Abstract:
A flexible container includes a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, each extending upwardly from the bottom wall and each having a top end defining an opening into an interior of the container, and a top wall connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls. The top wall covers the opening. A continuous mesh layer is connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls and provides ventilation to the interior of the container. A flexible handle is attached to an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls. The handle includes multiple layers of flexible thermoplastic material connected together, with a first end of the handle being attached to (i) the at least one side wall near the top end thereof, and (ii) the continuous mesh layer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/315,203, filed on Dec. 1, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,495. 
    
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENTIAL LISTING 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a container, and, more particularly, to a flexible container that has a flexible handle, and attachment of the flexible handle to the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A flexible container may be used to carry a variety of items, for example, clothes, books, blankets, groceries, and baby supplies. A typical flexible container may have one or more flexible handles, which may make the container easier to carry. Such flexible handles are made from paper, thermoplastic, burlap, and other material. 
     One type of flexible container includes an open end and patches of reinforcing material, such as cardboard, adhesively attached to oppositely disposed gusseted sidewalls proximate to the open end. Hand apertures are disposed through each sidewall and the attached patch of reinforcing material. Each patch has a first line of slits disposed therethrough that extends along the entire length thereof and a second line of slits disposed therethrough that extends partially across a central portion of the patch. The first line of slits defines a first fold line in each patch for closing the container and the second line of slits defines a second fold line about which locking flaps can be folded such that the flaps fit through respective hand apertures. Folding the locking flaps through the hand apertures creates a reinforced handle for carrying the flexible container. 
     Another flexible container is manufactured from an extrudable heat sealable material and includes front and rear walls, a bottom wall, and gusseted side walls. A heat seal region joins the front and rear walls at a top portion thereof. A cut-out handle flap that is formed through the heat seal region is folded over to provide a handle. A further similar flexible container includes a front wall and a back wall made from a flaccid polymeric material such as a polyethylene film. Top portions of the front and back walls are joined by first and second lines of horizontal securement. A continuous curvilinear slit is disposed through the front and back walls between the first and second lines of horizontal securement. The slit is downwardly concave in a center portion thereof and upwardly concave on end portions thereof such that the slit forms two flaps that are folded to provide a handle. 
     Yet another flexible container includes a main tubular body portion and an extension thereto and is made of a flexible sheet material. A top edge of the main portion is folded inwardly over a strip of additional material to form a reinforced hem. The extension includes material in the form of a tube attached to an interior side of the reinforced hem. A strap handle also made from the same material as the main body portion and the extension is attached between the hem and the extension by a line of stitching that extends through the extension, the strap handle, and the reinforced hem. 
     A further flexible container is made of a heavy duty plainwoven fabric, such as a burlap weave. Lifting loops are made of the same plainwoven material as the flexible container and are longitudinally folded at least twice to form three layers that are stitched together to form lifting members. In one embodiment, lifting members are stitched inside a vertical hem that is formed by folding over an edge of a side panel of the flexible container. In another embodiment, lifting members are stitched between a horizontal hem that is formed by folding over a top edge of each side panel and a layer of webbing exterior to the hem. 
     A still further flexible container is made of a plastic sheet folded to form sidewalls. Each sidewall of the flexible container is folded inwardly along a fold line at a top edge of the flexible container to form a horizontal hem and a pair of slits is disposed through the fold line on each of two opposing sidewalls. Ends of strap handles are disposed through the pairs of slits and sandwiched between horizontal reinforcement straps disposed within each hem. Adhesive is applied between the strap handles, the reinforcing straps, and interior surfaces of the hem to secure the strap handles to the flexible container. 
     A common problem associated with flexible handles is a lack of lifting capacity, because the flexible handles have a tendency to fail under stress. For example, the flexible handles may rip apart, tear the flexible container at a point of attachment, or simply disengage from the flexible container. The use of burlap or other heavy material may inhibit failure, but also may add excessively to the cost of manufacture and may not be appropriate for use on mass-produced flexible containers made from paper or thermoplastic. There is a need for a flexible handle that is economical, has increased lifting capacity, and is applicable to mass-produced flexible containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material having stitching applied through the multiple layers, and a portion of the handle is attached to the container wall. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes a unitary sheet of thermoplastic material folded over and stitched to itself, and a portion of the sheet is attached to the container wall. The sheet includes first and second flaps each defined by a continuous slit disposed through the sheet and folded to provide first and second apertures, respectively, through the sheet. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material folded over and a central aperture disposed therethrough. A first set of stitching is applied through the multiple layers and extends around the central aperture and around a portion of the perimeter handle. A portion of the handle is attached to the container wall by a second set of stitching. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top isometric view of a front side of a flexible container; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top isometric view of a rear side of the flexible container of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a bottom isometric view of the front side of the flexible container of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a top isometric view of the flexible container of  FIG. 1A  in a collapsed state; 
         FIG. 1E  is a top isometric view of the flexible container of  FIG. 1A  in an open state; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1A  depicting a first attachment for connecting a flexible handle to the container of  FIGS. 1A-1E ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 2  depicting a method for stitching layers of material together; 
         FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1A  of a second attachment for connecting a flexible handle to the container of  FIGS. 1A-1E ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1A  showing a third attachment for connecting a flexible handle to the container of  FIGS. 1A-1E ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1A  illustrating a fourth attachment for connecting a flexible handle to the container of  FIGS. 1A-1E ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  depicting a fifth attachment for connecting a flexible handle to the container of  FIGS. 1A-1E ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate a first method of folding a sheet of thermoplastic material to form a flexible handle; 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate a second method of folding a sheet of thermoplastic material to form a flexible handle; 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate a method of layering multiple sheets of thermoplastic material to form a flexible handle; and 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a flexible handle that includes a visible indicium and is attached to the flexible container of  FIGS. 1A-1E . 
     
    
    
     Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar structures have the same reference numerals throughout. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a flexible container that has a flexible handle attached thereto. While specific embodiments are discussed herein, it is understood that the present disclosure is to be considered only as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     A flexible container  100  having six panels is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E . The panels include first, second, third, and fourth side walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , a bottom panel  110  and a top panel or cover  112 . The cover  112  is permanently attached to one of the walls, for example, the fourth wall  108  and encloses an interior  111  of the container  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1E . Three outer edges  113   a - 113   c  of the cover  112  include first elements  114   a - 114   c  of a reclosable fastener  115 . A continuous mesh material layer  116  is attached to each of the first, second, and third walls  102 ,  14 ,  106  along a first or bottom end  117   a - 117   c , respectively, of the mesh material layer  116 , wherein such attachment will be described in greater detail hereafter. Second or top ends  119   a - 119   c  of the mesh material layer  116  include second elements  121   a - 121   c , respectively, of the reclosable fastener  115 . The first and second elements  114   a - 114   c ,  121   a - 121   c  of the reclosable fastener  15  join together to close the flexible container  100 , and the mesh material layer  116  provides ventilation for the flexible container  100  when closed. Two closure elements  1221 ,  122   b  are disposed on the first and second elements  114   a - 114   c ,  121   a - 121   c  of the reclosable fastener  115  to open and to close reclosable fastener  115 , wherein the two closure elements  122   a ,  122   b  allow the reclosable fastener  115  to be closed at any point. Optionally, only one closure element  123  may be utilized, as shown in  FIG. 1C . 
     Each of the panels is made of a flexible material, for example, a thermoplastic film. Optionally, the panels may be made of any other flexible material, such as a woven material, fabric, or any other flexible material known in the art. Each of the panels may be formed of independent sheets of material that are joined to one another at edges thereof or may be formed integrally of a single sheet of material folded to form two or more of the other panels. In one embodiment, the cover  112  is integral with the bottom panel  110  via the fourth wall  108 , and the first wall  102  is integral with the third wall  106  via the second wall  104 . Any of the panels may be joined together by heat sealing, stitching, adhesive, or by any other means known to one having skill in the art. The mesh material layer  116  may be made from criss-crossed woven strands, for example, strands of vinyl, string, wire, or other flexible stranded material known to one have skill in the art. The reclosable fastener  115  also may be a zipper, a hook and loop type fastener, a continuous tongue and groove type fastener, or other type of fastener as known to one having skill in the art. 
     In the flexible container  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , flexible handles  118   a ,  118   b  are attached to the first and third walls  102 ,  106 , respectively. Each of the flexible handles  118 ,  118   b  includes an aperture  120   a ,  120   b  disposed therethrough and is made of a flexible material, for example, a textile, rubber, wire mesh, a thermoplastic film, or other material that is known to one having skill in the art. Although two flexible handles  118   a ,  118   b  are depicted, any number of flexible handles  118   a ,  118   b  may be utilized. Also, the flexible handles  118   a ,  118   b  may be attached to any of the walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , as described in greater detail hereafter. 
     In other embodiments (not shown), the flexible container may be formed of any number of side walls with or without a bottom panel and/or cover, a cylindrical wall with a circular bottom panel and cover, and/or side walls forming any polygonal shape. A flexible handle may be attached to one or more walls, for example, by stitching, adhesive, thermoplastic welding, or other method of attachment as known to one having skill in the art. Further, a cover may be permanently attached to any wall or removably attached to one or more walls, for example, via a reclosable fastener. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an attachment for connecting the flexible handle  118   a  to the walls  102 , for example, which is made of a thermoplastic layer of film. At a point of attachment  125  of the handle  118   a  to the wall  102 , the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116  is disposed internal to and adjacent to a top end  127  of the wall  102 , and a first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a  is disposed external to and adjacent to the top end  127  of the wall  102 . The bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the top end  127  of the wall  102 , and the first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a  are joined by stitching  131  disposed therethrough. The stitching  131  preferably extends across an entire connecting edge  132  of the handle  118   a , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  and  1 E, and may include string, wire, stranded vinyl, other flexible standard material, as known to one having skill in the art, or combinations thereof. The stitching  131  is preferably a single line of lock stitching that uses two pieces of flexible stranded material  133   a ,  133   b  that loop over one another at points  133   c , as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, the stitching  131  may be any type of stitching as known in the art. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a further attachment for connecting the flexible handle  118   a  to the wall  102 . At the point of attachment  125 , the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116  is disposed internal to and adjacent to a first binding material layer  124 . The binding material may be, for example, fabric, canvas, polyester, polyethylene, or other material. The top end  127  of the wall  102  is disposed external to and adjacent to the binding material layer  124 , and the first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a  is disposed external to and adjacent to the top end  127  of the wall  120 . The bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the binding material layer  124 , the top end  127  of the wall  102 , and the first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a  are joined by the stitching  131  disposed therethrough. 
     A further attachment is illustrated in  FIG. 3B  that is similar to the attachment described above with respect to  FIG. 3A , except for the following differences. A second binding material layer  128  is disposed internal to and adjacent to the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 . The first and second binding material layers  124 ,  128  may be two independent pieces of material or may be a unitary piece of material folded over the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The second binding material layer  128 , the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the first binding material layer  124 , the top end  127  of the wall  102 , and the first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a  are joined by the stitching  131  disposed therethrough. 
     In a further attachment for connecting the flexible handle  118   a  to the wall  102 , illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116  is disposed internal to and adjacent to a first flexible handle layer  218 , which is formed by the first end  129  of the flexible handle  118   a . A first thermoplastic layer  220  formed by the top end  127  of the wall  102  is disposed external to and adjacent to the first flexible handle layer  218 , and a first binding material layer  224  is disposed external to the first thermoplastic layer  220 . The bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the first flexible handle layer  218 , the first thermoplastic layer  220 , and the first binding material layer  224  are joined by a first set of stitching  231  disposed therethrough. A second thermoplastic material layer  302  is disposed external to and adjacent to the first binding material layer  224  and is integral with the first thermoplastic material layer  220 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , wherein the second thermoplastic material layer  302  is formed by an intermediate portion  227  of the wall  102 . A second flexible handle layer  318  is disposed external to and adjacent to the second thermoplastic layer  302 , wherein the second flexible handle layer  318  is integral with the first flexible handle layer  218  and is further formed by an intermediate portion  229  of the flexible handle  118   a . The bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the first flexible handle layer  218 , the first thermoplastic layer  220 , the first binding material layer  224 , the second thermoplastic layer  302 , and the second flexible handle layer  318  are joined by a second set of stitching  331  disposed therethrough. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates another attachment for connecting the flexible handle  118   a  to the wall  102 , which is similar to the embodiment described above with respect to  FIG. 4A , except for the following differences. A second binding material layer  228  is disposed internal to the mesh material layer  116 . The first and second binding material layers  224 ,  228  may be two independent pieces of material or may be a unitary piece of material folded over the bottom end  117   a  of the mesh material layer  116 , the first flexible handle layer  218 , and the first thermoplastic layer  220 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The second binding material layer  228 , the mesh material layer  116 , the first flexible handle layer  218 , the first thermpoplastic layer  220 , and the first binding material layer  224  are joined by the first set of stitching  231  disposed therethrough. Further, the second binding material layer  228 , the mesh material layer  116 , the first flexible handle layer  218 , the first thermoplastic layer  220 , the first binding material layer  224 , the second thermoplastic layer  302 , and the second flexible handle layer  318  are joined by the second set of stitching  331  disposed therethrough. 
     Any of the attachments described in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  4 A, and  4 B may be utilized to connect a flexible handle  118   a ,  118   b  to any of the side walls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  of the flexible container  100 . Further, if more than one flexible handle  118   a ,  118   b  is utilized for a flexible container  100 , the same attachment need not necessarily be utilized for all of such flexible handles  118   a ,  118   b.    
     The flexible container  100  may be collapsed, as depicted in  FIG. 1D . In particular, the container  100  is folded by collapsing the opposing walls  102 ,  106  inwardly along horizontal creases  350 ,  352 , respectively, as indicated by the arrows  362 . As the walls  102 ,  106  are collapsed inwardly, the opposing walls  104 ,  108  are also collapsed inwardly along horizontal creases  354 ,  356  and diagonal creases  358 ,  360 , respectively, as indicated by the arrow  364 . This collapsed state minimizes the space need for the container  100  when not in use by minimizing a distance between the bottom and top panels  110 ,  112 . 
     A flexible handle, for example, the flexible handle  118   a , includes the first and second flexible handle layers  218  and  318  described above, and may be made from a unitary sheet of thermoplastic material or multiple sheets of thermoplastic material. For example, a flexible handle  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , is made from a unitary sheet of thermoplastic material  402 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C . Referring to  FIG. 5A , the sheet  402  is generally rectangular with notched corners  404  and includes first and second slits  406 ,  408  that define first and second handle flaps  410 ,  412 , respectively. Third and fourth slits  414 ,  416  are disposed through the sheet  402  generally parallel with and spaced generally equidistant from the first and second slits  406 ,  408 . First and second apertures  418 ,  420  are disposed through the sheet  402  and are bisected by the third and fourth slits  414 ,  416 , respectively. Each of the first and second apertures  418 ,  420  includes a top edge contour  422  that has a shape that matches curved end portion  421   a  of the first slit  406  and a symmetrical bottom edge contour  424  that has a shape that matches curved end portions  421   b  of the second slit  408 . 
     Fold lines  426  connect ends  427  of each of the third and fourth slits  414 ,  416  to corners  427  of the notches  404 , as shown by the dashed lines in  FIG. 5B . Side flaps  431  defined by the fold lines  426  are folded inwards, as indicated in  FIG. 5B , such that the top and bottom edge contours  422 ,  424  are coincident with the end portions  421   a ,  421   b  of the first and second slits  406 ,  408 , respectively. For example, the lower right side flap  431  is folded forwards along the fold line  426  to form region A, which, after the folding operation, comprises two layer of thermoplastic material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5C , each of the side flaps  431  defined by the fold lines  426  is folded forwards along respective fold lines  426  to form the region A and regions B, C, and D, wherein all of such regions comprise two layers of thermoplastic material. The first and second handle flaps  410 ,  412  are thereafter folded forwards and toward one another to form first and second apertures  428 ,  430 , respectively. A top portion  432  of the sheet  402  is folded forwards over a bottom portion  434  of the sheet  402  such that the handle flaps  410 ,  412  are adjacent to one another to yield a final shape for the flexible handle  400 , such that the first and second apertures  428 ,  430  are coincident, as illustrated in  FIG. 5D . The resultant handle  400  includes regions E, F, and G, wherein each region E, F, and G includes four layers of thermoplastic material. The four layers of material at the regions E, F, and G provide structural integrity to the handle  400  to prevent ripping, stretching, and/or breakage of the handle  400 . A first set of stitching  436  extends continuously around the first and second apertures  428 ,  430  and a second set of stitching  438  extends around a portion of the perimeter of the handle  400 , preferably excluding an edge  439  of the handle  400 . The stitching  436 ,  438  may be formed using string, wire, stranded vinyl, or other flexible stranded material that is known to one having skill in the art. 
     A further flexible handle  500 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6E , is made from a unitary sheet of thermoplastic material  502 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D . The handle  500  and the sheet of thermoplastic material  502  are similar to the handle  400  and the sheet of thermoplastic material  402  described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A-5D , wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical features, except for the following differences. Referring to  FIG. 6A , the sheet  502  lacks the notches  404  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  at corners thereof. Instead, corner slits  504  are disposed through the sheet  502  and extend diagonally inwardly from each corner to form triangular shaped flaps  506 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , each of the triangular shaped flaps  506  is folded forwards, as indicated, to form the notches  404 . Following the steps described with respect to  FIG. 5B , each of regions A′, B′, C′, and D′ in  FIGS. 6C and 6D  are formed, wherein each region A′, B′, C′, and D′ comprises two layers of thermoplastic material. In addition, each of the regions H, I, J, and K illustrated in  FIGS. 6C and 6D  comprises four layers of thermoplastic material. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6D and 6E , a top portion  532  of the sheet  502  is folded forwards over a bottom portion  534  of the sheet  502  to yield a final shape for the flexible handle  500  of  FIG. 6E  such that the first and second apertures  428 ,  430  are coincident. Each region E′, F′, and G of the handle  500  comprises four layers of thermoplastic material. In this embodiment, however, regions L and M comprise eight layers of thermoplastic material. 
     It is also contemplated that another embodiment of a flexible handle  550  may be made from a unitary sheet of thermoplastic material, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C . Referring to  FIG. 7A , a blank of thermoplastic material  552  is divided by fold lines  554  and  556  into any number of regions, for example, three regions,  558 ,  560 , and  562 . The blank  552  is folded over onto itself, for example, by folding the region  558  under the region  560  and folding the region  562  over the region  560  to form three layers. Other patterns of folding the regions over one another may also be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7B , corners  564  and  566  of the folded blank  552  are sliced off along cut lines  568  and  570 , respectively, and a central aperture  572  that is defined by an edge  574  is stamped out of the folded blank  552 . Referring to  FIG. 7C , the edge  574  and a perimeter  576  of the folded blank  552  are heat sealed. A first set of stitching  578  is applied through the folded blank  552  around the edge  574 . A second set of stitching  580  is applied through the folded blank  552  along at least a portion of the perimeter  576  to complete the flexible handle  550 . 
     It is also contemplated that a further embodiment of a flexible handle (not shown) may be made from multiple sheets of thermoplastic material. Referring to  FIG. 7A , instead of being folded along the fold lines  554  and  556 , the blank  552  of the present embodiment could alternatively be sliced along the fold lines  554  and  556  to yield multiple sheets of thermoplastic material that may be layered over one another and subsequently sliced and stamped (as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7B ). Following the heat sealing and stitching steps (as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 7C ), such a completed flexible handle made from multiple sheets of thermoplastic would appear very similar to the prior described flexible handle  550  made from a unitary piece of thermoplastic material. Although three sheets or layers of thermoplastic material are depicted in  FIGS. 7A-7C  as regions  558 ,  560 , and  562 , any number of sheets or layers may be utilized. 
     The flexible handles  400 ,  500 , and  550  of  FIGS. 5D ,  6 E, and  7 C, respectively, are illustrative and are not intended to limit the disclosure to the patterns of slits and folds described herein. Other flexible handles may include, for example, multiple sheets of thermoplastic material layers disposed upon one another as described above, multiple sheets of thermoplastic material layers disposed upon one another and subsequently folded, multiple apertures disposed therethrough, adhesives used in addition to stitching, and/or other patterns and combinations. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flexible container  600  having a flexible handle  602  attached to a wall  604  of the flexible container  600 . A first edge  605  of a mesh material layer  606  is attached to a first edge  607  of the wall  604  by a line of stitching  608  that also attaches the flexible handle  602  to the wall  604 . A second edge  609  of the mesh material layer  606  is attached to a first element  610  of a reclosable fastener  611 , a second element  612  of which is attached to a cover  613  (seen on edge in  FIG. 8 ). Two closure elements  617 ,  619  are disposed on the first and second elements  610 ,  612  of the reclosable fastener  611  to open and to close the fastener  611 , wherein the two closure elements  610 ,  612  allow the reclosable fastener  611  to be closed at any point. Optionally, only one closure element, for example, the closure element  617  may be utilized. 
     A second edge  614  of the wall  604  is attached to a bottom panel  615  (seen on edge in  FIG. 8 ). The flexible handle  602  includes an aperture  616  disposed therethrough and is attached to the wall  604 , such that the aperture  616  lies between the bottom panel  615  and the line of stitching  608 . The flexible handle  602  further includes stitching  618  that extends continuously around the aperture  616  and stitching  620  that extends around a portion of the perimeter of the handle  602 . 
     It is contemplated that because a thermoplastic material may be used in the manufacture of the flexible handles  400 ,  500 ,  602 , and the thermoplastic material is transparent or at least transmissive, the flexible handles  400 ,  500 ,  602  may be used to display an indicium, for example, a label, a logo, or a combination of words and/or images. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a piece of material  622  has an indicium  624  printed or otherwise embossed on a surface thereof. The material  622  may be, for example, paper, cardboard, plastic, cloth, or any material that can be printed upon or embossed with the indicium  624  as known to one having skill in the art. As indicated by the arrow  626 , the piece of material  622  is disposed within layers of the flexible handle  602  as shown at position  628 . The indicium  624  is thus held within the handle  602  and is visible from outside of the handle  602 . The indicium  624  may be held within the handle  602  at any desired region between the layers of the flexible handle  602 , for example, as shown at position  628  or at any of positions X, Y, and Z and/or overlapping one or more of these regions. The indicium  624  may be inserted within the handle  602  during manufacture thereof or at a slit or other opening  629  may be formed within the handle  602  such that a user may insert the indicium  624  therein. Further, any number of indicium  624  may be utilized within any location in the handle  602  and in any number of handles within a container. 
     Although the flexible containers and components thereof may be described herein with respect to particular orientations (e.g., top, bottom, etc.), such orientations are for descriptive purposes only. It should be understood that such flexible containers and components thereof need not be positioned in a particular orientation. 
     Further, although various specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, this specification explicitly includes all possible permutations of combinations of the features, structures, and components of all of the embodiments shown and described. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     A flexible container is presented that includes a handle made from multiple layers of thermoplastic material stitched through the multiple layers to provide increased strength for the handle. An indicium that is visible from outside of the handle may be held within the handle. The flexible container includes a layer of mesh material that provides ventilation for the flexible container and forms a reinforced attachment for connecting the handle to the flexible container to provide increased lifting capacity to the handle. 
     Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and to use the disclosure, and to teach the best mode of carrying out the same. The exclusive rights to all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.