Flap tie bag

A unitary trash bag includes a closed bag end and an open bag end located opposite the closed bag end. A plurality of flaps ae located at the open bag end. The flaps are arranged around a perimeter of the open bag end, each flap of the plurality of flaps including a flap opening in the flap to grasp and/or close the bag. A method of forming a trash bag includes forming a tubular film of material and sealing an edge of the tubular film, thereby defining a closed bag end. The film is cut at an open bag end opposite to the closed bag end to define a plurality of flaps in the film at the open bag end. A plurality of flap openings are cut in the film at the flaps and between the open bag end and the closed bag end.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to bags, typically formed from a plastic material and utilized for trash or other refuse.

A typical bag utilized for purposes such as trash or refuse disposal and/or material storage, is formed from a plastic or polymer material. Such bags have various features and configurations for closure and or handling of the bag. On type of such bag is a drawstring closure bag. A drawstring closure bag has a sleeve formed in the bag containing a drawstring, with access to the drawstring provided by openings n the sleeve. When desired, drawstring is pulled from the openings and utilized to lift or carry the bag, and/or may be knotted to close the bag opening.

Another type of such bag is referred to as a flap tie bag. Flap tie bags have their opening at least partially defined by a number or protrusions or flaps. To close the bag opening, flaps at opposing sides of the bag opening may be knotted together. Flap configurations, however, often make knotting of the flaps difficult, and often result in a closure of the bag that is not optimally secure. Further, a typical flap tie bag does not provide effective means for lifting and/or carrying the bag.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a unitary trash bag includes a closed bag end and an open bag end located opposite the closed bag end. A plurality of flaps ae located at the open bag end. The flaps are arranged around a perimeter of the open bag end, each flap of the plurality of flaps including a flap opening in the flap to grasp and/or close the bag.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of flaps are configured such that a first flap of the plurality of flaps having a first flap opening is insertable into a second flap opening of a second flap of the plurality of flaps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the first flap and the second flap are located opposite each other across the open bag end.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments additional flaps of the plurality of flaps are configured to be insertable into the second flap opening.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of flaps is four flaps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the flap opening is one of semi-circular, circular, elliptical, oval, rectangular or rounded-rectangular in shape.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a flap edge and a flap opening edge define a flap handle therebetween.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the flap opening edge is a constant distance from the flap edge, defining a flap handle having a constant width along its length.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of flaps are defined as localized increases in a distance from the closed bag end to the open bag end.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the bag is formed from a polyethylene material.

In another embodiment, a method of forming a trash bag includes forming a tubular film of material and sealing an edge of the tubular film, thereby defining a closed bag end. The film is cut at an open bag end opposite to the closed bag end to define a plurality of flaps in the film at the open bag end. A plurality of flap openings are cut in the film at the flaps and between the open bag end and the closed bag end.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the flap openings are cut in the film via die cutting.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the flap opening is one of semi-circular, circular, elliptical, oval, rectangular or rounded-rectangular in shape.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a flap edge and a flap opening edge define a flap handle therebetween.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the flap opening edge is a constant distance from the flap edge, defining a flap handle having a constant width along its length.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of flaps are defined as localized increases in a distance from the closed bag end to the open bag end.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the sealing an edge of the tubular film is accomplished by an application of heat to the tubular film.

In yet another embodiment, a unitary trash bag includes a closed bag end and an open bag end disposed opposite the closed bag end. A plurality of flaps are included at the open bag end and are arranged around a perimeter of the open bag end. Each flap of the plurality of flaps includes a flap opening in the flap to grasp and/or close the bag. The plurality of flaps are configured such that a first flap of the plurality of flaps has a first flap opening insertable into a second flap opening of a second flap of the plurality of flaps disposed opposite the first flap across the open bag end. The flap opening is one of semi-circular, circular, elliptical, oval, rectangular or rounded-rectangular in shape and defines a flap handle between a flap edge and a flap opening edge. The bag is formed from a tubular film of polyethylene material.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments additional flaps of the plurality of flaps are configured to be insertable into the second flap opening.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of flaps is four flaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown inFIGS. 1 and 2is an embodiment of a bag10, also referred to as a “trash bag”, utilized for trash or refuse disposal and/or material storage. The bag10is formed from a polyolefin material, more specifically, in some embodiments, polyethylene. The bag10has a bottom edge12, two side edges14, and a bag opening16located opposite the bottom edge12, and defined by an opening edge18. The bag10has a bag width20defined as a distance between opposing side edges14. Further the bag10has a bag height22defined as a distance between the bottom edge12and the opening edge18. The bag10is a flap tie bag10, having a plurality of flaps24disposed at the bag opening16. In some embodiments, the flaps24are defined by a localized increase in bag height22. In some embodiments, the flaps24have, for example, a curvilinear flap edge26located at the bag opening16. While a quantity of flaps24arranged around the bag opening16may vary depending on requirements and preferences, in some embodiments the number of flaps24is four flaps24arranged equally spaced about the bag opening16. In other embodiments, two flaps24, 8 flaps24or other quantities of flaps24may be utilized.

Referring toFIG. 2, the bag10is manufactured to include a flap opening28in the flap24. The flap opening28is defined by an opening edge30in the flap24. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2, the flap opening28is semi-circular. It is to be appreciated, however, that other flap opening28shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, circular, elliptical, rectangular or rounded-rectangular flap openings28. In some embodiments, the opening edge30is a constant distance from the flap edge26defining a constant-width flap handle32or strap.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4the flap handles32formed in the flaps24via inclusion of the flap opening28can serve many purposes. First, as shown inFIG. 3, the flap handles32may be utilized, either singularly or as a group, to grasp and/or carry the bag10. Additionally or alternatively, as shown inFIG. 4, the flap handles32may be utilized as a closure for the bag10. This may be accomplished by, for example, inserting a first flap handle32aof a first flap24athrough a flap opening28bof a second flap24b. Additional flap handles32cand32dof flaps24cand24d, respectively, may also be inserted through flap opening28bto close the bag10. Additionally, the flap handles32may be knotted to one another to provide additional or alternative closure of the bag10.

Referring now toFIG. 5, illustrated is a schematic view of a process for making an embodiment of a bag10. The bag10is formed from a polyolefin material, in some embodiments the material is a polyethylene. At step100, the material is formed into a tubular film via, for example, a blown film process. The film is transferred to a film roll at step102, then conveyed to a bag machine at step104. In subsequent step106, the film is unrolled, and the bag bottom seals are formed by, for example, application of heat. At a folding station, the material is folded in step108. At step110, the flaps24and flap openings28are cut into the bags10by, in some embodiments, one or more die cutting operations. It is to be appreciated that other cutting operations may be utilized, for example, a water jet, air knife or the like. Once the selected flap24and flap opening shape28is achieved, the bags10are separated at step112, and then rolled and packaged at step114.