Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and cooling a polymer structure employs a tube structure. The tube structure includes a conductive tube and a conductive strip. The tube is composed of a first conductive material having a first electrical resistivity, and the strip is composed of a second conductive material having a second electrical resistivity less than the first resistivity. The strip is connected to only a portion of an outer surface of the tube and extends along a length of the tube. In the method, an impulse of electric current is passed through the tube structure until the strip is heated to a predetermined sealing temperature. The strip and the polymer structure are brought into contact with each other for a dwell time sufficient to generate a heat seal in the polymer structure. A cooling medium is passed through the tube to cool the strip to a predetermined release temperature that facilitates release of the strip from the polymer structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating and cooling a polymer structure employs a tube structure. The tube structure includes a conductive tube and a conductive strip. The tube is composed of a first conductive material having a first electrical resistivity, and the strip is composed of a second conductive material having a second electrical resistivity less than the first resistivity. The strip is connected to only a portion of an outer surface of the tube and extends along a length of the tube. In the method, an impulse of electric current is passed through the tube structure until the strip is heated to a predetermined sealing temperature. The strip and the polymer structure are brought into contact with each other for a dwell time sufficient to generate a heat seal in the polymer structure. A cooling medium is passed through the tube to cool the strip to a predetermined release temperature that facilitates release of the strip from the polymer structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of easy to open handle bags including the steps of providing a flattened tube of thermoplastic material oriented in a generally longitudinal direction. The flattened tube has a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, a transverse lower heat seal, and a transverse upper heat seal. The tube also has first, second, and third sections. The second section being disposed between the first and third sections. The first section is joined to the second section along a generally longitudinal first fold line. The second section is joined to the third section along a generally longitudinal second fold line. The second section is cut along a generally transverse first cut line extending between the first and second fold lines. The first section is folded over the second section along the first fold line.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of easy to open handle bags including the steps of providing a flattened tube of thermoplastic material oriented in a generally longitudinal direction. The flattened tube has a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge, a transverse lower heat seal, and a transverse upper heat seal. The tube also has first, second, and third sections. The second section being disposed between the first and third sections. The first section is joined to the second section along a generally longitudinal first fold line. The second section is joined to the third section along a generally longitudinal second fold line. The second section is cut along a generally transverse first cut line extending between the first and second fold lines. The first section is folded over the second section along the first fold line.

Abstract: A plastic film sack having gussetted side walls, and in the bottom of said sack, a heat-seal stripe welding together the four film layers in the gusseted regions of the sack and a heat seal stripe welding together the two film layers between said gusseted regions; and between the heat-seal stripes of the four film layers and the heat-seal stripe of the two film layers are unsealed, arcuate stress-relief regions and the method of forming the same.

Abstract: A plastic film sack having gussetted side walls, and in the bottom of said sack, a heat-seal stripe welding together the four film layers in the gusseted regions of the sack and a heat seal stripe welding together the two film layers between said gusseted regions; and between the heat-seal stripes of the four film layers and the heat-seal stripe of the two film layers are unsealed, arcuate stress-relief regions and the method of forming the same.

Abstract: A bag pack of a plurality of stacked thermoplastic bag structures each bag comprising a front and rear bag wall and an open mouth top portion. Handles are integral extensions of the bag walls. The bags are bonded together via bonding means in association with said handles. Individual bags may have stress relief curves in the handles and the bag mouth opening.