Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6718738
-
Patent Number
6,718,738
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, May 16, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 13, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 053 412
- 053 413
- 053 459
- 053 572
- 053 1333
- 053 1334
- 053 1392
- 206 554
- 383 9
- 383 200
- 383 201
- 383 204
- 383 207
- 383 209
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A plastic film bag assembly includes a bag having front and back walls joined together and defining an opening leading to a cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall for supporting the bag on a structure. A severance line extends across the header and includes tear sections extending inwardly from each of the header side edges. The severance line also includes support sections adjacent and inwardly of the tear sections. The support sections have a strength per unit length of severance line which is greater than the tear sections strength per unit length of severance line whereby, when severing the bag away from the header, a greater force is required for severing along the severance line support sections than the force required for severing along the tear sections. In use, the bag front wall lip is grasped and pulled away from the header for separating complementary profiles and opening the bag. The header tear sections are severed until reaching the support sections. The bag is retained open by continued pulling on the lip with a force insufficient for severing the support sections. Product is then placed in the bag and the lip is pulled with a sufficiently greater force for severing along the severance line support sections thereby severing the bag away from the header. For use in temporarily storing produce, the bags include a gusset for expansion and holes through the bag front and back walls for allowing air to enter the bag cavity.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to plastic film bags and processes of filling the bags with product. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plastic film bag assembly and process of filling wherein the bag is severable from a header portion in a manner whereby, during severing, the bag is retained open for filling with product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plastic film bags are today commonly and widely used in various applications from temporarily or semi-permanently storing many different products such as, for example, foods, electronic equipment, mechanical components, specimens, etc. Such bags are generally made of a thin film of plastic and range in size and holding capacity. When such bags are individually used for manually placing products or goods therein, it is desirable for such bags to be provided in packs of large quantities and to easily and readily be individually dispensable therefrom. When manually filling, it is also desirable that the bags be temporarily retained open for placing product therein. Bags of this character are particularly useful in vegetable and fruit packaging, delis and manufacturing when the bags are individually filled with product ranging from nuts and bolts to meats, cookies and grapes.
A prior individually fillable and dispensable bag assembly is disclosed in Huseman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,000 wherein plastic film bags include a header portion used for suspending the bags on a support structure. A perforation line extends across the header whereat the bag is selectively detachable from the header. A hole is provided in the header below the perforation for receiving a peg on the support structure. The bags are used by pulling on the front wall lip and opening the bag and causing the header to be severed along the perforation line inwardly from the header side edges. The bag is then supported on the peg while placing product in the bag and, thereafter, the bag is lifted off of the peg and severed along the remaining perforation line for detaching the bag from the header. Additional examples of individually dispensable and fillable bags are shown and disclosed in Roen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,126; Liang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,155; Conrad et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,716; Bruno, U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,561; Huseman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,437; Dinder, U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,244; Lambrecht, U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,607; Meyer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,148; and, Jensen U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,451.
Although the plastic film bag assemblies of the prior art are capable of being individually filled and dispensed, they are not without shortcomings and draw backs. For example, the use of pegs for supporting the bag while filling requires the user to lift the bag in a somewhat precise manner to remove from the peg thereby decreasing efficiency and increasing the filling time. The use of support pegs further requires specific alignment of the holes for placement on the support pegs and, further, the support structure must be constructed with sufficient precision placing the support peg at the proper location for alignment with the bag holes for proper use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to overcome the above discussed disadvantages and drawbacks associated with prior individually fillable and dispensable plastic film bag assemblies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic film bag assembly wherein the bags are selectively individually fillable and dispensable quickly and efficiently and without the use of support pegs.
Briefly, the present invention is directed to a new and improved plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall whereby the bag can be supported on a support structure or the like. A severance line extends across the header portion whereat the bag can be selectively severed from the header portion. Preferably, the severance line extends across and between the header side edges. The severance line includes sides tear sections inwardly from and adjacent each of the side edges, support sections adjacent each of the sides tear sections, and a tear section between the support sections. The severance line support sections have a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear line sections have a second strength per unit length of severance line. The first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length so that, when severing the bag away from the header along the severance line, a greater force is required for severing along the support sections than the force required for severing along the tear sections.
Preferably, complementary detachably attachable zipper profiles are provided on the front and back walls near the bag opening for selectively opening and closing the bag. Additionally, a lip is provided on the front wall whereat the bag can be grasped and pulled away from the header for severing the bag from the header. For storing produce and other items requiring air, preferably the front and/or back walls are provided with a plurality of holes. A gusset is also preferably provided between the front and back walls for allowing expansion of the bag cavity when filling with larger or bulkier products.
The present invention is further directed to a process of placing product in the plastic film bag by grasping the bag front wall and pulling the bag away from the header with a first force sufficient for severing along the tear sections and thereby severing the header inwardly from the side edges and along the severance line tear sections. Thereafter, while the bag is attached to the header at the support sections, product is placed through the bag opening and into the bag cavity. For better and more easy handling, the bag and product are preferably supported on a support structure. The bag front wall is then further pulled away from the header with a second force greater than the first force, thereby severing the header along the severance line support sections. Finally, the bag is yet further pulled with a force sufficient for severing the header along the severance line tear section between the support sections, thereby fully severing the bag from the header.
Preferably, a plurality of plastic film bag assemblies are stacked on top of one another making a pack wherein, as each bag is individually filled and dispensed, another bag is exposed for use therebelow in the next filling and dispensing operation. Preferably, each header is attached to two bags on opposite sides thereof forming a saddle, and the saddles are stacked for making a saddle pack. The saddle pack is preferably supported on an A-frame type support structure allowing filling and dispensing of the bags on both sides thereof. Yet more preferably the saddle packs are supported on a support structure including a shelf for supporting each bag when product is placed therein.
In one form thereof, the present is directed to a plastic film bag assembly comprising a plastic film bag including front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall whereby the bag can be supported. A severance line extends across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion. The severance line includes a bag support section and a tear section. The severance line support section has a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear section has a second strength per unit length of severance line. The first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length. When severing the bag away from the header along the severance line, a greater force is required for severing along the support section than the force required for severing along the tear section.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall. A severance line extends across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion. The severance line includes a bag support section and a tear section. The severance line support section has a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear section has a second strength per unit length of severance line. The first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length. The process includes the steps of grasping the bag front wall and pulling the front wall away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear section, placing product through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to header at the support section, and pulling bag away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and severing the header along the severance line support section and thereby severing the bag from the header.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall. A severance line extends across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion. The header portion includes side edges and the severance line extends therebetween. The severance line includes tear sections adjacent each of the side edges and a support section therebetween. The severance line support section has a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear section has a second strength per unit length of severance line. The first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length. The process includes the steps of grasping the bag front wall and pulling the bag away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear sections. Product is then placed through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to the header at the support section. The bag is then further pulled away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and severing the header along the severance line support section and thereby severing the bag from the header.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity. A header portion extends from the back wall. A severance line extends across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion. The severance line includes side tear sections adjacent each of the side edges, support sections adjacent each of sides tear sections and a tear section between the support sections. The severance line support sections have a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear line sections have a second strength per unit length of severance line. The first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length. The process includes the steps of grasping the bag front wall and pulling the bag away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear sections. Product is then placed through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to the header at the support sections. The bag is then further pulled away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and the header is severed along the severance line support sections. The bag is then further pulled away form the header severing the header along the severance line tear section between the support sections thereby severing the bag from the header.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a saddle pack of plastic film bag assemblies constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and supported on an A frame support structure;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view similar to FIG.
1
and showing a bag front wall lip being grasped for pulling away from the header portion;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view similar to FIG.
1
and showing the plastic film bag after the front wall lip has been pulled away causing the complementary zipper profiles to be separated and the bag opened, and the severance line tear sections extending inwardly from the header side edges having been severed;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view similar to FIG.
1
and showing the bag opened and continuing to be supported by the severance line support sections while filling the bag with product;
FIG. 5
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 1
showing the bag after the front wall lip has been further pulled with a greater force sufficient for severing the header along the severance line support sections and just prior to severing along the severance line tear section between the support sections;
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a plastic film bag after it has been filled and fully severed from its header and the zipper profiles have been re-attached for closing the bag;
FIG. 7
is a perspective view of a plastic film bag assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a cross sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG.
7
and taken along line
8
—
8
;
FIG. 9
is a cross sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG.
8
and taken along
9
—
9
. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings; and,
FIG. 10
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 4
but wherein the bags are supported on a preferred support structure including a shelf; and,
FIG. 11
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 5
but again depicting the bags supported on the preferred support structure and further showing the bag and product placed therein being supported on the support structure shelf before the bag is fully severed away from the header.
The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention in one form thereof and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure or the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to
FIGS. 7 through 9
, a plastic film bag assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral
10
. The plastic film bag assembly
10
includes a bag
12
made up of and including a front wall
14
and a back wall
16
joined together at their lower end
18
, left edge
20
, and right edge
22
. Front and back walls
14
and
16
are joined or attached together by heat sealing or other suitable means or, depending on the manufacturing process, may be integral with one another at one or more of the edges or ends while the other edges or ends may be joined by heat sealing or suitable means. In the preferred embodiment as shown, the front and back walls
14
and
16
are joined at the left and right edges
20
and
22
by heat sealing whereas at the lower end
18
the front and back walls
14
and
16
are integral with one another. Further, a gusset
24
is provided at the bag lower end
18
by folding over sections
26
and
28
which are integral with and located between the front and back walls
14
and
16
, as shown in FIG.
8
. Sections
26
and
28
as shown are integrally formed with the front and back walls
14
and
16
along their horizontal folds whereas, at their side edges, extend to the bag left and right edges
20
and
22
whereat they are heat sealed and joined to the front and back walls
14
and
16
.
Front and back walls
14
and
16
together define a cavity or chamber
30
therebetween whereat various products and things can be placed as desired. The bag cavity
30
is accessible through an opening
32
located generally at the top of the front and back walls
14
and
16
and leading or communicating with the bag cavity
30
. As can be appreciated, when product is placed within the cavity
30
, sections
26
and
28
of gusset
24
will fold out from between the front and back walls
14
and
16
for expanding and effectively enlarging the size of the bag cavity
30
.
Complementary detachably attachable zipper profiles are provided on the front and back walls
14
and
16
as shown and generally designated by the numeral
34
. Zipper profiles
34
are located generally at the bag opening
32
for selectively opening and closing the bag
10
and selectively gaining access to the cavity
30
. Complementary zipper profiles
34
include a male zipper profile
36
located on the inside surface of the front wall
14
and a female zipper profile
38
located on the inside surface of back wall
16
. Male and female zipper profiles
36
and
38
are preferably formed integrally with the front and back walls
14
and
16
. In the alternative, male and female zipper profiles
36
and
38
can be formed separately, and thereafter, adhered or otherwise attached to the inside surfaces of the front and back walls
14
and
16
. Additionally, the location of the zipper profiles can be reversed such that the male zipper profile is located on the inside surface of the back wall
16
and the female zipper profile
38
is located on the inside surface of the front wall
14
. The male and female zipper profiles
36
and
38
are selectively pushed together or separated from one another in a known and customary manner for selective engagement and selective opening and closing of the bag
12
at opening
32
.
At the upper end of the front wall
14
there is provided a lip
40
. Lip
40
is preferably located above the complementary zipper profiles
34
and extends between the left and right side edges
20
and
22
. Lip
40
is further preferably integrally formed with the front wall
14
and, as further discussed hereinbelow, is provided for more easily selectively grasping and severing the bag
12
from the header
42
.
Header
42
is preferably integrally formed with and extends upwardly from the back wall
16
or can be attached thereto. Header
42
preferably extends between the left and right side edges
20
and
22
and is used for supporting the plastic film bag
12
in a manner whereby the bag can be filled and, thereafter, severed therefrom.
As best seen in
FIGS. 1 through 5
, header
42
is preferably provided between two identical bags
12
forming what is commonly known as a saddle. A plurality of saddles are stacked above one another and attached at the header by hot needle heat sealing at holes
44
. A central opening
46
is provided through header
42
and an extension
48
is received therethrough for thereby retaining the pack of bags on the A-frame support structure
50
. Additional holes
52
and
54
can be provided through the header
42
for heat sealing together the plurality of headers and bags and/or receiving retaining extension pegs of other support structures (not shown).
Each of the headers
42
is provided with a severance line generally depicted by numeral
56
and extending across the header
42
from left side edge
20
to right side edge
22
. As more fully described hereinbelow, severance line
56
is provided for selectively severing or detaching the bag
12
from the header
42
.
Severance line
56
preferably includes sides tear sections
58
extending inwardly from each of the left and right side edges
20
and
22
, support sections
60
adjacent each of the sides tear sections
58
and extending further inwardly, and a central tear section
62
between the support sections
60
. As shown, tear sections
58
are preferably a perforated line whereat the severance line
56
can fairly easily be severed. Support sections
60
can be solid sections as shown or, in the alternative, can be perforated with smaller cut through slots for making that section of the severance line substantially more difficult to severe than the tear sections
58
. It is noted that the length of support sections
60
relative to the tear sections
58
as shown in the drawings is merely diagrammatic for ease of description and will be varied in length as may be desired by one skilled in the art depending on the thickness and strength of the plastic film and the relative strength desired between the tear sections
58
and support sections
60
. In this regard, however, it should be noted that the support sections
60
will always be provided with a strength per unit length of severance line which is greater than the strength of the tear sections
58
per unit length of severance line. In this manner, when severing bag
12
from header
42
along the severance line
56
, the force required for severing from each of the side edges
20
and
22
inwardly along the tear sections
58
will be less than the force required for, thereafter, severing along the support sections
60
. Preferably each of the tear sections
58
are provided with a starting cut portion
64
extending inwardly from each of the left and right side edges
20
and
22
for more easily starting the severance process along tear sections
58
when the bag
12
is being detached from the header
42
.
Severance line
56
further preferably includes a central tear section
62
located between the support sections
60
. Central tear section
62
is preferably perforated similar to the sides tear sections
58
thereby making it easier to sever therealong than the support sections
60
. Preferably, central tear section
62
has a strength per unit length of severance line similar to the strength per unit length of the tear sections
58
, although it is contemplated that this central tear section
62
can have a differing strength per unit length so long as it is less than the strength per unit length of the support sections
60
. If is further contemplated that the central tear section
62
can be eliminated altogether and a support section
60
provided across and between the tear sections
58
for proper operation and use of the plastic film bag assembly
10
as described hereinbelow.
In the preferred embodiment as shown, the plastic film bag
12
is intended for temporarily storing produce such as grapes
66
. For this purpose, a plurality of air holes
68
are provided through the front and back walls
14
and
16
thereby allowing air flow to within the bag cavity
30
and any produce that may be contained therein.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 through 6
, the plastic film bag assembly
10
is used for individually placing products such as grapes
66
therein and dispensing or tearing away the bag
12
from the header
42
. Preferably, the plastic bag film assemblies are stacked and supported on a support structure such as the A-frame support structure
50
and with the bag front wall
14
on top or exposed as shown. For placing product in the bag
12
, the operator merely grasps the bag front wall lip
40
and pulls away from the header
42
as shown in FIG.
2
. In this manner, the bag is opened and the header is severed inwardly from each of the left and right side edges
20
and
22
along the tear sections
58
as shown in FIG.
3
. Unless the operator is pulling with the greater force required to sever along the support sections
60
, the header will be severed along the severance line tear sections
58
until the support sections
60
are reached, at which point the bag
12
can be retained open as depicted in
FIG. 4
for placing product such as the grapes
66
therein. It is noted that, preferably, the difference in strength per unit length between the tear sections
58
and support sections
60
is sufficient for the operator to “feel” when the tear sections
58
have been severed and the support sections
60
have been reached. It is further noted that when the bag
12
is provided with complementary zipper profiles as in the preferred embodiment as shown, the zipper profiles which are initially at least partially attached to one another are then further separated for opening the bag sufficiently as, for example, in
FIG. 4
for placing product through the bag opening
32
and into the cavity
30
. Thus, as depicted in
FIGS. 4 and 5
, by continuing to pull on the bag front wall lip
40
with a force insufficient for severing along the support sections
60
the bag
12
is retained open and the grapes
66
are placed within the bag cavity
30
.
After the product such as the grapes
66
are placed within the bag cavity, the operator then further pulls the bag away from the header
42
with a greater force which is sufficient for severing along the support sections
60
. Preferably, the operator merely continues to grasp the front wall lip
40
for pulling and exerts the necessary greater force required for severing along the support sections
60
. In this manner the header
42
is further severed along the severance line support sections
60
as depicted in FIG.
5
. When a central tear section
62
is used as shown, after having severed through the support sections
60
, it becomes easier to fully sever the bag away from the header
42
in view of the smaller force required for severing along the central tear section
62
.
As should now be evident, it is preferred that the support sections
60
are sufficiently apart from one another as shown, rather than merely locating a single support section at the center of the severance line, so that, when opened, the bag opening is larger and wider as shown in
FIG. 4
, rather than elongate as would occur when merely providing a single support section at one location along the severance line such as at the center of the severance line.
Finally, after the bag
12
has been fully severed away from the header
42
the complementary zipper profiles
36
and
38
are re-attached to one another in a known and customary manner for thereby closing the bag opening with the product such as grapes
66
therein as shown in FIG.
6
. Further, by locating the severance line
56
vertically above the front wall lip
40
, after one bag in a pack is severed from its header, another therebelow is exposed with the lip
40
thereof readily accessible for grasping by the operator and repeating the process.
Referring now to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, in a yet more preferred embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a saddle pack of bags
12
are supported on a support structure
70
. Support structure
70
is made of welded wire as shown and includes a shelf
72
located generally below the bags
12
, and further includes positioning pegs
74
adapted to be received through holes
44
in header
42
. Bags
12
are filled and dispensed on the support structure
70
in a fashion similar to that described hereinabove with respect to
FIGS. 1 through 6
. Here, however, after the bag is opened and the header is severed inwardly from each of the left and right side edges
20
and
22
along the tear sections
58
, the bag
12
is retained open as shown in
FIG. 10
for placing product such as the grapes
66
therein. Then, as depicted in
FIG. 11
, because the grapes
66
are relatively heavy the bag and grapes are supported on the shelf
72
. This allows the operator to properly position the grapes
66
or other products as may be needed in the bag cavity
30
and, thus, further aids the operator in better and more easily handling the now filled bag. Thereafter the operator pulls the bag away from header
42
with a greater force sufficient for severing along the support sections
60
and fully severing the bag away from the header
42
.
While this invention has been described as having specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice to the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity, a header portion extending from the back wall, a severance line extending across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion, wherein the severance line includes a bag support section and a tear section, the severance line support section having a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear section having a second strength per unit length of severance line and wherein the first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length, said process comprising:grasping the bag front wall and pulling the front wall away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear section; placing product through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to the header at the support section; and, further pulling the bag away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and severing the header along the severance line support section and thereby severing the bag from the header.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the bag further includes complementary detachably attachable zipper profiles on the front and back walls near the bag opening for selectively opening and closing the bag and wherein the zipper profiles are at least partially attached to one another, said process further comprising, prior to the step of severing along the severance line support section, at least partially separating the complementary zipper profiles from one another.
- 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the bag front wall includes a lip and wherein, during said step of grasping and pulling, the lip is grasped.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein, after placing product in the bag cavity, the bag and product are supported on a support structure.
- 5. A process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity, a header portion extending from the back wall, a severance line extending across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion, wherein the header portion includes side edges and the severance line extends therebetween, the severance line including tear sections adjacent each of the side edges and a support section therebetween, the severance line support section having a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear section having a second strength per unit length of severance line and wherein the first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length, said process comprising:grasping the bag front wall and pulling the bag away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear sections; placing product through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to the header at the support section; and, further pulling the bag away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and severing the header along the severance line support section and thereby severing the bag from the header.
- 6. The process of claim 5 wherein the bag further includes complementary detachably attachable zipper profiles on the front and back walls near the bag opening for selectively opening and closing the bag and wherein the zipper profiles are at least partially attached to one another, said process further comprising, prior to the step of severing along the severance line support section, at least partially separating said complementary zipper profiles from one another.
- 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the bag front wall includes a lip and wherein, during the step of grasping and pulling, the lip is grasped.
- 8. The process of claim 5 wherein, after placing product in the bag cavity, the bag and product are supported on a support structure.
- 9. A process of placing product in a plastic film bag using a plastic film bag assembly including a plastic film bag having front and back walls defining a cavity therebetween and an opening leading to the cavity, a header portion extending from the back wall, a severance line extending across the header portion whereat the bag is selectively severable from the header portion, the severance line including sides tear sections adjacent each of the side edges, support sections adjacent each of the sides tear sections and a tear section between the support sections, the severance line support sections having a first strength per unit length of severance line and the tear line sections having a second strength per unit length of severance line and wherein the first strength per unit length is greater than the second strength per unit length, said process comprising:grasping the bag front wall and pulling the bag away from the header with a first force and severing the header along the severance line tear sections; placing product through the bag opening and in the bag cavity while the bag is attached to the header at the support sections; further pulling the bag away from the header with a second force greater than the first force and severing the header along the severance line support sections; and, further pulling the bag away from the header and severing the header along the severance line tear section between the support sections thereby severing the bag from the header.
- 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the bag further includes complementary detachably attachable zipper profiles on the front and back walls near the bag opening for selectively opening and closing the bag and wherein the zipper profiles are at least partially attached to one another, said process further comprising, prior to the step of severing along the severance line support sections, at least partially separating the complementary zipper profiles from one another.
- 11. The process of claim 10 wherein the bag front wall includes a lip and wherein, during the step of grasping and pulling, said lip is grasped.
- 12. The process of claim 9 wherein, after placing product in the bag cavity, the bag and product are supported on a support structure.
US Referenced Citations (24)