Bag handle with improved grip

Abstract

A handle for fixing to a plastic bag includes a base configured to be fixed to the plastic bag. The handle includes a panel integrally formed with and extending away from the base, the panel having at least one opening. The handle further includes a first grip member having a length that spans across the at least one opening. The handle further includes a second grip member parallel to the first grip member and having a length that spans across the at least one opening. The first grip member and the second grip member are spaced apart.

1 . A handle for fixing to a plastic bag, the handle comprising:
 a base configured to be fixed to the plastic bag;   a panel integrally formed with and extending away from the base, the panel having at least one opening;   a first grip member having a length that spans across the at least one opening; and   a second grip member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first grip member and having a length that spans across the at least one opening.   
     
     
         2 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the base is elongated and the length of the base defines a horizontal axis for the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The handle of  claim 2 , wherein the panel extends away from the base to define a vertical axis for the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the first grip member and the second grip member are spaced apart along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         5 . The handle of  claim 4 , wherein the second grip member is below the first grip member relative to the vertical axis. 
     
     
         6 . The handle of  claim 5 , wherein the second grip member comprises a curved underside portion and wherein the axis of the curved underside portion is parallel with the horizontal axis for the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The handle of  claim 6 , wherein the length of the first grip member and the length of the second grip member are parallel to the horizontal axis for the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The handle of  claim 7 , wherein the panel is parallel to the two dimensional plane formed by the vertical axis for the handle and the horizontal axis for the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The handle of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a support extending vertically from the base to the second grip member and dividing the at least one opening into at least two openings.   
     
     
         10 . The handle of  claim 9 , wherein the panel includes at least one pocket of material that is less thick than the panel surrounding the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The handle of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is plastic and made from a blend of low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The handle of  claim 11 , wherein the base, the panel, the first grip member and the second grip member are integrally formed from the plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The handle of  claim 12 , wherein the base includes at least two flaps configured to close around material of the bag and to be sonic welded to the material of the bag. 
     
     
         14 . A bag for carrying granular material comprising:
 a bag portion having a top seam;   a handle base fixed to the top seam; and   a handle grip coupled to the handle base and comprising a first beam defining a top of the handle and a second beam below and spaced apart from the first beam such that when the handle grip is gripped by a hand and the bag lifted, the second beam receives the majority of the upward force from the hand's fingers.   
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 14 , wherein the bag portion is at least one of plastic and aluminum foil and is configured to support greater than forty pounds of granular material. 
     
     
         16 . The bag of  claim 15 , wherein the handle base is elongated and extends parallel to the top seam of the bag portion. 
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the first beam and the second beam are elongated and extend parallel to the top seam and the handle base. 
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein the space between the first beam and the second beam forms at least one elongated opening having a length that extends parallel to the first beam and second beam. 
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claim 18 , wherein the handle grip is coupled to the handle base by a panel having at least one area that is of reduced thickness relative to panel material surrounding the area. 
     
     
         20 . A handle for a bag, comprising:
 an elongated grip comprising a first elongated grip member and a second elongated grip member having lengths that extend parallel to the length of the grip; and   a handle body integrally formed with the elongated grip that holds the first elongated grip member above the second elongated grip member such that a void exists between the first elongated grip member and the second elongated grip member.