Tamper evident sealable bag assembly with note tab and method

A tamper evident delivery bag assembly includes a single use closure tape is laterally mounted to the first panel upper section, and includes an upper lateral portion extending laterally above the first edge of the bag assembly in an unsealed condition. The tape upper lateral portion can be folded over the second edge of the second panel such that an adhesive of the tape is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel, substantially sealing the bag opening in a sealed condition. The leg portions of the handles are received through the cutouts of the tape. The closure tape member further includes a note tab extending downwardly from a middle lateral portion thereof. The note tab includes a tab adhesive and a removable protective cover. When the protective cover is removed, the note can be placed between the tab adhesive and the exterior surface of the first panel, and adhered therebetween in a mounted condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handled bags, and more particularly, relates to single use, food service, sealable bags with integrated venting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional lunch bag-shaped paper bags have been in use in the food industry since at least the commencement of take-out fast food services. These upper open ended paper bags are easy to open, fill and close, providing simple access to its contents.

More recently, handled paper and plastic bags are becoming more commonly used in food delivery. While the use of these handled paper and plastic bags continues to proliferate in the food service industry, especially with the recent growth of third party food delivery services, the potential for food tampering also increases. Both the food preparer/provider and the consumer would like assurance the food prepared has not in any manner been touched or tampered prior to the delivery, as well as assure the consumer that they received the proper delivery without having to immediately open the sealed delivery bag.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a single use, handled paper or plastic delivery bag that is capable of being sealed in a manner that enables the end consumer assurance that the handled bag has not been opened, and that the prepared food therein has not been tampered with. It is also desirable to provide a sealed bag assembly that enables a note, such as a purchase receipt, order ticket, pick ticket, etc., to be easily attached to the sealed bag assembly for simple viewing of the order information such as the order number, consumer identification, order contents, purchase price, date and time, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tamper evident delivery bag assembly comprising a sheet-like first panel, an opposed sheet-like second panel, and a bottom gusset. Each the first and second panel includes an interior surface that faces the opposing panel and an exterior surface, and each panel further includes a respective upper section terminating at an upper first edge of the first panel and an opposed upper second edge of the second panel. The first and second edges cooperate to at least partially define a bag opening into a content receiving region extending between the bag opening, the panels and the bottom gusset. The upper sections are movable between an opened condition and a closed condition, the closed condition where the first and second edges generally oriented in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another.

The present inventive delivery bag assembly further includes a single use closure tape member laterally mounted to the first panel upper section, and includes an upper lateral portion extending laterally above the first edge thereof in an unsealed condition. An adhesive is disposed on an interior surface of the tape upper lateral portion facing the second panels when in the unsealed condition. A removable protective strip is provided that covers the adhesive to maintain the tape in the unsealed condition until sealing is required. Hence, when the protective strip is removed, and the panel upper sections are aligned in the closed condition, the tape upper lateral portion can be folded over the second edge of the second panel such that the adhesive is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel, substantially sealing the bag opening in a sealed condition.

In accordance with the present invention, the closure tape member further includes a note tab extending downwardly from the middle lateral portion. The note tab includes a tab adhesive disposed on an interior surface thereof facing the exterior surface of the first panel. A removable protective cover is disposed over the tab adhesive, in an unmounted condition, preventing unintentional adherence of the note tab to the exterior surface of the first panel. When the protective cover is removed, a note can be placed between the tab adhesive of the note tab and the exterior surface of the first panel, and adhered therebetween in a mounted condition.

Accordingly, by additionally adhering the note to the sealed bag assembly, bag contents and delivery destination can be easily identified, especially if the bag assembly has already been sealed.

In one specific embodiment, the lateral dimension of the note tab is in the range of about ¼ to about ⅓ the lateral length of the middle lateral portion of the closure tape member.

In another configuration, the note tab is positioned along one of the left side, the middle and the right side of the middle lateral portion of the closure tape member.

In another embodiment, a vertical dimension of the note tab extending downwardly from a lower edge of the middle lateral portion is in the range of about ¼ inch to about 1½ inch.

In still another specific embodiment, the note tab includes a tab cutout configured to facilitate the ease of removal of the protective cover. The tab cutout, in one example, is positioned at a lower corner of the note tab.

Yet another configuration provides the delivery bag assembly with a first handle mounted to the upper section of the first panel having a pair spaced-apart first leg portions upstanding from the first edge. Further, a second handle is mounted to the upper section of the second panel having a pair spaced-apart second leg portions upstanding from the second edge The first and second handles together with the first and second leg portions are generally aligned adjacent one another and collectively define a gripping passage therethrough when the upper sections are oriented in the closed condition. The tape upper lateral portion includes a pair of handle cutouts strategically aligned with the leg portions of the first handle such that when the tape upper lateral portion is folded over the second edge of the second panel in the sealed condition, the leg portions of the first and second handles are received through the respective handle cutouts of the tape member.

In one specific embodiment, the tape upper lateral portion defines a middle closure section having a closure height extending vertically from the first edge to an upper edge of the middle closure section. The closure height is less than a vertical height of the gripping passage such that when the tape upper lateral portion is folded over the second edge of the second panel to the sealed condition, the middle closure section passes unobstructedly under the aligned handle members and through the gripping passage.

Another configuration provides the tape upper lateral portion that defines a first outer closure section and a second outer closure section on opposed sides of the middle closure section. At least one of the first outer closure section and the second outer closure section defines a closure cutout configured to facilitate the ease of removal of the protective strip.

In one embodiment, the bag assembly is comprised of one of paper material and plastic material.

In still another specific configuration, the tape member includes a plurality of elongated scoring slits extending in a direction substantially transverse to the respective first and second edge of the respective first and second panel and across the bag opening when the upper sections are in the closed condition and the tape member is in the sealed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a tamper evident method for delivering one or more food containers in a bag assembly that is configured to mount a note thereon. The method includes providing a handled delivery bag assembly having a sheet-like first panel, and an opposed sheet-like second panel, each the first and second panel having an interior surface that faces the opposing panel and an exterior surface Further, each panel further includes a respective upper section terminating at an upper first edge of the first panel and an opposed upper second edge of the second panel. The first and second edges cooperate to at least partially define a bag opening into a content receiving region extending between the bag opening and the first and second panels. The upper sections are movable between an opened condition and a closed condition. The bag assembly further includes a single use closure tape member laterally mounted to the first panel upper section at a middle lateral portion thereof, and having an upper lateral portion extending laterally above the first edge thereof in an unsealed condition. The closure tape member further including a note tab extending downwardly from the middle lateral portion in an unmounted condition. The method further includes reorienting the upper sections of the bag assembly to the opened condition to enable receipt of the one or more food containers in the content receiving region, and repositioning the upper sections of the bag assembly from the opened condition to the closed condition, orienting the first and second edges generally in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another. The method includes exposing a closure adhesive disposed on an interior surface of the tape upper lateral portion facing the second panel when in the unsealed condition, and subsequently, folding the tape upper lateral portion over the second edge of the second panel such that the adhesive is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel, substantially sealing the bag opening in a sealed condition. In accordance with the present invention, the method further includes exposing a tab adhesive disposed on an interior surface of the note tab facing the exterior surface of the first panel. Next, the method includes placing the note between the exposed tab adhesive of the note tab and the exterior surface of the first panel; and adhering the note therebetween in a mounted condition.

In one specific embodiment, the exposing the closure adhesive includes removing a protective strip from the closure adhesive; and the exposing the tab adhesive includes removing a protective cover from the tab adhesive.

Another embodiment includes the bag assembly having a first handle mounted to the upper section of the first panel having a pair spaced-apart first leg portions upstanding from the first edge, and a second handle mounted to the upper section second panel having a pair spaced-apart second leg portions upstanding from the second edge. The first and second handles together with the first and second leg portions are generally aligned adjacent one another and collectively defining a gripping passage therethrough when the upper sections are oriented in the closed condition. The tape upper lateral portion define a pair of handle cutouts strategically aligned with the leg portions of the first handle, wherein, the folding the tape upper lateral portion includes receiving the leg portions of the first and second handles through the respective handle cutouts of the tape member.

In yet another embodiment, the tape upper portion defining a middle closure section having a closure height extending vertically from the first edge to an upper edge of the middle closure section, the closure height being less than a vertical height of the gripping passage. The folding the tape upper lateral portion includes passing the middle closure section unobstructedly under the aligned handle members and through the gripping passage toward the sealed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention will be described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be noted here that for a better understanding, like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures.

Turning now toFIGS. 1-8, a tamper evident delivery bag assembly, generally designated20, is provided having a sheet-like first panel21, an opposed sheet-like second panel22, and a bottom gusset26. Each the first and second panel21,22having an interior surface that faces the opposing panel and an exterior surface. Moreover, each panel21,22further includes a respective upper section36,37terminating at an upper first edge31of the first panel21, and an opposed upper second edge32of the second panel22. The first and second edges31,32cooperating to at least partially define a bag opening35into a content receiving region extending between the bag opening35, panels21,22and the bottom gusset26. The upper sections36,37being movable between an opened condition (FIGS. 1-5) and a closed condition (FIGS. 6-8), orienting the first and second edges31,32generally in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another. The bag assembly further includes a first handle27mounted to the upper section36of the first panel21, and includes a pair spaced-apart first leg portions40,41upstanding from the first edge31. A second handle28is also included which is mounted to the upper section37of the second panel22, and also includes a pair spaced-apart second leg portions42,43upstanding from the second edge32. The first and second leg portions40,41and42,43being generally aligned adjacent one another when the upper sections36,37are oriented in the closed condition (FIGS. 6-8). In accordance with the present invention, the bag assembly further includes a single use closure tape member30laterally mounted to the first panel upper section36, and having an upper lateral portion extending laterally above the first edge31thereof in an unsealed condition (FIGS. 1-6). The tape member30further includes a closure adhesive38(FIG. 3) disposed on an interior surface of the tape upper lateral portion facing the second panel22when in the unsealed condition. The tape upper lateral portion includes a pair of handle cutouts45,46strategically aligned with the respective leg portions40,41of the first handle27. A removable protective strip33is provided that covers the adhesive38. When the protective strip33is removed, and the panel upper sections36,37are aligned in the closed condition (FIG. 3), the tape upper lateral portion can be folded over the second edge32of the second panel22such that the adhesive is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel22, substantially sealing the bag opening in a sealed condition (FIGS. 7 and 8). In this arrangement, the leg portions40,41and42,43of the first and second handles27,28are received through the respective handle cutouts45,46of the tape member30.

Accordingly, a single-use, tamper evident delivery bag assembly is provided that can be one-time sealed in a manner that will exhibit visible signs of tampering and destruction should someone attempt to access its contents, yet provides venting of the contents simply by the positioning of the closure adhesive and seal in such a manner to create venting. This single-use bag assembly is particularly useful in the food delivery service industry since the size of the vent or vents, while providing venting of steam for example, is sufficiently small so that delivery personal cannot tamper with the bag contents without tearing of the bag or seal.

In accordance with the present invention, the delivery bag assembly20includes a fairly conventional handled bag assembly with the sheet-like first panel21and the opposed sheet-like second panel22either directly joined at the opposed panel side edges44,47and48,49, forming common opposed side seams (not shown) or joined at respective panel side edges by an opposed pair of sheet-like, vertically creased, side gussets23,25therebetween. The folded sheet-like bottom gusset26is coupled to the bottom edges of the first and second panels21,22, and the bottom edges of the opposed side gussets23,25. The respective interior surfaces of the first and second panels21,22, the side gussets23,25, and the bottom gusset26collectively define the content receiving region. Moreover, the pair of opposed handles27,28are preferably provided by conventional twisted loop handles, flat plastic or paper folded handles (FIG. 15), rope handles, etc., that are widely available for easy carrying. These handles27,28each include a pair of leg portions40,41and42,43which are mounted to either, the respective interior surface (e.g.,FIG. 3) or the exterior surface (e.g.,FIG. 17) of the respective upper sections36,37of the first and second panels21,22.

Briefly, it will be appreciated that while the present invention is particularly suitable for conventional handled paper bags, this tamper evident seal assembly can be applied to plastic bags as well as any other conventional bag materials utilized in the food delivery industry. Moreover, while the present invention is shown with bag assemblies with two handles, one mounted to each panel, it will be appreciated that the present invention applies to bag assemblies with only a single handle (e.g., only a single handle27mounted to the first panel21, and no second handle28mounted to the second panel22).

Referring now toFIGS. 1, 2 and 16, the bag assembly20includes an elongated, single-sided adhesive or tape member30mounted to the exterior surface, and at the first and second edges31,32of either the sheet-like first and second panel21,22. For the sake of clarity, the tape member will be described with reference to mounting, initially, only to the exterior surface of the first panel21, although it will be appreciated that the tape member could be mounted to the exterior surface of the second panel22or to either interior surfaces thereof. Hence, the elongated tape member30is initially adhered or mounted to the exterior surface of the first panel21, extending laterally along the corresponding upper first edge31thereof. In general, less than about one-half of the tape member30(i.e., a lower lateral portion thereof) is positioned below the corresponding first edge of the first panel21, while being mounted to exterior surface thereof. The remaining upper lateral portion of the tape member30extends above the corresponding first edge31, in the unsealed condition (FIGS. 1-6), and is initially not mounted or adhered to anything other than its protective strip33. In one example, as shown inFIGS. 1, 4-6 and 9, the height of the lower lateral portion (mounted to the exterior surface of the first panel21) and that of the upper lateral portion of the tape member30are generally equal to one another. In another example, as shown inFIG. 15, the height of the upper lateral portion may be significantly higher than that of the lower lateral portion. For instance, the height of the lower lateral portion may be ½″ while that of the upper lateral portion is 1½″ above the first edge31.

The remaining upper lateral portion of the tape member30is configured to be folded over the opposing second edge32of the second panel22(FIG. 5), when the opening35into the bag interior of the bag is positioned in a closed condition (FIG. 6), prior to sealing of the opening in a sealed condition (FIGS. 7 and 8). It will be appreciated that in this closed position, the opposed first and second edges31,32of the sheet-like first and second panels21,22, as well as the handles27,28, will be oriented generally parallel to and adjacent one another.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 4-6, to accommodate the lower leg portions40,41,42,43of the opposed handles27,28that are mounted to the corresponding first and second panels21,22, the upper lateral portion of the tape member30includes corresponding handle cutouts45,46aligned therewith. These aligned handle cutouts45,46separate the remaining upper lateral portion into three closure sections50,51and52, enabling the tape upper lateral portion to be folded over the corresponding second edge32of the second panel22. Accordingly, once the protection strip33has been removed (FIGS. 5 and 6), as will be described in greater detail below, the exposed adhesive38on each closure section of the tape member can be adhered to the corresponding exterior surface of the second panel upper section, thereby sealing the bag closed in a sealed condition (FIGS. 7 and 8).

It will be appreciated that the handle cutouts45,46can be any shape, but must be sufficiently dimensioned to accommodate the lower leg portions40-43of the handles27,28when the panel upper sections are oriented in the closed condition and the tape member is in the sealed condition. Moreover, it will be understood that integral cutout vent apertures60,61into the bag interior are formed by the cutouts themselves when the tape member seals the bag opening (FIGS. 7 and 8). Thus, these vent apertures60,61are essentially formed between the interior distal edges of the outer closure sections50,52of the tape member30and the first and second edges31,32of the corresponding panels21,22.

Further, the outer vent apertures62-65are formed by the spacing between the outer distal edges of the outer closure section50,52of the tape member30and the corresponding opposed side edges of the first and second panels21,22, as the tape member extends across roughly about 90% the width of the first and second panels. In this manner, when the outer closure sections50,52of the tape member are sealed against the exterior surface of the second panel22, the distal ends of the tape member30and the end creases of the corresponding folded side gussets23,25form these four outer vent apertures62-65. In contrast when the opposed side edges44,47and48,49of the panels21,22are directly joined at side seams (not shown) whereby the upper side gussets are eliminated, only two outer vent apertures are formed between the outer distal edges of the tape outer closure section50,52and the corresponding joined side edges of the panels.

Collectively, these vent apertures provide venting of contents sealed within the bag interior. This will of course assures proper steam venting of hot food content therein, for instance, when the bag assembly is being carried by the handles27,28. It will be appreciated, however, that each vent aperture or passage is of a lateral dimension sufficiently large to enable adequate venting of steam therethrough while being sufficiently small to prevent the passage of a human hand therethrough. These vent apertures are preferably in the range of opening to at least about 3.2 mm in diameter to no more than about 25.4 mm in diameter, and more preferably about 12.7 in diameter.

When the tape member30is folded over, using the adhesive38to seal off the bag opening, the bag assembly is temporarily closed while retaining the container contents in the content receiving region. The adhesive38of the tape member will maintain the closure of the bag assembly until forcibly opened and/or torn. Accordingly, a tamper evident seal is created, assuring both the food preparer/provider, the food delivery driver, and the customer that content contained in the bag assembly20has not been tampered with.

The character and properties of the adhesive of the closure tape member30is preferably similar to that of the relatively strong adhesives and adhesive tapes employed for those used on overnight delivery packages, for instance. That is, the adhesive strength must be sufficiently strong so that any attempt to open the sealed bag assembly would show visible signs of tampering (e.g., stretching, tearing, etc. of the bag material and/or closure adhesive). Suitable closure adhesive tape materials include, for example, 3M® 9086, 9888T, CT6348, 9088, 9088FL, and 55256 double-sided adhesive.

To prevent inadvertent closure or contact of the adhesive38of the remaining upper lateral portion of the tape member30, as mentioned, the tape member30includes a manually removable protective strip33(FIGS. 1-4). Thus, the adhesive38of the closure sections50,51, and52are protected until needed and utilized. Generally, however, even when the protective strip is removed released from the tape member30, the adhesive, when still oriented in the unsealed condition, will not inadvertently contact the exterior surface of the second panel22until the tape upper lateral portion is manually folded over the first and second edges of the bag, and sealed against the second panel.

In accordance with the present invention, a single unit protective strip33is applied, spanning the voids created by the handle cutouts45,46of the upper lateral portion of the tape member. In this manner, the protective strip can be removed as one unit rather than removing three separate units. This significantly reduces the time and effort required to remove the protective strip during sealing the bag assembly20.

In one configuration, the tape member30includes strategic cuts or scoring70(e.g.,FIGS. 1, 4 and 16) to easily cause breakage of the tape member should removal of the tape be attempted. Such scoring, thus, easily shows any evidence of tampering due to visual separation of the scored portion of the tape member30should tampering of the tape member be attempted. While the scoring70is shown in the figures as a plurality of adjacent S-shaped slits that extend traversely across the tape member, the scoring marks can be provided by any convention designs. For example, the slits may be in the form of designs. In one specific example, more distinctive designs include lettering or the like, and can provide personal advertising such as the “S2G” design (Seal-2-Go) shown inFIG. 16.

In another aspect of the present invention, the tape member30, alone, may be provided for mounting of the lower lateral portion of the tape member to the upper section36of the first panel21(FIG. 16). The tape member would be provided with pre-cut handle cutouts45,46that are to be aligned with the leg portions40,41of the first handle27. In this configuration, the tape member includes a lower protective cover34similar to the protective strip33that protects an adhesive mounted to the lower lateral portion (not shown). This protective cover34may removed prior to aligned adhered mounting of the lower lateral portion to the first panel upper section36without requiring removal of the protective strip33.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for tamper evident delivering of one or more food containers in a handled bag assembly20. The method includes providing a handled delivery bag assembly20having a sheet-like first panel21, and an opposed sheet-like second panel22. Each the first and second panel includes an interior surface that faces the opposing panel and an exterior surface. Each panel21,22further includes a respective upper section36,37terminating at an upper first edge31of the first panel and an opposed upper second edge32of the second panel. The first and second edges31,32cooperate to at least partially define a bag opening35into a content receiving region extending between the bag opening and the first and second panels21,22. The upper sections36,37are movable between an opened condition (FIGS. 1-5) and a closed condition (FIGS. 6-8), orienting the first and second edges31,32generally in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another. The bag assembly further includes a first handle27mounted to the upper section36of the first panel21having a pair spaced-apart first leg portions40,41upstanding from the first edge31, and a second handle28mounted to the upper section37of the second panel having a pair spaced-apart second leg portions42,43upstanding from the second edge32. The first and second leg portions are generally aligned adjacent one another when the upper sections36,37are oriented in the closed condition (FIGS. 6-8). The bag assembly further includes a single use closure tape member30laterally mounted to the first panel upper section36, and having an upper lateral portion extending laterally above the first edge31thereof in an unsealed condition (FIGS. 1-6) wherein the tape upper lateral portion having a pair of handle cutouts45,46strategically aligned with the leg portions40,41of the first handle27. The method further includes reorienting the upper sections36,37of the bag assembly20to the opened condition (FIGS. 1-5) to enable receipt of the one or more food containers in the content receiving region, and repositioning the upper sections of the bag assembly from the opened condition to the closed condition (FIGS. 6-8). This orients the first and second edges, and the leg portions of the handles, generally in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another. Next, the method includes exposing a closure adhesive38disposed on an interior surface of the tape upper lateral portion facing the second panel22when in the unsealed condition, and folding the tape upper lateral portion over the second edge32of the second panel22such that the adhesive is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel, substantially sealing the bag opening35in a sealed condition (FIGS. 7 and 8). In this manner, the leg portions40-43of the first and second handles are received through the respective handle cutouts45,46of the tape member30.

In one specific embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the exposing the closure adhesive38includes removing a protective strip33from the closure adhesive.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 22, the outer closure sections50,52of the tape member30include one or more closure cutouts71,72that enable easier gripping of the protective strip33for removal thereof, to expose the underlying closure adhesive. These closure cutouts71,72promote gripping of the protective strip33by providing an increased gripping surface area thereof. These cutouts71,72are preferably located either at the corners of the outer closure sections (e.g., section52) or more central to the far edge thereof (e.g., outer closure section50). Such closure cutouts or recesses can be any shape or size, such as the quadrant closure cutout71or the semicircular or concave closure cutout72, as long as a more significant gripping region of the protective strip33is exposed.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, tape member30includes a note tab73oriented on the side opposite the upper lateral portion which is configured to secure a note74(FIG. 21) or the like, such as a purchase receipt, order ticket or pick ticket, to the one of the bag assembly panels. This is very beneficial in that, in one example, the note74can be easily adhered to the designated bag assembly for simple viewing information such as the bag contents, consumer identification, order number and delivery destination, especially if the bag assembly has already been sealed.

Accordingly, turning now toFIGS. 18-21, a tamper evident delivery bag assembly20is provided that is configured to further mount the note74thereon. Similar to the embodiments above, the bag assembly includes the sheet-like first panel21, the opposed sheet-like second panel22, and the bottom gusset26. The upper sections36,37of the first and second panels are movable between the opened condition (FIG. 18and the closed condition (FIGS. 19-21), orienting the first and second edges31,32generally in opposed, adjacent, relationship to one another. An elongated, single use closure tape member, generally designated30, is laterally mounted to the first panel upper section36at a middle lateral portion75of the tape. The upper lateral portion of the tape member30extends laterally above the first edge of the first panel21, in an unsealed condition (FIG. 18). The removable protective strip33is provided that covers the closure adhesive38disposed on an interior surface of the tape upper lateral portion. Again, similar to the above configurations, when the protective strip is removed, and the panel upper sections36,37are aligned in the closed condition, the tape upper lateral portion can be folded over the second edge32of the second panel22such that the adhesive is brought into contact with the exterior surface of the second panel, substantially sealing the bag opening in a sealed condition (FIG. 19-21).

As best shown inFIGS. 22 and 23, the closure tape member30further includes a note tab73extending downwardly from the middle lateral portion75thereof. The note tab includes a tab adhesive disposed on an interior surface thereof facing the exterior surface of the first panel when in both an unmounted condition (FIGS. 18 and 19) and a mounted condition (FIG. 21), to be described. A removable protective cover76extends over and covers the tab adhesive, in the unmounted condition, preventing adherence of the note tab73to the exterior surface of the first panel21. When the protective cover76is removed (FIG. 20), the note74can then be placed between the tab adhesive of the note tab73and the exterior surface of the first panel21, and the note tab can be pushed into contact with the first panel21, adhering the note tab therebetween, in a mounted condition (FIG. 21). Briefly, it will be appreciated that the tape member30, prior to mounting to a bag or the like, will include a middle protective strip33athat protects the adhesive on the backing of the middle lateral portion75prior to use.

The underside of the note tab73includes the tab adhesive79(FIG. 23) which is similar to the three closure sections50,51and52on the opposite side of the tape member30. In fact, the tape member is preferably stamped from a single tape source so that the upper lateral portion, the middle lateral portion75and the note tab73all have the same adhesive material backing, as well as the same protective cover materials. As mentioned, the removable protective cover76covers the tab adhesive so that the note tab73will not inadvertently adhere to the first panel exterior surface, maintaining the unmounted condition (FIGS. 18 and 19) until needed. This protective cover76is easily removed manually (FIG. 20) when the service personnel is ready to mount the note to the bag assembly. In accordance with the present invention, as best shown inFIG. 21, the note74can be adhered between the note tab73and the sheet-like first panel21of the bag assembly20, mounting the same thereto, in the mounted condition.

The width of the note tab73is generally in the range of about ⅓ of the width of the middle lateral portion75of the tape member (as well as the first panel21width). This note tab width is variable, of course, and may even extend laterally across the entire width of the middle lateral portion75, although this is perhaps not practical. The note tab width, however, must be wider than the note74itself since if note tab were too narrow, a wider note may span the entire width of the tab adhesive, preventing or impairing the ability of adhering the note tab to the exterior surface of the first panel21. Accordingly, the width of the note tab is preferably at least in the range of about 1″ to about 4″.

Similarly, the height of the note tab can vary in any length, although too shallow of a height will render the tab unusable since it may be too difficult to position and adhere the note between the tab adhesive and first panel21. On the other hand, a note tab73that is too tall in height is impractical to use, and wasteful of paper resources. Accordingly, the height of the note tab73is preferably in the range of about ¼″ to about 1½″.

For the most part, only one note tab73is be incorporated (FIGS. 18-23) along the bottom of the middle lateral section of the tape member30. While this note tab is generally along one side or the other side along the bottom of the middle lateral portion75of the tape member30, the note tab can be oriented central to the middle lateral portion75(FIG. 26) or even slightly offset from either end (not shown). The tape member30of the bag assembly20may also incorporate multiple note tabs73,77,78(FIGS. 25 and 26) of the same or differing sizes and shapes can be included extending laterally across the tape member. Furthermore, a single protective cover76(FIG. 25) or multiple independent protective covers76,80and81can be utilized to protect the adhesive of the one or more note tabs73,77and78.

Similar to the closure sections, the note tab or tabs can include respective tab cutouts82-85that effectively promote gripping of the protective cover76by providing an increased gripping surface area to enable easier removal of the cover. These tab cutouts are preferably oriented at the corners of the note tab or tabs, but can be at the center thereof as well. (FIG. 26).

In another specific configuration (FIG. 24), only the tape member30of which is illustrated, the tape member30with the note tab73of the present invention is designated for use with a handle-less bag assembly, or one with folded, pop-up style handles that are mounted below the tape member (not shown). In this embodiment, the handle cutouts of the upper lateral portion86are removed.