Abstract:
The invention features a series of bags having perforations on the front and back panels that connect the back portion of one bag with the front portion of a second bag. The bags are aligned and features holes that are adapted to be received by a stand to support the bags. The bags are packaged and ready to load in a ready to use position. When the bags are separated from each other, the next bag in the continuous series will align and expand to open into a use position. The bags can be stacked on top of each other in a ready to use position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to a series of bags and more particularly to a series of bags joined to each other via perforations along the front and back portion of the bags. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Plastic bags are often used to transport items such as groceries or to store garbage. These bags should have a high load-carrying capacity, be simple and strong. Many stores offer bags at the checkout counter to customers. However, the bags often take additional time to remove because the bags are difficult to open. Also, the bags easily slip and are typically misaligned on their storage racks or in their storage containers. The bags waste space during storage and take time to position them on holders. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides series of bags joined to each other via perforations along the front and back portion of the bags which provides easy opening and storage of the bags. 
         [0004]    An aspect of an embodiment of the invention provides the series of bags connected in a manner such that the connection exerts a pressure on the bags that helps to align the bags. 
         [0005]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features holes on the bags that are adapted to be received by a stand to support the bags. 
         [0006]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the invention features the series of bags connected in a manner such that the connection expands the folds of the bags to put the bags in an open position and ready for use. 
         [0007]    Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a closed bag showing the left side panel and right side panel tucked in and the bottom of the bag folded upwards. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a first and second bag flattened and connected by a perforation on the back panel of the first bag and the perforation on front panel of the second bag. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the first and second bags connected by perforations with the second bag in an open position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the bag in an open position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the second bag opening from the motion of the first bag being removed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the connected first and second bag with a tucked in side panel on the first bag. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a front view of stacked bags. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a bag showing the perforation and first and second front panel holes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a closed first bag  800  showing the left side panel  501  and right side panel  504  tucked in and the bottom  103  of the bag folded upwards towards the top  104  of the bag. A first bag  800  and a second bag  100  are described; however, the continuous series of bags, as shown in  FIG. 2 , have the same features and functions.  FIG. 2  is an illustration of a first  800  and second bag  100  flattened and connected by a perforation  801  on the back panel of the first bag and the perforation  900  on front panel of the second bag. 
         [0017]    The bags are preferably made from a plastic film. However, alternate known lightweight materials such as soft and flexible LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) or, for strength, LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) may be used. Biodegradable film can also be used. The top  104  of the bag has an open mouth end  401 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the bag  800  in an open position. The bag  800  features a top front panel  105 , a back panel  106 , left side  101  and a right side  102 . The top front panel edge  402  on the top front panel  105 , the top left side panel edge  403 , the top right side panel edge  404  and the top back panel edge  405  form the open mouth end  401 . Items can be placed into the open mouth end  401  and supported by the bag  800 . For example, groceries or trash can be deposited in the open mouth end  401  and stored in the bag  800 . The bottom  103  of the bag  800  has a closed bottom end  107 . As items are placed into the bag, the items do not exit the bag at the bottom end  107  since the bottom end  107  is closed. Items can enter and exit the bag through the open mouth end  401 . 
         [0018]    The film extending from the top left side panel edge  403  to the bottom end  103  of the bag forms a left side panel  501 , shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is an illustration of the second bag opening as the first bag is separated from the second bag. The film extending from the top right side panel edge  404  to the bottom end  103  of the bag forms a right side panel  502 . The left side panel  501  and right side panel  502  are the left and right sides of the bag, respectively. A first fold line  503  along the left side of the bag  101  centered on the left side panel  501  extends from the open mouth end  401  left side edge  403  to the closed bottom end  107 . The first fold line  503  divides the left side panel  501  in half. The right side panel  502  features a second fold line  504  along the right side  102  of the bag centered on the right side panel  502 . The second fold line  504  extends from the open mouth end  401  right side edge  404  to the closed bottom end  107 . The second fold line  504  divides the right side panel  502  in half. The left side panel  501  is tucked or folded in along the first fold line  503  such that the left side panel  501  is divided equally between the first fold line  503  into a first left side panel half  601  and a second left side panel half  602 , shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the connected first and second bag with a tucked in side panel on the first bag. The right side panel  502  is tucked in along the second fold line  504  such that the right side panel  502  is divided equally between the second fold line  504  into a first right side panel half  410  and a second right side panel half  411 . The left side panel  501  and right side panel  502  tucked in portion forms a middle layer between the front panel  105  and back panel  106  when the bags are in a folded position since the tucked in areas are between the front and back panels.  FIG. 7  is a front view of stacked bags,  800  and  100 . Tucked in left middle layer  725  extends from the left sides of the front and back panel to about ¼ to ½ across the front and back panels. Tucked in right middle layer  726  extends from the right sides of the front and back panel to about ¼ to ½ across the front and back panels. The middle layer&#39;s first fold line  503  and the second fold line  504  expand so that the front panel and back panel of the bag move apart from each other to open the bag. 
         [0019]    The front panel  105  is the film on the front side  120  of the bag. The front panel  105  is the film above first and second fold lines  503 ,  504  on the top surface of the bag. The front panel extends the entire length from the bottom end  107  to the open mouth end  401 . The back panel  106  is the film on the back side  300  of the bag. The back panel  106  is the film below the first and second fold lines  503 ,  504  on the bottom surface of the bag. The bottom panel extends the entire length from the bottom end  107  to the mouth end  401 . 
         [0020]    The front panel  105  features front perforation  900  extending from the top of the front panel edge  402  to the middle area  200  of the front panel  105 . The middle area  200  is about half the length of the bag to allow the bottom end  107  of the bag to fold upwards making the bag shorter for folding, packaging and storing purposes. The folded bottom area  108  of the bag is shown in  FIG. 1 . The front perforation  900  is a vertical line of small holes centered on the front panel of the bag. The front perforation  900  aids in separating the first bag from the previous bag and so on. The folded bottom area  108  is preferably folded to the bottom end  700  of the perforation. The folded bottom area  108  does not interfere with the perforated area and will unfold as items are added to the bag. The bags are connected in a continuous series. A first bag  800 , has a back perforation  801  extending vertically from the top edge of the first bag&#39;s top of the back panel edge  405  to the middle area  200  of the back panel  106 . The back perforation  801  of the first bag  800  aligns with the front perforation  900  of the second bag. The perforations  801 ,  900  are the same length. The back perforation  801  is a vertical line of small holes centered on the back panel  106  of the first bag  800 . The back perforation  801  of first bag  800  is connected to the front perforation  900  of the second bag  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The front and back perforations  900 ,  801  are substantially centered on the front and back panels, respectively.  FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the first  800  and second bags  100  connected by perforations  900 ,  801  with the second bag  100  in an open position. When a pressure is exerted to remove the first bag, the connected first and second bags disengage at the front and back perforations. The front panel of the second bag opens or moves away from the back panel as the first bag is separated from the second bag. 
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a bag showing the perforation  900  and first and second front panel holes  850 ,  860 . A first front panel hole  850  and a second front panel hole  860  are located substantially near a top edge area  104  of the front panel  105 . The holes are preferably circular and of a size to be received by a holder such as parallel bars or arms, for example. The holes are sized to receive arms that guide the bags along them. On the back panel  106 , a first back panel hole  870  and a second back panel hole  880  substantially near a top edge area  405  of the back panel. The holes  850 ,  860  are aligned with the holes  870 ,  880 . The first front panel hole  850  and the second front panel hole  860  are to left and right of the front perforation  900  and the first back panel hole  870  and the second back panel hole  880  are to left and right of the back perforation  801 . The holes are only through the front and back panels such that when the bags are positioned on a holder, the left top edge  403  and right top edge  404  are not received by a holder and so that they are free to expand to receive items. The holder does not extend through the left top edge and right top edge. 
         [0022]    The bags are designed to be loaded on a bar design rack. They are packaged in a way that allows multiple bags to be stored in a ready to use position. While removing the first bag, the first bag&#39;s back perforation  801  will pull on the connected second bag&#39;s front perforation  900  causing the second bag to open. The user can disconnect the bags along the perforations  801 ,  900 . The folded lines will expand as the first bag is opened making the bag ready to use. The bags will take up less space when stored since they can be stored in a ready to use stacked position, as described. The second bag will be in an open and ready to use position. 
         [0023]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.