Abstract:
A bag is disclosed having handle portions with mounting apertures and a central mounting tab having a central mounting aperture. The central mounting aperture is formed as a generally inverted “V” or triangular shaped slot with inwardly and upwardly curved lower portions. A bag pack is also disclosed formed of multiple stacked handle bags having aligned mounting apertures defined through the handle portions of the bags for reception of mounting rods therethrough. The mounting apertures are formed as elongated, generally vertically extending, slots having curved upper and lower portions. Elongated mounting slots make possible the use of shorter handles for the bags without sacrificing either the size of the mouth opening during loading or the carrying capacity of the bags. The central mounting tab on the multiple stacked bags has a vertical aperture between the central mounting aperture and the bag mouth, thus permitting the bag to be removed from a cooperating bag rack without leaving any portion of the central mounting tab on the bag rack.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present disclosure relates to thermoplastic bags, for example shopping bags, a unit or bag pack comprising multiple bags, a die for making such bags, and a mounting rack for dispensing such bags. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0008]    Plastic bags, such as those typically found in retain stores and grocery markets, are generally formed from flattened tube portions selectively severed from a length of tubing of appropriate material and subsequently heat sealed along the lower and upper edges. An appropriate mouth-defining U-shaped cutout is normally made through the sealed upper edge, this cutout simultaneously defining both the upper mouth of the bag and a pair of laterally spaced handles. Such bags can be formed with or without side gussets. 
         [0009]    It has become increasingly common to provide such bags in packs for suspension on racks with the individual bags separately dispensed therefrom. For such purposes, mounting apertures are formed in the handle portions of such bags as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,676,378 and Re. 33,264. In such bags the mounting apertures are formed as small round holes having a diameter not substantially larger than that of the mounting rods of the cooperating racks. When such bags are disposed in a mouth open position on the rods of the mounting rack (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 10 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,378), the mounting apertures of the front and rear handles of the bag are displaced from each other as far as possible, with the length of displacement being limited by the maximum opening width of the bag and the length of the joined handle portions of the bags above the mounting apertures. This requires that the prior art bags have relatively elongated handle portions above the mounting apertures since, otherwise, it would not be possible to open the bag mouth to the extent required for filling. 
         [0010]    Another problem with currently available bags is the presence of cut-outs, which result in a portion of the bag being left on the bag dispensing rack and/or in the area around the bag dispensing rack. Such loose cut-outs or scrap can be hazardous, for example causing a potential choking hazard in small children, or a slipping hazard by making the area around the bag dispenser slick with loose plastic cut-outs. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present disclosure overcomes these and other shortcomings present in the art by providing improved bags and bag packs that are easier to open and manipulate, and do not leave any scrap on the dispensing rack or the area around the dispensing rack. In addition, the present disclosure provides bag cutting dies used to produce the improved bags and bag packs. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bag comprising a front bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, and a rear bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, the rear bag wall and the front bag wall connected at the first sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and the second sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall, sealed at the bottom portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and at the top portions of the rear bag wall and the top bag wall, the top portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall comprising a pair of laterally spaced handles, the handles comprising integral extensions of the rear and front bag walls, each of the handles comprising a mounting aperture, and a cold pin bonding site above the mounting aperture, the front wall and rear wall between the handles defining an open bag mouth, the handles extending above the bag mouth from a lower handle portion defining the lateral extent of a lower portion of the bag mouth to an upper handle portion defining a hand grip, a central mounting tab extending upwardly from the lower portion of the open bag mouth comprising a central mounting aperture and a first and a second pressure pin bonding region, each of the first and second pressure pin bonding regions comprising at least three pressure pin bonding sites, the first and second pin bonding regions located generally above and on opposite sides of the central mounting aperture, and a central severance aperture between the top of the central mounting aperture and the top of the central mounting tab, wherein the distance between the center of each pressure pin bonding site and the nearest portion of the bag mouth is about ¼ of an inch. In particular embodiments, the distance between the center of each pressure pin bonding site and the nearest portion of the bag mouth is ¼ of an inch. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the mounting apertures or handle mounting apertures are centered between the top and the bottom of the handles, while in other embodiments the mounting apertures are located closer to the top of the handles or closer to the bottom of the handles. The mounting apertures can be of various horizontal lengths along the handles, depending upon the size of the bag, including, but not limited to, about 1 inch, about 1.125 inches, about 1.25 inches, about 1.375 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.625 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 1.875 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.125 inches, about 2.25 inches, about 2.375 inches, or about 2.5 inches. In certain embodiments, the upper and lower ends of the mounting apertures are curved toward the outside edge of the handles, and the center of the mounting aperture is bowed toward the outside edge of the handles. 
         [0014]    In particular embodiments, the central mounting tab is generally trapezoidal in shape, while in other embodiments the central mounting tab has the general shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The height of the central mounting aperture from the bottom of the bag mouth can be various distances, depending upon the size of the bag, including, but not limited to, about 0.5 inches, about 0.675 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 0.875 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.125 inches, about 1.25 inches, about 1.375 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.625 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 1.875 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.125 inches, about 2.25 inches, about 2.375 inches, or about 2.5 inches. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the central mounting aperture comprises a generally triangular-shaped or generally inverted “V” shaped opening. In particular embodiments, the top of the generally triangular-shaped opening, or the top of the inverted “V”-shaped opening, is positioned toward the top of the central mounting tab. The width of the central mounting aperture can vary, depending upon the size of the bag, including, but not limited to, about 0.5 inches, about 0.675 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 0.875 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.125 inches, about 1.25 inches, about 1.375 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.625 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 1.875 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.125 inches, about 2.25 inches, about 2.375 inches, or about 2.5 inches. The height of the central mounting aperture can vary, depending upon the size of the bag, including, but not limited to, about 0.25 inches, about 0.375 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.675 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 0.875 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.125 inches, about 1.25 inches, about 1.375 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.625 inches, about 1.75 inches, about 1.875 inches, or about 2 inches. In certain embodiments, the central mounting aperture has inward and upturned curved end portions. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, the first and second pressure pin bonding regions each comprise at least four pressure pin bonding sites, at least five pressure pin bonding sites, at least six pressure pin bonding sites, at least seven pressure pin bonding sites, or at least eight pressure pin bonding sites. The first and second pressure pin bonding regions are generally located above and on opposite sides of the central mounting aperture, on opposite sides of the central severance aperture. In particular embodiments, the pressure pins are coated, for example with TEFLON®. In addition, the diameter of the pressure pins can vary, depending upon the size of the bag, from lengths including, but not limited to, about 0.25 inches, about 0.375 inches, about 0.5 inches, about 0.625 inches, to about 0.75 inches. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, although the central severance aperture lies between the top of the central mounting aperture and the top of the central mounting tab, the central severance aperture does not contact the top of the central mounting aperture or the top of the central mounting tab. In other embodiments, the central severance aperture is centered between the top of the central mounting aperture and the top of the central mounting tab. The central severance aperture can be of various lengths, depending upon the size of the bag, including, but not limited to, about 0.0625 inches, about 0.09375 inches, about 0.125 inches, about 0.15625 inches, about 0.1875 inches, about 0.21875 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.28125 inches, about 0.3125 inches, about 0.34375 inches, or about 0.375 inches. 
         [0018]    The present disclosure also provides a bag pack comprising a plurality of stacked bags, each bag comprising a front bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, and a rear bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, the rear bag wall and the front bag wall connected at the first sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and the second sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall, sealed at the bottom portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and at the top portions of the rear bag wall and the top bag wall, the top portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall comprising a pair of laterally spaced handles, the handles comprising integral extensions of the rear and front bag walls, each of the handles comprising a mounting aperture and a cold pin bonding site above the mounting aperture, the front wall and rear wall between the handles defining an open bag mouth, the handles extending above the bag mouth from a lower handle portion defining the lateral extent of a lower portion of the bag mouth to an upper handle portion defining a hand grip, a central mounting tab extending upwardly from the lower portion of the open bag mouth comprising a central mounting aperture and a first and a second pressure pin bonding region each comprising at least three pressure pin bonding sites, the first and second pin bonding regions generally above and on opposite sides of the central mounting aperture, and a central severance aperture between the top of the central mounting aperture and the top of the central mounting tab, wherein the distance between the center of the pressure pin bonding site and the nearest portion of the bag mouth is about ¼ of an inch. In certain embodiments, the bag pack comprises 5 bags, 10 bags, 15 bags, 20 bags, 25 bags, 30 bags, 35 bags, 40 bags, 45 bags, 50 bags, 55 bags, 60 bags, 65 bags, 70 bags, 75 bags, 77 bags, 80 bags, 85 bags, 90 bags, 95 bags, 100 bags, 125 bags, 150 bags, 175 bags, or 200 bags. 
         [0019]    The present disclosure also provides a bag dispensing system comprising a bag pack comprising a plurality of stacked bags, each of the bags comprising a front bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, and a rear bag wall comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second sides, the rear bag wall and the front bag wall connected at said first sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and the second sides of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall, sealed at the bottom portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall and at the top portions of the rear bag wall and the top bag wall, the top portions of the rear bag wall and the front bag wall comprising a pair of laterally spaced handles, the handles comprising integral extensions of the rear and front bag walls, each of the handles comprising a mounting aperture and a cold pin bonding site above the mounting aperture, the front wall and rear wall between the handles defining an open bag mouth, the handles extending above the bag mouth from a lower handle portion defining the lateral extent of a lower portion of the bag mouth to an upper handle portion defining a hand grip, a central mounting tab extending upwardly from the lower portion of the open bag mouth comprising a central mounting aperture and a first and a second pressure pin bonding region each comprising at least three pressure pin bonding sites, the first and second pin bonding regions generally above and on opposite sides of the central mounting aperture, and a central severance aperture between the top of said central mounting aperture and the top of said central mounting tab, wherein the distance between the center of the pressure pin bonding site and the nearest portion of the bag mouth is about ¼ of an inch, and a rack for mounting the bag pack and loading and individually removing bags from the bag pack, the rack comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongated support rods having leading ends and a central, upwardly facing, support hook disposed between the support rods. 
         [0020]    In certain embodiments of the bag dispensing system, the rack further comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongated side supports or brackets, which in some embodiments each comprise a pair of vertically spaced arms. In particular embodiments the side supports or brackets comprise at least a first upright support, at least a first and a second upright support, at least a first, a second, and a third upright support, or at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth upright support, spanning the vertically spaced arms. In certain embodiments, the upright supports extend beyond the upper of the vertically spaced arms. In other embodiments, the rack comprises a pair of vertical members, wherein the support rods are attached near the top of the vertical members. In other embodiments, the side supports or brackets are attached to the vertical members below the support rods. In certain embodiments, the rack further comprises a base panel attached to the upright supports. The shape of the base panel can vary, such shapes including, but not limited to, generally square (with or without one or more of the corners cut off), generally rectangular (with or without one or more of the corners cut off), generally octagonal, generally circular, or generally oval. In particular embodiments, the upright supports are attached to the base panel near the rear of the base panel, while in other embodiments, the upright supports comprise a horizontal bend, and the end of the horizontal bend portion of the upright supports attach to the base panel on the sides of the base panel near the middle or front of the base panel. In certain embodiments, the rack further comprises a central transverse member attached to the vertical members below the side supports or brackets. In particular embodiments, the rack further comprises a lower transverse member attached to the vertical members below the side supports or brackets, or below the central transverse member. In certain embodiments, the lower transverse member extends beyond the vertical members, bends, and attaches to the rear of the base panel. 
         [0021]    The present disclosure further provides a die for forming plastic handle bags, the die comprising a main blade having a bevel, the main blade formed generally in the shape of the letter “W”, a pair of handle aperture blades having bevels, one of the handle aperture blades positioned on either side of the outer arms of the main blade, pair of cold pins, one of the cold pins positioned above each of the handle aperture blades, a central aperture blade having a bevel, the central aperture blade positioned below the main blade, a central severance blade having a bevel, the central severance blade positioned between the central aperture blade and the main blade, and a plurality of pressure pins positioned generally between the central aperture blade and the main blade and on either side of the central severance blade, wherein the distance between the center of each of the pressure pins and the center of the bevel of the portion of the main blade closest to each of the pressure pins is about ¼ A of an inch. In certain embodiments, the pressure pins are coated, for example with TEFLON®. The bevel of the main blade, the handle aperture blades, and the central aperture blade can be the same, or can differ from each other, and generally are about 50°, about 55°, about 60°, about 65° or about 70°. The bevel of the central severance blade is generally about 40°, about 45°, about 50°, about 55°, about 60°, about 65°, or about 70°. The height of the blades about the face of the die can vary, depending upon the number of bags being cut, but is generally about 0.875 inches, about 0.90625 inches, about 0.9375 inches, about 0.96875 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.03125 inches, about 1.0625 inches, about 1.09375 inches, about 1.125 inches, about 1.15625 inches, about 1.1875 inches, about 1.21875 inches, or about 1.25 inches. 
         [0022]    In general any size bag can be produced using the disclosed devices and methods. For example, small bags generally have a face width between about 4 inches and about 11 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 4.25 inches, 4.5 inches, 4.75 inches, 5 inches, 5.25 inches, 5.5 inches, 5.75 inches, 6 inches, 6.25 inches, 6.5 inches, 6.75 inches, 7 inches, 7.25 inches, 7.5 inches, 7.75 inches, 8 inches, 8.25 inches, 8.5 inches, 8.75 inches, 9 inches, 9.25 inches, 9.5 inches, 9.75 inches, 10 inches, 10.25 inches, 10.5 inches, and 10.75 inches. Small bags also generally include a gusset range of between about 1 inch and about 8 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.75 inches, 2 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, 2.75 inches, 3 inches, 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 3.75 inches, 4 inches, 4.25 inches, 4.5 inches, 4.75 inches, 5 inches, 5.25 inches, 5.5 inches, 5.75 inches, 6 inches, 6.25 inches, 6.5 inches, 6.75 inches, 7 inches, 7.25 inches, 7.5 inches, and 7.75 inches. In general the cutoff or length range for small bags is between about 8 inches and about 16 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 8.25 inches, 8.5 inches, 8.75 inches, 9 inches, 9.25 inches, 9.5 inches, 9.75 inches, 10 inches, 10.25 inches, 10.5 inches, 10.75 inches, 11 inches, 11.25 inches, 11.5 inches, 11.75 inches, 12 inches, 12.25 inches, 12.5 inches, 12.75 inches, 13 inches, 13.25 inches, 13.5 inches, 13.75 inches, 14 inches, 14.25 inches, 14.5 inches, 14.75 inches, 15 inches, 15.25 inches, 15.5 inches, and 15.75 inches. 
         [0023]    Generally, medium bags have a face width between about 11 inches and about 25 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 11.25 inches, 11.5 inches, 11.75 inches, 12 inches, 12.25 inches, 12.5 inches, 12.75 inches, 13 inches, 13.25 inches, 13.5 inches, 13.75 inches, 14 inches, 14.25 inches, 14.5 inches, 14.75 inches, 15 inches, 15.25 inches, 15.5 inches, 15.75 inches, 16 inches, 16.25 inches, 16.5 inches, 16.75 inches, 17 inches, 17.25 inches, 17.5 inches, 17.75 inches, 18 inches, 18.25 inches, 18.5 inches, 18.75 inches, 19 inches, 19.25 inches, 19.5 inches, 19.75 inches, 20 inches, 20.25 inches, 20.5 inches, 20.75 inches, 21 inches, 21.25 inches, 21.5 inches, 21.75 inches, 22 inches, 22.25 inches, 22.5 inches, 22.75 inches, 23 inches, 23.25 inches, 23.5 inches, 23.75 inches, 24 inches, 24.25 inches, 24.5 inches, and 24.75 inches. Medium bags also generally include a gusset range of between about 8 inches and about 12 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 8.25 inches, 8.5 inches, 8.75 inches, 9 inches, 9.25 inches, 9.5 inches, 9.75 inches, 10 inches, 10.25 inches, 10.5 inches, 10.75 inches, 11 inches, 11.25 inches, 11.5 inches, and 11.75 inches. In general the cutoff or length range for medium bags is between about 16 inches and about 30 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 16.25 inches, 16.5 inches, 16.75 inches, 17 inches, 17.25 inches, 17.5 inches, 17.75 inches, 18 inches, 18.25 inches, 18.5 inches, 18.75 inches, 19 inches, 19.25 inches, 19.5 inches, 19.75 inches, 20 inches, 20.25 inches, 20.5 inches, 20.75 inches, 21 inches, 21.25 inches, 21.5 inches, 21.75 inches, 22 inches, 22.25 inches, 22.5 inches, 22.75 inches, 23 inches, 23.25 inches, 23.5 inches, 23.75 inches, 24 inches, 24.25 inches, 24.5 inches, 24.75 inches, 25 inches, 25.25 inches, 25.5 inches, 25.75 inches, 26 inches, 26.25 inches, 26.5 inches, 26.75 inches, 27 inches, 27.25 inches, 27.5 inches, 27.75 inches, 28 inches, 28.25 inches, 28.5 inches, 28.75 inches, 29 inches, 29.25 inches, 29.5 inches, and 29.75 inches. 
         [0024]    Generally, large bags have a face width between about 25 inches and about 40 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 25.25 inches, 25.5 inches, 25.75 inches, 26 inches, 26.25 inches, 26.5 inches, 26.75 inches, 27 inches, 27.25 inches, 27.5 inches, 27.75 inches, 28 inches, 28.25 inches, 28.5 inches, 28.75 inches, 29 inches, 29.25 inches, 29.5 inches, 29.75 inches, 30 inches, 30.25 inches, 30.5 inches, 30.75 inches, 31 inches, 31.25 inches, 31.5 inches, 31.75 inches, 32 inches, 32.25 inches, 32.5 inches, 32.75 inches, 33 inches, 33.25 inches, 33.5 inches, 33.75 inches, 34 inches, 34.25 inches, 34.5 inches, 34.75 inches, 35 inches, 35.25 inches, 35.5 inches, 35.75 inches, 36 inches, 36.25 inches, 36.5 inches, 36.75 inches, 37 inches, 37.25 inches, 37.5 inches, 37.75 inches, 38 inches, 38.25 inches, 38.5 inches, 38.75 inches, 39 inches, 39.25 inches, and 39.75 inches. Large bags also generally include a gusset range of between about 12 inches and about 20 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 12.25 inches, 12.5 inches, 12.75 inches, 13 inches, 13.25 inches, 13.5 inches, 13.75 inches, 14 inches, 14.25 inches, 14.5 inches, 14.75 inches, 15 inches, 15.25 inches, 15.5 inches, 15.75 inches, 16 inches, 16.25 inches, 16.5 inches, 16.75 inches, 17 inches, 17.25 inches, 17.5 inches, 17.75 inches, 18 inches, 18.25 inches, 18.5 inches, 18.75 inches, 19 inches, 19.25 inches, 19.5 inches, and 19.75 inches. In general the cutoff or length range for large bags is between about 30 inches and about 45 inches, and any size in-between, including, but not limited to, 30.25 inches, 30.5 inches, 30.75 inches, 31 inches, 31.25 inches, 31.5 inches, 31.75 inches, 32 inches, 32.25 inches, 32.5 inches, 32.75 inches, 33 inches, 33.25 inches, 33.5 inches, 33.75 inches, 34 inches, 34.25 inches, 34.5 inches, 34.75 inches, 35 inches, 35.25 inches, 35.5 inches, 35.75 inches, 36 inches, 36.25 inches, 36.5 inches, 36.75 inches, 37 inches, 37.25 inches, 37.5 inches, 37.75 inches, 38 inches, 38.25 inches, 38.5 inches, 38.75 inches, 39 inches, 39.25 inches, 39.5 inches, 39.75 inches, 40 inches, 40.25 inches, 40.5 inches, 40.75 inches, 41 inches, 41.25 inches, 41.5 inches, 41.75 inches, 42 inches, 42.25 inches, 42.5 inches, 42.75 inches, 43 inches, 43.25 inches, 43.5 inches, 43.75 inches, 44 inches, 44.25 inches, 44.5 inches, and 44.75 inches. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    For more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1 . Front elevation view of an example of a bag formed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2 . Perspective view of an example of a bag pack formed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3 . Left side perspective view of an example of a bag dispensing rack in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4 . Side view illustrating an example of a bag in accordance with the present disclosure removed from a bag dispensing rack in accordance with the present disclosure, and an example of a bag drawn forwardly from a bag pack in accordance with the present disclosure with the bag handles engaged with mounting rods in its mouth open loading position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5 . Perspective view illustrating an example of a bag pack in accordance with the present disclosure mounted on a bag dispensing rack in accordance with the present disclosure with the bag handles engaged with a pair of mounting rods. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6 . Perspective view illustrating an example of a bag drawn forwardly from a bag pack in accordance with the present disclosure and maintained on the support rods in its mouth open loading position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7 . Front elevation view of an example of a die in accordance with the present disclosure used to form bags and bag packs in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8 . Side view of blade used to form central severance line between central mounting aperture blade and main blade in an example of a die in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    The present disclosure provides improved bags and bag packs that are easier to open and manipulate, and do not leave any scrap on a dispensing rack or the area around the dispensing rack. The present disclosure additionally provides bag cutting dies used to produce the improved bags and bag packs. The bags, bag packs, bag dispensing racks and systems, and bag cutting dies are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs. 
         [0035]    As an example of the bags of the present disclosure, bag  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The mouth  14  of the bag  10  is formed by a cutout inwardly and centrally through the upper portion of the bag. This cutout defines the central mounting tab  15  and a pair of laterally spaced upwardly extending handles  11  formed of upwardly extending portions of the front  25  and rear (not shown) panels of the bag  10  respectively, as well as similarly upwardly extending portions of the side gussets (not shown). The lower portions of the bag handles define the lateral extent of the bag mouth and upper portions of the bag handles define a hand grip for the bags. Such bag construction, as thus far described, is generally known in the art as will be appreciated from U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,090. 
         [0036]    Each bag handle  11  also includes a mounting aperture  12  formed by elongated generally vertical slots or openings extending longitudinally of the bag handles. The mounting aperture  12  terminates in top and bottom curved portions  19  and  20 , respectively, which serve to distribute and relieve stresses imposed on the mounting slots. Each bag handle  11  also defines a cold pin or nail hole  13  above the mounting aperture  12 , which is penetrated by a cold pin, nail or other sharp round metal object on the die to assist in collecting and aligning individual bags as they are being formed into a pack. The mounting apertures  12  preferably are disposed near the center of the bag handles  11 . Flaps  24  are formed of handle material as the mounting apertures  12  and curved ends  19  and  20  are formed by a knife or razor cut. 
         [0037]    A further feature of the bag in accordance with the present disclosure involves a central mounting tab  15  comprising a curved central mounting aperture  16 , with inwardly and upwardly facing curved end portions  21  and  22  in the lower portion of, or just below, the central mounting tab  15 . A central severance aperture  23  extends partially between the center portion of the central mounting aperture  16  and the top of the central mounting tab  15 . The central mounting tab also comprises a first and a second pressure pin bonding region  27  and  28 , respectively. Each pressure pin bonding region comprises at least three, and in certain aspects four, five, six, or more pressure pin bonding sites, in this example shown as three pressure pin bonding sites  17  in first pressure pin bonding region  27 , and three pressure pin bonding sites  18  in second pressure pin bonding region  28 . The first and second pressure pin bonding regions  27  and  28  are generally disposed above and on either side of central mounting aperture  16 , and thus on either side of the central severance aperture  23 . 
         [0038]    The bag  10  is preferably of a lightweight, highly flexible, heat sealable, tough and high mechanical strength thermoplastic material, including, but not limited to, low, linear low, medium, high density polyethylene and mixtures thereof. In addition, biodegradable or oxodegradable materials, recyclable materials, and materials such as polypropylene, a copolymer of ethylene and another alpha-olefin can also be employed as the film materials. The bag  10  is conventionally fabricated from a continuous plastic tube gusseted, flattened and heat sealed at opposed upper and lower ends. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the present disclosure also provides for a pack  30  of the bags  10 . In order to form the bag packs  30 , a desired quantity of individual bags  10  are disposed in overlapping arrangement and cold pins, nails, other sharp round metal objects or the like are inserted through the overlying bags, deforming or swaging the bag material in the immediate vicinity of the cold pin or nail holes  13  so as to releaseably bond the individual bags together into a unitary pack. The bond thus created is only sufficient to hold the bags together as they are handled and placed on the dispensing racks. The deformed or swaged portions attaching the individual bags to each other are easily separated as the individual bags are dispensed from the racks. Any desired number of such cold pin hole sites may be provided. In the example shown, two cold pin bonding sites  13  are provided in the handle portions  11 , one above each of the mounting apertures  12 . Although any number of bags may be used to form a bag pack, typical bag packs include 50, 77, or 100 bags. 
         [0040]    The pressure pin bonding sites  17  and  18  in the central mounting tab  15  also provide a self-opening feature for the bags  10 . As the front wall  25  of the bag  10  is pulled forward to open the bag for filling, the attachment between the front and back portions of the central mounting tabs  15  will be severed, but the attachment between the back portion of the central mounting tab  15  and the next bag in the bag pack generally will not be severed. As the filled bag then is lifted from the support arms  42 , the back portion of the mounting tab  15  will be pulled forward, tending to open the mounting tab  15  of the next following bag before the connection between the two bags is broken. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the present disclosure also provides a support rack  40  for the mounting of a pack  30  of bags  10  for both the selective dispensing of the individual bags by the handles and with the open mouth upwardly directed for a loading of the bag. The rack  40  will generally include a flat base or support panel  41  and a pair of laterally spaced support arms  42  positioned vertically above the base panel  41  a distance sufficient to accommodate a fully expanded bag  10  with the handles  11  engaged with the support arms  42  and the bottom of the bag  10  on the base panel  41 . The support arms  42  are joined near the upper end of vertical member  43 , while the lower end of vertical member  43  curves about 90° and is affixed on the side of base panel  41  toward the front end of base panel  41 . An upper transverse member  46  extends between the support arms  42  and supports a tab receiving hook element  44  for engagement through the central aperture  16  formed in or below the central mounting tab  15  of the bags  10 , as described herein. The upper transverse member  46  also curves around the support arms  42  to form side supports  47  for the pack  30 . Also shown in this example are optional upright supports  48  and middle transverse member  49 , which also extends between the support arms  42 . Lower transverse member  50  extends between support arms  42 , and can optionally extend around support arms  42  and affix into rear of base panel  41 . The portion of lower transverse member  50  that extends around support arms  42  can optionally comprise two separate members  51  and  52 , both of which are affixed to support arms  42  and one of which is affixed into rear of base panel  41 . The support arms  42  and transverse members  46 ,  49  and  50  may be rigidly joined to vertical member  43 . The bag pack  30  will normally be accommodated generally rearward on the rack  40  toward the upright, or vertical member  43 , allowing for the forward extent of the support panel  41  and overlying support rods  42  to accommodate an opened bag for loading purposes. The rack  40  will also normally include upturned forward ends  45  on the laterally spaced horizontal support rods  42 , for preventing accidental forward displacement of the bag handles  11  off of the forward ends of the support rods  42 . 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the presently disclosed support rack  40  can have a variety of configurations, such as different heights for the vertical member  43 , different spacing widths of the support arms  42  and support panel  41 , different numbers of transverse supports, and the like. In addition, while the support panel  41  is shown as a generally rectangular shape, other shapes of support panels will also find use in the presently disclosed support racks, including, but not limited to, square, octagonal, or rectangular with the front corners removed. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , it is specifically intended that the bag pack  30  be suspended from the support rods  42  by handles  11  by passing through mounting apertures  12  and from the central mounting tabs  15  by passing the hook  44  through the central mounting aperture (not visible) in a manner whereby each individual bag  10 , as it is moved forward from the pack  30 , is retained in an upright open position by the handle engaged support rods  42 , for a loading thereof prior to removal from the rack  40 , and also pulls the front panel  25  of the next bag  10  in the bag pack  30  to a half-open position. As bag  10  is opened, side gusset  29  becomes visible. Accordingly, specific provision is made in the present disclosure for the engagement of the bag handles  11  with the support rods  42 . In alternative embodiments, the central mounting aperture may be engageable with other hook designs of prior art bag rack structures. Note that in  FIG. 4  the side supports  47  of the upper transverse member  46  and middle transverse member  49  of rack  40  are not shown for ease of representation of side view of bag pack  30 , open bag  10 , and the front panel  25  of the following half-open bag  10 . 
         [0044]    The engagement of the bag handles  11  is achieved by the provision of rod receiving mounting apertures  12 , one through each bag handle  11 . The mounting apertures  12  are formed by elongated generally vertical slots or openings extending longitudinally of the bag handles  11 . As detailed above, the vertical apertures or slots  12  terminate in bottom and top curved portions  19  and  20 , respectively, which serve to distribute and relieve stresses imposed on the mounting apertures or slots  12 . As explained below, the elongated mounting apertures or slots  12  make it possible to open the bag mouth to its full desired extent. In certain embodiments, the bag  10  is opened without having a substantial length of bag handle  11  above the top of the mounting apertures or slots  12 . In such embodiments, the vertical mounting apertures  12  preferably have their top curved portions  19  disposed near the upper termination of the bag handles  11 . In particular embodiments, the distance between the top of the top curved portions  19  and the top of the bag handle  11  is about the length of the vertical mounting apertures or slots  12 . 
         [0045]    As detailed above, flaps  24  are formed of handle material as the vertical mounting apertures or slots  12  and curved ends  19  and  20  are formed by a knife or razor cut, and preferably are left in place. The flaps  24  are displaced from the bag pack as the bag pack is inserted on the mounting arms  42  of the rack  40  and help to provide frictional engagement between the mounting arms  42  and the bag pack  30  to keep the bag pack  30  disposed on the rearward portion of the mounting arms  42  as individual bags  10  are pulled forward for opening and use. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the bag pack  30  is placed on the mounting rack  40  the parallel supporting arms  42  will be received in the upper curved portions  19  of the mounting apertures or slots  12 . As an individual bag  10  is pulled forward on the mounting arms  42 , and disposed in a mouth open position for loading, the upper curved portions  19  of the mounting slots  12  will remain resting on the support rods  42 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , as the bag  10  is opened, the remainder of the mounting slot  12  may be disposed generally longitudinally of the mounting rods  42  to permit maximum opening of the bag mouth area. This construction makes it possible in certain embodiments to shorten the overall length of the handles  11 , and thus the overall length of the bags  10 , without sacrificing either storage capacity of the bag or the size of the mouth opening during filling operations. 
         [0047]    As individual bags  10  from the bag pack  30  are pulled forwardly on the support arms  42 , the central severance aperture will tear apart, releasing the central tabs  15  from the support hook  44 . In addition, as the bag  10  is opened, the front panel  25  of the following bag  10  in the pack  30  is pulled to a half-open position on the rack  40 , tearing the central severance aperture and releasing the central tab of the front panel from the support hook  44 , while the central tab  15  of the back panel  26  of the bag  10  remains on support hook  44 , and the back panel  26  of the bag  10  stays with the remainder of the pack  30 . However, all portions of the mounting tabs  15  remain attached to the bag  10  and are removed with the bag, leaving no portions of the mounting tab on the support rack  40 , or loose to fall away from the bag  10 . The central curved portion of the central mounting aperture  16  helps center the mounting tabs  15  on the hook  44  and also concentrates forces as the bottom of the central severance aperture  23 , thus assuring that severance will occur at the central severance aperture  23  rather than elsewhere in the tab area. The inwardly upturned end portions  21  and  22  of the central mounting aperture  16  reduce force concentrations and avoid accidental downward or side tears of the bag body material. 
         [0048]    Use of the elongated mounting apertures or slots  12  also makes the bag packs  30  extremely versatile. Since the mounting apertures  12  are relatively large in size, and extend over a substantial vertical length, they allow one bag construction to be used with various heights and designs of mounting racks  40 . For example, a single bag pack  30  formed in accordance with the present disclosure may be used on a mounting rack  40  with the support arms  42  at varying heights and horizontal spacing, with signal or double support arms and with support arms of various diameters. Bags of varying capacity also may be used on a single mounting rack  40  having a single pair of support arms  42 . This permits bag packs  30  in accordance with the present disclosure to be used on a wide variety of bag racks  40 , including for example those already in place in many retail outlets and supermarkets. 
         [0049]    Shown in  FIG. 7  is an example of a die  60  used to manufacture the bags of the present disclosure. The die  60  includes main blade  61 , positioned in the approximate shape of the letter “W”, with the two outer arms of the “W” much longer than the central raised portion of the “W”, and the central raised portion of the “W” is generally in the shape of a trapezoid. The distance B between the two outer arms of the main blade can be a variety of different distances, depending upon the size of the bags being produced, although a common distance is 5.75 inches. In addition, the distance A, which represents the maximum horizontal width of the bag mouth, can also be a variety of different distances, depending upon the size of the bags being produced, although a common distance is 6.5 inches. The main blade forms the mouth  14  and handles  11  of the bag  10 , side mounting aperture blades  62 , and central mounting aperture blade  63 . A variety of blades can be used on the dies of the present disclosure, for example universal  60  blades, which include a 60° bevel. However, other blades can be used in other embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, for example for different sizes or thicknesses of bags, the blade can extend above the die different distances, although a common height is 0.937 of an inch. 
         [0050]    The die  60  also includes central severance line blade  66 , cold pins  64 , and central mounting tab pressure pins  65 . In certain embodiments, the pressure pins are coated, for example with TEFLON®. While the size of the pressure pins can vary, for example from ¼ of an inch, ⅜ of an inch, or ⅝ of an inch, depending upon the size of the bag, the inventor has discovered that by using a ¼ inch distance between the center of the pressure pin and the center on the bevel on the main blade, and TEFLON® coating on the pressure pins, the bags are easier to open and manipulate. The result is that when the first bag in a bag pack is pulled open to load the bag, the front panel of the following bag in the bag pack is pulled to a half-open position. Also shown in  FIG. 7  is handle  67 . 
         [0051]    Shown in  FIG. 8  is the detail of the central severance line blade  66 . While the central severance line blade  66  when viewed from above the face of the die  60  (see  FIG. 7 ) appears to span the entire distance between the central mounting aperture blade  63  and the main blade  61 , the upper portion  68  of the central severance aperture blade  66 , which is the only portion of the blade that makes contact with the bag  10 , is generally centered between the central mounting aperture blade  63  and the main blade  61 . The length of the upper portion of the central severance line blade can vary depending on the size of the bag, but in general is between 3/32 of an inch and ⅜ of an inch in length. However, other lengths, including, but not limited to, ⅛ of an inch, 5/32 of an inch, 3/16 of an inch, 7/32 of an inch, ¼ of an inch, 9/32 of an inch, 5/16 of an inch, or 11/32 of an inch, can be used in other embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, while the main blade  61  generally has a bevel of about 60°, the upper portion  68  of the central severance aperture blade  66  can generally has a 45° or 60° bevel. 
         [0052]    All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.