Reusable tamper-evident bag

Abstract

In variations of embodiments, a tamper-evident bag includes multiple side walls, a closed bottom, and an opening defined by a top edge of the multiple side walls; a handle feature is disposed on two side walls; a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is disposed proximate to the top edge of a first side wall; and/or a perforation line of uniform height is disposed in the multiple side walls above the handle feature and below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. In variations of embodiments, methods for using and manufacturing a reusable tamper-evident bag are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident bag comprising:
 a plurality of side walls;   a pressure-sensitive adhesive strip positioned at a first side wall of the plurality of side walls;   a perforation line positioned at the first side wall below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip; and   a handle positioned at the first side wall.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is positioned at the first side wall below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip and the perforation line, wherein the handle is positioned proximal the perforation line, and wherein the handle remains intact after the perforation line is torn to remove the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         3 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a soft loop handle coupled to an exterior surface of the first side wall at a weld area positioned below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip and the perforation line, wherein the weld area is positioned proximal the perforation line, and wherein the soft loop handle remains intact after the perforation line is torn to remove the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         4 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 3 , wherein the top of the soft loop handle is positioned above a first bag opening formed by the plurality of side walls before the perforation line is torn, and wherein the top of the soft loop handle is positioned above a second bag opening formed by the plurality of side walls after the perforation line is torn. 
     
     
         5 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a die cut handle disposed in the first side wall below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip and the perforation line, wherein the die cut handle is positioned proximal the perforation line, and wherein the die cut handle remains intact after the perforation line is torn to remove the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         6 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 2 , wherein the perforation line extends parallel a length of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, and wherein the handle is positioned at the first side wall below a middle region of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip and below a middle region of the perforation line. 
     
     
         7 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of side walls form a first bag opening, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is configured to facilitate closure of the first bag opening in response to adherence of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip to a second side wall opposing the first side wall of the plurality of side walls, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is removed after the perforation line is torn to form a second bag opening. 
     
     
         8 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a verbal tamper-evident component positioned at a second side wall opposing the first side wall of the plurality of side walls,   wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is configured for adherence to the verbal tamper-evident component, and   wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is configured to visually alter the verbal tamper-evident component when the adherence of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip to the verbal tamper-evident component is tampered with.   
     
     
         9 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 8 , wherein the handle comprises a die cut handle disposed in the first side wall and positioned below the verbal tamper-evident component. 
     
     
         10 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 9 , wherein the die cut handle is positioned below the verbal tamper-evident component, the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, and the perforation line, wherein the die cut handle is positioned proximal the perforation line, and wherein the die cut handle remains intact after the perforation line is torn to remove the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip and the verbal tamper-evident component. 
     
     
         11 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is positioned at an interior surface of a visual tamper-evident sheet of the first side wall, wherein the visual tamper-evident sheet forms a flap configured to close a bag opening and to position the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip proximal the visual tamper-evident component positioned at the second side wall opposing the first side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-evident bag of  claim 11 , wherein the handle comprises a soft loop handle coupled to an exterior surface of the first side wall at a weld area positioned below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip, the perforation line, and the visual tamper-evident component, wherein the visual tamper-evident sheet comprises at least one segmented cut for the soft loop handle to pass through during closure of the flap to close the bag opening. 
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacturing a tamper-evident bag, the method comprising:
 providing a film;   providing a handle at the film;   applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip;   folding the film; and   cutting the perforation line, wherein the perforation line is positioned below the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the handle comprises a die cut handle, wherein providing the handle at the film comprises die cutting the die cut handle at the film, wherein the die cut handle is positioned below the perforation line and the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the handle comprises a soft loop handle, wherein providing the handle at the film comprises welding the soft loop handle to the film at a weld area positioned below the perforation line and the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising forming a bottom gusset enabling a substantially flat-bottom for supporting uprightness of bag contents during tearing of the perforation line by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 printing a verbal tamper-evident component at the film,   wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is configured for adherence to the verbal tamper-evident component, and   wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is configured to visually alter the verbal tamper-evident component when the adherence of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip to the verbal tamper-evident component is tampered with.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removing solvent associated with printing the verbal tamper-evident component; and   after removing the solvent, performing a corona treatment on the verbal tamper-evident component.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising welding a visual tamper-evident sheet to a region of the film, wherein applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip comprises applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip at an interior surface of the visual tamper-evident sheet, wherein the visual tamper-evident sheet forms a flap configured to close a bag opening and to position the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip proximal the visual tamper-evident component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip comprises injecting a hot melt adhesive, wherein the perforation line is positioned below the hot melt adhesive.