Drawstring Trash Bag with Thick Hem Region

The present invention relates to a drawstring bag with an enhanced thickness region that improves its strength and durability. The enhanced thickness region is formed by a first panel that is folded upon itself and secured with a first hem seal. The first panel has a first enhanced thickness region that extends from the first side edge to the second side edge and beyond the first hem seal. The first enhanced thickness region is greater in average thickness than the rest of the first panel. The first enhanced thickness region can be located at the bottom of the bag and is useful for providing support and protection. The drawstring bag also has a second enhanced thickness region that is formed by the second panel, which is folded upon itself and secured with a second hem seal. The second panel has a second enhanced thickness region that is greater in average thickness than the rest of the second panel. The ratio of the average thickness of the enhanced thickness region to the average thickness of the panel is between 1.1:1 and 4:1.

With the advent of stronger drawstrings as described above, consumers are prone to heavily load drawstring trash bags.

The increased weight of the contents placed in the bags puts additional strain on the drawstring trash bag when a consumer pulls the drawstring trash bag out of a receptacle or uses the drawstrings to carry the loaded drawstring trash bag.

While the stronger drawstrings developed over the years are increasingly suitable for handling such increased loads, the resultant strain can make the hem area—both the top of the hems and the hem seals—vulnerable to failure during use.

The combination of the strain from the drawstrings and the localized force from the downward pressure of the bag contents can lead to tears or even total failure of the bag in the hem areas.

As a result, the top of the hem encompassing the drawstring can often break and / or the linear hem seals at the bottom of the hems may rip apart.