Embossed Drawtape for Polymeric Bags

Abstract

An embossed drawtape generally for use with drawstring polymeric bags is disclosed. The embossed drawtape is imprinted with an embossing pattern having a plurality of embosses. According to one embodiment, the embossing pattern may provide a better feel and improved characteristics for consumer use.

1 . An embossed drawtape comprising:
 a drawtape manufactured from polyethylene and imprinted with an embossing pattern having a plurality of embosses.   
   
   
       2 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the embosses are substantially circular in shape. 
   
   
       3 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the embosses are substantially uniform in size. 
   
   
       4 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the embosses are distributed evenly within the embossing pattern. 
   
   
       5 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the embosses have a substantially uniform depth. 
   
   
       6 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the embosses are imprinted so as to extend from a base of the drawtape in a single direction. 
   
   
       7 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the drawtape is manufactured from at least 20% high-density polyethylene. 
   
   
       8 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the drawtape has a width of between 0.5 inches and 2 inches and wherein the thickness of the drawtape is between 1.5 mils and 3 mils. 
   
   
       9 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 5 , wherein the drawtape has a width of 1 inch and a thickness of 2.25 mils. 
   
   
       10 . The embossed drawtape of  claim 1 , wherein the drawtape is a triple-ply, coextruded drawtape. 
   
   
       11 . A drawstring polymeric bag comprising:
 a front panel having a rectangular shape, wherein a top end of the front panel is folded and sealed to form a first hem;   a back panel having a rectangular shape, wherein a top end of the back panel is folded and sealed to form a second hem; and   a drawtape imprinted with an embossing pattern having a plurality of embosses, wherein the drawtape is disposed along at least one of: the first hem and the second hem, and   wherein the front panel and back panel joined along a first side, a second side, and a bottom of the respective panels to form a polymeric bag.   
   
   
       12 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the embosses are substantially circular in shape. 
   
   
       13 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the embosses are substantially uniform in size. 
   
   
       14 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the embosses are distributed evenly within the embossing pattern. 
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the embosses have a substantially uniform depth. 
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the drawtape has a width of between 0.5 inches and 2 inches and a thickness between 1.5 mils and 3 mils. 
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 11 , wherein the drawtape has a width of 1 inch and a thickness of 2.25 mils. 
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing an embossed drawstring bag, the method comprising:
 manufacturing a polymeric bag having a front panel, a back panel and an upper opening;   forming a first hem along the upper opening of the polymeric bag; and   disposing a first embossed drawtape along the first hem formed along the upper opening of the polymeric bag, the first embossed drawtape imprinted with an embossing pattern having a plurality of embosses.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 sealing a first end of the embossed drawtape to a first side of the polymeric bag; and   sealing a second end of the embossed drawtape to a second side of the polymeric bag.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 forming a second hem along the upper opening of the polymeric bag; and   disposing a second embossed drawtape within the second hem formed along the upper opening of the polymeric bag, the second embossed drawtape imprinted with an embossing pattern having a plurality of embosses.