Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing, loading and singularly dispensing bags in a bag bundle from a dispensing hook includes a bag bundle formed from a plurality of stacked bags. Each bag has apertures are defined in the front panel and the rear panel adjacent the open top, these apertures having an opening of a selected dimension normal to the vertical side walls with an upper edge. A dispensing hook is used having parallel sides separated by a width complimentary to the selected dimension of the apertures to provide a secure, snug fit when the bag bundle is placed on the dispensing hook at the registered apertures. The dispensing hook defining a bag holding surface complimentary to the upper edge of the apertures.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed for a plastic film. This film has a predetermined thickness sufficient for the plastic film to remain planar in an absence of a first bending moment applied across the plastic film. The hinge includes at least one linear groove configured in the plastic film to reduce the predetermined thickness of the plastic film at the linear groove. The hinge permits preferential hinging of the plastic film at the linear groove responsive to a bending moment at the linear groove across the plastic film less than the first bending moment. The linear groove has insufficient depth to sever the plastic film and enables the hinge film to retain sufficient remaining thickness at the linear groove to permit hinging and not tearing of the plastic film at the linear groove. When the hinge is placed across a plastic film, and the film bent at the hinge, the film defines a first panel and a second panel with each panel disposed at an angle to one another at the hinge.

Abstract: In the process of die-cutting bag stacks to form individual bag tops, die-cut handle apertures, or other mounting apertures, die blade configurations forming the vent lines of an array of vent apertures are also used to bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear bag walls together. The die-cutting operation selectively bonds the successive front and rear bag walls together at or adjacent the cut edges of the vent lines, thereby allowing the bags in a bag stack to subsequently self-open when dispensed.

Abstract: A process of cold sealing two layers of plastic film material together is used as part of the structural element of a plastic bag made from plastic film. The bag has a closed bottom, a continuous closed periphery, and an open top. The improvement provides the bag with a cold seal, which cold seal does not form a part of the closed bottom and continuous closed periphery of the bag. In the improved process, it is required that the first and second plastic films of the bag be confronted to one another in a disposition for sealing. Compression dies are provided on at least one side of the juxtaposed first and second plastic films, the compression dies are provided with the size and shape of the cold seal desired. Impressing of the compression dies across the juxtaposed first and second plastic films occurs. This impressing is at a temperature and pressure sufficient to fuse the first and second plastic films together.

Abstract: A process for bag manufacture of a bag having a first dimension from a sealed bottom of the bag to an open top of the bag, the bag being fabricated from a continuous tube of plastic film bag material. The process includes the steps of providing a continuous tube of plastic film bag material. The side edges of the bat material are folded between a front bag panel and a rear bag panel to form gussets. A sealing station having apparatus for placing two parallel and spaced apart seals and a knife for cutting the continuous tube of the plastic film bag material between the two parallel and spaced apart seals; First adjacent double seals are formed across the front bag panel and the rear bag panel, the double seals in parallel side-by-side relation with one another with the plastic film bag material there between. The continuous tube of plastic film bag material is at least twice the first dimension from the sealed bottom of the bag to the open top of the bag.

Abstract: A process of serially dispensing and opening a bag from a bundle of bags includes providing a bundle of bags having at least a leading bag and a plurality of trailing bags. Tabs at the top of the bags fasten to a support and sever under a first force. A fastening adjacent the top of the rear bag wall of a leading bag joins to the top of the front bag wall of a trailing bag, this fastening severing under a second force. Pulling on the front bag wall of the leading bag to sever the front support tab of the leading bag from the support; continued pulling on the front bag wall of the leading bag severs the rear support tab of the leading bag. The front support tab of the trailing bag from the support is also severed. The rear support tab of the leading bag pulls on the front support tab of the trailing bag to sever both the rear support tab of the leading bag and the front support tab of the trailing bag from the support.

Abstract: Ventilation slits are placed in a plastic bag wall for opening in response to tension passing through the bag wall as the bag is carried. A conventional bag has a front bag wall, with the front bag wall having a top, a bottom, and two parallel side edges. The rear bag wall is of identical construction. The bag is conventionally sealed at the sides and bottom and typically carried from the top. The bag is improved by providing at least one bag wall with a plurality of vent apertures. In the preferred embodiment, each vent aperture has a first slit and a second slit with the slits inclined both to one another and with respect to the edges of the bag wall. Preferably, the vent apertures defined by the inclined slits overlying one another in parallel spaced apart relation. When the plastic bag is loaded at the bottom and carried from the top, stress in the bag wall or passes around the slits, causing the slits to open as vent apertures responsive to the stress.

Abstract: An expandable plastic film gusseted bag is utilized. As in conventional bag manufacture, each front gusset panel is connected to a rear gusset panel and each of the gusset panels is foldable between the front panel and the rear panel to provide a continuous bag periphery. A bottom joins the bottom of the front panel, rear panel, two rear gusset panels and two front gusset panels at substantial right angles to the side edges of the front panel, rear panel and gusset panels to close the bottom of the bag and leave only the top open. The improvement provides each plastic bag with eight first linear folding axes, each configured adjacent the bottom and within one of the front panel, each front gusset panel, the rear panel and each rear gusset panel. These folding axes extend from a joinder of a gusset at the bottom to the side edges of the front panel or the rear panel and the front gusset panel or the rear gusset panel at an approximate 45.degree. angle.