Package with folded handle and method for making same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a package with a folded handle and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention includes a package including a front panel joined at respective opposite side edges to a rear panel to form a package having an interior and an exterior. The package has a folded handle formed by folding a plurality of marginal portions of the package in the direction of the front panel and joining at least one of the marginal portions to the front panel substantially along a seam extending transversely across the package, though not along at least one non-joined portion provided along the seam. The non-joined portion or portions of the seam provide access to at least one pocket defined by the at least one marginal portion and the front panel. The pocket or pockets can receive a user's hand or hands so that the user can grip the package.

1 . A package comprising:
 a front panel and a rear panel joined at respective opposite side edges thereof to said front panel to form a package having an exterior; and   a folded handle comprising a plurality of marginal portions of said package folded in the direction of said front panel, wherein at least one of said plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel substantially along a seam extending transversely across said package, and at least one non-joined portion provided along said seam provides access to at least one pocket defined by said at least one of said plurality of marginal portions and said front panel, whereby a hand may be inserted in said at least one pocket in order to grip said package.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel by at least one of an adhesive, a binder, a heat seal, a cold seal, a stitch, and a fastener. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel by a non-continuous bead of a glue. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one non-joined portion has a length of from about 3-6 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein each marginal portion of said plurality of marginal portions has a width of from about 0.5-2 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein there is provided one non-joined portion of said seam centered substantially between said opposite side edges. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said package comprises a composite bag including a woven mesh tube, a layer of polylaminate on both sides of said tube, and a layer of solid plastic film adhered to both sides of said tube. 
   
   
       8 . A package comprising:
 a front panel and a rear panel joined at respective opposite side edges thereof to said front panel to form a package having an exterior, wherein a top edge of said joined front and rear panels defines an opening; and   a folded handle comprising a plurality of marginal portions including a first marginal portion adjacent to said top edge, wherein said first marginal portion is folded in the direction of said front panel along a first crease to seal said opening, and each marginal portion of said plurality of marginal portions is folded in the direction of said front panel such that at least one of said plurality of marginal portions faces said front panel and is joined to said front panel substantially along a seam extending transversely across said package, wherein provided along said seam is at least one non-joined portion where said at least one of said plurality of marginal portions is not joined to said front panel, and said at least one non-joined portion provides access to at least one pocket defined by said at least one of said plurality of marginal portions and said front panel, whereby a hand may be inserted in said pocket in order to grip said package.   
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said first marginal portion is joined to said front panel substantially along said seam. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein a width of said seam is substantially less than a width of said first marginal portion and said seam is provided substantially adjacent to said first crease. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein said first marginal portion is joined to said front panel by joining means. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein said first marginal portion is joined to said front panel by a non-continuous bead of a glue. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein there is provided one non-joined portion of said seam providing access to only one pocket and said non-joined portion and said pocket are centered substantially between said opposite side edges. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said package comprises: (a) a layer of polymeric solid film and (b) a layer of polymeric mesh woven fabric, wherein a tie resin material added during manufacture of said package adheres (a) to (b) 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein said package comprises at least one first layer of polymeric solid film adhered to a layer of polymeric mesh woven fabric via a tie resin material and at least one second layer of polymeric solid film adhered to said layer of polymeric mesh woven fabric via said tie resin material. 
   
   
       16 . A method for manufacturing a package which comprises:
 (a) providing a packaging substrate including a front panel, a rear panel and a top edge defining an opening;   (b) folding at least one first marginal portion of said rear panel in the direction of said front panel so as to seal said opening;   (c) folding a second marginal portion of said rear panel in the direction of said front panel; and   (d) joining said at least one first marginal portion to said front panel substantially along a seam extending transversely across said package, while not along at least one non-joined portion provided along said seam.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one first marginal portion is joined to said front panel by applying joining means to said front panel. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one first marginal portion is joined to said front panel by applying joining means to said at least one first marginal portion. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising applying pressure over said second marginal portion to secure the joining of said at least one first marginal portion to said front panel. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein (d) comprises applying a glue to at least one of said at least one first marginal portion and said front panel via a programmable glue nozzle machine.