Patent Abstract:
Plastic shopping bags having attached promotional ad strips are described. In bags have gusseted side edges the ad strips are attached within or above the gussets either by heat sealing the strip to the bottom seal and adhering the other end of the strip at the upper end of the bag or adhering the strip to the bag at both ends. In non-gusseted bags, the strips are either heat sealed to the bottom seal and adhered to the upper end of the bag or the strips are adhered at both ends to the front or rear surfaces of the bag. In gusseted T-shirt type handle bags, the intermediate portion of the ad strip is adhered to either the inside or the outside of the gusset. The strips include promotional advertising on at least one surface and include perforations allowing the advertising to be removed from the remainder of the strip.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The instant application is a Divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/346,341 that is currently pending, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/897,639 now abandoned. No new matter has been added. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of plastic bags of the type employed by retailers in packing food items and other merchandise, with particular application to bags that are unsealed or partially sealed along their top edges and include a promotional strip attached to the bag.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In our prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,118 and its divisional method U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,584, we disclosed and claimed the attachment of advertising strips to T-shirt bags and a method for accomplishing such attachments during the course of fabricating such bags from extruded plastic tubing. Because the bags disclosed in our prior patent were heat-sealed along both their bottom and top edges, it was possible simultaneously to heat seal the ends of advertising strips to be attached to the bag along both the top and lower edges of such strips. These strips could be disposed either within the gussets of the bags or along an outside edge.  
           [0004]    Attachment of advertising strips in the manner disclosed in our prior patents, however, cannot be accomplished where the top edges of the bag, such as those sometimes referred to as handle bags, flat bags and merchandise bags are left open at their top edges in order to enable merchandise to be placed in the bag. One type of such bags may have a central handle in contrast to the side handles of the T-shirt bags. When such open top edge bags are being produced, it is not possible to drop heating elements on each side of the cutting blade, transversely along the bag&#39;s division line and simultaneously heat seal the bottom of one bag and the top of the adjacent bag with the upper end of the advertising strip since the top edges of each bag must remain open. If it is, therefore, desired to provide open top edge bags with advertising strips, it is necessary to find some means and/or method for attaching the upper end of the advertising strip to the sides of one or both of the bag walls.  
           [0005]    When advertising strips are attached to shopping bags there is sometimes a problem of movement of the strips with respect to the bags when the strips are secured only at the strip ends. For this reason it is necessary to develop methods for securing the strip to the bag walls between the strip ends.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    (1) A plastic shopping bag with promotional strip ad may be formed from the following components. A pair of registering front and back walls is provided. The walls are secured together along their side and bottom edges and open across at least a portion of their top edges. The walls, when pulled apart from each other, defining a space into which articles may be placed. At least one of the secured together side edges is gusseted.  
           [0007]    A plastic strip is located within the gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than a length of the gusseted side edge. The first end of the strip is heat sealed to the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0008]    (2) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0009]    (3) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0010]    (4) In still another variant, a plastic strip is located along one side of a gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than a length of a gusseted side edge. The first end of the strip is heat sealed to the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0011]    (5) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0012]    (6) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0013]    (7) In a further variant, a plastic strip is located within a gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than a length of a gusseted side edge. The first end of the strip is adhered adjacent the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0014]    (8) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0015]    (9) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0016]    (10) In still a further variant, a plastic strip is located along one side of a gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than a length of a gusseted side edge. The first end of the strip is adhered adjacent the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0017]    (11) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0018]    (12) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0019]    (13) In yet a further variant of the invention, a plastic strip is located upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than the length of the walls. The first end of the strip is heat sealed to the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0020]    (14) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0021]    (15) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0022]    (16) In another variant, a plastic strip is located upon at least one of front and back walls between the side edges. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than the length of the walls. The first end of the strip is adhered adjacent the bottom edges of the bag walls and the second end of the strip is adhered in the vicinity of the upper edges of the bag walls. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0023]    (17) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0024]    (18) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0025]    (19) In still another variant, the secured together first and second side edges are folded inwardly from the front and back walls to form a pair of gussets. The gussets have top and bottom edges. The top edges of the front wall, the back wall, and the gussets terminate in an upper seam. The bottom edges of the front wall, the back wall, and the gussets terminate in a lower seam. The lower seam is perpendicular to the side edges of the front and back walls.  
           [0026]    A U-shaped cut-out is located in an upper portion of the bag. The cut-out commences at a first point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the first side edge. The cut-out extends to a second point along the upper seam spaced inwardly from the second side edge. The cut-out extends downwardly toward the lower seam, forming an open mouth and a pair of bag handles.  
           [0027]    A plastic strip is located within at least one gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than the length of the gusset. The first end of the strip is heat sealed to the lower seam and the second end of the strip is heat sealed to the upper seam. The strip is adhered to the gusset between the first end and the second end of the strip. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0028]    (20) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0029]    (21) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0030]    (22) In a final variant, a plastic strip is located upon at least one of the front and back walls above at least one gusset. The strip has a first end and a second end and is of a length not greater than the length of the gusset. The first end of the strip is heat sealed to the lower seam and the second end of the strip is heat sealed to the upper seam. The strip is adhered to one of the front and back walls above at least one gusset between the first end and the second end of the strip. A portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to a remainder of the strip.  
           [0031]    (23) In a variant of the invention the portion of the strip between its first and second ends is removably attached to the remainder of the strip with at least two perforation lines.  
           [0032]    (24) In another variation, promotional material is printed upon at least an upper surface or a lower surface of the portion of the strip between its first and second ends that is removably attached to the remainder of the strip.  
           [0033]    An apparatus for fabricating plastic shopping bags, is provided. Each of the bags has closed side and bottom edges. At least one side edge is gusseted. The bag has an open top edge. The gusseted side edge includes an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other. A plastic strip is located between the upper and lower wall portions of the gusseted side edge.  
           [0034]    The apparatus includes means for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing that has a plastic strip located in the gusset, in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station.  
           [0035]    The tubing is cut at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset and enclosed plastic strip portion on the first side of the blade.  
           [0036]    A vacuum element is located on the blade&#39;s second side also adjacent the cutting edge and above the upper wall portion of the gusseted side edge. The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extends to at least one gusset of the tubing. The vacuum element is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge which, upon the blade being lowered to its second position, cuts through the gusset.  
           [0037]    An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade edge carrying the vacuum element. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing and abutting plastic strip, at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion of the gusset is momentarily raised from its abutment with the plastic strip.  
           [0038]    Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised upper wall portion of the gusset and the plastic strip when the vacuum element momentarily lifts the upper wall portion. Means located adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the raised portion of the gusset are provided, to compress the raised area of the gusset back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank and against the plastic strip.  
           [0039]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, and the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily lifts an area of the upper wall portion of the gusset adjacent the second side of the blade. The adhesive injector then discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised area of the upper wall portion of the gusset and the cut end of the plastic strip, following which, upon the raising of the blade to its first position, the adhesive receiving upper edge of the gusset is pressed back down against the cut end of the plastic strip to the plane of the remainder of the cut blank.  
           [0040]    In a variant of the apparatus, designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge, at least one gusseted side edge and a plastic strip located along one side of the gusseted side edge, the apparatus includes means for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. The tubing is gusseted along at least one side edge and has a plastic strip located along one side of the gusset of the side edge.  
           [0041]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge and a vacuum element on its second side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0042]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset and the plastic strip located along one side of the gusseted side edge on the first side of the blade. The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extends to at least one gusset of the tubing. The vacuum element is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge which, upon the blade being lowered to its second position, cuts through the gusset and abutting plastic strip.  
           [0043]    An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade edge carrying the vacuum element. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing and abutting plastic strip, at which instant the cut end of the plastic strip is momentarily raised from the side edge of the gusset.  
           [0044]    Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised plastic strip and the side of the gusset when the vacuum element raises the strip. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the raised portion of the strip, to compress the raised upper cut end of the strip to the plane of the cut blank.  
           [0045]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing and the plastic strip on the first side of the blade. Next the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily raises the cut end of the plastic strip adjacent the second side of the blade. At this instant, the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised cut end of the strip and the side of the gusset, following which, upon the lifting of the blade to its first position, the adhesive receiving cut end of the plastic strip is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank.  
           [0046]    Another variant of the apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags. Each of the bags has closed side and bottom edges, at least one gusseted side edge, and an open top edge. The gusseted side edge includes an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip located between the upper and lower wall portions of the gusseted side edge.  
           [0047]    The apparatus includes means for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0048]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset on the first side of the blade. A vacuum element is located on its second side also adjacent the cutting edge and above the upper wall portion of the gusseted side edge. The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extends to the gusset of the tubing. The vacuum element is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge which, upon the blade being lowered to its second position, cuts through the tubing. An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade edge carrying the vacuum element.  
           [0049]    Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion of the gusset is momentarily raised from its abutment with the lower wall portion of the gusset.  
           [0050]    Means are provided for inserting a plastic strip of predetermined length into the gusset. Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive in at least two locations between the raised upper wall portion of the gusset and the plastic strip when the vacuum element momentarily lifts the upper wall portion. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the raised upper portion of the gusset, to compress the raised area of the gusset back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank and against the plastic strip.  
           [0051]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, and the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily lifts an area of the upper portion of the gusset adjacent the second side of the blade, a plastic strip of predetermined length is inserted into the gusset and the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised area of the portion of the gusset and at least two locations on the plastic strip. Next, upon the raising of the blade to its first position, the adhesive receiving upper edge of the gusset is pressed back down against the plastic strip to the plane of the remainder of the cut blank.  
           [0052]    Yet another variant of the apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge, at least one gusseted side edge and a plastic strip located along one side of the gusseted side edge. The apparatus includes means for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. The tubing is gusseted along at least one side edge.  
           [0053]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset on the first side of the blade.  
           [0054]    An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive at at least two locations along one side of the gusseted side edge of the bag blank. Means are provided for locating a plastic strip of a predetermined length along one side of the gusseted side edge of the bag blank over the discharged adhesive. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the plastic strip, to compress the strip to the gusseted side edge of the bag blank.  
           [0055]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade. Next, the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive at at least two locations along one side of the gusseted side edge of the bag blank. Next, a plastic strip of a predetermined length is located along one side of the gusseted side edge of the bag blank over the discharged adhesive, and the plastic strip is compressed to the gusseted side edge of the bag blank.  
           [0056]    Yet another variant of the apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge and a plastic strip disposed upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges. The apparatus includes means for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. The tubing has a plastic strip disposed upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges.  
           [0057]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge and a vacuum element on its second side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing and the plastic strip disposed upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges on the first side of the blade.  
           [0058]    The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extends to the side edges of the tubing. The vacuum element is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge which, upon the blade being lowered to its second position, cuts through the tubing and abutting plastic strip. An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade edge carrying the vacuum element. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0059]    Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing and abutting plastic strip, at which instant the cut end of the plastic strip is momentarily raised from either of the front and back walls. Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised plastic strip and either of the front and back walls when the vacuum element raises the strip. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the raised portion of the strip, to compress the raised upper cut end of the strip to the plane of the cut blank.  
           [0060]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing and the plastic strip on the first side of the blade, and the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily raises the cut end of the plastic strip adjacent the second side of the blade. At this instant, the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive between the raised cut end of the strip and either of the front and back walls. Next, upon the lifting of the blade to its first position, the adhesive receiving cut end of the plastic strip is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank.  
           [0061]    Still another variant of the, apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge and a plastic strip upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges. The apparatus includes means for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0062]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0063]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade. An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive at at least two locations upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges of the bag blank.  
           [0064]    Means are provided for locating a plastic strip of a predetermined length upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges of the bag blank over the discharged adhesive. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the plastic strip, to compress the strip to either of the front and back walls of the bag blank.  
           [0065]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade. Next, the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive at at least two locations upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges of the bag blank. Next, a plastic strip of a predetermined length is located upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges of the bag blank over the discharged adhesive. The plastic strip is then compressed to the wall of the bag blank.  
           [0066]    A further variant of the apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having closed side and bottom edges, first and second side gussets, a partially open top edge, and a pair of bag handles terminating at the top edge. The gussets are comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other. A plastic strip is located between the upper and lower wall portions of at least one gusset.  
           [0067]    The apparatus includes means for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing having a plastic strip disposed in at least one of the gussets, in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0068]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries first and second heating elements on its first and second sides adjacent the cutting edge. The heating elements serve to heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag including its gussets and enclosed plastic strip on the first and second sides of the blade.  
           [0069]    A vacuum element is located on the second side of the blade and spaced from the second heating element and above the upper wall portion of the gusseted side edge. The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extends to at least one gusset of the tubing. An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade edge carrying the vacuum element. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0070]    Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing and abutting plastic strip, at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion of the gusset is momentarily raised from its abutment with the plastic strip. Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive in at least two locations between the raised upper wall portion of the gusset and the plastic strip when the vacuum element momentarily lifts the upper wall portion. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the raised upper portion of the gusset, to compress the raised area of the gusset back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank and against the plastic strip.  
           [0071]    Means are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out commencing at the sealed top edge of the bag blank and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge of the blank.  
           [0072]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating elements on the first and second sides of the blade heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag and the plastic strip on the first and second sides of the blade, and the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily lifts an area of the upper portion of the gusset spaced from the second side of the blade. The adhesive injector then discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive in at least two locations between the raised area of the upper portion of the gusset and a portion of the plastic strip between its first and second ends. Next, upon the raising of the blade to its first position, the raised upper portion of the gusset is pressed back down against the plastic strip to the plane of the cut blank, a U-shaped cut-out is then cut in the bag blank commencing at the sealed top edge and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge, thus yielding an open mouth and a pair of bag handles.  
           [0073]    Another variant of the apparatus, is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having front and rear outer surfaces, closed side and bottom edges, first and second side gussets, a partially open top edge, and a pair of bag handles terminating at the top edge. The gussets are comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other. A plastic strip disposed upon at least one of the front and rear outer surfaces above at least one gusset.  
           [0074]    The apparatus includes means for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The tubing has a plastic strip located upon at least one of the front and rear outer surfaces above at least one gusset. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0075]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries first and second heating elements on its first and second sides adjacent the cutting edge. The heating elements serve to heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag including its gussets and the plastic strip on the first and second sides of the blade.  
           [0076]    A vacuum element is located on the second side of the blade and spaced from the second heating element and above the upper wall portion of the gusseted side edge. The vacuum element, when the blade is lowered to its second position, extending to at least one gusset of the tubing. An adhesive injector is located adjacent the side edge of the blade and proximate to the portion of the blade carrying the vacuum element. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element when the blade is moved to its second position to cut the tubing and abutting plastic strip. At this instant a portion of the plastic strip disposed above the gusset is momentarily raised from its abutment with either of the front and rear outer surfaces.  
           [0077]    Means are provided for activating the adhesive injector momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive in at least two locations between the raised portion of the plastic strip and either of the front and rear outer surfaces when the vacuum element momentarily lifts the portion of the plastic strip. Means are provided adjacent the first side of the blade and in line with the gusset, to compress the raised portion of the plastic strip back to the plane of the cut blank. Means are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out commencing at the sealed top edge of the bag and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge of the bag.  
           [0078]    When the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating elements on the first and second sides of the blade heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag and the plastic strip on the first and second sides of the blade. Next, the vacuum element on the second side of the blade momentarily lifts a portion of the plastic strip spaced from the second side of the blade, and the adhesive injector discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive in at least two locations between the raised portion of the plastic strip between its first and second end and either of the front and rear outer surfaces. Next, upon the raising of the blade to its first position, the raised portion of the plastic strip is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank, a U-shaped cut-out is then cut in the bag blank commencing at the sealed top edge and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge, thus yielding an open mouth and a pair of bag handles.  
           [0079]    Still another variant of the apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags each having closed side and bottom edges, at least one gusseted side edge, and an open top edge. The at least one gusseted side edge is comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip located between the upper and lower wall portions of the gusseted side edge.  
           [0080]    The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0081]    Means are provided for opening a gusset in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing and feeding the plastic strip material with applied cold adhesive into the gusset. Means are provided for closing the gusset with the plastic strip material located therein and compressing the plastic strip material against the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion of the gusset, thereby adhering the strip material to the upper or lower wall portions.  
           [0082]    Means are provided for moving the plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0083]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset and enclosed plastic strip material on the first side of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0084]    When the plastic strip material is located in the opened gusset, the gusset is then closed and the upper and lower wall portions compressed against the strip material. The blade is then brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade. The plastic strip material will thus be heat sealed into the bottom edge of the bag and the strip material will be adhered within the gusset.  
           [0085]    A further variant of the apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic bags, each having an open top edge, at least one gusseted side edge and a plastic strip located along one side of the gusseted side edge. The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material, the strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0086]    Means are provided for locating the plastic strip material with applied cold adhesive along one side of a gusseted side edge of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing. Means are provided for compressing the plastic strip material against the tubing thereby adhering the strip material to the tubing adjacent the gusseted side edge. Means are provided for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0087]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset and the plastic strip material located along one side of the gusseted side edge on the first side of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0088]    When the plastic strip material is located along one side of the gusseted side edge and the plastic strip material is compressed against the tubing along one side of the gusseted side edge and the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade, the plastic strip material will be heat sealed into the bottom edge of the bag and the strip material will be adhered above the gusset.  
           [0089]    Yet another variant of the apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags each having closed side and bottom edges, at least one gusseted side edge, and an open top edge. The at least one gusseted side edge is comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other, with a plastic strip located between the upper and lower wall portions of the gusseted side edge. The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0090]    Means are provided for opening a gusset in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing and inserting plastic strip material of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive into the gusset. Means are provided for closing the gusset with the plastic strip material located therein and compressing the plastic strip material against the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion of the gusset, thereby adhering the strip material to either of the upper and lower wall portions.  
           [0091]    Means are provided for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0092]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset on the first side of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. When the predetermined length of plastic strip material is located in the opened gusset and the gusset is then closed and the upper and lower wall portions compressed against the strip material and the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade, the plastic strip material will be adhered within the gusset.  
           [0093]    Yet a further apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge, at least one gusseted side edge and a plastic strip located along one side of the gusseted side edge. The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0094]    Means are provided for locating plastic strip material of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive along one side of a gusseted side edge of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing. Means are provided for compressing the plastic strip material against the tubing thereby adhering the strip material adjacent the gusseted side edge. Means are provided for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. The tubing is gusseted along at least one side edge.  
           [0095]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side, the blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serving to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing including its gusset on the first side of the blade.  
           [0096]    When the plastic strip material is located along one side of the gusseted side edge and the plastic strip material is compressed against the tubing and the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade, the plastic strip material will be adhered above the gusset.  
           [0097]    Still a further variant of an apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge and a plastic strip located upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges. The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand. Means are provided for locating plastic strip material with applied cold adhesive upon either of front and back walls and between side edges of extruded flattened plastic tubing. Means are provided for compressing the plastic strip material against either the front or back walls thereby adhering the strip material to either of the walls.  
           [0098]    Means are provided for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks. The tubing has a plastic strip located upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges.  
           [0099]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0100]    The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing and the plastic strip material located upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges on the first side of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0101]    When the plastic strip material is located upon either of the front and back walls between the side edges of the tubing and the plastic strip material is compressed against the tubing and the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade, the plastic strip material will be heat sealed into the bottom edge of the bag and the strip material will be adhered to either of the front and back walls.  
           [0102]    Another variant of an apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic bags each having an open top edge and a plastic strip upon at least one of the front and back walls between the side edges. The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0103]    Means are provided for locating plastic strip material of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive upon either front or back walls and between side edges of extruded flattened plastic tubing. Means are provided for compressing the plastic strip material against either the front or back walls thereby adhering the strip material to either of the walls. Means are provided for moving flattened plastic tubing in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0104]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries a heating element on its first side adjacent the cutting edge. The heating element serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade.  
           [0105]    When the plastic strip material is located upon either of the front and back walls between the side edges and the plastic strip material is compressed against the tubing and the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating element on the first side of the blade heat-seals the cut edge of the tubing on the first side of the blade, leaving an openable bag mouth on the second side of the blade, the plastic strip material will be adhered to either of the front and back walls.  
           [0106]    Still another variant of an apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags each having closed side and bottom edges, first and second side gussets, a partially open top edge, and a pair of bag handles terminating at the top edge. The gussets are comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other. A plastic strip is located between the upper and lower wall portions of at least one gusset.  
           [0107]    The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand. Means are provided for opening a gusset in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing and feeding the plastic strip material with applied cold adhesive into the gusset. Means are provided for closing the gusset with the plastic strip material located therein and compressing the plastic strip material against the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion of the gusset, thereby adhering the strip material to either of the upper and lower wall portions.  
           [0108]    Means are provided for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing having plastic strip material located in at least one of the gussets, in a horizontal plane into a cutting station. The station has a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0109]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries first and second heating elements on its first and second sides adjacent the cutting edge.  
           [0110]    The heating elements serve to heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag including its gussets and enclosed plastic strip material on the first and second sides of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points. Means are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out commencing at the sealed top edge of the bag blank and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge of the blank.  
           [0111]    When the plastic strip material is located in the opened gusset and the gusset is then closed and the upper and lower wall portions compressed against the strip material and when the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating elements on the first and second sides of the blade heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag and the plastic strip on the first and second sides of the blade, the plastic strip material will be heat sealed into the top and bottom edges of the bag and the strip material will be adhered within the gusset, a U-shaped cut-out is then cut in the bag blank commencing at the sealed top edge and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge, thus yielding an open mouth and a pair of bag handles.  
           [0112]    A final variant of an apparatus is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags each having front and rear outer surfaces, closed side and bottom edges, first and second side gussets, a partially open top edge, and a pair of bag handles terminating at the top edge. The gussets are comprised of an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip located upon at least one of the front and rear outer surfaces above at least one gusset.  
           [0113]    The apparatus includes a roll of plastic strip material. The strip material has parallel first and second side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand. Means are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material from the unwind stand. A cold adhesive applicator is provided. The applicator is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive between the first and second side edges of the plastic strip material. Means are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator as the plastic strip material is unrolled from the unwind stand.  
           [0114]    Means are provided for locating the plastic strip material with applied cold adhesive along one side of a gusseted side edge of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing. Means are provided for compressing the plastic strip material against the tubing thereby adhering the strip material adjacent the gusseted side edge.  
           [0115]    Means are provided for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing having plastic strip material located upon at least one of the front and rear outer surfaces above at least one gusset, in a horizontal plane into a cutting station, the station having a horizontal planar blade receiving area over which the flattened tubing is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks.  
           [0116]    A blade is provided for cutting the tubing transversely at the cutting station at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks of a predetermined length. The blade is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position, and a second lower cutting position on the planar blade receiving area. The blade is of a length at least as great as the width of the gusseted tubing. The blade has a first side and a second side. The blade further has a cutting edge and carries first and second heating elements on its first and second sides adjacent the cutting edge. The heating elements serves to heat-seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag including its gussets and the plastic strip material on the first and second sides of the blade. Means are provided for reciprocating the blade between the first and second positions to effect cutting of the tubing at the pre-selected points.  
           [0117]    Means are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out commencing at the sealed top edge of the bag blank and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge of the blank. When the plastic strip material is located above the gusset and the plastic strip material is then compressed against the tubing and when the blade is brought down against the tubing to cut it transversely, the heating elements on the first and second sides of the blade heat seal the cut bottom and top edges of the bag and the plastic strip material on the first and second sides of the blade, the plastic strip material will be heat sealed into the top and bottom edges of the bag and the strip material will be adhered above the gusset, a U-shaped cut-out is then cut in the bag blank commencing at the sealed top edge and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge, thus yielding an open mouth and a pair of bag handles. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0118]    [0118]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip heat sealed to the lower seam of the bag with the removably attached coupons disposed within a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0119]    [0119]FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  1 A- 1 A of FIG. 1;  
         [0120]    [0120]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip, illustrating advertising on the coupons, heat sealed to the lower seam of the bag with the removably attached coupons disposed on top of a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0121]    [0121]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the FIG. 2 bag illustrating several detached coupons and the strip ends attached to the bag;  
         [0122]    [0122]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip with removably attached coupons adhered within a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0123]    [0123]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip with removably attached coupons adhered to and disposed on top of a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0124]    [0124]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip, illustrating advertising on the coupons, with the removably attached coupons heat sealed to the lower seam of the bag and disposed on either of the front and back surfaces of the bag;  
         [0125]    [0125]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an open topped bag having an advertising or coupon strip, illustrating advertising on the coupons, with the removably attached coupons adhered to and disposed on either of the front and back surfaces of the bag;  
         [0126]    [0126]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 bag illustrating several detached coupons and the strip ends attached to the bag;  
         [0127]    [0127]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a T-shirt style bag having an advertising or coupon strip with removably attached coupons heat sealed to the upper and lower seams of the bag and adhered to and disposed within a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0128]    [0128]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a T-shirt style bag having an advertising or coupon strip with removably attached coupons heat sealed to the upper and lower seams of the bag and adhered to and disposed on top of a gusset along one side of the bag;  
         [0129]    [0129]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 1 bags;  
         [0130]    [0130]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 2 bags;  
         [0131]    [0131]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 3 bags;  
         [0132]    [0132]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 4 bags;  
         [0133]    [0133]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 5 bags;  
         [0134]    [0134]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 6 bags;  
         [0135]    [0135]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 7 bags; and  
         [0136]    [0136]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the bag making apparatus for forming the FIG. 8 bags. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0137]    (1) A plastic shopping bag  10  with promotional strip ad  14 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A may be formed from the following components. A pair of registering front  18  and back  22  walls is provided. The walls  18 ,  22  are secured together along their side  26 ,  30  and bottom  34  edges and open across at least a portion of their top  38  edges. The walls  18 ,  22 , when pulled apart from each other, defining a space  42  into which articles may be placed. At least one of the secured together side edges  26 ,  30  is gusseted.  
         [0138]    A plastic strip  14  is located within the gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than a length  62  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second end  54  of the strip  14  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0139]    (2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0140]    (3) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0141]    (4) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, a plastic strip  14  is located along one side  74  of a gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than a length  62  of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second  54  end of the strip  14  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0142]    (5) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0143]    (6) In another variation, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0144]    (7) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plastic strip  14  is located within a gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than a length  62  of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is adhered adjacent the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second end  54  of the strip  14  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0145]    (8) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0146]    (9) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 3, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0147]    (10) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a plastic strip  14  is located along one side  74  of a gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than a length  62  of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is adhered adjacent the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second end  54  of the strip  14  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0148]    (11) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0149]    (12) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 4, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0150]    (13) In yet a further variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a plastic strip  78  is located upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The strip  78  has a first end  82  and a second end  86  and is of a length  90  not greater than the length  94  of the walls  18 ,  22 . The first end  82  of the strip  78  is heat sealed to the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second end  86  of the strip  78  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0151]    (14) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0152]    (15) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 5, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0153]    (16) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, a plastic strip  78  is located upon at least one of front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The strip  78  has a first end  82  and a second end  86  and is of a length  90  not greater than the length  94  of the walls  18 ,  22 . The first end  82  of the strip  78  is adhered adjacent the bottom edges  34  of the bag walls  18 ,  22  and the second end  86  of the strip  78  is adhered in the vicinity of the top edges  38  of the bag walls  18 ,  22 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  82  and second  86  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0154]    (17) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  82  and second  86  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0155]    (18) In another variation, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  82  and second  86  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0156]    (19) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the secured together first  26  and second  30  side edges are folded inwardly from the front  18  and back  22  walls to form a pair of gussets  46 . The gussets  46  have top  98  and bottom  102  edges. The top edges  38 ,  98  of the front wall  18 , the back wall  22 , and the gussets  46  terminate in an upper seam  106 . The bottom edges  34 ,  102  of the front wall  18 , the back wall  22 , and the gussets  46  terminate in a lower seam  110 . The lower seam  110  is perpendicular to the side edges  26 ,  30  of the front  18  and back  22  walls.  
         [0157]    A U-shaped cut-out  114  is located in an upper portion  118  of the bag  10 . The cut-out  114  commences at a first point  122  along the upper seam  106  spaced inwardly from the first side edge  26 . The cut-out  114  extends to a second point  126  along the upper seam  106  spaced inwardly from the second side edge  30 . The cut-out  114  extends downwardly toward the lower seam  110 , forming an open mouth  130  and a pair of bag handles  134 .  
         [0158]    A plastic strip  14  is located within at least one gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than a length  62  of the gusset  46 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the lower seam  110  and the second end  54  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the upper seam  106 . The strip  14  is adhered to the gusset  46  between the first end  50  and the second end  54  of the strip  14 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0159]    (20) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0160]    (21) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 7, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0161]    (22) In a final variant, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a plastic strip  14  is located upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls above at least one gusset  46 . The strip  14  has a first end  50  and a second end  54  and is of a length  58  not greater than the length  62  of the gusset  46 . The first end  50  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the lower seam  110  and the second end  54  of the strip  14  is heat sealed to the upper seam  106 . The strip  14  is adhered to one of the front  18  and back  22  walls above at least one gusset  46  between the first end  50  and the second end  54  of the strip  14 . A portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to a remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0162]    (23) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14  with at least two perforation lines  72 ,  76 .  
         [0163]    (24) In another variation, as illustrated in FIG. 8, promotional material  80  is printed upon at least an upper surface  84  or a lower surface  88  of the portion  66  of the strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends that is removably attached to the remainder  70  of the strip  14 .  
         [0164]    An apparatus  138  for fabricating plastic shopping bags  10 , as illustrated in FIG. 9, is provided. Each of the bags  10  has closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom  34  edges. At least one side edge  26 ,  30  is gusseted. The bag  10  has an open top edge  38 . The gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  includes an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other. A plastic strip  14  is located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0165]    The apparatus  138  includes means  150  for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  that has a plastic strip  14  located in the gusset  46 , in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158 .  
         [0166]    The tubing  154  is cut at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  and enclosed plastic strip  14  portion on the first side  186  of the blade  170 .  
         [0167]    A vacuum element  206  is located on the blade&#39;s  170  second side  190  also adjacent the cutting edge  194  and above the upper wall portion  142  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  178 , extends to at least one gusset  46  of the tubing  154 . The vacuum element  206  is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge  194  which, upon the blade  170  being lowered to its second position  178 , cuts through the gusset  46 .  
         [0168]    An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade edge  194  carrying the vacuum element  206 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  154  and abutting plastic strip  14 , at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  is momentarily raised from its abutment with the plastic strip  14 .  
         [0169]    Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  and the plastic strip  14  when the vacuum element  206  momentarily lifts the upper wall portion  142 . Means  218  located adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the raised portion of the gusset  46  are provided, to compress the raised area of the gusset  46  back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank  166  and against the plastic strip  14 .  
         [0170]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , and the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily lifts an area of the upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  adjacent (the edge of) the second side  190  of the blade  170 . The adhesive injector  210  then discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised area of the upper portion of the gusset  46  and the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  14 , following which, upon the raising of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the adhesive receiving upper edge of the gusset  46  is pressed back down against the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  14  to the plane of the remainder of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0171]    In a variant of the apparatus  226 , as illustrated in FIG. 10, designed for fabricating plastic bags  10  each having an open top edge  38 , at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and a plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 , the apparatus  226  includes means  150  for moving flattened plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . The tubing  154  is gusseted along at least one side edge  26 ,  30  and has a plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusset  46  of the side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0172]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194  and a vacuum element  206  on its second side  190  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0173]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  and the plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  178 , extends to at least one gusset  46  of the tubing  154 . The vacuum element  206  is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge  194  which, upon the blade  170  being lowered to its second position  178 , cuts through the gusset  46  and abutting plastic strip  14 .  
         [0174]    An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade edge  194  carrying the vacuum element  206 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  154  and abutting plastic strip  14 , at which instant the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  14  is momentarily raised from the side  230  (edge) of the gusset  46 .  
         [0175]    Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised plastic strip  14  and the side  230  of the gusset  46  when the vacuum element  206  raises the strip  14 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the raised portion of the strip  14 , to compress the raised upper cut end  222  of the strip  14  to the plane of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0176]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  and the plastic strip  14  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Next the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily raises the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  14  adjacent (the edge of) the second side  190  of the blade  170 . At this instant, the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised cut end  222  of the strip  14  and the side  230  of the gusset  46 , following which, upon the lifting of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the adhesive receiving cut end  222  of the plastic strip  14  is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0177]    Another variant of the apparatus  234 , as illustrated in FIG. 11, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags  10 . Each of the bags  10  has closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom  34  edges, at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 , and an open top edge  38 . The gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  includes an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip  14  located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0178]    The apparatus  234  includes means  150  for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0179]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . A vacuum element  206  is located on its second side  190  also adjacent the cutting edge  194  and above the upper wall portion  142  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  178 , extends to the gusset  46  of the tubing  154 . The vacuum element  206  is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge  194  which, upon the blade  170  being lowered to its second position  178 , cuts through the tubing  154 . An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade edge  194  carrying the vacuum element  206 .  
         [0180]    Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  154  at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  is momentarily raised from its abutment with the lower wall portion  146  of the gusset  46 .  
         [0181]    Means  238  are provided for inserting a plastic strip  14  of predetermined length into the gusset  46 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  in at least two locations  242  between the raised upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  and the plastic strip  14  when the vacuum element  206  momentarily lifts the upper wall portion  142 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the raised upper portion  142  of the gusset  46 , to compress the raised area  142  of the gusset  46  back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank  166  and against the plastic strip  14 .  
         [0182]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , and the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily lifts an area of the upper portion  142  of the gusset  46  adjacent the (edge of the) second side  190  of the blade  170 , a plastic strip  14  of predetermined length is inserted into the gusset  46  and the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised area of the portion  142  of the gusset  46  and at least two locations  242  on the plastic strip  14 . Next, upon the raising of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the adhesive receiving upper edge of the gusset  46  is pressed back down against the plastic strip  14  to the plane of the remainder of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0183]    Yet another variant of the apparatus  246 , as illustrated in FIG. 12, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  10  each having an open top edge  38 , at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and a plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  246  includes means  150  for moving flattened plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . The tubing  154  is gusseted along at least one side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0184]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating  198  element on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 .  
         [0185]    An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  at at least two locations  242  along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 . Means  250  are provided for locating a plastic strip  14  of a predetermined length along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166  over the discharged adhesive  214 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the plastic strip  14 , to compress the strip  14  to the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 .  
         [0186]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating  198  element on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Next, the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  at at least two locations  242  along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 . Next, a plastic strip  14  of a predetermined length is located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166  over the discharged adhesive  214 , and the plastic strip  14  is compressed to the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 .  
         [0187]    Yet another variant of the apparatus  254 , as illustrated in FIG. 13, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  258  each having an open top edge  38  and a plastic strip  78  disposed upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  254  includes means  150  for moving flattened plastic tubing  262  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  262  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . The tubing  262  has a plastic strip  78  disposed upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 .  
         [0188]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  262  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the tubing  262 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194  and a vacuum element  206  on its second side  190  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  and the plastic strip  78  disposed upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 .  
         [0189]    The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  190 , extends to the side edges  26 ,  30  of the tubing  262 . The vacuum element  206  is located adjacent the portion of the blade edge  194  which, upon the blade  170  being lowered to its second position  178 , cuts through the tubing  262  and abutting plastic strip  78 . An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade edge  194  carrying the vacuum element  206 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  262  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0190]    Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  262  and abutting plastic strip  78 , at which instant the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  78  is momentarily raised from either of the front  18  and back  22  walls. Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised plastic strip  78  and either of the front  18  and back  22  walls when the vacuum element  206  raises the strip  78 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the raised portion of the strip  78 , to compress the raised upper cut end  222  of the strip  78  to the plane of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0191]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  262  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  and the plastic strip  78  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , and the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily raises the cut end  222  of the plastic strip  78  adjacent the (edge of the) second side  190  of the blade  170 . At this instant, the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  between the raised cut end  222  of the strip  78  and either of the front  18  and back  22  walls. Next, upon the lifting of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the adhesive receiving cut end  222  of the plastic strip  78  is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank  166 .  
         [0192]    Still another variant of the apparatus  266 , as illustrated in FIG. 14, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  258  each having an open top edge  38  and a plastic strip  78  upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  266  includes means  150  for moving flattened plastic tubing  262  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  262  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0193]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  262  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the tubing  262 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0194]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  262  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  at at least two locations  242  upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 .  
         [0195]    Means  270  are provided for locating a plastic strip  78  of a predetermined length upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166  over the discharged adhesive  214 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the plastic strip  78 , to compress the strip  78  to either of the front  18  and back  22  walls of the bag blank  166 .  
         [0196]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  262  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Next, the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  at at least two locations  242  upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166 . Next, a plastic strip  78  of a predetermined length is located upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  of the bag blank  166  over the discharged adhesive  214 . The plastic strip  78  is then compressed to the wall  18 ,  22  of the bag blank  166 .  
         [0197]    A further variant of the apparatus  274 , as illustrated in FIG. 15, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  278  each having closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom edges  34 , first and second side gussets  46 , a partially open top edge  38 , and a pair of bag handles  280  terminating at the top edge  38 . The gussets  46  are comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other. A plastic strip  14  is located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of at least one gusset  46 .  
         [0198]    The apparatus  274  includes means  150  for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  having a plastic strip  14  disposed in at least one of the gussets  46 , in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0199]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries first  282  and second  286  heating elements on its first  186  and second  190  sides adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating elements  282 ,  286  serve to heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top edges  38  of the bags  278  including its gussets  46  and enclosed plastic strip  14  (portion) on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 .  
         [0200]    A vacuum element  206  is located on the second side  190  of the blade  170  and spaced from the second heating element  286  and above the upper wall portion  142  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  178 , extends to at least one gusset  46  of the tubing  154 . An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade edge  194  carrying the vacuum element  206 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0201]    Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  154  and abutting plastic strip  14 , at which instant the adjacent area of the upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  is momentarily raised from its abutment with the plastic strip  14 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  in at least two locations between the raised upper wall portion  142  of the gusset  46  and the plastic strip  14  when the vacuum element  206  momentarily lifts the upper wall portion  142 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the raised upper portion  142  of the gusset  46 , to compress the raised area of the gusset  46  back to the plane of the remaining portion of the cut blank  166  and against the plastic strip  14 .  
         [0202]    Means  290  are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out  114  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  of the bag blank  166  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34  of the blank  166 .  
         [0203]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating elements  282 ,  286  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170  heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top edges  38  of the bags  278  and the plastic strip  14  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 , and the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily lifts an area of the upper portion  142  of the gusset  46  spaced from the (edge of the) second side  190  of the blade. The adhesive injector  210  then discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  in at least two locations between the raised area of the upper portion  142  of the gusset  46  and a portion of the plastic strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  ends. Next, upon the raising of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the raised upper portion  142  of the gusset  46  is pressed back down against the plastic strip  14  to the plane of the cut blank  166 , a U-shaped cut-out  114  is then cut in the bag blank  166  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34 , thus yielding an open mouth  294  and a pair of bag handles  278 .  
         [0204]    Another variant of the apparatus  298 , as illustrated in FIG. 16, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  278  each having front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces, closed side  26 , 30  and bottom edges  34 , first and second side gussets  46 , a partially open top edge  38 , and a pair of bag handles  280  terminating at the top edge  38 . The gussets  46  are comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other. A plastic strip  14  disposed upon at least one of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces above at least one gusset  46 .  
         [0205]    The apparatus  298  includes means  150  for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The tubing  154  has a plastic strip  14  located upon at least one of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces above at least one gusset  46 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0206]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries first  282  and second  286  heating elements on its first  186  and second  190  sides adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating elements  282 ,  286  serve to heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top edges  38  of the bags  278  including its gussets  46  and the plastic strip  14  (portion) on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 .  
         [0207]    A vacuum element  206  is located on the second side  190  of the blade  170  and spaced from the second heating element  286  and above the upper wall portion  142  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The vacuum element  206 , when the blade  170  is lowered to its second position  178 , extending to at least one gusset  46  of the tubing  154 . An adhesive injector  210  is located adjacent the side edge  212  of the blade  170  and proximate to the portion of the blade  170  (edge) carrying the vacuum element  206 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means (not shown) are provided for producing a vacuum in the vacuum element  206  when the blade  170  is moved to its second position  178  to cut the tubing  154  and abutting plastic strip  14 . At this instant a portion of the plastic strip  14  disposed above the gusset  46  is momentarily raised from its abutment with either of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces.  
         [0208]    Means (not shown) are provided for activating the adhesive injector  210  momentarily to discharge a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  in at least two locations between the raised portion of the plastic strip  14  and either of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces when the vacuum element  206  momentarily lifts the portion of the plastic strip  14 . Means  218  are provided adjacent the first side  186  of the blade  170  and in line with the gusset  46 , to compress the raised portion of the plastic strip  14  back to the plane of the cut blank  166 . Means  290  are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out  114  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  of the bag  278  (blank) and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34  of the bag  278 .  
         [0209]    When the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating elements  282 ,  286  on the first  186  and second  190  side of the blade  170  heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top edges  38  of the bag  278  and the plastic strip  14  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 . Next, the vacuum element  206  on the second side  190  of the blade  170  momentarily lifts a portion of the plastic strip  14  spaced from the (edge of the) second side  190  of the blade  170 , and the adhesive injector  210  discharges a pre-selected quantity of adhesive  214  in at least two locations between the raised portion of the plastic strip  14  between its first  50  and second  54  end and either of the front  302  and  306  rear outer surfaces. Next, upon the raising of the blade  170  to its first position  174 , the raised portion of the plastic strip  14  is pressed back down to the plane of the cut blank  166 , a U-shaped cut-out  114  is then cut in the bag blank  166  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34 , thus yielding an open mouth  294  and a pair of bag handles  280 .  
         [0210]    Still another variant of the apparatus  310 , as illustrated in FIG. 17, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags  10  each having closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom  34  edges, at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 , and an open top edge  38 . The at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  is comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip  14  located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0211]    The apparatus  310  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0212]    Means  342  are provided for opening a gusset  46  in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  and feeding the plastic strip material  318  with applied cold adhesive  338  into the gusset  46 . Means  150  are provided for closing the gusset  46  with the plastic strip material  318  located therein and compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the upper wall portion  142  and the lower wall portion  146  of the gusset  46 , thereby adhering the strip material  318  to the upper  142  or lower  146  wall portions.  
         [0213]    Means  150  also move the plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0214]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  and enclosed plastic strip material  318  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0215]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located in the opened gusset  46 , the gusset  46  is then closed and the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions compressed against the strip material  318 . The blade  170  is then brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 . The plastic strip material  318  will thus be heat sealed into the bottom edge  34  of the bag  10  and the strip material  318  will be adhered within the gusset  46 .  
         [0216]    A further variant of the apparatus  350 , as illustrated in FIG. 18, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  10 , each having an open top edge  38 , at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and a plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  350  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 , the strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0217]    Means  354  are provided for locating the plastic strip material  318  with applied cold adhesive  338  along one side  230  of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154 . Means  150  are provided for compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the tubing  154  thereby adhering the strip material  318  to the tubing  154  adjacent the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . Means  150  also move flattened plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0218]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  and the plastic strip material  318  located along one side of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0219]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and the plastic strip material  318  is compressed against the tubing  154  along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be heat sealed into the bottom edge  34  of the bag  10  and the strip material  318  will be adhered above the gusset  46 .  
         [0220]    Yet another variant of the apparatus  362 , as illustrated in FIG. 19, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags  10  each having closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom  34  edges, at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 , and an open top edge  38 . The at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  is comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other, with a plastic strip  14  located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  362  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0221]    Means  342  are provided for opening a gusset  46  in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  and inserting plastic strip material  318  of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive  338  into the gusset  46 . Means  150  are provided for closing the gusset  46  with the plastic strip material  318  located therein and compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the upper wall portion  142  and the lower wall portion  146  of the gusset  46 , thereby adhering the strip material  318  to either of the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions.  
         [0222]    Means  150  also move extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0223]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. When the predetermined length of plastic strip material  318  is located in the opened gusset  46  and the gusset  46  is then closed and the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions compressed against the strip material  318  and the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be adhered within the gusset  46 .  
         [0224]    Yet a further apparatus  366 , as illustrated in FIG. 20, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  10  each having an open top edge  38 , at least one gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and a plastic strip  14  located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  366  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0225]    Means  354  are provided for locating plastic strip material  318  of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive  338  along one side of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154 . Means  150  are provided for compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the tubing  154  thereby adhering the strip material  318  adjacent the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 . Means  150  also move flattened plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 . The tubing  154  is gusseted along at least one side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0226]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 , the blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serving to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  including its gusset  46  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 .  
         [0227]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located along one side  230  of the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  and the plastic strip material  318  is compressed against the tubing  154  and the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  154  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be adhered above the gusset  46 .  
         [0228]    Still a further variant of an apparatus  370 , as illustrated in FIG. 21, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  258  each having an open top edge  38  and a plastic strip  14  located upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  370  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 . Means  374  are provided for locating plastic strip material  318  with applied cold adhesive  338  upon either of front  18  and back  22  walls and between side edges  26 ,  30  of extruded flattened plastic tubing  262 . Means  150  are provided for compressing the plastic strip material  318  against either the front  18  or back  22  walls thereby adhering the strip material  318  to either of the walls  18 ,  22 .  
         [0229]    Means  150  also move flattened plastic tubing  154  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  262  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0230]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  262  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the tubing  262 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0231]    The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  and the plastic strip material  318  located upon at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  262  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0232]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located upon either of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  of the tubing  262  and the plastic strip material  318  is compressed against the tubing  262  and the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  262  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be heat sealed into the bottom edge  34  of the bag  258  and the strip material  318  will be adhered to either of the front  18  and back  22  walls.  
         [0233]    Another variant of an apparatus  382 , as illustrated in FIG. 22, is designed for fabricating plastic bags  258  each having an open top edge  38  and a plastic strip upon  14  at least one of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30 . The apparatus  382  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) for activating the cold adhesive applicator  338  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0234]    Means  386  are provided for locating plastic strip material  318  of a predetermined length with applied cold adhesive  338  upon either front  18  or back  22  walls and between side edges  26 ,  30  of extruded flattened plastic tubing  262 . Means  150  are provided for compressing the plastic strip material  318  against either the front  18  or back  22  walls thereby adhering the strip material  318  to either of the walls  18 ,  22 . Means  150  also move flattened plastic tubing  262  in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  262  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0235]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  262  transversely at pre-selected points along its length to produce the series of blanks  166 . The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the tubing  262 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries a heating element  198  on its first side  186  adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating element  198  serves to heat seal the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 .  
         [0236]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located upon either of the front  18  and back  22  walls between the side edges  26 ,  30  and the plastic strip material  318  is compressed against the tubing  262  and the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  262  to cut it transversely, the heating element  198  on the first side  186  of the blade  170  heat-seals the cut edge  202  of the tubing  262  on the first side  186  of the blade  170 , leaving an openable bag mouth  294  on the second side  190  of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be adhered to either of the front  18  and back  22  walls.  
         [0237]    Still another variant of an apparatus  394 , as illustrated in FIG. 23, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags  278  each having closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom edges  34 , first and second side gussets  46 , a partially open top edge  38 , and a pair of bag handles  280  terminating at the top edge  38 . The gussets  46  are comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other. A plastic strip  14  is located between the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions of at least one gusset  46 .  
         [0238]    The apparatus  394  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  336  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 . Means  342  are provided for opening a gusset  46  in extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  and feeding the plastic strip material  318  with applied cold adhesive  338  into the gusset  46 . Means  150  are provided for closing the gusset  46  with the plastic strip material  318  located therein and compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the upper wall portion  142  and the lower wall portion  146  of the gusset  46 , thereby adhering the strip material  318  to either of the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions.  
         [0239]    Means  150  also move extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  having plastic strip material  318  located in at least one of the gussets  46 , in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 . The station  158  has a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0240]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries first  282  and second  286  heating elements on its first  186  and second  190  sides adjacent the cutting edge  194 .  
         [0241]    The heating elements  282 ,  286  serve to heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top  38  edges of the bag  278  including its gussets  46  and enclosed plastic strip material  318  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade. Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points. Means  290  are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out  114  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  of the bag blank  166  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34  of the blank  166 .  
         [0242]    When the plastic strip material  318  is located in the opened gusset  46  and the gusset  46  is then closed and the upper  142  and lower  146  wall portions compressed against the strip material  318  and when the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating elements  282 ,  286  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170  heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top  38  edges of the bag  278  and the plastic strip material  318  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be heat sealed into the top  38  and bottom  34  edges of the bag  278  and the strip material  318  will be adhered within the gusset  46 , a U-shaped cut-out  114  is then cut in the bag blank  166  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34 , thus yielding an open mouth  294  and a pair of bag handles  280 .  
         [0243]    A final variant of an apparatus  398 , as illustrated in FIG. 24, is designed for fabricating plastic shopping bags  278  each having front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces, closed side  26 ,  30  and bottom edges  34 , first and second side gussets  46 , a partially open top edge  38 , and a pair of bag handles  280  terminating at the top edge  38 . The gussets  46  are comprised of an upper wall portion  142  and a lower wall portion  146  in abutment with each other, and a plastic strip  14  located upon at least one of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces above at least one gusset  46 .  
         [0244]    The apparatus  398  includes a roll  314  of plastic strip material  318 . The strip material  318  has parallel first  322  and second  326  side edges and is mounted in an unwind stand  330 . Means  332  are provided for unrolling the roll  314  of plastic strip material  318  from the unwind stand  330 . A cold adhesive applicator  334  is provided. The applicator  334  is located to apply either a continuous or non-continuous bead of cold adhesive  338  between the first  322  and second  326  side edges of the plastic strip material  318 . Means (not shown) are provided for activating the cold adhesive applicator  334  as the plastic strip material  318  is unrolled from the unwind stand  330 .  
         [0245]    Means  402  are provided for locating the plastic strip material  318  with applied cold adhesive  338  along one side  230  of a gusseted side edge  26 ,  30  of extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154 . Means  358  are provided for compressing the plastic strip material  318  against the tubing thereby adhering the strip material  318  adjacent the gusseted side edge  26 ,  30 .  
         [0246]    Means  150  are provided for moving extruded flattened and gusseted plastic tubing  154  having plastic strip material  318  located upon at least one of the front  302  and rear  306  outer surfaces above at least one gusset  46 , in a horizontal plane into a cutting station  158 , the station having a horizontal planar blade receiving area  162  over which the flattened tubing  154  is moved to be cut into a series of rectangular blanks  166 .  
         [0247]    A blade  170  is provided for cutting the tubing  154  transversely at the cutting station  158  at pre-selected points along the tubing length to produce the series of blanks  166  of a predetermined length. The blade  170  is reciprocatable between a first upper poised position  174 , and a second lower cutting position  178  on the planar blade receiving area  162 . The blade  170  is of a length  182  at least as great as the width  184  of the gusseted tubing  154 . The blade  170  has a first side  186  and a second side  190 . The blade  170  further has a cutting edge  194  and carries first  282  and second  286  heating elements on its first  186  and second  190  sides adjacent the cutting edge  194 . The heating elements  282 ,  286  serves to heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top  38  edges of the bag  278  including its gussets  46  and the plastic strip material  318  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  190 . Means (not shown) are provided for reciprocating the blade  170  between the first  174  and second  178  positions to effect cutting of the tubing  154  at the pre-selected points.  
         [0248]    Means  290  are provided for cutting a U-shaped cut-out  114  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  of the bag blank  166  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34  of the blank  166 . When the plastic strip material  318  is located above the gusset  46  and the plastic strip material  318  is then compressed against the tubing  154  and when the blade  170  is brought down against the tubing  154  to cut it transversely, the heating elements  282 ,  286  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170  heat seal the cut bottom  34  and top  38  edges of the bag  278  and the plastic strip material  318  on the first  186  and second  190  sides of the blade  170 , the plastic strip material  318  will be heat sealed into the top  38  and bottom  34  edges of the bag  278  and the strip material  318  will be adhered above the gusset  46 , a U-shaped cut-out  114  is then cut in the bag blank  166  commencing at the sealed top edge  38  and extending downwardly toward the bottom edge  34 , thus yielding an open mouth  130  and a pair of bag handles  280 .  
         [0249]    The plastic shopping bags  10 ,  278  with promotional strip ad and method and apparatus for making same have 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.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1