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: 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 plastic bag may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a pattern imparted onto them. The wrinkle pattern may be a plurality of linear ribs formed into the sidewall that may be arranged adjacent and parallel to one another. To impart the pattern to the sidewall, a thermoplastic web used to make the sidewall may be directed between a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, each of which may have a plurality of spaced ridges extending about their peripheries. When the web is directed between the first and second rollers, the meshing of the ridges may form ribs into the web.

Abstract: Multi-layer bags may be formed to include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, and a closed bottom edge. The first and second layers may be non-continuously laminated together in discrete sections to include bonded regions in which the layers are bonded and unbonded regions in which the layers are not bonded. Such a bag may be described as a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is non-continuously bonded to the outer bag. The inventors have surprisingly found that such configurations of non-continuous bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer films and bags.

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 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: 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-layer bags may be formed to include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, and a closed bottom edge. The first and second layers may be non-continuously laminated together to include bonded regions in which the layers are bonded and unbonded regions in which the layers are not bonded. Such a bag may be described as a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is non-continuously bonded to the outer bag. The inventors have surprisingly found that such configurations of non-continuous bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer films and bags.

Abstract: Polymer films may be discontinuously laminated by processes such as adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, embossing, ring rolling, and strainable network formation. The films may be prestretched under cold process conditions before lamination. The laminates have superior properties such as tear strength. The laminates may be incorporated into bags, such as trash bags.

Abstract: A flexible bag comprises flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an opening. The bag has a drawtape closure for sealing the opening. The sheet material of the drawtape closure exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis. The sheet material of the drawtape closure comprises a first region and a second region. The first region and said second region are comprised of the same material composition and each has an untensioned projected pathlength. The first region undergoes a substantially molecular-level deformation and the second region initially undergoes a substantially geometric deformation when the sheet material is subjected to an applied elongation in a direction substantially parallel to an axis in response to an externally-applied force upon the sheet material of the drawtape closure.

Abstract: The plastic bag with a hem and draw tape may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a network pattern imparted onto them across the side seams. In one embodiment, the network pattern is below the hem seal. In another embodiment, the network pattern covers the hem seal. The bag may also include a ribbed pattern below the network pattern. The network pattern may be continuous or discontinuous.

Abstract: The plastic bag with a hem and draw tape may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a network pattern imparted onto them across the side seams. In one embodiment, the network pattern is below the hem seal. In another embodiment, the network pattern covers the hem seal. The bag may also include a ribbed pattern below the network pattern. The network pattern may be continuous or discontinuous.

Abstract: A bag may include opposing first and second sidewalls of a pliable thermoplastic material that may be joined to each other along first and second side seals and a closed bottom. The sidewalls may remain un-joined along their top edges to form an opening into which trash and other items may be deposited. When the bag is placed in a trash receptacle, the un-joined top edges may be folded over the rim of the receptacle to secure the liner to the receptacle. To assist with securing the bag to the receptacle, the side seals may be directed to converge partially toward each other thereby forming a throat in the interior volume proximate the opening. When the top edges are folded over the receptacle rim, the throat may grip the receptacle. The bag may include a pattern between the converging portions. The bag may include a retention strip between the converging portions.

Abstract: The plastic bag may include flexible thermoplastic sidewalls that have a pattern imparted onto them. The wrinkle pattern may be a plurality of linear ribs formed into the sidewall that may be arranged adjacent and parallel to one another. To impart the pattern to the sidewall, a thermoplastic web used to make the sidewall may be directed between a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller, each of which may have a plurality of spaced ridges extending about their peripheries. When the web is directed between the first and second rollers, the meshing of the ridges may form ribs into the web.

Abstract: The trash receptacle may include an outer shell defining a cavity and a rim defining an opening to the cavity. The trash receptacle may include a divider that divides the cavity into a compartment and a bin, wherein the divider defines a hole that passes therethrough. The receptacle may include a plurality of bags connected in a series. The bags may have a top defining an opening and a bottom that is closed, wherein the bags are connected such that the bottom of each bag is separably attached to the top of the next bag in the series. The bags may include a closure for the opening of the bag. When the bags are stored in the compartment, the bags may be pulled through the hole of the divider individually, such that the first bag will pull the second bag through the divider.

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: 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.