Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 September 21

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September 21

Material of Bags

There's this material that shopping bags are often made of. It's a kind of fabric, I think, which is stiff and reminds one of paper. If you put it in water, or try tearing it, it tears off like cotton. When you look at the fibers of the material up close, you can notice small round patterns on it. No matter what's printed on it, the material always has a tiny circular pattern ingrained in it. What is the material called. A lot of tote bags are made of it. Another place where they're common are bookstores, where they give these to the customers. 202.153.41.162 (talk) 16:21, 21 September 2013 (UTC)

Canvas, I think. See also Tote bag. Oda Mari (talk) 17:38, 21 September 2013 (UTC)

Do you think this is a man-made fibre, rather than something more natural like canvas or jute? I think you're referring to the fabric the outer skin of my cheap coolbag is made from, along with various lightweight tote bags, record bags and book bags I have been given free with purchases. To me it is not unlike interfacing in texture; very lightweight, slightly fibrous, water runs off it rather than soaking straight in, and with that distinctive texture like many small circular dots placed next to one another. I don't know the name yet, unfortunately, but are we talking about the same thing? - Karenjc (talk) 21:28, 21 September 2013 (UTC)

@Karenjc: I believe we're talking about the same thing. So it doesn't have a name yet? 202.153.41.162 (talk) 11:48, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Also, I think this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FGW_HST_Standard_Class_coach_A_headrest_cover_2005-06-09.jpg is very similar (if not the same) to what I have in mind. 202.153.41.162 (talk) 12:08, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Non-woven Polypropylene. According to Reusable shopping bag in Australia at least the common green reusable bag is made of Non-woven Polypropylene. However that is unsourced. A little OR, I have in front of me a yellow bag (more like a large shoulder bag for freebies at a trade show than a shopping bag) and its' tag says, "Orient' (brand?), the other side says "Made in China, 100% Poly Propylene, Non-Woven Tote Bag". I just found a green one and it also says 'Poly Propylene' (and hand wash!). Another green one from Franklins says the same, Non-woven Polypropylene. Otherwise it perfectly matches 202s and Karenjcs' descriptions. -я-220 of ^Borg 12:16, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

The texture and patterning of dots on the bags matches the headrest cover. I think (guess!) it might be a two ply material with the layers 'welded' or glued together for strength. -ш- 220 of ^Borg 12:33, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Yes! Both the images of the bags in the Reusable Shopping Bag article match the one I was talking about. Thanks so much 220 of Borg! And you're right. It is "more like a large shoulder bag for freebies at a trade show than a shopping bag". My bad for using a misleading description. 202.153.41.162 (talk) 13:33, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Oh no 202, my fellow editor! That was one particular unusually large re-usable bag, with a long 'shoulder strap' that went from end-to-end of the bag (more like a satchel or 'Messenger bag'? without a flap), not the more common (and much shorter) 'loop-on-either-side'. The green/blue/grey bags are rather smaller! -≜-220 of ^Borg 14:59, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Here we go, some piccies: Large yellow 'satchel', vs shopping bag. Φ 220 of ^Borg 15:40, 22 September 2013 (UTC)