Paired bags and method of making same

Abstract

A set of bags comprises a first lay-flat bag and a second lay-flat bag joined along their respective lengths. An end seal extending across both the first bag and the second bag. The first bag has a first side seal extending the length of the first bag, and the second bag has a second side-seal extending the length of the second bag. The first bag is connected with the second bag in an area between the first side-seal and the second side-sea. Both the first bag and the second bag having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent and a transverse free shrink at 185° F. which is greater than a longitudinal free shrink at 185° F.

1 . A set of bags made from a film, the set of bags comprising a first lay-flat bag and a second lay-flat bag joined along their respective lengths, an end seal extending across both the first bag and the second bag, the first bag having a first side seal extending the length of the first bag, and the second bag having a second side-seal extending the length of the second bag, with the first bag being connected with the second bag in an area between the first side-seal and the second side-seal, with both the first bag and the second bag having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent and a transverse free shrink at 185° F. which is greater than a longitudinal free shrink at 185° F.  
   
   
       2 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the set of bags has a first outer side edge and a second outer side edge, and at least one of the first outer side edge and the second outer side edge is a folded edge.  
   
   
       3 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the film has a total free shrink, at 185° F., of at least 15 percent.  
   
   
       4 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the end-seal, the first side-seal, and the second side-seal are heat seals.  
   
   
       5 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the end seal, the first side-seal, and the second side-seal are each a seal of an inside surface of a seamless tubing to itself.  
   
   
       6 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , further comprising a line of weakness between the first bag and the second bag, the line of weakness being between the first side seal and the second side seal.  
   
   
       7 . The set of bags according to  claim 6 , wherein the line of weakness between the first bag and the second bag comprises perforations.  
   
   
       8 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein a patch is adhered to at least one member selected from the group consisting of the first bag and the second bag.  
   
   
       9 . The set of bags according to  claim 8 , wherein the first bag has a first patch adhered thereto, and the second bag has a second patch adhered thereto.  
   
   
       10 . The set of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein the first bag and the second bag are both made from a film having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 15 percent, and the first patch and the second patch are made from a film having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 15 percent.  
   
   
       11 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third bag between the first bag and the second bag, the third bag having two side seals and an end seal.  
   
   
       12 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the set is a pair of bags.  
   
   
       13 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein the film is a multilayer film comprising a first outer film layer, a second outer film layer, and an inner O 2 -barrier layer comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate copolymer, vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide, and polyethylene carbonate.  
   
   
       14 . The set of bags according to  claim 13 , wherein the multilayer film further comprises a fourth layer which serves as a tie layer between the barrier layer and the first outer film layer, and a fifth layer which serves as a tie layer between the barrier layer and the second outer layer.  
   
   
       15 . The set of bags according to  claim 1 , wherein both the first bag and the second bag have printing thereon.  
   
   
       16 . A plurality of sets of bags, comprising: 
 (A) a first set of bags comprising a first bag and a second bag joined along their respective lengths, the first pair of bags having a first end-seal extending across both the first bag and the second bag, the first bag having a first side-seal extending the length of the first bag, and the second bag having a second side-seal extending the length of the second bag, the first bag being connected with the second bag in an area between the first side-seal and the second side seal,    (B) a second set of bags comprising a third bag and a fourth bag, the second set of bags having a second end-seal extending across both the third bag and the fourth bag, the third bag having a third side-seal extending the length of the third bag and the fourth bag having a fourth side seal extending the length of the fourth bag, the third bag being connected with the fourth bag in an area between the third side-seal and the fourth side seal; and    wherein the second set of bags is joined to the first set of bags in an area below the first end seal.    
   
   
       17 . The plurality of sets of bags according to  claim 16 , wherein the second set of bags is joined to the first set of bags along a transverse line of weakness.  
   
   
       18 . The plurality of sets of bags according to  claim 17 , wherein the line of weakness between the first set of bags and the second set of bags comprises perforations.  
   
   
       19 . The plurality of sets of bags according to  claim 16 , further comprising a third set of bags which is joined to the second set of bags below the second end seal, and a fourth set of bags joined to the third set of bags below a third end seal, with the plurality of sets of bags being a portion of a strand of sets of bags, the strand being of indeterminate length.  
   
   
       20 . A set of bags made from a film, the set of bags comprising a first lay=flat bag and a second lay-flat bag joined along their respective lengths, an end seal extending across both the first bag and the second bag, with the first bag connecting with the second bag at a heat seal between the first bag and the second bag, the heat seal extending the length of the first bag and the second bag, with both the first bag and the second bag having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent and a transverse free shrink at 185° F. which is greater than a longitudinal free shrink at 185° F.  
   
   
       21 . A process for converting a lay-flat film tubing to a plurality of sets of bags, comprising: 
 A. making a plurality of transverse seals across the lay-flat film tubing, the transverse seals being spaced apart from one another by a distance corresponding with the length of each of the sets bags, each of the transverse seals providing an end-seal across a bottom of each bag of each of the sets of bags;    B. making first and second longitudinal seals along the length of the lay-flat film tubing, the longitudinal seals providing a seal along an interior side edge of each of the sets of bags;    wherein the bags of each set of bags have a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent and a transverse free shrink at 185° F. which is greater than a longitudinal free shrink at 185° F.    
   
   
       22 . The process according to  claim 21 , wherein the lay-flat film tubing is a seamless tubing, and after forming a set of bags from the lay-flat tubing by making the transverse and longitudinal seals, the set of bags is separated from a remainder of the lay-flat tubing.  
   
   
       23 . The process according to claims  22 , further comprising making a transverse line of weakness below each of the transverse seals.  
   
   
       24 . The process according to  claim 23 , further comprising making a longitudinal line of weakness between the first and second longitudinal seals.  
   
   
       25 . A process for converting a flat film tubing to a plurality of sets of bags, comprising: 
 A. center folding the flat film along its length, to form a centerfolded film;    B. making a plurality of transverse seals across the centerfolded film, the seals being spaced apart from one another by a distance corresponding with the length of the sets of bags, each of the transverse seals serving as end-seals across the bottom of each of the sets of bags;    C. making first, second, and third longitudinal seals along the length of the centerfolded film, the first longitudinal seal providing a seal along and second longitudinal seals providing a seal along an interior side edge of each of the bags sets of bags.