CN116670040A

CN116670040A - Bag-closeable fibrous base web

Info

Publication number: CN116670040A
Application number: CN202180071619.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·S·韦尔曼; D·P·舒克; C·M·巴伦丁; G·斯塔克斯
Original assignee: Sealed Air Corp
Current assignee: Sealed Air Corp
Priority date: 2020-10-20
Filing date: 2021-10-20
Publication date: 2023-08-29
Also published as: US20230382598A1; EP4204318A1; WO2022087038A1

Abstract

A web of bags includes a sheet material and a connecting material. The sheet material comprises two sheets formed from a fibre-based material, arranged to form a series of pockets, and connected together to form the sides of the pockets. Each pocket is defined by a side and an opening to which the sheets are connected. The connecting material is applied to the inner surface of the sheet material and is activatable to connect the inner surface by an activated portion of the connecting material. The connecting material is applied to a closed region on the inner surface of the sheet such that the connecting material in the closed region can be activated to close the opening.

Description

Bag-closeable fibrous base web

Technical Field

The present disclosure is in the field of bag web technology. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to webs of prefabricated bags formed from materials that enable the bags to be easily recycled.

Background

U.S. patent No. 3,254,828 ("the' 828 patent"), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, relates to a web of rolled bags. The' 828 patent discloses a web of bags interconnected by lines of weakness, preferably in the form of perforations, wherein each bag is open on one face. In use, the bags are sequentially fed to the loading station. While in the loading station, each bag is blown open, the product is inserted and thereafter separated from the web, and the bags are then sealed to form the package, if desired. These container strips in the form of chains of pre-opened bags are either supplied in rolls as taught in the' 828 patent or are contained in cartons in the manner taught in U.S. patent No. 4,201,029, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such webs have been sold under the trademark AUTOBAG by Automated Packaging Systems of Streetsboro, ohio.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a first embodiment, a web of preformed bags includes a sheet material and a connecting material. The sheet material includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first and second sheets are formed from a fiber-based material. The first sheet and the second sheet are arranged to form a series of bags. The first and second sheets are joined together to form sides of each pocket. Each pocket is defined by a side and an opening to which the first and second sheets are joined. The connecting material is applied to the inner surface of the first sheet and the inner surface of the second sheet. Activation of the portion of the connecting material where the first and second sheets contact each other causes the first and second sheets to be connected by the activated portion of the connecting material. The connecting material is applied to a closed region on the inner surface of the first and second sheets of at least one pouch such that, after insertion of a product through the opening of the at least one pouch, the connecting material in the closed region can be activated to form a first activated portion of the connecting material closing the opening.

In a second embodiment, the web of the first embodiment is configured such that the opening of the at least one pouch and the bottom of the at least one pouch extend transversely across the first sheet and the second sheet.

In a third embodiment, the web of the second embodiment is configured such that the bottom of the at least one pouch is formed by a second activated portion of the connecting material.

In a fourth embodiment, the web of any of the second to third embodiments is configured such that the first and second sheets are formed from a single sheet of the sheet material, and a first longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines a boundary between the first and second sheets.

In a fifth embodiment, the web of the fifth embodiment is configured such that the first longitudinal crease forms a first lateral side (lateral side) of the at least one pouch, the first lateral side extending between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

In a sixth embodiment, the web of the fifth embodiment is configured such that the longitudinal edges of the single sheet are joined together by a third activated portion of the joining material to form a second lateral side of the at least one pouch, and the second lateral side extends between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

In a seventh embodiment, the web of any of the fifth to sixth embodiments is configured such that a second longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines another boundary between the first sheet and the second sheet, the second longitudinal crease forming a second lateral side of the at least one pouch, and the second lateral side extending between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

In an eighth embodiment, the web of the seventh embodiment is configured such that the longitudinal edges of the single sheet are joined together by the third activated portion of the joining material to form a longitudinal seam, and the first sheet is defined by and includes the first longitudinal crease and the second longitudinal crease, and wherein the second sheet is defined by the first longitudinal crease and the second longitudinal crease.

In a ninth embodiment, the web of any one of the second to eighth embodiments is configured such that the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from separate sheets of the sheet material joined together along third and fourth activated portions of the joining material.

In a tenth embodiment, the web of the ninth embodiment is configured such that the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material form first and second lateral sides of the at least one pocket, respectively, and wherein each of the first and second sheets is defined by the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material.

In an eleventh embodiment, the web of any one of the ninth to tenth embodiments is configured such that the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material form a longitudinal seam in the web, each of the separate sheets of sheet material comprises a longitudinal crease, and each of the first and second sheets is defined by a longitudinal crease in the separate sheet of sheet material and comprises one of the longitudinal seams in the web.

In a twelfth embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the opening of the at least one pocket extends along a first longitudinal side of the web and the bottom of the at least one pocket extends along a second longitudinal side of the web.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the web of the twelfth embodiment is configured such that a first lateral side of the pouch extending between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening is formed by a second activated portion of the connecting material.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the web of any one of the twelfth to thirteenth embodiments is configured such that the at least one pocket includes a third activated portion of the connecting material to form a second lateral side of the at least one pocket extending between the bottom of the at least one pocket and the opening.

In a fifteenth embodiment, the web of the fourteenth embodiment is configured such that the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from a single sheet of the sheet material, a longitudinal crease in the single sheet defining a boundary between the first sheet and the second sheet, and the longitudinal crease in the single sheet defining the bottom of the at least one pouch.

In a sixteenth embodiment, the web of any one of the fourteenth to fifteenth embodiments is configured such that the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from separate sheets of the sheet material joined together along a fourth activated portion of the connecting material, and wherein the fourth activated portion of the connecting material defines the bottom of the at least one pouch.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the web of any one of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the connecting material is applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in a pattern, and the pattern comprises at least one longitudinal strip of the connecting material along each of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

In an eighteenth embodiment, the web of the seventeenth embodiment is configured such that the pattern further comprises at least one transverse longitudinal strip of the connecting material along each of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets of each of the bags in the series of bags.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the web of the eighteenth embodiment is configured such that one of the at least one transverse, longitudinal strip of each of the bags in the series of bags comprises: (i) A second activated portion of the connecting material of a first pouch, the second activated portion forming a bottom of the first pouch; and (ii) the enclosed areas on the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets of a second pouch.

In a twentieth embodiment, the web of the nineteenth embodiment further comprises a line of weakness in the web between the first and second bags.

In a twenty-first embodiment, the web of the twentieth embodiment is configured such that the line of weakness is in the second sheet, the opening of the second bag is formed in the first sheet, and the line of weakness and the opening of the second bag are substantially aligned.

In a twenty-second embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the joining material comprises a polymer.

In a twenty-third embodiment, the web of the twenty-second embodiment is configured such that the connecting material is activatable by a heat seal configured to bond portions of the polymer on the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

In a twenty-fourth embodiment, the web of any of the twenty-second to twenty-third embodiments is configured such that the joining material is applied as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer.

In a twenty-fifth embodiment, the web of any of the twenty-second to twenty-fourth embodiments is configured such that the polymer is laminated to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

In a twenty-sixth embodiment, the web of any one of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the connecting material is activatable by a cold pressing process.

In a twenty-seventh embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the connecting material is a two-component adhesive, a first component of the two-component adhesive being applied to the first sheet and a second component of the two-component adhesive being applied to the second sheet.

In a twenty-eighth embodiment, the web of any one of the preceding embodiments further comprises: a first set of two longitudinal creases on opposite sides of a first longitudinal side of the web; and a second set of two longitudinal folds on an opposite side of the second longitudinal side of the web.

In a twenty-eighth embodiment, the web of the twenty-eighth embodiment is configured such that the portion of the web comprising the at least one pocket is in a laid-down configuration prior to insertion of the product into the at least one pocket, and in the laid-down configuration, the longitudinal folds of the first set of two longitudinal folds and the second set of two longitudinal folds are unfolded.

In a thirty-ninth embodiment, the web of the twenty-ninth embodiment is configured to enable the at least one bag to be adjusted from the lay-flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration in which the longitudinal folds of the two longitudinal folds of the first set and the two longitudinal folds of the second set are folded such that the lateral sides of the at least one bag are gusseted (gusseted).

In a thirty-first embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the connecting material is applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket such that the percentage of area of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket to which the connecting material is applied is less than or equal to about 50%.

In a thirty-second embodiment, the web of the thirty-first embodiment is configured such that the percentage of the area of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket to which the connecting material is applied is one of less than or equal to about 40%, about 30%, or about 20%.

Drawings

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C depict front, longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 10 of bags;

FIGS. 2A-2D depict a series of examples of embodiments of methods of loading, sealing and removing bags from the web shown in FIGS. 1A-1C;

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C depict front, longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of a web of bags;

figures 4A and 4B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending transversely across the web in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending transversely across the web in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending transversely across the web in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6C depicts a cross-sectional view of the web shown in the laid-flat configuration depicted in FIG. 6B, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 6D depicts the web shown in FIG. 6B in another laid-flat configuration after the first and second sheets have been connected together in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6E depicts a cross-sectional view of the web shown in the laid-flat configuration depicted in FIG. 6D, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein;

Figures 7A and 7B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending transversely across the web in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein;

figures 8A and 8B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending transversely across the web according to embodiments disclosed herein;

figures 9A and 9B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending longitudinally of the web in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein; and

fig. 10A and 10B respectively depict embodiments of webs before and after forming a series of connected bags with product loading openings extending longitudinally of the web according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure describes embodiments of a fiber-based web of closable bags. Such webs are suitable for use in machines and methods for automatically opening bags in the web so that the bags may be loaded with product before the bags are closed and sealed. It should be noted that various embodiments of the web and methods of using the same are disclosed herein, and that any combination of these options may be made, unless specifically excluded. In other words, various components or portions of the disclosed machines may be combined unless mutually exclusive or otherwise physically impossible.

Fig. 1A, 1B and 1C depict front, longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 10 of bags 100. Web 10 may be supplied as a roll, as a fanfold stack in a box, or in any other convenient supply. Web 10 includes a first sheet 102 and a second sheet 104. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 are formed from a single sheet of material that has been folded longitudinally between the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. In other embodiments, the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 are formed from two separate pieces of material. In other embodiments, the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 are formed from flattened tubes of material. In some embodiments, the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 are coupled together by any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like.

Web 10 of bag 100 is one example of a variety of different webs that may be used. Examples of webs of prefabricated interconnected bags include, but are not limited to, webs disclosed in U.S. patent No. 3,254,828 and U.S. patent No. 5,957,824, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 may be formed of any suitable material. Conventionally, the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 are formed of a heat sealable or ultrasonically weldable material, such as a plastic material, polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl film, hydrochlorination rubber, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene, polypropylene, or the like. Such heat-sealable or ultrasonically weldable materials are relatively inexpensive and can be easily closed by heat sealing and/or ultrasonic welding after the bag 100 is filled.

Web 10 extends between a first edge or side 106 and a second edge or side 108. Each of the first side 106 and the second side 108 may be formed from a fold of a single piece of material (e.g., a fold in a flattened tube of material) or from a joined portion (e.g., heat seal) of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. The coupled portion of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 may have a width such that the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 cannot be separated from each other until a distance equal to the sealing width from the edges of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. In the depicted embodiment, the pockets 100 in the web 10 may be separated by lines of weakness 110 formed in one or both of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 110 are formed by perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or other lines of weakness that allow one of the bags 100 to be torn or otherwise removed from the web 10. In embodiments in which each of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 includes a line of weakness 110, the line of weakness 110 in one of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 may be broken to allow an object to be inserted into the bag 100, and then the line of weakness 110 in the other of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 is broken to remove the bag 100 from the web 10. As used herein, an "object" may include a single item that can be packaged in a single bag, or a grouping of several different items that can be packaged in a single bag. Further, the object may include any incidental information item, such as a case slip, tracking code, manifest, invoice, machine-readable identifier (e.g., bar code or Quick Response (QR) code) that may be sensed by a reader (e.g., bar code scanner or camera), or any other information item.

In the depicted embodiment, the seal 112 extends across the web 10 from the first side 106 to the second side 108 to form the bottom of the compartment 101 in each bag 100. In the depicted embodiment, each seal 112 is positioned proximate one of the lines of weakness 110. When the line of weakness 110 is broken, the broken portions of the first and second sheets form a top edge or side 118 of one bag and a bottom edge or side 116 of a subsequent bag (see fig. 2A-2D). In each pouch 100, the first sheet 102, the second sheet 104, the first side 106, the second side 108, and the seal 112 define a compartment 101 capable of receiving an object. Although the embodiment shown in fig. 1A-1C illustrates the pouch 100 as having a single compartment 101, in other embodiments, the pouch 100 may have any number of compartments.

Fig. 2A-2D depict a series of examples of embodiments of a method of loading, sealing, and removing bags 100 from web 10. In the example shown in fig. 2A-2D, the bags 100 in the web 10 comprise bags 100 ₁ 、100 ₂ And 100 ₃ Some or all of which. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, packet 100 ₁ 、100 ₂ And 100 ₃ Are connected to each other. Bag 100 ₁ And 100 ₂ The line of weakness 110 in the first sheet 102 therebetween has been broken to allow for loading of an object (not visible) in the bag 100 ₁ Is inside the compartment 101. In which objects are loaded in the bag 100 ₁ In the case of bag 100 ₁ The opening of the middle panel proximate the line of weakness 110 breaks to form a closed seal 114. In the depicted embodiment, the closing seal 114 extends from the first side 106 to the second side 108 to seal the compartment 101. In other embodiments, the closure seal 114 may not be from the firstThe side 106 extends entirely to the second side 108, or the closing seal 114 may be intermittent to allow gas (e.g., air) to flow between the compartment 101 and the external environment. In some embodiments, the closure seal 114 may be formed by a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like.

In the example shown in fig. 2B, bag 100 ₁ And 100 ₂ The frangible line 110 in the second sheet 104 therebetween has been broken such that the pouch 100 ₁ Has been removed from the web 10 of bags 100. Bag 100 ₁ And 100 ₂ The break in line of weakness 110 therebetween forms pouch 100 ₂ Bottom edge 116 and bag 100 ₁ Is provided for the top edge 118 of the container. In the bag 100 ₁ With removal from web 10, bag 100 ₁ May be moved to another location (e.g., shipped to a recipient).

In the example shown in fig. 2B, bag 100 ₂ Keep closed along three sides: (1) A first side 106, which in the depicted embodiment is closed by sealing the first and second sheets 102 together; (2) A second side 108, which in the depicted embodiment is closed by folding between the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104; and (3) a bottom edge 116 that is closed by seal 112. However, bag 100 ₂ Has been opened at its top edge by separating the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. Separating the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 at the line of weakness 110 opens the pouch 100 ₂ To form an object receiving opening. In the depicted embodiment, the object 150 has been loaded into the bag 100 through the object receiving opening ₂ Is in the compartment 101. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 110 are separated in one or both of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104. In some embodiments, the frangible line 110 in one or both of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 has not been broken near the first side 106 and the second side 108 of the web 10 to be in the bag 100 ₂ Opening and loading the object 150 into the bag 100 ₂ Provides reinforcement during the compartment 101. In some embodiments, the line of weakness 110 is separated in only one of the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 to provide a pouch 100 ₂ Opening and loading the object 150 into the bag 100 ₂ Is a compartment of (c)Reinforcement is provided during 101.

In the example shown in fig. 2C, the bag 100 is already in place ₂ The object receiving opening broken proximate the line of weakness 110 forms a closed seal 114. In the depicted embodiment, the closing seal 114 extends from the first side 106 to the second side 108 to seal the compartment 101. In other embodiments, the closure seal 114 may not extend entirely from the first side 106 to the second side 108, or the closure seal 114 may be intermittent to allow gas (e.g., air) to flow between the compartment 101 and the external environment. In some embodiments, the closure seal 114 may be formed by a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like.

In the example shown in fig. 2D, bag 100 ₂ And 100 ₃ The frangible line 110 in the second sheet 104 therebetween has been broken such that the pouch 100 ₂ Has been removed from the web 10 of bags 100. Bag 100 ₂ And 100 ₃ The break in line of weakness 110 therebetween forms pouch 100 ₃ Bottom edge 116 and bag 100 ₂ Is provided for the top edge 118 of the container. In the bag 100 ₂ With removal from web 10, bag 100 ₂ May be moved to another location (e.g., shipped to a recipient).

The method depicted in fig. 2A-2D may be repeated any number of times to load objects into the bag, close the bag, and separate the bag from the web. In some embodiments, the process is repeated until all of the bags 100 in the web 10 have been used. In some embodiments, portions of the process, such as advancing web 10, opening the object-receiving opening of bag 100, forming a closed seal 114, and separating bag 100 from web 10, may be performed by a bagger. Examples of bag making machines that may be used in such processes are described in U.S. patent nos. 5,743,070, 6,543,201, 7,258,656, 7,654,064, 8,069,635, 8,549,822, 8,887,978, and 10,336,489, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C depict a front view, a longitudinal cross-sectional view and a transverse cross-sectional view, respectively, of another embodiment of a web 10' of bags 100. Web 10' is similar to web 10 depicted in fig. 1A-1C. However, web 10' includes first sheet 102' and second sheets 104' formed from separate sheets of material, as opposed to first sheet 102 and second sheet 104 in web 10 formed from a single folded sheet of material. In fig. 3A and 3B, the first sheet 102 'and the second sheet 104' are still sealed to each other along the first side 106. The second side 108 'of the web 10' is also formed by sealing the first sheet 102 'and the second sheet 104'. Except for these differences, web 10' is substantially similar to web 10. It will be apparent that webs 10 and 10 'may be used interchangeably to fill bag 100, close bag 100, and separate bag 100 from its respective web 10 and 10'.

Webs similar to webs 10 and 10' are made of heat sealable or ultrasonically weldable materials. Such materials include plastic materials, polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl film, hydrochlorinated rubber, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene, polypropylene and others. These materials have been used because it is relatively easy to both form the web of bags and close the bags after they are filled. However, these materials are not easily recycled. While plastic films and bags can be recycled, recycling these materials can present a number of challenges. The consumer does not always know how or where to recycle the plastic film and bag. Even if the consumer properly returns the film and bag for recycling, they can be dirty or otherwise contaminated, which increases the cost of recycling and/or affects the quality of the recycled plastic material produced. In addition, there are also great restrictions on the manner in which the recycled plastic material can be used. There are many other challenges associated with recycling plastic films and bags.

Fiber-based sheet materials, such as paper, kraft paper, cardboard, and the like, are generally considered to be more easily and efficiently recycled than plastic film materials. For example, in many places citizens and other local waste collection services collect fiber-based materials from consumer homes for recycling. In addition, there are a number of options for using recycled paper products. However, despite the superior recycling benefits of fiber-based materials, the webs of attached bags (e.g., webs 10 and 10') are not formed from fiber-based materials. In particular, although the first sheet 102 and the second sheet 104 of webs 10 and 10' are formed from sheets of fiber-based material, it is unclear how the closure seals 114 can be easily and quickly formed to close the bags 100 after they are filled. While the inner surface of the fiber-based material may be entirely coated with a plastic coating (e.g., a polyethylene coating) to enable heat sealing of the fiber-based material, such a coating on the fiber-based material may prevent or limit the ability of the fiber-based material to be easily recycled. The present disclosure describes embodiments of a web of prefabricated bags formed from a fiber-based sheet material in a manner that enables the bags to be easily closed while still being easily recycled by the end consumer.

Fig. 4A and 4B depict an embodiment of a web 200 before and after a series of connected bags 202 are formed, respectively. Web 200 includes a first sheet 210 and a second sheet 220. The first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are formed of a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are formed from separate sheets of fiber-based material. The first sheet 210 includes a first side 212 and a second side 214. The second sheet 220 includes a first side 222 and a second side 224. In the depicted embodiment, the first side 212 and the second side 214 are longitudinal sides of the first sheet 210, and the first side 222 and the second side 224 are longitudinal sides of the second sheet 220.

In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 210 includes a line of weakness 216 and the second sheet 220 includes a line of weakness 226. In the depicted embodiment, lines of weakness 216 and 226 are located in first sheet 210 and second sheet 220, respectively, such that when first sheet 210 and second sheet 220 are joined together to form pouch 202, one of lines of weakness 216 and one of lines of weakness 226 are substantially aligned. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 216 and 226 include one or more of perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or any other lines of weakness that allow one of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 to be torn or otherwise broken. In other embodiments, only one of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 includes a frangible line.

Fig. 4A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 before the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are joined together to form the pouch 202. To facilitate joining the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220, the inner surface of the second sheet 220 has an adhesive applied thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the inner surface of the second sheet 220 has a first longitudinal adhesive stripe 232 applied proximate the first side 222 and a second longitudinal adhesive stripe 234 applied proximate the second side 224. The inner surface of the second sheet 220 also has a transverse adhesive stripe 236 applied adjacent each line of weakness 226. In the depicted embodiment, a transverse adhesive strip 236 is applied over each line of weakness 226. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the first and second longitudinal strips 232 and 234 and in the transverse strip 236 is configured to connect the second sheet 220 to the first sheet 210 upon contact between the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220. For example, the adhesive in the first and second longitudinal strips 232 and 234 and in the transverse strip 236 may comprise at least one of tape, double-sided tape, pressure sensitive adhesive, glue, liquid glue, spray glue, starch-based adhesive, or any other contact adhesive.

Fig. 4B depicts a web 200 of first and second sheets 210, 220 joined together to form a series of bags 202. In the depicted embodiment, the first longitudinal adhesive strip 232 has joined the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 adjacent the first sides 212 and 222 to form a first longitudinal seam 242 on the first side 206 of the web 200. A second longitudinal adhesive strip 234 has joined the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 adjacent the second sides 214 and 224 to form a second longitudinal seam 244 on the second side 208 of the web 200. The transverse adhesive stripes 236 have joined the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 adjacent each of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 to form transverse seams 246.

As can be seen in fig. 4B, each pouch 202 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along the lines of weakness 216 and 226, right and left sides (e.g., first and second sides 206 and 208) along the first and second longitudinal seams 242 and 244, and a bottom along one of the transverse seams 246. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 202 form a compartment 204 into which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, objects can be loaded into the bag 202 in a manner similar to the manner in which objects shown in fig. 2A-2D are loaded into the bag 100. For example, at least a portion of one of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 can be broken to form an object-receiving opening in one of the bags 202. Objects may be loaded into the compartment 204 of one of the bags 202 through the object receiving opening.

Referring back to fig. 4A, the connecting material 238 has been applied to the inner surface of the second sheet 220, and the connecting material 240 has been applied to the inner surface of the first sheet 210. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting material 238 has been applied in a substantially transverse direction across the second sheet 220 below each line of weakness 226. Similarly, the connecting material 240 has been applied in a substantially transverse direction across the first sheet 210 below each line of weakness 216.

The connection materials 238 and 240 are configured such that the connection materials 238 and 240 are connected to each other not only by being in contact with each other. The connecting materials 238 and 240 are also configured to connect to one another in response to activation of at least a portion of the connecting materials 238 and 240. In some embodiments, the connecting materials 238 and 240 are polymers (e.g., polyethylene) applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220. In these embodiments, the polymer coating in the joining materials 238 and 240 may be activated by a heat seal configured to bond portions of the polymers on the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 to each other by heating the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 sufficiently to soften or melt the polymers in the joining materials 238 and 240 and then fuse together. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 by coating or by lamination. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be activated by a cold pressing process by which a force is applied to the connecting materials 238 and 240, which causes the connecting materials 238 and 240 to connect to each other. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 238 and 240 form a two-component adhesive, wherein the connecting material 238 is a first component of the two-component adhesive and the connecting material 240 is a second component of the two-component adhesive. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be any other type of suitable connecting material that will not connect to each other by contact alone, but will connect to each other upon activation of at least a portion of the connecting materials 238 and 240.

In fig. 4B, the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are connected to each other by first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234 and a transverse adhesive strip 236. In this configuration, each pocket 202 in web 200 includes an enclosed region 248, and connecting materials 238 and 240 are applied over the enclosed region 248. In this arrangement, portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be activated to form activated portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 that close the object receiving opening. For example, after one of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 is broken to form an object-receiving opening, an object may be loaded into the compartment 204 through the object-receiving opening because the connecting materials 238 and 240 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into the compartment 204 through the object receiving opening, portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be activated in the enclosed region 248 to form activated portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 that close the object receiving opening. In this manner, web 200 may be used to bag objects in a manner similar to that described above with respect to webs 10 and 10' for bagging objects in fig. 2A-2D.

As can be seen in fig. 4A, the first sheet 210 includes uncovered areas 218 and the second sheet 220 includes uncovered areas 228. The uncovered areas 218 include portions of the first sheet 210 that are not covered by the connecting material 240. The uncovered areas 228 include portions of the second sheet 220 that are not covered by any of the first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234, the transverse adhesive strip 236, and the connecting material 238. When the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are connected to each other, as shown in fig. 4B, a portion of the surface of each compartment 204 is made up of uncovered areas 218 and 228. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of the compartment 204 that is comprised of the uncovered areas 218 and 228 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 in each pocket 202 having the connecting material 238 and 240 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, and about 10%. In some embodiments, the percentage of area of the inner surface of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 having any of the first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234, the transverse adhesive strip 236, and the connecting materials 238 and 240 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 may be completely covered by the first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234, the transverse adhesive strip 236, and/or the connecting materials 238 and 240 such that the first sheet 210 does not include the uncovered areas 218 and the second sheet 220 does not include the uncovered areas 228.

In embodiments in which the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are fiber-based materials, the likelihood that the bag 202 will be recyclable (e.g., roadside recyclable) in a convenient manner increases as the percentage of uncovered areas 218 and 228 of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 increases. Thus, in some instances, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of connecting material 238 and 240 applied to the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 while applying a sufficient amount of connecting material 238 and 240 to ensure that the pouch 202 will be properly closed when the connecting material 238 and 240 is activated.

Fig. 5A and 5B depict another embodiment of a web 270 before and after forming a series of connected bags 202, respectively. Web 270 is a variation of web 200 and includes many of the same or similar features. The web 270 includes a first sheet 210 and a second sheet 220, which in some embodiments are formed from a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are formed from a single piece of fiber-based material. The single sheet of fiber-based material has been folded along a longitudinal fold (fold) 250 between the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220. The first sheet 210 includes a second side 214 and the second sheet 220 includes a second side 224. In the depicted embodiment, the second sides 214 and 224 are longitudinal sides of a single sheet of fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 include frangible lines 216 and 226.

Fig. 5A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 of the web 270 before the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are joined together to form the bag 202. In the depicted embodiment, the inner surface of the second sheet 220 has a second longitudinal adhesive stripe 234 applied adjacent to the second side 224 and a transverse adhesive stripe 236 applied adjacent to each line of weakness 226. In the depicted embodiment, a transverse adhesive strip 236 is applied over each line of weakness 226. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the second longitudinal strips 234 and in the transverse strips 236 is configured to connect the second sheet 220 to the first sheet 210 upon contact between the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220. For example, the adhesive in the first and second longitudinal strips 232 and 234 and in the transverse strip 236 may comprise at least one of tape, double-sided tape, pressure sensitive adhesive, glue, liquid glue, spray glue, starch-based adhesive, or any other contact adhesive.

Fig. 5B depicts a web 270 of first sheet 210 and second sheet 220 joined together to form a series of bags 202. In the depicted embodiment, the first side 206 of the web 270 is formed by the longitudinal crease 250. Thus, the first side 206 of the web 270 does not have a longitudinal seam formed by the adhesive joining the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220. In the depicted embodiment, the second longitudinal adhesive strip 234 has joined the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 near the second sides 214 and 224 to form a second longitudinal seam 244 on the second side 208 of the web 270. The transverse adhesive stripes 236 have joined the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 adjacent each of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 to form transverse seams 246.

As can be seen in fig. 5B, each pouch 202 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along lines of weakness 216 and 226, right and left sides (e.g., first and second sides 206 and 208) along longitudinal crease 250 and second longitudinal seam 244, and a bottom along one of transverse seams 246. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 202 form a compartment 204 into which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, objects can be loaded into the bag 202 in a manner similar to the manner in which objects shown in fig. 2A-2D are loaded into the bag 100. For example, at least a portion of one of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 can be broken to form an object-receiving opening in one of the bags 202. Objects may be loaded into the compartment 204 of one of the bags 202 through the object receiving opening.

The connecting materials 238 and 240 on the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 of the web 270 are configured such that the connecting materials 238 and 240 are connected to each other not only by contacting each other. The connecting materials 238 and 240 are also configured to connect to one another in response to activation of at least a portion of the connecting materials 238 and 240. In the depicted configuration, each pocket 202 in web 270 includes an enclosed region 248, with the connecting materials 238 and 240 applied over the enclosed region 248. In this arrangement, portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be activated to form activated portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 that close the object receiving opening. For example, after one of the lines of weakness 216 and 226 is broken to form an object-receiving opening, an object may be loaded into the compartment 204 through the object-receiving opening because the connecting materials 238 and 240 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into the compartment 204 through the object receiving opening, portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 may be activated in the enclosed region 248 to form activated portions of the connecting materials 238 and 240 that close the object receiving opening. In this manner, web 270 may be used to bag objects in a manner similar to that described above with respect to webs 10 and 10' for bagging objects in fig. 2A-2D.

As can be seen in fig. 5A, the uncovered areas 218 include portions of the first sheet 210 that are not covered by the connecting material 240, and the uncovered areas 228 include portions of the second sheet 220 that are not covered by any of the second longitudinal adhesive strips 234, the transverse adhesive strips 236, and the connecting material 238. When the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are connected to each other, as shown in fig. 5B, a portion of the surface of each compartment 204 is made up of uncovered areas 218 and 228. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of the compartment 204 that is comprised of the uncovered areas 218 and 228 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 in each pocket 202 having the connecting material 238 and 240 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, and about 10%. In some embodiments, the percentage of area of the inner surface of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 having any of the first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234, the transverse adhesive strip 236, and the connecting materials 238 and 240 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 may be completely covered by the first and second longitudinal adhesive strips 232 and 234, the transverse adhesive strip 236, and/or the connecting materials 238 and 240 such that the first sheet 210 does not include the uncovered areas 218 and the second sheet 220 does not include the uncovered areas 228.

When comparing the web 200 shown in fig. 4A and 4B with the web 270 shown in fig. 5A and 5B, it is apparent that the webs described herein may be formed from a single sheet of material or from multiple sheets of material. In certain conditions, it may be advantageous for the web to be formed from a single sheet or multiple sheets. In one example, a single sheet web may require less adhesive to connect the two sheets, as one side may be a crease in the single sheet. In another example, the manufacture of a multi-sheet web may be less complex, as folding of the sheets is not involved. Many other factors may be considered in deciding whether to use a single sheet web or a multi-sheet web. Furthermore, while embodiments of webs are described herein as single-sheet or multi-sheet webs, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any of the single-sheet webs described herein may also be formed as multi-sheet webs, and that any of the multi-sheet webs described herein may also be formed as single-sheet webs.

Fig. 6A and 6B depict another embodiment of a web 280 before and after a series of connected bags 202 are formed, respectively. Web 280 is similar to web 270 except that web 280 also includes longitudinal folds 252, 254, 256, and 258. The longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 are configured to facilitate bending or folding of web 280. In some embodiments, each of the longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 comprises one or more of folds, bends, curls, slits, perforations, or other weakened portions that facilitate bending or folding of web 280. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal crease 252 is located in the first sheet 210 and is substantially parallel to and proximate to the second side 214 of the first sheet 210; the longitudinal crease 254 is located in the first sheet 210 and is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal crease 250 between the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220; the longitudinal crease 258 is located in the second sheet 220 and is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the longitudinal crease 250 between the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220; and the longitudinal crease 256 is located in the second sheet 220 and is substantially parallel to and adjacent to the second side 224 of the second sheet 220. As discussed below, the longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 may enable the web 280 to be easily adjusted from a lay-flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration. The longitudinal folds 252, 254, 256, and 258 may also enable the bag 202 to be considered a gusseted bag (gusseted bag).

The web 280 is depicted in fig. 6B as a lay-flat configuration after the first and second sheets 210, 220 have been joined together by the second longitudinal and transverse adhesive strips 234, 236. Fig. 6C depicts a cross-sectional view of the web 280 in the laid down configuration depicted in fig. 6B. In this lay-flat configuration, the longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 are substantially unfolded while the first and second sides 206 and 208 are folded outwardly such that the first and second sheets 210 and 220 are adjacent to each other and substantially parallel to each other. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal folds 252 and 256 form one set of two longitudinal folds on opposite sides of the first side 206 of the web 280, and the longitudinal folds 254 and 258 form another set of two longitudinal folds on opposite sides of the second side 208 of the web 280.

The web 280 is depicted in fig. 6D as another lay-flat configuration after the first and second sheets 210, 220 have been joined together by the second longitudinal and transverse adhesive strips 234, 236. Fig. 6E depicts a cross-sectional view of the web 280 in the laid down configuration depicted in fig. 6D. In this lay-flat configuration, the longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 are folded outwardly (sometimes referred to as "gable" folds), while the first and second sides 206 and 208 are folded inwardly (sometimes referred to as "valley" folds) such that the first and second sheets 210 and 220 are adjacent to one another. In particular, longitudinal creases 252 and 256 are adjacent to each other, and longitudinal creases 254 and 258 are adjacent to each other. While the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are not proximate to each other in the laid-flat configuration shown in fig. 6E as in the laid-flat configuration shown in fig. 6C, in the laid-flat configuration shown in fig. 6E, the first sheet 210 and the second sheet 220 are proximate to each other and substantially parallel to each other. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal folds 252 and 256 form one set of two longitudinal folds on opposite sides of the first side 206 of the web 280, and the longitudinal folds 254 and 258 form another set of two longitudinal folds on opposite sides of the second side 208 of the web 280.

In either of the lay-flat configurations shown in fig. 2B and 2D, the web 280 may form a supply (e.g., rolled on a core to form a roll of web 280, folded into a fanfold stack of web 280 in a container, etc.) that is convenient for use with an automated bagging machine. When web 280 is pulled out and bag 202 is opened alone into a three-dimensional configuration, longitudinal creases 252, 254, 256, and 258 can be easily folded to improve adjustment from a lay-flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration. In some embodiments, web 280 is in a lay-flat configuration prior to product being inserted into one of bags 202. Starting from the flat-laid configuration, the longitudinal folds 252 and 256 in the two longitudinal folds of one set and the longitudinal folds 254 and 258 in the two longitudinal folds of the other set in one of the bags 202 can be unfolded to enable product to be inserted into the one of the bags 202.

When comparing the web 280 shown in fig. 6A-6E with the web 200 shown in fig. 4A and 4B and the web 270 shown in fig. 5A and 5B, it is apparent that the webs described herein may be formed with or without longitudinal creases. In certain conditions, it may be advantageous for the web to be formed with or without longitudinal creases. In one example, a web without longitudinal crease may be desirable where no gusset or gusset is required or is not useful (e.g., when packaging thin articles). In another example, a web without longitudinal folds may be desirable where gussets would help fully open the bag and/or hold a wide object. Many other factors may be considered in deciding whether to include a longitudinal crease in the web. Furthermore, while embodiments of webs are described herein as including or not having longitudinal creases, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any web described herein as having no longitudinal creases may also be formed with longitudinal creases, and any web described herein as including longitudinal creases may also be formed without longitudinal creases.

Fig. 7A and 7B depict another embodiment of a web 300 of bags 302 before and after a series of connected bags 302 are formed, respectively. Web 300 is similar to web 270 except that web 300 includes a connecting material instead of longitudinal and transverse adhesive strips. The web 300 includes a first sheet 310 and a second sheet 320. The first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 are formed of a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 are formed from a single piece of fiber-based material having a longitudinal crease 350 between the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320. In other embodiments, web 300 may be formed from separate sheets of sheet material. The first sheet 310 includes a side portion 314 and the second sheet 320 includes a side portion 324. In the depicted embodiment, the side portions 314 and 324 are longitudinal sides of a single piece of sheet material.

In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 310 includes a line of weakness 316 and the second sheet 320 includes a line of weakness 326. In the depicted embodiment, lines of weakness 316 and 326 are located in first sheet 310 and second sheet 320, respectively, such that when first sheet 310 and second sheet 320 are joined together to form pouch 302, one of lines of weakness 316 and one of lines of weakness 326 are substantially aligned. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 316 and 326 include one or more of perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or any other lines of weakness that allow one of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 to be torn or otherwise broken. In other embodiments, only one of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 includes a frangible line.

Fig. 7A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 before the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 are joined together to form the bag 302. To facilitate joining the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 have joining material applied thereto. The connecting material 338 has been applied to the inner surface of the second sheet 320 and the connecting material 340 has been applied to the inner surface of the first sheet 310. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting material 338 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal strip 334 along the side portion 324 and in a substantially transverse strip 336 spanning the second sheet 320 above and below each line of weakness 326. Similarly, the connecting material 340 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal strip 335 along the side portion 314 and in a substantially transverse strip 337 across the first sheet 310 above and below each line of weakness 316.

The connection materials 338 and 340 are configured such that the connection materials 338 and 340 are connected to each other not only by contacting each other. The connecting materials 338 and 340 are also configured to connect to one another in response to activation of at least a portion of the connecting materials 338 and 340. In some embodiments, the connecting materials 338 and 340 comprise a polymeric coating or laminate. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 338 and 340 may be activated by a cold pressing process by which a force is applied to the connecting materials 338 and 340, which causes the connecting materials 338 and 340 to connect to each other. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 338 and 340 form a two-component adhesive, wherein the connecting material 338 is a first component of the two-component adhesive and the connecting material 340 is a second component of the two-component adhesive. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 338 and 340 may be any other type of suitable connecting material that will not connect to each other by contact alone, but will connect to each other upon activation of at least a portion of the connecting materials 338 and 340.

Fig. 7B depicts a web 300 of first and second sheets 310, 320 joined together to form a series of bags 302. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting materials 338 and 340 in the longitudinal strips 334 and 335 have been activated near the sides 314 and 324 to connect the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 along the longitudinal seam 344 on the second side 308 of the web 300. The first side 306 of the web 300 is closed by a longitudinal crease 350 between the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320. A portion of each of the connecting materials 338 and 340 in the transverse strips 336 and 337 has been activated over the lines of weakness 316 and 326 to connect the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 along the transverse seam 346 in the web 300.

As can be seen in fig. 7B, each pouch 302 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along the lines of weakness 316 and 326, a right side (e.g., first side 306) along the longitudinal crease 350, a left side (e.g., second side 308) along the longitudinal seam 344, and a bottom along one of the transverse seams 346. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 302 form a compartment 304 into which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, objects can be loaded into the bag 302 in a manner similar to the manner in which objects shown in fig. 3A-3D are loaded into the bag 100. For example, at least a portion of one of the lines of weakness 316 and 326 can be broken to form an object-receiving opening in one of the pouches 302. Objects may be loaded into the compartment 304 of one of the bags 302 through the object receiving opening.

In the depiction shown in fig. 7B, each pocket 302 in web 300 includes an enclosed region 348, and connecting materials 338 and 340 are applied over the enclosed region 348. In such an arrangement, portions of the connecting materials 338 and 340 may be activated to form activated portions of the connecting materials 338 and 340 that close the object receiving opening. For example, after one of the lines of weakness 316 and 326 is broken to form an object-receiving opening, an object may be loaded into the compartment 304 through the object-receiving opening because the connecting materials 338 and 340 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into the compartment 304 through the object receiving opening, portions of the connecting materials 338 and 340 may be activated in the enclosed region 348 to form activated portions of the connecting materials 338 and 340 that close the object receiving opening. In this manner, web 300 may be used to bag objects in a manner similar to that described above with respect to webs 10 and 10' for bagging objects in fig. 3A-3D.

As can be seen in fig. 7A, the first sheet 310 includes uncovered areas 318 and the second sheet 320 includes uncovered areas 328. The uncovered area 318 includes the portion of the first sheet 310 that is not covered by the connecting material 340. Uncovered area 328 includes the portion of second sheet 320 that is not covered by any connecting material 338. As shown in fig. 7B, when the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 are connected to each other by the activated portions of the connecting materials 338 and 340, portions of the surface of each compartment 304 are made up of uncovered areas 318 and 328. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of the compartment 304 that is comprised of the uncovered areas 318 and 328 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 in each pocket 302 having the connecting material 338 and 340 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 20%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 310 and the second sheet 320 may be completely covered by the connecting materials 338 and 340 such that the first sheet 310 does not include the uncovered areas 318 and the second sheet 320 does not include the uncovered areas 328.

In embodiments where the first and second sheets 310, 320 are fiber-based materials, the likelihood that the bag 302 will be recyclable (e.g., roadside recyclable) in a convenient manner increases as the percentage of uncovered areas 318, 328 of the first and second sheets 310, 320 increases. Thus, in some instances, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of connecting material 338 and 340 applied to the first and second sheets 310 and 320 while applying a sufficient amount of connecting material 338 and 340 to ensure that the bag 302 will be properly closed when the various portions of connecting material 338 and 340 are activated.

Fig. 8A and 8B depict an embodiment of a web 400 before and after a series of connected bags 402 are formed, respectively. Web 400 includes a first sheet 410 and a second sheet 420. The first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 are formed of a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 are formed from a single sheet of material that has been folded about the longitudinal folds 450a and 450 b. In fig. 8A, a first sheet 410 includes a first portion 410a and a second portion 410b separated by a second sheet 420. The longitudinal folds 450a are located between the first portions 410a of the first sheet 410 and the longitudinal folds 450b are located between the second portions 410b of the first sheet 410. The single piece of sheet material includes a first side 414 positioned along a side of the second portion 410b of the first sheet 410 and a second side 424 positioned along a side of the first portion 410a of the first sheet 410. In the depicted embodiment, the first side 414 and the second side 424 are longitudinal sides of a single piece of sheet material.

In the depicted embodiment, the first portion 410a and the second portion 410b of the first sheet 410 include frangible lines 416a and 416b, respectively. The second sheet 420 includes a frangible line 426. In the depicted embodiment, lines of weakness 416a and 416b and 426 are located in first sheet 410 and second sheet 420, respectively, such that when first sheet 410 and second sheet 420 are joined together to form pouch 402, one of lines of weakness 426 is substantially aligned with one of lines of weakness 416a and one of lines of weakness 416b. In some embodiments, lines of weakness 416a, 416b, and 426 include one or more of perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or any other lines of weakness that allow one of first sheet 410 and second sheet 420 to be torn or otherwise broken.

Fig. 8A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 before the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 are joined together to form the bag 402. To facilitate joining the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420, the inner surfaces of the first portion 410a and the second portion 410b of the first sheet 410 have adhesive applied thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the inner surface of the first portion 410a has a first longitudinal adhesive strip 434 applied proximate the side 424. The inner surface of the first portion 410a has a transverse adhesive strip 436a applied adjacent each line of weakness 426 a. The inner surface of the second portion 410b has a transverse adhesive stripe 436b applied adjacent each line of weakness 426 b. In the depicted embodiment, transverse adhesive strips 436a and 436b are applied over each of lines of weakness 416a and 416b, respectively. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the longitudinal strips 434 is configured to connect the first portion 410a to the second portion 410b upon contact between the first portion 410a and the second portion 410b to form the first sheet 410. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the transverse strips 436a and 436b is configured to connect the first sheet 410 to the second sheet 420 upon contact between the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420. For example, the adhesive in the longitudinal strips 434 and the transverse strips 436a and 436b may include at least one of adhesive tape, double-sided adhesive tape, pressure sensitive adhesive, glue, liquid glue, spray glue, starch-based adhesive, or any other contact adhesive.

Fig. 8B depicts a web 400 of first and second sheets 410, 420 joined together to form a series of bags 402. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal creases 450a and 450b are folded such that the longitudinal creases 450a and 450b form the first and second sides 406 and 408 of the web 400. In the depicted embodiment, longitudinal adhesive strips 434 have joined first portion 410a and second portion 410b near sides 414 and 424 to form longitudinal seams 444 between first side 406 and second side 408 of web 400. Transverse adhesive strips 436a and 436b have joined first sheet 410 and second sheet 420 adjacent each of lines of weakness 416 and 426 to form transverse seams 446. In the embodiment shown in fig. 8B, the longitudinal seam 444 is positioned away from the first side 206 and the second side 208.

As can be seen in fig. 8B, each pocket 402 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along frangible lines 416a, 416B, and 426, a right and left side along first and second sides 406 and 408 at longitudinal folds 450a and 450B, and a bottom along one of transverse seams 446. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 402 form a compartment 404 into which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, objects can be loaded into the bag 402 in a manner similar to the manner in which objects are loaded into the bag 100 shown in fig. 4A-4D. For example, at least a portion of one of the lines of weakness 416 and 426 can be broken to form an object-receiving opening in one of the pouches 402. Objects may be loaded into the compartment 404 of one of the bags 402 through the object receiving opening.

Referring back to fig. 8A, the connecting material 438 has been applied to the inner surface of the second sheet 420, the connecting material 440a has been applied to the inner surface of the first portion 410a of the first sheet 410, and the connecting material 440b has been applied to the inner surface of the second portion 410b of the first sheet 410. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting material 438 has been applied in a substantially transverse direction across the second sheet 420 below each line of weakness 426. Similarly, the connecting material 440a has been applied in a substantially transverse direction across the first portion 410a of the first sheet 410 below each line of weakness 416a, and the connecting material 440b has been applied in a substantially transverse direction across the second portion 410b of the first sheet 410 below each line of weakness 416 b.

The connection materials 438, 440a, and 440b are configured such that the connection material 438 is connected with the connection materials 440a and 440b (collectively, connection materials 440) not only by being in contact with each other. The connection materials 438 and 440 are also configured to connect to one another in response to activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 438 and 440. In some embodiments, the connection materials 438 and 440 include a polymer coating or laminate. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer. In other embodiments, the connection materials 438 and 440 may be activated by a cold pressing process by which a force is applied to the connection materials 438 and 440, which causes the connection materials 438 and 440 to be connected to each other. In other embodiments, the connecting materials 438 and 440 form a two-component adhesive, wherein the connecting material 438 is a first component of the two-component adhesive and the connecting material 440 is a second component of the two-component adhesive. In other embodiments, the connection materials 438 and 440 may be any other type of suitable connection material that will not be connected to each other by contact alone, but will be connected to each other upon activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 438 and 440.

In fig. 8B, the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 are connected to each other by longitudinal adhesive strips 434 and transverse adhesive strips 436a and 436B. In this configuration, each pocket 402 in web 400 includes an enclosed region 448, and the connecting materials 438 and 440 are applied over the enclosed region 448. In such an arrangement, portions of the connecting materials 438 and 440 may be activated to form activated portions of the connecting materials 438 and 440 that close the object-receiving opening. For example, after one of the lines of weakness 416 and 426 is broken to form an object-receiving opening, an object may be loaded into the compartment 404 through the object-receiving opening because the connecting materials 438 and 440 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into compartment 404 through the object-receiving opening, portions of connecting materials 438 and 440 may be activated in enclosed region 448 to form activated portions of connecting materials 438 and 440 that enclose the object-receiving opening. In this manner, web 400 may be used to bag objects in a manner similar to that described above with respect to webs 10 and 10' for bagging objects in fig. 4A-4D.

As can be seen in fig. 8A, the first portion 410a includes an uncovered area 418A of the first sheet 410, the second portion 410b includes an uncovered area 418b of the first sheet 410, and the second sheet 420 includes an uncovered area 428. The uncovered areas 418a and 418b (collectively, uncovered areas 418) include portions of the first sheet 410 that are not covered by the longitudinal adhesive stripes 434, the transverse adhesive stripes 436a and 436b, and the connecting material 440. The uncovered area 428 includes the portion of the second sheet 420 that is not covered by the connecting material 438. When the first portion 410a and the second portion 410B are joined to form the first sheet 410, as shown in fig. 8B, portions of the surface of each compartment 404 are made up of uncovered areas 418a, 418B, and 428. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of the compartment 404 that is comprised of uncovered areas 418a, 418b, and 428 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 in each pocket 402 having the connecting material 438 and 440 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 40%, and about 10%. In some embodiments, the percentage of area of the inner surfaces of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 having any of the longitudinal adhesive stripes 434, the transverse adhesive stripes 436a and 436b, and the connecting materials 438 and 440 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 40%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 may be completely covered by the longitudinal adhesive stripes 434, the transverse adhesive stripes 436a and 436b, and/or the connecting materials 438 and 440 such that the first sheet 410 does not include the uncovered areas 418 and the second sheet 420 does not include the uncovered areas 428.

In embodiments where the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 are fiber-based materials, the likelihood that the bag 402 will be recyclable (e.g., roadside recyclable) in a convenient manner increases as the percentage of uncovered areas 418a, 418b, and 428 of the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 increases. Thus, in some instances, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of connecting material 438 and 440 applied to the first sheet 410 and the second sheet 420 while applying a sufficient amount of connecting material 438 and 440 to ensure that the bag 402 will be properly closed when the connecting material 438 and 440 is activated.

In the above-described embodiments, the web of bags has product receiving openings extending transversely across the web. In other embodiments, the web of bags may be formed with product receiving openings extending longitudinally along the web. Examples of machines that may be used to open, fill, and close webs of bags having longitudinal product receiving openings are described in U.S. patent nos. 7,258,656, 7,552,571, 8,887,978, and 9,617,102, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Embodiments of such webs having longitudinal product receiving openings are described herein with respect to fig. 9A-10B.

Fig. 9A and 9B depict an embodiment of a web 500 before and after a series of connected bags 502 are formed, respectively. The web 500 includes a first sheet 510 and a second sheet 520. The first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are formed of a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are formed from separate sheets of fiber-based material. The first sheet 510 includes a first side 512 and a second side 514. The second sheet 520 includes a first side 522 and a second side 524. In the depicted embodiment, the first side 512 and the second side 514 are longitudinal sides of the first sheet 510, and the first side 522 and the second side 524 are longitudinal sides of the second sheet 520. It will be apparent that in other embodiments, the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 may be formed from a single sheet of material.

In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 510 includes a line of weakness 516 and the second sheet 520 includes a line of weakness 526. In the depicted embodiment, lines of weakness 516 and 526 are located in first and second sheets 510 and 520, respectively, such that when first and second sheets 510 and 520 are joined together to form pouch 502, one of lines of weakness 516 and one of lines of weakness 526 are substantially aligned. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 516 and 526 include one or more of perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or any other lines of weakness that allow one of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 to be torn or otherwise broken. In other embodiments, only one of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 includes a frangible line.

Fig. 9A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 before the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are joined together to form the bag 502. To assist in joining the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520, the inner surface of the second sheet 520 has an adhesive applied thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the inner surface of the second sheet 520 has longitudinal adhesive strips 532 applied proximate the first side 522. The inner surface of the second sheet 520 also has a transverse adhesive stripe 536 applied adjacent each line of weakness 526. In the depicted embodiment, a transverse adhesive strip 536 is applied both above and below each line of weakness 526. In some embodiments, the adhesive in the longitudinal strips 532 and in the transverse strips 536 is configured to connect the second sheet 520 to the first sheet 510 upon contact between the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520. For example, the adhesive in the longitudinal strips 532 and the transverse strips 536 may include at least one of tape, double-sided tape, pressure sensitive adhesive, glue, liquid glue, spray glue, starch-based adhesive, or any other contact adhesive.

Fig. 9B depicts a web 500 of first and second sheets 510, 520 joined together to form a series of bags 502. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal adhesive strips 532 have joined the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 adjacent the first sides 512 and 522 to form a first longitudinal seam 542 on the first side 506 of the web 500. The transverse adhesive strip 536 has joined the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 adjacent each of the lines of weakness 516 and 526 to form a transverse seam 546, the lines of weakness 516 and 526 passing through the transverse seam 546. The web 500 has a second side 508 opposite the first side 506 that remains open.

As can be seen in fig. 9B, each pocket 502 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along the second side 508, right and left sides formed by two consecutive transverse seams 546, and a bottom formed by a longitudinal seam 542 along the first side 506. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 502 form a compartment 504 in which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, each bag 502 may be opened and objects may be loaded in the bag 502. For example, the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 may be pulled apart from each other along the second side 508 to form a product receiving opening, and objects may be loaded into the compartments 504 of one of the pouches 502 through the object receiving opening. After the article has been loaded into compartment 504, first sheet 510 and second sheet 520 may be released to allow the product receiving opening to be closed.

Referring back to fig. 9A, the connecting material 538 has been applied to the inner surface of the second sheet 520, and the connecting material 540 has been applied to the inner surface of the first sheet 510. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting material 538 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal direction along the second sheet 520 proximate the second side 524. Similarly, the connective material 540 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal direction across the first sheet 510 proximate the second side 514.

The connection materials 538 and 540 are configured such that the connection materials 538 and 540 are not only connected to each other by contacting each other. The connection materials 538 and 540 are also configured to connect with each other in response to activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 538 and 540. In some embodiments, the connection materials 538 and 540 include a polymer coating or laminate. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer. In other embodiments, the connection materials 538 and 540 may be activated by a cold pressing process by which a force is applied to the connection materials 538 and 540, which causes the connection materials 538 and 540 to connect to each other. In other embodiments, the connection materials 538 and 540 form a two-component adhesive, where the connection material 538 is a first component of the two-component adhesive and the connection material 540 is a second component of the two-component adhesive. In other embodiments, the connection materials 538 and 540 may be any other type of suitable connection material that will not be connected to each other by contact alone, but will be connected to each other upon activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 538 and 540.

In fig. 9B, the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are connected to each other by longitudinal adhesive strips 532 and transverse adhesive strips 536. In this configuration, each pocket 502 in web 500 includes a closed region 548 with connecting material 538 and 540 applied over the closed region 548. In such an arrangement, portions of the connection materials 538 and 540 may be activated to form activated portions of the connection materials 538 and 540 that close the object receiving opening. For example, before the connection materials 538 and 540 are activated, the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 may be separated to open a product receiving opening, and objects may be loaded into the compartment 504 through the product receiving opening, because the connection materials 538 and 540 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into compartment 504 through the object receiving opening, portions of joining materials 538 and 540 may be activated in enclosed region 548 to form activated portions of joining materials 538 and 540 that enclose the object receiving opening.

As can be seen in fig. 9A, the first sheet 510 includes uncovered areas 518 and the second sheet 520 includes uncovered areas 528. The uncovered areas 518 include portions of the first sheet 510 that are not covered by the attachment material 540. The uncovered area 528 includes portions of the second sheet 520 that are not covered by any of the longitudinal adhesive strips 532, the transverse adhesive strips 536, and the connecting material 538. When the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are connected to each other, as shown in fig. 9B, a portion of the surface of each compartment 504 is made up of uncovered areas 518 and 528. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of the compartment 504 that is comprised of uncovered areas 518 and 528 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 in each pocket 502 having the connecting material 538 and 540 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 50%, and about 10%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 having any of the longitudinal adhesive stripes 532, the transverse adhesive stripes 536, and the connecting materials 538 and 540 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 50%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 may be completely covered by the longitudinal adhesive stripes 532, the transverse adhesive stripes 536, and/or the connecting materials 538 and 540 such that the first sheet 510 does not include the uncovered areas 518 and the second sheet 520 does not include the uncovered areas 528.

In embodiments where the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 are fiber-based materials, the likelihood that the bag 502 is recyclable (e.g., roadside recyclable) in a convenient manner increases as the percentage of uncovered areas 518 and 528 of the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 increases. Thus, in some instances, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of the connecting material 538 and 540 applied to the first sheet 510 and the second sheet 520 while applying a sufficient amount of the connecting material 538 and 540 to ensure that the bag 502 will be properly closed when the connecting material 538 and 540 is activated.

Fig. 10A and 10B depict another embodiment of a web 600 of bags 602 before and after a series of connected bags 602 are formed, respectively. Web 600 is similar to web 500 except that web 600 includes a connecting material instead of longitudinal and transverse adhesive strips. Web 600 includes a first sheet 610 and a second sheet 620. The first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 are formed of a fiber-based material. In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 are formed from a single piece of fiber-based material having a longitudinal crease 650 between the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620. In other embodiments, web 600 may be formed from separate sheet material pieces. The first sheet 610 includes a side 614 and the second sheet 620 includes a side 624. In the depicted embodiment, the side portions 614 and 624 are longitudinal sides of a single piece of sheet material.

In the depicted embodiment, the first sheet 610 includes a line of weakness 616 and the second sheet 620 includes a line of weakness 626. In the depicted embodiment, lines of weakness 616 and 626 are located in first sheet 610 and second sheet 620, respectively, such that when first sheet 610 and second sheet 620 are joined together to form pouch 602, one of lines of weakness 616 and one of lines of weakness 626 are substantially aligned. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 616 and 626 include one or more of perforations, slits, thinner portions of material, or any other lines of weakness that allow one of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 to be torn or otherwise broken. In other embodiments, only one of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 includes a line of weakness.

Fig. 10A depicts the inner surfaces of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 before the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 are joined together to form the pouch 602. To facilitate joining the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 have joining material applied thereto. The connecting material 638 has been applied to the inner surface of the second sheet 620 and the connecting material 640 has been applied to the inner surface of the first sheet 610. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting material 638 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal strip 632 along the side 624 and in a substantially transverse strip 636 spanning across the second sheet 620 above and below each line of weakness 626. Similarly, the connecting material 640 has been applied in a substantially longitudinal strip 634 along the side 614 and in a substantially transverse strip 637 across the first sheet 610 above and below each line of weakness 616.

The connection materials 638 and 640 are configured such that the connection materials 638 and 640 are connected to each other not only by contacting each other. The connection materials 638 and 640 are also configured to connect to one another in response to activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 638 and 640. In some embodiments, the connection materials 638 and 640 include a polymer coating or laminate. In some cases, the polymer may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer. In other embodiments, the connection materials 638 and 640 may be activated by a cold pressing process by which a force is applied to the connection materials 638 and 640, which causes the connection materials 638 and 640 to connect to each other. In other embodiments, the connection materials 638 and 640 form a two-component adhesive, wherein the connection material 638 is a first component of the two-component adhesive and the connection material 640 is a second component of the two-component adhesive. In other embodiments, the connection materials 638 and 640 may be any other type of suitable connection material that will not be connected to each other by mere contact, but will be connected to each other upon activation of at least a portion of the connection materials 638 and 640.

Fig. 10B depicts a web 600 of first and second sheets 610, 620 joined together to form a series of bags 602. In the depicted embodiment, the connecting materials 638 and 640 in the transverse strips 636 and 637 have been activated near the lines of weakness 616 and 626 to connect the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 along the transverse seam 646. The first side 606 of the web 600 is closed by a longitudinal crease 650 between the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620. The second side 608 of the web is open to allow objects to be inserted into the pocket 602.

As can be seen in fig. 10B, each pocket 602 in the depicted embodiment includes a top along the second side 608, right and left sides formed by two consecutive transverse seams 646, and a bottom formed by a longitudinal crease 650 along the first side 606. The top, bottom, and left and right sides of each pocket 602 form a compartment 604 in which objects may be loaded. In some embodiments, each pocket 602 may be opened and objects may be loaded in the pocket 602. For example, the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 may be pulled apart from each other along the second side 608 to form a product receiving opening, and objects may be loaded into the compartments 604 of one of the pouches 602 through the object receiving opening. After the article has been loaded into compartment 604, first sheet 610 and second sheet 620 may be released to allow the product receiving opening to be closed.

In the depiction shown in fig. 10B, each pocket 602 in web 600 includes a closed region 648 with connecting material 638 and 640 applied over the closed region 648. In such an arrangement, portions of the connecting materials 638 and 640 may be activated to form activated portions of the connecting materials 638 and 640 that close the object-receiving opening. For example, before the connecting materials 638 and 640 are activated, the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 may be separated to open the product receiving opening, and objects may be loaded into the compartment 604 through the product receiving opening, because the connecting materials 638 and 640 are not connected to each other by contact only. After an object is inserted into compartment 604 through the object-receiving opening, portions of connecting materials 638 and 640 may be activated in enclosed region 648 to form activated portions of connecting materials 638 and 640 that enclose the object-receiving opening.

As can be seen in fig. 10A, the first sheet 610 includes uncovered areas 618 and the second sheet 620 includes uncovered areas 628. Uncovered region 618 includes the portion of first sheet 610 that is not covered by connecting material 640. The uncovered areas 628 include portions of the second sheet 620 that are not covered by any of the connecting material 638. As shown in fig. 10B, when the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 are connected to each other by the activated portions of the connecting materials 638 and 640, portions of the surface of each compartment 604 are made up of uncovered areas 618 and 628. In some embodiments, the percentage of the surface of compartment 604 that is comprised of uncovered areas 618 and 628 is greater than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, and about 90%. In some embodiments, the percentage of the area of the inner surface of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 in each pocket 602 having the connecting material 638 and 640 applied thereto is less than or equal to one or more of about 50%, about 40%, about 60%, and about 10%. In other embodiments, the inner surfaces of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 may be completely covered by the connecting materials 638 and 640 such that the first sheet 610 does not include the uncovered regions 618 and the second sheet 620 does not include the uncovered regions 628.

In embodiments where the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 are fiber-based materials, the likelihood that the pouch 602 is recyclable (e.g., roadside recyclable) in a convenient manner increases as the percentage of uncovered areas 618 and 628 of the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 increases. Thus, in some instances, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of connecting material 638 and 640 applied to the first sheet 610 and the second sheet 620 while applying a sufficient amount of connecting material 638 and 640 to ensure that the bag 602 will be properly closed when the various portions of connecting material 638 and 640 are activated.

For purposes of this disclosure, terms such as "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "inward," "outward," "inner," "outer," "front," "rear," and the like are to be construed as descriptive, and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless otherwise limited, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted" and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and the like are used to mean within 5% of the target value.

The principles, representative embodiments and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure that are intended to be protected should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes can be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and equivalents are expressly intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.

Claims

1. A web of preformed bags comprising:

a sheet material comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are formed of a fibrous-based material, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged to form a series of pockets, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are joined together to form sides of each of the pockets, wherein each of the pockets is defined by the sides and openings to which the first sheet and the second sheet are joined together; and

a connecting material applied to an inner surface of the first sheet and an inner surface of the second sheet, wherein activation of a portion of the connecting material where the first sheet and the second sheet contact each other causes the first sheet and the second sheet to be connected by the activated portion of the connecting material;

Wherein the connecting material is applied to a closed area on the inner surface of the first and second sheets of at least one pocket such that after product is inserted through the opening of the at least one pocket, the connecting material in the closed area can be activated to form a first activated portion of the connecting material closing the opening.

2. The web of claim 1, wherein the opening of the at least one pocket and a bottom of the at least one pocket extend transversely across the first sheet and the second sheet.

3. The web of claim 2, wherein the bottom of the at least one pocket is formed by a second activated portion of the connecting material.

4. The web of claim 2, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from a single sheet of the sheet material, and wherein a first longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines a boundary between the first sheet and the second sheet.

5. The web of claim 4, wherein the first longitudinal crease forms a first lateral side of the at least one pouch, wherein the first lateral side extends between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

6. The web of claim 5, wherein longitudinal edges of the single sheet are joined together by a third activated portion of the joining material to form a second lateral side of the at least one pouch, wherein the second lateral side extends between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

7. The web of claim 5, wherein a second longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines another boundary between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the second longitudinal crease forms a second lateral side of the at least one pouch, wherein the second lateral side extends between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening of the at least one pouch.

8. The web of claim 7, wherein longitudinal edges of the single sheet are joined together by a third activated portion of the joining material to form a longitudinal seam, wherein the first sheet is defined by the first longitudinal crease and the second longitudinal crease and includes the longitudinal seam, and wherein the second sheet is defined by the first longitudinal crease and the second longitudinal crease.

9. The web of claim 2, wherein the first and second sheets are formed from separate sheets of the sheet material joined together along third and fourth activated portions of the joining material.

10. The web of claim 9, wherein the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material form first and second lateral sides of the at least one pocket, respectively, and wherein each of the first and second sheets is defined by the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material.

11. The web of claim 9, wherein the third and fourth activated portions of the connecting material form a longitudinal seam in the web, wherein each of the separate sheets of the sheet material comprises a longitudinal crease, and wherein each of the first and second sheets is defined by a longitudinal crease in the separate sheets of the sheet material and comprises one of the longitudinal seams in the web.

12. The web of claim 1, wherein the opening of the at least one pocket extends along a first longitudinal side of the web, and wherein a bottom of the at least one pocket extends along a second longitudinal side of the web.

13. The web of claim 12, wherein a first lateral side of the pouch extending between the bottom of the at least one pouch and the opening is formed by a second activated portion of the connecting material.

14. The web of claim 12, wherein the at least one pocket includes a third activated portion of the connecting material to form a second lateral side of the at least one pocket extending between the bottom of the at least one pocket and the opening.

15. The web of claim 14, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from a single sheet of the sheet material, wherein a longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines a boundary between the first sheet and the second sheet, and wherein the longitudinal crease in the single sheet defines the bottom of the at least one pouch.

16. The web of claim 14, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are formed from separate sheets of the sheet material joined together along a fourth activated portion of the connecting material, and wherein the fourth activated portion of the connecting material defines the bottom of the at least one pocket.

17. The web of claim 1, wherein the connecting material is applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in a pattern, wherein the pattern comprises at least one longitudinal strip of the connecting material along each of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

18. The web of claim 17, wherein the pattern further comprises at least one transverse longitudinal strip of the connecting material along each of the inner surfaces of the first sheet and the second sheet of each of the bags in the series of bags.

19. The web of claim 18, wherein one of the at least one transverse longitudinal strip of each of the bags in the series of bags comprises:

a second activated portion of the connecting material of a first pouch, the second activated portion forming a bottom of the first pouch; and

the closed region on the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets of a second pouch.

20. The web of claim 19, further comprising a line of weakness in the web between the first and second bags.

21. The web of claim 20, wherein the line of weakness is in the second sheet, wherein the opening of the second bag is formed in the first sheet, and wherein the line of weakness and the opening of the second bag are substantially aligned.

22. The web of claim 1, wherein the joining material comprises a polymer.

23. The web of claim 22, wherein the connecting material is activatable by a heat seal configured to bond portions of the polymer on the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

24. The web of claim 22, wherein the connecting material is applied as an aqueous solution comprising the polymer.

25. The web of claim 22, wherein the polymer is laminated to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets.

26. The web of claim 1, wherein the joining material is activatable by a cold press process.

27. The web of claim 1, wherein the connecting material is a two-component adhesive, wherein a first component of the two-component adhesive is applied to the first sheet, and wherein a second component of the two-component adhesive is applied to the second sheet.

28. The web of claim 1, wherein the web further comprises:

a first set of two longitudinal creases on opposite sides of a first longitudinal side of the web; and

a second set of two longitudinal creases on the opposite side of the second longitudinal side of the web.

29. The web of claim 28, wherein the portion of the web comprising the at least one pocket is in a laid-down configuration prior to product being inserted into the at least one pocket, wherein in the laid-down configuration, a longitudinal crease of the first set of two longitudinal creases and the second set of two longitudinal creases is unfolded.

30. The web of claim 29, wherein the at least one bag is adjustable from the lay-flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration in which a longitudinal crease of the first set of two longitudinal creases and the second set of two longitudinal creases is folded such that a lateral side of the at least one bag is gusseted.

31. The web of claim 1, wherein the connecting material is applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket such that the percentage of area of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket to which the connecting material is applied is less than or equal to about 50%.

32. The web of claim 31, wherein the percentage of area of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in the at least one pocket to which the connecting material is applied is one of less than or equal to about 40%, about 30%, or about 20%.