450b may be coupled, disposed, or printed on an outside surface of the first wall 414 of the bag 400.

Furthermore, a handle having the shape as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2B may be utilized with the bags 300, 400 of FIGS. 3A-4B, and vice versa. Handles having other shapes and/or sizes may also be used with any of the bags disclosed herein (e.g., bags 100, 200, 300, 400). Handles suitable for use with the bags provided herein are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,232, entitled “BAG WITH TEAR-RESISTANT HANDLE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The reinforcement member may be aligned with the handle indicator. Furthermore, the reinforcement member may be disposed opposite of the handle indicator, for example, along an axis extending through the outside surface of the first wall, the first wall, the inside surface of the first wall, the inside surface of the second wall, the second wall, and the outside surface of the second wall of the bag. Stated another way, the reinforcement member and the handle indicator may not be coupled to or disposed on the same surface of the first or second walls of the bag.

Methods of assembling, forming, or manufacturing a bag are also disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method of forming a bag may include coupling a reinforcement member to a bag material having a first or front wall and a second or rear wall. The bag material may include a tube of material, two sheets of material, or another suitable bag material. The reinforcement member may be coupled to a portion of the second wall of the bag material.

In various embodiments, the method of forming the bag may include forming a handle through each of the first wall, the second wall, and the reinforcement member. For example, the handle or reinforced handle may be formed by cutting a slit through a portion of each of the first wall, the second wall, and the reinforcement member. The method of forming the bag may also include disposing a handle indicator on the first wall at a position surrounding at least a portion of the handle. For example, the handle indicator may be embossed, etched, labeled, or printed on the first wall such that the handle indicator at least partially surrounds the handle.

In certain embodiments, one or more seams may be formed on the bag. For example, the first and second walls of the bag may be coupled to each other by a variety of mechanisms such as a seam. The seam may include a seal, such as a heat seal. In other embodiments, the seals may be formed by an adhesive, sewing, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method. The seals may be configured to close the bag, and the seals may or may not be airtight, liquid-tight, and/or hermetic. In certain other embodiments, the bag may not include the one or more seals or seams.

Any variety of materials may be used to form the bag or the components of the bag. For example, in some instances, it may be desirable to select materials that are relatively stiff such that the bag is sufficiently rigid to hold or maintain its structure or conformation. It may also be desirous to form a bag that is relatively flexible.

In certain embodiments, the bag may be formed from one or more sheets (e.g., a polyolefin sheet), tube stock (e.g., polyethylene tube stock), or another suitable material. In certain embodiments, the tube stock may have a thickness between about 2 mils and about 12 mils, between about 4 mils and about 10 mils, between about 6 mils and 8 mils, or another suitable thickness. The sheet or tube stock may be one or more of a coextruded, monoextruded, single-ply, and/or multi-ply material. For example, a multi-ply material may include multiple thicknesses of the same sheet or tube stock. In another example, a multi-ply material may include different materials to provide particular characteristics, such as, but not limited to, strength, flexibility, UV resistance, and/or color. The sheet or tube stock may also be one or more of a woven, non-woven, synthetic, and/or non-synthetic material.

In some embodiments, the bag may include a single-layer film. In other embodiments, the bag may include a multi-layer film. As used herein, the term “film” refers to the material of which the bag may be formed, and may include both polymeric and paper components as disclosed herein. The term “film” includes laminate, single-layer, and multi-layer polymeric products, and may include a fiber product. The bag may also include a laminate or a coextruded material. Exemplary materials that may be used in forming the bag include polymeric materials such as polyethylene polymers and copolymers, polypropylene polymers and copolymers, polyester polymers and copolymers, and/or polyamide polymers and copolymers. Other materials are also within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the material forming the bag can be chemically treated such as to be grease-resistant. In further embodiments, the bag may include a substantially grease-proof layer.

As can be appreciated, the bag can be shorter or taller than what is depicted in FIGS. 1A-4B. For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of the height of a bag to its width can be less than or greater than what is shown in FIGS. 1A-4B. Other relative configurations are also within the scope of this disclosure.

The bags provided herein may be formed in a variety of sizes and configurations. In some instances, some variations in addition to size may exist between the smaller and larger format bags. For example, in some embodiments, larger format bags may be formed of a stiffer material. The stiffer material may aid in maintaining the bag shape and allowing the bag to stand on its own. The stiffer material also may aid in maintaining the opening in an open state, as a width of the opening can be bigger for the larger format bags. Other alterations are also possible, such as omitting or including various seams or seals and/or, where seams or seals are present, increasing or decreasing a width of each seam or seal.

Any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of one or more of the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “generally.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where such a qualifier is used, the term includes within its scope the qualified word in the absence of the qualifier.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any embodiment requires every feature shown in a particular drawing.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an” are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having” are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Recitation of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.

The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow are also expressly incorporated into the present written description.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

BAGS WITH REINFORCED HANDLES AND RELATED METHODS

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