U.S. patent application number 11/538858 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for package with folded handle and method for making same.
Invention is credited to Andrew Austreng, Michael R. Nowak.
Application Number | 20080085065 11/538858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39274996 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080085065 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nowak; Michael R. ; et
al. |
April 10, 2008 |
PACKAGE WITH FOLDED HANDLE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a package with a folded
handle and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention
includes a package including a front panel joined at respective
opposite side edges to a rear panel to form a package having an
interior and an exterior. The package has a folded handle formed by
folding a plurality of marginal portions of the package in the
direction of the front panel and joining at least one of the
marginal portions to the front panel substantially along a seam
extending transversely across the package, though not along at
least one non-joined portion provided along the seam. The
non-joined portion or portions of the seam provide access to at
least one pocket defined by the at least one marginal portion and
the front panel. The pocket or pockets can receive a user's hand or
hands so that the user can grip the package.
Inventors: |
Nowak; Michael R.; (Seymour,
WI) ; Austreng; Andrew; (Appleton, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS, LLP;IP DEPARTMENT
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-4196
US
|
Family ID: |
39274996 |
Appl. No.: |
11/538858 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/7 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/10 20060101
B65D033/10 |
Claims
1. A package comprising: a front panel and a rear panel joined at
respective opposite side edges thereof to said front panel to form
a package having an exterior; and a folded handle comprising a
plurality of marginal portions of said package folded in the
direction of said front panel, wherein at least one of said
plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel
substantially along a seam extending transversely across said
package, and at least one non-joined portion provided along said
seam provides access to at least one pocket defined by said at
least one of said plurality of marginal portions and said front
panel, whereby a hand may be inserted in said at least one pocket
in order to grip said package.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said
plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel by at
least one of an adhesive, a binder, a heat seal, a cold seal, a
stitch, and a fastener.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said
plurality of marginal portions is joined to said front panel by a
non-continuous bead of a glue.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein said at least one non-joined
portion has a length of from about 3-6 inches.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein each marginal portion of said
plurality of marginal portions has a width of from about 0.5-2
inches.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein there is provided one non-joined
portion of said seam centered substantially between said opposite
side edges.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein said package comprises a
composite bag including a woven mesh tube, a layer of polylaminate
on both sides of said tube, and a layer of solid plastic film
adhered to both sides of said tube.
8. A package comprising: a front panel and a rear panel joined at
respective opposite side edges thereof to said front panel to form
a package having an exterior, wherein a top edge of said joined
front and rear panels defines an opening; and a folded handle
comprising a plurality of marginal portions including a first
marginal portion adjacent to said top edge, wherein said first
marginal portion is folded in the direction of said front panel
along a first crease to seal said opening, and each marginal
portion of said plurality of marginal portions is folded in the
direction of said front panel such that at least one of said
plurality of marginal portions faces said front panel and is joined
to said front panel substantially along a seam extending
transversely across said package, wherein provided along said seam
is at least one non-joined portion where said at least one of said
plurality of marginal portions is not joined to said front panel,
and said at least one non-joined portion provides access to at
least one pocket defined by said at least one of said plurality of
marginal portions and said front panel, whereby a hand may be
inserted in said pocket in order to grip said package.
9. The package of claim 8, wherein said first marginal portion is
joined to said front panel substantially along said seam.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein a width of said seam is
substantially less than a width of said first marginal portion and
said seam is provided substantially adjacent to said first
crease.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein said first marginal portion is
joined to said front panel by joining means.
12. The package of claim 10, wherein said first marginal portion is
joined to said front panel by a non-continuous bead of a glue.
13. The package of claim 9, wherein there is provided one
non-joined portion of said seam providing access to only one pocket
and said non-joined portion and said pocket are centered
substantially between said opposite side edges.
14. The package of claim 8, wherein said package comprises: (a) a
layer of polymeric solid film and (b) a layer of polymeric mesh
woven fabric, wherein a tie resin material added during manufacture
of said package adheres (a) to (b)
15. The package of claim 8, wherein said package comprises at least
one first layer of polymeric solid film adhered to a layer of
polymeric mesh woven fabric via a tie resin material and at least
one second layer of polymeric solid film adhered to said layer of
polymeric mesh woven fabric via said tie resin material.
16. A method for manufacturing a package which comprises: (a)
providing a packaging substrate including a front panel, a rear
panel and a top edge defining an opening; (b) folding at least one
first marginal portion of said rear panel in the direction of said
front panel so as to seal said opening; (c) folding a second
marginal portion of said rear panel in the direction of said front
panel; and (d) joining said at least one first marginal portion to
said front panel substantially along a seam extending transversely
across said package, while not along at least one non-joined
portion provided along said seam.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one first
marginal portion is joined to said front panel by applying joining
means to said front panel.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one first
marginal portion is joined to said front panel by applying joining
means to said at least one first marginal portion.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising applying pressure
over said second marginal portion to secure the joining of said at
least one first marginal portion to said front panel.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein (d) comprises applying a glue
to at least one of said at least one first marginal portion and
said front panel via a programmable glue nozzle machine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to packages with
handles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bag
with a folded handle and methods of making the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, handles for packages, such as bags made from
thermoplastic polymers used to store and carry vended goods, have
been either die cut, die cut with a reinforcement, or separately
fabricated and attached to a bag, either mechanically or by heat
sealing.
[0003] Die cut handles comprise a cut that is formed in the
substrate of the bag. Such a handle is inexpensive, but reduces the
capacity of the bag and often does not provide sufficient strength
when substantial weights are placed in the bag. Reinforced die cut
handles are of a folded form that is heat sealed to the rim of the
die cut slot in the bag. Such a handle has adequate shear strength,
but the cost of the reinforcement is sometimes as high as the cost
of the bag itself. Separately fabricated handles provide sufficient
strength to withstand substantial weights, but such handles are
often difficult to attach to bags and they increase manufacturing
costs, including costs associated with the separate manufacturing
steps of fabricating the handle and affixing the handle to the
bag.
[0004] Many types of bags with handles are provided in the prior
art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 2,339,304 discloses a sealed bag
having an external pocket for receiving a hook on a display rack.
The upper marginal edge of a bag is sealed all the way across from
one edge of the bag to the other. The seal tightly encloses the
contents within the bag. The upper marginal portion is folded back
upon itself, and pressure and heat is applied to the marginal
portion to seal four thicknesses of the substrate of the bag. The
pocket is provided by separating two thicknesses of substrate, so
that adjacent sides of the thicknesses are not sealed together.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,837 provides a carrying bag with a
handle. At the open end of the bag, reinforcing folds or strips
extend transversely across the bag and are welded to the wide sides
of the bag by weld seams extending obliquely towards the opening
edge. Grip openings are punched out in the center of the opening
edge and are formed by the center part of the reinforcing folds or
strips between two inclined weld seams. The carrier bag can be
easily kept completely open due to the position of the carrying
grips.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,789 provides a plastic bag with a folded
handle. A flap adjacent to the top of the bag is folded over and
against a rear wall of the bag. After the flap is folded, a pair of
convergently angled heat seals is formed at the top of the bag. The
heat seals project at 45.degree. angles that are angled toward each
other, but do not meet. The heat seals extend beyond the lower edge
of the flap, thus sealing a portion of the front wall of the bag to
a portion of the rear wall of the bag together below the lower edge
of the flap. The heat seals in combination with the flap and front
and rear walls form a pocket that serves as a carrying handle for
the bag. Optionally, a heat seal can be used to completely seal the
bag.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,290 discloses a folded handle for a bag,
the handle being formed from a sheet of material. The handle is
made separately from the bag and secured to the top of the bag by
staples after the bag is manufactured. The handle forms a pocket
with tapered sides to permit the stacking of a plurality of handles
prior to affixing the handles to bags. The upper end of the bag
need not be sealed or closed before the handle is attached to the
bag.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,016 provides a handle closure system for
a bag. The handle closure system includes a first closure element
and a second closure element, preferably made of hook and loop
material, where at least one of the closure elements includes a
cut-out opening, and, preferably, both closure elements include
matching cut-out openings. The cut-out openings may be in a variety
of shapes, with an arc or elongated oval shape preferred. The first
closure element is placed adjacent an opening of a bag and the
second closure element is displaced from the opening such that when
the bag portion adjacent the opening is folded down, the first and
second closure elements mate with the cut-out openings, aligning
substantially to form a handle with a resulting notch for
accommodating a user's fingers.
[0009] In many prior art constructions, heat seals are used to weld
multiple substrate layers together to seal the bag or provide
reinforcing support for carrying the bag via a handle. Many prior
art constructions have only a single folded-over portion at the end
of a bag in combination with a heat seal to seal the contents
within the bag. Further, a number of prior art constructions employ
cuts or cut-outs in the substrate to form handles or grips.
[0010] There remains a need for a folded package handle formed
integrally with the package that is durable, inexpensive, easy to
manufacture, and strong enough to support substantial weight; that
provides an opportunity for material savings; and that sufficiently
seals the contents of the bag without decreasing the capacity of
the bag considerably. A folded package handle that does not
require, though may permissibly incorporate, the use of heat seals
is also desired for application to bags made of substrates that are
not susceptible to heat sealing and for ease of manufacture on
equipment that does not include means for making heat seals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is directed to a package with a folded
handle and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention
includes a package including a front panel joined at respective
opposite side edges to a rear panel to form a package having an
interior and an exterior. The package has a folded handle formed by
folding a plurality of marginal portions of the package in the
direction of the front panel and joining at least one of the
marginal portions to the front panel substantially along a seam
extending transversely across the package, though not along at
least one non-joined portion provided along the seam. The
non-joined portion or portions of the seam provide access to at
least one pocket defined by the at least one marginal portion and
the front panel. The pocket or pockets can receive a user's hand or
hands so that the user can grip the package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by,
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention which are to be considered together with the
accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and
further wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of a package with folded
handle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of the package of FIG. 1
with an unfolded top portion;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 2
with a portion of the package in an unfolded, open position;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 3
after a first fold has been made;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 4
after a second fold has been made and the last folded-over portion
is joined to the front panel of the package;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 showing the
folded-over portions where the last folded-over portion is joined
to the front panel of the package.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The description of preferred embodiments is intended to be
read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description of this
invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and
certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale
or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and
conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as
"horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well
as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly,"
"upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation
as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation.
Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal"
versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one
another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center
of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling
and the like, such as "joined," "connected," and "interconnected,"
refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached
to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the invention includes
a package 10. Package 10 includes a front panel 12, a rear panel
14, and a folded handle 16.
[0021] Package 10 includes a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14
each with a bottom edge 19, side edges 20, and a top edge 21. In
some embodiments, the respective opposite edges 20 of front panel
12 and rear panel 14 are joined directly. In other embodiments, the
respective opposite side edges 20 of front panel 12 and rear panel
14 are joined via a side gusset 22 (a fold/crease that gives the
bag a three-dimensional shape). Side gusset 22 initially projects
inwardly between front panel 12 and rear panel 14 and allows
package 10 to expand in volume. Side gussets 22 are typically
formed integrally with the front and rear panels. Front panel 12
and rear panel 14 may be manufactured integrally as a continuous
substrate suitably folded and joined to itself with a longitudinal
seam in a tube-like configuration. Alternatively, front panel 12
and rear panel 14 may be manufactured separately as independent
films or sheets of substrate to be joined at their respective
opposite edges. Bottom edge 19 of front panel 12 is joined to
bottom edge 19 of rear panel 14. When the front and rear panels are
joined at their respective opposite side edges 20 and bottom edges
19, the panels form a bag or pouch defining an interior space. The
top portions 21 of the front and rear panels define a mouth or
opening 23. See FIGS. 2-4. Opening 23 communicates with and
provides access to the interior of package 10.
[0022] Front panel 12 and rear panel 14 can be made from any
variety of substrates suitable for packaging, wrapping, covering,
casing, or encasing materials. Conventionally, packages have been
composed of multiple layers of paper and solid plastic films with
an outer ply typically including a polymer-coated paper with a
smooth printing surface, wherein the paper may be laminated to a
layer of film and another paper layer. Some embodiments provide a
package comprising a middle layer of woven mesh tubing to which an
outer layer of solid plastic film is adhered using polypropylene or
other polylaminates. The outside layer of film (comprising the
outside of the package) may be printed or reverse-printed with
graphics and product labeling. Solid films are utilized, which
provide excellent printability and strength and meet or exceed
performance standards dictated by the marketplace. Some embodiments
also use films that are treated or coated to prevent slippage of
packages during manufacturing, filling, transport, and storage. The
materials to be used may partially or wholly comprise compostable,
degradable, or recyclable materials. In some embodiments, a package
is provided in the form of a multi-layered composite bag used to
store bulk-type products such as pet food, seeds, fertilizer,
cereals, grains and other bulk products intended for human and
non-human consumption.
[0023] In some embodiments wherein front panel 12 and rear panel 14
are manufactured integrally, a woven mesh material is formed into a
tube to which a sheet of plastic film is adhered using a lamination
process. The mesh material is comprised of suitable film-forming
plastic resin that is split and/or stretched and then woven to form
a mesh or net-like material. The woven mesh material is formed into
a tubular shape to easily adapt to high-speed bag-forming
equipment. The tube, which is flattened and gusseted, is then fed
into a laminator with two extruders, and laminated on both sides of
the flattened tube to a solid plastic film using polypropylene or
other polylaminate.
[0024] Among the alternative films that can be employed in making
the mesh tubes are, without limitation, thermoplastic synthetic
polymers, including polyolefins such as low density polyethylene,
linear low density polyethylene, polypropylene coated with a layer
of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, metallocene,
electron-beam cured solid films, copolymers of ethylene and
propylene and combinations of these polymers, polyesters,
polyamides, polyvinyl polymers, and copolymers, and polylactic acid
(PLA) resins. Preferred resins are polyethylene, low density, high
density, or linear low density, and combinations thereof, as well
as polypropylene coated or laminated with a layer of polyethylene,
and polyesters. The solid plastic film to which the mesh tubes are
adhered are comprised of various thermoplastic resins or polymers
or combinations thereof, including but not limited to, low density
polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density
polyethylene, metallocene, and/or polypropylene coated with a layer
of polyethylene, films coated with electron-beam surfaces that may
or may not be pre-printed, and PLA resins.
[0025] An outer solid plastic film layer provides a surface for
printing or reverse-printing graphics and/or product labeling. The
outer solid plastic film is then adhered to the mesh tubes using
adhesives, laminating using nip rollers, poly extrusion laminating,
or some other known means of attaching the two layers. The mesh
tube comprises the inside layer of the package, giving the package
strength and integrity. Alternatively, a layer of transparent or
colored film may serve as an inside liner of the package and may or
may not be printed. In such an embodiment, the package has three
layers: (a) an outer polymeric solid film layer; (b) a middle
polymeric mesh woven layer, and (c) an inner polymeric solid film
layer. The outside film layer is also treated or otherwise coated
on one side with any material that alters the level of slipperiness
or tackiness of the outer surface, including the static coefficient
of friction measure, making the package less likely to slip during
manufacturing, transporting and/or storing.
[0026] In an embodiment wherein front panel 12 and rear panel 14
are manufactured as separate films to be joined, the respective
opposing side and bottom edges of front panel 12 and rear panel 14
may be joined by any number of various methods of sealing and
shutting packages, including, but not limited to, using adhesives
or heat seals.
[0027] In some embodiments, the folded handle 16 is formed by
folding a plurality of marginal portions at the top of the front
and rear panels from rear panel 14 toward the direction of front
panel 12. The penultimate folded-over marginal portion is joined to
the front panel 12 substantially along seam 50 but not along at
least one non-joined portion 52. In the vicinity of each non-joined
portion 52, a pocket or handle 54 defined by first marginal portion
46, second crease 44, and front panel 12 is formed. The pocket 54
can receive the digits of a user's hand so that the user can grip
package 10.
[0028] From the foregoing description, assembly and use of an
exemplary package will be readily apparent. Referring to FIGS. 2-5,
one embodiment of package 10 is folded and closed in the following
manner. Front panel 12 and rear panel 14 are flattened or pressed
together and a first marginal portion 46 (e.g., the top or distal
portion of the package 10) of package 10 is rolled or folded in the
direction of front panel 12 such that top edge 21 of front panel 12
is folded down toward front panel 12 and a first crease 40 is made
transversely across the top of package 10. By folding over a first
marginal portion 46 along a first crease 40, the package can be
initially sealed so that the contents of the package cannot fall
out of the interior of the package through opening 23. After first
crease 40 is formed, a second marginal portion 42 (e.g., the
penultimate portion of the package, immediately adjacent to the
first marginal portion) of package 10 is rolled or folded in the
direction of front panel 12, such that first crease 40 is folded
down toward front panel 12 and a second crease 44 is made
transversely across the top of package 10. Pressure can be applied
to the folded-over marginal portions after each or both of first
crease 40 and second crease 44 in order to sharpen or strengthen
the creases and provide a stronger or tighter seal of package 10.
Once second crease 44 is formed and first marginal portion 46
contacts front panel 12, first marginal portion 46 is joined to
front panel 12 substantially transversely across package 10
substantially along seam 50. At least one non-joined portion 52 of
the first marginal portion 46 is not joined to front panel 12,
thereby forming at least one opening to at least one pocket or
handle 54 defined by first marginal portion 46, second crease 44,
and front panel 12. Each pocket 54 can receive the digits of a
user's hand so that the user can grip package 10. Specifically, to
grip the package, the user inserts four digits into pocket 54 such
that the tips of the user's fingers make contact with the first
marginal portion 46 defining the interior of pocket 54 and the
user's hand wraps around second crease 44 at the top of sealed
package 10 such that the user's thumb makes contact with rear panel
14. In some embodiments, a single non-joined portion 52 is provided
with sufficient length and a single pocket 54 is sufficiently large
to receive two of the user's hands, or eight digits. In some
embodiments, a single non-joined portion 52 and a single pocket 54
are provided substantially centered between opposite side edges 20
of said front panel 12. In other embodiments, more than one
non-joined portion 52 provide access to more than one pocket 54
such that each pocket may receive a user's hand.
[0029] The first marginal portion 46 and front panel 12 may be
joined along seam 50 by any suitable means, including, for example,
use of welding, bonding, stitching or sewing, or any of a variety
of adhesives, binders, heat seals, cold seals, or any other joining
means. In some embodiments, an adhesive such as a glue is used to
join the first marginal portion and the front panel. Preferably,
after first crease 40 is formed and while second crease 44 is being
formed, glue is applied either to front panel 12 or to first
marginal portion 46 by a programmable glue nozzle machine such as,
for example, a BOSCH.RTM. DOBOY.RTM. GS-1000 bag gluer-sealer. In
some embodiments, a programmable glue nozzle machine applies a
single, straight, continuous bead of glue substantially along seam
50 from one side edge 20 of front panel 12 approximately one third
(1/3) of the way transversely across front panel 12, the glue
nozzle applies no glue along non-joined portion 52, which is near
or around an approximate middle one third (1/3) of the transverse
length of front panel 12, and the glue nozzle machine applies a
single, straight, continuous bead of glue substantially along seam
50 near or around a final one third (1/3) of the transverse length
of front panel 12 from the end of non-joined portion 52 to an
opposite side edge 20. In some embodiments, the programmable glue
nozzle may be adjusted to apply different types, amounts, or
patterns of glue. For example, in some embodiments, different types
of glue may be used (e.g., a cold melt resin glue or a hot melt
glue). A thicker or thinner bead of glue may be applied (e.g., a
bead one eighth (1/8) inches in thickness or a bead one quarter
(1/4) inches in thickness). The glue may be applied across more
than or less than a combined two thirds (2/3) of the front panel
(e.g., across two (2) one quarter (1/4) lengths near the opposite
side edges 20, with non-joined portion 52 extending over a middle
half (1/2) length across the package). More than one single,
straight, continuous bead of glue may be applied (e.g., two
parallel, straight, continuous beads of glue). And, one or more
non-straight beads of glue (e.g., a wavy line or a series of
overlapping circles) or non-continuous beads of glue (e.g., a
dashed or dotted line or other non-continuous pattern) may be
applied. In these different embodiments, the type, pattern, and
amount of glue applied may be variable based on, for example, the
material used for the substrate of the package and/or the weight of
the intended contents of the package. The glue may be applied by a
programmable glue nozzle machine either by moving the package with
respect to the glue nozzle or by moving the glue nozzle with
respect to the package.
[0030] When joining means of suitable strength are used to join
first marginal portion 46 and front panel 12, the strength of
folded handle 16 is at least as great as the tensile strength of
the substrate material. Because there are no cuts or cut-outs used
to form folded handle 16, the strength of the handle is not
dependent on the shear strength of the substrate material. The
strength of the handle will depend largely on the strength of the
joining means used to join first marginal portion 46 and front
panel 12, particularly in the vicinity of the areas immediately
surrounding either end of non-joined portion 52. When the package
is loaded with contents and gripped by the folded handle, the
concentration of tensile forces caused by the weight of the
contents will be in the areas immediately surrounding the ends of
non-joined portion 52. For this reason, the suitability of joining
means used to join first marginal portion 46 and front panel 12
will be affected by the weight of the intended contents of package
10.
[0031] In some embodiments, multiple folds and creases (e.g., more
than two) may be implemented to close package 10. For example, in
some embodiments, two folds forming two creases may be implemented
before a third fold brings a penultimate marginal portion in
contact with front panel 12.
[0032] First marginal portion 46 and second marginal portion 42 may
be of any width or widths suitable for folding and sealing package
10. Preferably the marginal portions are each about 1/2 (0.5)
inches to about 2 inches, and most preferably the marginal portions
are each about 11/4 (1.25) inches. First marginal portion 46 may or
may not have a width equal to the width of second marginal portion
42.
[0033] In some embodiments, there is a single non-joined portion
52. The single non-joined portion 52 may be of any length suitable
for allowing pocket 54 to receive a hand. Preferably, non-joined
portion 52 is about 3 inches to about 6 inches in length, and most
preferably non-joined portion 52 is about 4 inches in length.
[0034] In some embodiments, seam 50 has a width that is
substantially less than the width of said first marginal portion
46. For example, in some embodiments, first marginal portion 46 has
a width of about 11/4 (1.25) inches and seam 50 has a width of
about 1/8 (0.125) inches to 1/4 (0.25) inches. In some embodiments,
seam 50 is provided substantially adjacent to first crease 40. In
other words, seam 50 is provided closer to first crease 40 than to
second crease 46.
[0035] In some embodiments not pictured in FIGS. 1-6, folded handle
16 can be applied to both the top and bottom ends of package 10.
Folded handles applied at opposite ends of the package can be
positioned on the same or opposite sides (panels) of the
package.
[0036] In some embodiments, package 10 is loaded with contents via
the end of the package opposite the end containing folded handle
16. In this way, package 10 can be manufactured with folded handle
16 at one end of the package and the opposite end of the package
can be left open and/or unsealed. The package can thus be
conveniently and economically manufactured, stored, sold, and
shipped substantially flat. Subsequently, the package can be filled
with contents at the open end and the open end can thereafter be
closed and/or sealed in accordance with the present invention or by
other means. In other embodiments, package 10 is closed or sealed
at one end, filled with contents at the opposite, open end, and
that opposite end is then closed or sealed in accordance with the
present invention to fabricate folded handle 16.
[0037] It is to be understood that the present invention is by no
means limited only to the particular constructions herein disclosed
and shown in the drawings. The appended claims should be construed
broadly to cover any variations or modifications within the scope
or range of equivalents of the claims.
* * * * *