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: 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: The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.

Abstract: One or more implementations of a multi-layered bag with reinforced seals include an outer layer or bag and an inner layer or bag positioned within the outer layer or bag. The multi-layered bag further includes a draw tape positioned near the opening of the multi-layered bag. The draw tape can allow a user to at least partially close the multi-layered bag by drawing the layers of the bag together. The multi-layered bag further includes one or more tape seals that bond the draw tape to layers of the bag. The tape seals can be reinforced and include at least seven plies bonded together. One or more implementations further include methods of forming multi-layered bags with reinforced seals.

Abstract: The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.

Abstract: The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag suitable for use as a liner for a garbage canister or trash receptacle may be made from a multi-layered thermoplastic web material. The multi-layer web material may include a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer. Under typical conditions, the layers may tend to block or adhere together to remain in their adjacent position. However, the layers may delaminate and separate from each other when sufficient forces are applied. Delamination of the layers allows the layers to move with respect to each other when the force is applied. The delaminating of the layers absorbs energy which may increase tear and puncture resistance.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag may include a sidewall that may have a plurality of first and second ribs formed therein. The first ribs may be longer in length but shorter in height than the second ribs. The second ribs may be arranged in discrete networks that appear superimposed over the first ribs. The second ribs may normally remain in a bent-over configuration. When a force is applied, the second ribs may expand the area of the sidewall so that the bag may easily accommodate large objects. To produce the bag, a thermoplastic web may be directed between opposing first and second rollers. One of the rollers may include ridges that may have first and second segments of differing heights that correspond to the differing heights of the first and second ribs. The formation of the first ribs may increase the width of the web.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag may include a sidewall that may have a plurality of first and second ribs formed therein. The first ribs may be longer in length but shorter in height than the second ribs. The second ribs may be arranged in discrete networks that appear superimposed over the first ribs. The second ribs may normally remain in a bent-over configuration. When a force is applied, the second ribs may expand the area of the sidewall so that the bag may easily accommodate large objects. To produce the bag, a thermoplastic web may be directed between opposing first and second rollers. One of the rollers may include ridges that may have first and second segments of differing heights that correspond to the differing heights of the first and second ribs. The formation of the first ribs may increase the width of the web.

Abstract: The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.

Abstract: The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic and may be smaller in size than the peripheral distance about the opening. The draw tape in its natural contracted state may partially constrict the opening. However, the draw tape may be stretched or expanded to enable a user to dilate the opening and fold the periphery of the opening over the rim of the canister. The draw tape may then recover or constrict to grip about the rim of the receptacle to hold the bag to the canister. In one embodiment, the bag may include a pattern proximate the bag opening to allow the bag opening to be stretched over the rim of the canister.

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: 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: 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: A plastic bag with flexible sidewalls defining an interior volume for holding contents includes a reinforcing feature to resist puncture and/or rupture of the bag. The reinforcing feature may include reinforcing the portion of the bag proximate the bottom edge with additional or thicker thermoplastic material. In various embodiments, the reinforcing feature may be a multilayer strip of plastic material attached along a bottom edge of the bag, either internally or externally, to provide additional material resistant to puncture. The reinforcing feature may be adhesively bonded, heat bonded, or cold bonded to the bag sidewalls. In other embodiments, the sheet material used to produce the bag may be made with varying thicknesses. In addition, methods of manufacturing a bag with such reinforcing features in a high speed automated process are disclosed.