Abstract:
Plastic shopping bags having upper and lower seams, at least one side gusset, an open bag mouth and upper bag handles has attached promotional ad strips. The strips include a central removable portion and a pair of remainder portions at either end of the strip that are sealed into the upper and lower seams. The ad strips are registered to the upper and lower bag seams so that whole numbers of the coupons, messages or promotions will fall within the removable portion of the strip. Perforations join the removable portion of the strip to the remainder portions. An apparatus for registering the ad strips to plastic shopping bags includes markers on the bags and on the ad strips, sensors to detect the markers, a controller to match the speed of the ad strips to that of the bag blanks, a sealer, bag cutter and either a stacker or a winder.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to the field of plastic bags of the type employed by retailers in packing food items and other merchandise, with particular application to bags that are unsealed or partially sealed along their top edges and include a promotional strip attached in registered form to the bag to maximize the visibility of the promotional material.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In our prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,118 and its divisional method U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,584, we disclosed and claimed the attachment of advertising strips to T-shirt bags and a method for accomplishing such attachments during the course of fabricating such bags from extruded plastic tubing. As the bags disclosed in our prior patent were heat-sealed along both their bottom and top edges, it was possible simultaneously to heat seal the ends of advertising strips to be attached to the bag along both the top and lower edges of such strips. These strips could be disposed either within the gussets of the bags or along an outside edge.  
         [0003]     Typically, the promotional strips used with these bags include a number of discreet coupons. The coupons are joined end to end with a perforation or simply printed on the promotional strip with indications as to where to cut the strip to separate the coupons. As no method was provided in the prior patents to coordinate the placement of any point on the promotional strip with the top or bottom edges of the bags, at least one coupon would typically be lost as a top or bottom seam of the bag would intersect a portion of the coupon. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a means for registering the promotional strip so that only whole numbers of coupons are positioned between the top and bottom bag edges.  
         [0004]     Various technologies have been developed for the registration of one item to another during a fabrication process. U.S. patent application No. 2002/0170670, published for Nguyen discloses a system for dispensing and positioning a coupon strip on a film tube. The proposed invention provides for dispensing and positioning a strip of coupons from a roll to a position longitudinally aligned with and adjacent to a film tube. This is accomplished by mounting the coupon strips onto a spindle that is vertically adjustable so that it may be situated in various positions upon the first and second vertical support members of the gusseting machine that is used in the bag making operation. This alignment is only a longitudinal or side-to-side alignment of the coupon strip on the bag. The invention does not contemplate registering the coupons to the bag ends so as to prevent use of partial coupons.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,168, issued to Coenen et al. is directed to a process and apparatus for registering continuously moving stretchable layers. The present invention relates to processes and apparatus for making disposable absorbent articles but may be applied to the production of various products which are fabricated in a continuous production line by the sequential addition of components to previously supplied components. It is particularly directed to the bringing together of individual separate components so that the components are in a desired relation with respect to one another. It is accomplished by controllably registering a plurality of reference marks of a continuously moving first layer with a plurality of corresponding reference marks of a continuously moving elasticized second layer.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,930, issued to Counts et al. discloses a package having a separable overlay. The invention relates to a flexible package having a detachable decorative overlay portion that allows the retailer to provide marketing information that is removable from the body of the package. The multiple separable overlays are registered to each other rather than to a continuous web of polyethylene tubing that later becomes a bag. The invention includes a feature that permits easy removal of an outer overlay from the underlying layers. The entire perimeter of one layers is connected to the entire perimeter of an underlying layer to form a closed package for the containment of goods.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,230, issued to Wyslotsky, is directed to a label indexing and applicator apparatus. The apparatus provides for the indexing of distinct labels onto a substrate stock and utilizes differential tension to the strip label stock in order to do so. The labels are longitudinally separated on the strip by transparent label divider portions so that the strip label stock is divided into discrete label units. The indexing and applicator apparatus comprises elements that function to form a laminate of a label material bearing selected visual indicia and a substrate backing material. The apparatus described in this patent uses transparent spaces between adjacent labels to sense the ends of each label and to control placement of the labels on a substrate. The labels are then heat bonded to the substrate over their entire length using a heat nip roller.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,936, issued to Callahan et al. discloses an apparatus and method for securing a detachable promotional banner or coupon to a flexible package. The apparatus and method is specifically intended to attach pre-printed promotional banners or coupons to the exterior of a flexible snack food package. The product package with banner is adhered to an outer surface of the package at an intermediate point as well as at points that are adjacent to the package&#39;s lower and upper seals. While this reference does disclose registering the banner stock to the packaging material, the banner stock is releasably adhered to a closed, sealed package with contents inside.  
         [0009]     It is an objective of the invention to provide T-shirt style bags have coupon strips attached to upper and lower heat seals of the bags either within the bag gusset or on top of the bag gusset. It is a further objective to insure that only whole numbers of coupons are a part of the coupon strip, i.e., that the end of a first coupon roughly coincides with the upper or lower seal of the bag. It is still a further objective that the attachment of such registered coupon strips to the T-shirt bags be easily and reliably accomplished. Finally, it is an objective of the invention that the attachment of registered coupon strips to T-shirt bags be sufficiently economical to provide for their continued use.  
         [0010]     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     (1) A plastic shopping bag with registered advertising strip may be formed from the following components. A pair of registering front and back walls are provided. The walls are secured together along their side, top and bottom edges and open across a portion of their top edges. The walls, when pulled apart from each other, define a space into which articles may be placed. At least one of the secured together side edges is gusseted. A plastic strip is provided. The plastic strip has first and second remainder portions located at either end of the strip and a removable portion located between the remainder portions. The plastic strip is located on one of the front and back walls along one side of the gusset. The strip is of a length not greater than a length of the gusseted side edge. The strip is sealed to one of the top edges of the bag walls at an end of the first remainder portion and sealed to one of the bottom edges of the bag walls at an end of the second remainder portion. Promotional material is printed upon at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the removable portion of the strip. The promotional material begins and ends within the removable portion of the strip.  
         [0012]     (2) In a variant of the invention, the plastic strip is located within the at least one gusset.  
         [0013]     (3) In another variant, the removable portion of the strip is removably attached to the first remainder portion with at least one perforation line and is removably attached to the second remainder portion with at least one perforation line.  
         [0014]     (4) In still another variant, the promotional material is selected from the group consisting of coupons, household hints, contests, games and product or service information.  
         [0015]     (5) In yet another variant, a pair of registering front and back walls are provided. The walls are secured together along their top edges, first and second side edges, bottom edges and open across at least a portion of their top edges. The walls, when pulled apart from each other, defining a space into which articles may be placed. At least one of the secured together first and second side edges is folded inwardly from the front and back walls to form a gusset. The gusset has top and bottom edges. The top edges of the front wall, the back wall, and the gusset terminate in an upper seal. The bottom edges of the front wall, the back wall, and the gusset terminate in a lower seal. The lower seal is perpendicular to the first and second side edges. A U-shaped cut-out is provided. The U-shaped cut-out is located in an upper portion of the bag and commences at a first point above the upper seal spaced inwardly from the first side edge and extends to a second point above the upper seal spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The cut-out extends downwardly toward the lower seal, thereby forming an open bag mouth and a pair of bag handles.  
         [0016]     A plastic strip is provided. The plastic strip has first and second remainder portions located at either end of the strip and a removable portion located between the remainder portions. The plastic strip is located on at least one of the front and back walls above the at least one gusset. The strip is of a length not greater than a length of the gusset. The strip is sealed to one of the top edges of the bag walls at an end of the first remainder portion and sealed to one of the bottom edges of the bag walls at an end of the second remainder portion. Promotional material is printed upon at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the removable portion of the strip. The promotional material begins and ends within the removable portion of the strip.  
         [0017]     (6) In a further variant, the plastic strip is located within the at least one gusset.  
         [0018]     (7) In still a further variant, the removable portion of the strip is removably attached to the first remainder portion with at least one perforation line and is removably attached to the second remainder portion with at least one perforation line.  
         [0019]     (8) In another variant of the invention, the promotional material is selected from the group consisting of coupons, household hints, contests, games and product or service information.  
         [0020]     (9) In still another variant, the bags are severed from one another and stacked in a registered bag pack.  
         [0021]     (10) In yet another variant, the bags are attached to one another at a perforation line and wound into a roll.  
         [0022]     (11) An apparatus for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip can be constructed from the following components. A supply of polyethylene material is provided. An extruder is provided. The extruder produces a continuous tube of polyethylene material. A gusseter is provided. The gusseter forms at least one side gusset in the continuous tube. A flattener is provided. The flattener flattens the gusseted tube. The gusseted tube has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. A marker is provided. The marker places bag reference markers on the continuous tube at a first predetermined interval.  
         [0023]     A roll of plastic strip material is provided. The plastic strip material includes a plurality of plastic strips. Each of the strips has first and second remainder portions located at either end of the strip and a removable portion located between the remainder portions. The plastic strips have promotional material printed upon at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the removable portion of the strips and strip reference markers located upon at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the strips at the first predetermined interval. An unwind mechanism is provided. The unwind mechanism supports the roll of plastic strip material and modulates the speed at which the plastic strip material is unwound from the roll.  
         [0024]     An insertion device is provided. The insertion device receives the plastic strip material from the roll located on the unwind mechanism. The insertion device directs the plastic strip material into the at least one side gusset. A first sensor is provided. The first sensor detects passage of the bag reference markers. A second sensor is provided. The second sensor detects passage of the strip reference markers. A controller is provided. The controller monitors input from the first and second sensors, operator input and controls the speed at which the plastic strip material is unwound from the roll and directed to the insertion device.  
         [0025]     A sealer is provided. The sealer seals the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively. The remainder portions of the plastic strips are sealed at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks. Each of the bag blanks has a plastic strip located within the at least one gusset. The bag reference markers are substantially aligned with the strip reference markers and the removable portion of the strip begins and ends between the upper and lower bag seals.  
         [0026]     A bag blank cutter is provided. The bag blank cutter severs the bag blanks between an upper bag seal of a first bag blank and a lower bag seal of a second bag blank at a cut line. A stacker is provided. The stacker arranges a predetermined number of bag blanks into a registered stack. A bag opening cutter is provided. The cutter removes a substantially U-shaped section from an upper portion of the bag blanks located in the bag stack. The U-shaped section extends from a first point on the cut line spaced inwardly from the first side edge, downward toward the lower bag seal, across a part of the upper portion, and upwardly to a second point on the cut line spaced inwardly from the second side edge, thereby forming an open bag mouth and a pair of bag handles. When the bag reference markers are aligned with the strip reference markers, the removable portions of the plastic strips will be registered with respect to the upper and lower bag seals.  
         [0027]     (12) In a variant of the apparatus for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip, the insertion device is replaced with an application device. The application device receives the plastic strip material from the roll located on the unwind mechanism and directs the plastic strip material on to either of the top surface or the bottom surface of the gusseted tube either above or below the at least one side gusset. The sealer seals the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks. Each of the bag blanks has a plastic strip located either above or below the at least one gusset.  
         [0028]     (13) In another variant, which includes an insertion device for inserting the plastic strip material into the at least one gusset, the stacker is replaced with a perforator and a winder. The perforator forms a perforation line on the bag blanks between an upper bag seal of a first bag blank and a lower bag seal of a second bag blank. The bag winder winds the bags into a roll.  
         [0029]     (14) In still another variant, the insertion device is replaced with an application device while retaining the perforator and the winder. The application device receives the plastic strip material from the roll located on the unwind mechanism and directs the plastic strip material on to either of the top surface or the bottom surface of the gusseted tube either above or below the at least one side gusset. The sealer seals the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks. Each of the bag blanks has a plastic strip located either above or below the at least one gusset.  
         [0030]     (15) In yet another variant, the apparatus for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip includes an operator interface. The interface inputs at least bag length, coupon length and coupon offset distance variables.  
         [0031]     (16) In a further variant, the unwind mechanism includes at least one unwind nip roller. The unwind nip roller tensions the plastic strip material and the controller modulates the tensioning.  
         [0032]     (17) In still a further variant, the roll of plastic strip material includes at least two parallel streams of plastic strips. The parallel streams are joined to one another at side edges of the streams.  
         [0033]     (18) In yet a further variant, the apparatus includes a slitter mechanism. The slitter mechanism separates the at least two parallel streams of plastic strips into individual streams.  
         [0034]     (19) In another variant of the invention, the apparatus includes at least one tensioning nip roller for each individual stream of plastic strips.  
         [0035]     (20) In still another variant, the apparatus includes a turn bar for at least one of the individual streams of plastic strips. The turn bar aligns the individual stream of plastic strips with the bag blanks.  
         [0036]     (21) In yet another variant, the apparatus includes a strip perforating mechanism. The strip perforating mechanism perforates the plastic strips between the remainder portions located at either end of the strip.  
         [0037]     (22) A method for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip, includes the steps of: Providing a supply of polyethylene material. Extruding a continuous tube of polyethylene material. Forming at least one side gusset in the continuous tube. Flattening the gusseted tube. The gusseted tube has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. Placing bag reference markers on the gusseted tube at a first predetermined interval. Providing a roll of plastic strip material. The plastic strip material includes a plurality of plastic strips, each of the strips has first and second remainder portions located at either end of the strip and a removable portion located between the remainder portions. The plastic strips have promotional material printed upon at least one of an upper surface or a lower surface of the removable portion of the strips. Strip reference markers are located on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the strips at the first predetermined interval.  
         [0038]     Providing an unwind mechanism. The unwind mechanism supports the roll of plastic strip material. Modulating a speed at which the plastic strip material is unwound from the roll. Providing an insertion device. The insertion device receives the plastic strip material from the roll located on the unwind mechanism. Providing a first sensor. Detecting passage of the bag reference markers. Providing a second sensor. Detecting passage of the strip reference markers. Providing a controller. Monitoring input from the first and second sensors and operator input. Controlling the speed at which the plastic strip material is unwound from the roll. Directing the plastic strip material to the insertion device. Inserting the plastic strip material into the at least one gusset. Aligning the bag reference markers with the strip reference markers, thereby causing the removable portion of the strip to begin and end between the upper and lower bag seals. Providing a sealer. Sealing the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks. Each of the bag blanks has a plastic strip located within the at least one gusset. Providing a bag blank cutter. Severing the bag blanks between an upper bag seal of a first bag blank and a lower bag seal of a second bag blank at a cut line. Providing a stacker. Arranging a predetermined number of bag blanks into a registered stack.  
         [0039]     Providing a bag opening cutter. Removing a substantially U-shaped section from an upper portion of the bag blanks located in the bag stack. The U-shaped section extending from a first point on the cut line spaced inwardly from the first side edge, downward toward the lower bag seal, across a part of the upper portion, and upwardly to a second point on the cut line spaced inwardly from the second side edge, thereby forming an open bag mouth and a pair of bag handles. When the bag reference markers are aligned with the strip reference markers, the removable portions of the plastic strips will be registered with respect to the upper and lower bag seals.  
         [0040]     (23) In a variant of the method for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip, the insertion device is replaced with an application device. The application device receives the plastic strip material from the roll located on the unwind mechanism and the method includes the following additional steps. Directing the plastic strip material on to either the top surface or the bottom surface of the gusseted tube either above or below the at least one side gusset. Sealing the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks, each of the bag blanks having a plastic strip located either above or below the at least one side gusset.  
         [0041]     (24) In a further variant, which includes an insertion device for inserting the plastic strip material into the at least one gusset, the stacker is replaced with a perforator and a winder and the method includes the following additional steps: Forming a perforation line on the bag blanks between an upper bag seal of a first bag blank and a lower bag seal of a second bag blank. Winding the bags into a roll.  
         [0042]     (25) In still a further variant, the insertion device is replaced with an application device and the method includes the following additional steps: Receiving the plastic strip material from the roll disposed upon the unwind mechanism. Directing the plastic strip material on to either the top surface or the bottom surface of the gusseted tube either above or below the at least one side gusset. Sealing the first and second remainder portions of the plastic strips to first and second lines orthogonal to the first and second side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers, thereby forming upper and lower bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks, each of the bag blanks having a plastic strip located either above or below the at least one gusset.  
         [0043]     (26) In yet a further variant, the method includes the further step of inputting at least bag length, coupon length and coupon offset distance variables.  
         [0044]     (27) In another variant, the method includes the further steps of: Providing a slitter mechanism. Separating at least two parallel streams of plastic strips into individual streams.  
         [0045]     (28) In a final variant of the invention, the method includes the further steps of: Providing a strip perforating mechanism. Perforating the plastic strips between the remainder portions located at either end of the strip.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0046]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a T-shirt style bag having an advertising or coupon strip, illustrating advertising on the coupons, heat sealed to the upper and lower seams of the bag with the attached coupons disposed above a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0047]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  1 A- 1 A of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a T-shirt style bag having an advertising or coupon strip, illustrating advertising on the coupons, heat sealed to the upper and lower seams of the bag with the removably attached coupons disposed within a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0049]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing the  FIG. 1  bag;  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturing the  FIG. 2  bag; and  
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the method of controlling the manufacture of the  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  bags.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0053]     (1) As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, a plastic shopping bag with registered advertising strip  10  may be formed from the following components. A pair of registering front  15  and back  20  walls are provided. The walls  15 ,  20  are secured together along their side  25 , top  30  and bottom  35  edges and open across a portion of their top edges  30 . The walls  15 ,  20 , when pulled apart from each other, define a space  40  into which articles (not shown) may be placed. At least one of the secured together side edges  25  is gusseted. A plastic strip  45  is provided. The plastic strip  45  has first  50  and second  55  remainder portions located at either end  60  of the strip  45  and a removable portion  65  located between the remainder portions  50 ,  55 . The plastic strip  45  is located on one of the front  15  and back  20  walls along one side  70  of the gusset  75 . The strip  45  is of a length  80  not greater than a length  85  of the gusseted side edge  25 . The strip  45  is sealed to one of the top edges  30  of the bag walls  15 ,  20  at an end  90  of the first remainder portion  50  and sealed to one of the bottom edges  35  of the bag walls  15 ,  20  at an end  95  of the second remainder portion  55 . Promotional material  100  is printed upon at least one of an upper surface  105  or a lower surface  110  of the removable portion  65  of the strip  45 . The promotional material  100  begins and ends within the removable portion  65  of the strip  45 .  
         [0054]     (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, the plastic strip  45  is located within the at least one gusset  75 .  
         [0055]     (3) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 2  the removable portion  65  of the strip  45  is removably attached to the first remainder portion  50  with at least one perforation line  115  and is removably attached to the second remainder portion  55  with at least one perforation line  120 .  
         [0056]     (4) In still another variant, the promotional material  100  is selected from the group consisting of coupons, household hints, contests, games and product or service information.  
         [0057]     (5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, a pair of registering front  15  and back  20  walls are provided. The walls  15 ,  20  are secured together along their top edges  30 , first  24  and second  26  side edges, bottom edges  35  and open across at least a portion of their top edges  30 . The walls  15 ,  20 , when pulled apart from each other, defining a space  40  into which articles (not shown) may be placed. At least one of the secured together first  24  and second  26  side edges is folded inwardly from the front  15  and back  20  walls to form a gusset  75 . The gusset  75  has top  125  and bottom  130  edges. The top edges  30 ,  125  of the front wall  15 , the back wall  20 , and the gusset  75  terminate in an upper seal  135 . The bottom edges  35 ,  130  of the front wall  15 , the back wall  20 , and the gusset  75  terminate in a lower seal  140 . The lower seal  140  is perpendicular to the first  24  and second  26  side edges. A U-shaped cut-out  145  is provided. The U-shaped cut-out  145  is located in an upper portion  150  of the bag  10  and commences at a first point  155  above the upper seal  135  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  24  and extends to a second point  160  above the upper seal  135  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  26 . The cut-out  145  extends downwardly toward the lower seal  140 , thereby forming an open bag mouth  165  and a pair of bag handles  170 .  
         [0058]     A plastic strip  45  is provided. The plastic strip  45  has first  50  and second  55  remainder portions located at either end  60  of the strip  45  and a removable portion  65  located between the remainder portions  50 ,  55 . The plastic strip  45  is located on at least one of the front  15  and back  20  walls above the at least one gusset  75 . The strip  45  is of a length  80  not greater than a length  85  of the gusset  75 . The strip  45  is sealed to one of the top edges  30  of the bag walls  15 ,  20  at an end  90  of the first remainder portion  50  and sealed to one of the bottom edges  35  of the bag walls  15 ,  20  at an end  95  of the second remainder portion  55 . Promotional material  100  is printed upon at least one of an upper surface  105  or a lower surface  110  of the removable portion  65  of the strip  45 . The promotional material  100  begins and ends within the removable portion  65  of the strip  45 .  
         [0059]     (6) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, the plastic strip  45  is located within the at least one gusset  75 .  
         [0060]     (7) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the removable portion  65  of the strip  45  is removably attached to the first remainder portion  50  with at least one perforation line  115  and is removably attached to the second remainder portion  55  with at least one perforation line  120 .  
         [0061]     (8) In another variant of the invention, the promotional material  100  is selected from the group consisting of coupons, household hints, contests, games and product or service information.  
         [0062]     (9) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bags  10  are severed from one another and stacked in a registered bag pack  175 .  
         [0063]     (10) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the bags  10  are attached to one another at a perforation line  180  and wound into a roll  185 .  
         [0064]     (11) An apparatus  190  for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , can be constructed from the following components. A supply of polyethylene material (not shown) is provided. An extruder (not shown) is provided. The extruder produces a continuous tube  205  of polyethylene material  195 . A gusseter  210  is provided. The gusseter  210  forms at least one side gusset  75  in the continuous tube  205 . A flattener  215  is provided. The flattener  215  flattens the gusseted tube  205 . The gusseted tube  205  has a top surface  220 , a bottom surface  225 , a first side edge  230  and a second side edge  235 . A marker (not shown) is provided. The marker places bag reference markers  245  on the continuous tube  205  at a first predetermined interval  250 .  
         [0065]     A roll of plastic strip material  255  is provided. The plastic strip material  255  includes a plurality of plastic strips  45 . Each of the strips  45  has first  50  and second  55  remainder portions located at either end  60  of the strip  45  and a removable portion  65  located between the remainder portions  50 ,  55 . The plastic strips  45  have promotional material  100  printed upon at least one of an upper surface  105  or a lower surface  110  of the removable portion  65  of the strips  45  and strip reference markers  260  located upon at least one of an upper surface  265  or a lower surface  270  of the strips  45  at the first predetermined interval  250 . An unwind mechanism  272  is provided. The unwind mechanism  272  supports the roll of plastic strip material  255  and modulates the speed at which the plastic strip material  255  is unwound from the roll.  
         [0066]     An insertion device  275  is provided. The insertion device  275  receives the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located on the unwind mechanism  272 . The insertion device  275  directs the plastic strip material  255  into the at least one side gusset  75 . A first sensor  280  is provided. The first sensor  280  detects passage of the bag reference markers  245 . A second sensor  285  is provided. The second sensor  285  detects passage of the strip reference markers  260 . A controller  290 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , is provided. The controller  290  monitors input from the first  280  and second  285  sensors, operator input  295  and controls the speed at which the plastic strip material  255  is unwound from the roll and directed to the insertion device  275 .  
         [0067]     A sealer  300 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is provided. The sealer  300  seals the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively. The remainder portions  50 ,  55  of the plastic strips  45  are sealed at intervals  250  determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 . Each of the bag blanks  330  has a plastic strip  45  located within the at least one gusset  75 . The bag reference markers  245  are substantially aligned with the strip reference markers  260  and the removable portion  65  of the strip  45  begins and ends between the upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals.  
         [0068]     A bag blank cutter  335 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is provided. The bag blank cutter  335  severs the bag blanks  330  between an upper bag seal  320  of a first bag blank  330  and a lower bag seal  325  of a second bag blank  330  at a cut line  340 . A stacker (not shown) is provided. The stacker arranges a predetermined number of bag blanks  330  into a registered stack  350 . A bag opening cutter  355  is provided. The cutter  355  removes a substantially U-shaped section  360  from an upper portion  365  of the bag blanks  330  located in the bag stack  350 . The U-shaped section  360  extends from a first point  370  on the cut line  340  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  230 , downward toward the lower bag seal  325 , across a part of the upper portion  365 , and upwardly to a second point  375  on the cut line  340  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  235 , thereby forming an open bag mouth  380  and a pair of bag handles  385 . When the bag reference markers  245  are aligned with the strip reference markers  260 , the removable portions  65  of the plastic strips  45  will be registered with respect to the upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals.  
         [0069]     (12) In a variant of the apparatus  190  for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the insertion device  275  is replaced with an application device  390 . The application device  390  receives the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located on the unwind mechanism  272  and directs the plastic strip material  255  on to either of the top surface  220  or the bottom surface  225  of the gusseted tube  205  either above or below the at least one side gusset  75 . The sealer  300  seals the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively, at intervals  250  determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 . Each of the bag blanks  330  has a plastic strip  45  located either above or below the at least one gusset  75 .  
         [0070]     (13) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which includes an insertion device  275  for inserting the plastic strip material  255  into the at least one gusset  75 , the stacker  345  is replaced with a perforator  395  and a winder  400 . The perforator  395  forms a perforation line  405  on the bag blanks  330  between an upper bag seal  320  of a first bag blank  330  and a lower bag seal  325  of a second bag blank  330 . The bag winder  400  winds the bags  10  into a roll  410 .  
         [0071]     (14) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the insertion device  275  is replaced with an application device  390  while retaining the perforator  395  and the winder  400 . The application device  390  receives the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located on the unwind mechanism  272  and directs the plastic strip material  255  on to either of the top surface  220  or the bottom surface  225  of the gusseted tube  205  either above or below the at least one side gusset  75 . The sealer  300  seals the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively, at intervals  250  determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 . Each of the bag blanks  330  has a plastic strip located either above or below the at least one gusset  75 .  
         [0072]     (15) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the apparatus  190  for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip  10  includes an operator interface  295 . The interface  295  inputs at least bag length, coupon length and coupon offset distance variables.  
         [0073]     (16) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the unwind mechanism  272  includes at least one unwind nip roller  420 . The unwind nip roller  420  tensions the plastic strip material  255  and the controller  290  modulates the tensioning.  
         [0074]     (17) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the roll of plastic strip material  255  includes at least two parallel streams  425  of plastic strips  45 . The parallel streams  425  are joined to one another at side edges  432  of the streams  425 .  
         [0075]     (18) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the apparatus includes a slitter mechanism  430 . The slitter mechanism  430  separates the at least two parallel streams  425  of plastic strips  45  into individual streams  425 .  
         [0076]     (19) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the apparatus  190  includes at least one tensioning nip roller  435  for each individual stream  425  of plastic strips  45 .  
         [0077]     (20) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the apparatus  190  includes a turn bar  440  for at least one of the individual streams  425  of plastic strips  45 . The turn bar  440  aligns the individual stream  425  of plastic strips  45  with the bag blanks  330 .  
         [0078]     (21) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus includes a strip perforating mechanism  445 . The strip perforating mechanism  445  perforates the plastic strips  45  between the remainder portions  50 ,  55  located at either end  60  of the strip  45 .  
         [0079]     (22) A method, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip  10 , includes the steps of: Providing a supply of polyethylene material  195 . Extruding a continuous tube  205  of polyethylene material  195 . Forming at least one side gusset  75  in the continuous tube  205 . Flattening the gusseted tube  205 . The gusseted tube  205  has a top surface  220 , a bottom surface  225 , a first side edge  230  and a second side edge  235 . Placing bag reference markers  245  on the gusseted tube  205  at a first predetermined interval  250 . Providing a roll of plastic strip material  255 . The plastic strip material  255  includes a plurality of plastic strips  45 , each of the strips  45  has first  50  and second  55  remainder portions located at either end  60  of the strip  45  and a removable portion  65  located between the remainder portions  50 ,  55 . The plastic strips  45  have promotional material  100  printed upon at least one of an upper surface  105  or a lower surface  110  of the removable portion  65  of the strips  45 . Strip reference markers  260  are located on at least one of an upper surface  265  and a lower surface  270  of the strips  45  at the first predetermined interval  250 .  
         [0080]     Providing an unwind mechanism  272 . The unwind mechanism  272  supports the roll of plastic strip material  255 . Modulating a speed at which the plastic strip material  255  is unwound from the roll. Providing an insertion device  275 . The insertion device  275  receives the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located on the unwind mechanism  272 . Providing a first sensor  280 . Detecting passage of the bag reference markers  245 . Providing a second sensor  285 . Detecting passage of the strip reference markers  260 . Providing a controller  290 . Monitoring input from the first  280  and second  285  sensors and operator input  295 . Controlling the speed at which the plastic strip material  255  is unwound from the roll. Directing the plastic strip material  255  to the insertion device  275 . Inserting the plastic strip material  255  into the at least one gusset  75 . Aligning the bag reference markers  245  with the strip reference markers  260 , thereby causing the removable portion  65  of the strip  45  to begin and end between the upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals.  
         [0081]     Providing a sealer  300 . Sealing the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively, at intervals  250  determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 . Each of the bag blanks  330  has a plastic strip  45  located within the at least one gusset  75 . Providing a bag blank cutter  335 . Severing the bag blanks  330  between an upper bag seal  320  of a first bag blank  330  and a lower bag seal  325  of a second bag blank  330  at a cut line  340 . Providing a stacker (not shown). Arranging a predetermined number of bag blanks  330  into a registered stack  350 .  
         [0082]     Providing a bag opening cutter  355 . Removing a substantially U-shaped section  360  from an upper portion  365  of the bag blanks  330  located in the bag stack  350 . The U-shaped section  360  extending from a first point  370  on the cut line  340  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  230 , downward toward the lower bag seal  325 , across a part of the upper portion  365 , and upwardly to a second point  375  on the cut line  340  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  235 , thereby forming an open bag mouth  380  and a pair of bag handles  385 . When the bag reference markers  245  are aligned with the strip reference markers  260 , the removable portions  65  of the plastic strips  45  will be registered with respect to the upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals.  
         [0083]     (23) In a variant of the method, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for making plastic shopping bags with registered advertising strip  10 , the insertion device  275  is replaced with an application device  390 . The application device  390  receives the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located on the unwind mechanism  272  and the method includes the following additional steps. Directing the plastic strip material  255  on to either the top surface  220  or the bottom surface  225  of the gusseted tube  205  either above or below the at least one side gusset  75 . Sealing the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively, at intervals determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 , each of the bag blanks  330  having a plastic strip  45  located either above or below the at least one side gusset  75 .  
         [0084]     (24) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which includes an insertion device  275  for inserting the plastic strip material  255  into the at least one gusset  75 , the stacker is replaced with a perforator  395  and a winder  400  and the method includes the following additional steps: Forming a perforation line  405  on the bag blanks  330  between an upper bag seal  320  of a first bag blank  330  and a lower bag seal  325  of a second bag blank  330 . Winding the bags  10  into a roll  410 .  
         [0085]     (25) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the insertion device  275  is replaced with an application device  390  and the method includes the following additional steps: Receiving the plastic strip material  255  from the roll located upon the unwind mechanism  272 . Directing the plastic strip material  255  on to either the top surface  220  or the bottom surface  225  of the gusseted tube  205  either above or below the at least one side gusset  75 . Sealing the first  50  and second  55  remainder portions of the plastic strips  45  to first  305  and second  310  lines orthogonal to the first  230  and second  235  side edges, respectively, at intervals  250  determined by the bag reference markers  245 , thereby forming upper  320  and lower  325  bag seals and a plurality of bag blanks  330 , each of the bag blanks  330  having a plastic strip  45  located either above or below the at least one gusset  75 .  
         [0086]     (26) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the method includes the further step of inputting at least bag length, coupon length and coupon offset distance variables.  
         [0087]     (27) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the method includes the further steps of: Providing a slitter mechanism  430 . Separating at least two parallel streams  425  of plastic strips  45  into individual streams  425 .  
         [0088]     (28) In a final variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the method includes the further steps of: Providing a strip perforating mechanism  445 . Perforating the plastic strips  45  between the remainder portions  50 ,  55  located at either end  60  of the strip  45 .  
         [0089]     The plastic shopping bags  10  with promotional strip ad and apparatus  190  and method for making same have been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.