RECLOSEABLE PACKAGE WITH PULL-TAB MEMBER

Abstract

A recloseable package, such as formed from polymeric film material, includes a package body including front and rear package panels joined to each other at side edges thereof. A recloseable fastener assembly is provided on the inside surface of the front package panel, with a preferentially weakened region of the front package panel operatively associated with the fastener assembly. In order to facilitate convenient opening of the front package panel, and access to and manipulation of the fastener assembly, the package includes a pull-tab member secured to the exterior of the front package panel, with a pull-tab member including an articulable gripping portion which can be readily articulated and manipulated by consumers, so that it can be grasped to facilitate manipulation and opening of the package.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to recloseable film packaging configured to facilitate reclosing of a package after initial opening, and more particularly to a package having a recloseable access feature in a front package panel thereof, with a pull-tab member provided to facilitate access to an opening of the recloseable feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recloseable film packaging has found widespread application in the marketplace for all manner of consumer goods, particularly food products where it can be desirable to initially open a package, reclose it, and then reopen it at a later time to further access the contents of the package. Various recloseable package constructions are known in the prior art, with U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845, hereby incorporated by reference, illustrating such a recloseable package arrangement, including a profile strip fastener assembly to facilitate reclosing of the package after initial opening.

It is, of course, desirable to promote convenient use of such recloseable packages by consumers, and to this end, packages or bags with a pull-tab opening feature have become common as a result of the convenience that they offer to the consumer. In particular, packages having a so-called front panel fastener arrangement typically require some type of tab for accessing the fastener assembly. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,257, hereby incorporated by reference, discloses the provision of a pull-tab opening feature for gaining access to the recloseable fastener assembly of that package arrangement.

While the pull-tab arrangement disclosed in the above-referenced patent has proven to be quite useful for conveniently accessing the front panel fastener assembly, this particular pull-tab arrangement has been found to exhibit certain shortcomings. In particular, this pull-tab arrangement requires the provision of perforations or slits in the front panel of a package in order to allow the consumer to grasp the pull-tab that is formed in the front panel of the package. Since it is desirable to have such a pull-tab only partially slit open, in order to provide tamper-evidence, this tab arrangement requires that the consumer break open the package in order to “create” the tab, that is, separate the tab from the remaining portion of the front panel in order to permit the tab to be grasped for opening. The breaking of the film can be difficult, depending upon the chemical composition of the packaging film, and its orientation in the package.

An additional shortcoming associated with the above-described pull-tab arrangement relates to the compromise of the gas bearer properties of the package, which results from the need to provide perforations in the front package panel at which the pull-tab is formed. A line or region of weakness formed from a laser score can be used to access the fastener assembly on a front panel package, without comprising the gas barrier properties, if some type of pull-tab feature can be provided that does not require perforations or slits be formed in the film of the front package panel.

The present invention contemplates a recloseable package having a recloseable fastener assembly at the front package panel thereof, with a pull-tab opening feature that can be used for packages having contents that require that the gas barrier properties of the package not be compromised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a recloseable package, typically formed from polymeric film materials, is disclosed, including a recloseable fastener assembly on the inside surface of a front package panel, which permits the package to be conveniently reclosed after it is initially opened. Notably, the present invention contemplates the provision of a pull-tab member having an articulable gripping portion, which can be readily articulated and manipulated by consumers and conveniently gripped for opening the package, including the recloseable fastener assembly thereof. Convenient use of a recloseable package is thus facilitated, including convenient opening of a package having a laser score, or like region of weakness, which maintains the gas barrier properties of the package.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the recloseable package embodying the principles of the present invention includes a package body comprising a front package panel and a rear package panel joined to each other at respective side edges thereof. The package body is preferably formed in end-to-end relationship with associated packages from a web of suitable polymeric film material which is suitably folded and formed during formation to form the front and rear package panels. The edges of the film material can be joined at a back seam extending longitudinally of the package. While not illustrated, it is within the purview of the present invention that the package body can be formed with inwardly extending side gussets at opposite side edges thereof.

In order to promote convenient reclosing of the package, the package includes a recloseable fastener assembly positioned within the package body transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body. The fastener assembly includes first and second fastener elements each joined to an inside surface of the front package panel. The recloseable fastener assembly may comprise suitable inter-engaging profile elements, adhesive elements, so-called hook-and-loop fastener elements, or “unisex” fastening elements, such as comprising upstanding mushroom headed elements which are “self-engaging” with like elements of an associated fastener component.

The front package panel of the package defines a preferentially weakened region operatively associated with the fastener assembly, so that opening of the weakened region permits separation of the first and second fastener elements, to thereby permit the contents of the package to be accessed through the opened weakened region, and through the fastener assembly. This so-called front panel fastener assembly permits the contents of the package to be readily accessed through the front panel of the package after initial opening, and after reclosing, and reopening, of the recloseable fastener assembly.

In accordance with the present invention, a pull-tab member is secured to the exterior of the front package panel at the weaken region thereof. The pull-tab member includes an articulable gripping portion which can be hingedly manipulated generally out of the plane of the front package panel to facilitate opening of the weakened region of the front package panel. By the provision of the pull-tab member, opening of the weakened region of the front package panel is greatly facilitated, whether provided in the form of perforations or slits, or a laser score. Moreover, the pull-tab member facilitates convenient manipulation and opening of the recloseable fastener assembly positioned on the inside surface of the front package panel.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the pull-tab member may comprise a substrate layer secured to the front package panel, and a gripping layer partially secured to the substrate layer so that an unsecured portion of the gripping layer defines the articulable gripping portion. In an alternate embodiment, the pull-tab member is provided in the form of a gripping layer partially secured directly to the front package panel, so that an unsecured portion of the gripping layer defines the articulable gripping portion.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recloseable package having a pull-tab member embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial, cross-sectional views taken generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the pull-tab member of this embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a further embodiment of a recloseable package having a pull-tab member in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial, cross-sectional views taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 illustrating this embodiment of the recloseable package and the pull-tab member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present recloseable package and pull-tab member;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial, cross-sectional views taken generally along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7 illustrating this embodiment of the invention and the pull-tab member thereof;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present recloseable package and pull-tab member thereof; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are partial, cross-sectional views taken generally along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10 further illustration this embodiment of the present recloseable package having a pull-tab member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

With reference first to FIGS. 1-3, therein is illustrated a recloseable package 10 embodying the principal of the present invention. Recloseable package 10 is configured to include a so-called front panel fastener arrangement, wherein a recloseable fastener assembly is positioned on the inside surface of a front panel in the package to facilitate convenient reclosing of the package after it is initially opened. U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845, hereby incorporated by reference, illustrates a recloseable package having this configuration.

The recloseable package 10 includes a package body comprising a front package panel 12, and a rear package panel 14 joined to each other at respective side edges thereof. The package body is ordinarily formed from polymeric film material, which is folded and manipulated during package formation so that the package body is formed from a single piece of film material. Thus, the front package panel 12 and the rear package panel 14 are joined to each other generally where the film material is folded, at side edges of the package 10. It is within the purview of the present invention that the recloseable package 10 be formed with inwardly-extending side gussets at opposite side margins thereof, thereby increasing the internal volume of the package, as can be desired for some applications.

The body of the recloseable package 10 is ordinarily formed in end-to-end relationship with associated packages from a web of film material, which is longitudinally folded, as described, to form the front and rear package panels. While packages embodying the present invention can be substantially completely preformed, and then filled with contents before sealing to complete packaging, packages of this nature can be efficiently used with so-called form, fill, and seal machines, which substantially simultaneously form each package 10 attendant to filling of the package with its contents. Thus, a completed package not only includes a longitudinally extending back seam 15 where opposite marginal portions of the film material are joined during package formation, but additionally includes transversely extending seals at a top header 16 and a bottom seal 18, which act to close the interior of the package after it is filled.

In accordance with the present invention, recloseable package 10 includes a recloseable fastener assembly 20 positioned within the package body transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body. The fastener assembly 20 includes first and second fastener elements 22 and 24 joined to an inside surface of the front package panel 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second fastener elements 22, 24 typically each include a flanged portion secured to an inside surface of front package panel 12, and cooperating profile elements or the like, which may optionally be formed integrally with the flange portions of the fastener elements 22, 24. It is within the purview of the present invention that fastener elements 22, 24 can be configured for cooperative, releasable inter-engagement such as by the provision of cooperating adhesive elements, or so-called hook-and-loop elements, which can be provided in any of a variety of configurations, as well as self-engaging “unisex” releasable fastener components.

Initial opening of the recloseable package 10 is facilitated by the provision of preferentially weakened region 26 which extends generally transversely of the package on the front package panel 12 thereof, typically in closely spaced relationship to the top header 16. In this embodiment, the weakened region 26 is illustrated as comprising a scored region of the front package 12, which scored region can be efficiently formed by known laser scoring techniques. It is within the purview of the present invention that the weakened region 26 be alternately formed, such as by the provision of perforations, slits, or like weakening.

In accordance with the present invention, a pull-tab member 30 is secured to the exterior of the front package panel 12 at the weakened region 26 thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,304, hereby incorporated by reference, discloses pull-tab structures of the type that can be used for practice of the present invention.

In this illustrated embodiment, the pull-tab member 30 includes a substrate layer 32 which is secured to the exterior of front package panel 12 such as by adhesive or heat-sealing. In this embodiment, the pull-tab member 30 further includes a gripping layer 34 which defines an articulable gripping portion. The gripping portion can be hingedly manipulated, generally about hinge line 36, generally out of the plane of the front package panel 12 in order to facilitate opening of the weakened region 26 of the front package panel. In the preferred form, the gripping layer 34 is partially secured to the substrate layer 32 so that an unsecured portion of the gripping layer defines the articulable gripping portion. As will be observed, in this embodiment, the gripping portion is generally downwardly articulable about the generally horizontal hinge 36. This action is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show the gripping portion of the gripping layer 34 be downwardly articulated and manipulated, in order to present the readily grasped gripping portion. As will be appreciated, this arrangement of the pull-tab member not only facilitates breaking and tearing of the front package panel 12 at the weakened region 26, but further facilitates manipulation of the fastener assembly 30 within the package to facilitate convenient separation and opening of first and second fastener elements 22, 24.

In this embodiment, the substrate layer 32 and gripping layer 34 are each illustrated as having a circular configuration, and being of the same diameter, with the resultant gripping portion having a “half-moon” configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the substrate and gripping layers need not be coextensive with each other, as illustrated, and that other shapes for the pull-tab member can be used while keeping with the principles disclosed herein.

A further embodiment of the present recloseable package is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, wherein a pull-tab member 130 is provided in operative association with a weakened region 26 of the front package panel 12 of the package 10. As will be noted, in this embodiment the recloseable fastener assembly 20 includes a so-called peel seal 25 provided between the first and second fastener elements 22 and 24. Peel seal 25 can enhance the tamper-evidence of the package, and additionally, can provide a barrier to the passage of fluids between the first and second fastener elements. This can be desirable if the region of weakness 26 is provided in the form of perforations or slits, as illustrated.

A pull-tab member 130 is provided on the exterior surface of the front package panel 12, and includes circular, co-extensive substrate and gripping layers 132, 134. In this embodiment, an unsecured portion of the gripping layer 134 can be articulated and manipulated to provide a ripping portion, with articulation about a generally vertical hinge 136 contemplated. Again, the gripping portion of the gripping layer 134 facilitates convenient grasping by consumers for tearing and opening the weakened region 26 in the front package panel, as well as for separation and opening of the first and second fastener elements 22, 24, including opening and separation of peel seal 25.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pull-tab member 230 is provided on the exterior of front package panel 12 of recloseable package 10. In this embodiment, the pull-tab member 230 does not include a substrate layer, but rather comprises a gripping layer 234 partially secured directly to the front package panel 12, so that an unsecured portion of the gripping layer defines the articulable gripping portion, which can be hingedly manipulated generally about horizontal hinge 236. As in the previous embodiment, the associated fastener assembly 20 includes a peel seal 25 between first and second fastener elements 22 and 24, thus providing a desired gas barrier between the fastener elements, which can be desirable if the weakened region 26 is formed from a series of perforations, such as illustrated in this embodiment. As illustrated, the gripping portion of the gripping layer 234 can be generally downwardly manipulated, about hinge 236, to present the desired gripping portion for convenient gripping and manipulation by consumers to facilitate opening of the package, including breaking of the weakened region 26, and separation of first and second fastener elements 22, 24.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, wherein the recloseable package 10 includes a pull-tab member 330 secured to the exterior of the front package panel 12 at the weakened region 26, illustrated as a score line in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the pull-tab member 330 includes a circular substrate layer 332, and a circular gripping layer 336 positioned concentrically with the substrate layer 332, with the gripping layer 334 being larger than the substrate layer 332. By this arrangement, a lower portion of the gripping layer 334 can be manipulated and articulated generally upwardly, about hinge 336, to present the desired gripping portion for grasping by consumers. By virtue of the gripping layer 334 being larger than, and extending beyond, the substrate layer 332, a “finger lift” region is provided generally at the lower edge of the gripping layer 334, thus facilitating convenient articulation of the gripping portion so that it extends generally outwardly of the plane of the front package panel 12 so that it can be readily grasped by consumers.

While the various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed as providing the pull-tab member on the exterior surface of front package panel 12, for some applications it can be desirable to provide an opening in the front panel so that the pull-tab member is directly secured to the fastener element 24 of the fastener assembly. This can be desirable to enhance transfer of the gripping and opening force exerted on the pull-tab member to the fastener assembly, to facilitate separation and opening of the fastener elements thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A recloseable package, comprising:

a package body comprising a front package panel and a rear package panel joined to each other at respective side edges thereof;

a recloseable fastener assembly positioned within said package body transversely of a longitudinal axis of the body, said fastener assembly including first and second fastener elements each joined to an inside surface of said front package panel,

said front package panel defining a preferentially weakened region operatively associated with said fastener assembly, so that opening of said weakened region permits separation of said first and second fastener elements to permit the contents of the package to be accessed through the opened weakened region and through the fastener assembly; and

a pull-tab member secured to the exterior of the front package panel at said weakened region thereof, said pull-tab member including an articulable gripping portion which can be hingedly manipulated generally out of the plane of said front package panel to facilitate opening of said weakened region of said front package panel.

2. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said pull-tab member includes a substrate layer secured to said front package panel, and a gripping layer partially secured to said substrate layer so that an unsecured portion of said gripping layer defines said articulable gripping portion.

3. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said pull-tab member includes a gripping layer partially secured directly to said front package panel so that an unsecured portion of said gripping layer defines said articulable gripping portion.

4. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said gripping portion is downwardly articulable about a generally horizontal hinge.

5. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said gripping portion is upwardly articulable about a generally horizontal hinge.

6. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said gripping portion is articulable about a generally vertical hinge.

7. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said weakened region comprises perforations.

8. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein

said weakened region comprises a scored region.

9. A recloseable package in accordance with claim 2, wherein

said gripping layer extends beyond said substrate layer to provide said gripping portion with finger lift region.