United States Patent 1 19J
`Titchenal et al.
`
`[54] BAG CONSTRUCTION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Oliver R. Titchenal, Avon; William
`A. Armstrong, New London, both
`_of Ohio
`
`[73] Assignee: Basic Packaging Systems, Inc., Avon
`Lake, Ohio
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Nov. 15, 1971
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 199,068
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`[ 63] Continuation of Ser. No. 838,992, July 3, 1969,
`abandoned.
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. .................................................. 229/69
`[51]
`Int. Cl. ............................................ B65d 27/10
`[58] Field of Search .... 206/57 A; 150/1; 229/53, 69
`
`[56]
`
`3,033,257
`2,993,313
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`5/1962 Weber ..................................... 150/1
`7/1961 Hogan ..................................... 53/14
`
`[ I l J
`
`3,791,573
`[451 Feb. 12, 1974
`
`Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gustalo Nunez
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A packaging system using side by side connected tun(cid:173)
`nel-top bags, or alternately, bags having spreadable
`flaps at their tops. The closure sealing characteristics
`of such bags is improved by permitting the bags to be
`substantially free of each other at their lower regions
`but securely connected together adjacent upper re(cid:173)
`gions thereof. Upon filling, the free or mid-portion of
`the bag sides distort inwardly since material is pulled
`from the sides to ''bloom out" the bag. The sides at
`upper regions, however, being connected as indicated,
`resist pull or movement inwardly, thereby causing a
`tautness in the upper parts of the bag material. A sub(cid:173)
`stantially wrinkle-free region is thus obtained for a
`closure seal.
`
`16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figmres
`
`20L4IO~Z2
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`30
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`I
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`'I
`:16
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`1'8
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`4811
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`56
`~42
`/16
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`54 12
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`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 001
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`

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`PATENTED FEB 121974
`
`~p 7.91.573
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`SHEET 1 OF 3
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`INVENTORS.
`ol/ver R. Ttlchenal
`nyWdl/arn/1. //rrnslrong
`
`~~711..~
`ATTORNEY
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 002
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`PATENTED fEB 121974
`
`3. 791.573
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`SHEET 2 OF 3
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`7
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`146
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`184
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`166
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`186
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`3oh.
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`526
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`24a
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`86a
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`INVENTORS.
`o//ver R. Tifchena/
`BY William/l.flrrn.slron.g
`
`J3~:1?t.~
`/JTTORNE.Y
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 003
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`118
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`116
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`156 42 38
`78
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`80
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`..
`(]1
`-.&
`w
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`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 004
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`

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`1
`BAG CONSTRUCTION
`
`3,791,573
`
`This is a continuation, of application Ser. No.
`838,992 filed July 3, 1969, now abandoned.
`
`5
`
`1 0
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to bag constructions
`and, more particularly, to bag constructions wherein
`distortion of the bag accompanying filling is controlled
`to provide a wrinkle-free region for placement of a clo(cid:173)
`sure seal.
`2. Discussion of the Prior Art
`Known to the prior art are chain or connected to(cid:173)
`gether bag "put-ups" or stock adapted to permit con(cid:173)
`tinuous bag feeding to filling and sealing machinery.
`Such bags are normally of the tunnel-top variety, oral(cid:173)
`ternately, include speadable flaps associated with their
`top ends.
`Tunnel-top bags, for example, are mounted in filling 20
`machinery in a manner more or less analogous to a cur(cid:173)
`tain-and-rod mounting arrangement (see my copending
`U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 727,464, filed May 8,
`1968 now U.S. Pat. 3,559,894). Mounting in this man(cid:173)
`ner contributes, among other things, to controlled feed- 25
`ing of the bags . .Prior to filling, of course, the tunnel-top
`is cut apart to open the bag tops such that a product fill
`can be gravity dropped or otherwise inserted into each
`bag.
`Bags of the type having spreadable flaps are similary
`acted upon by such machinery except, as is understand(cid:173)
`able, other arrangements are employed for initially
`mounting the bags in the machinery.
`In any event, the bags as they approach the sealer,
`i.e., after filling, are oftentime badly distorted by prod- 35
`uct fill. The present invention is concerned with
`smoothing out a region of sue!:) bags suitable for place(cid:173)
`ment of the closure seal.
`Accordingly, it is among the objects of the present
`.
`invention to provide the following:
`A bag constructed so as to minimize distortion or
`wrinkling at its top end accompanying filling of the bag,
`whereby a smooth or generally wrinkle-free region is
`·
`provided for placement of the closure seal;
`A plurillity of bags connected together side by side in 45
`a Siamese like connection to permit continuous feeding
`of the same to filling and· sealing machinery and
`wherein the bags, subsequent to filling, present a sub(cid:173)
`stantially non-distorted area in the vicinity of their tops
`to assist in the obtaining of an air-tight closure of the
`bag; and
`Chain bag constructions of a variety designed to split
`apart or separate from each other along certain lines of
`weakness following filling and sealing of the same, and 55
`wherein sucllljnes of weakness are of sufficient integ(cid:173)
`rity to hold in strategic areas accompanying filling such
`that a tautness is caused in the material at the upper re(cid:173)
`gions of the bag, and to a degree beneficial to sealing
`operations.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Briefly then, the present invention contemplates im(cid:173)
`proved chain bag constructions wherein distortion of
`the bag upon filling is limited to the lower regions of the 65
`bag. The upper regions or bag tops remain substantially
`wrinkle free to assist in obtaining an air-tight closure of
`the bag. Specifically, such distortion. control is accom-
`
`40
`
`60
`
`2
`plished by strategic connection between the bags
`whereby a tautness in the aforesaid upper regions is
`caused accompanying filling of the bag and of a degree
`sufficient to smooth out such upper regions.
`The preferred embodiments of the invention are
`shown in the accompanying drawings, in which where(cid:173)
`soever possible, like characters of reference designate
`corresponding material and parts throughout the sev(cid:173)
`eral views thereof in which:
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a chain of connected bag ele(cid:173)
`ments constructed according to the principles of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connected bag
`elements of FIG. 1 taken along reference line 2-2
`15 thereof;
`FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 1, only showing a modified
`form of the chain bag construction of the present in(cid:173)
`vention;
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bag elements
`of FIG. 3 taken along reference line 4-4 thereof;
`FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1, only showing still another
`modified form of the chain bag construction of the
`present invention;
`FIGS. 6--8 are various cross-sectional views of the
`bag elements of FIG. 5. taken along reference lines
`6..:_6, 7-7, and 8-8, respectfully, thereof;
`FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, with parts broken
`away, of machinery of a type that continuously fills and
`seals certain of the chain bag constructions as contem-
`30 plated herein; and
`FIG. llO is a top view of the apparatus~of FIG. 9.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Referring now more particularly to the drawings,
`there is shown in FIGS. l and 2 a chain of connected
`bag elements llO, each including bottom aJild top ends
`ll2 and 14 and two sides 16 and 18, respectively. Sides
`16 and 18 are closed except at their uppermost extents
`or their upper regions 20 and 22, respectfully. Areas 23
`and 25 reside beneath regions 20 and 22, respectfully,
`and comprise the closed upper portions of sides 11/ii and
`18, respectfully.
`Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, further struc(cid:173)
`ture of bag elements 10 includes front and rear walls 24
`and 26 closed along bottom ends 12 by a fold 28; and
`a strip of material 30 which extends along top ends 1!.4
`of bag elements 10, respectfully. Strip 30 is joined to(cid:173)
`gether along its opposite edges 31 and 33 with walls 24
`50 and 26, respectively, such as to form a tunnel or loop
`·
`structure 32.
`Such bag structure as described heretofore can be
`obtained by cross-sealing a length of tubular film or
`material at regularly spaced intervrus thereon as de(cid:173)
`noted in fiG. 1 by strip seals 34; and by terminating
`seals 414 at a spaced distance from top ends 14 to leave
`the indicated open regions 20 and 22, as explained in
`more detail in the aforesaid co-pending application.
`Such material as is suitable for forming bag elements 10
`includes polymeric films, particularly heat sealable
`films such as polyethylene, and such other conven(cid:173)
`tional bag materials as burlap, cotton, paper, and syn(cid:173)
`thetics such as nylon or the like. Scams 34 can be
`formed by heat sealing for polyethylene or like film, or
`by suitable adhesives, glues or solvents, or by sewing or
`stitching as would be appropriate for the materials in(cid:173)
`volved.
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 005
`
`

`
`3,791,573
`
`45
`
`4
`3
`Machinery 56 can also include a conventional con-
`Referring again to FIG. 1, further bag structure in-
`veyer system or means to support bottom ends 12 of
`cludes lines of weakness 36 which extend between the
`bag elements 10 through. bag filling the sealing (not
`sides 16 and 18 of adjacent or successive bag elements
`shown), as for example, when filling with heavy prod-
`in chain 10, i.e., along the mid-region of seals 34 and
`5 ucts or when otherwise deemed desirable.
`upwardly therefrom into the vicinity of tunnel 32.
`Lines of weakness 36 at their lower extents comprise
`In operation, connected bag elements 10 are nor-
`mally delivered to machinery 56 in a cardboard or like
`at least one slit or cut and preferably two slits 38 and
`shipping container 126. Container 126, including bag
`40 interrupted or separated by a land or joined region
`elements stored therein in a folded pile, is placed be-
`42. The upper extremity 416 of each slit 40 terminates
`at a point below the upper end 44 of seams 34, respect- l 0 neath the device 60 and the top portion of the con-
`fully.
`tainer cut away. The bags 10 are then fed upwardly
`The region comprising the area between extremity 46
`from container to around top bar 66, and thereafter di-
`and end 44, and the adjacent sides 16 and 18 of succes-
`rected downwardly to and underneath and around di-
`sive bag elements in chain 10, this region being herein-
`agonal bar 68. From diagonal bar 68 bags 10 are deliv-
`after designated as material 48, is a region of critical- 15 ered to mandrel 84 which mounts the same in a curtain-
`and-rod like fashion through tunnels 32. The bag tops
`ness to the connection between successive bag ele-
`ments in chain 10, as will become more evident herein-
`14 are then gripped or squeezed between belts 94 and
`96, and bags 10 directed to hopper 88 via knife 92.
`after.
`At material 48 the strength of the connection be-
`Knife 92 longitudinally parts tunnels 32 such that fill
`tween successive bag elements 10 is preferably less- 20 openings 128 form between the two parted edges or
`ened somewhat by line of weakness 42 which is ex-
`flaps 130 and 132 of the tunnel and sides 16 and 18 of
`tended therethrough such as by means of perforations
`each bag. Thereafter, ·edges 130 and 132 are plowed
`or serations SO, but not to the degree of weakening pro-
`open by the leading or forward part 134 of hopper 88
`vided in lower bag regions as represented by slits 38
`and a product fill 136 dropped from the hopper
`and 40.
`25 through fill openings 128. The bags are then directed
`Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown rna-
`to bars 120 and 122 and a closure seal formed across
`chinery or apparatus 56 of a construction suitable for
`their tops 14 as is indicated at 138.
`·Refernniagain to FIG. 9~the bag -ele"inent-1 Odirectly
`use in continuous filling and sealing of bag elements 10
`of the type formed of heat sealable film.
`beneath hopper 88 and receiving fill 128 is designated
`Apparatus 56 at its infeed section 58 supports a de- 30 as bag element A and those directly forward of A, bag
`elements. B. C, D, and so on.
`vice 60 on fittings or mounts 62 and 64, respectively,
`the device 60 being adapted for controllably feeding
`Referring now to bag element A, the same as it re-
`bag elements 10 to apparatus 56 in a manner to be de-
`ceives product fill 136 normally tends to bow or other-
`scribed.
`wise move or distort inwardly along its sides 16 and 18,
`Device 60 basically includes a generally horizontally 35 respectfully, i.e., material is pulled from sides 16 and
`18 to accommodate "blooming out" the middle portion
`disposed first or top bar 66, and a second or diagonal
`bar 68 extending generally downwardly and inwardly
`of the bag as it fllls with product 136. Such side move-
`from adjacent the forwardmost end 70 of top bar 66.
`ment is readily permitted by means of slits 38 and 40
`As best seen in FIG. 9, bars 66 and 68 open angularly
`usually accompanied by breaking of lands 42. At the
`toward machinery 56 and are normally angularly 40 upper regions of bag 10, material 48, even though
`weakened to a degree by perforations 50, is provided
`space(i gc;n~ e_!!~_qther at an angle a_of_~pproximately
`45°. Support structure for device 62 comprises a hori-
`with sufficient structural integrity or strength to resist
`zontally disposed first support bar 74 depending rear-
`being broken apart by product weight, i.e., the weight
`wardly from forwardmost end 70 of top bar 66, and a
`or partial weight of product fill 136 pulling on sides 16
`cross bar 76 connecting together bars 66 and 74 adja-
`and 18. Thus, a connection between the bags 10 is
`cent mounts 62 and 64, respectfully. A second support
`maintained for a distance below terminating ends 44 of
`bar 78 is connected to l~~~t:_end ~.Qof diagonal bar68
`seams 34 subsequent to fillingand by means of material
`·and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom to
`48.
`connect with cross_!:l~_'!_6_adjacent IJ10Unt 62.
`. 50
`It has been discovered that by maintaining the con-
`AtTnfeed- secuon 58, apparatus 12 additionally in-
`nection at material 48 subsequent to filling, distortion
`eludes a horizontally mounted mandrel 84 which is
`at top ends 14 of filled bags 10 can be eliminated or
`connected by means of an arm 86 to a hopper or fill
`minimized to assist in attaining an airtight closure seal
`mechanism 88. Mandrel 84 at its top edge 90 carries a
`138.
`Such discovery can oftentimes be visably detected by
`· cutting means ·or blade 92.
`Opposed continuous belts, such as V -belts 94 and 96,
`taut lines forming in the bag material. Such taut lines
`extend from a region intermediate of mandrel 84 and
`are denoted at 140 for bags B and C and as shown, re-
`hopp~r 88, as is best shown in FIG. 9, and therefrom
`side generally in the horizontal direction. At bag A taut
`pass snugly about the opposite sides 98 and 100 of hop-
`lines may or may not appear and if visible, will usually
`per 88. Belts 94 and 96 are tightly squeezed together 60 be angled somewhat with the horizontal due to lack of
`at their forward end 102 by pulleys 104 and 106, and
`pull caused by unfilled bags 10 on the rearward side of
`at regions immediately fore and aft of hopper 88 by
`hopper 88.
`pulleys 108 and 110, and 112 and 114, respectively.
`In any event, by means of such tautness, bags B, C,
`Thereafter, belts 94 and 96 continue rearwardly tore-
`and D as they approach sealing station 102 present a
`tum by means of pulleys 116 and 118. Located be- 65 substantially distortion or wrinkle-free area 142 suit-
`able for placement of closure seal 138.
`tween pulleys 116 and 118 and hopper 88 is a sealing
`station 120 comprised of, for example, opposed heat
`Moreover, the provision of perforation 50 in material
`48 permits the bags 10 to be conveniently separated or
`sealing bars 122 and 124.
`
`55
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 006
`
`

`
`3,791,573
`
`5
`6
`(not shown) for bags lOb can extend, for example, in
`split apart from each other following the filling and
`line between the inner extremities 182 and 184 of seals
`sealing of the same (not shown). Such separation can
`Jl70 and 172, respectfully.
`include the trimming of edges 130 and 132 from bags
`Material4~b comprises the part of strip 30b between
`10, or the same can remain attached to serve as carry-
`adjacent bag elements lOb as defined in the region
`ing handles for the bags. In the latter instance, for ex-
`ample, perforations 50 would preferrably extend
`below the closed upper portions 188 and 190 of sides
`through edges 130 and 132 to assist separation of the
`16b and Jl8b, respectfully. Thus by means of the provi-
`sion of material48b, bag lOb will·befound to include
`bags in the edge region. Where the flaps are trimmed,
`improved sealing characteristics of the nature herein-
`of course, perforations 50 need only extend to the re-
`I 0 before disclosed.
`gion of closure seal 138.
`A modified form of the present invention is shown in
`A wide variety of materials are applicable for use in
`FIGS. 3 and 4 as embodied in a chain of bag elements
`constructing bag elements lOb. For example, paper,
`lOa. Bag elements lOa are of similar construction to
`burlap, cotton, synthetics such as nylon, as well as poly-
`those depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the tunnel
`part of the bag has been slit or pre-slit to leave spread- 15 merle films such as polyethylene can be used. Such bag
`able flaps 146 and 148 associated with the bag walls
`materials, except polymeric heat sealable films, are
`24a and 26a, respectfully. Such bags can be formed
`normally sealed such as at bottom ends 12b by hot-
`melted adhesives for paper, or by sewing or stitching
`from tunnel-top bags generally as described above, and
`by pre-slitting or cutting the tunnel part thereof, or al-
`for paper or for any of the above mentioned fabrics
`ternately, can be formed more directly such as by fold- 20 such as burlap or cotton. Thus, bottom ends 12b of bag
`elements lOb can be closed such as by a seal186 which
`ing and sealing web-stock material.
`can represent either a stitched seam or sealing such as
`Certain further modifications to bag elements 10a
`include a conventional gusset structure 150 at bottom
`by means of a hot-melt or other appropriate adhesive
`end 12a; and the use of dual or parallel seals 154 and
`substance. Likewise, seals :1.70 and 172 can comprise
`156 forming
`the adjacent sides 16a and 18a, 25 stitching or seals formed by hot-melt adhesives or the
`respectfully, of successive or adjacent bag elements in
`like.
`·
`chain lOa.
`While certain representative embodiments and de-
`A somewhat modified .line of weakness 4l2a is also
`tails have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the
`employed comprising at its lower part perforations 158
`invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
`separated by narrow lands 160. Lines of weakness 42a 30 that various changes and modifications can be made
`in its upper region or region of material 48a, comprises
`therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
`perforations 162 separated by somewhat. wider lands
`the· invention. For example, the principles and teach-
`164. Thus, at its lower' regions, line of weakness 4\2i2 is
`ings of the present invention are broadly applicable in
`designed to break apart or split accompanying filling as
`instances where either a neat appearing or air-tight do-
`indicated hereinbefore, and accomplishes this through 35 sure seal is required or is otherwise desired, on an effi-
`extensive perforating in these regions, i.e.,lands 160 do
`cient basis, for packaging systems employing chain bag
`not provide sufficient structural integrity to hold when
`stock.
`p~oduct fill is dumped into b~gs lOa. On the same basis,
`Accordingly what is claimed is:
`w1der lands 164 or other suitable means (not shown)
`1. in bag elements each generally including bottom
`can be provided such that the connection at material 40 and top ends and two sides substantially Closed except
`48 is maintained at least prior to sealing the bags closed
`at their uppermost extents, respectively, and means
`wltereby bags lOa will exhibit improved sealing charac-
`connecting together the bags in side by side adjacent
`teristics of the type as indicated above.
`fashion to form a chain of bag elements, the improve-
`Still another modified form of the present invention
`ment which comprises: certain of said means being lo-
`is shown in FIGS. 5-8 wherein bagsi. Ob are put-up on 45
`·
`cated at least in a vicinity between the closed upper
`a separate strip of material30b !!UCh that the strip forms
`portions of the adjacent sides, respectively, of succes-
`tunnel structure 32b. Specifically, strip 30b is folded
`longitudinally and joined along its opposite edges 31b
`sive bag elements in said chain and terminating at a .
`spaced predetermined distance from said bottom ends,
`and 33b to walls 24b and 26b, respectfully, at top end 50 said means having sufficient structural integrity to
`14b, as is best shown in FIG. 7. Put-up by means of a
`maintain a connection in said vicinity when subjected
`strip 30b permits the use of side gusseted bags lOb, i.e.,
`bags having conventional side gusset structure 166 and
`to a force as would be placed thereon when filling said
`their opposite sides 16b and 18b,
`bag elements successiyely, and those means located
`168 along
`away from said vicinity beingofinsufficient structural
`respectfully, (see FIG. 6).
`.
`Alternately, strip 30b can .be secured to W!lllS 24b and
`integrity to maintain a cojlnection when subjected to
`26b only at strat~gic areas as denoted by seals or seams
`said. force.
`170 and 172, respectfully. At seams 170 and 172 the
`2. The bag elements of claim 1 wherein said bag ele-
`ments are formed from a continuous length of plastic
`four plies numbered evenly 174-180, respectively, and
`comprising the gusseted· regions of bag lOb, and the
`fllm or sheet, and are defined by cross-seals at spaced
`two plies comprising edges 31b and 33b of strip 30b are 60 intervals on said length of plastic, said means connect-
`ing successive bags comprising a plurality of lands hav-
`preferrably joined together as a single piece (see FIG.
`8). Such construction prevents the gussets 166 and 168
`ing predetermined lengths and predetermined spacing
`from unfolding as the bags fill with product such that
`from each other such that the connections made in said
`the gussets need not be refolded for closure sealing pur- 65 vicinity have a structural integrity greater than those
`poses.
`connections located away from said vicinity.
`Bag elements lOb are filled by slitting tunnel 32b
`3. The bag elements of claim 2 wherein said lands are
`such as by the means described above. The closure seal
`positioned in an area defined by said cross-seals.
`
`55
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 007
`
`

`
`3,791,573
`
`45
`
`7
`4. The bag elements of claim 2 wherein said means
`comprises at least a singular land located at a predeter(cid:173)
`mined distance from said vicinity.
`5. The bag elements of claim 4 wherein said means
`define a line of weakness located within said cross-seals 5
`thereby resulting in a separation of said bags from each
`other after the filling thereof and said separation result(cid:173)
`ing in the development of taut lines across the upper
`portions of the two sides of said bags thereby providing
`a substantially wrinkle-free area suitable for placement 10
`of a closure seal.
`6. The bag elements of claim 5 wherein said line of
`weakness comprises a plurality of perforations of pre(cid:173)
`determined sizes. such that said cross-seals increase in
`strength when extended to a point upwardly towards 15
`said closed upper portions of said adjacent sides.
`7. A chain of bag elements each including front and
`rear walls and two sides substantially closed, respec(cid:173)
`tively, except at. a region adjacent the upper ends of
`said bag elements, the bags being arranged in said chain 20
`in generally side-by-side fashion; and a strip of connect(cid:173)
`ing material joined along its opposite edges to said front
`and rear walls, respectively, to form a continuous tun(cid:173)
`nel at the upper end of each bag element, means con(cid:173)
`necting together successive bag elements in said chain 25
`at a region between the upper closed portions of their
`adjacent sides, respectively, said means terminating at
`a predetermined distance from the lower ends of said
`bag elements and said connecting material located gen(cid:173)
`erally towards the upper end of said bag elements hav- 30
`ing sufficient structural integrity to maintain a connec(cid:173)
`tion between said bags when subjected to the degree of
`force as would be placed thereon when ftlling the bags,
`and said means located generally towards the lower end
`of said adjacent sides having insufficient structural in- 35
`tegrity to maintain a connection when subjected to said
`force thereby resulting in the separation of the lower
`portion of said bag elements from each other upon the
`filling of said bags.
`8. The bag elements of claim 7 wherein said means 40
`comprises at least one portion of connecting material
`thereby defining at least one slit separating said adja(cid:173)
`cent bags, and defining a line of weakness permitting
`the lower portions of said bag elements to separate
`from each other subsequent to the filling thereof.
`9. The bag elements of claim 7 wherein said strip of
`connecting material is adapted to be severed prior to
`the filling thereof, therefore to thereby provide freely
`speadable flaps associated with said front and rear
`walls, respectively.
`10. In a chain of side-by-side connected bag elements
`of a type formed from a continuous length of plastic
`web material and including cJosing means for closing
`the sides of the bag elements from a region adjacent the
`bottom ends thereof to a region adjacent the top ends 55
`of the bags, the improvement of which comprises, a line
`of separation defined between said side closing means
`of adjacent bag elements in said chain, said line of sepa(cid:173)
`ration comprising a first region located at a point
`spaced downwardly from the upper terminating ends of 60
`said closing means and extending toward said bottom
`ends, said first region providing at most only a connec(cid:173)
`tion between said bag elements of a degree permitting
`the bags to bloom apart from each other when sub(cid:173)
`jected to the degree of force as would be placed 65
`
`so
`
`8
`thereon when filling said bag elements successively, a
`second region of said line of separation being located
`in a vicinity intermediate of said upper terminating
`ends and said first region, said second region providing
`a connection between said adjacent bag elements of a
`character adapted to remain substantially intact when
`subjected to the degree of force as would be placed
`thereon when filling said bag elements sucessively
`whereby said filling is accompanied by a tautness form(cid:173)
`ing in the upper extents of said bag elements thereby
`providing a substantially wrinkle-free area suitable for
`the placement of a closure seal, said second region fur(cid:173)
`ther providing a connection between said adjacent bag
`elements of a character permitting said bag elements to
`completely separate upon placement of said closure
`seal.
`U. A bag structure comprising opposed continuous
`panels and seams located at spaced intervals thereon to
`compartment said panels into a plurality of linearly
`connected bag elements, the bottom region of said bag
`elements being defined adjacent and along one longitu(cid:173)
`dinally extending edge portion of said panels, means
`closing said bottom ends, the top end regions of said
`bag elements being located adjacent and along the op(cid:173)
`posite longitudinally extending edge portion of the pan(cid:173)
`els, said seams extending from adjacent said bottom
`ends toward said opposite edge portion and terminating
`in spaced relationship therewith, a siamese-like con(cid:173)
`nection located between adjacent bag elements in said
`chain comprising at most a light connection therebe(cid:173)
`tween beginning in an area from a point spaced down(cid:173)
`wardly from the upper terminating ends of said seams
`and extending toward said bottom region of the bagel(cid:173)
`ements, and a substantially stronger connection be(cid:173)
`tween said bags in the area adjacent the upper termi(cid:173)
`nating ends of said seams, said siamese connection
`being operable to permit the bag elements to bow in(cid:173)
`wardly along the lower part of the siamese connection
`accompanying filling the bags, while the strength in
`said upper connection is sufficient to resist inward pull
`along the upper part of said siamese connection accom(cid:173)
`panying said filling step.
`12. The bag structure of claim 11 wherein said point
`in each siamese connection is relatively near said termi(cid:173)
`nating ends compared to said bottom ends.
`13. The bag structure of claim 11 wherein said point
`in each siamese connection is closely adjacent said ter(cid:173)
`minating ends in comparison with relatively remote po(cid:173)
`sitioning of said point from said bottom ends.
`14. The bag structure of claim 11 wherein said panels
`comprise tubular flexible plastic material, said upper
`region of the bags defining a continuous tunnel, the
`lower extent of which is defined by the upper terminat(cid:173)
`ing ends of said seams ...
`15. The bag elements of claim 11 wherein said bags
`defme freely spreadable flaps adjacent said upper re(cid:173)
`gions, the lower extent of said flaps being defined by
`the upper terminating ends of said seams.
`16. The bag structur~ of claim 11 wherein a line of
`weakness exists in said upper connection to permit said
`bag elements to be separated therealong after filling by
`rupturing said upper connection along said line of
`weakness, said line of weakness extending upwardly be(cid:173)
`yond said terminating ends.
`" * * * *
`
`Free-Flow Packaging Int'l, Inc.
`Exhibit 1008
`
`Page 008