Easy to open bag and a method for making the same

Abstract

A bag is provided having a first end and a second end. The bag has a generally tubular shape, with the first end configured to remain sealed and the second end configured to be opened. The second end defines a recess, and the bag is configured to receive one or more objects in the recess defined within the second end. The bag has a first cross section at a location between the first end and the second end. The bag is folded in the first cross-section so that the bag material forms at least three plies. At least one inner ply is formed, at least two outer plies are formed, and a first portion of the at least one inner plies is left exposed. One or more bags may be provided as a sheet. Methods for making the bags and for opening the bags are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag comprising:
 a first end and a second end, the bag having a generally tubular shape, wherein the first end is configured to remain sealed and the second end is configured to be opened, wherein the second end defines a recess, wherein the bag is configured to receive one or more objects in the recess defined within the second end;   wherein the bag comprises a first cross section at a location between the first end and the second end, wherein the bag is folded in the first cross-section so that the bag material forms at least three plies, wherein at least one inner ply is formed, wherein at least two outer plies are formed, and wherein a first portion of the at least one inner plies is left exposed.   
     
     
         2 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the bag is configured so that a person may pinch the first portion of the at least one inner ply, pinch a second portion on the surface of one or more of the at least two outer plies, and pull the first portion and the second portion apart to increase the area of the recess defined within the second end of the bag. 
     
     
         3 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the bag is a starseal bag. 
     
     
         4 . The bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inner ply comprises two inner plies. 
     
     
         5 . The bag according to  claim 4 , wherein a first inner ply comprises an excess length that extends past the full length of a second inner ply. 
     
     
         6 . The bag according to  claim 5 , wherein the excess length of the first inner ply is folded. 
     
     
         7 . The bag according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the two inner plies comprises an additional length that extends past the full length of the outer plies. 
     
     
         8 . The bag according to  claim 7 , wherein the additional length for each of the two inner plies is folded. 
     
     
         9 . A sheet of bags, the sheet comprising:
 at least two bags, wherein each of the at least two bags having a generally tubular shape and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to remain sealed and the second end is configured to be opened, wherein the second end defines a recess, wherein each of the at least two bags is configured to receive one or more objects in the recess defined within the second end;   wherein each of the at least two bags comprises a first cross section at a location between the first end and the second end, wherein the bag is folded in the first cross-section so that the bag material forms at least three plies, wherein at least one inner ply is formed and wherein at least two outer plies are formed, and wherein a first portion of the at least one inner plies is left exposed;   wherein the at least two bags comprises at least a first bag and a second bag, wherein the first end of the first bag and the second end of the second bag are removably attached to each other, wherein said first bag and said second bag are configured to be separated from each other upon the application of force by a user.   
     
     
         10 . The sheet according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least two bags are star seal bags. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least two bags are removably attached to each other with perforations present between first end of the first bag and the second end of the second bag, wherein the perforations are configured to be broken upon the application of force so that the first bag and the second bag may be separated. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the at least two bags is configured so that a person may pinch the first portion of the at least one inner ply, pinch a second portion on the surface of one or more of the at least two outer plies, and pull the first portion and the second portion apart to increase the area of the recess defined within the second end of the bag. 
     
     
         13 . A method for opening a bag, the method comprising:
 providing a bag, said bag having a generally tubular shape and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to remain sealed and the second end is configured to be opened, wherein the second end defines a recess, wherein the bag is configured to receive one or more objects in the recess defined within the second end, wherein the bag comprises a first cross section at a location between the first end and the second end, wherein the bag is folded in the first cross-section so that the bag material forms at least three plies, wherein at least one inner ply is formed and wherein at least two outer plies are formed, and wherein a first portion of the at least one inner plies is left exposed;   pinching the first portion of the at least one inner ply;   pinching a second portion on the surface of one or more of the at least two outer plies; and   pulling the first portion and the second portion apart to increase the area of the recess defined within the second end of the bag.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein pinching the first portion of the at least one inner ply consists only of pinching the first portion of one inner ply, and wherein pinching a second portion on the surface of one or more of the at least two outer plies consists only of pinching the second portion of one outer ply. 
     
     
         15 . A method for preparing a sheet of bags for the containment in packaging, the method comprising:
 providing at least two bags;   folding the at least two bags to form at least three plies, wherein two outer plies and one or more inner plies are formed;   exposing at least some portion of at least one inner ply of the one or more inner plies; and   removably securing the at least two bags together to form a sheet comprising multiple bags.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least two bags are star seal bags. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 configuring the sheet around a central axis.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more bags within the sheet are folded so that at least some portion of at least one inner ply is exposed once a bag has been removed from the other bags within the sheet. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein exposing at least some portion of at least one inner ply of the one or more inner plies comprises removing material from one or more of the two outer plies within one or more of bags within the sheet. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein exposing at least some portion of at least one inner ply of the one or more inner plies comprises folding material from one or more of the two outer plies within one or more of bags within the sheet.