Abstract:
The present invention relates to improvements for shopping and merchandise bags with integral handles. Disclosed is a bag with integral handles and closure elements located below the integral handles. Further disclosed is a process for manufacturing a reclosable bag with integral handles. The handles and bag may be formed from a wave-cut polymeric tube. In addition, the handles of the bag may be formed from a wave-cut polymeric tube while the body of the bag is formed from a side-gusseted polymeric tube. The disclosed bags and methods to make such bags provide cost effective solutions for providing reclosable bags with integral handles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/956,628, filed on Dec. 2, 2015 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an improved merchandise or shopping bag with an integral handle and reclosable feature. Particularly, the present invention relates to a bag with integral handles which includes a closure mechanism with male and female closure elements that is adapted for high speed and cost effective manufacturing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Thermoplastic films are used in a variety of applications. For example, thermoplastic films are used in sheet form for applications such as drop cloths, vapor barriers, and protective covers. Thermoplastic films can also be converted into plastic bags, which may be used in a myriad of applications. The present invention is particularly useful for bags constructed from thermoplastic film. 
         [0006]    Polymeric bags are ubiquitous in modern society and are available in countless combinations of varying capacities, thicknesses, dimensions, and colors. The bags are available for numerous applications including typical consumer applications such as long-term storage, food storage, shopping, and trash collection. Like many other consumer products, increased demand and new technology have driven innovations in polymeric bags improving the utility and performance of such bags. The present invention is an innovation of particular relevance to food storage bags. 
         [0007]    Polymeric bags are manufactured from polymeric film produced using one of several manufacturing techniques well-known in the art. The two most common methods for manufacture of polymeric films are blown-film extrusion and cast-film extrusion. In blown-film extrusion, the resulting film is tubular while cast-film extrusion produces a generally planar film. The present invention is generally applicable to bags manufactured from a blown-film extrusion process resulting in tubular film stock. 
         [0008]    In blown film extrusion, polymeric resin is fed into an extruder where an extrusion screw pushes the resin through the extruder. The extrusion screw compresses the resin, heating the resin into a molten state under high pressure. The molten, pressurized resin is fed through a blown film extrusion die having an annular opening. As the molten material is pushed into and through the extrusion die, a polymeric film tube emerges from the outlet of the extrusion die. 
         [0009]    The polymeric film tube is blown or expanded to a larger diameter by providing a volume of air within the interior of the polymeric film tube. The combination of the volume of air and the polymeric film tube is commonly referred to as a bubble between the extrusion die and a set of nip rollers. As the polymeric film tube cools travelling upward toward the nip rollers, the polymeric film tube solidifies from a molten state to a solid state after it expands to its final diameter and thickness. Once the polymeric film tube is completely solidified, it passes through the set of nip rollers and is collapsed into a collapsed polymeric tube, also referred to as a collapsed bubble. 
         [0010]    One common method of manufacturing polymeric bags involves segregating the collapsed polymeric tube into individual trash bags by forming seals which extend transversely across the entire width of the tube with each seal forming the bottom of a bag. Typically, a line of perforations is formed immediately adjacent and parallel to each seal to facilitate separation of the trash bags one from another. The opening of the perforations then forms the top of a bag and opposing edges of the collapsed polymeric tube then form the opposing sides of a bag. 
         [0011]    It is known to provide wave-cut bags by a continuous multi-bag manufacturing process from a collapsed bubble or tube. The collapsed bubble may be slit through both a front and back of the bubble with a repeating waveform pattern. Repeating evenly spaced pairs of transverse heat seals may be placed on both halves of the slit bubble to define left and right side edges of each bag. In between each pair of heat seals a perforation or cut line may be placed so that the formed bags may be separated. The slit middle of the collapsed bubble forms the top of the bag and one of the two opposing edges of the collapsed bubble forms the bottom of the bag. 
         [0012]    The lobe-shaped features, or lobes, of wave-cut bags can have holes punched out or otherwise provided in the middle of the lobe to provide a convenient handle for the user to carry the bag. Unfortunately, if only a single lobe is provided on each side of the bag it is difficult to close the bag and if the lobes are used to tie the bag then the lobes no longer function as handles since their length is taken up in a knot. Hence, it would be useful to provide a cost-effective means to close the bag while still maintaining use of the bag&#39;s handles. Providing a means to reclose the bag also allows the bag to be repurposed as a storage bag after being used as a merchandise or shopping bag. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,220 (the &#39;220 patent), filed Dec. 2, 1977 and hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a wave-cut shopping bag with a sinusoid waveform defining a top handle of the shopping bag. A width of the bag is disclosed as equal to a single wavelength with a hole or handle opening centered vertically on the base line of the wavelength and centered horizontally at the peak of the waveform. The &#39;220 patent, however, fails to disclose any convenient means to close the bag. 
         [0014]    Reclosable plastic bags are well-known in the art and are available in a variety of different sizes and configurations. Most commonly, reclosable plastic bags have one or more pairs of opposing, interlocking closures near the top opening of the reclosable bag. The closure may generally be opened and closed many times and are typically designed to ensure that the contents of the reclosable plastic bag are securely contained within the bag when the opposing closures are mutually engaged. 
         [0015]    The closures of reclosable bags can be opened and closed in a number of different ways. For example, a slider or zipper device can be incorporated into the bag design to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the opposing closures. However, many reclosable bags have closures that are designed to be opened by physically pulling the closures apart and closed by pressing the closures together along the length of the closure. These bags may commonly be referred to as press to close reclosable bags. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,749 (the &#39;749 patent), filed on Mar. 10, 1967 and hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a plastic film shopping bag with a reclosable zipper device and hand holes formed in integral flanges above the reclosable zipper device. However, the &#39;749 patent relies upon straight cut upper flanges for handles which provides a difficult to grasp handle and fails to efficiently utilize material for forming the bag and its corresponding handles. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,832 (the &#39;832 patent), filed on Jul. 10, 1978 and hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a side-gusseted shopping bag formed from a side-gusseted collapsed polymeric tube. Such bags are commonly referred to as “t-shirt” bags. The &#39;832 patent discloses bags with integral handles but fails to disclose any means of closing the bag without the use of the bag&#39;s handles. 
         [0018]    In consideration of the shortcomings of the above discussed prior art, it would be desirable to provide a merchandise or shopping bag having an integral handle and a reclosable opening. It would further be desirable to provide such a bag that takes advantage of high speed manufacturing processes and efficiently utilizes material. The present invention represents a novel solution to address these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a bag is formed from a collapsed tube of polymeric film. The bag may comprise a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel may be joined at a first side edge by a first side seal, at a second side edge by a second side seal, and at a bottom edge. The bottom edge may be defined by a first edge of the collapsed tube. The first panel may have a first top edge opposite the bottom edge and the second panel may likewise have a second top edge opposite the bottom edge. The first top edge and second top edge may define an opening of the bag. The first top edge and the second top edge may have a wave-shaped profile and the wave-shaped profile may define a lobe in the first panel and a lobe in the second panel. A first closure element may be disposed on an interior of the first panel and extend generally from the first side edge to the second side edge. The first closure element may be located below the wave-shaped profile of the first top edge. A second closure element may be disposed on an interior of the second panel opposite from the first closure element and extend generally from the first side edge to the second side edge. The second closure element may be located below the wave-shaped profile of the second top edge. 
         [0020]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, a peak of the wave-shaped profile of both the first top edge and second top edge may be located generally equidistant from the first side edge and the second side edge. A circular opening may be defined centrally within each lobe of the first and second panels. The circular opening may be located equidistant from the first side edge and the second side edge. A gusset may also be defined within the bottom edge of the bag. The first and second closure elements may comprise male and female closure elements and the first and second closure elements may be affixed to the first and second panels by one or more heat seals. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second closure elements may be affixed to the first and second panels by a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a polymeric bag may be formed from a continuous polymeric film tube. The polymeric film tube may be collapsed to form a collapsed tube. Prior to collapsing the polymeric film tube, a gusset may be formed within a first side and an opposing second side of the polymeric film tube. The collapsed tube may have front and rear sections, opposing first and second folded edges, and a machine direction. The collapsed tube may be slit in a repeating waveform through the front and rear sections of the collapsed tube in the machine direction. The slitting of the collapsed tube may result in a plurality of lobes with the waveform centered between the first and second folded edges. A central opening may be formed within each of the plurality of lobes. The slitting may further result in first and second tube sections with the first and second tube sections having front and rear sections. A distal end of the front section of the first tube section may be separated from a distal end of the rear section of the first tube section. A first closure element may be affixed to an interior of the front section of the first tube section with the first closure element extending generally in the machine direction. A second closure element may be affixed to an interior of the rear section of the first tube section with the second closure element also extending generally in the machine direction. The first tube section may then be formed into a plurality of bags. 
         [0022]    The plurality of bags may be formed by sets of closely spaced, parallel seals that extend transversely across a width of the first tube section. Perforations may also be formed that extend transversely across the width of the first tube section with a perforation between and parallel with each set of parallel seals. Each waveform may have a plurality of peaks and bases with each set of parallel seals centered at each base so that each peak of the waveform is centered in the machine direction between sets of parallel seals. In an alternate preferred embodiment, a plurality of side seals may be formed with each side seal extending transversely across a width of the first tube section at each base of the wave-shape profile. Simultaneously with the formation of each side seal, the first tube section may be cut through about or within each side seal. 
         [0023]    In at least one embodiment, the first closure element may be affixed to the front section of the first tube section with one or more heat seals and the second closure element may be affixed to the rear section of the first tube section with one or more heat seals. In an alternative embodiment, the first closure element may be affixed to the front section of the first tube section with a pressure sensitive adhesive and the second closure element may likewise be affixed to the rear section of the first tube section with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The first and second closure elements may be comprised of male and female closure elements. The first and second closure elements may also be comprised of interlocking press to close closure elements. Additionally, the first closure element may be interlocked with the second closure element. 
         [0024]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a bag can be formed from polymeric blown film. The bag may comprise a front panel and a rear panel with each panel having a first side, a second side, an upper edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also comprise a front handle and a rear handle with each handle having first side, a second side, a bottom edge and an upper edge. The front and rear handle upper edges may define an opening of the bag and the front and rear panel may be joined at the bottom edge. The front handle may be sealed to the front panel by a front handle seal and the front handle seal may extend from the first side to the second side of the front handle. The front panel seal may also be adjacent to the front panel upper edge and front handle bottom edge. The rear handle may be sealed to the rear panel by a rear handle seal. The rear handle seal may extend from the first side to the second side of the rear handle. The rear panel seal may be adjacent to the rear panel upper edge and rear handle bottom edge. 
         [0025]    In the same embodiment, a pair of opposing side gusset panels may be joined to and between the front panel and rear panel. Furthermore, each of the front and rear handle upper edges may have a wave-shaped profile and the wave-shaped profile may define a lobe in each of the front and rear handles. A first closure element may be disposed on an interior of the front handle and extend generally from the first side to the second side of the front handle. The first closure element may be located between the wave-shaped profile and the front handle seal. A second closure element may be disposed on an interior of the rear handle opposite from the first closure element and extend generally from the first side to the second side of the rear handle. The second closure element may be located between the wave-shaped profile and the rear handle seal. 
         [0026]    In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a bag may be formed from polymeric blown film. A side-gusseted tube may be formed with a first machine direction. The side-gusseted tube may be collapsed to define a front side and a rear side with both the front and rear sides having leading distal edges. A partial wave-cut tube with a second machine direction may be formed and collapsed to define a front side and a rear side. The front and rear sides of the partial wave-cut tube may each have a first side edge with a wave-cut profile and an opposing second side edge. Each second side edge of the partial wave-cut tube be may extend generally linearly in the second machine direction. The side-gusseted tube may intersect with the partial wave-cut tube and the first machine direction may be arranged generally perpendicular to the second machine direction. The leading distal edges of the side-gusseted tube may be placed adjacent to the second side edges of the partial wave-cut tube. The front side leading distal edge may be sealed to the front side second side edge and the rear side leading distal edge may be sealed to the rear side second side edge. A bottom seal may be formed in the side-gusseted tube and opposing side seals in the partial wave-cut tube to define a bottom and side edges of the bag. The bag may be severed from the side-gusseted tube and the partial wave-cut tube. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, the bottom seal may be formed generally perpendicular to the machine direction of the side-gusseted tube and generally parallel to the partial wave-cut tube. The side-gusseted tube may have a pair of inwardly folded opposing side gussets between the front side and rear side. A first closure element may be affixed to an interior of the front side of the partial wave-cut tube and a second closure element may be affixed to an interior of the rear side of the partial wave-cut tube. 
         [0028]    It is contemplated that the present invention may be utilized in ways that are not fully described or set forth herein. The present invention is intended to encompass these additional uses to the extent such uses are not contradicted by the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in view of the present disclosure, the accompanying figures, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    A full and complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the detailed description of the present invention and the preferred embodiments when viewed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings can be briefly described as follows. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a reclosable bag as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  provides a front view of the reclosable bag of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  provides a top view of a collapsed polymeric tube utilized in a method to form the bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  provides a cross-sectional view of the collapsed polymeric tube of  FIG. 3  taken along line A-A with the material thickness exaggerated for purposes of clarity. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  provides a side view of a manufacturing apparatus according to the method to form the bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2  with a first tube section of the collapsed polymeric tube of  FIG. 3  shown in cross-section. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6 a    provides a top view of the first tube section of the collapsed polymeric tube of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 6 b    provides another top view of an alternative embodiment of the first tube section of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  provides a front perspective view of an additional embodiment of a reclosable bag contemplated by the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  provides a front plan view of the reclosable bag of the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  provides a front perspective view of a bag body of the reclosable bag of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  provides a top perspective view of a handle of the reclosable bag of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  provides a top plan view illustrating a method to form the bag of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  provides a cross-sectional view taken along A-A of  FIG. 11  showing a step of the method illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    The present disclosure illustrates one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is not intended to provide an illustration or encompass all embodiments contemplated by the present invention. In view of the disclosure of the present invention contained herein, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that innumerable modifications and insubstantial changes may be incorporated or otherwise included within the present invention without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments disclosed herein. The appended claims are intended to more fully and accurately encompass the invention to the fullest extent possible, but it is fully appreciated that certain limitations on the use of particular terms is not intended to conclusively limit the scope of protection. 
         [0044]    The bag  100  is shown having a first panel  102  and a second panel  104 . The two panels  102  and  104  are joined together at a first side  106  by first seal  107 , at a second side  108  by a second seal  109 , and at a bottom edge  110 . The first panel  102  and second panel  104  may be formed from a single piece of polymeric film which is folded to define the bottom edge  110 . A first top edge  112  and second top edge  114  are shown defined at an upper distal end of the first panel  102  and the second panel  104  respectively. Each top edge  112  and  114  may be in the form of a wave-shaped profile to form lobe  116  and  118  in each bag panel  102  and  104 . Lobe  116  and  118  each comprise one period of the wave-shaped profile such that a width of bag  100  from the first side  106  to the second side  108  is one wavelength of the wave-shaped profile. The wave-shaped profile may comprise a sinusoidal wave shape but other wave-shaped profiles are also contemplated by the invention. 
         [0045]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , below top edges  112  and  114  are handle openings  124  and  126 . The handle openings  124  and  126  are shown positioned vertically between a peak and base (i.e. lowest point) of the wave-shaped profile within each lobe  116  and  118 . The handle openings  124  and  126  are further shown positioned horizontally midway between opposing bases of the wave-shaped profile. Due to the symmetry of bag  100 , handle openings  124  and  126  are also shown equidistant from first and second sides  106  and  108 . Also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is each opening  124  and  126  having a generally circular shape. 
         [0046]    Looking again at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first closure element  120  is shown disposed on an interior surface of the first panel  102  and a second closure element  122  is shown disposed on an interior surface of the second panel  104 . Both the first and second closure elements  120  and  122  are shown extending from the first side  106  to the second side  108  of bag  100 . The first and second closure elements  120  and  122  may be configured to engage with each other for closing bag  100  below the closure elements  120  and  122 . In a preferred embodiment, closure elements  120  and  122  may be affixed to bag  100  by one or more heat seals with each heat seal extending in a lengthwise direction of closure elements  120  and  122 . In an alternative embodiment, closure elements  120  and  122  may be affixed to bag  100  by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Further shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a gusset  128  formed in a bottom portion of bag  100 . 
         [0047]    The dimensions of polymeric bag  100  may vary but in one particular embodiment a width of bag  100 , from the first side edge  106  to the second side edge  108  may be about 10-14 inches. A height of bag  100  from bottom edge  100  to closure elements  120  and  122  may be about 8-14 inches. A height of each bag  100  handle from a base to a peak of the wave-shaped profile may be about 4-8 inches. A total of height of bag  100  from the bottom edge  110  to a peak of the wave-shaped profile may be about 12-20 inches. A thickness of the polymeric film of bag  100  may also vary but in particular embodiments may range from about 0.4 mils to 4 mils. The diameter of each handle opening  124  and  126  may also vary but in certain embodiments of bag  100  it may be about 2.5-5 inches. 
         [0048]    Shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is a collapsed polymeric tube  300  utilized in a process for forming bag  100 . Collapsed polymeric tube  300  may be formed from a polymeric film tube by a blown film extrusion process. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the collapsed polymeric tube comprises a front side  318  and a rear side  320 . The collapsed polymeric tube  300  has a machine direction extending in the direction of extrusion which may also be referred to as a lengthwise direction of the polymeric film tube. The direction perpendicular to the machine direction of the polymeric film tube is commonly referred to as the cross-direction. Prior to the collapsing of the polymeric film tube, continuous gusset lines  308  and  310  may be formed in the polymeric film tube as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as is known in the art. 
         [0049]    The polymeric resin used in the blown film extrusion process may vary. However, for forming polymeric bags, a polyethylene resin is commonly used. In the current state of the art for polymeric bags, a blend of various polyethylene polymers may be used. A polymer blend can have linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as the primary component. Other polymers may be utilized such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The polymer blend may include additives including, but not limited to, coloring additives, anti-blocking agents, and/or odor control additives. The film utilized to form polymeric bags may also comprise multiple layers of blown film resin. The resultant multi-layer film may be formed by co-extrusion, a lamination process, or other methods of forming a multi-layer film known in the art. In each layer, one or more of the above-discussed polymers may be used. 
         [0050]    As further shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , once the polymeric film tube is collapsed, the collapsed tube  300  is longitudinally severed in the shape of a repeating waveform pattern  306  by a slitting operation. In at least one embodiment, as shown by  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the waveform  306  is sinusoidal. The slitting operation severs both the front side  318  and rear side  320  of the collapsed tube  300 . The waveform  306  is shown centered between a first side edge  302  and a second side edge  304  of the collapsed tube  300  so that once severed, the collapsed tube is divided into two equal sections, a first tube section  314  and a second tube section  316  such that both sections have a repeating waveform pattern at an open top edge of each tube section  314  and  316 . 
         [0051]    Once the collapsed tube  300  is severed with waveform  306 , circular openings  322  may be punched or otherwise formed in collapsed tube  300 . In an alternative embodiment, circular openings  322  may be formed in collapsed tube  300  prior to the slitting operation. Each circular opening  322  is shown located about a centerline of collapsed tube  300  and also aligned in a machine direction of the collapsed tube at each peak of waveform  306 . Once circular openings  322  are placed in the collapsed tube  300 , first and second tube sections  314  and  316  may be separated from each other for further conversion into polymeric bags. 
         [0052]    Shown in  FIG. 5  is a cross-section of first tube section  314  which comprises front section  340  and rear section  342 . Second tube section  316  may be manufactured in a likewise manner as first tube section  314  and hence is not discussed further. As shown by  FIG. 5 , first tube section  314  may be partially open by a bag converting process so that distal edges of front section  340  and rear section  342  are separated from each other. Once the distal edges of front and rear sections  340  and  342  are separated, first and second continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be placed on interior surfaces of front and rear sections  340  and  342  of first tube section  314 . Closure application guides  348   a  and  348   b  may be used to place continuous closure elements  344  and  346  onto front and rear sections  340  and  342  of first tube section  314 . 
         [0053]    As further shown in  FIG. 5 , once continuous closure elements  344  and  346  are placed on front and rear sections  340  and  342  of the first tube section  314 , sealing mechanisms  350   a  and  350   b  may seal the continuous closure elements onto the front and rear sections  340  and  342 . In at least one preferred embodiment, continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be sealed onto the front and rear sections  340  and  342  by heat sealing. In another alternative embodiment, continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be affixed to front and rear sections  340  and  342  with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Once continuous closure elements  344  and  346  are affixed to the first tube section  314 , the distal edges of front and rear sections  340  and  342  may be brought back towards each other and closure elements  344  and  346  may be mutually engaged so that bag first tube section  314  is fully closed. 
         [0054]    Continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be press and close type closure elements with one of the closure elements a female closure element and the other of the closure elements a male closure element as is known in the art. One particular example of female and male closure elements is disclosed in United States Pat. Appl. Publ. No. US2011/0311167A1 (the &#39;167 publication) which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIG. 2 of the &#39;167 publication discloses a first male closure element 200 and a first female closure element 220. Another example of male and female closure elements also shown in FIG. 2 of the &#39;167 publication are second male closure element 240 and second female closure element 260. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, it may be desirable for continuous closure elements  344  and  346  to be similar to the second male and female closure elements 240 and 260 of the &#39;167 publication since the asymmetric shape of the male closure element 240 provides for a higher interior opening force in comparison to an exterior opening force, as explained in the &#39;167 publication. 
         [0055]    In one particular embodiment of the present invention, continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be manufactured separately from the collapsed tube  300  and provided as roll stock, or in other various bulk forms, for application to each tube section  314  and  316 . In an alternative embodiment, continuous closure elements  344  and  346  may be manufactured in-line with the contemplated manufacturing process of the present invention and formed in-line prior to application to each tube section  314  and  316 . 
         [0056]    Shown in  FIG. 6 a    is first tube section  314  with continuous closure elements  344  and  346  applied to front and rear sections  340  and  342  of the first tube section  314 . Front and rear sections  340  and  342  are shown adjacent to each other and generally in the same plane. A plurality of closely spaced generally parallel sets of seals  366  are shown formed on the first tube section  314  by a bag converting process to form side seals for individual bags  100 . Each set of seals  366  is shown placed at the base, i.e. the lowest points, of waveform  306  and extending in the cross-direction from the first side edge  302  to the upper edge waveform  306  of the first tube section  314 . 
         [0057]    As further shown in  FIG. 6 a   , once the sets of seals  366  are formed, perforations  368   a  may be made in the first tube section  314  in between and parallel to each set of seals  366  to form individual bags  100 . However, in at least one preferred embodiment, the first tube section  314  may be partially cut through with through-cut  368   b . Through-cut  368   b  extends from waveform upper edge  306  to below continuous closure elements  344  and  346 . Utilization of through-cut  368   b  in proximity to continuous closure elements  344  and  346  prevents continuous closure elements  344  and  346  from interfering with later separation of the perforation. The perforated tube section  314  may then be rolled for packaging or the perforated tube section  314  may further be separated into individual bags  100 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6 b    illustrates an alternative embodiment from  FIG. 6 a    of the process of forming first tube section  314  into individual bags  100 . Rather than parallel seals and perforations, burn-through seal  370  is shown forming individual bags  100  from first tube section  314 . Burn-through seal  370  is shown traversing first tube section  314  in the cross-direction at each base of wave-form profile  306  in place of the perforation  368  of the previous embodiment. Burn-through seals, or hot-knife edge seals, as known in the art, simultaneously seal adjoining layers of film together and cut through the layers—i.e. burn through. Thus, once burn-through seal  370  is applied to first tube section  314 , first tube section  314  is separated into individual bags  100 . Since burn-through seal  170  simultaneously seals and cuts, no closely spaced sets of seals  366  are necessary as described for the previous embodiment. The burn-through seal  370  forms opposing side seals such that first seal  107  is formed at first side  106  and second seal  109  is formed at second side  108  of bag  100  as shown in  FIG. 6 b   . Once individual bags  100  are separated by burn-through seal  170 , the bags may be stacked or otherwise arranged for packaging. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 7 and 8  depict a further embodiment of the invention comprising a side-gusseted reclosable shopping or merchandise bag  400 . The bag  400  shown comprises a handle  402  and bag body  404 . In at least one embodiment, the handle section  402  may be formed from a first collapsed polymeric film tube and the bag body may be formed from a second collapsed polymeric film tube. 
         [0060]    As more clearly shown in  FIG. 9 , the bag body  404 , shown with its upper opening expanded, includes a front panel  406  and an opposing rear panel  408 . Prior to collapsing of the second polymeric film tube that may form bag body  404 ; the tube may be inwardly gusseted on both opposing sides. Thus, the bag body  404  may include opposing inwardly folded side gussets  410  and  412  on a first side  414  and a corresponding opposing second side  416  of the bag body  404 . The bag body  404  is further shown having a top edge  422  of front panel  406  and a top edge  424  of rear panel  408 . Shown between the front panel  406  and the rear panel  408  of bag body  404  is a first side gusset panel along the first side  414  and an opposing second side gusset panel along the second side  416 . Shown opposite top edges  422  and  424  is bag bottom  420  which forms a closed end of bag body  404 . In at least one preferred embodiment, bag bottom  420  may be formed by heat sealing. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , handle  402  of bag  400  includes a front handle portion  440  and a rear handle portion  442 . Also shown are front and rear upper edges  444  and  446  of handle portions  440  and  442 , which may have a wave-shaped profile. The wave-shaped profile of the front and rear upper edges  444  and  446  may be a sinusoid or other various repeating waveforms. 
         [0062]    As best shown in  FIG. 10 , handle  402  includes a bottom edge  448  opposite from top edge  444  of front handle portion  440  and a bottom edge  450  opposite from top edge  446  of rear handle portion  442 . The wave-shaped profile of upper edges  444  and  446  of handle portions  440  and  442  may define a lobe in each handle portion. Each lobe comprises one period of the wave-shaped profile such that a width of handle  402  is one wavelength of the wave-shaped profile. 
         [0063]    As further shown in  FIG. 10 , defined within each lobe of handle portions  440  and  442  are a front handle opening  452  in front handle portion  440  and a rear handle opening  454  in rear handle portion  442 . The handle openings  452  and  454  are shown positioned vertically between a peak and base (i.e. lowest point) of the wave-shaped profile within each lobe. The handle openings  452  and  454  are further shown positioned horizontally midway between opposing bases of the wave-shaped profile. Also shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10  are side edges  464  and  466  on opposing sides of handle  400  with handle portions  440  and  442  sealed or otherwise joined to each other along side edges  464  and  466 . 
         [0064]    Handle  402 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , further includes a front closure element  458  disposed on an interior surface of front handle portion  440  and a rear closure element  460  disposed on an interior surface of the rear handle portion  442 . Both the front and rear closure elements  458  and  460  are shown extending from the first side  454  to the second side  456  of handle  402 . The front and rear closure elements  458  and  460  may be configured to engage with each other for closing bag  400  below the closure elements  458  and  460  with handle  402  attached to bag body  400 . In a preferred embodiment, closure elements  458  and  460  may be affixed to handle  402  by one or more heat seals with each heat seal extending in a lengthwise direction of closure elements  458  and  460 . In an alternative embodiment, closure elements  458  and  460  may be affixed to handle  402  by a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
         [0065]    Now returning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , handle  402  is affixed to bag  400  with a front handle seal  461  and rear handle seal  462 . Front handle seal  461  is shown sealing together the front handle portion  440  to the front panel  406 , the front handle seal  461  extending from the first side  414  to the second side  416  of bag  400 . In a likewise fashion, rear handle seal  462  is shown sealing together the rear handle portion  442  to the rear panel  408 , the rear handle seal  462  extending from the first side  414  to the second side  416  of bag  400 . In at least one preferred embodiment, front handle seal  461  and rear handle seal  462  are formed by heat sealing. However, in at least one alternative embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive may be used rather than heat to form seals  461  and  462 . 
         [0066]    As further shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , front handle seal  461  may close off or seal together side gussets  410  and  412 . Seal  461  is shown sealing off side gussets  410  and  412  in a straight line fashion with side gussets  410  and  412  extending linearly from bag bottom  420  and forming generally a perpendicular intersection with seal  461 . In an alternative embodiment, side gussets  410  and  412  may taper at an angle towards seal  461  so that bag body  404  is provided with a greater amount of usable internal volume. 
         [0067]    The dimensions of polymeric bag  400  may vary but in one particular embodiment a width of bag  400 , from the first side  414  to the second side  416 , may be about 6-14 inches. A height of bag  400  from bottom  420  to closure elements  458  and  460  may be about 8-14 inches. A height of each bag handle  402  from a base to a peak of the wave-shaped profile may be about 4-8 inches. A total of height of bag  400  from the bottom  420  to a peak of the wave-shaped profile may be about 12-20 inches. A thickness of the polymeric film of bag  400  may also vary but in particular embodiments may range from about 0.4 mils to 4 mils. The diameter of each handle opening  452  and  454  may also vary but in certain embodiments of bag  400  it may be about 2.5-5 inches. 
         [0068]    Shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is a depiction of a method of forming bag  400  from a side-gusseted collapsed blown film tube  502  and a partial wave-cut collapsed blown film tube  504 . Partial wave-cut tube  504  may be formed in a similar process as described above for the formation of first and second tube sections  314  and  316  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with partial wave-cut tube  504  comprising one of the tube sections  314  and  316 . However, the width of collapsed tube  300  may be adjusted accordingly to form the appropriate height and width for handle  402  formed from partial wave-cut tube  504 . Furthermore, the adjoining side edge of partial wave-cut tube, first or second side edges  302  and  304  of collapsed tube  300 , may be slit so that front side  528  and rear side  530  of partial wave-cut tube  504  are detached from each other as shown in  FIG. 12 . The partial wave-cut tube  504  is shown with a first machine direction. 
         [0069]    As further shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , continuous closure elements  524  and  526  may be affixed to interior surfaces of the front side  528  and the rear side  530  of partial wave-cut tube  504 . The application of continuous closure elements  524  and  526  may be performed in a likewise manner as the application of continuous closure elements  344  and  346  previously described and illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Continuous closure elements  524  and  526  may also be of the same or similar structure as the previously described continuous closure elements  344  and  346 . 
         [0070]    Further shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is a side-gusseted blown film tube  502  which may be formed utilizing various methods commonly known in the art. Side-gusseted tube  502  may be formed in a one-up process with a single side-gusseted tube formed from a single collapsed tube of blown film or multiple side-gusseted tubes may also be formed from a single blown film collapsed tube with the use of slit seals. Side-gusseted tube  502  is further shown having a front side  532  and rear side  534  in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0071]    Side-gusseted tube  502  is shown in  FIG. 11  having a second machine direction perpendicular to the first machine direction of partial wave-cut tube  504 . The side-gusseted tube  502  intersects with the partial wave-cut tube  504  such that the leading distal edges of side-gusseted tube  502 , upper edges  506  and  508 , are in proximity with outer side edges  510  and  512  of partial wave-cut tube  504 . The waveform, or wave-shaped profile  540 , of the partial wave-cut tube  504  is formed so that each base of the waveform is aligned with a side edge  518  of side-gusseted tube  502  and a peak of the waveform is centered between a pair of opposing side edges  518 . Additionally, aligned with each peak of the waveform  540  is a circular opening  536  defined between each pair of bases of the waveform of partial wave-cut tube  504 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view of side-gusseted tube  502  and partial wave-cut tube  504 . Further shown in  FIG. 12  is a front side upper edge  506  of gusseted-tube  502  and a front side outer edge  510  of a front section of partial wave-cut tube  504  folded upwards. Also shown are a rear side upper edge  508  of gusseted tube  502  and a rear side outer edge  512  of wave-cut tube  504  folded downwards. Prior to folding, the opposing side edges  518  of side-gusseted tube  502  may be slit a limited distance below upper edges  506  and  508  so that the upper edges may be folded away from each other as described. 
         [0073]    Once edges  506  and  510  are folded upwards, the two films of the side-gusseted tube  502  and partial wave-cut tube  504  may be sealed to each other with sealing mechanism  514 . In a likewise fashion, edges  508  and  512  may be sealed to each other with sealing mechanism  516 . Simultaneously with the sealing of the upper and outer edges, the slit portions of side edges  518  may be resealed. Also, preferably simultaneously with the sealing of the upper and outer edges  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and  512 , hot-knife seals can be placed transversely across side-gusseted tube  502  to form bottom edge  420  of bag  400  and also at opposing sides  522  of handle portion  520  of partial wave-cut tube  504  to form fully sealed side edges  464  and  466  of bag  400 . The hot knife seals can seal the adjoining films together and simultaneously sever the film. 
         [0074]    Along with the sealing of the edges and sides, closure elements  524  and  526  may be crushed together, or ultrasonically welded, adjacent to sides  522  to ensure proper sealing and operation of closure elements  524  and  526 . Once bag  400  is completely formed, it can be severed from tubes  502  and  504 , preferably by the previously described hot-knife seals. Once separated from tubes  502  and  504 , bag  400  may be packaged or otherwise processed further. 
         [0075]    As previously noted, the specific embodiments depicted herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, it is contemplated that any number of different embodiments may be utilized without diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to more fully encompass the full scope of the present invention.