Easy-open handle bag for medium to heavy duty applications

Abstract

A bag for carrying medium to heavy loads comprising a body formed from a flexible thermoplastic film, such that the body comprises a first panel and an opposing second panel, a receptacle cavity formed the first and second panels, an integral handle opening, and an easy-open feature which extends longitudinally from a top seal to an opposing bottom seal and positioned adjacent to a first side seal of the body. The easy-open feature comprises at least one of (i) at least one line of structural weakness in the thermoplastic film, (ii) a reclosable fastener adhered to the thermoplastic film, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii).

1 . A flexible bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications comprising: 
 (a) a body formed from a thermoplastic film which has an inner surface and an outer surface relative to said bag, wherein said body comprises: 
 (i) a first panel;  
 (ii) a second panel opposite said first panel;  
 (iii) wherein said first panel and said second panel each have a perimeter having a first peripheral side edge and an opposing second peripheral side edge, connected by a peripheral top edge, and an opposing peripheral bottom edge;  
   (b) a plurality of seals which joins said first panel to said second panel, wherein said plurality of seals comprises at least a first side seal, a first top seal and an opposing bottom seal, wherein said plurality of seals are connected to form a seal perimeter between said first panel and said second panel;    (c) a receptacle cavity formed between said front panel and said rear panel and delimited by said seal perimeter;    (d) an integral handle opening which extends transversely across said bag from said first peripheral side edge to said opposing second peripheral side edge of said perimeter of both said first panel or said panel; and    (e) an easy-open feature which extends longitudinally from said first top seal to said opposing bottom seal in either of said first panel or said second panel and is positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral side edges of either said first panel or said second panel; wherein said easy-open feature comprises at least one of: 
 (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said thermoplastic film,  
 (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said thermoplastic film,  
 (iii) a combination of (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said thermoplastic film and (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said thermoplastic film.  
   
   
   
       2 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film has an unrestrained linear thermal shrinkage in both the machine direction and transverse direction of between 0-10% at 85° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D-2732-96.  
   
   
       3 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film has a minimum tensile strength at break in the machine direction of at least 3000 psi (2×10 7  N/m 2 ) as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882.  
   
   
       4 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film has a maximum elongation at break in the machine direction of between 0-150% as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882.  
   
   
       5 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film has a total thickness of between 2.0-7.0 mils (0.005-0.018 cm).  
   
   
       6 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic film is a multilayer thermoplastic film.  
   
   
       7 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 6 , wherein said multilayer thermoplastic film comprises at least: 
 (a) a first polymer layer;    (b) a second polymer layer;    (c) a third polymer layer; and    (d) wherein said second polymer layer is positioned between said first polymer layer and said third polymer layer.    
   
   
       8 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 7 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polyolefin and blends thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 8 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester terephthalate, polyamide, polypropylene and blends thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 9 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises either a biaxially-oriented polyester terephthalate or a biaxially-oriented polyamide.  
   
   
       11 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 7 , wherein said second polymer layer comprises an adhesive material.  
   
   
       12 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 7 , wherein said third polymer layer comprises of a sealant material.  
   
   
       13 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of seals further comprises a second top seal which is parallel to said first top seal and positioned below said integral handle opening.  
   
   
       14 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of seals further comprises a second side seal opposite said first side seal.  
   
   
       15 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises: 
 (a) a first side gusset; and    (b) a second side gusset opposite said first side gusset.    
   
   
       16 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said bag further comprises a tear-initiation feature.  
   
   
       17 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said reclosable fastener comprises a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member.  
   
   
       18 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 17 , wherein said first interlocking member and second interlocking member each have an attachment flange.  
   
   
       19 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said reclosable fastener further comprises a slider device.  
   
   
       20 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said integral handle opening is formed in a reinforced portion of both said first panel and second panel.  
   
   
       21 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 1 , wherein said bag further comprises at least one removable thermoplastic inner package disposed within and separate from said bag.  
   
   
       22 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one removable thermoplastic inner package comprises a freezer storage package.  
   
   
       23 . A flexible bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications comprising: 
 (a) a body formed from a multilayer thermoplastic film which has an inner surface and an outer surface relative to said bag, wherein said body comprises: 
 (i) a first panel;  
 (ii) a second panel opposing said first panel;  
 (iii) wherein said first panel and said second panel each have a perimeter having a first peripheral side edge and an opposing second peripheral side edge, connected by a peripheral top edge, and an opposing peripheral bottom edge;  
   (b) a plurality of seals which joins said first panel to said second panel, wherein said plurality of seals comprises at least a first side seal, a first top seal, and an opposing bottom seal, wherein said plurality of seals are connected to form a seal perimeter between said first panel and said second panel;    (c) a receptacle cavity formed between said front panel and said rear panel and delimited by said seal perimeter;    (d) an integral handle opening which extends transversely across said bag from said first peripheral side edge to said opposing second peripheral side edge of said perimeter of both said first panel and said second panel;    (e) an easy-open feature which extends longitudinally from said first top seal to said opposing bottom seal in either said first panel or said second panel and is positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral side edges of either said first panel or said second panel, wherein said easy-open feature comprises at least one of: 
 (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film,  
 (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film,  
 (iii) a combination of (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film and (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film; and  
   (f) wherein said multilayer thermoplastic film has a minimum tensile strength at break in the machine direction of at least 3000 psi (2×10 7  N/m 2 ) as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882 and comprises: 
 (i) a first polymer layer of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polyolefin and blends thereof;  
 (ii) a second polymer layer of an adhesive material;  
 (iii) a third polymer layer of a sealant material; and  
 (iv) wherein said second polymer layer is positioned between said first polymer layer and said third polymer layer.  
   
   
   
       24 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said thermoplastic film has a maximum elongation at break in the machine direction of between 0-150% as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882.  
   
   
       25 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said multilayer thermoplastic film has an unrestrained linear thermal shrinkage in both the machine direction and transverse direction of between 0-10% at 85° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D-2732-96.  
   
   
       26 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester terephthalate, polyamide, polypropylene and blends thereof.  
   
   
       27 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 26 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises either a biaxially-oriented polyester terephthalate or a biaxially-oriented polyamide.  
   
   
       28 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said second polymer layer comprises an adhesive material.  
   
   
       29 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said third polymer layer comprises of a sealant material.  
   
   
       30 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of seals further comprises a second top seal which is parallel to said first top seal and positioned below said integral handle opening.  
   
   
       31 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of seals further comprises a second side seal opposite said first side seal.  
   
   
       32 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said bag further comprises a tear-initiation feature.  
   
   
       33 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said reclosable fastener comprises a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member.  
   
   
       34 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 33 , wherein said first interlocking member and second interlocking member each have an attachment flange.  
   
   
       35 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said reclosable fastener further comprises a slider device.  
   
   
       36 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said integral handle opening is formed in a reinforced portion of both said first panel and second panel.  
   
   
       37 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said bag further comprises at least one removable thermoplastic inner package disposed within and separate from said bag.  
   
   
       38 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 37 , wherein said at least one removable thermoplastic inner package comprises a freezer storage package.  
   
   
       39 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 23 , wherein said body further comprises: 
 (a) a first side gusset; and    (b) a second side gusset opposite said first side gusset.    
   
   
       40 . A flexible bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications comprising: 
 (a) a body formed from a multilayer thermoplastic film which has an inner surface and an outer surface relative to said bag, wherein said body comprises: 
 (i) a first panel;  
 (ii) a second panel opposing said first panel;  
 (iii) wherein said first panel and said second panel each have a perimeter having a first peripheral side edge and an opposing second peripheral side edge, connected by a peripheral top edge, and an opposing peripheral bottom edge;  
 (iv) a first side gusset;  
 (v) a second side gusset opposite said first side gusset;  
   (b) a plurality of seals which joins said first panel to said second panel, wherein said plurality of seals comprises at least a first side seal, a top seal, and an opposing bottom seal, wherein said plurality of seals are connected to form a seal perimeter between said first panel and said second panel;    (c) a receptacle cavity formed between said front panel and said rear panel and delimited by said seal perimeter;    (d) an integral handle opening which extends transversely across said bag from said first peripheral side edge to said opposing second peripheral side edge of said perimeter of both said first panel and said second panel;    (e) an easy-open feature which extends longitudinally from said first top seal to said opposing bottom seal in either said first panel or said second panel and is positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral side edges of either said first panel or said second panel, wherein said easy-open feature comprises at least one of: 
 (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film,  
 (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film,  
 (iii) a combination of (i) at least one line of structural weakness in either said inner surface or said outer surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film and (ii) a reclosable fastener affixed to said inner surface of said multilayer thermoplastic film; and  
   (f) wherein said multilayer thermoplastic film has a minimum tensile strength at Break in the machine direction of at least 3000 psi (2×10 7  N/m 2 ) as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882 and comprises: 
 (i) a first polymer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester terephthalate, polyamide, polypropylene and blends thereof;  
 (ii) a second polymer layer of an adhesive material;  
 (iii) a third polymer layer of a sealant material; and  
 (iv) wherein said second polymer layer is positioned between said first polymer layer and said third polymer layer.  
   
   
   
       41 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said thermoplastic film has a maximum elongation at break in the machine direction of between 0-150% as measured at a rate of 12 inch/min. (30.5 cm/min.) in accordance with ASTM D-882.  
   
   
       42 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said multilayer thermoplastic film has an unrestrained linear thermal shrinkage in both the machine direction and transverse direction of between 0-10% at 85° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D-2732-96.  
   
   
       43 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of seals further comprises a second top seal which is parallel to said first top seal and positioned below said integral handle opening.  
   
   
       44 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said first polymer layer comprises either a biaxially-oriented polyester terephthalate or a biaxially-oriented polyamide.  
   
   
       45 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said bag further comprises a tear-initiation feature.  
   
   
       46 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said reclosable fastener comprises a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member.  
   
   
       47 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 46 , wherein said first interlocking member and second interlocking member each have an attachment flange.  
   
   
       48 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said reclosable fastener further comprises a slider device.  
   
   
       49 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said integral handle opening is formed in a reinforced portion of both said first panel and second panel.  
   
   
       50 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 40 , wherein said bag further comprises at least one removable thermoplastic inner package disposed within and separate from said bag.  
   
   
       51 . A flexible thermoplastic bag for medium to heavy duty packaging applications according to  claim 50 , wherein said at least one removable thermoplastic inner package comprises a freezer storage package.