Method and apparatus for producing handled bags

An apparatus for producing handled bags, the apparatus comprising:

• a web dispenser for continuously feeding a web of sheet material through the apparatus;
• a perforator for creating perforated seams transversely across the web at predetermined intervals to define a web section between two subsequently created perforated seams such that a succession of adjacent web sections is generated, wherein each perforated seam includes a continuous series of perforations sufficiently spaced apart to maintain a connection between adjacent web sections;
• means for attaching at least one handle to each web section proximate one of the two subsequently created perforated seams, wherein the handle includes a fixed end attached to the web section and a free end extending across the proximate one of the two subsequently created perforated seams;
• a tube forming mechanism for configuring the web into a tubular configuration;
• a separating device for breaking the perforated seams to separate the adjacent web sections, each separated web section having a top end with the free end of the handle extending therefrom and a bottom end opposite the top end, wherein the separating device includes a rotatable first breaker roll having a pressure bar provided thereon and a rotatable second breaker roll having a cooperating gap formed therein for receiving the pressure bar as the first and second breaker rolls are synchronously rotated, such that the perforated seams are successively aligned with the pressure bar as the web is fed between the first and second breaker rolls and the pressure bar is received by the cooperating gap to break each perforated seam without disturbing the handle attached proximate thereto;
• and
• a bottom forming mechanism for closing the bottom end of each separated web section.