Abstract: Methods for creating multi-layered bags with increased or maintained strength involve forming a ribbed pattern in one or more film layers of a multi-layered bag. The method also includes non-continuously laminating the film layers of the multi-layered bag together. In one or more implementation, a transverse direction ring rolling process forms the ribbed pattern and bonds the film layers together. In one or more additional implementations, the ribbed pattern and lamination are formed separately. Still further implementations include forming network patterns one or more film layers of a multi-layered bag. Multi-layered bags formed in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention include one or more of increased strength or reduced basis weight.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the loft of a multi-ply thermoplastic film include stretching thermoplastic films with different rebound ratios, non-continuously laminating the films together, and releasing the films to create puckers in one or more of the films. The puckers can comprise billowing of one of the films. The non-continuous laminated areas can maintain the puckers in the films. The puckers can increase the loft of the film, improve the feel of the film, and/or modify the look of the film. The loft of such multi-ply puckered thermoplastics films vary independent of the basis weight of the films. Thus, multi-ply puckered thermoplastics films with increased loft of one or more implementations can look and feel thicker while using reduced amounts of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating multi-layered lightly-laminated provide films with increased or maintained strength. An increased level of strength is achieved by bonding adjacent layers of the multi-layer film together in a manner that the bond strength of the laminated layers is less than a strength of a weakest tear resistance of the individual first and second film layers. The inventors have surprisingly found that such a configuration of light bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer film as compared to a monolayer film of equal thickness or a multi-layer film in which the plurality of layers are tightly bonded together.

Abstract: Incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include two or more film layers adhesively bonded together. At least one of the two or more film layers is incrementally stretched. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can have maintained or increased strength parameters despite a reduction in gauge. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can be formed into bags for use as trash can liners or food storage. Methods of forming incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include cold stretching one or more of the first and second film layers and adhesively bonding the film layers together.

Abstract: Multi-layered bags include an outer layer or bag and an inner layer or bag that is shorter than the outer layer or bag. The shortened inner layer or bag can stretch or expand to the outer layer or bag when loaded with objects or otherwise strained. Such multi-layered bags can allow for a reduction in thermoplastic material without compromising the strength of the multi-layered bag. In various implementations, the inner layer or bag may be non-continuously laminated, continuously laminated, or joined only along one or more edges to the outer layer or bag. Implementations including non-continuous bonds securing the inner layer or bag to the outer layer or bag can provide additional strength to the bag. Methods of forming multi-layered bags with a shortened inner layer including inserting an inner layer within an outer layer and then joining the layers to form a bag.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the loft of a multi-ply thermoplastic film include stretching thermoplastic films with different rebound ratios, non-continuously laminating the films together, and releasing the films to create puckers in one or more of the films. The puckers can comprise billowing of one of the films. The non-continuous laminated areas can maintain the puckers in the films. The puckers can increase the loft of the film, improve the feel of the film, and/or modify the look of the film. The loft of such multi-ply puckered thermoplastics films vary independent of the basis weight of the films. Thus, multi-ply puckered thermoplastics films with increased loft of one or more implementations can look and feel thicker while using reduced amounts of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: Multi-layered bags include an outer layer or bag and an inner layer or bag that is shorter than the outer layer or bag. The shortened inner layer or bag can stretch or expand to the outer layer or bag when loaded with objects or otherwise strained. Such multi-layered bags can allow for a reduction in thermoplastic material without compromising the strength of the multi-layered bag. In various implementations, the inner layer or bag may be non-continuously laminated, continuously laminated, or joined only along one or more edges to the outer layer or bag. Implementations including non-continuous bonds securing the inner layer or bag to the outer layer or bag can provide additional strength to the bag. Methods of forming multi-layered bags with a shortened inner layer including inserting an inner layer within an outer layer and then joining the layers to form a bag.

Abstract: Methods for creating multi-layered bags with increased or maintained strength involve forming a ribbed pattern in one or more film layers of a multi-layered bag. The method also includes non-continuously laminating the film layers of the multi-layered bag together. In one or more implementation, a transverse direction ring rolling process forms the ribbed pattern and bonds the film layers together. In one or more additional implementations, the ribbed pattern and lamination are formed separately. Still further implementations include forming network patterns one or more film layers of a multi-layered bag. Multi-layered bags formed in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention include one or more of increased strength or reduced basis weight.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating multi-layered lightly-laminated provide films with increased or maintained strength. An increased level of strength is achieved by bonding adjacent layers of the multi-layer film together in a manner that the bond strength of the laminated layers is less than a strength of a weakest tear resistance of the individual first and second film layers. The inventors have surprisingly found that such a configuration of light bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer film as compared to a monolayer film of equal thickness or a multi-layer film in which the plurality of layers are tightly bonded together.

Abstract: Incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include two or more film layers adhesively bonded together. At least one of the two or more film layers is incrementally stretched. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can have maintained or increased strength parameters despite a reduction in gauge. The incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films can be formed into bags for use as trash can liners or food storage. Methods of forming incrementally-stretched adhesively-laminated films include cold stretching one or more of the first and second film layers and adhesively bonding the film layers together.