Thermoplastic bags or liners and methods of making the same

Abstract

A bag or liner adapted to collect items comprises first and second thermoplastic body panels, and at least one polymeric structure. The first and second body panels are joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth. The joined first and second body panels form an interior space for collecting items. The at least one structure is a patch, tape or pouch. The at least one structure comprises a first layer being a barrier layer and including an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent. The first layer is attached to the bag or liner via an adhesive, a heat seal or other attaching method such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the bag or liner comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel,    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items, and    at least one structure being a patch, tape or pouch, the at least one structure comprising a first layer being a barrier layer and including an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the first layer being attached to the bag or liner via attaching means such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         2 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is a scented structure.  
     
     
         3 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         4 . The bag or liner of  claim 3 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, metallized polymer or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises foil.  
     
     
         6 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the attaching means is an adhesive or a heat seal.  
     
     
         7 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer further includes a scent enhancing material.  
     
     
         8 . The bag or liner of  claim 7 , wherein the scent-enhancing material is perlite.  
     
     
         9 . The bag or liner of  claim 7 , wherein the scent-enhancing material is silicate, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, microspheres, talc, silicon, polyvinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a second polymeric layer that is a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being adjacent to the first layer.  
     
     
         11 . The bag or liner of  claim 10 , wherein the second polymeric layer includes a release agent.  
     
     
         12 . The bag or liner of  claim 11 , wherein the release agent is a slip additive.  
     
     
         13 . The bag or liner of  claim 10 , wherein the second polymeric layer comprises from about 10 to about 50 wt. % cyclic olefin copolymer.  
     
     
         14 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is attached to at least one surface of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         15 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a peelable cover, the peelable cover adapted to cover at least a portion of the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent.  
     
     
         16 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the patch, tape or pouch is located in a top portion of the bag or liner.  
     
     
         17 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second body panels has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the at least one structure is attached to at least one of the interior surfaces of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         18 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second body panels has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the at least one structure is attached to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         19 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         20 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the bag or liner further includes a fastener adapted to open or close the bag or liner.  
     
     
         21 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second body panels form a handle.  
     
     
         22 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second body panels are sealed along the pair of opposing sides and the bottom.  
     
     
         23 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second body panels are sealed along the pair of opposing sides and the bottom is formed by folding a single thermoplastic sheet upon itself.  
     
     
         24 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second body panels are sealed along one of the pair of the opposing sides and the bottom, and the other of the pair of opposing sides is formed by folding a single thermoplastic sheet upon itself.  
     
     
         25 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         26 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         27 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a release liner.  
     
     
         28 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second thermoplastic body panels comprise polyethylene.  
     
     
         29 . The bag or liner of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one structure is thermoplastic.  
     
     
         30 . A method of making a bag or liner adapted to collect items, comprising: 
 providing a first thermoplastic body panel and a second thermoplastic body panel that have been joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items,    providing at least one structure being a patch, tape or pouch, the at least one polymeric structure comprising a first layer being a barrier layer and including an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent; and    attaching the first layer to the bag or liner via an adhesive or a heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the attaching of the first layer to the bag or liner includes roll feeding the first layer onto the bag or liner.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the attaching of the first layer is to at least one surface of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         33 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the bag or liner comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel,    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items; and    at least one structure being a patch, tape or pouch, the at least one structure comprising a first layer being a barrier layer, and a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the second polymeric layer being adjacent to the first layer, the at least one structure being attached to the bag or liner via attaching means such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         34 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a third polymeric layer, the third polymeric layer being located between the first layer and the second polymeric layer.  
     
     
         35 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure has exactly two layers and the second polymeric layer is directly adjacent to the first layer.  
     
     
         36 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is a scented structure.  
     
     
         37 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first layer comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         38 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, metallized polymer or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         39 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first layer comprises foil.  
     
     
         40 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the attaching means is an adhesive or a heat seal.  
     
     
         41 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the second polymeric layer further comprises a scent-enhancing material.  
     
     
         42 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the second polymeric layer further comprises a release agent.  
     
     
         43 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the second polymeric layer further comprises from about 10 to about 50 wt. % cyclic olefin copolymer.  
     
     
         44 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first layer is attached to at least one surface of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         45 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a peelable cover, the peelable cover adapted to cover at least a portion of the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent.  
     
     
         46 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein each of the first and second body panels has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the at least one structure is attached to at least one of the interior surfaces of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         47 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein each of the first and second body panels has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the at least one structure is attached to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         48 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         49 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the bag or liner further includes a fastener adapted to open or close the bag or liner.  
     
     
         50 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first and second thermoplastic body panels comprise polyethylene.  
     
     
         51 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the first and second body panels form a handle.  
     
     
         52 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         53 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         54 . The bag or liner of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one structure further includes a release liner.  
     
     
         55 . A method of making a bag or liner adapted to collect items, comprising: 
 providing a first thermoplastic body panel and a second thermoplastic body panel that have been joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items,    providing at least one structure being a patch, tape or pouch, the at least one structure comprising a first layer being a barrier layer, and a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the second polymeric layer being adjacent to the first layer; and    attaching the first layer to the bag or liner via an adhesive or a heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         56 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the bag or liner comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel,    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items, and    at least one polymeric structure being a patch, tape or pouch and comprising three polymeric layers, the at least one structure comprising a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a third polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being located between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer, the at least one polymeric structure being attached to the bag or liner via an adhesive or a heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         57 . The bag or liner of  claim 56  further comprising a fourth polymeric layer that is located between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer.  
     
     
         58 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is a scented structure.  
     
     
         59 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         60 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the third polymeric layer includes a release agent.  
     
     
         61 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the third polymeric layer comprises from about 10 to about 50 wt. % cyclic olefin copolymer.  
     
     
         62 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure further includes a peelable cover, the peelable cover adapted to cover at least a portion of the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent.  
     
     
         63 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         64 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         65 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         66 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure further includes a release liner.  
     
     
         67 . The bag or liner of  claim 56 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is attached to at least one of the first and second body panels.  
     
     
         68 . A method of making a bag or liner adapted to collect items, comprising: 
 providing a first thermoplastic body panel and a second thermoplastic body panel that have been joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items,    providing at least one polymeric structure being a patch, tape or pouch, the at least one polymeric structure comprising a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a third polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being located between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer; and    attaching the first polymeric layer to the bag or liner via an adhesive or a heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         69 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the article comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel;    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items;    a first polymeric-structure portion comprising two layers and being a patch, tape or pouch, the first polymeric-structure portion comprising a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, and a second polymeric layer being a permeable layer and including an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the second polymeric layer being adjacent to the first polymeric layer, the first polymeric layer being attached to the bag or liner via an adhesive or heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space; and    a second polymeric-structure portion comprising two layers and being a patch, tape or pouch, the second polymeric-structure portion comprising a third polymeric layer being a barrier layer, and a fourth polymeric layer being a permeable layer and including an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the fourth polymeric layer being adjacent to the third polymeric layer,    wherein the second polymeric layer is heat sealed at selected locations to the fourth polymeric layer such that the respective odor-masking is adapted to enter the interior space of the bag or liner therebetween.    
     
     
         70 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is a scented structure.  
     
     
         71 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         72 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the fourth polymeric layer includes a release agent.  
     
     
         73 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         74 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         75 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         76 . The bag or liner of  claim 69 , wherein the first polymeric layer is attached to at least one surface of the body panels.  
     
     
         77 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the article comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel;    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items,    a first polymeric-structure portion comprising three layers and being a patch, tape or pouch, the first polymeric-structure portion comprising a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a third polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being located between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer, the first polymeric layer being attached to the bag or liner via an adhesive or heat seal such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is in communication with the interior space, and    a second polymeric-structure portion comprising three layers and being a patch, tape or pouch, the second polymeric-structure portion comprising a fourth polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a fifth polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a sixth polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the fifth polymeric layer being located between the fourth polymeric layer and the sixth polymeric layer,    wherein the third polymeric layer is heat sealed at selected locations to the sixth polymeric layer such that the respective odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent of the second polymeric layer and the fifth polymeric layer is adapted to enter the interior space of the bag or liner between the third polymeric layer and the sixth polymeric layer.    
     
     
         78 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent is a scented structure.  
     
     
         79 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         80 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the fourth polymeric layer includes a release agent.  
     
     
         81 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         82 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         83 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         84 . The bag or liner of  claim 77 , wherein the first polymeric layer is attached to at least one surface of the body panels.  
     
     
         85 . A method of providing a patch, tape or pouch to be attached to a surface of a bag or liner, comprising: 
 providing a bag or liner with an interior space formed by first and second thermoplastic body panels;    extruding a blown film that comprises two layers, the first polymeric layer being a barrier layer and the second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer being adjacent to each other;    extruding the blown film through a die to form a tube;    inflating the blown film tube,    collapsing the blown film tube so as to form a four layer structure that comprises the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer, a third polymeric layer being a barrier layer, and a fourth polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent;    weakly heat sealing selected portions of the second and fourth polymeric layers of the structure after collapsing the blown film tube;    severing film at a selected width and length to form a patch, tape or pouch;    attaching the first polymeric layer to the first body panel such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent of the second polymeric layer is in communication with the interior space upon opening of the bag or liner; and    attaching the third polymeric layer to the second body panel such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent of the fourth polymeric layer is in communication with the interior space upon opening of the bag or liner.    
     
     
         86 . A method of providing a patch, tape or pouch to be attached to a surface of a bag or liner comprising: 
 providing a bag or liner with an interior space formed by first and second thermoplastic body panels;    extruding a blown film that comprises three layers, a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a second polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a third polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being located between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer;    extruding the blown film through a die to form a tube;    inflating the blown film tube;    collapsing the blown film tube so as to form a six layer structure that comprises the first polymeric layer, the second polymeric layer, the third polymeric layer, a fourth polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a fifth polymeric layer comprising an odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent, and a sixth polymeric layer being a permeable layer;    weakly heat sealing selected portions of the third and sixth polymeric layers of the structure after collapsing the blown film tube;    severing film at a selected width and length to form a patch, tape or pouch;    attaching the first polymeric layer to the first body panel such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent of the second polymeric layer is in communication with the interior space upon opening of the bag or liner; and    attaching the sixth polymeric layer to the second body panel such that the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent of the fifth polymeric layer is in communication with the interior space upon opening of the bag or liner.    
     
     
         87 . A bag or liner adapted to collect items, the bag or liner comprising: 
 a first thermoplastic body panel;    a second thermoplastic body panel, the first and second body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to form an open mouth, the joined first and second body panels forming an interior space for collecting items; and    at least one polymeric structure being a patch, tape or pouch and comprising three polymeric layers, the at least one structure comprising a first polymeric layer being a barrier layer, a second polymeric layer comprising an anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, plant-respiratory regulator or combinations thereof, and a third polymeric layer being a permeable layer, the second polymeric layer being located between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer, the at least one polymeric structure being attached to the bag or liner via an adhesive or a heat seal such that the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, plant-respiratory regulator or combinations thereof agent is in communication with the interior space.    
     
     
         88 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the first polymeric layer comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, cyclic olefin copolymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         89 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the third polymeric layer includes a release agent.  
     
     
         90 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the third polymeric layer comprises from about 10 to about 50 wt. % cyclic olefin copolymer.  
     
     
         91 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure further includes a peelable cover, the peelable cover adapted to cover at least a portion of the odor-masking and/or neutralizing agent.  
     
     
         92 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the thickness of the bag or liner is from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mils.  
     
     
         93 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a tape or a patch.  
     
     
         94 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is a pouch.  
     
     
         95 . The bag or liner of  claim 87 , wherein the at least one polymeric structure is attached to at least one of the first and second body panels.