PACKAGE WITH HANDLE

Abstract

A package comprising a package body. The package body comprises a polymeric shell defining at least one side and a package volume is disclosed. The polymeric shell comprises a polymeric film having a thickness between at least about 0.6 mils and about 4 mils. The package contains product, the product having a weight of between 2 and 20 pounds. The package body comprises a handle joined to the side, the handle comprising polymeric film and an elongated grip portion having an elongated grip portion width and an elongated grip portion length. The elongated grip terminates at and gradually widens into two end portions, each of the end portions having an end portion width which is greater than the elongated grip portion width. The end portions are each adhered to the polymeric shell on the side; and wherein the package has a Handle Ratio (Side Area to Handle Area) of at least about 5.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to packages for consumer goods, particularly large, flexible film packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer goods are often packaged for convenience in transportation by the consumer. Often such goods are packaged in flexible film packaging. Flexible film, including plastic polymer films serve not only as a container for the goods, but also serve to protect the goods against the elements, and as well provide a place for the manufacturer to print or otherwise indicate brand information.

Often consumer goods are packaged for economy in large packages. For example, the consumer goods, including food, toiletries, paper goods, and the like sold in “club” stores such as Sam's Club and Costco, often come in large, bulky, and/or heavy packaging. While such packaging serves to offer the consumer an economic benefit in the form of lower prices per unit of goods, such packaging presents many challenges related to transport.

The large, bulky nature of large-count packages of paper goods, such as paper towels, for example, illustrates the problems with such packaging. Large-count packages of paper towels can have a relatively light weight, but a volume and shape that make them difficult for consumers to carry without the risk of unwanted bag dropping or excessive effort in the process. Furthermore, consumers desire convenience and look for product features that provide such convenience, and less work.

Many large packages within the paper towel or bath tissue categories are formed with gussets on the ends of the bulk pack that create folds which can be used as a handle to help consumers carry the packages. However, gusset seals are not always reliable for use as handles as they can rip or tear when handling. Moreover, efforts at alleviating the problem of transportation are complicated by the relatively weak nature of plastic films, which themselves are typically very thin for cost and weight purposes.

Even when the gussets and film have been designed reliably, the use of the gussets can put a large strain on the forearm muscles. As the packages get heavier, the forearm muscles can have more difficulty holding the package and thus the effort at carrying the package becomes considerably more uncomfortable to the consumer.

Relatively large bags without gusset seals are even harder to handle, as there is often no excess polymer film wrap material for which a consumer can grab and hold the package. Carrying a relatively large package with two hands, i.e., in a “hugging” position can present a risk of tripping, as the package can block the user's line of sight.

Accordingly, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a solution to the problems associated with carrying, moving, or otherwise transporting relatively large, bulky packages of consumer goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A package comprising a package body, the package body comprising a polymeric shell defining at least one side and a package volume is disclosed. The polymeric shell comprises a polymeric film having a thickness between at least about 0.6 mils and about 4 mils. The package contains product, the product having a weight of between 2 and 20 pounds. The package body comprises a handle joined to the side, the handle comprising polymeric film and an elongated grip portion having an elongated grip portion width and an elongated grip portion length. The elongated grip terminates at and gradually widens into two end portions, each of the end portions having an end portion width which is greater than the elongated grip portion width. The end portions are each adhered to the polymeric shell on the side; and wherein the package has a Handle Ratio (Side Area to Handle Area) of at least about 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative package of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a representative package of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C show a front (or back) side view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively of the handle of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a plan view embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C show a front (or back) side view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively of the handle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a front (or back) side view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively of the handle of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C show a front (or back) side view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively of the handle of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention which appears in side views substantially as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention which appears in side views as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention which appears in side views as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle of the present invention which appears in side views as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of Section 11-11 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a handle of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a package of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a package of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of a handle and package of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of a handle and package of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A package suitable for the benefits of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Package 10 encloses a consumer product 22, which can be rolled paper products, such as toilet paper (sometimes referred to as “bath tissue”) or paper towels. Package 10 can be generally fiat-sided as shown, or can have any of various known shapes and sizes. In the general configuration shown in FIG. 1, package 10 can have a top (and bottom, not shown) 16, and sides 12. In some configurations the terms “side” and “top” can be somewhat arbitrary; therefore, the terms are used herein for purposes of precise description, but it is recognized that for some packages a “top” can also be a “side” and vice versa. Thus, it is recognized that top 16 can be a side, and for purposes of the present invention is a side also.

The dimensions of the top, bottom, and sides define a width w, a depth d, and a height h which define an overall package size and an interior package volume. Each of w, d, and h, can be between about 6 inches and 36 inches, including every ⅛ inch increment in between. In an embodiment, d=13.25 inches, w=20.0 inches, and h=22 inches. In an embodiment, d=20.0 inches, w=13.25 inches, and h=22 inches. In an embodiment, package 10 contains rolled absorbent products, the package weighing about 15 pounds.

Dimensions and parameters calculated from dimensions, including area of a side or volume of a package, can be determined by applying the GSDN Package Measurement Rules GS1 Standards Document, Issue 1.10, July-2009. The package can contain multiple rolls of unwrapped rolled paper products. The package can contain rolled paper products which are themselves individually wrapped, such as wrapped in smaller groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 rolls.

Package 10 can be made of flexible materials known to be suitable for packaging, including polymer films, which can include polymeric films, which can be referred to as a polymer film overwrap. The polymer can include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, nylon, or sustainable materials such as thermoplastic starches or polylactic acid. Polymeric materials can be processed as known in the art, such as by flow wrap processes to receive and enclose consumer products 22. In an embodiment, a tube of polymeric film is made by edge sealing two longitudinal edges into a seam which becomes seam 18 of package 10. One of the ends of the tube can be sealed closed, such as by adhesive or heat sealing to make a gusset seal 20 of package 10. Once consumer products 22 are introduced into the open end of the tube so formed, the remaining open end can be sealed in another gusset seal 20 to form a package like the package illustrated in FIG. 1. Package 10 can also be made with envelope seal(s), lap seal(s), and can comprise pre-made bags, as is known in the art.

In an embodiment, package 10 can be formed and sealed by any method known in the art, including by hand folding and sealing. Package 10 can be completely sealed to prevent any air or moisture form entering, or it can be sealed sufficiently to prevent products 22 from falling out. That is, package 10 need not be completely or hermetically sealed, but it can be if desired.

Because package 10 can be large and unwieldy to move and carry, package 10 can be modified to have a handle, such as handle 24 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a polymer film package 10, which can be a relatively large volume package of rolled tissue products, is shown with a handle 24 applied to one side or top 16 of package 10. Handle 24 can be joined to package 10 by adhesive, such as contact adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, glue, heat-activated adhesive, or it can be joined by heat sealing of sealable polymers or polymer layers of the packaging film.

Handle 24 can be made of polymer film, and can have a shape described as dog bone or hourglass shaped; that is, handle 24 is generally narrow in an elongated grip portion 28, and wider at each end portion 26. The wider end portions 26 can be joined to package polymer film, for example at top 16, as shown in FIG. 2. Packaging polymer film can have a thickness t of between about 0.6 mil and about 6 mils. An example of a film suitable for packaging polymer film is EXC-102 made by Tredegar Film Products, Richmond, Va. In an embodiment, polymer thickness t of package 10 at the area of joining with handle 24 can be about 4.6 mil. In general, the thicker package polymer thickness t, the stronger the package material and the less likely the package material is to fail when picked up by handle 24.

Furthermore, the package polymer film may have tear resistance to prevent propagation of tears at the stress points at the edge of the handle and film interface. As stress points during lifting can result in thinned film or small holes in the film, poor tear resistance can result in large openings where product could escape. In an embodiment, a tear resistance (ASTM D-1922) can be greater than 100 g. In an embodiment, a tear resistance (ASTM D-1922) can be greater than 200 g. In an embodiment, a tear resistance (ASTM D-1922) can be greater than 300 g. In an embodiment, a tear resistance (ASTM D-1922) can be greater than 100 g in a cross machine direction, and greater than 200 g in a machine direction. In an embodiment, a tear resistance (ASTM D-1922) can be greater than 100 g in a cross machine direction, and greater than 300 g in a machine direction.

Handle 24 can have various shapes and sizes, depending on the size and weight of the package 10. FIG. 3 shows one handle embodiment best described as an elongated X-shape. In such an embodiment, handle 24 can be adhered to package 10 at end portions 26 which are dimensioned to distribute forces due to lifting outwardly, generally at about a 45 degree angle with respect to elongated grip portion 28. In this manner, stress points are minimized and tensile forces are directed in a manner in which stress on package 10 is lessened, compared, for example, to a straight tape handle attached only on the top panel of the package, or a T-shaped end portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, and is applicable to all handle embodiments described herein, handle 24 can have a length, L_H, which is the longest dimension generally parallel to grip portion 28. Likewise, handle 24 can have a width, W_H, which is the longest dimension generally perpendicular to grip portion 28. Grip portion 28 can have a width, \V_G, which is the width of the narrowest portion of grip portion 28. In general, width W_G can be from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. The ratio of W_H to W_G can be at least 2, and can be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Handle 24 shown in FIG. 3 can have a handle-to-end-portion transition radius R₁ of between about 1 inch to about 10 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. Radius R₂ can be from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between, and radius R₃ can be from about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. The selection of radii can be made based on overall appearance, size of the package to which it is adhered, and cost considerations. The advantage of the shape of handle 24 shown in FIG. 3 is relatively less material than some alternative configurations, such as shown below in FIG. 4, which can result in weight and cost savings, as well as directional stress dispersion, due to the angled nature of end portions 26.

In general, the handle of FIG. 3 and all embodiments shown herein can have adhesive or other joining means at end portions 26. End portions 26 having adhesive or joining means can each be up to one-third of overall handle length L_H. End portions having adhesive or joining means can each be from 10% to 33% and all 1% increments in between of handle length L_H.

An alternative embodiment for handle 24 is shown in FIG. 4, which can best be described as hourglass-shaped, and for which length and width dimensions, as well as handle grip width and end portion adhesive characteristics can be determined as described for the handle of FIG. 3. Handle-to-end-portion transition radius R₄ can be between about 1 inch to about 10 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between, and can be discontinuous, blending into radius R′₄ which blends in smoothly to radius R₅ in a smoothly continuous curve, as shown schematically in FIG. 4. Radius R₅ can be from about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between, and radius R₆ can be from about 2 inch to about 7 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. The selection of radii can be made based on overall appearance, size of the package to which it is adhered, and cost considerations. The advantage of the handle 24 shown in FIG. 4 is more surface area adhered in end portions 26 and a more dispersed area of strain relief at the extreme longitudinal ends of handle 24.

An alternative embodiment for handle 24 is shown in FIG. 5, which can best be described as hourglass-shaped, and for which all shape dimensions can be as described for the handle of FIG. 4. The handle 24 of FIG. 5, however, has a pair of slits 31 which serve to delineate grip portion 28 to a relatively constant grip width WG. Slits 31 can end in stress relieving patterns, one of which is shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 5. Other stress-relieving patterns, such as ending in a rounded hole, and ending in other curved shapes could be utilized. Handle 24 shown in FIG. 5 has the advantage of offering to the consumer a constant grip width, which for certain sizes and weights of package 10 can be less fatiguing to the hand.

An alternative embodiment for handle 24 is shown in FIG. 6, which can best be described as truncated hourglass-shaped, and for which length and width dimensions, as well as handle grip width and end portion adhesive characteristics can be determined as described for the handle of FIG. 3. Handle-to-end-portion transition radius R₇ can be between about 1 inch to about 10 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. Radius R₈ can be from about 0.5 inch to about 3 inches, and every ⅛-inch increment in between. The selection of radii can be made based on overall appearance, size of the package to which it is adhered, and cost considerations. The advantage of the handle 24 shown in FIG. 4 is a relatively large surface area for adhering to a package having a relatively short dimension associated with the length dimension of handle 24.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate qualitatively various other handle shapes and designs that can be utilized in the present invention. In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-10, length and width dimensions, as well as handle grip width can be determined as described for the handle of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 11, which is a cross-section of 11-11 shown in FIG. 3, but which is illustrative of any of embodiments of handle 24, handle 24 can be joined, such as by heat-sealable adhesive at the interface 27 between the polymer film at top 16 and end portion 26. Elongated grip portion 28 can have a configuration in which it is not adhered or otherwise joined to package 10, and can have a gap g between top 16 and the underside of elongated grip portion 28. Of course, the dimension of gap g can vary, depending on how the handle 24 is applied to package 10, the stiffness of handle 24, and where along the length of elongated grip portion 28 the dimension is measured, but, in general, a relatively slight gap is present and permits easy access by a user's fingers and hand to effect lifting of package 10 by handle 24. In one embodiment gap g is effectively about 0.0 inches to about 0.5 inches when applied during manufacture of package 10, so as to minimize the chance of handle 24 interfering with subsequent manufacturing steps. The relatively soft and flexible nature of polymer films ensures that a user can nevertheless still slip fingers under handle 24 at the point of sale, and for transport to a vehicle or storage at home.

In an embodiment, elongated grip portion 28 of handle 24 can be lightly joined, such as with releasable, light tack adhesive, so that during shipment and display handle 24 is kept generally adjacent top 16 and gap g is effectively 0.0 inches, but upon gripping by a consumer desiring to move or lift package 10 the elongated grip portion 28 can be un-joined, and lifted away from top 16 to permit a users fingers and hand to effect lifting of package 10 by handle 24.

In an embodiment, handle 24 can be a laminate of two or more layers, and the layers can each be the same or different materials. For example, handle 24 can be a multilayer polymer film, with various layers being employed for characteristics such as low cost, high strength, softness, bending modulus, and the like. In one embodiment, handle 24 can include, at least in the elongated grip portion 28, a layer of material that is intended to provide to the consumer using handle 24 a soft, tactile impression. In an embodiment, the soft, tactile impression can be associated with product 22 inside. For example, if product 22 is a cellulosic paper product, a layer 30 of the same or a similar cellulosic paper can be laminated on one or both sides of handle 24, so that when a user uses handle 24 he or she can feel the cellulosic paper product. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, for example, layer 30 can be laminated on one side of handle 24 closest to package 10, i.e., the underside of handle 24. Layer 30 can be, for example, a bath tissue of the kind packaged as product 22 in package 10, such that when a user uses handle 24 the user can feel the softness of the bath tissue. In addition to tactilely experiencing such characteristics as softness or smoothness, layer 30 can enhance the general comfort of the handle.

In an embodiment, handle material and/or package material can be designed for sustainability. In some flexible film packages, handles integral with the packaging, that is, they are built into the design of the film materials themselves. These are often accomplished by die cutting a hand hole in a location of the bag. This can be advantageous as it can minimize the impact to the complexity of the manufacturing process. However, the film materials must be reinforced or “upgauged” to support the strain induced in the film through the handle when the handle is used to lift the package. While the impact to the manufacturing process and potential capital investment to make such integral handles may be low, the necessary increase in the amount of material used in packaging can be expensive and have a greater negative environmental impact. By utilizing a separate handle that can work with relatively low gauge, existing or slightly modified films, the consumer can experienced the improved portability and convenience with minimized increased cost or environmental impact.

The location of handle 24 on package 10 can be determined such that the placement enhances the packaging or the user experience. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, handle 24 can be joined to package 10 in line with and over a seam, such as a lap seal 32. In this manner, handle 24 augments the lap seal 32, permitting less material to be used in lap seal 32, thereby reducing the amount of material necessary for package 10. In an embodiment, handle 24 can be placed on another side of package 10 not having a seal, including a lap seal.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, handle 24 can be located on package 10 that is not aligned with a centerline CL of package 10. As shown, for example, handle 24 can be offset a distance H from centerline CL of top 16 of package 10. In this manner, for relatively large packages, the user's arm can hang more closely to his or her body as he or she is carrying package 10, thereby adding to the comfort of the user. For large, bulky packages of multiple rolls of paper towel product 22, for example, a user can hold handle 24 offset generally as shown in FIG. 14, and the user's legs can help stabilize the package 10, which otherwise would not hang straight when held by an offset handle 24.

In an embodiment, distance H_D can be from about 10% to about 49% of either the width w or depth d as disclosed with respect to FIG. 1, depending on the orientation of the handle with respect to either of the width w or depth d. In other words, regardless whether the handle 24 is oriented generally parallel to a width dimension or a depth dimension, in either case the distance. H_D can be from about 10% to about 49% of whichever dimension is the generally perpendicular dimension, as shown in FIG. 14.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, H_D can be about 50% of the perpendicular side dimension, d. That is, as shown handle 24 can be positioned on package 10 such that it is applied partially to two adjacent sides, which can be described as being positioned on one of the corner edges 40 of package 10.

Offset handle 24, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can also aid in a shopping experience, by permitting a handle to be located where it can more readily be used to hang a package on a shopping cart or other shopping device. By locating handle 24 close to an edge, such as corner edge 40 in FIG. 14, or on a corner edge, as in FIG. 15, the handle is more readily usable to hang on any suitable hook device, such as might be provided on the front or side of a shopping cart in a bulk discount store, such as Costco, or as might be provided in a user's garage or closet space.

In an embodiment, handle 24 is oriented generally parallel to the MD direction of the polymer film overwrap, where MD stands for machine direction and it the direction of the polymer film overwrap manufacture in the length direction as is known in the art. The MD direction is indicated in FIGS. 14 and 15 for reference, and shows handle 24 oriented generally parallel thereto. In another embodiment (not shown), handle 24 can be oriented in an orientation not parallel to the MD direction of the polymer film, and can be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the MD, that is, generally parallel to the CD, or cross direction, of the polymer film overwrap.

In an embodiment, the location of handle 24 can be positioned over an intended opening 36 to package 10, such as shown in FIG. 16. In such an embodiment, handle 24 can be made with a releasable and/or re-sealable joining means, which can include such things as hook and loop fasteners. In an embodiment, handle 24 has adhesive 38 on one side, such that handle 24 functions not only as a handle, but as a releasable and/or re-sealable seal over opening 36 when package is opened and used. Package 10 can have on a side 16 thereof a perforation or other line of weakness 34 that a user can tear, break, or otherwise separate to form opening 36. Handle 24 can be adhered over line of weakness 34 and can cover line of weakness 34 to an extent that it covers opening 36 once opened. Handle 24 can have an adhesive over a portion of the handle, such as the portion covering opening 36 that is releasable and re-sealable, and an adhesive over another portion, such as end portions 26 that has a peel strength sufficient to resist peeling off under the weight of package 10. In use the user can peel back a the portion having a releasable adhesive to reveal line of weakness 34, open package 10 and close up opening 36 be re-sealing handle 24 over opening 36. In an embodiment adhesive in the end portions 26 can be selected to have high strength in shear to enable the handle function, but low strength in peel to enable the sealable opening function. In an embodiment, handle 24 is adhered by an adhesive having a peel strength greater than about 1.6 lbs, as measured by standard peel test methods.

In an embodiment, the location of handle 24 can be determined to be over an intended opening 36 to package 10, and be a functioning part of opening 36, such as shown in FIG. 17. In such an embodiment, handle 24 can be placed over line of weakness 34, indicated in FIG. 17 as perforation 34a. Handle 24 can be made with its own line of weakness, such as perforation 34b that is substantially oriented parallel to perforation 34a, such that handle 24 splits in two pieces upon opening package 10, the pieces remaining on their respective sides of opening 36 when package is opened and used. The two parts of handle 24 can then be brought back together and function together as a handle for the user to re-seal the opening 36 and/or move or carry package 10. As shown in FIG. 17, the handle-to-end-portion transition radius can be a smooth transition from a generally straight edge to the generally curvilinear end portion, and can transition with a radius, such as radius R₉ of between about 0.5 inches to about 10 inches, including every ⅛ inch increment in between.

Package 10 with a handle 24 on one side 16 thereof can be implemented in various embodiments, as shown above. In an embodiment, side 16 has an area, which can be determined according to accepted methods as disclosed in the above-mentioned GSDN Package Measurement Rules GS1 Standards Document, Issue 1.10, July-2009, or by measuring to plus/minus 1 inch with a standard measuring instrument, such as a measuring tape, measured to the closest ⅛ inch as determined by the naked eye. The area of a handle can be calculated from the electronic file used to design it, or by methods known in the art, such as by weighing the handle and calculating the area based on the density of the material and its thickness.

In an embodiment, package 10 can have two or more handles. For example, the package 10 shown in either of FIG. 14 or 15 could have an additional handle placed in a mirror image location to the handle 24 shown. Having a handle in two locations can provide for better handling stability and can permit two people to carry a package, thereby sharing the load weight.

In an embodiment, the package 10 can have a Handle Ratio, which is the ratio of the side area to the handle area, of from about 5 to about 50, and every whole number increment in between.

As used herein, the terminology “increment in between” or the like in the context of ranges of dimensions is intended to be explicit disclosure of each unit so described. By way of example, disclosure of a “length between 1 inch and 2 inches and every ⅛ inch increment in between” is explicit, claimable disclosure for 1 inch, 1⅛ inch, 1¼ inch, 1⅜ inch, 1½ inch, 1⅝ inch, 1¾ inch, 1⅞ inch and 2 inches.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention, Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A package comprising:

a. a package body, said package body comprising a polymeric shell defining at least one side and a package volume, said polymeric shell comprising a polymeric film having a thickness between at least about 0.6 mils and about 4 mils;

b. the package containing product, said product having a weight of between 2 and 20 pounds;

c. said package body comprising a handle joined to said side, said handle comprising polymeric film and an elongated grip portion having an elongated grip portion width and an elongated grip portion length;

d. said elongated grip terminating at and gradually widening into two end portions, each said end portion having an end portion width which is greater than said elongated grip portion width;

e. wherein said end portions are each adhered to said polymeric shell on said side; and

f. wherein the package has a Handle Ratio (Side Area to Handle Area) of at least about 5.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the peel strength of the adhesive between said end portions and said polymeric shell is greater than 1.6 lbs.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the width of the end portions is greater than 1.5 inches and less than 7 inches.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the radii of the handle-to-end-portion transition radius is greater than 0.75 inch.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein said package comprises a corner edge, and a centerline, parallel to said corner edge, and wherein said handle is positioned at a location between said corner and said centerline.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein said handle is located from a distance from said centerline equal to from 1 to 50% of a dimension of a side perpendicular to said corner edge.

7. The package of claim 5, wherein said handle is disposed on a corner of said package.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein end portions each are less than 30% of the length of said handle.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said handle further comprises a layer of cellulosic web material laminated to a side of said handle.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein said handle is located on said package in a location adjacent to a package seal, the handle adding structural integrity to said seal.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein said package comprises lines of weakness at an opening region, and said handle is located remote from said lines of weakness.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein said handle is joined in a releasable and re-sealable manner, and said handle is joined at an opening region, said handle being re-sealable over said opening region.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein said package encloses a volume of between about 1,728 cubic inches and about 12,000 cubic inches.