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: 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: Methods of stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction include elongating the films in the machine direction without significantly reducing the films' machine-direction tear resistance. In one or more implementations, methods of stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while substantially maintaining the films' machine-direction tear resistance. The methods can involve uniformly cold stretching the films by stretching the films to a draw of about one hundred and eighty percent, or less, of the films' original length.

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: 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: 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: 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: Trash 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 to form an outer bag. A second inner bag may be inserted within the first bag to form a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is bonded to the outer bag along side seals by a continuous process. The bags may also be bonded together along the hem and the draw tape. When the side seals of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealed together by a continuous rather than a reciprocating process, the inventors have surprisingly found that such seals require carefully controlled process conditions to prevent inadequate seals.

Abstract: Trash 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 to form an outer bag. A second inner bag may be inserted within the first bag to form a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is bonded to the outer bag along side seals. When the outer and inner bags are formed primarily from LLDPE thermoplastic resin using a blown film process, the inventors have surprisingly found that such configurations provide increased and unexpected strength properties while using less material.

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: 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 of stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction include elongating the films in the machine direction without significantly reducing the films' machine-direction tear resistance. In one or more implementations, methods of stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while substantially maintaining the films' machine-direction tear resistance. The methods can involve uniformly cold stretching the films by stretching the films to a draw of about one hundred and eighty percent, or less, of the films' original length.

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: 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: 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.