Bag roll cassette and method of use

Abstract

A bag is disclosed that includes a tubular body with a top open end and a bottom closed end. The tubular body has a larger open diameter at the open end. The tubular body narrows to a smaller open diameter adjacent the bottom closed end. The tubular body in a flattened, bifolded state has a pair of side edges extending from a top edge to a bottom edge. The top edge defines the top open end. The bottom edge defines the bottom closed end. The pair of side edges are generally parallel to each other at a first portion adjacent the top edge. [Selection diagram] Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 577,469, filed on October 26, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 734,014, filed on September 20, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a bag roll for use in a waste treatment unit such as a trash can, a pail can, a compost container, etc.

Background Art

[0003] Treatment units such as trash cans, pail cans, compost containers, and recycling containers are conventionally configured to support bags. For convenience and cost - effective packaging, the bags are typically part of a bag roll in which the bags are interconnected successively. In a particular configuration, the bag roll is stored at the bottom of a pail can or a wire rack, and the free end of the bag roll is lifted and supported open at the top of the pail can or the wire rack. Thus, when the bag is full of waste or other items, the filled bag is removed and replaced with the next bag of the bag roll that has been unrolled to receive the waste. However, since the bag is filled with waste, the bag increases in volume, and it can be difficult to remove it from the pail can or the wire rack, especially when the filled bag has to be pulled upward from the pail can.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel bag roll.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag including a tubular body having a top open end and a bottom closed end, wherein the tubular body has a larger opening diameter at the open end, the tubular body narrows to a smaller opening diameter adjacent to the bottom closed end, and the tubular body in a flat double-folded state has a pair of side edges extending from a top edge to a bottom edge, the top edge defining the top open end, the bottom edge defining the bottom closed end, and the pair of side edges being substantially parallel to each other at a first portion adjacent to the top edge.

[0006] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the pair of side edges are substantially parallel to each other at a second portion adjacent to the bottom edge.

[0007] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, the pair of side edges form a tapered portion from the first portion to the second portion.

[0008] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, the tapered portion and at least one welding seam that causes narrowing in the second portion are further included.

[0009] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, a pair of the at least one welding seam causes narrowing in the tapered portion and the second portion.

[0010] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, a cutout portion adjacent to the welding seam is further included.

[0011] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, the tapered portion and at least one welding seam that causes narrowing in the second portion are further included.

[0012] Still further, according to the first embodiment, for example, a pair of the at least one welding seam causes narrowing in the tapered portion and the second portion.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the at least one welding seam further includes a flap adjacent thereto, and the flap is excluded from the open end.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the tubular body is made of at least two film layers.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, and plant-based.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the top edge in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the bottom edge in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the bag is configured to be suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, and the tubular bag unit has an inner circumference C s and a wall thickness T, and the open diameter D is in accordance with TIFF0007710848000001.tif6103.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the relationship between the flat double-fold width WA of a larger open diameter and a narrower open diameter is represented by TIFF0007710848000002.tif670.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the bag is configured to be suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, and the tubular bag support has an outer circumference Co and has, the bag has a flat two-fold width WA with an opening diameter larger than that according to TIFF0007710848000003.tif673.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, for example, the bag is configured to be suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, and the tubular bag support has an inner circumference C s and a wall thickness T, and the bag has a flat two-fold width WA with an opening diameter larger than that according to TIFF0007710848000004.tif6130.

[0023] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag roll including a plurality of bags according to the first embodiment, wherein the bags are connected end to end from the bottom edge of the first bag of the bags of the bag roll to the top edge of the second bag of the bags of the bag roll.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, for example, the bag roll is in a receptacle of a cassette body, and a free end of the bag roll exits the cassette body from a top opening provided in the receptacle.

[0025] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a bag roll for being suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, wherein the tubular bag support has an inner circumference C S and a wall thickness T, and the bag roll includes a plurality of bags connected end to end from bottom to top, and each of the bags has an opening diameter D according to TIFF0007710848000005.tif698.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, the bag is made of a continuous tubular body separated by a welding seam and a tear line provided at the bottom edge of each of the bags.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, the tubular body is made of at least two film layers.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, and plant-based.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, each top edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, for example, each bottom edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0032] According to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, a bag roll including a plurality of bags connected end to end from bottom to top, wherein the plurality of bags have a larger section adjacent to the top open end and a narrower section adjacent to the bottom closed end, and the relationship between the flat double-fold width WA of the larger section and the flat double-fold width WC of the narrower section is A bag roll represented by TIFF0007710848000006.tif567 is provided.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, the bag is made of a continuous tubular body separated by a welding seam and a tear line provided at each bottom edge of the bag.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, the tubular body of the bag roll according to claim 29 is made of at least two film layers.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, and plant-based.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, each top edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform, the bag according to claim 28.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, for example, each bottom edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0039] According to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, a bag roll for being suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, wherein the tubular bag support has an outer circumference C o and the bag roll includes a plurality of bags connected end to end from bottom to top, and each of the bags has a flat double-fold width WA according to TIFF0007710848000007.tif668. TIFF0007710848000007.tif668 is provided with a bag roll having a flat double-fold width WA.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, the bag is made of a continuous tubular body separated by a welding seam and a tear line provided at each bottom edge of the bag.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, the tubular body is made of at least two film layers, the bag roll according to claim 36.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, and plant-based, the bag according to claim 37.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, each top edge of the bag in the flat two-fold state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the fifth embodiment, for example, each bottom edge of the bag in the flat two-fold state has a sinusoidal waveform.

[0046] According to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, a bag roll for being suspended from a tubular bag support of a processing unit, wherein the tubular bag support has an inner circumference C S and a wall thickness T, and the bag roll includes a plurality of bags connected end to end from bottom to top, and each of the bags is provided with a bag roll having at least a top open end with a flat two-fold width WA according to TIFF0007710848000008.tif6129.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, the bag is made of a continuous tubular body separated by a welding seam and a tear line provided at each bottom edge of the bag.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, the tubular body is made of at least two film layers.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, and plant-based.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, each top edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sine wave shape.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, for example, each bottom edge of the bag in the flat double-folded state has a sine wave shape.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0054] Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 - 3, a bag roll cassette is generally designated at 10 (FIG. 3). The bag roll cassette 10 preferably has a bag roll 20 wound on a tube 30 and inserted within a cassette body 40 (FIG. 3). The bag roll 20 according to the present disclosure may or may not be together with the tube 30 and / or the cassette body 40.

[0055] The bag roll 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bag roll 20 is preferably made of a film of plastic material. For example, depending on the contemplated use, the plastic material may be, among 2 - 3 possible materials, polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, or HDPE), bioplastic, a plastic such as polylactic acid. In order for the film to form an odor barrier, it is also contemplated to add a functional layer such as ethylene vinyl alcohol to the plastic film, or to add a nylon layer to reinforce the bag. The film may also be a biodegradable and / or compostable material such as a starch - based or plant - based material.

[0056] The bag roll 20 may be in the form of the length of a tubular film, with a weld line and perforations defining a plurality of bags with ends interconnected as shown as 20′, 20″, etc. The tubular film may be accumulated on the roll in a zigzag pattern or the like. As a result, the bag roll 20 has a pair of panels 21 lying on top of each other and joined at the side edges 22, but due to the thinness of the film, it appears as a continuous sheet as in FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, this is referred to as the flat two - fold state of the bag, where the bag has two folds, i.e., one fold at each side edge 22 and no gussets. The bags of the bag roll 20 can have gussets according to the present invention, but the lateral dimension shape of the bag can be described as being in the flat two - fold state in the present application. This is to be interpreted as meaning that even if the bag roll 20 has gussets, the dimension shape is for the lateral dimension shape of the bag as if the bag were in the flat two - fold state. Even if the bags described in the present application are not packaged (the bags may have more folds, for example, may be folded onto themselves) or sold in the two - fold state, the flat two - fold state is the state where the bag lies flat on the surface such that it has two lateral folds - two side edges - between the top edge and the bottom edge. Further, the bag is referred to as not being stretched. This can be interpreted as meaning that the bag is in its initial state on the bag roll 20 before the user is made to handle the bag before placing it on the processing unit, which may require some elastic or plastic deformation. The bags in the initial state on the bag roll 20 could have been plastically stretched during manufacture, but despite such stretching, the state of the bags on the bag roll 20 is called not stretched.

[0057] The side edges 22 of each bag extend from the top edge 23 to the bottom edge 24 of each bag such as bag 20'. In the end-to-end connection of the bag roll 20, the bags are interconnected such that the bottom edge 24 of the preceding bag of the bag roll 20 is connected to the top edge 23 of the succeeding bag, in contrast to a bag roll where the bottom or top edges of adjacent bags are interconnected. The side edges 22 are shown as having an outline that may include a straight segment 22A adjacent to the top edge 23, a tapered segment 22B, and another straight segment 22C. The straight segment 22C extends from the tapered segment 22B to the bottom edge 24 of the bag. The name "straight" is used for segment 22C, although the side edge may taper from the maximum shape dimension of the WC. The expression "straight segment 22C" is used in this application for purposes of differentiation in a non-limiting manner. Thus, the bag may have three different distinct sections, namely, from the top to the bottom of the bag such as bag 20', a larger hook-hanging section 20A, a tapered section 20B, and a narrower processing section 20C. In one embodiment, the bag has no tapered section 22B and thus transitions directly from the larger hook-hanging section 22A to the narrower processing section 22C. The straight sections 22A are shown as being parallel to each other, although they may taper towards the bottom edge 24. Similarly, the straight sections 22C are shown as being parallel to each other, although they may taper towards the bottom edge 24. In yet another embodiment, the side edges 22 may continuously taper from the top edge 23 to the bottom edge 24 at a continuous angle or at two different angles, namely, without section 20B, one for section 20A and the other for section 20C. In another embodiment, the bag 20' (whether or not it is part of roll 20) has straight segments 22A that are parallel or quasi-parallel to each other and then taper beyond the larger hook-hanging section 20A.In yet another embodiment, the bag of the bag roll 20 preferably has a constant width and is straight from the top edge 23 to the bottom edge 24, as shown in FIG. 7. For clarity, the width described in the present application is the flat width as shown in FIG. 1, i.e., the bag of the roll is in a flat double-folded state such that the panel 21 is in the same plane. The larger hook-hanging section 20A has a width WA that is greater than the width WC of the narrower processing section 20C, i.e., WA>WC. When the segments 22A and 22C are parallel as in FIGS. 1 and 2, the widths WA and WC are preferably constant over most or all of the sections 22A and 22C, respectively. When the segments 22A and 22C taper towards the bottom edge 24, the larger hook-hanging section 20A has a minimum width WA that is greater than the maximum width WC of the narrower section 20C. For example, the width ratio is as follows: 0... TIFF0007710848000009.tif16170

[0058] Bags such as bag 20A can have a length L that is divided into sections LA, LB, and LC, respectively, so as to represent the heights of sections 20A, 20B, and 20C. According to one embodiment, LC is at least twice the length of LA, i.e., LC>2LA. According to another embodiment that includes a tapered section 22B, LC is at least twice the length of the combination of LA and LB, i.e., LC>2(LA + LB). LA can be separated into LA1 and LA2 when the top edge 23 forms a recess or a protrusion as will be described in detail below. LA2 is the portion of section 20A below such a recess or protrusion.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6(A)-(C), the top edge 23 has different outlines. In FIG. 1, the outline of the top edge 23 is a concave sine wave segment. Other outlines are shown in FIGS. 6(A)-(C) such as (A) a straight segment, (B) a convex sine wave segment, and (C) a concave triangular wave segment. Since the bag of the roll 20 is a pair of overlapping panels 21 as in FIG. 1, when the panels 21 are separated from each other to open the bag at the top edge 23, the non-straight outlines of FIGS. 1 and 6(A)-(C) each form a pair of flaps, and the pair of flaps can be used to form a knot for closing and attaching the bag. As described above, the bag has adjacent bags with the bottom connected to the top and end-to-end interconnected with the bag roll 20, so the bottom edge 24 has a shape complementary to the top edge 23. Stated differently, when the outline of the top edge 23 is a concave sine wave shape, the bottom edge 24 is a convex sine wave shape or the like.

[0060] To impart the above shape to the side edge 22, a continuous seam 25 may extend from one side edge 22 to the other for laterally connecting the panel 21. This continuous seam 25 includes portions that constitute the closed bottom ends of bags 20′, 20′′, etc. Alternatively, the bag may have separate welding seams 25, namely, a welding seam for the side edge and a welding seam for the closed bottom end. For simplicity, the expression "welding seams 25" is used in the plural, but there may be, for example, a single continuous seam 25 in a U-shape. The welding seam 25 may also connect the panel 21 to form the bottom edge 24, i.e., the closed bottom end of the bag roll 20. In FIG. 1, although the welding seam 25 terminates at the larger hook-hanging section 20A, the welding seam 25 may also extend to the top edge 23. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the straight segment 22A of the larger hook-hanging section 20A is the two folds of the tubular film as described above for the flat two-fold state. Thus, according to one embodiment, the welding seam 25 is periodically made in a flat two-fold state - a straight continuous tube - a continuous tubular body, and the portions of the film outside the lateral direction of the welding seam 25 may be cut out to form the shape of FIG. 1.

[0061] The perforation line 26 is perforated at the joint between the bottom edge 24 of the first bag, which is a preceding bag such as 20′, and the top edge 23 of the next bag of the bag roll 20, which is a subsequent bag such as 20′′. It may be constituted by a series of perforations arranged at intervals along an outline following the outlines of the bottom edge 23 and the top edge 24. The perforation 26 is adjacent to the welding seam 25, forms a vulnerable part of the bag roll 20, and as a result of the tearing operation, causes the separation of one of the bags such as 20′ in FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the perforation line 26 and the cut-out portion of the welding seam 25 are made by die-cutting.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, for example, the bag roll 20 may be inserted into the cassette body 40, which is a receptacle from the bag roll 20. The cassette body 40 may have a slit 41, or a similar opening, such as a top opening, and the free end of the bag roll 20 extends through the slit 41, or a similar opening. Although the cassette body 40 is shown as having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, other shapes such as a rectangular prism, a cylinder, etc. are also conceivable.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bag roll 20, as part of the cassette (FIG. 4), or the bag roll 20 alone (FIG. 5), i.e., the bag roll 20 without the cassette body, is received by the disposal unit 50. The expression "disposal unit" is used in the present application to include garbage bins, diaper pails, compost containers, recycling containers, garbage pails, etc. The disposal unit 50 preferably has a base 51, and an upright wall 52 projects on the base 51. The upright wall 52 is in the form of a cylindrical tube in FIG. 4, but may have other shapes, such as a square section, an elliptical section, etc. Although not shown, a hinged door may be part of the upright wall 52 to provide access to the interior of the disposal unit 50. There may be various connection configurations, such as quick-connect mechanisms, fasteners, etc. A cover 53 is attached to the top of the upright wall 52. The cover 53 preferably has a downwardly projecting rim 53A, and the downwardly projecting rim 53A is adapted to be close to or in contact with the bag to ensure that the bag remains suspended in the disposal unit 50 as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the central opening of the cover 53 shown in FIG. 4 may be closed by a trap door 54 that is hinged to the remainder of the cover 53 (also known as a lid). The trap door 54 opens or closes the top access to the inner cavity 55 of the disposal unit 50. The trap door 54 may be biased by a spring or operated by a pedal mechanism, etc. Further, although not shown, a closure mechanism of any suitable form (translational, rotational) may be provided in the inner cavity 55 or at other positions on the disposal unit 50 to throttle and shield the bag.

[0064] The processing unit 50 has a tubular bag support 56 adjacent to the cover 53. In one embodiment, the tubular bag support 56 may have any suitable shape and is shown as being cylindrical with a circular cross-section. Other possible cross-sectional shapes include, but are not limited to, square, rectangular, elliptical, squircle, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. Thus, the term "tubular" in the tubular bag support 56 covers these many shapes. The tubular bag support 56 has a height H s , an inner circumference C s , an outer circumference C o , and a wall thickness T. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the tubular bag support 56 is circular with an inner diameter D, and the inner circumference C s is equal to πD s . The outer circumference C o can be expressed as π(D s + 2T). In another embodiment, the processing unit 50 has two or more hooks that act as the bag support 56. FIG. 5 can be interpreted as two elongated straight or curved hooks 56 shown in cross-section.

[0065] The funnel 57 is located below the tubular bag support 36 in the upright orientation of the processing unit 50. The funnel 57 has a central opening having the same shape as the tubular bag support 56. Thus, in FIG. 4, the funnel 57 has a frustoconical shape with a central circular opening having a circumference C F and an inner diameter D F . The height of the funnel 57 is shown as H F . In one embodiment, the funnel 57 is directly below the tubular bag support 56, such that the height from the top edge of the tubular bag support 56 to the edge of the central opening of the funnel 57 is as follows: H T = H C + H S . In one embodiment, the funnel 57 is spaced from the tubular bag support 56, such that H Tmay include a value of the interval along the vertical axis of the container 50. The funnel 57 collects waste or similar items placed in the deployed bag at the center so that the bag generally remains compact when being filled. Thus, the funnel 57 can facilitate removing the filled bag from the top of the processing unit 50, i.e., by the user pulling it upward.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bag roll cassette 10 or the bag roll 20 is disposed at the bottom of the processing unit 50. In one embodiment, although a connection configuration for being held by the base 51 is provided for the bag roll cassette 10 or the bag roll 20, the bag roll cassette 10 or the bag roll 20 may simply be placed on the base 51 and stay at the bottom of the processing unit 50 by gravity. The free end of the bag roll 20 extends upward such that the larger hook - hanging section 20A of the bag 20' is partially folded back onto the tubular bag support 56. In so doing, the open end of the bag 20' is opened and held such that objects can be discarded into the bag 20'. The remaining portion of the bag 20' including the narrower processing portion 20C extends into the inner cavity of the container 50. While the bag 20' is attached to the tubular bag support 56, the bag 20' remains connected to the bag roll 20 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0067] TIFF0007710848000010.tif16170

[0068] TIFF0007710848000011.tif38170

[0069] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the narrower processing section 20C of the bag 20' is preferably located in line with or below the bottom edge of the funnel 57. In fact, the narrower processing section 20 is configured to facilitate the removal of the bag filled by upward extraction despite the presence of the funnel 57 and a closing mechanism (not shown). Therefore, for the bag on the roll 20, (LA + LB) > H T + H S is preferably followed. For the bag on the roll 20, also in the case of a bag having the outline of FIGS. 1 and 6(A) and (B), 1.5H S < LA2 < 2H S is preferably followed, so that the sub-section LA2 of the section 20A of the bag covers at least half of the outer circumference of the tubular bag support 56 when taut. When the bag has the outline of FIG. 6, for the bag on the roll 20, 1.5H S < LA < 2H S is preferably followed, so that the section 20A of the bag covers at least half of the outer circumference of the tubular bag support 56 when taut.

[0070] TIFF0007710848000012.tif5140 preferably has an unextended transverse flat double-fold width WC. Therefore, even when filled with an object, the bag on the roll 20 can be withdrawn from the container 50 from the top, i.e., through the funnel 57 and the tubular bag support 56. In doing so, the next bag of the bag roll 20 is pulled upward, and its top end substantially aligns with the tubular bag support 56 when the filled bag exits the container 50 from the top. The filled bag is removed from the bag roll 20, and the next bag of the bag roll 20 is suspended from the tubular bag support in the manner shown in FIG. 5.

[0071] It is pointed out that the bag roll cassette 10, and / or the bag roll 20, may or may not have the same components as the processing unit 50 of FIGS. 4 and 5, and can be used with any other processing unit. Although the processing unit 50 is provided as an exemplary container configuration adapted to be used with the bag roll cassette 10, and / or the bag roll 20, it is clear that variations of the processing unit 50 can be used with the bag roll cassette 10, and / or the bag roll 20.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the bag roll 20 is shown. The bag roll 20 is similar to the bag roll of FIG. 1, but has no cut-out portion at the side of the weld seam 25. Thus, when laid flat as in FIG. 8, the bag of the bag roll 20 has a constant width. For example, the side edges 22 are parallel to each other over the entire length of the bag from the bag roll 20. However, due to the presence of the weld seam 25, the inner dimensions of the bag in the WC, for example with respect to the inner diameter, are the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. In fact, the open bag has an inner diameter due to the presence of the weld seam 25, so the open diameter of the bag of FIG. 8 is the same as the open diameter of the bag of FIG. 1. A flap is formed outside the weld seal 25. For example The description provided above for the bag roll 20 of TIFF0007710848000013.tif6170 extends to the bag of FIG. 8, except for the cut-out portion in the weld seam 25. In all embodiments described in the present application, two side portions are shown in the drawings, whereas there may be a single side portion with respect to the weld seam 25 to achieve the constriction described in the present application (i.e., only one extends along the side edge 22). The bag 20' of FIG. 8, or of all the drawings, can also appear as a unit on its own, i.e., not as part of a bag roll.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the bag roll 20 is shown. The bag roll 20 is similar to the bag roll 20 of FIG. 8, but the welding seam 2 does not form a tapered portion 20B. When laid flat as in FIG. 9, i.e., in a flat two-folded state, the bags 20′, 20′′, etc. of the bag roll 20 have a constant width. For example, the side edges 22 are parallel to each other over the entire length of the bag from the bag roll 20. However, due to the presence of the welding seam 25, for example, with respect to the inner diameter, the inner dimensions of the bag in WC are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1. There is a step formed by the welding seam 25, which causes a reduction in the open diameter at the transition between section A and section B. In fact, since the open bag has an inner constriction due to the presence of the welding seam 25, the open diameter of the bag in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the bag in FIG. 1 TIFF0007710848000014.tif61700.95WA. The description provided above for the bag roll 20 of FIG. 1 extends to the bag in FIG. 9, except for the cutout in the welding seam 25. The bag 20′ in FIG. 9, or in all the drawings, can also appear as a single unit, i.e., not as part of the bag roll.

Description of Symbols

[0074] 10 Bag roll cassette 20 Bag roll 20′ Bag 20′′ Bag 20A Larger hook-hanging section 20B Tapered section 20C Narrower processing section 21 Panel 22 Side edge 22A Straight segment 22B Tapered segment 22C Straight segment 23 Top edge 24 Bottom edge 25 Welding seam 26 Stitching line 30 Tube 40 Cassette body 41 Slit 50 Processing unit 51 Base 52 Upright wall 53 Cover 54 Trapdoor 55 Inner cavity 56 Tubular bag support 57 Funnel

Claims

**Claim 1** A bag roll, wherein the bag roll comprises a plurality of bags connected end to end from the bottom edge of the first bag of the bag roll to the top edge of the next bag of the bag roll, and each of the plurality of bags comprises a tubular body having a top open end and a bottom closed end, the tubular body having a hook-hanging section with a larger open diameter at the top open end and a processing section with a smaller open diameter adjacent to the bottom closed end, the tubular body in a flat double-folded state has a pair of side edges extending from the top edge to the bottom edge, with one fold line on each side edge, the top edge defining the top open end and the bottom edge defining the bottom closed end, the pair of side edges being substantially parallel to each other from the top edge to the bottom edge, at least one welding seam causes an inner narrowing of the processing section such that the width WA of the flat double-fold of the larger open diameter is greater than the width WC of the flat double-fold of the smaller open diameter, a flap is adjacent to the at least one welding seam, the flap being formed between the at least one welding seam and the side edge, a bag roll. **Claim 2** The bag roll according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the at least one welding seam causes the inner narrowing. **Claim 3** The bag roll according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is made of at least two film layers. **Claim 4** The bag roll according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the layers is ethylene vinyl alcohol. **Claim 5** The bag roll according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the layers is made of at least one of polyethylene, bioplastic, polylactic acid, starch-based, plant-based. **Claim 6** The bag roll according to claim 1, wherein the top edge in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform. **Claim 7** The bag roll according to claim 1, wherein the bottom edge in the flat double-folded state has a sinusoidal waveform. **Claim 8** The relationship between the width WA of the flat double-fold of the larger open diameter and the width WC of the flat double-fold of the smaller open diameter is as represented by, the bag roll according to claim 1. **Claim 9** A cassette comprising a cassette body having a receptacle for receiving the bag roll according to claim 1, wherein the bag roll is received within the cassette body, and a free end of the bag roll exits the cassette body through a top opening provided in the receptacle.

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