Guided clamps for quick easy opening and closing of dispenser outlet

Abstract

This invention concentrates on making squeeze-to-open self-closing devices for small hand held plastic bags with or without reclosable closures; having bag openings limited to under 4 inches for possible grasping of opposing ends of the bag opening for squeezing, by the same hand holding said plastic bag; for bags wider than 4 inches cater-cornering the 4 inches and under said plastic bag is possible; when reclosable closures are used they can be made with a tamper evident shipping seal thereby eliminating the need for conventional off-set lip and ridges made for gripping and easier opening, along with the usual single or double track seals at the bag outlet top portion. A small hand held pill box or container is offered for fabrication; using only two separate male and female ribbons extruded from conventional extrusion profiles; cut to predetermined lengths; superimposed and aligned for seal welding respective edges for shaping a cylindrical container bottom for up-right standing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] “Self-Closing Valve With Tamper Evident Lip Seal Tab” Ser. No. 07/08/88, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,267 granted Apr. 17, 1990; Patent application Ser. Nos. 08/288843 filed Aug. 1, 1994 canceled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This is a CONTINUATION IN PART of application Ser. No. 09/010151 filed Jan. 21 1998. The ideas for this new invention were developed from the CIP and experience gained by manufacturing small squeeze-to-open self-closing pill boxes using post-forming per U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,267 granted to the applicant of this new application; research for improving the manufacture of the pill box led to the conclusion that the extrusion process often used to make plastic bags with thin gauge plastic sheets integrally extruded with the “ZIPLOC” or equal, interlocking male and female elements into separately extruded ribbon forms and cut to pre determined lengths for forming plastic bags is possible, which further led to research the problems with opening and closing plastic bags and found quick, easy opening and closing of plastic bag openings with or without reclosable interlocking joints can be accomplished simply by creating a throat portion by the addition of guide mouth attachments at its discharge outlet; when digitally squeezed, as explained later, quickly opens the bag opening and upon release of the squeeze effort automatically self-closes, all done using the same hand that holds the plastic bag, provided bag openings are {fraction (31/2)} inches and under. For larger than {fraction (31/2)} bags, cater-cornering with a {fraction (31/2)} inch slotted outlet can be used, or else use per usual both hands for dispensing.

[0003] The pill box has been sold for several years, for retail to mostly drug stores; to consumers for temporary storage in purses or pockets for dispensing prescription drugs were often reordered proving the pill box outlet with curved quadrant outlet was able to retain its plastic memory and shape after repeated squeeze-to-open self-closing operations, which determined the shape and dimensions for making new guided curved quadrant clamps using the extrusion process.

[0004] Most closures require both hands for twisting, turning, flipping, pushing or pulling, causing difficult dispensing problems, which are minor compared to grasping and manipulating the dispensing from conventional plastic bags having the likes of a “Zip-Loc” or equal reclosable interlocking joint, because the plastic bag sheets are too thin, moist, slippery or held by electrostatic force, and more likely, because of misalignment of ‘Zip-Loc's or equal, relatively narrow male and female interlocking closure strips which are often fastened to thin side-walls of the bag by heat sealing or integrally formed via extrusion. All these problems can be eliminated by making plastic bags, or flexible containers in either of the following manner, using Low Density Polyethylene, or equal thermoplastic:

[0005] 1/ Male and female guided curved quadrant clamp elements extruded integrally with individual plastic bag sheets, cut to desired lengths for superimposing and fission welding seams, forming a plastic bag with an opening under 3 and ½ inches to permit digital squeezing at a point below the mouth or nested portion of the curved quadrant clamps when assembled having no interlocking joint other than a pair of male and female resilient curved quadrant clamps nested together to form a dust tight seal.

[0006] 2/ Same as above, but including “ZIP-LOC” or similar reclosable interlocking male and female elements, each embedded via extrusion, within their counterpart male and female curved portions for interlocking when the curved quadrant clamps are nested together.

[0007] 3/ Modify the “ZIP-LOC” or equal reclosable interlocking male and female elements by including, during its original extrusion the guided elements, per this patent application.

[0008] 4/ Modify standard plastic bags not having a reclosable joint by reinforcing the bag outlet and adding guided throat attachments for digital squeeze-to-open self-closing of the bag outlet. The outlet lips of the curved quadrant clamps can be extruded to include a shipping tab for sealing the dispenser to prevent contamination or removal or insertion of foreign material until the dispenser is used by its end user, said tab being an outer extension, full length of the {fraction (1/32)} inch thick curved female clamp portion shaped to form a resilient snap-in joint which overlaps and temporarily locks the outer full length of the {fraction (1/32)} inch male curved quadrant clamp portion when nested together, and tack welded at its mid point outer lip end-for protection against tampering until broken by the purchaser, upon squeezing its outlet ends. FIG. 7 a shipping seal with thin flat lips capable of being sealed by a simple home owner's electric heated bag sealer, is a possible alternate. The amount of effort required for squeezing the curved clamps for dispensing, depends upon the following:

[0009] 1/ the resiliency and plastic memory of the plastic used,

[0010] 2/ the radius and arc length of the elongated curved portions,

[0011] 3/ the plastic thickness and length for the aforementioned curved portions,

[0012] 4/ the type of closure joint used, and

[0013] 5/ the wall thickness and space below the entry at the mouth and throat portion of said mouth for guiding the curved quadrant clamps into a nested closure, but most of all to withstand the tendency of the curved quadrant clamps to bend in unison without opening during the squeeze-to-open operation

[0014] The following is the basis for making plastic bags, from experience with production of the previously patented pill box having a 2 inch wide curved quadrant clamps flat slotted outlet:

[0015] 1/ A thermoplastic such as translucent, natural finish Low Density Polyethylene, has been successfully used for the last ten years. Possibly other material can be used having the same or better plastic memory, and flexibility, but all without pigmented fillers because they decrease the resiliency of the plastic, over heating the plastic above its 160 F. softening point will also affect its resiliency and shape, therefore, heed this, particularly when heat welding.

[0016] 2/ The radius of the nested curved contact surface being ¼ inch for normal child resistance, and ⅜ inch for effortless squeezing by arthritics.

[0017] 3/ The plastic thickness of the male and female curved quadrant clamps each {fraction (1/32)} inch

[0018] 4/ All easily opened, and self-closed ,using only one hand except for the embedded interlocking joint which easily opened but needed assistance for interlocking its male and female elements for full occlusion; however, without assistance, the elements were in alignment and touching one another for partial sealing.

[0019] 5/ The thickness for each of the extension pieces connected to their related male and female curved quadrant clamps shall be {fraction (1/32)} inch and each jut a distance of ¾ inch therefrom, in an angular fashion the full length of each clamp, symmetrically aligned to the entry at the mouth of the nested clamps for a spacing of ¾ inch between their respective tip end, thus making a bulge, or throat, within the assembled superimposed plastic sheets, which when squeezed, guides the mouth of the nested curved quadrant clamps to open, which upon release of the squeeze effort self-closes, due to its inherent memory acquired from the low density polyethylene plastic.

[0020] Quotes from the ABSTRACTS of a few patents listed below gives credence that guided curved quadrant clamps per this invention will eliminate the problems of opening and closing the likes of “ZIP-LOC” or equal reclosable interlocking joints:

[0021] AUSNIT U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,147 per the ABSTRACT:

[0022] “a pair of stiffener ribs is formed integrally with the bag but of a thermoplastic material more rigid than that from which the bag is formed to provide increased lateral rigidity along the open end of the bag to prevent inadvertent separation of the interlocking elements.”

[0023] SCHEIBNER U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,345 per the ABSTRACT:

[0024] “A reclosable container features ridges near the opening of the container to provide improved gripping of the container by the user during the opening and loading of the container.”

[0025] WILLIAMS U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,321 per the ABSTRACT:

[0026] “An interlockijng closure device whereby the closing and opening of the closure is more easily detected by visual inspection” When required, tighter and more resilient closure seals are included as part of this application as described in the following:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0027] This invention promotes the use of the extrusion process for making plastic bags; preferably for the smaller {fraction (31/2)} inch and under sizes which can digitally be squeezed open by the same hand holding the bag, and which upon release of the squeeze effort automatically self closes; also for making the guided curved quadrant clamps for opening and closing the plastic bags because it not only eliminates the need for obtaining pre-molded shapes if post-forming were used, but makes it possible to form an assembly of parts in an integrally extruded ribbon form consisting of the following parts for each individual male and female curved quadrant clamp: 1/ the {fraction (1/32)} inch by ¾ inch guide portion extension, adjacent to the curved quadrant clamp throat portion tapered to match the required thickness of the plastic sheet

[0028] 2/ the plastic sheet portion extruded to the required thickness

[0029] 3/ the resilient shipping lip seal parts

[0030] 4/ the reclosable interlocking elements when needed

[0031] 5/ the curved male or female clamp

[0032] As previously stated the above parts are integrally extruded to form two separate ribbons, one a male assembly and the other a female assembly, each cut to suit the bag opening length desired, then superimposed for nesting and alignment of the nested curved quadrant clamp ends for fusion welding said ends, and the superimposed plastic sheets along their corresponding edges except at the edge along which is formed the open end of the bag, thus forming a complete plastic bag assembly ready for filling product.

[0033] This invention also promotes the use of a simple reclosable clamping arrangement that does not require a typical interlocking joint, but merely a resilient nesting of the male and female sealing elements, successfully use since 1990 via post-forming, for storing short term products by the consumer. Since extrusion is being used rather than post-forming, more resiliency shall be added to the nested joint, by extruding the inside radius of the concave portion of the female curved quadrant clamp a few thousandths of an inch shorter than the mating outside convex radius of the male curved quadrant clamp to assure full nested contact, this plus bowing the longitudinal edges of the female concave curved portion towards each other forms a positive resilient press fit with its mating male portion when occluded.

[0034] This invention also includes a resilient reclosable joint which can be made during the extrusion of the curved quadrant clamps, consisting of serrated notches full length on each of the {fraction (1/32)} inch thick male and female elongated curved quadrant clamps, said serrated teeth extruded as “V” shaped teeth {fraction (1/64)} inch projections, equally spaced and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated curved quadrant clamps, for alignment and intermeshing when occluded into a water tight joint.

[0035] Using the extrusion system outlined above for making the usual lay-down type plastic bags, can also be used for making small 2 ounce capacity, stand-up type pill boxes for filling prescriptions by drug store pharmacists, but with thicker side walls which in addition to making the container self supporting, protects the stored pills from being crushed due to external forces. The pill box shall be made to generally the same dimensions used for making the previous patented post-formed pill box having a 2 inch wide curved quadrant clamps dispensing outlet, integrally combining via the extrusion process, {fraction (1/32)} inch thick or heavy gauge plastic sheets to each of the male and female elements of the curved quadrant clamps to form a pair of 2 inch wide superimposed sheets, fusion welded together along their corresponding edges, except at edge along which is formed the open outlet end and the bottom of the bag, whereby, said open outlet ends of each superimposed bag sheets are attached full length, to each of the {fraction (1/32)} inch thick cross sectional part of the elongated curved nested male and female clamps, which when so united forms a curved nested mouth, fusion welded at opposite ends for joining and sealing, whereby the bottom superimposed bag sheets are seam welded laterally a distance of ½ inch starting at opposing corners, leaving the remaining 1 inch mid-section open which when laterally pushed symetrically towards the center of the bag causes the bag sheets to bulge outwardly then taper downwardly from opposing sides of the curved nested mouth, and take on a generally cylindrical shape near the unwelded mid-section, which can now be sealed off by pinching shut prior to welding, thus forming a flat bottom having four equal ½ inch long quadrantly spaced seams, capable of supporting the pill box in an up-right position for loading. The thickness of the tapered sides adjacent to the mouth and throat portion must be thick enough to withstand the manual squeeze effort for opening the pill box outlet. Depending upon the production capabilities for welding the {fraction (1/32)} inch sheets, an interim alternate method is to provide a slip-on press fit cap over the cylindrical bottom opening and bonding it thereto, or resort to making an un-welded post-formed pill box per the previous patent mentioned herein.

[0036] The conventional practice of thermal cutting the extruded {fraction (1/32)} inch thick ribbons can be modified for compressing and preheating both sides of the cutting edge tool for thinning the plastic sheet edges at the softening point of 160 F. for improved welding. All materials should be low density polyethylene, or equal and amber colored for U V resistance. For use as an over-the-counter application the outlet lips can be provided with shipping seals. The advantage of using the above pill box are as follows:

[0037] 1/ Easy to open, no need for twisting, or pulling hard to open child resistant caps

[0038] 2/ Always closed until opened by druggist or consumer, never exposed to entry of foreign substance from factory to druggist or consumer, spill proof, no need for caps, which can be loosely applied, or forgotten to be applied, negating the child resistant concept, and use the storage space for caps for other purposes

[0039] 3/ Increasing the inside radius of the nested curved quadrant clamps makes for an effortless squeeze by arthritics for opening the pill box. Ideal for packaging over-the-counter prescriptions for arthritics

[0040] 4/ The consumer gains the advantage of storing the pill box in a purse or pocket for quick access to the medication which when expended can use the container for other multi purpose uses.

[0041] 5/ Can be provided with thin lip shipping seal for sealing by the pharmacist using a simple electric heated bag sealer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is a split view elevation of the top portion of a conventional plastic bag with sections “A-A” and “B-B” showing details for mounting throat guide mouth attachments, in and out of the bag.

[0043] FIG. 1A is a top split view of FIG. 1 showing weld locations for throat guide mouth attachments.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the plastic bag assembly made from the extrusion of two separate thermoplastic male and female ribbons each with the following individual counterparts, curved quadrant clamp with snap-in lip tip, heavy gauge throat guide mouth attachment, and thin gauge plastic bag sheet to form a squeeze-to-open self-closing nested curved quadrant clamps assembly in its occluded position.

[0045] FIG. 2A is a side view of FIG. 2. It shows ARROWS to indicate discharge of contents by application of digital force.

[0046] FIG. 2B is a top view of FIG. 2.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of separate male and female extruded ribbons showing a reclosable interlocking joint.

[0048] FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of separate male and female extruded ribbons showing reclosable key shaped slotted joint.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a blow up of a partial cross sectional view of the plastic bag sheet bonded to extruded modified elements of a conventional reclosable “ZIP-LOC” or equal male and female interlocking joint shown in phantom, with modifications being the thick guide bar attachments, solidly shown by cross-hatching, for guiding the interlocking elements during the squeeze-to-open and self closing operations.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a blow up of a partial cross sectional view of a reclosable intenneshed closure joint consisting of male and female curved quadrant clamps extruded ribbons each having resilient “V” shaped serrated teeth intermeshed with one another when nested and occluded.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of pill box made via the extrusion of two separate heavy gauge ribbons showing nested curved quadrant clamps in its occluded position with snap-in shipping seal at its outlet lips.

[0052] FIG. 6A is a side view of FIG. 6. It shows the elongated slotted outlet of the curved quadrant clamps for discharge of contents.

[0053] FIG. 6B is the bottom view of FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A showing the quadrantly spaced welded pleated seams made by folding the lower portions of the superimposed plastic sheets.

[0054] FIG. 6C is a top view of FIG. 6.

[0055] FIG. 6D is a partial cross sectional view of the bottom of the container using a press fit slip-on cap in lieu of the welded quadrantly spaced welded pleated seams shown in FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a blow up cross sectional view of a thin lip shipping seal.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the curved clamps with shorter arc length than that of the full 90 degree curved quadrant.

[0058] FIG. 9A shows plastic bag ready to be manually opened.

[0059] FIG. 9B shows plastic bag open when manually squeezed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0060] The following embodiments describe novel ways to use flexible resilient Low Density Polyethylene plastic for making easy to open self-closing devices for plastic bags and containers, tighter, more resilient seal closures, and revised extrusions of conventional interlocking joints the likes of “ZIPLOC” or equal, for making them capable of being squeezed-to-open and self-closing as discussed below and illustrated in non-scale blow-up views for better definition.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a split elevation of the top portion of a preformed conventional plastic bag 10 with standard reclosable closure 9 having a bag opening under 4 inches in length; aided for opening and closing by the addition of throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 when fusion welded 7 at their opposing outer edges with plastic bag 10 sheets 19 and 20 causes said bag to taper 22′ downwardly from top bag discharge opening; forms a throat 8 at mouth entry 16 at closure 9 which when digitally squeezed at its lengthwise opposing ends opens closure 9; upon release of squeeze effort automatically guides the closure elements 9 to reseat at mouth 16; the right hand half of the split elevation shows throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 fastened to the outside of plastic bag 10; whereas the left hand half elevation shows said attachments fastened on the inside of said plastic bag 10; section “A-A” shows bulge 8; mouth 16 and the addition of short elongated portions 17′ and 18′ to attachments 17 and 18 to facilitate alignment for fusion weld 7 at opposing elongated ends; section “B-B” shows throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 on the inside portion of plastic bag 10 and juncture at mouth 16.

[0062] FIG. 1A is a split view of the top portion of plastic bag 10 of FIG. 1; showing in the right hand half of of the view mounting of throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 on the outer walls of plastic bag sheets 19 and 20 and the location of weld 7 for bonding said 17 and 18 attachments to said plastic sheets 19 and 20; in the left hand half of the view the mounting of throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 are on the inside walls of plastic bag sheets 19 and 20 and the location of of weld 7 for bonding said 17 and 18 attachments to said plastic sheets 19 and 20; both views show the outward bulging of said plastic bag sheets 19 and 20 caused by adding throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 to a preformed plastic bag 10.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the plastic bag 10 assembly consisting of two separate plastic extruded ribbons, the male portion consisting of snap-in shipping lip seal end 15, male curved quadrant clamp 12, male throat guide mouth attachment 17; thin gauge as desired plastic sheet 19 for assembly as shown with the following female extruded counterpart portions, female snap-in shipping lip seal 14, female curved quadrant clamp 11, female throat guide mouth attachment 18, and thin gauge as desired plastic sheet 20, each ribbon cut to suit the bag opening length desired, then superimposed for nesting and alignment of the curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 fusion welded at their nested ends 13, and fusion welding the flat superimposed plastic sheets along their corresponding edges 22 as shown in FIG. 2A the side view of FIG. 2 which also shows the elongated slotted outlet of the curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 for discharge of contents by application of digital force as shown by the ARROWS for opening the outlet.

[0064] FIG. 2B is a top view of FIG. 2 which pin-points the bulge 8 at the throat section of the plastic bag 10 which occurs after the seam welding at the outer edges 20 of the superimposed flat plastic sheets; said thickened throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 when appropriately squeezed, as defined herein, guides the mouth of the nested curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 to open, which upon release of the squeeze effort self closes, due to the additional plastic thickness of throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 gained by its use rather than thin gauge plastic sheets 19 and 20 normally used in plastic bags, thereby benefiting from the additional inherent plastic memory of low density polyethylene to retain its original flexible shape, which furthermore, said throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 withstand the tendency of the curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 to bend in unison without opening during the squeeze to open operation.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a blow-up cross sectional view of a simple resilient plastic interlocking joint with its knobby shaped male element 23 attached to and extending above the convex portion of the curved quadrant clamp 12 and nested within its keyhole shaped female counterpart 24 imbedded within the concave portion of the female curved quadrant clamp 11 when in its occluded position showing the throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 each extending from each of the nested curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 at its nested mouth portion to form the required throat portion 8 for guiding the opening and closing of the nested joint during the squeeze-to-open self-closing operations, said throat guide mouth attachments 17 and 18 being {fraction (1/32)} inch thick same as the thickness of the curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12, taper towards thin gauge plastic sheets 19 and 20 (thickness to suit the product being stored usually less than 8 mil of an inch), the occluded joint shows a snap-in shipping seal 14 with tack weld 21 imbedded at the outer lip portion of the male curved quadrant clamp 12 locks the dispenser to prevent contamination or removal or insertion of foreign material until said tack weld 21 is severed by its end user, the consumer, as per previous instructions. The above Figured Numbered parts are to be individually grouped for making two separate male and female extruded plastic ribbons, each cut to the desired bag opening size for a nested assembly in the similar manner described for FIG. 2.

[0066] FIG. 3A is the same as blow-up view for FIG. 3 with the exception that instead of knobby shaped male element 23 a conventional “ZIPLOC” or equal interlocking male element 5 is used, to mate with its female counterpart 6 instead of the keyhole element 24 shown in FIG. 3.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a blow up view of a conventional “ZIPLOC” or equal reclosable interlocking joint shown in phantom lines, fastened to thin gauge plastic sheets 34 and 32 of a standard plastic bag, with both standard joint elements modified, during their original male and female ribbon forming extrusions, as follows: to male joint element 27 a closure guide jut attachment 29 is added, and to female joint element 28 a closure guide jut attachment 30 is added Depending upon the plastic bag manufacturer, plastic sheets 31 and 32 may be integrally extruded with individual joint elements 27 and 28, or else bond them together, for making a complete plastic bag assembly capable of being easily and quickly opened. Using only one hand for bag openings {fraction (31/2)} inches and under.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a blow up of a partial cross sectional view of a resilient reclosable joint which can be made during the extrusion of the individual curved quadrant clamps, consisting of serrated notches running full length on each of the {fraction (1/32)} inch thick male 11 and female 12 elongated curved quadrant clamps each with saw like teeth 25 and 26 extruded as “V” shaped teeth with {fraction (1/64)} inch projections atop the {fraction (1/32)} inch aforementioned thickness, equally spaced and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated quadrant shaped curved clamps 11 and 12 to form a resilient intermeshing of teeth when nested in its occluded position ready for unlocking the shipping seal 14 by the user when tack 21 is severed from outlet lip end of clamp 12 during the initial squeeze-to-open operation.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pill box made by the extrusion of two separate male and female heavy gauge plastic extruded ribbons, the male portion consisting of a snap-in shipping lip seal end 15, and {fraction (1/32)} inch thick male curved quadrant clamp 12, and heavy gauge {fraction (1/32)} inch thick plastic sheet 19 the same thickness as the curved quadrant clamp 12, thus not needing a guided attachment for assembly, as shown by the following female extruded plastic ribbon counterpart portion consisting of, female snap-in shipping lip seal 14, and {fraction (1/32)} inch thick female curved quadrant clamp 11, and heavy gauge {fraction (1/32)} inch thick plastic sheet 20 the same thickness as the curved quadrant clamp 11, without need for a guided attachment, each ribbon cut 2 inches long, then superimposed for nesting and alignment of the curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12, fusion welded at their opposing ends at 13, and alignment of the 2 inch long plastic sheets 19 and 20, fusion welded along edges 34 and 35, except at the edge which forms the open curved quadrant clamps and the bottom of the bag; said open bottom outlet ends of each superimposed bag sheets are aligned and fusion welded at opposite edges 34 and 35 for sealing; bottom superimposed bag sheets are seam welded laterally a distance of ½ inch starting at opposing corners, leaving the remaining 1 inch mid-section open causing bag sheets to bulge outwardly and taper downwardly per FIG. 6A from opposing ends 13 of the curved quadrant clamps and take on a generally cylindrical shape at the unwelded 1 inch mid section previously mentioned; pinched shut and fusion welded 34 and 36 forming a flat bottom per FIG. 6B.

[0070] FIG. 6A is a side view of FIG. 6 showing the curved quadrant clamps seal welded at their extremities 13; covered and locked by shipping lip seal 14; bottom folded edges 36 and 37; mid point location for tack weld 21 for locking the closure in until severed at the initial squeeze-to-open operation by the purchaser.

[0071] FIG. 6B is the bottom view of FIG. 6 showing the ½ inch long quadrantal spaced seams 34, 35, 36 and 37.

[0072] FIG. 6C is a top view of FIG. 6 showing the bulged portion 8 of the generally cylindrical bottom.

[0073] FIG. 6D is partial cross sectional view of an alternate method for sealing the bottom outlet by bonding a standard tubing cap 33.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional blow up view of an alternate tamper evident shipping seal for plastic bags and containers, showing male 12 and female 11 curved quadrant clamps nested outlets, each tapering down 39 and 40 to separate thin gauge plastic strips 41 and 42 extending outwardly and running full length of the male 12 and female 11 elongated curved outlets, said thin gauge plastic strips 41 and 42 in contact with one another ready for fusion welding, after product filling of the plastic bag or container; said sealed shipping seal easily broken open by the purchaser by applying sufficient digital force at the throat portion 8 and lengthwise opposing ends 17 and 18 guided throat attachments.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of plastic bag 10 with guide attachments 17 and 18 forming the throat portion 8 tapering inwardly towards the curved clamps 11 and 12; apparatus FIG. 8 differs in that the curved outlet portion 44 has a shorter arc length than the nested 12 and 11 curved 90 degree quadrant of FIG. 7 and that it requires lip reinforcing 43 to attain the same plastic memory and resiliency.

[0076] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the upper portion of plastic bag 10 showing top portion of dispenser outlet female curved quadrant clamp 11; female portion of snap-in shipping seal 14; opposing bonded ends 13 ( for nested curved quadrant clamps 11 and 12 as shown below in FIG. 9B) and tack weld 21 at mid point of shipping seal 14; said plastic bag 10 hand held by 2, with thumb 3 and index finger 4 ready to apply necessary force, at a point adjacent to but below nested curved quadrant clamps' bonded ends 13, in order to squeeze open said plastic bag 10 after tack weld 21 has been severed from outer lip portion 15 of male curved quadrant clamp 12 during the consumer's initial squeeze-to-open operation.

[0077] FIG. 9B is same perspective shown in FIG. 9A but, with top portion of plastic bag 10 in its open position with thumb 3 and index finger 4 applying the necessary squeeze effort.

Claims

1. A small hand held reclosable flat plastic bag having a “ZIPLOC” or equal interlocking closure for bag openings under 4 inches, to make digital squeezing at its opposing ends possible while holding said bag with the same hand; said squeezing opens the closure aided by the addition of a guide attachment; upon release of the squeeze effort the closure automatically self closes; said guide attachments being made stiff enough to withstand the squeeze effort required to open the occluded closure, must be at least four times the thickness of the plastic bag sheet, and made part of the “ZIPLOC” or equal male and female elements by addition to each of their extrusion profiles, said guides being short attachments to the male and female “ZIPLOC” or equal elements running full length of the bag opening, each spaced 45 degree angles from each other sufficiently to make the assembly of the extruded superimposed bag sheet ribbons bulge or separate to form a throat portion, which when grasped lengthwise and digitally squeezed guides the mouth of the nested closure elements to open, and upon release of the squeeze effort automatically self-closes, due to the addition of said guide attachments at the throat portion and inherent resilience and plastic memory of the thermoplastic material used such as low density polyethylene.

2. A plastic bag according to claim 1, wherein said reclosable flat plastic bag flat discharge opening span is more than 4 inches, whereby cater-cornering with a 4 inch slotted outlet can be made, or else both hands per usual practice for opening is required.

3. A plastic bag having a flat discharge opening span of less than 4 inches having a pair of nested male and female curved quadrant clamps forming a simple resilient reclosable closure with the inside radius of the concave portion of the female curved quadrant clamp a few thousandths of an inch shorter than its mating outside nested contact, plus bowing the longitudinal edges of the female concave curved portion towards each other forms a positive resilient press fit with its mating male counterpart when occluded, using thermoplastic material such as low density polyethylene, after the assembly of two separate male and female plastic extruded ribbons, each cut to the desired bag opening length, made from individual extrusion profiles, the male profile consisting of the male portion of a snap-in shipping lip seal end, the aforementioned male curved quadrant clamp, male guided throat attachment, and thin gauge plastic sheet, thus for the male profile assembly which when extruded in ribbon form is cut to the desired bag opening length and superimposed for nesting and alignment with its female profile extruded ribbon counterpart, then seal weld the ends of the nested male and female curved quadrant clamps, fusion weld the flat superimposed plastic sheets along their corresponding side and bottom edges and spot weld the female snap-in shipping lip seal portion at its lengthwise mid point enough to penetrate for joining the welded portion to its counterpart male to penetrate for joining the welded portion to its counterpart male lip end of the curved quadrant clamp for protection against tampering until severed by the initial squeeze to open operation by the purchaser,

4. A plastic bag according to claim 3, wherein said simple resilient reclosable closure is replaced by a resilient inter-meshed closure device consisting of male and female curved quadrant clamps each having serrated “V” shaped notches running full length and parallel to the longitudinal axis of and on the convex portion of the male curved quadrant clamp element and on the concave portion of its counterpart the female quadrant clamp element both resiliently inter-meshed with one another when occluded.

5. A plastic bag according to claim 3, wherein said simple resilient reclosable closure is replaced by a simple resilient reclosable interlocking closure device consisting of a male curved quadrant clamp element having at its mid-quadrant location atop its convex portion, running full length and parallel to its longitudinal axis a key-hole shaped nodule having the same profile as its female counterpart which is imbedded within the concave portion of the female curved quadrant clamp element which self seals upon release of the squeeze to open effort and requires manual assistance to compress into an interlocked occlusion.

6. A plastic bag according to claim 5, wherein the simple resilient reclosable interlocking closure device using a key-hole shaped nodule assembly is replaced by a conventional reclosable “ZIPLOC” or equal interlocking joint which self seals upon release of the squeeze to open effort and requires manual assistance to compress into an interlocked occlusion.

7. A small hand held all plastic pill box made from flexible resilient thermoplastic material such as low density polyethylene, having guided clamps for quick easy opening and closing of a flat narrow dispenser outlet from a pair of plain nested male and female curved quadrant clamps relying on the resiliency of the plastic and the guide reinforcement at its throat portion, for forming a tight seal closure, and to F.D.A.'s satisfaction leaves no interlocking grooves for dirt and bacteria build up, capable of being made from extrusion profiles of two separate male and female ribbons, the male ribbon profile consisting of the male portion of a snap-in shipping lip seal end, the aforementioned male curved quadrant clamp, and the thick male guide throat attachment connected to the heavy gauge 30 mil plastic sheet, thus for the male profile assembly consisting of the aforementioned integrated male parts in ribbon form is cut to a predetermined length and superimposed for nesting and alignment with its female ribbon profile counterpart, is seal welded at the ends of the nested male and female curved quadrant clamps, the guide throat attachment and the flat superimposed plastic sheets along their corresponding sides and quadrantal spaced seams at its bottom edges and spot welded female snap-in shipping lip seal portion at its lengthwise mid point enough to penetrate through for welding a portion of its counterpart male lip end of the curved quadrant clamp for protection against tampering until severed by the initial squeeze to open operation by the purchaser.

8. A small hand held all plastic pill box according to claim 7, wherein the open ends of the superimposed plastic sheets are laterally compressed towards one another to form a cylindrical outlet when bonded to an F.D.A. approved standard tube cap for sealing the outlet.

9. A small hand held all plastic pill box according to claim 7, wherein the improved plain nested male and female curved quadrant clamps are post formed by heating the elongated cylindrical outlet of a low density polyethylene vial to its softening point and clamping it to shape the curved quadrant nested clamps by cooling to set its permanent shape capable of being digitally squeezed for dispensing and upon release of squeeze effort self-closes.

10. For larger than 4 inch wide plastic bags, a 4 inch or under bag opening slotted outlet can be cater-cornered for dispensing.

11. Plastic bags or containers having elongated flat nested dispensing lips can be made to include a tamper evident shipping seal consisting of an extra thin resilient plastic strip made part of the top outer lip portion running full length of said elongated flat nested dispensing lips extending slightly beyond and below the thickness of the lower nested lip portion to include a short hook with pointed end for making only linear contact at the outer underside portion of the bottom outlet lip forming a lock, when closure is in its occluded position, said linear contact being no more than {fraction (1/16)} inch from its outer strip portion and beveled a distance of ⅛ inch thereto to permit it to slide over the upper portion of the lower lip while the closure is in the process of being occluded, while in the occluded position the extra thin resilient plastic strip is spot welded at its midway point of the elongated closure outlet for embedment into the lower lip, thus keeping the closure in a closed position for prevention of product discharge prior to customer usage; said heat sealed joint being severed prior to purchase indicates possible tampering for rejection by the purchaser; said heat sealed joint is easily severed by the purchaser, by applying sufficient digital force, to shear the fused embeded heat sealed joint at the opposing ends of a resilient reclosable closure.

12. Plastic bags or containers having elongated flat nested dispensing lips can be provided with a tamper evident shipping seal consisting of two thin gauge plastic strips each attached and extending beyond the lower and upper outlet lips of said flat nested dispensing lips to form nested contact with one another for fusion welding, using a conventional heater the likes of a simple kitchen appliance electric heated bag sealer, after filling the plastic bag or container, which if a pill box, after filling prescriptions by the pharmacist, said sealed shipping seal is easily broken open by the purchaser, when said elongated flat nested dispensing lips are part of this patent's curved quadrant clamps, by applying sufficient digital force, at their opposing lip ends.

13. A reclosable plastic bag according to claim 1, whereby said reclosable plastic bag is made by other means than extrusion of separate male and female extruded ribbons.

14. A reclosable plastic bag according to claim 3, whereby said reclosable plastic bag is made by other means than extrusion of separate male and female extruded ribbons.

15. A reclosable plastic bag according to claim 3, whereby said reclosable plastic bag discharge opening span is more than 4 inches.

16. A basic flat standard plastic bag having no reclosable or interlocking closure joint at its bag opening mouth is provided with low density polyethylene plastic or equal; guide mouth opening and closing plastic stiffeners; said stiffeners create a throat portion within the plastic bag which when digitally squeezed laterally at opposing ends opens the mouth of the bag outlet for discharge of product and upon release of the squeeze effort automatically self closes; said guide stiffeners may be extruded integrally with the thinner plastic bag sheets or independently for bonding to said plastic sheets.