Abstract:
T-shirt style and open mouth grocery or merchandise bag packs includes a plurality of plastic bags, each having a central tab located above the bag mouth. The bag pack is suspended from a dispensing rack by a pair of support apertures through the central tab. The tab is designed to rupture at the support apertures when the bag is dispensed from the rack. The tab may have a flattened top and a pair of opposed lateral sides or may have a rounded top. The weakened area may take the form of a cut or a notch. These weakened areas may begin at the support apertures or one of the lateral sides of the flattened top tab or at points below the top most point of the rounded tab. The weakened areas may also be perforations or single openings. The open mouth bags may have a handle opening through the tab.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to plastic grocery, produce and merchandise bags. More particularly, the invention relates to T-shirt style and other handle bags manufactured in registered stacks for dispensing from racks having twin central support arms. The bags are dispensed without leaving a torn remnant of the bag on the dispenser.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     T-shirt style bags were developed to provide a strong, low-cost, high capacity bag for groceries or merchandise that incorporates strong, integral handles. This is accomplished by creating a gusseted polyethylene tube, sealing it at both ends and cutting out a “mouth section.” The result is a bag that includes a pair of strong handles formed from the side gussets and the bag&#39;s upper seam. While such bags are very useful for transporting heavy loads, they can be difficult to load as they lack the means to stand upright while empty, as does a square-bottomed paper bag.  
         [0003]     For this reason, racks have been developed to hold and dispense registered packs of t-shirt style bags. In order to be dispensable from such racks, the bag packs typically have a pair of apertures through the bag handles to fit on side arms of the dispenser and a central tab. The central tab includes an opening or slit designed to fit over a hook or protrusion at the center of the dispenser. Instead of apertures through the bag handles, the present invention incorporates a pair of apertures through a central portion of the bag adjacent the bag mouth. A variant of the invention is an open mouth bag without t-shirt style handles. Rather, the bag has a pair of handle openings in the upper region of the bag walls below the bag mouth and apertures for the pair of central supporting rods. Both bags may be removed from their supporting racks without leaving any torn bag remnants on the rack. Various designs for such “remnant free” systems have been developed.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,235, issued to Pierce et al., discloses a bag formed of multiple stacked handle bags having aligned mounting apertures defined through the handle portions of the bags for reception of mounting rods therethrough. The mounting apertures are formed as elongated, generally vertically extending, slots having curved upper and lower portions. Elongated mounting slots make possible the use of shorter handles for the bags without sacrificing either the size of the mouth opening during loading or the carrying capacity of the bags. A central mounting tab on the multiple stacked bags has a vertical perforation extending between a generally horizontal central mounting aperture and the bag mouth, thus permitting the bag to be removed from a cooperating bag rack without leaving any portion of the central mounting tab on the bag rack.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,378, issued to Baxley et al., is directed to bag pack formed of multiple stacked handle bags having aligned mounting apertures defined through the handles thereof for reception of mounting rods therethrough. The apertures are formed by partially severed flaps which are bonded together to maintain aperture alignment. The flaps are integral with the bags along minor easily severed areas for a freeing of the bags upon a severance of the flaps simultaneous with or subsequent to reception of the mounting rods through the apertures.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,098, issued to Tseng et al., discloses method for manufacturing automatic consecutively opened thermoplastic T-shirt bags for dispensing from a conventional supporting rack. The method involves providing a continuous flattened tube of thermoplastic film and applying adhesive solution using a printing press to form adhesion regions on the outside of the tube. The adhesive solution can be applied using a flexo or gravure printing process.  
         [0007]     The method then involves forming side gussets in the tube and making traverse seals in the tube, thereby dividing the tube into pillowcases. The pillowcases are separated at the seals to form a series of end-sealed gusseted pillowcases which are stacked to form a bag pack. Next, the bag pack is cut along a bag-mouth contour to from a plurality of T-shirt bags. The bag-mouth contour forms a set of laterally spaced handles each having a receiving aperture for a conventional support rod of a dispensing rack, a central tab having a mounting aperture, and an open mouth region. The adhesion regions are optimally located below the receiving apertures and above the lowest point of the bag-mouth contour. Finally, slight pressure is applied to the proximate area of the adhesion regions of each bag in the bag pack to form a disengageable link between consecutive bags. The invention also relates to the T-shirt bags and the bag packs produced from this method.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,750, issued to Dancy, is directed to a thermoplastic bag having front and rear walls with smooth upper edges defining an open bag mouth. A pair of laterally spaced integral loop handles extends upward from the bag mouth and include detachable mounting tabs projecting laterally inward from the handles at an intermediate point along the height thereof. The tabs are remote from the bag mouth and, in a bag pack, form the securing area for the bags.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,938, issued to Benoit, Jr. et al. discloses a tab-free thermoplastic T-shirt bag system. Emanating from the bag mouth is a raised area with a support cut having first and second ends. Relative to the support cut is a laterally situated dispense cut having first and second ends. The application of light pressure to a medial edge of the support cut causes a rupture at the space between the edge and the second, bottom tip of the dispense cut, the rupture communicating with the dispense cut, releasing the bag from the support tab.  
         [0010]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a T-shirt style and other handled grocery or merchandise bag that will not leave any remnant of the bag on a dispensing rack. It is a further objective to provide such bags that can be easily and reliably manufactured and that can be stored in registered alignment for ease in placing into a dispensing rack. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a bag stack that includes weakened areas at the hanging apertures permitting the areas to rupture at a point below the top of the bag mouth. Finally, it is an objective to provide bags incorporating self-opening features.  
         [0011]     While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art tabless T-shirt style and open mouth bag pack inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.  
         [0013]     (1) A twin support aperture side-tear bag pack providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A plurality of registered polyethylene bags is provided. Each of the bags has front and rear walls joined at their substantially parallel first and second side edges. The front and rear walls are joined at their substantially parallel upper and lower edges. The front and rear walls have a U-shaped cut-out commencing at a first point on the upper edge spaced inwardly from the first side edge, extending downwardly toward the lower edge and returning upwardly to a second point on the upper edge spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The U-shaped cut-out forms an open bag mouth, a pair of bag handles and at least one front or rear central tab extending upwardly from a central point on the bag mouth.  
         [0014]     The central tab has a top edge, first and second lateral edges extending downwardly from the top edge. The central tab is penetrated by first and second support apertures for suspending the bag pack on support arms of a dispensing rack, the apertures are located below the top edge. The central tab has a weakened area between each of the first and second apertures and one of the first and second lateral edges. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened areas of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0015]     (2) In a variant of the invention, the bags include at least one side gusset. The side gusset extends from the upper edge to the lower edge and inwardly from at least one of the first and second side edges for a first predetermined distance.  
         [0016]     (3) In another variant, the weakened area comprises a perforation line extending from each of the support apertures to one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0017]     (4) In still another variant, the weakened area comprises an opening. The opening is located between each of the support apertures and one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0018]     (5) In yet another variant, the weakened area comprises a first cut. The first cut extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0019]     (6) In a further variant, the weakened area comprises a second cut, the second cut extends from each of the first and second lateral edges toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0020]     (7) In another variant of the invention, the weakened area comprises a first notch. The first notch extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0021]     (8) In yet another variant, the weakened area comprises a second notch. The second notch extends from each of the first and second lateral edges toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0022]     (9) In still another variant, means are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack, thereby causing the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0023]     (10) In a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting, hot pinning, cold staking, corona treatment, pressure and corona treatment combined with pressure.  
         [0024]     (11) In still a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the bag handles of the first bag and front surfaces of the bag handles of the subsequent bag.  
         [0025]     (12) In another variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the central tab of the first bag and front surfaces of the central tab of the subsequent bag.  
         [0026]     (13) In yet another variant of the invention, a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack, includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags. Each of the bags has front and rear walls joined at their substantially parallel first and second side edges. The front and rear walls are joined at their substantially parallel upper and lower edges. The front and rear walls have a U-shaped cut-out commencing at a first point on the upper edge spaced inwardly from the first side edge, extending downwardly toward the lower edge and returning upwardly to a second point on the upper edge spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The U-shaped cut-out forms an open bag mouth, a pair of bag handles and at least one front or rear central tab extending upwardly from a central point on the bag mouth.  
         [0027]     The central tab has a rounded, peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has an uppermost point. The central tab is penetrated by first and second support apertures below the uppermost point. The apertures suspend the bag pack on support arms of a dispensing rack. The central tab has a weakened area between each of the support apertures and one of third and fourth points below the uppermost point. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened areas of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0028]     (14) In still another variant, the bags include at least one side gusset. The side gusset extends from the upper edge to the lower edge and inwardly from at least one of the first and second side edges for a first predetermined distance.  
         [0029]     (15) In a further variant, the weakened area comprises a perforation line extending from each of the support apertures to one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0030]     (16) In still a further variant, the weakened areas comprise an opening. The opening is located between the each of the support apertures and one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0031]     (17) In yet a further variant, the weakened areas comprise a first cut. The first cut extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0032]     (18) In another variant of the invention, the weakened areas comprise a second cut. The second cut extends from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0033]     (19) In still another variant, the weakened area comprises a first notch. The first notch extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0034]     (20) In yet another variant, the weakened area comprises a second notch. The second notch extends from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0035]     21) In still another variant, means are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack, thereby causing the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0036]     (22) In a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting, hot pinning, cold staking, corona treatment, pressure and corona treatment combined with pressure.  
         [0037]     (23) In still a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the bag handles of the first bag and front surfaces of the bag handles of the subsequent bag.  
         [0038]     (24) In yet a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the central tab of the first bag and front surfaces of the central tab of the subsequent bag.  
         [0039]     (25) In another variant of the invention, a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags. Each of the bags has front and rear walls joined at their substantially parallel first and second side edges. The front and rear walls are joined at their substantially parallel lower edges to form a sealed bag bottom and an open bag mouth. The bag mouth has a central hanging tab extending upwardly from it. The central tab has a top edge, first and second lateral edges extending downwardly from the top edge. The central tab is penetrated by first and second support apertures for suspending the bag pack on support arms of a dispensing rack, the apertures are disposed below the top edge. The central tab has a weakened area between each of the first and second apertures and one of the first and second lateral edges. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened areas of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0040]     (26) In a further variant, the bags include at least one side gusset. The side gusset extends from the upper edge to the lower edge and inwardly from at least one of the first and second side edges for a first predetermined distance.  
         [0041]     (27) In still a further variant, the weakened area comprises a perforation line extending from each of the support apertures to one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0042]     (28) In another variant, the weakened area comprises an opening. The opening is located between each of the support apertures and one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0043]     (29) In still another variant, the weakened area comprises a first cut. The first cut extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0044]     (30) In yet another variant, the weakened area comprises a second cut. The second cut extends from each of the first and second lateral edges toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0045]     (31) In a further variant, the weakened area comprises a first notch. The first notch extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the first and second lateral edges.  
         [0046]     (32) In still a further variant, the weakened area comprises a second notch. The second notch extends from each of the first and second lateral edges toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0047]     (33) In yet a further variant, means are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack, thereby causing the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0048]     (34) In another variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting, hot pinning, cold staking, corona treatment, pressure and corona treatment combined with pressure.  
         [0049]     (35) In still another variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the central tab of the first bag and front surfaces of the central tab of the subsequent bag.  
         [0050]     (36) In yet another variant, a handle opening is provided. The handle opening penetrates at least one of the front and rear walls of the bag below the top edge of the central tab.  
         [0051]     (37) In another variant of the invention, a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack, includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags. Each of the bags has front and rear walls joined at their substantially parallel first and second side edges. The front and rear walls are joined at their substantially parallel lower edges to form a sealed bag bottom and an open bag mouth. The bag mouth has a central hanging tab extending upwardly from it. The central tab has a rounded peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has an uppermost point. The central tab is penetrated by first and second support apertures below the uppermost point. The apertures suspend the bag pack on support arms of a dispensing rack. The central tab has a weakened area between each of the support apertures and one of third and fourth points below the uppermost point. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened areas of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0052]     (38) In still another variant, the bags further include at least one side gusset. The side gusset extends from the upper edge to the lower edge and inwardly from at least one of the first and second side edges for a first predetermined distance.  
         [0053]     (39) In yet another variant, the weakened area comprises a perforation line extending from each of the support apertures to one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0054]     (40) In a further variant of the invention, the weakened area comprises an opening. The opening is disposed between the each of the support apertures and one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0055]     (41) In still a further variant, the weakened area comprises a first cut. The first cut extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0056]     (42) In yet a further variant, the weakened area comprises a second cut. The second cut extends from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0057]     (43) In still a further variant, the weakened area comprises a first notch. The first notch extends from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0058]     (44) In another variant, the weakened area comprises a second notch. The second notch extends from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0059]     (45) In still another variant, means are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack, thereby causing the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0060]     (46) In yet another variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting, hot pinning, cold staking, corona treatment, pressure and corona treatment combined with pressure.  
         [0061]     (47) In a further variant, the means for releasably adhering a rear surface of the rear wall of a first bag in the bag pack to a front surface of the front wall of a subsequent bag in the bag pack is applied to rear surfaces of the central tab of the first bag and front surfaces of the central tab of the subsequent bag.  
         [0062]     (48) In a final variant, the bags include a handle opening. The handle opening penetrates at least one of the front and rear walls of the bag below the top edge of the central tab.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0063]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the t-shirt style embodiment of the invention including a bag pack disposed upon a dispensing rack;  
         [0064]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the t-shirt style bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment;  
         [0065]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment bag partially cut-away to illustrate an ungusseted bag edge;  
         [0066]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment bag partially cut-away to illustrate a gusseted bag edge;  
         [0067]      FIG. 4  is a detailed partial plan view of the bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a tab having a top edge, lateral side edges and weakened areas disposed at 90 degrees and 270 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0068]      FIG. 5  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of perforation lines extending between the support apertures and the lateral sides of the tab;  
         [0069]      FIG. 6  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of openings extending between the support apertures and the lateral sides of the tab;  
         [0070]      FIG. 7  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of cuts extending from the support apertures toward the lateral sides of the tab;  
         [0071]      FIG. 8  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of cuts extending from the lateral sides of the tab toward the support apertures;  
         [0072]      FIG. 9  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of notches extending from the support apertures toward the lateral sides of the tab;  
         [0073]      FIG. 10  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of notches extending from the lateral sides of the tab toward the support apertures;  
         [0074]      FIG. 11  is a detailed partial plan view of a second embodiment illustrating a tab having a rounded peripheral edge with an uppermost point and weakened areas impinging on the peripheral edge below the uppermost point;  
         [0075]      FIG. 12  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 11  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of perforation lines extending from each of said support apertures to one of said third and fourth points;  
         [0076]      FIG. 13  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 11  embodiment illustrating weakened areas consisting of openings between the support apertures and one of the third and fourth points;  
         [0077]      FIG. 14  is a detailed perspective view of a tab of the  FIG. 11  illustrating weakened areas consisting of a first cut extending from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points.  
         [0078]      FIG. 15  is a detailed perspective view of a tab of the  FIG. 11  illustrating weakened areas consisting of a second cut extending from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures;  
         [0079]      FIG. 16  is a detailed perspective view of a tab of the  FIG. 11  illustrating weakened areas consisting of a first notch extending from each of the support apertures toward one of the third and fourth points;  
         [0080]      FIG. 17  is a detailed perspective view of a tab of the  FIG. 11  illustrating weakened areas consisting of a second notch extending from each of the third and fourth points toward one of the support apertures;  
         [0081]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an open mouth embodiment of the invention having a central tab with a top edge and two lateral side edges, including a bag pack disposed upon a dispensing rack;  
         [0082]      FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of the open mouth bag of the  FIG. 18  embodiment;  
         [0083]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 21  embodiment partially cut-away to illustrate an ungusseted bag edge;  
         [0084]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 18  embodiment partially cut-away to illustrate a gusseted bag edge;  
         [0085]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an open mouth embodiment of the invention having a central tab with a rounded peripheral edge, including a bag pack disposed upon a dispensing rack;  
         [0086]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 21  embodiment illustrating a handle opening through the central tab;  
         [0087]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a bag pack being hot pinned to provide self-opening features;  
         [0088]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a bag pack being cold-staked to provide self-opening features;  
         [0089]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a bag pack being glue spotted at the central tab and illustrating corona treatment and printing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0090]     (1)  FIGS. 1 and 1 -A illustrate a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack  10  providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A plurality of registered polyethylene bags  15  is provided. Each of the bags  15  has front  20  and rear  25  walls joined at their substantially parallel first  30  and second  35  side edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls are joined at their substantially parallel upper  40  and lower  45  edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls have a U-shaped cut-out  50  commencing at a first point  55  on the upper edge  40  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  30 , extending downwardly toward the lower edge  45  and returning upwardly to a second point  60  on the upper edge  40  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  35 . The U-shaped cut-out  50  forms an open bag mouth  65 , a pair of bag handles  70  and at least one front  75  or rear  80  central tab extending upwardly from a central point  85  on the bag mouth  65 .  
         [0091]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the central tab  75 ,  80  has a top edge  90 , first  95  and second  100  lateral edges extending downwardly from the top edge  90 . The central tab  75 ,  80  is penetrated by first  105  and second  110  support apertures for suspending the bag pack  10  on support arms  115  of a dispensing rack  120 , the apertures  105 ,  110  are located below the top edge  90 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  125  between each of the first  105  and second  110  apertures and one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges. When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  120 , the weakened areas  125  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0092]     (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bags  15  include at least one side gusset  130 . The side gusset  130  extends from the upper edge  40  to the lower edge  45  and inwardly from at least one of the first  30  and second  35  side edges for a first predetermined distance  132 .  
         [0093]     (3)  FIG. 5  illustrates another variant, where the weakened area  125  comprises a perforation line  135  extending from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  to one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0094]     (4) In still another variant, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the weakened area  125  comprises an opening  140 . The opening  140  is located between each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0095]     (5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first cut  145 . The first cut  145  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0096]     (6) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second cut  150 . The second cut  150  extends from each of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0097]     (7) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first notch  155 . The first notch  155  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0098]     (8) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second notch  160 . The second notch  160  extends from each of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0099]     (9) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 23-25 , means  165  are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10 , thereby causing the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  120 .  
         [0100]     (10) In a further variant, the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  180  ( FIG. 25 ), hot pinning  185  ( FIG. 23 ), cold staking  190  ( FIG. 24 ), corona treatment  195  ( FIG. 25 ), pressure  200  and corona treatment  195  combined with pressure  200  ( FIG. 25 ).  
         [0101]     (11) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  210  of the bag handles  70  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  215  of the bag handles  70  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0102]     (12) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  220  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0103]     (13) In yet another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 -A, a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack  10 , includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags  15 . Each of the bags  15  has front  20  and rear  25  walls joined at their substantially parallel first  30  and second  35  side edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls are joined at their substantially parallel upper  40  and lower  45  edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls have a U-shaped  50  cut-out commencing at a first point  55  on the upper edge  40  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  30 , extending downwardly toward the lower edge  45  and returning upwardly to a second point  60  on the upper edge  40  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  35 . The U-shaped cut-out  50  forms an open bag mouth  65 , a pair of bag handles  70  and at least one front  75  or rear  80  central tab extending upwardly from a central point  85  on the bag mouth  65 .  
         [0104]     The central tab  75 ,  80 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , has a rounded peripheral edge  230 . The peripheral edge  230  has an uppermost point  235 . The central tab  75 ,  80  is penetrated by first  105  and second  110  support apertures below the uppermost point  235 . The apertures  105 ,  110  suspend the bag pack  10  on support arms  115  of a dispensing rack  120 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  125  between each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of third  240  and fourth  245  points below the uppermost point  235 . When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  120 , the weakened areas  125  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0105]     (14) In still another variant (not shown), the bags  15  include at least one side gusset  130 . The side gusset  130  extends from the upper edge  40  to the lower edge  45  and inwardly from at least one of the first  30  and second  35  side edges for a first predetermined distance  132 .  
         [0106]     (15) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the weakened area  125  comprises a perforation line  135  extending from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  to one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0107]     (16) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the weakened areas  125  comprise an opening  140 . The opening  140  is located between the each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0108]     (17) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the weakened areas  125  comprise a first cut  145 . The first cut  145  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0109]     (18) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the weakened areas  125  comprise a second cut  150 . The second cut  150  extends from each of the third  240  and fourth  245  points toward one of the support apertures.  
         [0110]     (19) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first notch  155 . The first notch  155  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the third  240  and fourth points  245 .  
         [0111]     (20) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second notch  160 . The second notch  160  extends from each of the third  240  and fourth  245  points toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0112]     21) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 23-25 , means  165  are provided for releasably adhering a rear  170  surface of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10 , thereby causing the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  120 .  
         [0113]     (22) In a further variant, the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  180  ( FIG. 25 ), hot pinning  185  ( FIG. 23 ), cold staking  190  ( FIG. 24 ), corona treatment  195  ( FIG. 25 ), pressure  200  and corona treatment  195  combined with pressure  200  ( FIG. 25 ).  
         [0114]     (23) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the means  165  for releasably ID adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  210  of the bag handles  70  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  215  of the bag handles  70  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0115]     (24) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  25  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  220  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0116]     (25) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 18, 18A  and  20 , a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack  10  includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags  15 . Each of the bags  15  has front  20  and rear  25  walls joined at their substantially parallel first  30  and second  35  side edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls are joined at their substantially parallel lower edges  45  to form a sealed bag bottom  250  and an open bag mouth  255 . The bag mouth  255  has a central hanging tab  75 ,  80  extending upwardly from it. The central tab  75 ,  80  has a top edge  90 , first  95  and second  100  lateral edges extending downwardly from the top edge  90 . The central tab  75 ,  80  is penetrated by first  105  and second  110  support apertures for suspending the bag pack  10  on support arms  115  of a dispensing rack  120 , the apertures  105 ,  110  are disposed below the top edge  90 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  125  between each of the first  105  and second  110  apertures and one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges. When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  120 , the weakened areas  125  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0117]     (26) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the bags  15  include at least one side gusset  130 . The side gusset  130  extends from the upper edge  40  to the lower edge  45  and inwardly from at least one of the first  30  and second  35  side edges for a first predetermined distance  132 .  
         [0118]     (27) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the weakened area  125  comprises a perforation line  135  extending from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  to one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0119]     (28) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the weakened area  125  comprises an opening  140 . The opening  140  is located between each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0120]     (29) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first cut  145 . The first cut  145  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0121]     (30) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second cut  150 . The second cut  150  extends from each of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0122]     (31) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first notch  155 . The first notch  155  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges.  
         [0123]     (32) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second notch  160 . The second notch  160  extends from each of the first  95  and second  100  lateral edges toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0124]     (33) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 23-25 , means  165  are provided for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10 , thereby causing the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  120 .  
         [0125]     (34) In another variant, the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  180  ( FIG. 25 ), hot pinning  185  ( FIG. 23 ), cold staking  190  ( FIG. 24 ), corona treatment  195  ( FIG. 25 ), pressure  200  and corona treatment  195  combined with pressure  200  ( FIG. 25 ).  
         [0126]     (35) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  220  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0127]     (36) In yet another variant (not shown), a handle opening  260  is provided. The handle opening  260  penetrates at least one of the front  20  and rear  25  walls of the bag  15  below the top edge  90  of the central tab  75 ,  80 .  
         [0128]     (37) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 19, 21  and  11 , a twin support aperture side-tear bag pack  10 , includes a plurality of registered polyethylene bags  15 . Each of the bags  15  has front  20  and rear  25  walls joined at their substantially parallel first  30  and second  35  side edges. The front  20  and rear  25  walls are joined at their substantially parallel lower edges  45  to form a sealed bag bottom  250  and an open bag mouth  255 . The bag mouth  255  has a central hanging tab  75 ,  80  extending upwardly from it. The central tab  75 ,  80  has a rounded peripheral edge  230 . The peripheral edge  230  has an uppermost point  235 . The central tab  75 ,  80  is penetrated by first  105  and second  110  support apertures below the uppermost point  235 . The apertures  105 ,  110  suspend the bag pack  10  on support arms  115  of a dispensing rack  120 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  125  between each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of third  240  and fourth  245  points below the uppermost point  235 . When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  120 , the weakened areas  125  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0129]     (38) In still another variant (not shown), the bags  15  further include at least one side gusset  130 . The side gusset  130  extends from the upper edge  40  to the lower edge  45  and inwardly from at least one of the first  30  and second  35  side edges for a first predetermined distance  132 .  
         [0130]     (39) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the weakened area  125  comprises a perforation line  135  extending from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  to one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0131]     (40) In a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the weakened area  125  comprises an opening  140 . The opening  140  is disposed between the each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  and one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0132]     (41) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first cut  145 . The first cut  145  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0133]     (42) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second cut  150 . The second cut  150  extends from each of the third  240  and fourth  245  points toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0134]     (43) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the weakened area  125  comprises a first notch  155 . The first notch  155  extends from each of the support apertures  105 ,  110  toward one of the third  240  and fourth  245  points.  
         [0135]     (44) In another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the weakened area  125  comprises a second notch  160 . The second notch  160  extends from each of the third  240  and fourth  245  points toward one of the support apertures  105 ,  110 .  
         [0136]     (45) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 23-25 , means  165  are provided for releasably adhering a rear  170  surface of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10 , thereby causing the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  120 .  
         [0137]     (46) In yet another variant, the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  20  of the front wall  175  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  180  ( FIG. 25 ), hot pinning  185  ( FIG. 23 ), cold staking  190  ( FIG. 24 ), corona treatment  195  ( FIG. 25 ), pressure  200  and corona treatment  195  combined with pressure  200  ( FIG. 25 ).  
         [0138]     (47) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the means  165  for releasably adhering a rear surface  170  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  175  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  220  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0139]     (48) In a final variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the bags  15  include a handle opening  260 . The handle opening  260  penetrates at least one of the front  20  and rear  25  walls of the bag  15  below the peripheral edge  230  of the central tab  75 ,  80 .