FLEXIBLE BAG WITH SELECTIVELY-ACTIVATIBLE SUPPORT-ENGAGEMENT FEATURE

摘要

The present invention provides a flexible bag (10) comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, an opening having a peripheral edge (28), and a support-engagement feature (30) located on the exterior surface at least partially surrounding the peripheral edge. The support-engagement feature comprises a strip of material having a first side facing outwardly from the exterior surface and a second side facing inwardly toward the interior surface. The first side exhibits an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. The support-engagement feature preferably at least partially, and more preferably fully, circumferentially surrounds the peripheral edge. The selectively-activatible support-engagement feature also preferably functions as a closure means (40) to secure the opening of the flexible bag in a substantially closed condition when the bag material is gathered about the opening, thus providing for ease of sealability without the need for additional closure features or separate elements. Additional closure means may be provided utilizing the selectively-activatible materials suitable for use as a support-engagement feature located on the inner surface of the peripheral edge of the bag. The support-engagement features of the present invention provide a flexible bag which is capable of reliably engaging a supporting device so it may be supported in an open condition for filling purposes. Such a feature also reduces the likelihood of trapped air and/or free space occurring when the bag is utilized with a rigid or semi-rigid durable container.