Abstract: A pouch has an airtight elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and sealing members that form an air tight seal disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure elements may be connected with opposing sidewalls of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may also include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A pouch has an elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and a pair of sealing members that form an air tight seal separate from the interlocking members disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure members are connected with opposing panels of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a closure assembly that comprises first and second closure profiles disposed on first and second side panels, respectively. A handle is provided that comprises discrete first and second handle sections. Each handle section has an opening in a central portion thereof. The first handle section is attached only to the first side panel at an area below the first closure profile and the second handle section is attached only to the second side panel at an area below the second closure profile. By providing the handle sections in such a manner, the first and second handle sections exert substantially more force on an internal side of the first and second closure profiles, respectively, than on an external side of the respective closure profiles.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second bag walls. A first and a second closure mechanism are disposed on internal sides of both the first and second bag walls. The first closure mechanism includes a first female closure element having first and second spaced legs and a first male closure element. The second closure mechanism includes a second female closure element having third and fourth spaced legs and a second male closure element. The first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. A die plate for extruding the closure element includes an extrudate aperture that forms an intermediate closure profile including a gap between spaced apart base wall portions.

Abstract: A pouch production apparatus includes a pouch forming apparatus operable to form pouches from an elongate web of material and zipper tape and an extrusion apparatus responsive to operation of the pouch forming apparatus and operable to extrude zipper tape. A pneumatic transport apparatus is operable to transport the zipper tape from the extrusion apparatus to the pouch forming apparatus during operation of the pouch forming apparatus. A method of producing a pouch using such apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. First and second closure mechanisms are disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure mechanisms are parallel and spaced between about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) and 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) apart. Further, the first closure mechanism may have a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism may have a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rib on a section of plastic film utilizes a roll having a groove, extrudes molten polymer into the groove, and places the section of plastic film in contact with the molten polymer in the groove. The molten polymer in the groove is allowed to cool below the melting point thereof while the section of plastic film is in contact with the polymer to cause bonding therebetween and thereby form the rib.

Abstract: A method of extruding two or more closure elements onto a web includes extruding the closure elements through a die plate having a first aperture for a first closure element and a second aperture for a second closure element. The first aperture is spaced from and at least partially overlaps the second aperture in a lateral direction. The partial overlapping of the apertures allows the closure elements to be spaced very closely together on the web. The space between the apertures prevents extrudate streams forming the elements from bonding to each other. The closely spaced elements are extruded through the same die plate without an interconnecting portion therebetween.

Abstract: A storage bag having a recloseable mouth, which is biased into an open configuration, is disclosed. The bag, typically manufactured from thermoplastic material such as low-density polyethylene, includes first and second adjacent layers joined or folded along bottom and side edges. The top edges are not folded or permanently joined, but are provided with closure members such as mating male and female zipper strips. The bag is further provided with structure to bias the top edges apart from one another thus biasing the mouth of the bag into an open configuration. The closure members are sufficiently strong to overcome the force of the biasing structure and thereby hold the bag closed when the closure members are engaged. However, upon disengagement of the closure members the biasing structure forces the bag top edges apart to thereby place the bag into an open mouth configuration.

Abstract: Methods for forming a thermoplastic film with an attached closure strip are disclosed. The film can be used to produce zippered reclosable plastic bags. The methods include providing a thermoplastic film web having a sealing surface and a closure strip having a binding surface, both being in a non-melted condition. The film web and the closure strip are aligned in non-overlapping relationship and a heated thermoplastic binder layer is positioned on the film web sealing surface and on the closure strip binding surface quickly after extrusion. The hot binder layer transfers enough heat to the closure strip and to the film web to melt the closure strip binding surface and the film web sealing surface. Pressure is applied to seal the closure strip to the film web. An apparatus for practicing the method and a reclosable bag formed from the thermoplastic film with attached closure strips are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of preparing a film for use in forming a storage bag comprises the steps of: supplying a pre-extruded thermoplastic film, the film having opposite first and second edge portions; extruding a first base onto the first edge, wherein the first base partially overlaps the first edge; and extruding a first profile onto the first base.

Abstract: A polymer film comprises a composition having either a polyolefin or a polyamide as a major component. The film has an Elmendorf tear value parameter of about 200 g/mil or less, a thickness greater than about 0.5 mils. The film has a melt flow index between at least about 2 g/10 min. and less than about 17 g/10 min. and further includes a filler to achieve the 200 g/mil tear value parameter. Alternatively, the film has a melt flow index of at least about 17 g/10 min and need not include a filler. The film is substantially unstretched in the transverse direction. The film may be charged. A method of producing a film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. The pouch further includes a first reclosable closure mechanism disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, respectively, wherein the first closure mechanism includes a slider for opening and closing the first and second closure elements. Still further, the pouch includes a second reclosable closure mechanism disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, respectively. The second closure mechanism is spaced from the first closure mechanism such that the slider mechanism of the first closure mechanism does not open or close the third and fourth closure elements of the second closure mechanism.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. First and second closure mechanisms are disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure mechanisms are parallel and spaced between about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) and 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) apart. Further, the first closure mechanism may have a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism may have a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. First and second closure mechanisms are disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure mechanisms are parallel to one another and spaced apart between about 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) and about 0.6 inch (15.24 mm). The pouch further includes a venting mechanism.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second bag walls. A first and a second closure mechanism are disposed on internal sides of both the first and second bag walls. The first closure mechanism includes a first female closure element having first and second spaced legs and a first male closure element. The second closure mechanism includes a second female closure element having third and fourth spaced legs and a second male closure element. The first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes first and second pouch walls having male and female closure elements disposed on and separate from the first and second pouch walls, respectively. The female closure element includes a female profile member and first and second flanges disposed on either side of and spaced apart from the female profile member.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes first and second pouch walls having male and female closure elements disposed on and separate from the first and second pouch walls, respectively. The female profile element includes a female profile member and first and second flanges integral with and disposed on either side of the female profile. Each of the first and second flanges includes a first portion of substantially uniform thickness and a second portion having a thickness less than the first portion and where the second portion is disposed between and contiguous with the first portion and the female profile member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rib on a section of plastic film utilizes a roll having a groove, extrudes molten polymer into the groove, and places the section of plastic film in contact with the molten polymer in the groove. The molten polymer in the groove is allowed to cool below the melting point thereof while the section of plastic film is in contact with the polymer to cause bonding therebetween and thereby form the rib.