Abstract:
A t-shirt style grocery or merchandise bag pack includes a plurality of plastic bags, each having a pair of bag handles and a central tab located above the bag mouth. The bag pack is suspended from a dispensing rack by openings through the bag handles and a hanging aperture located in the central tab. The tab is designed to rupture at the hanging aperture when the bag is dispensed from the rack. The tab may have a flattened top and a pair of opposed lateral sides or it 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 hanging aperture or one of the lateral sides of the flattened top tab or at a point below the top most point of the rounded tab. The weakened area may also be perforation or a single opening.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to plastic grocery, produce and merchandise bags. More particularly, the invention relates to T-shirt style handle bags manufactured in registered stacks for dispensing from racks. The bags are dispensed without leaving a torn tab portion 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. Early designs for T-shirt bag packs included a central tab designed to be torn from the bag upon dispensing. Such systems, while effective, required periodic removal of the torn off tabs from the dispensing rack. More modern designs, known as tables T-shirt bags, have incorporated a weakened area or perforation line connecting the aperture or slit used for suspending the bag pack from the dispenser&#39;s hook, to the top edge of the tab. Thus, when the bag is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened area will break and the tab will remain with the bag. Various designs for such tables systems have been developed.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,655, issued to Tseng et al., discloses a plastic bag stack with special tab opening. A tab is mounted on the central retainer of a conventional rack. A slot or opening is provided by means of a cut comprising a transverse base line that extends part way between the side edges of the projection or tab and terminates at each end in an upwardly and backwardly extending curve respectively. The curve extends as a very short segment and then continues as a reverse curve upwardly toward the upper edge of the tab leaving a small tear space between the curve terminus and upper edge. Any force applied at the opening of the tab will rupture the area, thereby permitting removal of the tab from the rack retainer element with the remainder of the bag.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,810, issued to Huang et al., is directed to a tabless self-opening bag pack. The tab portion has a curved aperture slit that is used to suspend the pack of bags on a rack. Each curved aperture slit has a main cut section that is substantially parallel with the bottom edges, a first curved cut section coupled to one end of the main cut section, and a second curved cut section coupled to an opposite end of the main cut section. The slit extends from an end of the first curved section to the top edge of the tab and is made when the bag is opened up on the bagging rack.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,882, issued to Fletcher et al., discloses a plastic bag pack adapted to leave no residue on a supporting rack. The bags include a detaching central tab having an aperture for mounting the tabs on a tab retaining device of the rack. Each of the bags of the pack further includes a means to propagate a controlled tear from the tab mounting aperture to the open mouth for detaching the tab from the rack tab retaining device. This tear propagating means is in the form of a V-shaped cut-out formed in and extending downwardly from the top of the central tab and a nick formed at the apex of the V-shaped cut-out and extending downwardly there from toward the tab mounting aperture. When stresses are placed on the detaching central tab, the stresses are concentrated by the V-shaped cut-out into the nick to propagate a tear down through the wall of the detaching central tab to the aperture.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,310, issued to Nguyen, is directed to a thermoplastic bag system. The bag has a mouth from which emanates a tab. Situated at an angled, lateral position relative to the upper edge of the bulbous portion of tab is the tab support slit having first and second ends. The tab is shown in more detail and includes a slit having first and second ends, the first end being formed near the first bulbous tab extension and running generally toward the first, short neck edge, then generally leveling horizontally in the medial area of said slit, then running downward along path and curving back towards generally the first bulbous tab extension before terminating in an end. The user applies light pressure to the face of the tab and the slit ruptures at its higher, first end, tearing to the outer edge of the tab at rupture zone, releasing the tab from the rack.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,950, issued to Nguyen 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.  
         [0009]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a T-shirt style grocery or merchandise bag that will not leave any portion of the bag tab on a dispensing rack. It is a further objective to provide such a tabless bag 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 tabless bag stack that includes a weakened area permitting the tab to rupture at a point below the top of the tab. Finally, it is an objective to provide a tabless T-shirt style bag incorporating self-opening features.  
         [0010]     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  
       [0011]     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art tabless T-shirt style bag pack inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above.  
         [0012]     (1) A side tear tabless T-shirt style 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 of front and rear central tabs extending upwardly from a central point on the bag mouth. The bag handles are penetrated by first and second apertures. The apertures support the bag stack on side arms of a dispensing rack. The central tab has a top edge, first and second lateral edges and a hanging aperture. The hanging aperture supports the bag pack on a central projection of the dispensing rack. The central tab has a weakened area between the hanging aperture and the first or second lateral edges. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened area of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0013]     (2) In a variant of the invention, the side tear tabless T-shirt style 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.  
         [0014]     (3) In a further variant, the weakened area comprises a perforation line extends from the hanging aperture to the first or second lateral edge.  
         [0015]     (4) In still a further variant, the weakened area includes an opening. The opening is located between the hanging aperture and the first or second lateral edge.  
         [0016]     (5) In yet a further variant, the weakened area includes a first cut. The first cut extends from the hanging aperture toward the first or second lateral edge.  
         [0017]     (6) In another variant of the invention, the weakened area includes a second cut. The second cut extends from the first or second lateral edge toward the hanging aperture.  
         [0018]     (7) In still another variant, the weakened area includes a first notch. The first notch extends from the hanging aperture toward the first or second lateral edge.  
         [0019]     (8) In a further variant, the weakened area includes a second notch. The second notch extends from the first or second lateral edge toward the hanging aperture.  
         [0020]     (9) In still a further variant, the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags include 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. This causes the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0021]     (10) 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 selected from the group consisting of glue spotting, hot pinning, cold staking, corona treatment, pressure and corona treatment combined with pressure.  
         [0022]     (11) In another variant of the invention, 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.  
         [0023]     (12) 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.  
         [0024]     (13) A side tear tabless T-shirt style bag pack providing the desired features may also 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 of front and rear central tabs extending upwardly from a central point on the bag mouth. The bag handles is penetrated by first and second apertures. The apertures support the bag stack on side arms of a dispensing rack. The central tab has a rounded peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has an uppermost point, and a hanging aperture. The hanging aperture supports the bag pack on a central projection of the dispensing rack. The central tab has a weakened area between the hanging aperture and a third point below the uppermost point. When one of the bags is pulled from the dispensing rack, the weakened area of the central tab will rupture, thereby causing the central tab to remain with the dispensed bag.  
         [0025]     (14) In a variant of the invention, the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags, further includes at least one side gusset. The side gusset extend 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.  
         [0026]     (15) In a further variant, the weakened area includes a perforation line extending from the hanging aperture to the third point.  
         [0027]     (16) In still a further variant, the weakened area includes an opening. The opening is located between the hanging aperture and the third point.  
         [0028]     (17) In yet another variant, the weakened area includes a first cut. The first cut extends from the hanging aperture toward the third point.  
         [0029]     (18) In still another variant, the weakened area includes a second cut. The second cut extends from the third point toward the hanging aperture.  
         [0030]     (19) In a further variant, the weakened area includes a first notch. The first notch extends from the hanging aperture toward the third point.  
         [0031]     (20) In still a further variant, the weakened area includes a second notch. The second notch extends from the third point toward the hanging aperture.  
         [0032]     (21) In yet a further variant, the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags further include 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. This causes the subsequent bag to open upon dispensing of the first bag from the dispensing rack.  
         [0033]     (22) In another variant of the invention, 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.  
         [0034]     (23) 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 bag handles of the first bag and front surfaces of the bag handles of the subsequent bag.  
         [0035]     (24) In a final variant of the invention, 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.  
         [0036]     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention including a bag pack disposed upon a dispensing rack;  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment partially cut-away to illustrate an ungusseted bag edge;  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment partially cut-away to illustrate a gusseted bag edge;  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a detailed partial plan view of the bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area disposed at 90 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a detailed partial plan view of the bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area disposed at 270 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a detailed partial plan view of a second embodiment of a bag illustrating a rounded central tab and a weakened area disposed at approximately 290 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 4  embodiment taken along the line  7  illustrating a weakened area consisting of a cut between the hanging aperture and tab perimeter disposed at 90 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a perforation line extending between the hanging aperture and tab perimeter disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a cut between the hanging aperture and tab perimeter disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0046]      FIG. 10  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a cut extending from the hanging aperture toward the tab perimeter disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0047]      FIG. 11  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a cut extending from the tab perimeter toward the hanging aperture disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0048]      FIG. 12  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a notch extending from the hanging aperture toward the tab perimeter disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0049]      FIG. 13  is a detailed partial plan view of the tab of the  FIG. 1  embodiment illustrating a weakened area consisting of a notch extending from the tab perimeter toward the hanging aperture disposed at 45 degrees to the vertical axis of the bag;  
         [0050]      FIG. 14  is a detailed perspective view of a tab of the bag of the  FIG. 1  embodiment being broken as it is removed from the central hook of a dispensing rack;  
         [0051]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a bag pack being hot pinned to provide self-opening features;  
         [0052]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a bag pack being cold-staked to provide self-opening features;  
         [0053]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a bag pack being glue spotted at the central tab to provide self-opening features; and  
         [0054]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a bag pack illustrating corona treatment and printing.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0055]     (1) FIGS.  1 -X illustrate a side tear tabless T-shirt style 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 of front  75  and rear  80  central tabs extending upwardly from a central point  85  on the bag mouth  65 .  
         [0056]     The bag handles  70  are penetrated by first  90  and second  95  apertures. The apertures  90 ,  95  support the bag pack  10  on side arms  100  of a dispensing rack  105 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a top edge  110 , first  115  and second  120  lateral edges and a hanging aperture  125 . The hanging aperture  125  supports the bag pack  10  on a central projection  130  of the dispensing rack  105 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  135  between the hanging aperture  125  and the first  115  or second  120  lateral edges. When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  105 , the weakened area  135  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0057]     (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags  15  further include at least one side gusset  140 . The side gusset  140  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  145 .  
         [0058]     (3) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the weakened area  135  comprises a perforation line  150  that extends from the hanging aperture  125  to the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge.  
         [0059]     (4) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the weakened area  135  includes an opening  155 . The opening  155  is located between the hanging aperture  125  and the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge.  
         [0060]     (5) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the weakened area  135  includes a first cut  160 . The first cut  160  extends from the hanging aperture  125  toward the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge.  
         [0061]     (6) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the weakened area  135  includes a second cut  165 . The second cut  165  extends from the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge toward the hanging aperture  125 .  
         [0062]     (7) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the weakened area  135  includes a first notch  170 . The first notch  170  extends from the hanging aperture  125  toward the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge.  
         [0063]     (8) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the weakened area  135  includes a second notch  175 . The second notch  175  extends from the first  115  or second  120  lateral edge toward the hanging aperture  125 .  
         [0064]     (9) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18 , the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags  15  include means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10 . This causes the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  105 .  
         [0065]     (10) In yet a further variant, the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  195 , hot pinning  200 , cold staking  205 , corona treatment  210 , pressure (not shown) and corona treatment combined with pressure (not shown).  
         [0066]     (11) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  215  of the bag handles  70  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  220  of the bag handles  70  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0067]     (12) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  10  is applied to rear surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  230  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0068]     (13) A side tear tabless T-shirt style bag pack  10  providing the desired features may also be constructed from the following components, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . 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 of front  75  and rear  80  central tabs extending upwardly from a central point  85  on the bag mouth  65 .  
         [0069]     The bag handles  70  are penetrated by first  90  and second  95  apertures. The apertures  90 ,  95  support the bag pack  10  on side arms  100  of a dispensing rack  105 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a rounded peripheral edge  235 . The peripheral edge  235  has an uppermost point  240 , and a hanging aperture  125 . The hanging aperture  125  supports the bag pack  10  on a central projection  130  of the dispensing rack  105 . The central tab  75 ,  80  has a weakened area  135  between the hanging aperture  125  and a third point  245  below the uppermost point  240 . When one of the bags  15  is pulled from the dispensing rack  105 , the weakened area  135  of the central tab  75 ,  80  will rupture, thereby causing the central tab  75 ,  80  to remain with the dispensed bag  15 .  
         [0070]     (14) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags  15  further include at least one side gusset  140 . The side gusset  140  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  145 .  
         [0071]     (15) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the weakened area  135  includes a perforation line  150  extending from the hanging aperture  125  to the third point  245 .  
         [0072]     (16) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the weakened area  135  includes an opening  155 . The opening  155  is located between the hanging aperture  125  and the third point  245 .  
         [0073]     (17) In yet another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the weakened area  135  includes a first cut  160 . The first cut  160  extends from the hanging aperture  125  toward the third point  245 .  
         [0074]     (18) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the weakened area  135  includes a second cut  165 . The second cut  165  extends from the third point  245  toward the hanging aperture  125 .  
         [0075]     (19) In a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the weakened area  135  includes a first notch  170 . The first notch  170  extends from the hanging aperture  125  toward the third point  245 .  
         [0076]     (20) In still a further variant, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the weakened area  135  includes a second notch  175 . The second notch  175  extends from the third point  245  toward the hanging aperture  125 .  
         [0077]     (21) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18 , the side tear tabless T-shirt style bags  15  further include means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  15 . This causes the subsequent bag  15  to open upon dispensing of the first bag  15  from the dispensing rack  105 .  
         [0078]     (22) In another variant of the invention, the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  15  is selected from the group consisting of glue spotting  195 , hot pinning  200 , cold staking  205 , corona treatment  210 , pressure (not shown) and corona treatment combined with pressure (not shown).  
         [0079]     (23) In still another variant, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  15  is applied to rear surfaces  215  of the bag handles  70  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  220  of the bag handles  70  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0080]     (24) In a final variant of the invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the means  180  for releasably adhering a rear surface  185  of the rear wall  25  of a first bag  15  in the bag pack  10  to a front surface  190  of the front wall  20  of a subsequent bag  15  in the bag pack  15  is applied to rear surfaces  225  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the first bag  15  and front surfaces  230  of the central tab  75 ,  80  of the subsequent bag  15 .  
         [0081]     The side tear tabless T-shirt style bag pack  10  has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.