Bag with integral closure mechanism

Abstract

A bag has an integral closure mechanism. In particular, a bag has perforated lines along which the bag is torn to form handles. The handles are used to tie the bag closed. Apertures are provided for facilitating tearing of the bag along the perforated lines to form the handles. A method of manufacturing a bag includes forming lines of perforations in the bag such that, when the bag is torn along the lines of perforations, handles are formed in the bag by which the bag may be lifted and tied closed. A method of tearing the bag to form the handles includes lifting of the bag by inserting a finger into an aperture formed in the bag and lifting upwardly when the bag is weighted down with contents.

1 . An improved bag comprising
 (a) a bag; and,   (b) a closure mechanism including at least two separate perforated lines located near a top portion of the bag;   (c) wherein each perforated line is configured such that tearing thereof forms a tie member configured for sealing the bag.   
   
   
       2 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the bag is reinforced in strength compared to another portion of the bag. 
   
   
       3 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the bag comprises a two-ply layer. 
   
   
       4 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture formed along each perforated line. 
   
   
       5 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture formed along each perforated line, wherein the aperture in each perforated line is substantially centered along a length of the respective line. 
   
   
       6 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one plurality of apertures, each plurality being disposed in a perforated line. 
   
   
       7 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one plurality of apertures, each plurality being located along each perforated line and located at least partially within a two-ply top portion of the bag. 
   
   
       8 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one plurality of apertures, each plurality being located at least partially within a two-ply top portion of the bag; and wherein each perforated line is located below the top two-ply portion of the bag. 
   
   
       9 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the tie member is integrally formed as part of the bag. 
   
   
       10 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag comprises two parallel side panels; and at least one perforated line is located in each side panel. 
   
   
       11 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag comprises two parallel side panels; and at least one perforated line is located in each side panel; and each perforated line is generally centrally disposed in its side panel. 
   
   
       12 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag comprises two parallel side panels; and at least one perforated line is located in each side panel; and each perforated line is offset a predetermined distance from the top edge of its side panel. 
   
   
       13 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least one perforated line is configured such that at least one tie member formed is configured for lifting of the bag when weighted by contents therein. 
   
   
       14 . The improved bag of  claim 1 , wherein the improved bag is one in a roll of bags secured to each other, end to end, by a respective perforated line such that each bag may be individually separated from the other bags. 
   
   
       15 . A method of sealing a bag comprising the steps of tearing the bag along perforated lines formed proximate a top of the bag, in a layer of material of the bag, to form handles of the bag; and using the handles to seal the bag. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the handles are configured to support lifting of the bag when the bag is weighted down by contents. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bag has at least one aperture located proximate the top of the bag, the aperture being sized to allow a user to insert a digit through the aperture to assist in lifting of the bag and tearing of the bag along the perforated line. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the aperture is located proximate a midpoint of one of the perforated lines. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bag comprises at least one aperture formed along each perforated line, the aperture being dimensioned for receipt therethrough of a digit of a person's hand. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each handle consist of a portion of the layer of material in which the perforations are formed.