Abstract: A handle for a carrier bag comprising an elongated band of flexible material having a high tensile strength, said band having a pair of arm portions which extend to opposite ends of a bridge portion which extends therebetween, a mounting panel having a mounting face secured to said arm portions and said bridge so as to initially retain said arm portions and said bridge in a substantially coplanar relationship in which said arm portions extend in a first direction, said mounting panel projecting laterally from said arms so as to be mountable on a wall of a carrier bag to secure said band thereto in said coplanar relationship, said mounting panel being severable to release said bridge portion to permit movement thereof relative to said arms.

Abstract: Roll stock specifically designed for use in making a paper bag using automatic bag making machinery is provided wherein a first pair and a second pair of bands of adhesive material of a type which is inactive to form a bond until placed in contact with an adhesive of the same type are applied to the inner and outer faces of the web adjacent said edges thereof. The bands of the first pair are laterally spaed with respect to the bands of the second pair so as to be out of alignment with one another in successive turns of the roll stock such that the successive turns are not adhesively secured to one another.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism which is particularly suitable for use in a checkout counter as described herein. The mechanism includes a bag supporting receptacle and a mount for mounting the bag supporting receptacle for pivotal movement between a first position in which it is generally horizontally oriented and aligned with the discharge end of a bag making machine and a second position in which it is disposed above a conveyor. The conveyor has discharge fingers which extend through a bag supporting receptacle as the conveyor is driven along its length to discharge a bag from the receptacle whereupon the receptacle is relocated in a position to receive a further bag.

Abstract: A checkout counter for use in a retail merchant store or the like comprises a frame having a bagging station in which goods are deposited in bags, a bag making machine is located in the frame for making self supporting open bags from a web of self supporting bag making stock and a transfer mechanism is provided for transferring open bags from the bag making machine to the bagging station in an open configuration.

Abstract: The checkout counter of the present invention is designed to locate an open bag in an ideal position in relation to a counter top of a packing station and to automatically deliver an open bag to the packing station from the bag dispenser which dispenses bags in a level below the optimum bag supporting position. The bag making machine is incorporated in the counter below the counter top and dispenses open bags at a level which is lower than the optimum level required for packing. An elevator mechanism is provided for receiving the bags from the bag making machine and elevating the bags to the required optimum level and the bags are transported along a support shelf at the required optimum level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a square bottom bag is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of driving a web in a first direction and bending the web upon itself across its width as it is driven in the first direction to assume a U-shaped configuration, supporting the main panels of the web in the open U-shaped configuration and folding the side closure forming panels towards one another to an overlapping relationship and securing the side closure panels in the overlapping relationship to form side walls of a bag.

Abstract: A bag having handles, a roll stock suitable for use in manufacturing the bag and a method of manufacturing the bag are described herein. The bag comprises a plurality of side walls which include a pair of handle forming portions disposed opposite one another, each handle forming portion having elongated flaps extending downwardly from each end thereof which are secured in an overlying relationship with respect to the side wall panels on which the handle is located. The roll stock from which the bag is manufactured consists of a plurality of bag forming portion serially connected to one another to form an elongated web.

Abstract: An empty square bottom bag is provided which consists of a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall formed from a unitary panel and including a band of adhesive on the outer face of said panel extending along the marginal edge portion of each side panel, the panels being folded inwardly so that the band of adhesive on one side panel is disposed at an interface with another side panel and thereby secures the side wall panels with respect to one another in an overlapping relationship to close opposite sides of the bag and retain front, bottom and back walls in an open U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a square bottom bag is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of driving a web in a first direction and bending the web upon itself across its width as it is driven in the first direction to assume a U-shaped configuration, supporting the main panels of the web in the open U-shaped configuration and folding the side closure forming panels towards one another to an overlapping relationship and securing the side closure panels in the overlapping relationship to form side walls of a bag. The bag forming machine consists of a frame, a former mounted in the frame and a guide means for guiding an unwinding web around the former and drive means for driving the unwinding web around the former. Folding means is provided at opposite sides of the former for engaging the side wall forming portions of a web and folding them inwardly around the former to form closed side walls of a bag.