Web of multi-compartment bags

Abstract

A web of separable bags includes first and second sheet members. First lines of weakness are constructed to promote tearing for separating a bag assembly from the web. Second lines of weakness are constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members into a first bag and a second bag. The first and second bags having openings along opposite longitudinal edges of the bag assembly. The first longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members is movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the first bag, and the second longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members is movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the second bag.

1 . A web of separable bags comprising:
 a first sheet member of polymeric material having opposite first and second longitudinal edges and first and second longitudinal edge margins;   a second sheet member of polymeric material generally underlying the first sheet member, the second sheet member including opposite first and second longitudinal edges and first and second longitudinal edge margins;   first lines of weakness extending transversely of the web at locations spaced apart from each other along a length of the web, the first lines of weakness being constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the first line of weakness for separating a bag assembly from the web, each bag assembly being defined between an adjacent pair of first lines of weakness;   second lines of weakness, each second line of weakness being located within a respective bag assembly and constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the second line of weakness for separating the bag assembly into a first bag and a second bag, the first bag having a first opening along the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, and the second bag having a second opening along the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, the first and second openings being constructed to receive material through the opening into the respective bag;   the first longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members being movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the first bag, and the second longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members being movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the second bag;   the first longitudinal edges of the first and second sheet members being offset from one another in the transverse direction, and the second longitudinal edges of the first and second sheet members being offset from one another in the transverse direction.   
     
     
         2 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising third lines of weakness, each third line of weakness being located within a respective bag assembly and constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the third line of weakness for separating a third bag from the bag assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the third bag has a third opening constructed to receive material through the opening into the third bag. 
     
     
         4 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising a first adhesive on at least one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member, the first adhesive being positioned to connect the first longitudinal edge margin of one of the first and second sheet members to the other of the first and second sheet members upon to the folding of the first longitudinal edge margin of the one of the first and second sheet members onto the other of the first and second sheet members. 
     
     
         5 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a second adhesive on at least one of the first and second sheet members, the second adhesive being positioned to connect the second longitudinal edge margin of one of the first and second sheet members to the other of the first and second sheet members upon folding of the second longitudinal edge margin of the one of the first and second sheet members onto the other of the first and second sheet members. 
     
     
         6 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the first sheet member comprises first and second flaps, each flap being disposed along one of the first and second longitudinal edges, each flap being formed by folding the respective first and second longitudinal edge margin of the first sheet member back upon the first sheet member, the first and second adhesives being disposed at least partially on respective ones of the first and second flaps. 
     
     
         7 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 6  further comprising first, second, third and fourth fastener elements, the first fastener element being disposed on the first sheet member nearer to the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member than to the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, the second fastener element being disposed on the second sheet member nearer to the first longitudinal edge of the second sheet member than the second longitudinal edge of the second sheet member, the first and second fastener elements being aligned for releasable connection to each other, the third fastener element being disposed on the first sheet member nearer to the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member than to the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, the fourth fastener element being disposed on the second sheet member nearer to the second longitudinal edge of the second sheet member than the first longitudinal edge of the second sheet member, the third and fourth fastener elements being aligned for releasable connection to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the first and second fastener elements are configured to selectively close and open the first opening of the first bag, and the third opening of the third bag, and wherein the third and fourth fastener elements are configured to selectively close the second opening of the second bag. 
     
     
         9 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the first, second and third lines of weakness each comprise a seal line connecting the first sheet member to the second sheet member and a zone of weakness arranged so that upon tearing of the first, second or third line of weakness the first and second sheet members remain joined to each other on both sides of the zone of weakness. 
     
     
         10 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the first line of weakness extends into the first and second longitudinal edge margins of the second sheet member. 
     
     
         11 . A web of multi-compartment bags, the web comprising:
 a first sheet member of polymeric material having opposite first and second longitudinal edges, the first sheet member further including opposite first and second longitudinal edge margins;   a second sheet member of polymeric material generally underlying the first sheet member, the second sheet member having opposite first and second longitudinal edges extending along a length of the web, the second sheet member further including opposite first and second longitudinal edge margins adjacent respective ones of the first and second longitudinal edges thereof;   first seal lines joining the first and second sheet members to each other, the first seal lines extending transversely of the web at locations spaced apart from each other along the length of the web, the first seal lines being constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the first seal line for separating a bag assembly from the web while maintaining a connection of the first and second sheet members in the bag assembly and in an adjacent bag assembly that remains connected to the web, each bag assembly being defined between an adjacent pair of first seal lines;   second seal lines, each second seal line being located within a respective bag assembly and joining the first and second sheet members to each other along the second seal line, the second seal line separating the bag assembly into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having a first opening along the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, and the second compartment having a second opening along the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, the first and second openings being constructed to receive material through the opening into the respective compartment;   a first fastener element connected to the first sheet member and a second fastener element connected to the second sheet member generally in alignment with the first fastener element for selective connection and disconnection of the first and second fastener elements with each other, the first and second fastener elements being configured to selectively open and close the first opening of the first compartment;   a third fastener element connected to the first sheet member and a fourth fastener element connected to the second sheet member generally in alignment with the third fastener element for selective connection and disconnection of the third and fourth fastener elements with each other, the third and fourth fastener elements being configured to selectively open and close the second opening of the second compartment;   the first longitudinal edge margin of one of the first and second sheet members being securable with the other of the first and second sheet member, independent of the first and second fastener elements, for covering the first opening of the first compartment at a location different from the location of the first and second fasteners, and the second longitudinal edge margin of one of the first and second sheet members being securable with the other of the first and second sheet members, independent of the third and fourth fastener elements, for covering the second opening of the second compartment at a location different from the location of the third and fourth fasteners.   
     
     
         12 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a first adhesive on at least one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member, the first adhesive being positioned to secure the first longitudinal edge margin of the second sheet member to the first sheet member upon folding of the first longitudinal edge margin of the second sheet member onto the first sheet member. 
     
     
         13 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising a second adhesive on at least one of the first sheet member and the second sheet member, the second adhesive being positioned to secure the second longitudinal edge margin of the second sheet member to the first sheet member upon folding of the second longitudinal edge margin onto the first sheet member. 
     
     
         14 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the first sheet member comprises first and second flaps, each flap being along one of the first and second longitudinal edges of the first sheet member, and the first longitudinal edge margin of the first sheet member being folded back upon the first sheet member to form the first flap and the second longitudinal edge margin of the first sheet member being folded back upon the first sheet member to form the second flap, the first and second adhesives being disposed at least partially on respective ones of the first and second flaps. 
     
     
         15 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising lines of weakness, each line of weakness being located within a respective bag assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the lines of weakness each extend transversely of the web. 
     
     
         17 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising a third seal line, each third seal line being located within a respective bag assembly and joining the first and second sheet members to each other along the third seal line, the third seal line separating a third compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the third bag compartment has a third opening constructed to receive material through the opening into the third compartment. 
     
     
         19 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the first and second fastener elements are configured to selectively close and open the third opening of the third compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member is offset inward, toward the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, of the first longitudinal edge of the second sheet member; and 
 the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member is offset inward, toward the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, of the second longitudinal edge of the second sheet member. 
 
     
     
         21 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 1  wherein one second line of weakness of the second lines of weakness extends at a non-parallel angle to the length of the web and extends at a non-perpendicular angle to the length of the web. 
     
     
         22 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each second line of weakness extends at a non-parallel angle to the length of the web. 
     
     
         23 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first adhesive is disposed on an upwardly facing surface of the first flap, and the second adhesive is disposed on an upwardly facing surface of the second flap. 
     
     
         24 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first and second flaps are attached to a reminder of the first sheet member, and wherein the first and second flaps overlie the remainder of the first sheet member and overlie the second sheet member. 
     
     
         25 . The web of bags as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the first adhesive is offset inward, toward the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, of the first opening, and the second adhesive is offset inward, toward the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, of the second opening. 
     
     
         26 . A web of separable bags comprising:
 a first sheet member of polymeric material having opposite first and second longitudinal edges and first and second longitudinal edge margins;   a second sheet member of polymeric material generally underlying the first sheet member, the second sheet member including opposite first and second longitudinal edges and first and second longitudinal edge margins;   first lines of weakness extending transversely of the web at locations spaced apart from each other along a length of the web, the first lines of weakness being constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the first line of weakness for separating a bag assembly from the web, each bag assembly being defined between an adjacent pair of first lines of weakness;   second lines of weakness, each second line of weakness being located within a respective bag assembly and constructed to promote tearing of the first and second sheet members along the second line of weakness for separating the bag assembly into a first bag and a second bag, the first bag having a first opening along the first longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, and the second bag having a second opening along the second longitudinal edge of the first sheet member, the first and second openings being constructed to receive material through the opening into the respective bag;   the first longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members being movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the first bag, and the second longitudinal edge margin of at least one of the first and second sheet members being movable into engagement with the other of the first and second sheet members for closing the opening associated with the second bag;   wherein one second line of weakness of the second lines of weakness extends at a skew angle to the length of the web.