Patent Publication Number: US-8979369-B2

Title: Adhesive closure strip for bulk material product bag

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bulk material product bags, and more particularly to a new and improved bulk material product bag which has an adhesive closure thereon, wherein the adhesive closure comprises a strip which is adapted to effectively be folded in half, along its longitudinal extent, and which is adapted to be oriented transversely across an open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to be adhesively bonded to both the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag whereby the adhesive closure strip then effectively seals the open end region of the bulk material product bag to a closed and sealed state. The adhesive closure strip can have adhesive applied thereto, or alternatively, adhesive can be applied to the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag within the vicinity of the open end region thereof. The transverse extent of the adhesive closure strip can effectively match the transverse width dimension of the bulk material product bag such that the adhesive closure strip does not project or extend beyond the transversely spaced side edge portions of the bulk material product bag, or alternatively, the adhesive closure strip can extend beyond the transversely spaced side edge portions of the bulk material product bag so as to provide enhanced sealing and reinforcement to the closed and sealed end region of the bulk material product bag. The adhesive closure strip can be used in conjunction with flush-cut bulk material product bags, or alternatively, in conjunction with pinch-bottom bulk material product bags. Still further, the adhesive closure strip can be used in conjunction with gusseted or side-pleated bulk material product bags, or alternatively, in conjunction with non-gusseted or non-side-pleated bulk material product bags. Lastly, handle structure can be integrally incorporated or defined within the adhesive closure strip. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In connection with the manufacture or fabrication of, for example, bulk material product bags, that is, single ply or multi-ply paper or thermoplastic bags which are adapted to be filled with and contain bulk material products, such as, for example, pet food, cat litter, bird seed, grass seed, or the like, the bags are conventionally manufactured or fabricated in such a manner that the oppositely disposed, originally open ends of the bags are usually subsequently closed, either at the bag manufacturing plant or at the product filling plant, by means of a suitable sewing or stitching operation or process wherein closure strips are secured over the open ends of the bag by means of the aforenoted stitching or sewing operation or process. For example, as can best be appreciated from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conventional or PRIOR ART bulk material product bag is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  100 . More particularly, the bulk material product bag  100  is seen to comprise a main body bag portion  102  into which the bulk material is to be charged and contained, and a closure strip  104  which is adapted to be fixedly secured to, for example, the open upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  by means of sewn stitching  106 . While the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  is therefore now closed as a result of the fixation of the closure strip  104  to the open upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  by means of the sewn stitching  106 , it is to be realized that the fixation of the closure strip  104  to the open upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  by means of the sewn stitching  106  does not result in the upper end region of the bulk material product bag  100  being, in effect, hermetically sealed. 
     More particularly, as can best be appreciated from  FIG. 2 , as a result of the aforenoted sewing or stitching operation, a plurality of equally spaced holes or apertures  108  are effectively formed within the closure strip  104  and the upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  when the sewing needle pierces the closure strip  104  and the upper end region of the main body bag portion  102 . Accordingly, it can be appreciated that the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  102  is, in effect, only closed in a spotted manner by means of the individual stitches passing through the upper end region of the main body bag portion  102 . It can therefore be appreciated still further that air, contaminants, or infestation can not only potentially infiltrate the bulk material product bag  100  at the spaced locales of the upper end region of the bulk material product bag  100  which are effectively defined between the individual stitches  106  passing through the holes or apertures  108 , but in addition, air, contaminants, or infestation can likewise potentially infiltrate the bulk material product bag  100  through means of the holes or apertures  108  per se. It is also to be appreciated that the sewing or stitching process or operation can only be performed at relatively low line speed rates that effectively limit the production capacity of the production line forming and completing the filled and closed bulk material product bags. 
     Continuing still further, it is often desired to provide bulk material product bags with handle structures in order to facilitate the carrying of such bulk material product bags by consumers. One example of a conventional or PRIOR ART bulk material product bag, having handle structure incorporated thereon, is disclosed within  FIG. 3  and is generally indicated by the reference character  200 . The bulk material product bag  200  is substantially the same as the bulk material product bag  100  disclosed within  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except as will be noted hereinafter, and therefore, component parts of the bulk material product bag  200  which correspond to the component parts of the bulk material product bag  100  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 200 series. More particularly, the bulk material product bag  200  is substantially the same as the bulk material product bag  100  disclosed within  FIGS. 1 and 2  except for the fact that a thermoplastic, substantially U-shaped handle structure  210  has been fixedly attached to, for example, the upper end region of the bulk material product bag  200  as a result of base portions of the handle structure  210  having been secured to the bulk material product bag  200  by means of the sewn stitching  206 . It is to be noted that the handle structure  210  has been secured to the bulk material product bag  200  in the aforenoted manner such that the handle structure  210  extends downwardly and is therefore effectively incorporated within the footprint or peripheral confines of the bulk material product bag  200 , that is, the handle structure  210  does not project or extend outwardly beyond any peripheral edge portion, in particular, the upper edge portion, of the bulk material product bag  200 . However, it can be appreciated still further that, in view of this particular orientation or disposition of the handle structure  210  with respect to the bulk material product bag  200 , when the handle structure  210  is grasped by means of a consumer in order to lift the bulk material product bag  200 , the handle structure  210  will effectively then extend or be oriented upwardly whereby the weight forces, acting upon the inverted handle structure  210 , will effectively tend to dislodge, tear out, or separate the handle structure  210  from the sewn stitching  206 . 
     A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved bulk material product bag, and a closure therefore, wherein the closure not only closes the normally or originally open end region of the bulk material product bag, but in addition, actually serves to effectively hermetically seal the same against the penetration or infiltration of air, contaminants, and infestation; wherein the closure can be fixedly secured to the bulk material product bag by means of a fixation process which can be performed upon high-speed production lines; and wherein further, handle structure can effectively be incorporated within the overall structure of the bulk material product bag so as not to normally extend beyond the footprint or external peripheral edge or boundaries of the bulk material product bag and which will not transmit forces to the bulk material product bag which would tend to adversely affect the structural integrity of the bulk material product bag closure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved bulk material product bag which has an adhesive closure fixedly secured thereon. The adhesive closure comprises a strip which is adapted to effectively be folded in half, along its longitudinal extent, and which is adapted to be oriented transversely across an open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to be adhesively bonded to both the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag whereby the adhesive closure strip then effectively seals the open end region of the bulk material product bag to a closed and sealed state. The adhesive closure strip can have adhesive applied thereto, or alternatively, adhesive can be applied to the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag within the vicinity of the open end region thereof. The transverse extent of the adhesive closure strip can effectively match the transverse width dimension of the bulk material product bag such that the adhesive closure strip does not project or extend beyond the transversely spaced side edge portions of the bulk material product bag, or alternatively, the adhesive closure strip can extend beyond the transversely spaced side edge portions of the bulk material product bag so as to provide enhanced sealing and reinforcement to the closed and sealed end region of the bulk material product bag. The adhesive closure strip can be used in conjunction with flush-cut bulk material product bags, or alternatively, in conjunction with pinch-bottom bulk material product bags. Still further, the adhesive closure strip can be used in conjunction with gusseted or side-pleated bulk material product bags, or alternatively, in conjunction with non-gusseted or non-side-pleated bulk material product bags. Lastly, handle structure can be integrally incorporated or defined within the adhesive closure strip. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a conventional PRIOR ART bulk material product bag having, for example, its upper end portion closed by means of a closure strip which is secured thereto by means of sewn stitching; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged, partial view of the conventional PRIOR ART bulk material product bag as disclosed within  FIG. 1  wherein, however, part of the sown stitching has been removed from the sewn closed upper end portion of the bulk material product bag so as to illustrate the details of the sewn stitching and the needle holes or apertures which extend through the closure strip as well as the upper end portion of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a conventional PRIOR ART bulk material product bag which is similar to the bulk material product bag as disclosed within  FIG. 1 , however, in addition to, for example, its upper end portion of the bag being closed by means of a closure strip which is secured thereto by means of sewn stitching, handle structure is also affixed to the upper end portion of the bulk material product bag by means of the aforenoted sewn stitching; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view, similar to that of  FIG. 1 , showing, however, a first embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, non-gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein an adhesive closure strip has been fixedly secured to the back side or undersurface portion of, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag and folded over onto the front side surface portion of the bulk material product bag so as to be fixedly attached across, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to close and seal the same; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view, similar to that of  FIG. 4 , showing, however, a second embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, non-gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein the adhesive closure strip has been fixedly secured to the back side or undersurface portion of, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag prior to the folding over of the adhesive closure strip, along with, for example, the upper end flap portion of the bulk material product bag, so as to fixedly secure the adhesive closure strip onto the front side surface portion of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 6  is an upper end perspective view of a third embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein the adhesive closure strip has been fixedly secured to the back side or undersurface portion of, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag prior to the compaction of the gussets or side pleats of the bulk material product bag and the folding over of the adhesive closure strip onto the front side surface portion of the bulk material product bag so as to fixedly attach the adhesive closure strip across the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag in order to close and seal the same; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein the adhesive closure strip has been fixedly secured to the back side or undersurface portion of, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag, as well as to the front side surface portion of the bulk material product bag as a result of the folding over of the adhesive closure strip, and in addition, side portions of the adhesive closure strip have also been secured to internal surface portions of the gussets or pleats of the bulk material product bag so as to fixedly attach the adhesive closure strip across the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag in a closed and sealed manner; 
         FIG. 8  is a front side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein the adhesive closure strip has been fixedly secured to the back side or undersurface portion of, for example, the upper open end region of the bulk material product bag, and is adapted to be folded over, along with the upper end flap portion of the bulk material product bag, such that the adhesive closure strip can be fixedly secured onto the front side surface portion of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 9  is a front side perspective view, similar to that of  FIG. 8 , showing, however, a sixth embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, gusseted bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, wherein, in order to close and seal the bulk material product bag by means of the adhesive closure strip, portions of the side gussets or pleats, within the vicinity of, for example, the open upper end region of the bulk material product bag, are to be initially cut so as to form securing tab members therefrom which will be adapted to be folded over and secured to the back side surface portion of the bulk material product bag when the upper end flap portion of the bulk material product bag is folded over onto the front side member of the bulk material product bag and the adhesive closure strip is folded over onto the back side member of the bulk material product bag in order to close and seal the same; 
         FIG. 10  is a front side perspective view of the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag as disclosed within  FIG. 9 , showing, however, the upper portions of the side gussets or pleats, within the vicinity of, for example, the open upper end region of the bulk material product bag, having been cut and unfolded so as to form the securing tab members which now project outwardly from the side edge portions of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 11  is a front side perspective view of the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag as disclosed within  FIGS. 9 and 10 , but viewed from, for example, the lower end region of the bulk material product bag and showing the upper flap portion of the bulk material product bag, and the securing tab members integrally connected thereto, folded over onto the front side member of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view, similar to that of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , showing, however, the securing tabs having been folded over onto the back side member of the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view, similar to that of  FIG. 11 , showing, however, the adhesive closure strip having been secured to the front side member of the bulk material product bag and being readied to be folded over onto the back side member of the bulk material product bag so as to entrap the folded securing tabs beneath the folded adhesive closure strip and thereby close and seal the bulk material product bag; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view, similar to that of  FIG. 13 , showing, however, the adhesive closure strip folded over onto the back side surface portion of the bulk material product bag so as to cover the folded securing tabs and thereby complete the closure and sealing of the bulk material product bag; and 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevational view, similar to that of  FIG. 4 , showing, however, a seventh embodiment of a new and improved bulk material product bag wherein handle structure is integrally incorporated within the adhesive closure strip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 4  thereof, a first embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, non-gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  300 . In view of the broad similarity of the bulk material product bag  300 , as compared to, for example, the bulk material product bag  100  illustrated within  FIGS. 1 and 2 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the bulk material product bag  300  which correspond to the component parts of the bulk material product bag  100  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 300 series. More particularly, the first embodiment new and improved bulk material product bag  300  is seen to comprise a main body bag portion  302  into which the bulk material is to be charged and contained, and a closure strip  304  which is adapted to be fixedly secured to, for example, either the open upper end region of the main body bag portion  302 , the open lower end region of the main body bag portion  302 , or both of the open upper and lower end regions of the main body bag portion  302 , although for the purposes of this disclosure, the closure strip  304  will be described as being applied or attached to the upper open end region of the main body bag portion  302 . In view of the fact that the bulk material product bag  300  comprises a flush-cut bag which comprises, for example, a tubular construction, fabricated either from a suitable paper product, a suitable thermoplastic material, or a combination thereof, and wherein the longitudinal extent or length dimension of the upper or front side sheet member  310  of the main body bag portion  302  is the same as the longitudinal extent or length dimension of the bottom or back side sheet member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302 , it is to be appreciated that the upper or front side sheet member  310  of the main body bag portion  302  is longitudinally aligned with respect to the bottom or back side sheet member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302  such that the upper or front side sheet member  310  of the main body bag portion  302  and the bottom or back side sheet member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302  are not longitudinally offset with respect to each other. 
     Continuing further, it has been previously noted that in conjunction with the fabrication of, for example, conventional bulk material product bags, as disclosed at  100  within  FIGS. 1 and 2 , various fabricational and operational drawbacks or disadvantages are characteristic of such conventional bulk material product bags  100 . Therefore, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, when the closure strip  304  is to be fixedly secured or attached to the upper end region of the main body bag portion  302  in order to close the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  302 , in lieu of the closure strip  304  being affixed to the main body bag portion  302  by means of a sewing or stitching operation or process, the closure strip  304  is adapted to be, for example, adhesively bonded across the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  302 . More particularly, as can readily be appreciated from  FIG. 4 , when the closure strip  304  is to be adhesively bonded across the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  302 , a first portion of the closure strip  304  will initially be adhesively bonded to, for example, the external surface portion of the bottom or back side member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302  which is disposed within the vicinity of, for example, the originally upper open end region of the main body bag portion  302 , the closure strip  304  will then be folded over upon itself along its longitudinal extent so as to have a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration such that the free end portions of the top or front side member  310  and the bottom or back side member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302  are disposed within the internal region of the apex portion  312  of the closure strip  304 , and subsequently, a second portion of the closure strip  304  is adhesively bonded to the external surface portion of the front side member  310  of the main body bag portion  302 . 
     It is to be noted that in accordance with the various principles and teachings of the present invention, the closure strip  304  may comprise an adhesive closure strip wherein, for example, the adhesive closure strip  304  may have a suitable adhesive already integrally disposed thereon and may comprise, for example, a suitable adhesive tape or similar structure, or alternatively, the closure strip  304  may be adhesively bonded to the external surface portions of the top or front side member  310 , and the bottom or back side member, not visible, of the main body bag portion  302  as a result of a suitable adhesive being applied either to the internal surface portions of the closure strip  304 , or to the external surface portions of the top or front side and bottom or back side members of the main body bag portion  302 , or both, at the time that the closure strip  304  is to be applied to the main body bag portion  302  in order to close the same. As can be readily appreciated still further, and contrary to the application of the closure strip  104  to the bulk material product bag  102  as disclosed within  FIGS. 1 and 2 , as a result of the application of the adhesively bonded closure strip  304  to the main body bag portion  302 , the originally open end portion of the bulk material product bag  302  is not only now closed but is also effectively hermetically sealed. 
     It is lastly noted in connection with this first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  that the lateral or transverse extent or width dimension of the adhesively bonded closure strip  304  can either be the same as or match the lateral or transverse extent or width dimension W 1  of the main body bag portion  302 , as denoted by means of the dotted lines W 2 , or alternatively, the lateral or transverse extent or width dimension of the adhesively bonded closure strip  304  can be greater than that of the main body bag portion  302  so as to extend or project beyond the side edge portions of the main body bag portion  302  as denoted by the width dimension W 3 . It is to be noted that when the adhesive closure strip  304  extends or projects beyond the side edge portions of the main body bag portion  302  so as to have a greater width dimension than that of the main body bag portion  302 , the presence of the extra or additional material comprising the adhesively bonded closure strip  304  serves to provide enhanced reinforcement to, for example, the upper end portion of the main body bag portion  302 . In addition, as a result of the actual encapsulation of those side edge portions of the main body bag portion  302  which are disposed within the immediate vicinity of the originally open end portion of the main body bag portion  302 , enhanced sealing of the bulk material product bag  300  is also achieved. Still yet further, in the case that the adhesive closure strip extends beyond the side edge portions of the main body bag portion  302 , and if adhesive is actually applied to the upper external surface portions of the of the top or front side and bottom or back side members of the main body bag portion  302 , then additional adhesive is preferably applied to the internal surface portions of the adhesive closure strip  304  which do extend beyond the side edge portions of the main body bag portion  302 . 
     With reference now being made to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, non-gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  400 . In view of the similarity of the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400 , as compared to, for example, the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  illustrated within  FIG. 4 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400  which correspond to the component parts of the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 400 series. More particularly, the pinch-bottom, non-gusseted bulk material product bag  400  comprises an initially flattened tubular construction which has or is formed by a top or front side member  410  and a bottom or back side member  414 . In addition, it is seen that while the longitudinal extents or length dimensions of the top or front side member  410  and the bottom or back side member  414  of the bulk material product bag  400  are substantially equal, they are longitudinally offset with respect to each other such that, for example, the lower edge portion  416  of the top or front side member  410  extends or projects beyond the lower edge portion  418  of the bottom or back side member  414  as to effectively form a lower flap member  420 , and in a similar manner, the upper edge portion  422  of the bottom or back side member  414  extends or projects beyond the upper edge portion  424  of the top or front side member  410  as to effectively form an upper flap member  426 . 
     Accordingly, when a closure strip  404 , similar to the closure strip  304  as disclosed in connection with the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300 , is to be fixedly attached or secured to the bulk material product bag  400 , the adhesive closure strip  404  will initially be fixedly secured to the external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  414  of, for example, the upper open end region of the main body bag portion  402  of the bulk material product bag  400 , and subsequently, the adhesive closure strip  404 , along with, for example, the upper flap member  426  of the main body bag portion  402 , is folded over upon itself, along fold line  412 , so as to permit the adhesive closure strip  404  to be fixedly secured onto the external surface portion of the top or front side member  410  of the main body bag portion  402  of the bulk material product bag  400 . An adhesive closure strip, not illustrated but similar to the adhesive closure strip  404 , may likewise be applied to the bottom end region of the bulk material product bag  400  in order to fold over and fixedly secure the lower flap member  420  to the external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  414  of the main body bag portion  402  when the bottom end region of the bulk material product bag  400  is to likewise be closed and sealed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a third embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  500 . In view of the similarity of the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500 , as compared to, for example, the first and second embodiment bulk material product bags  300  and  400  as illustrated within  FIGS. 4 and 5 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500  which correspond to the component parts of the first and second embodiment bulk material product bags  300  and  400  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 500 series. More particularly, it is seen that the bulk material product bag  500  comprises a main body bag portion  502  which is formed by means of a top or front side member  510  and a bottom or back side member  514 , and that the top or front side member  510  and the bottom or back side member  514  respectively have upper edge portions  524  and  522  which define, for example, the bulk material product opening  528  within the upper end portion of the bulk material product bag  500  and through which the bulk material product is to be charged into the main body bag portion  502 . 
     In addition, it is also seen that the main body bag portion  502  is provided with inwardly folded pleats or gussets  530  upon opposite side edge portions thereof, only the left pleat or gusset  530  being visible, and that the each one of the folded pleats or gussets  530  is comprised of first and second inwardly folded pleated or gusseted members  532 , 534  which are integrally connected to each other along a longitudinally extending fold line  536 . Still further, it is also seen that the edge portion of the pleated or gusseted member  532 , which is remote from the fold line  536 , is also integrally connected to the top or front side member  510  of the main body bag portion  502 , while in a similar manner, the edge portion of the pleated or gusseted member  534 , which is remote from the fold line  536 , is also integrally connected to the bottom or back side member  514  of the main body bag portion  502 . Still yet further, in order to close and seal the upper open end region  528  of the main body bag portion  502 , an adhesive closure strip  504  is adapted to be fixedly attached across the open end region  528  of the main body bag portion  502 . More particularly, for example, a first half section  538  of the adhesive closure strip  504  is adapted to be adhesively secured to the external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  514  of the main body bag portion  502 , the upper regions of the pair of oppositely disposed pleated or gusseted portions  530  of the main body bag portion  502  will then be compressed or compacted together such that the upper regions of the first and second inwardly folded pleated or gusseted members  532 , 534  come into full surface contact with each other, and in a similar manner, the upper edge portions  524  and  522  of the top or front side member  510  and the bottom or back side member  514  will also engage each other, and lastly, the adhesive closure strip  504  will be folded upwardly along its laterally or transversely extending fold line  512  such that the second half section  540  of the adhesive closure strip  504  can effectively be folded over the mated upper edge portions  524  and  522  of the top or front side member  510  and the bottom or back side member  514  and adhesively secured to the external surface portion of the top or front side member  510  of the main body bag portion  502 . It is to be noted that the width dimension of the adhesive closure strip  504  is preferably greater than the width dimension of the main body bag portion  502  so as to in fact maintain the upper regions of the side pleated or gusseted portion  530  at their compressed or compacted state so as to provide enhanced reinforcement and sealing of the bulk material product bag  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a fourth embodiment of a new and improved flush-cut, gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  600 . It is noted that the fourth embodiment bulk material product bag  600  is effectively a modified embodiment of the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500  as illustrated within  FIG. 6 , and accordingly, in view of the similarity of the fourth embodiment bulk material product bag  600 , as compared to, for example, the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500  as illustrated within  FIG. 6 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the fourth embodiment bulk material product bag  600  which correspond to the component parts of the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 600 series. 
     More particularly, it is seen that the bulk material product bag  600  comprises a main body bag portion  602  that is formed by means of a top or front side member  610 , a bottom or back side member, not visible, and a pair of oppositely disposed, inwardly folded pleated or gusseted members similar to the pleats or gussets  530  of the bulk material product bag  500 . The primary difference between the fourth embodiment bulk material product bag  600 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , and the third embodiment bulk material product bag  500 , as illustrated within  FIG. 6 , resides in the mode or manner that the adhesive closure strip  640  of the bulk material product bag  600  is secured across, for example, originally open upper end region of the bulk material product bag  600 . More particularly, in lieu of the adhesive closure strip  604  simply being, in effect, folded over upon itself with side portions of the adhesive closure strip  604  extending beyond the side edge portions of the main body bag portion  602  when the width dimension of the adhesive closure strip  604  is greater than the width dimension of the main body bag portion  602 , the side edge portions of the first and second half sections  638 , 640  of the adhesive closure strip  604  are effectively folded inwardly so as to respectively cover or be adhesively bonded to the external surface portions of the upper end regions of the pleated or gusseted portions of the bulk material product bag  600  in order to, again, provide enhanced reinforcement and sealing to the bulk material product bag  600 . 
     With reference now being made to  FIG. 8 , a fifth embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  700 . It is noted that the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  is similar to the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400  as illustrated within  FIG. 5 , and accordingly, in view of the similarity of the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700 , as compared to, for example, the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400  as illustrated within  FIG. 5 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  which correspond to the component parts of the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 700 series. More particularly, it is seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700 , the same comprises a pinch-bottom bag wherein the top or front side member  710  is longitudinally offset with respect to the bottom or back side member  714  such that a pair of upper and lower flap members are effectively defined thereby, only the upper flap member  726  being illustrated. Continuing further, it is appreciated that the primary difference between the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700 , as compared to, for example, the second embodiment bulk material product bag  400  as illustrated within  FIG. 5 , resides in the fact that the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  comprises a pair of oppositely disposed, inwardly folded side edge pleats or gussets  730 . 
     Accordingly, when, for example, the originally open upper end portion of the main body bag portion  702  of the bulk material product bag  700  is to be closed and sealed, a first half section  738  of a closure strip  704  is fixedly attached or secured to the external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  714  of the upper open end region of the main body bag portion  702  of the bulk material product bag  700 , and subsequently, the adhesive closure strip  704 , along with, for example, the upper flap member  726  of the main body bag portion  702  and those portions of the pleats or gussets which project beyond the upper edge portion  724  of the top or front side member  710 , are folded over upon themselves so as to permit the second half section  740  of the adhesive closure strip  704  to be fixedly secured onto the external surface portion of the top or front side member  710  of the main body bag portion  702  of the bulk material product bag  700 . It is therefore to be appreciated still further that those portions of the pleats or gussets that project beyond the upper edge portion  724  of the top or front side member  710  are effectively entrapped, encased, or encapsulated in a compressed or compacted state, between the upper flap member  726  and the upper external surface portion of the top or front side member  710 , whereby the originally open upper end region of the main body bag portion  702  of the bulk material product bag  700  is now closed and sealed. Adhesive closure strip structure, similar to the closure strip structure  704 , can likewise be applied to the originally open lower end region of the main body bag portion  702  of the bulk material product bag  700  in order to likewise close and seal the same. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-14 , a sixth embodiment of a new and improved pinch-bottom, gusseted bag, which may be, for example, a bulk material product bag, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  800 . It is noted that the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag  800  is similar in structure to the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  as illustrated within  FIG. 8 , and accordingly, in view of the similarity of the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag  800 , as compared to the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  as illustrated within  FIG. 8 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag  800  which correspond to the component parts of the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 800 series. More particularly, while the basic structure of the sixth embodiment bulk material product bag  800  is substantially the same as that of the fifth embodiment bulk material product bag  700  as illustrated within  FIG. 8 , the primary difference between the two bulk material product bags  700 , 800  resides in the method of closing the same. 
     For example, in lieu of simply entrapping, encasing, or encapsulating the upper portions of the pleats or gussets  830 , 830  between the upper flap member  826  and the upper external surface portion of the top or front side member  810 , as was the case with the upper portions of the pleats or gussets  730 , 730 , the upper portions of the first inwardly folded pleated or gusseted members  832 , 832  are initially cut or slit along transversely oriented lines  842  whereby the cut or slit portions can now effectively be unfolded laterally outwardly so as to form laterally outwardly projecting or extending tab members  844 , 844  as can best be seen in  FIG. 10 . Subsequently, as can best be appreciated from  FIG. 11 , the upper flap member  826  is folded along its fold line  846  so as to now be disposed in surface-to-surface contact with the upper external surface portion of the top or front side member  810  of the main body bag portion  802  while the tab members  844 , 844  still project or extend laterally outwardly. Subsequently, still further, as can best be appreciated from  FIG. 12 , the tab members  844 , 844  are now folded laterally inwardly so as to be adapted to be disposed in surface-to-surface contact with the upper external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  814  of the main body bag portion  802 . 
     Then, as can best be appreciated from  FIG. 13 , an adhesive closure strip  804  has its first section, not visible, adhesively bonded to the upper external surface portion of the top or front side member  810  and is subsequently folded over at its fold line  812  so as to be adhesively bonded to the upper external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  814  of the main body bag portion  802  of the bulk material product bag  800 , thereby entrapping, encasing, or encapsulating the tab members  844 , 844  between the internal adhesive surface of the second section  840  of the adhesive closure strip  804  and the upper external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  814  of the main body bag portion  802  of the bulk material product bag  800 . The originally open upper region of the bulk material product bag  800  is now closed and sealed. It is lastly noted in connection with this method of fabricating the closed and sealed bulk material product bag  800  that when the upper flap member  826  is folded onto the upper external surface portion of the top or front side member  810  of the main body bag portion  802  as disclosed within  FIG. 11 , and when the tab members  844 , 844  are folded onto the upper external surface portion of the bottom or back side member  814  as disclosed within  FIG. 12 , suitable adhesive may be applied to the internal surface portions of the upper flap member  826  and the tab members  844 , 844  so as to respectively secure the same at their folded states prior to the fixation of the adhesive closure strip  804  to the bulk material product bag  800  as illustrated within  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Alternatively, if preferred, the adhesive closure strip  804  can be omitted since the upper flap member  826  and the tab members  844 , 844  have already been adhesively bonded to their respective portions of top or front, and bottom or back, side members  810 , 814  of the bulk material product bag  800 . 
     With reference lastly being made to  FIG. 15 , a seventh embodiment of a new and improved bag, which may be, for example, a flush-cut or pinch bottom bulk material product bag, with or without side pleats or gussets, as is constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and which shows the cooperative parts thereof, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  900 . It is noted that the seventh embodiment bulk material product bag  900  is broadly similar in structure to the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  as illustrated within  FIG. 4 , and accordingly, in view of the similarity of the seventh embodiment bulk material product bag  900 , as compared to the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  as illustrated within  FIG. 4 , except as will be noted hereinafter in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, component parts of the seventh embodiment bulk material product bag  900  which correspond to the component parts of the first embodiment bulk material product bag  300  will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 900 series. More particularly, it is often desired to integrally incorporate handle structure into or onto a bulk material product bag in order to facilitate the carrying or transporting of the same. The drawbacks and disadvantages of conventionally handled bulk material product bags has been previously discussed in connection with the bulk material product bag  200  as disclosed within  FIG. 3 , so, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, it is seen that handle structure  950  is integrally incorporated in or upon the bulk material product bag  900  as a result of effectively being punched out within the upper region of the bulk material product bag  900 . More specifically, it is seen that the handle structure  950  comprises an oval-shaped cut-out region, and it is particularly noted that the adhesive closure strip  904  can be applied across the upper region of the main body bag portion  902  in such a manner that the fold line  912  of the adhesive closure strip  904  is effectively spaced from the upper edge portion  952  of the main body bag portion  902  whereby the handle structure  950  is formed as a result of a portion  954  of the adhesive closure strip  904  being punched out and severed or separated from the residual portion of the adhesive closure strip  904 . 
     Alternatively, the adhesive closure strip  904  can be applied across the upper region of the main body bag portion  902  in such a manner that the fold line  912  of the adhesive closure strip  904  is effectively disposed in lineal contact with the upper edge portion  952  of the main body bag portion  902  whereby the handle structure  950  is punched through both the adhesive closure strip  904  and the upper region of the main body bag portion  902 . Alternatively still further, in lieu of the portion  954  actually being punched through, for example, the adhesive closure strip  904 , so as to effectively form the handle structure  950 , the periphery  956  of the portion  954  may simply be frangibly perforated, except for the uppermost long side portion, as at  958 , whereby when the bulk material product bag  900  is to be used with the handle structure  950 , pushing forces may simply be exerted upon the portion  954  so as to cause the perforations to break whereby the portion  954  can effectively be pushed through the periphery and folded back upon itself so as to define the handle structure  950  through which a person can then carry the bulk material product bag  900 . 
     Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention, various embodiments of a new and improved bulk material product bag have been disclosed wherein the bulk material product bag has an adhesive closure strip fixedly secured thereon. As a result of the adhesive closure strip being oriented transversely across the open end region of the bulk material product bag so as to be adhesively bonded to both the back and front sides of the bulk material product bag, the adhesive closure strip effectively closes and seals the open end region of the bulk material product bag. Lastly, handle structure can be integrally incorporated or defined within the adhesive closure strip. 
     Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.