Plastic bag and packaging method using same

Abstract

A plastic bag is supplied as a continuously attached length of plural bags, each bag being separated from adjacent bags along a supply length by a perforated tear line. A seal which runs codirectionally with the tear line forms a closed bottom for each bag, such that when a bag is separated along the tear line from a remainder of the supply, the bag is enclosed along three of its four edges enabling containment of produce or other items placed therein via the opening at the fourth, and remaining edge of the bag which is coextensive with the perforation line. The supply length of bags is advantageously stored on a roll, fan folded, bundlized or compactly stored in other suitable manner permitting advancement of consecutive bags when pulled out of the stored condition by a user. The perforation tear line cuts entirely through the continuous web supply of bags, however, the perforation along one side the bag is broken, such that the bag presents an open flap through which contents can be added to each bag prior to its removal from the remainder of the continuous bag supply. A method of using the bags for packaging of produce, groceries or other articles generally selected at point of sale and which are generally segregated by type for later pricing by weight or unit, permits a user to at least partially fill a bag prior to removal from a continuous supply of plural bags.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of packaging point-of-purchase items, comprising the steps of: 
 producing bags as a continuous web, each of said bags being separated from an adjacent bag by a perforated tear line which extends through the web of bags crosswise to a length of the continuous web of bags, each of said bags being sealed along a sealing line adjacent to the perforated tear line, such that when a particular bag is removed from the continuous web of bags, it can suitably retain contents placed therein;    breaking said perforation line on one side of said continuous web, while retaining at least a partial integrity of said perforation tear line on a remaining side of said web such that a flap defining an entry to each of said bags is formed prior to use; and    loading the point-of-purchase items into at least one of said bags though said entry prior to removal of said at least one bag from a remainder of said web.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said continuous web is comprised of thermoplastic tubing, and said step of producing includes heat sealing said tubing at selected intervals to thereby form said sealing line.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said point-of-purchase items include items provided by a vender as a bulk commodity for selection and repackaging by a consumer.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said bulk commodity includes at least one of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein respective width and height dimensions of said bags measured in inches are in a range of about 10×15 to about 12×20.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of said bags does not exceed about 1.4 mils.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of said bags is in a range of about 0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising unrolling said continuous web of bags from a dispensable supply roll prior to said step of loading.  
     
     
         9 . A web of plastic bags, comprising: 
 mutually-connected individual bags each being attached to an adjacent one of said bags by a perforated tear line, said bags being opened along at least a portion of said tear line to form a flap defining an entry into each of said bags through which point-of-purchase items are insertable into said bags, said bags having a volume sufficient to contain a quantity of produce.    
     
     
         10 . A web of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein respective width and height dimensions of said bags measured in inches are in a range of about 10×15 to about 12×20.  
     
     
         11 . A web of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein a wall thickness of said bags does not exceed about 1.4 mils.  
     
     
         12 . A web of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein a wall thickness of said bags is in a range of about 0.35 mils to about 0.9 mils.  
     
     
         13 . A web of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein said bags are wound on a dispensable supply roll.  
     
     
         14 . A web of bags according to  claim 9 , wherein said produce includes at least one of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices.