Films and bags having low-force extension patterns

A multi-layer thermoplastic bag comprising:

• a first sidewall comprising a first thermoplastic film layer and a second thermoplastic film layer;
• a second sidewall comprising a third thermoplastic film layer and a fourth thermoplastic film layer;
• a first side seal securing respective first side edges of the first and second sidewalls together;
• a second side seal securing respective second side edges of the first and second sidewalls together;
• a plurality of deformable areas in the first and second sidewalls, each deformable area comprising a plurality of raised rib-like elements, the plurality of raised rib-like elements having major axes extending in a first direction perpendicular to the first and second side edges and the plurality of raised rib-like elements being arranged in a repeating pattern;
• and
• a plurality of land areas positioned about the plurality of deformable areas, the plurality of land areas comprising un-deformed portions of the first and second sidewalls, wherein at least 50 percent of the un-deformed portions have major axes extending in a second direction parallel to the first and second side edges,
• wherein land areas of the plurality of land areas are discontinuous in the second direction being separated by deformable areas of the plurality of deformable areas, and
• wherein when the multi-layer thermoplastic bag is subjected to an applied force in the second direction, the plurality of deformable areas forms a plurality of billows as each respective plurality of raised rib-like elements expands under the applied force to form a billow extending outward from a plane of the respective first or second sidewall while adjacent land areas resist deformation.

A thermoplastic bag comprising:

• a first sidewall and a second sidewall joined together along a first side edge, a second side edge, and a bottom edge;
• an opening opposite the bottom edge;
• a plurality of deformable areas in the first and second sidewalls, each deformable area comprising a plurality of raised rib-like elements, the plurality of raised rib-like elements having major axes extending in a first direction perpendicular to the first and second side edges and the plurality of raised rib-like elements being arranged in a repeating pattern;
• and
• a plurality of land areas positioned about the plurality of deformable areas, the plurality of land areas comprising un-deformed portions of the first and second sidewalls, wherein at least 50 percent of the un-deformed portions have major axes extending in a second direction parallel to the first and second side edges,
• wherein land areas of the plurality of land areas are discontinuous in the second direction being separated by deformable areas of the plurality of deformable areas, and
• wherein when the thermoplastic bag is subjected to an applied force in the second direction, the plurality of deformable areas forms a plurality of billows as each respective plurality of raised rib-like elements expands under the applied force to form a billow extending outward from a plane of the respective first or second sidewall while adjacent land areas resist deformation.