US 12,371,229 B2Granted

Thermoplastic bag with fiber-reinforced top

AssigneeThe Glad Products Company

InventorsDavid A. Bailey, Shaun T. Broering, Edward B. Tucker

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fiber reinforced thermoplastic bag (e.g., comprising a bag-in-bag). In one or more embodiments, the reinforced thermoplastic bag includes a plurality of fibers reinforcing a top-of-bag area where users often apply an external force to lift or carry the reinforced thermoplastic bag. In certain embodiments, the plurality of fibers is positioned across at least a portion of a grab-zone. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of fibers reinforces a hem channel region. In particular embodiments, the plurality of fibers is positioned in between bag layers. For example, the plurality of fibers is sandwiched between an inner layer and an outer layer. In certain implementations, the plurality of fibers between layers is bonded to a particular layer, but not necessarily both layers. Additionally, the plurality of fibers can impart a variety of mechanical benefits. Further, the plurality of fibers is visually identifiable through one or both layers.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A reinforced thermoplastic bag comprising:

a first layer of a thermoplastic material comprising a first side edge and an opposing second side edge, a top edge, and an opposing bottom edge;
a second layer of a thermoplastic material comprising a first side edge and an opposing second side edge, a top edge, and an opposing bottom edge, wherein the first layer and the second layer form a sidewall of the reinforced thermoplastic bag;
a hem seal;
a hem channel comprising a fold-over of the top edge of the first layer and the top edge of the second layer, the fold-over being secured to an inner surface of the sidewall by the hem seal to form a hem;
a hem hole that provides access to a draw tape disposed within the hem channel;
and
a plurality of polymer fibers comprising a reclaimable polymer material secured to the first layer, wherein the plurality of polymer fibers:
is positioned between the first layer and the second layer;
extends from the hem hole a first distance toward the first side edge of the first layer and extends from the hem hole the first distance toward the opposing second side edge of the first layer, the first distance being less than a second distance from the hem hole to the first side edge of the first layer or the opposing second side edge of the first layer;
and
is positioned across the first layer from at least the hem seal an additional distance towards the opposing bottom edge of the first layer.

8 more elements

A multi-layer reinforced thermoplastic bag comprising:

a 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;
a second thermoplastic bag positioned within the first thermoplastic bag, the 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,
wherein the first thermoplastic bag and the second thermoplastic bag each comprise a grab-zone extending from the first and third side edges to the opposite second and fourth side edges and from the first and second open top edges toward the first and second closed bottom edges;
and
a plurality of reinforcing polymer fibers comprising a reclaimable polymer material secured to at least one of the first thermoplastic bag or the second thermoplastic bag and positioned across a portion of the grab-zone of one or both of the first thermoplastic bag or the second thermoplastic bag,
wherein the plurality of reinforcing polymer fibers comprises a first set of polymer fibers of a first diameter and a second set of polymer fibers of a second diameter larger than the first diameter, at least the second set of polymer fibers being visible at the grab-zone.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/298,664Filed 11 Apr 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 May 2022
Published: US 2023/0356887 A19 Nov 2023
Granted: 29 Jul 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B65D 33/02
Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags: local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames
B65D 33/28
End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices: strings or strip-like closures , i.e. draw closures
B65D 75/26
Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g.…:…
B65D 75/38
Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g.…:…