Reinforced handle for thermoplastic draw tape bags

Abstract

A padded reinforced handle for thermoplastic draw tape bags and method of making the same is disclosed. The padded hand-grip reinforcement for the draw tape handle is produced by folding a thermoplastic draw tape longitudinally into a V-shaped cross-section and inserting a predetermined quantity of padding material into the V-shaped cross section of the tape to provide a padded tape area at predetermined spaced intervals corresponding to the width of the draw tape bag. The padded tape section has a length adequate to provide a padded hand-grip reinforcement. The padded tapes are inserted into the hems of the draw tape bag with the padded tape section aligned with a central cut out opening intermediate the ends of the hems. The ends of the draw tape at the unpadded tape sections are secured to the ends of the respective hems so that when the padded tape section is gripped and pulled through the cut out openings in the hems to draw closed the open top of the bag, the padded hand-grip reinforcement minimizes the discomfort caused by roping at the hand area while the bag is under load. In a preferred form of the invention the padding material comprises a curable foam which is cured by ultraviolet light.