PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10259616-B2
Application Number: US-201615062993-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: White paper bag formed of post-consumer content with circular-knit paper fiber yarn handle

Abstract:
A paper bag is disclosed. The paper bag may include a bag container formed of white solid bleached sulfate paper with at least 60% post-consumer content.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A retail paper bag, comprising:
 a white bag container formed entirely of solid bleach sulfate paper with at least 60% post-consumer content; and 
 a handle formed entirely of paper fiber yarn knitted in a circular-knit pattern. 
 
     
     
       2. The paper bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag container is formed entirely of:
 the solid bleached sulfate paper with at least 60% post-consumer content, and adhesive. 
 
     
     
       3. The paper bag of  claim 1 , comprising a reinforcement insert adhered to an interior of the bag container. 
     
     
       4. The paper bag of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement insert is adhered across a fold of the bag container. 
     
     
       5. The paper bag of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement insert is adhered over a gusset of the bag container. 
     
     
       6. The paper bag of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement insert is formed of solid bleached sulfate paper with at least 60% post-consumer content. 
     
     
       7. The paper bag of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement insert has a rectangular portion and a triangular portion,
 wherein the rectangular portion is adhered to a bottom panel of the bag container, and 
 wherein the triangular portion is adhered to a side panel of the bag container. 
 
     
     
       8. The paper bag of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcement insert is a corner reinforcement insert, and
 wherein the paper bag comprises a bottom reinforcement insert, wherein the bottom reinforcement insert is rectangular and extends over the bottom panel. 
 
     
     
       9. The paper bag of  claim 8 , wherein the rectangular portion of the corner reinforcement insert is disposed between the bottom panel and the bottom reinforcement insert. 
     
     
       10. The paper bag of  claim 1 , wherein the circular-knit pattern is an 8-stitch circular-knit pattern. 
     
     
       11. The paper bag of  claim 10 , wherein the handle has a diameter of at least 6.5 millimeters. 
     
     
       12. The paper bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag container has a top edge including a notch,
 wherein an end of the handle extends through the notch and is fixed to the bag container, 
 wherein the bag container has a collar about an opening defined by the top edge of the bag container, 
 wherein the collar is formed by portions of the bag container folded over about the opening, 
 wherein the collar comprises a collar reinforcement insert disposed between the folded-over portions of the bag container, and 
 wherein the collar reinforcement insert is corrugated cardboard. 
 
     
     
       13. The retail paper bag of  claim 1 , wherein the paper fiber yarn is formed entirely of dried cellulose pulp fibers. 
     
     
       14. A paper bag, comprising:
 a bag container formed of white paper with at least 60% post-consumer content, the bag container having a collar about an opening thereof, wherein the collar is formed by portions of the bag container folded over about the opening; and 
 a bag handle, the bag handle comprising two ends, wherein the ends of the bag handle are fixed to the bag container between the folded-over portions of the bag container, 
 wherein the collar comprises a collar reinforcement insert disposed between the folded-over portions of the bag container, 
 wherein the collar reinforcement insert is corrugated cardboard, and 
 wherein the cardboard is debossed where the bag handle is fixed to the bag container. 
 
     
     
       15. The paper bag of  claim 14 , wherein the collar is flat across areas where the ends of the bag handle are fixed to the bag container. 
     
     
       16. A retail paper bag, comprising:
 a bag container formed of white paper with at least 60% post-consumer content; 
 a rectangular bottom reinforcement insert; and 
 a corner reinforcement insert adhered to an interior of the bag container, the corner reinforcement insert having a rectangular portion adhered to a bottom panel of the bag container and a triangular portion adhered to a side panel of the bag container, 
 wherein the rectangular bottom reinforcement insert extends over the bottom panel of the bag, and 
 wherein the rectangular portion of the corner reinforcement insert is disposed between the bottom panel and the bottom reinforcement insert.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/130,054 filed Mar. 9, 2015, titled “Bag,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to a bag. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a retail shopping bag made substantially of post-consumer content. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bags are often used for containing items. For example, retail bags may be used to contain items purchased at a retail store. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a paper bag that includes a bag container formed of white paper with at least 60% post-consumer content. The white paper may be formed of solid bleached sulfate. The bag may have a reinforcement insert adhered to its interior, which may extend across and strengthen a fold of the bag container. 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a paper bag that includes a bag container formed of paper with a top edge including a notch, and a bag handle formed of paper. Ends of the bag handle may extend through the notch and may be fixed to the bag container. In the absence of an applied force on the bag handle, when the bag is in an upright orientation the bag handle may droop below the top edge of the bag container so that at least 90% of the bag handle is below the top edge of the bag container. The bag handle may be formed of paper fibers knitted in an 8-stitch circular-knit pattern, and may have a diameter of at least 6.5 millimeters. 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a paper bag that includes a bag container formed of paper with a collar about its opening, where the collar is formed by portions of the bag container folded over about the opening. The collar may include a corrugated cardboard collar reinforcement insert between the folded-over portions of the bag container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is an inner side panel of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial exploded view of a bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bag in a flattened configuration according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of a bag handle according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view taken at circle  12  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 13  shows an unassembled bag according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  shows an unassembled bag according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to a bag, such as a retail shopping bag. The bag may be formed entirely of paper, with the potential exception of adhesives for fixing together portions of the bag. This can help to reduce any environmental impact from production, use, and disposal of the bag. The bag may be formed of a container and a handle. 
     The bag may be a high-end retail shopping bag, and the bag container may be formed entirely of paper (e.g., dried cellulose pulp), with the potential exception of adhesives. The bag container may be formed of at least 60% recycled (e.g., post-consumer) content, and may be white. To effect its white color, the bag container may be formed of solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paper (including SBS paperboard). SBS paperboard is used to form, for example, high-end retail bags, since it provides a sophisticated fit and finish, in contrast to, for example, craft paper (e.g., used in conventional grocery-store paper bags), which has a rough and dull fit and finish. 
     Generally, the greater the proportion of post-consumer content in white or SBS paper, the weaker the paper (e.g., the paper will more easily tear (including scoring or cracking)). For this reason, conventional bags formed of SBS paper are made with 50% or less post-consumer content (usually 40% or less), since SBS paper having greater than 40% or 50% post-consumer content would conventionally be considered too weak (e.g., prone to tearing) for use in a bag, particularly a bag with multiple folds such as corner folds or expansion folds that give it shape or allow it to expand from a flat configuration to an open configuration. 
     To strengthen areas of the bag container, such as folds or gussets at its corners or edges, in some embodiments of the present invention reinforcement inserts may be applied to such areas. The reinforcement inserts may be formed of the same material as the bag container (e.g., SBS with at least 60% post-consumer content). Such reinforcement inserts can augment the strength and resistance to tearing of the bag container material to make it structurally suitable for use as a bag, thereby increasing the amount of post-consumer content usable in an SBS paper bag. This can help to reduce any environmental impact from production, use, and disposal of the bag. 
     The bag handle may be formed entirely of paper, with the potential exception of adhesives. Typical paper handles are stiff and inflexible; these qualities contribute to a rough, unfinished feel. In some embodiments of the present invention, the bag handle may be formed to have a feel and flexibility unlike that typical of paper, however. For example, the handle&#39;s feel and flexibility may be similar to that of a hollow textile tube, like a shoelace. To effect this feel and flexibility, the handle may be formed of knitted paper fibers in a tight-knit pattern with a large diameter. For example, the handle may be formed in an 8-stitch circular-knit pattern, and may have a diameter greater than 6.5 millimeters (e.g., 6.5 millimeters, 8 millimeters, greater than 8 millimeters). 
     The bag handle may be attached to the bag container along an upper edge of the bag container. The upper edge may be formed by the fold line of a folded-over portion of the bag container. Two notches may be cut out from this folded-over portion on two opposing sides of the bag container. Each end of two bag handles may extend into one of these notches, and between the folded-over portion of the bag container. The ends of the handles between the folded-over portion may be flattened and glued to the bag container between the folded-over portion. The notches in the upper edge of the bag container may be recessed sufficiently deeply from the upper edge so that the bag handles, in the absence of any outside force thereon, will droop below the upper edge of the bag container so that substantially all of the handle (e.g., greater than 90% of the handle) is below the upper edge of the bag container. For example, the notches may be 15 millimeters deep, measured from the upper edge of the bag container. The notches in the bag container, and the flexibility of the handle, contribute to the natural tendency of the handle to droop substantially below the upper edge of the bag, thereby naturally minimizing interference by the handle with objects or structures above the upper edge of the bag (e.g., a shelf, top of a drawer, a user&#39;s hand). 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate bag  100  in perspective view.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate bag  100  in side view.  FIG. 5  illustrates bag  100  in top view.  FIG. 6  illustrates bag  100  in bottom view.  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate different sizes of bag  100  in unassembled states. Bag  100  may include bag container  200  and bag handle  300 . Bag handle  300  may be attached to bag container  200  such that bag  100  can be carried by bag handle  300 . Bag  100  may be used to transport an object therein. For example, the object may be contained within bag container  200 , and transported along with bag  100  by a user carrying bag  100  by bag handle  300 . 
     Bag container  200  may be formed entirely of paper, with the potential exception of adhesive (e.g., adhesive  270 , see  FIG. 9 ; adhesives are also shown in  FIG. 13  by the hatched portions, but are not separately labeled for clarity). Adhesives described herein may be, for example, hot glue, white glue, tape (including double-sided tape), and rubber cement. Bag container may be formed of a bottom panel  212  (see  FIG. 6 ) and a plurality of side panels  216  (e.g., four side panels). Side panels  216  may be connected to other side panels  216  as side corners  218 , and side panels  216  may be connected to bottom panel  212  at bottom corners  214 . Side corners  218  and bottom corners  214  may be formed by corner folds  224 , and thus side panels  216  and bottom panel  212  may be at least partially continuous with each other across side corners  218  and bottom corners  214 . 
     Bag container  200 &#39;s shape and operation may be defined by container folds  220 , including top edge fold  222 , corner folds  224 , expansion folds  226 , and gusset folds  228 . Bag container  200  may transition from a flattened configuration to an expanded configuration, and vice versa. In  FIGS. 1-6 , bag container  200  is shown in the expanded configuration.  FIG. 10  shows bag  100  in the flattened configuration. Corner folds  224  may define corners of bag container  200  in the expanded configuration. Expansion folds  226  (including gusset folds  228 , which are a kind of expansion fold) may be unfolded in the expanded configuration, and may be disposed within panels of bag container  200  (e.g., side panels  216 ). 
     Bag handle  300  may be formed entirely of paper, with the potential exception of adhesive (e.g., adhesive  270 , see  FIG. 9 ). Bag handle  300  may be fixed to bag container  200 . In some embodiments, bag  100  includes two bag handles  300 , each one fixed to an opposing side panel  216  of bag container  200 . Each bag handle  300  may be fixed to bag container  200  at two areas, as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . For example, each bag handle  300  may be in a linear form, having two ends  302  (see  FIG. 8 ). Each bag handle  300  may be fixed to bag container  200  at each of its ends  302 . Each bag handle  300  may be longer (e.g., by greater than 1.5 times) than the distance between the two areas of bag container  200  to which its ends are fixed. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, bag container  200  is formed entirely of paper, with the possible exception of adhesive. In some embodiments, the paper is white, and may be SBS paper having greater than 50% post-consumer content. In some embodiments it is SBS paper having at least 60% post-consumer content (e.g., 60% post-consumer content). 
     To help compensate for reduced strength and increased susceptibility to tearing that is attendant to SBS paper having greater than 50% post-consumer content, bag container  200  may include a reinforcement insert, such as, for example, corner reinforcement insert  250 . Since the paper material of bag container  200  may be weakest and most susceptible to tearing at its folds (e.g., container folds  220 ), the reinforcement insert may traverse such a fold and extend past it on either side of it in order to contribute additional strength to the fold. 
     Corner reinforcement insert  250  may be fixed to a panel of bag container  200 , and in some embodiments may bridge two or more panels of bag container  200  (e.g., across a fold therebetween).  FIG. 8  shows a partial exploded view of bag  100 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , corner reinforcement insert  250  extends over portions of bottom panel  212  and a side panel  216 , traversing a bottom corner  214 , including portions of corner fold  224  at bottom corner  214 , and expansion folds  226  extending from bottom corner  214 . In some embodiments corner reinforcement insert  250  also extends over portions of gusset folds  228 , as shown by the portion of corner reinforcement insert  250  drawn in broken lines in  FIG. 8 . A single corner reinforcement insert  250  is shown in  FIG. 8  for clarity, but some embodiments include multiple corner reinforcement inserts  250  (e.g., two, one at each bottom end corner of bag container  200 ). 
     In some embodiments, in order to move with the rest of bag container  200  (e.g., during expansion or compression), corner reinforcement insert  250  may have folds  256  that match container folds  220 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Other reinforcement inserts may also have such folds  256 . In some embodiments it may have edges that align with folds  256 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . For example, corner reinforcement insert  250  may have a bottom portion  252  and a side portion  254 . 
     In some embodiments bottom portion  252  may be rectangular in order to correspond to the shape of the portion of bottom panel  212  that it corresponds to, while extending a consistent distance past bottom corner  214  to contribute strength across bottom corner  214  (e.g., extending at least 10 millimeters past bottom corner  214 , such as between 10 and 20 millimeters). In some embodiments bottom portion  252  may be a tab, such as the semicircular tab shown in  FIG. 14 , in order to provide strength across a container fold while covering a minimal panel area (e.g., of bottom panel  212 ). Side portion  254 , in the case where it does not extend past gusset folds  228 , may be triangular in order to extend past bottom corner  214  while avoiding interference with gusset folds  228 . In the case where side portion  254  does extend past gusset folds  228 , side portion  254  may be triangularly shaped in order to correspond to and extend a consistent distance past gusset folds  228  to contribute strength across gusset folds  228  (e.g., extending at least 10 millimeters past bottom corner  214 , such as, for example, between 10 and 20 millimeters). 
     In some embodiments, corner reinforcement insert  250  is formed of the same paper material as the rest of bag container  200  (e.g., SBS paper having at least 50% post-consumer content (e.g., 60% post-consumer content, or greater than 60% post-consumer content)). This helps give it a low environmental impact similar to the rest of bag container  200 , thereby contributing to the low environmental impact of bag  100  overall. 
     Since an item carried within bag  100  will typically apply force to bag  100  at bottom panel  212 , due to the gravitational attraction of the item to the earth, areas near the bottom of bag  100  may be most susceptible to tearing. As described above, corner reinforcement insert  250  may be disposed across a bottom corner  214  of bag container  200 —near the bottom of bag  100 . In some embodiments bag  100  includes a bottom reinforcement insert  260 . Bottom reinforcement insert  260  may span the most of the inside surface of bottom panel  212  (e.g., greater than 90% of the inside surface of bottom panel  212 ). In some embodiments bottom reinforcement insert  260  spans the entirety of the inside bottom surface of bottom panel  212 , thereby masking seams on bottom panel  212  (e.g., from expansion fold  226  or edges of corner reinforcement inserts  250 ). Bottom reinforcement insert  260  may contribute strength to bag container  200 , reducing its risk of tearing (e.g., due to the weight of an item contained therein). 
     In some embodiments, bottom reinforcement insert  260  is separate from the rest of bag container  200 , and is not fixed directly thereto. In such embodiments, bottom reinforcement insert  260  may not have any folds. In some embodiments, bottom reinforcement insert  260  may be fixed to bottom panel  212  of bag container  200  (e.g., by tape or adhesive). In such embodiments, bottom reinforcement insert  260  may have a fold corresponding to expansion fold  226  of bottom panel  212 , or may be fixed to only one side of expansion fold  226 . Fixing bottom reinforcement insert  260  to the rest of bag container  200  helps retain it therein, and helps ensure consistent proper placement and operation of bottom reinforcement insert  260 . 
     In some embodiments bottom reinforcement insert  260  overlaps a portion of corner reinforcement insert  250 . Such overlap may help transfer force applied to bottom insert  260  to corner reinforcement insert  250 , so that they can work together to carry the load applied by an item carried within bag  100 . 
     In some embodiments, bottom reinforcement insert  260  is formed of the same paper material as the rest of bag container  200  (e.g., SBS paper having at least 50% post-consumer content (e.g., 60% post-consumer content, or greater than 60% post-consumer content)). This helps give it a low environmental impact similar to the rest of bag container  200 , thereby contributing to the low environmental impact of bag  100  overall. 
     In some embodiments, an upper portion of bag container  200  is folded over on itself along a top edge fold  222  to form a collar  230  about an opening  280  of bag container  200 , such that top edge fold  222  defines a top edge  210  of bag container  200 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 , through a single side panel  216  of bag container  200 , at an area where bag handle  300  is fixed thereto. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the inner portion of bag container  200  that is folded over forms inner collar layer  238 , and the outer portion of bag container  200  over which inner collar layer  238  is folded forms outer collar layer  236 . 
     In some embodiments, top edge  210  includes notches  232  formed therein (see, e.g.  FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 ). Each end  302  of bag handle  300  may extend through a notch  232  and between inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236 , and may be fixed therebetween (e.g., by adhesive  270 ). 
     In some embodiments, a collar reinforcement insert  234  is disposed between inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236 . In some embodiments collar reinforcement insert  234  may be fixed to one or both of inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236  (e.g., by adhesive). Collar reinforcement insert  234  may be formed of corrugated paper (including, e.g., corrugated cardboard). Typical reinforcement inserts near a bag&#39;s upper edge are formed using non-corrugated gray board. Gray board is less flexible than corrugated paper, and prone to unsightly and structurally compromising creasing, delamination, and detachment upon use (e.g., by opening and closing a bag). The fluting and higher integrity of corrugated paper helps collar  230  flex as forces are applied through it from bag handle  300  to the rest of bag container  200 , instead of creasing, delaminating, or detaching. This helps maintain the high integrity of collar  230  and promotes a flexible opening  280  to bag  100 , making it easier to insert or remove items. 
     In some embodiments, collar reinforcement insert  234  is a single-layer insert disposed between inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). In some embodiments, collar reinforcement insert  234  is a multi-layer insert disposed between inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 13 ). In the dual-layer embodiment of  FIG. 13 , collar reinforcement insert  234  may be folded over on itself along with inner collar layer  238  and outer collar layer  236 , along fold  256 . In such embodiments ends  302  of handle  300  may also be disposed between layers of collar reinforcement insert  234 , thereby contributing additional strength to the fixing of ends  302  to bag container  200  at anchor points  306 . 
     In some embodiments, bag handle  300  is formed entirely of paper, with the possible exception of adhesive (e.g., adhesive  270  at its ends  302 ). In some embodiments, bag handle  300  has a circular cross-section. In some embodiments, bag handle  300  may be formed of knitted yarn  304  made of paper fiber. For example, bag handle  300  may be formed of yarn  304  knitted in a circular knit (e.g., on a circular knitting machine). For example, bag handle  300  may be formed of yarn  304  knitted in an 8-stitch circular-knit pattern. In some embodiments, bag handle  300  may be formed in a greater-than-8-stitch pattern.  FIG. 11  shows an enlarged schematic view of a portion of bag handle  300 , according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 8 , yarn  304  undulates around the circumference of bag handle  300 , with the same yarn  304  extending toward and away from each end  302  as it loops around to form bag handle  300 . 
     The knitted construction of bag handle  300  gives it a soft feel and high flexibility similar to a textile, such as a shoelace, rather than the stiffness conventionally associated with paper. To further facilitate a textile feel, and to increase a user&#39;s comfort while carrying bag  100 , bag handle  300  may be formed having a large diameter, such as, for example, greater than 6.5 millimeters (e.g., 6.5 millimeters, 8 millimeters, greater than 8 millimeters). Having a diameter of at least 6.5 millimeters helps distribute the weight of bag  100  (and an item contained therein) over a larger area of the user&#39;s hand than would a smaller, more conventional handle. 
     In some embodiments, handle  300  may be a different color from bag container  200 . Such color contrast may help a user more easily find handle  300 . 
     The flexibility of bag handle  300  allows it to “droop” or hang down from an anchor point much like a typical textile, even when the anchored portion is anchored extending upwards. In other words, in some embodiments bag handle  300  will change direction along its length under the influence of gravity. For example, bag handle  300  may extend upward from an anchor point for a short distance due to its initial orientation as fixed to anchor point  306 , and will then curve and extend downward under the influence of gravity, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1-4 , bag handle  300  may be fixed to bag container  200  in such a way that it extends upward away from its anchor points  306  at notches  232 . This orientation may help maintain a strong attachment to bag container  200 , especially when bag  100  is being carried by bag handle  300 . When bag  100  is not being carried, however, the flexibility of bag handle  300  can cause it to droop down along the sides (including interior) of bag  100  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). This helps keep bag handle  300  out of the way when, for example, loading items into bag  100 . It also helps allow bag  100  to more easily fit in smaller spaces that it could otherwise, by minimizing potential interference due to bag handle  300 . For example, a conventional paper handle may remain upright due to its inflexibility, and may thereby impede use or storage of the bag. 
     To minimize interference due to bag handle  300 , bag handle  300  may droop such that it extends substantially below top edge  210  of bag container  200  when not subject to outside forces and when bag  100  is in an upright orientation. For example, 90% or 95% of the substance of bag handle  300  may be disposed below top edge  210  when bag handle  300  is not subject to outside forces and when bag  100  is in an upright orientation. 
     Bag handle  300  may droop substantially below top edge  210  due to its flexibility, described above. Notches  232  may also contribute to the degree of drooping achieved by bag handle  300 . Bag handle  300  may be anchored to bag container  200  below notches  232 , and may extend up through notches  232 . Notches  232  may be cut out from collar  230 , and so may extend from and below top edge  210 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 7  ( FIG. 7  is an inner view of a side panel of bag container  200 , taken from the perspective of line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 ). In this way, notches  232  allow bag handle  300  to begin to droop at a point below top edge  210 , allowing it to change direction along its length from up to down without extending substantially above top edge  210 . In some embodiments, notch extends greater than 10 millimeters below top edge  210  (e.g., between 10 and 20 millimeters, e.g., 15 millimeters) to facilitate this behavior of bag handle  300 . 
     In some embodiments, ends  302  of bag handle  300  are fixed to bag container  200  at anchor points  306 , which may be disposed within collar  230 , below notches  232  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-4 ). To maintain a flat and thin appearance of collar  230 , ends  302  may be flat, and collar reinforcement insert  234  may be debossed at debossed areas  235  where ends are disposed, as shown schematically in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9  and in the unassembled view of  FIG. 13 . Ends  302  may be disposed on either side of collar reinforcement insert  234 . Debossing collar reinforcement insert  234  in areas around anchor points  306  can help minimize or eliminate any bulge in collar  230  due to ends  302 , by providing room between outer collar layer  236  and inner collar layer  238  to accommodate flattened ends  302 , as shown, for example, in  FIG. 9 . For example, collar  230  may have a thickness of less than 1 millimeter (e.g., 0.5 millimeters, or less than 0.5 millimeters). Such debossing can be accomplished particularly effectively with the corrugated material of collar reinforcement insert  234 , since this material includes substantial empty space into which its substance can be pressed. 
     In some embodiments, ends  302  of bag handle  300  may be pre-flattened (e.g., in a press) before being inserted through notches  232  and fixed between outer collar layer  236  and inner collar layer  238 . In some embodiments, ends  302  of bag handle  300  may be flattened while disposed between outer collar layer  236  and inner collar layer  238 , before or after fixing them therebetween (e.g., with adhesive  270 ). In some embodiments, areas of collar reinforcement insert  234  around anchor points  306  may be pre-debossed to provide the space to accommodate ends  302 , before ends  302  are fixed to bag container  200 . In some embodiments, areas of collar reinforcement insert  234  around anchor points  306  may be effectively debossed by pressing them against ends  302  of bag handle  300 . This may occur with pre-flattened ends  302  or may be done simultaneously with flattening of ends  302  in the case where ends  302  are flattened while between outer collar layer  236  and inner collar layer  238  (e.g., within a press fixture). 
     The foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. These exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. All specific details described are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. For example, bag  100  may be formed of a variety of shapes and sizes other than those depicted in the drawings. Other exemplary shapes and sizes for bag  100  are shown, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/519,818, filed Mar. 9, 2015, titled “Bag,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety, by reference thereto. 
     It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings, and that by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, one may readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, instead of or in addition to reinforcement inserts to strengthen the bag container having high (e.g., greater than 50%, 60%, greater than 60%) post-consumer-content, a matte plastic film may be applied to bag container  200 , the matte plastic film having a higher resistance to tearing than the other material of bag container  200 . Such film could be applied to one or both of the entirety of the interior surface or exterior surface of bag container  200 , or to discrete areas thereof (e.g., the areas corresponding to those reinforced by reinforcement inserts as described in above embodiments). 
     Such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. 
     The detailed description section is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The summary and abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims. 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
     The phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan. 
     The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160307
Publication Date: 20190416
Grant Date: 20190416
Priority Date: 20150309
Inventors: KORINEK, MICHAEL
WHANG, EUGENE ANTONY
SHAFFER, BENJAMIN ANDREW
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B65D31/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D31/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y02W90/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/12", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D31/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D33/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 56887421