Multi-film thermoplastic bags having grab zones with contact areas and methods of making the same

A multi-film thermoplastic bag comprising:

• an outer first thermoplastic bag comprising first and second opposing sidewalls joined together along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, an open first top edge, and a closed first bottom edge;
• an inner second thermoplastic bag positioned within the outer first thermoplastic bag, the inner second thermoplastic bag comprising third and fourth opposing sidewalls joined together along a third side edge, an opposite fourth side edge, an open second top edge, and a closed second bottom edge;
• the open first top edge and the open second top edge folded over a draw tape forming a hem channel;
• and
• a region of contact areas extending from the hem channel toward the closed first and second bottom edges of the outer first thermoplastic bag and the inner second thermoplastic bag, each contact area comprising a flat, in-plane bonded portion in which the outer first thermoplastic bag and the inner second thermoplastic bag are bonded together, each bonded portion surrounded by an unformed separated area, such that the region of contact areas is arranged in a first discontinuous pattern,
• wherein:
• the contact areas are configured to separate before either of the outer first thermoplastic bag or the inner second thermoplastic bag fails when subjected to peel forces,
• the outer first thermoplastic bag and the inner second thermoplastic bag have a substantially uniform gauge in the region of contact areas due to the contact areas and the unformed separated areas having substantially a same gauge,
• the outer first thermoplastic bag and the inner second thermoplastic bag are substantially flat and in-plane in the region of contact areas, and
• the region of contact areas exhibits increased flexural rigidity over areas of the multi-film thermoplastic bag without contact areas.