Bags with tear lines

Abstract

Bags including tear lines are provided. The tear lines may include a series of perforations having alternating cut and uncut segments. The tear lines may also include two or more portions. The portions of the tear lines may have different shapes and/or characteristics. In some instances, the tear strength of a portion of the tear line disposed in a flap region is lower than the tear strength of a portion disposed in a body region of the bag.

1 . A bag, comprising:
 a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first and second walls cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity;   a flap comprising a handle; and   a tear line, wherein the tear line comprises:
 a series of perforations disposed through a portion of the first and second walls; 
 a first portion extending at least partially along the flap; and 
 a second portion extending at least partially along a body of the bag; 
 wherein the first portion of the tear line comprises a tear strength that is less than a tear strength of the second portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an intermediate seal disposed along a width of the bag, wherein the flap is disposed between the intermediate seal and a top bag end.   
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 2 , wherein the material forming the top flap is folded over on itself. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the tear line is substantially linear, and wherein the second portion of the tear line is curved. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the tear line is disposed substantially perpendicular to the top bag end. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an aperture disposed through the first and second walls, wherein the aperture is positioned along a length of the first portion of the tear line. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the series of perforations comprise a plurality of alternating cut segments and uncut segments, and wherein a ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the first portion is greater than a ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the first portion is between about 90% cut segments to 10% uncut segments and 30% cut segments to 70% uncut segments, and wherein the ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the second portion is between about between 70% cut segments to 30% uncut segments and 30% cut segments to 70% uncut segments. 
     
     
         9 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein the cut segments of the first portion are longer than the cut segments of the second portion. 
     
     
         10 . The bag of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the cut segments of the tear line are disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tear line. 
     
     
         11 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an upper seal, wherein at least a portion of the upper seal is cut. 
     
     
         12 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate seal, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate seal is cut. 
     
     
         13 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gusset extending from a first lateral side of the first wall to a first lateral side of the second wall, wherein a portion of the tear line is disposed through the gusset.   
     
     
         14 . The bag of  claim 13 , wherein removal of the removable portion is configured to displace a portion of the gusset laterally away from a midline of the bag to form a portion of a spout. 
     
     
         15 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive member removably coupled to a surface of the bag, the adhesive member disposed over a portion of the tear line, wherein the adhesive member is configured to inhibit tearing of the bag at the tear line. 
     
     
         16 . A bag, comprising:
 a first wall, a second wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall cooperate to define at least a portion of a cavity;   a flap comprising a handle; and   a tear line, wherein the tear line comprises:
 a series of perforations disposed through a portion of the first and second walls; 
 a first portion extending at least partially along the flap; and 
 a second portion extending at least partially along a body of the bag; 
 wherein the series of perforations comprise a plurality of alternating cut segments and uncut segments, and wherein a ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the first portion is greater than a ratio of cut segments to uncut segments in the second portion. 
   
     
     
         17 . The bag of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an intermediate seal disposed along a width of the bag, wherein the flap is disposed between the intermediate seal and a top bag end.   
     
     
         18 . The bag of  claim 17 , wherein part of the first portion of the tear line extends below and substantially parallel to an upper seal, and wherein the second portion extends along a curve below the intermediate seal. 
     
     
         19 . The bag of  claims 16 , wherein the first portion of the tear line comprises a tear strength that is less than the tear strength of the second portion. 
     
     
         20 . The bag of  claim 16 , wherein the cut segments of the first portion are longer than the cut segments of the second portion.