# US 9,039,590 B2 · Internally reinforced header bag > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,590 B2 - Document ID: US9039590B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/368,557 - Filed: 2012-02-08 - Published: 2013-08-08 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-08 - Assignees: Inteplast Group Corporation - Applicants: Eric Daughtry; Gary Howard; Fred Daughtry - Inventors: Eric Daughtry; Gary Howard; Fred Daughtry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039590B2 ## CPC - B65D 33/08: Hand holes - B65D 33/02: Local reinforcements or stiffening inserts, e.g. wires, strings, strips or frames {(B65D33/007 takes precedence)} - B31B 70/874: {involving punching or cutting} - B31B 70/876: {involving application of reinforcement strips or patches; involving reinforcements obtained by folding} - B31B 2155/00: Flexible containers made from webs - B31B 2155/0014: {having their openings facing transversally to the direction of movement} - B31B 2160/10: rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B31B: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making wound articles, e.g. wound tubes, B31C; combined making and filling B65B) ## Abstract Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing a bag having an internally reinforced header. A reinforcing material is combined with a bag material to provide strength to the reinforced header. The reinforcing material and the bag material are aligned during manufacturing such that the reinforcing material is positioned in a header area of a bag formed by folding the bag material. A seal that passes through both the reinforcing material and the bag material retains the reinforcing material within the bag header. A bag handle may then be punched into the header through the bag material and the reinforcing material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing reinforced bags, comprising: providing a bag material; providing a reinforcing material; aligning the reinforcing material with an area of the bag material that forms a header of the bag; folding the bag material at a center line of the bag material, wherein the folding positions the reinforcing material in an internal region of the bag material; and applying a seal that passes through the bag material and the reinforcing material; wherein the seal is applied through two layers of the bag material and the reinforcing material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the reinforcing material to the bag material before applying the seal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein attaching the reinforcing material to the bag material comprises attaching the materials with one of a mechanical fastener, an adhesive, stitching, a hot tack seal, a cold pressure seal, or a static pin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein: attaching the reinforcing material to the bag material comprises temporarily attaching the materials; and applying a seal comprises permanently attaching the materials. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing material is aligned with the center line of the bag material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein an edge of the reinforcing material is disposed adjacent to the center line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the seal is applied through two layers of the bag material and one layer of the reinforcing material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein a lower portion of the reinforcing material extends below the seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing material is centered on the center line of the bag material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein folding the bag material further comprises folding the reinforcing material at a center line of the reinforcing material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the seal is applied through two layers of the bag material and two layers of the reinforcing material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein two lower portions of the reinforcing material extend below the seal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing material is aligned with a first edge of the bag material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising sealing the first edge of the bag material to a second edge of the bag material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the sealed edges form a top of the bag. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a graphic to an exterior surface of the bag material after aligning the bag material and the reinforcing material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the bag material comprises an exterior graphic that is applied before providing the bag material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the seal prevents the reinforcing material from shifting relative to the bag material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising punching a handle into the header of the bag. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the handle is punched through both the bag material and the reinforcing material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein the folding forms a top edge of the reinforced bags and edges of the plastic film parallel to the top edge form an open bottom edge of the reinforced bags. ### Claim 22 A method of manufacturing reinforced bags from a plastic film, comprising: aligning a reinforcing material with an area of the plastic film that forms a header of the bag; folding the plastic film along an edge to form a first panel and a second panel, with the reinforcing material between the first panel and the second panel; and applying a seal that passes through the first panel, the second panel, and the reinforcing material between the first panel and second panel.