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 for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth. The bag may also include a first strip of material disposed on the inside surface of the bag body proximate the rim. The strip may include an inside surface, an outside surface that faces the inside surface of the body, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also include a front wall, a back wall, and a hem, the hem including a drawstring. The strip may include a printed design. The design could be letters, numbers, pictures, writing, or any other design. When the bag is inserted into a trash receptacle such that the rim of the bag is folded over the rim of the receptacle, the printed design is visible from outside the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations include a spreader bar configured to separate layers of a first folded film. Additionally, the apparatus can include one or more orientation rollers configured to direct a second film between the separated layers of the first folded film. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a direction change bar configured to change the direction a travel of the second film while the second film is positioned between the layers of the first folded film.

Abstract: Methods for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations of a method of combining folded films involves directing a first folded film in a first direction and separating first and second halves of the first folded film. The method also involves directing a second folded film in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Additionally, the method involves inserting the second folded film between the first and second halves of the first folded film. Furthermore, the method involves redirecting the second folded film into the first direction while between the first and second halves of the first folded film.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations include a spreader bar configured to separate layers of a first folded film. Additionally, the apparatus can include one or more orientation rollers configured to direct a second film between the separated layers of the first folded film. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a direction change bar configured to change the direction a travel of the second film while the second film is positioned between the layers of the first folded film.

Abstract: Methods for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations of a method of combining folded films involves directing a first folded film in a first direction and separating first and second halves of the first folded film. The method also involves directing a second folded film in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. Additionally, the method involves inserting the second folded film between the first and second halves of the first folded film. Furthermore, the method involves redirecting the second folded film into the first direction while between the first and second halves of the first folded film.

Abstract: The bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth. The bag may also include a first strip of material disposed on the inside surface of the bag body proximate the rim. The strip may include an inside surface, an outside surface that faces the inside surface of the body, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also include a front wall, a back wall, and a hem, the hem including a drawstring. The strip may include a printed design. The design could be letters, numbers, pictures, writing, or any other design. When the bag is inserted into a trash receptacle such that the rim of the bag is folded over the rim of the receptacle, the printed design is visible from outside the receptacle.

Abstract: The bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth. The bag may also include a first strip of material disposed on the inside surface of the bag body proximate the rim. The strip may include an inside surface, an outside surface that faces the inside surface of the body, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also include a front wall, a back wall, and a hem, the hem including a drawstring. The strip may include a printed design. The design could be letters, numbers, pictures, writing, or any other design. When the bag is inserted into a trash receptacle such that the rim of the bag is folded over the rim of the receptacle, the printed design is visible from outside the receptacle.

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: 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.

Abstract: The bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth. The bag may also include a first strip of material disposed on the inside surface of the bag body proximate the rim. The strip may include an inside surface, an outside surface that faces the inside surface of the body, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also include a front wall, a back wall, and a hem, the hem including a drawstring. The strip may include a printed design. The design could be letters, numbers, pictures, writing, or any other design. When the bag is inserted into a trash receptacle such that the rim of the bag is folded over the rim of the receptacle, the printed design is visible from outside the receptacle.

Abstract: The bag may include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, a second side edge and a bottom edge. The sidewalls may be un-joined along their top edges to form an opening. When the bag is placed in a trash receptacle, the top edges may be folded over the rim of the receptacle. To assist with securing the bag to the receptacle, the bag may include an elongated elastic strap of elastic material attached by a first end to an attachment point proximate the first sidewall and by a second end to an attachment point proximate the second sidewall. The strap length and attachment point locations are selected so that, when the strap is in a relaxed state, the strap may not extend to the side edge. The strap may be stretched commensurate with the side edge when folding the top edges about the receptacle rim.

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 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 multi-layer 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.

Abstract: The bag may include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, a second side edge and a bottom edge. The sidewalls may be un-joined along their top edges to form an opening. When the bag is placed in a trash receptacle, the top edges may be folded over the rim of the receptacle. To assist with securing the bag to the receptacle, the bag may include an elongated elastic strap of elastic material attached by a first end to an attachment point proximate the first sidewall and by a second end to an attachment point proximate the second sidewall. The strap length and attachment point locations are selected so that, when the strap is in a relaxed state, the strap may not extend to the side edge. The strap may be stretched commensurate with the side edge when folding the top edges about the receptacle rim.