Packaging Bags

Packaging bags or pouches are a type of primary packaging generally used for holding frozen food, fresh produce, snack foods, hardware, gardening products, etc. There are various type of packaging bags available with different shape, sizes ans styles. Design of these bags depend on the requirement of the products to be packaged. It may have gussets to allow higher volume of contents. There are some designs that make it suitable for the packaged products to stand up on a shelf or a refrigerator. Features like easy-opening or reclosable options are also available with packaging bags. To make it more user friendly, handles can be added or cut into these bags.

Packaging bags are produced by cutting a larger material sheet into individual portions and folding each of these individual pieces to form a main body having a front wall, a back wall, side walls which stand up from a flat bottom. A lid for closing the upper opening is uniformly sloped upward from the front wall to the back wall. A ridge is formed, extending upward from the back wall, for sealing the bag closed. A trapezoidally folded flap extends upward from the back wall and is folded forward over the seal ridge. A pair of fastening tapes is used to keep the flap detachably attached to the seal ridge such that the bag, after it is once opened, can be closed again. Instead of the fastening tapes, an elongated member serving like a belt loop may be used to keep the flap retractably inserted under it to keep the flap closed.

Bubble film & Bags
Bubble wrap is a flexible plastic sheeting containing numerous small air pockets, used in cushioning items during shipment. Standard average bubble diameter is 6.0 - 25.4 mm and height about 4 mm. Bubble wrap is lightweight, water resistant, reusable non-scratching. And, Commonly used for packing fragile items. Also called 'bubble pack'.

Bubble wrap which protects items during shipping and for storage are generally available in different types and sizes. This depends on the size of the object being packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection needed.

• Bubble bags: Quick & Easy to use, Ideal for faster wrapping
  
  
• 'Plain Bubble Bags' to protect general purpose items & 'Antistatic Bubble Bags' - to protect sensitive electronic parts and components from static damage
  
  
• Lightweight/Standard bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning lightweight products, interleaving and surface protection
  
  
• Medium duty bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning of medium weight products, interleaving
  
  
• Heavy-duty bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning heavier items such as shipping motors, compressors, valves etc.
  
  
• Bubble mailers or Bubble envelopes: Used to protect CD's, DVD's, videocassettes, jewelry, antiques, valuables in shipping

Carrier Bags
Carrier bag is a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases. It is also known as 'shopping bag' and 'retail bag'. Carrier bags are mainly made from paper or plastic. Nowadays, most plastic carrier bags are made of polyethylene (low-density or more "crinkly" high-density). Plastic bags hold up better than paper bags when wet, such as in rain. Plastic bags are commonly reused as either garbage bags, or can be recycled along with other plastic containers.

Types of Carrier Bags

• Punched or patched handle carriers: The handle punched into the top of the bag making these bags better suited to lightweight goods. For extra strength a patch of polythene is added to reinforce it
  
  
• Varigauge carriers: Similar to patch handle carriers but made from thicker film near top handle and thinner at bottom.
  
  
• Clip close carriers: Made using low and high density polythene with fitted executive style rigid clip close handle.
  
  

• Flexiloop handle carrier: Stronger than a punched handle but still a cost-effective option, the handle is attached separately
  
  
• Twisted string or rope handle: Separate string or rope handle gives this carrier a slightly more up market look and raises the price too. Can be made from paper or plastic
  
  
• Duffle bag: A more modern shape bag with a big capacity, popular for making a younger, more stylish impression. A strong promotional tool made from heavier polythene with a welded turnover top and twisted rope that draws the carrier closed.
  
  
• Counter bag : Used for 'first contact' with food for sandwich shops, butchers, delicatessens etc., made in paper or polythene
  
  
• Vest style or t-shirt carriers: A side gussetted carrier bag made from strong high density polythene which resists punctures and tears. Ideal and economical choice to hold books, groceries and T-shirts.

Clear Polythene Bags
Popular Clear Polythene bags are often made from Low density polythene. Clear Polythene bags has a open top and also referred as 'Clear Polybags'. Clear Polythene bag is designed to handle a wide variety of packaging needs. The bags can also be heat sealed or secured with bag ties to provide security and/or retain freshness. Dimensions usually represent the interior usable portion of the bag.

Clear Polythene bags are used for every needs. Commonly for storing parts and protecting objects from dust and moisture. Other uses include to store small parts, kitting supplies, food, photographic paper, metal fasteners, hardware, auto parts and medical devices.

Degradable & Biodegradable bags
Conventional plastics do not break down. Litter and landfill waste take years, even decades, to degrade. Litter is visual pollution, an eyesore that regulations and educational programs have failed to eliminate. In landfills, not only do ordinary plastics degrade very slowly but also anything contained within them may not reach their full degradation potential. This results in a needless waste of valuable landfill space.

Therefore, Degradable/Biodegradable bags are developed to make your daily tasks of waste reduction easier, safer and better for the environment.

Common materials used for Biodegradable/degradable film:

• Low density polythene blended with degradable additive
• Medium density polythene blended with degradable additive
• High density polythene blended with degradable additive
• Recycled polythene blended with degradable additive
• Starch based plastics

High Tensile Bags
High Tensile bags/film have improved strength properties compared to standard polybags/polythene film at a given thickness therefore saves material and cost. High tensile bags/film are also known as 'HT' or 'high strength' bags/film. This bags are highly popular in meat/food packaging industry. HT bags are ideal where extra bag strength or thickness reduction is required.

Common materials used for 'High Tensile'(HT) bags:

• Low density polythene (LDPE)
• Linear low density polythene (LLDPE)
• Medium density polythene (MDPE)
• Recycled polythene

Plastic bags
Plastic bags also called "poly bags" are shaped like two identically-sized rectangular plastic sheets (usually less than 250 micron thickness) fused together on three of the sides, with one side left for the opening. Most Plastic bags are made from polyethylene - more commonly known as polythene, which is made from crude oil and natural gas, non-renewable resources. The most common way to produce polythene bags is by blown film extrusion, also called the "tubular film process."

Special options available in plastic bags or polythene film:

• Clear or Coloured Polythene bag/film: Standard plastic bag either clear or coloured (tint, opaque)
  
  
• Plain or Printed Polythene bag/film: Standard plastic bag either plain or printed (1, 2 or multicoloured)
  
  
• Flat Polybags: Standard plastic bag often called by flat polybags
  
  
• Gusseted Poly bags: Plastic bags with fitted bottom and expandable sides (gusset) form to the shape of your product.
  
  
• Zipper/Zip lock bags : Bags with simple slide zipper which back and forth to open and close the bag.
  
  
• Seal seal/Reclosable bags: Grip seal bags have a simple plastic ridge that clicks shut and pulls open for continual re-use.
  
  
• Shrink film or bags: Bag/film which shrinks fit with the contents.
  
  
• Stretch film or bags: Stretch film also called a stretch wrap. Stretch film can stretch up to 100%.
  
  
• Drawstring bags: A bag that is closed at the top with a drawstring.
  
  
• Merchandise bags: A bag usually coloured and printed with logo, design or slogan which can be used for presentation.
  
  
• Single wound sheeting: Lay flat polythene tubing slit on both sides, creating 2 sheets on top of each other and wound separately called SWS(single wound sheeting)
  
  
• Centrefold sheeting: Lay flat tubing slit on one side before winding so that a long sheet is formed, that opens out to twice the film width
  
  
• Lay flat tubing: Polythene bubble collapsed and wound up forming a tube. Can be Gusseted at sides (so the bubble opens out to a larger width). Ideal for packaging long 'difficult to wrap' items. Insert into tubing and cut to required length then heat seal both ends to create made-to-measure bags.
  
  
• Double wound sheeting: Lay flat polythene tubing slit on both sides, creating 2 sheets on top of each other but wound together known as DWS (double wound sheeting)
  
  
• J-fold: A strip of material is removed from the polythene film before winding.
  
  
• Centre slit tubing: A polythene film slited from the centre and wounded on two different cores.
  
  
• Bags on roll: Bags attached by perforation and rolled up on a core
  
  
• Polythene or Polybags individually cut
  
  
• Carrier bags with Cut handle, Loop handle, Clip Close or Vest style

Presentation & Retail bags
Presentation & Retail bags are better moisture barrier, clearer and stronger. It is one the best choices for product presentation and preserving product freshness when used for a food service application.

Options for Presentation/Retail display bags:

• Clear or Co loured Polypropylene bag/film: Standard polypropylene bag either clear or colored (tint, opaque)
  
  
• Plain or Printed Polypropylene bag/film:Standard polypropylene bag either plain or printed (1, 2 or multicolored)
  
  
• Flat polypropylene bags:Standard plastic bag with seal on the bottom and opening at top, often called as flat bags
  
  
• Gusseted polypropylene bags: Polypropylene bags with fitted bottom and expandable sides (gusset) form to the shape of your product called as 'Side gusseted bag'. Also bag with fixed sides with expanded bottom referred to as 'Bottom gusseted bag'.
  
  
• Reclosable polypropylene bags: Reclosable bags have a simple plastic ridge that clicks shut and pulls open for continual re-use.
  
  
• Peel n' seal polypropylene bags: Polypropylene bags with a resealable adhesive strip already attached for convenience - just peel and seal! Peel back release strip and fold to seal on short side of the bag.
  
  
• Bags on roll: Bags attached by perforation and rolled up on a core
  
  
• Polypropylene Film on a roll: Polypropylene film wounded on a standard core Packaging Trays.