BAG CLOSURE DEVICE, MACHINE AND METHOD

Abstract

A closure device which a consumer or bag manufacturer may affix to most any bag comprises an elongated first strip of flexible material and a thin bendable wire and second strip of material of substantially the same length as the first strip and longitudinally aligned with and affixed to the first strip. The first strip includes an opposite adhesive surface which is covered by a protective strip of release paper at the time of manufacture. A plurality of individual closure devices may be manufactured in sheet form with perforations extending between each adjacent closure device on the sheet. When needed, the consumer tears a closure device from the sheet. The consumer peels away the release paper revealing the adhesive surface and affixes the closure device to the outer surface of a bag. In one preferred method, the consumer affixes the closure device in a traversing manner with the closure device extending between the opposite closed and open ends of the bag. In another preferred method, at least two closure devices are affixed to opposite sides of the bag whereby the consumer may alternately open and close the bag by twisting and untwisting the closure devices together and apart, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to closure devices for bags and the like, and more particularly relates to a twist tie type device that includes a sticky surface such that it can be applied by a consumer to most bags including food container bags such as bread bags and cracker bags, for example. Once the closure device has been applied to the bag, the consumer may repeatedly open and close the bag as desired using the closure device which remains affixed to the bag unlike traditional twist ties. In another embodiment, the closure device is affixed to the bag prior to sale to the consumer and the bag may or may not be empty when sold. The invention further relates to a novel machine and a method of manufacturing and using the closure device.

Many of today's food products come in elongated plastic bags and various closure devices have been proposed to allow the consumer to alternately open and close the bag to access food in the bag when open while keeping the remaining food in the bag fresh for as long as possible when closed. One well known closure device is the so-called “twist tie” which comprises a paper strip having an embedded thin bendable wire. A plurality of such twist ties are typically provided in parallel forming a sheet with perforations between each twist tie thereby allowing a consumer to separate individual twist ties from the sheet as needed. In the traditional twist tie, a single twist tie is used to close the open end of the bag. The twist tie in this instance is wrapped around the gathered edges of the bag close to the open end thereof and the opposite ends of the twist tie are then twisted together. Since the twist tie is not physically adhered to the bag, it may be lost when in the unattached condition. Also, since the twist tie is being repeatedly twisted and untwisted in the same general location of the twist tie, the metal wire and paper surrounding the wire may become worn to the point of paper and metal fatigue and breakage.

Still other closure devices have been proposed in the prior art which attempt to overcome the deficiencies of traditional twist ties. For example, some closure devices are formed as an integral part of the bag during manufacturing of the bag itself. In these examples, the bag itself is structurally modified to incorporate the closure device. This is undesirable from the standpoint of manufacturing cost and complexity. Examples of these types of bags with integral closure devices may be seen in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,584 issued to Ashton on Jan. 11, 1966

U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,636 issued to Rochette on Nov. 3, 1970

U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,752 issued to Hoffner et al on Jul. 23, 2002

U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,895 issued to Kao Corporation on Feb. 23, 2010

Japanese Publication No. 02-242750 to Ichiro published on Sep. 9, 1990

Japanese Publication No. 08-244795 to Kao Corp. published on Sep. 24, 1996

Japanese Publication No. 2000-326996 to Idenitsu Petrochem Co Ltd published on Nov. 28, 2000

U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,090 issued to Yuter on May 29, 2001 discloses a bag having sections which are divided into and may be separated along horizontal perforation lines as the contents are periodically removed. Pocketed elongated openings are stitched to the bag adjacent the perforations and wherethrough a bendable element may be removably inserted for alternately opening and closing the bag as needed. This example requires a specially designed bag which again adds to the manufacturing cost and complexity.

It would therefore be beneficial to have a closure device which allows alternating opening and closing of a bag and which does not become separated from the bag when in the open condition. It would furthermore be desirable to have such a closure device which does not rely on repeated twisting and untwisting action at the same general location on the closure device so as to avoid breakage due to repeated bending at a single location. It would be yet furthermore desirable to have a bag closure device which does not require redesign or structural modification of existing food bags, which may be used on most any bag, and which is relatively easy to manufacture, low in cost and simple to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above described needs and overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing, in a first aspect thereof, a closure device which a consumer may affix to most any bag. In one embodiment, the closure device comprises a first elongated strip of flexible material such as two-sided tape having a release paper on one side thereof, for example, and a thin, bendable wire affixed to and traversing the length of the first strip of material on the adhesive side thereof located opposite the release paper. A second elongated strip of flexible material such as paper, for example, with preferably the same dimensions as the first strip, is permanently applied in traversing, covering relation to the first strip over the wire at the time of manufacture. During manufacture of the closure device, the two-sided tape with release paper is dispensed from the roll and a separate roll of wire is dispensed and applied to the exposed adhesive surface of the two-sided tape, opposite the release paper. The second strip of flexible material such as paper is applied to the exposed adhesive surface of the first strip over the wire and is permanently attached thereto.

A plurality of individual closure devices may be manufactured in sheet form with perforations extending between each adjacent closure device on the sheet. When needed, the consumer tears a closure device from the sheet. The consumer peels away the release paper revealing the adhesive surface of the two-sided tape located opposite the surface to which the wire and second strip of material was applied. The consumer may then affix the closure device to the outer surface of a bag by pressing the exposed adhesive surface against the outer surface of the bag with the permanent strip of flexible material facing outwardly. If desired, indicia may be applied to the outer facing surface of the second strip of material for advertising purposes, for example.

In one preferred method, the consumer affixes the closure device in a traversing manner with the closure device extending between the opposite closed and open ends of the bag. In another preferred method, at least two closure devices are affixed to opposite sides of the bag whereby the consumer may alternately open and close the bag by twisting and untwisting the closure devices together and apart, respectively.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing forms a part of this specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a plurality of bag closure devices formed as a sheet with one of the closure devices in the process of being torn away from the sheet and showing the release paper being peeled away from the individual closure device;

FIG. 1B is a perspective, fragmented view of one of the closure devices seen in FIG. 1A showing the elements thereof in spaced relation and the release paper in the process of being peeled away from the two-sided tape;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a food bag having a closure device affixed thereto in the intended manner;

FIG. 2B is the view of FIG. 2A showing the two closure devices affixed to the bag whose open end has been twisted to its closed condition using the closure devices;

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of an embodiment of machine that may be used to manufacture the closure devices seen in FIGS. 1A-2B;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of machine seen in FIG. 3 and further showing the mounting frame; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, there is seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B an embodiment of bag closure device denoted generally by the reference numeral 10. A plurality of individual closure devices 12a are preferably provided in a sheet 12b where individual closure devices 12a may be separated from the sheet 12b as needed.

An embodiment of closure device comprises a first elongated strip of flexible material 14 having first and second opposing adhesive surfaces 14a and 14b, respectively. Although the embodiment of strip 14 is described herein as being formed of double-sided tape, it is understood that other flexible materials may be used as desired (e.g., plastics, foil, fabrics, composites, etc.) with any suitable means of affixing the elements together depending on their material type (e.g., adhesives, ultrasonic welding, etc.).

An elongated strip of removable release paper RP is affixed to and protects the opposite adhesive surface 14b and traverses substantially the entire length thereof. A bendable wire 16 is affixed to adhesive surface 14a of the first strip 14 and traverses substantially the entire length of first strip 14. A second strip of flexible material 18 is preferably permanently affixed to first strip 14 over wire 16 and in covering relation to surface 14a. It is noted that the bendable wire 16 may create a visual “bump” on the outwardly facing surface of second strip 18 as designated by reference numeral 14a′ in FIG. 1A.

As seen in FIG. 1A, a plurality of parallel and connected closure devices 12a may be manufactured into a single sheet 12b. In this embodiment, perforations “P” are formed between each adjacently connected closure device 12a to enable easy tearing away of an individual closure device 12a from sheet 12b. FIG. 1B illustrates the layering of the separate elements of the closure device as they are dispensed from rolls 32, 34 and 44 as will be discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3-5 and one preferred method of manufacturing the closure devices 12a and sheets 12b.

If desired, indicia “I” in the form of trademarks, inspirational messages, jokes, riddles, advertising, or the like may be applied to the outwardly facing surface of second strip 18 (opposite wire 16) and/or to release paper RP of a closure device, and/or may be applied along an entire sheet 12b (e.g., by applying a single indicia extending across the sheet from and to the closure devices located at the opposite edges of the sheet 12b).

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least one but preferable two bag closure devices 12a of FIG. 1A, B are shown affixed to a bag 20 (e.g., a typical saltine cracker bag) having opposite closed and open ends 20a, 20b, respectively. To attach a closure device to a bag, the user first removes the release paper RP so as to expose the adhesive layer 14b of the closure device 12a which may then be pressed against bag 20 in traversing relationship and extending between the closed and open ends 20a, 20b of bag 20. It is understood that the any number of closure devices 12a may be affixed to a single bag and also the placement and orientation thereof with respect to the bag may vary depending on the desires of the user and/or the configuration of the bag. In a preferred embodiment, first and second closure devices 12a are affixed to opposite sides of bag 20 in the manner seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B

Referring to FIG. 2B, the open end 20b of bag 20 may be closed by twisting the bag adjacent the open end whereupon the bendable wires 16 in the two closure devices 12a are twisted together around the gathered segments of the bag. When it is desired to re-open the bag 20, the user simply twists in the opposite direction to access food or other items in bag 20 through opening 20C.

It will be appreciated that as food such as a stack of crackers are periodically removed from the bag 20, the location of where the bag is gathered for closing (which is typically closely adjacent the current top cracker) locates further and further toward the closed end 20a. Since the closure devices 12a may be applied to traverse substantially the entire length of the bag 20, they are available for twisting together regardless of where the gathered section of the bag is located.

The optional indicia “I” located on the outwardly facing surface of strip 18 as described above is also seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, an embodiment of a machine 60 for making the closure device 10 of FIGS. 1A-2B is seen to include a frame 31 supporting a first spindle 32′ upon which is mounted a first roll 32 of two-sided tape 14 (e.g., manufactured by 3M) with the outward facing side of the tape on the roll having release paper “RP” to prevent the facing sides of the tape from sticking together. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, as the roll 32 is unwound, the outwardly facing surface is a non-adhesive release paper RP while opposite surface 14a is an adhesive surface.

A second spindle 36′ is provided on frame 31 and upon which is mounted a roll 36 of bendable wire stock which is directed over auxiliary roller 38 and between auxiliary nip rollers 40, 42 onto adhesive surface 14a of first strip 14. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the machine 60 is seen to be capable of forming the closure devices in the sheet form seen in FIG. 1 wherein the first strip of material 14 is provided in a roll 32 having a width “W”, and a plurality of rolls 36a of wire 16 positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship along roller 36 within the confines of the paper stock width “W”.

A third spindle 44′ is provided on frame 31 and upon which a roll 44 of the second strip 18 material is provided and directed between auxiliary nip rollers 46, 48 and onto the adhesive surface 14a of first strip 14 over wire 16.

It is noted that the upper nip rollers 40 and 46 may be formed from silicone and the lower nip rollers 42 and 48 may be formed from NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), for example.

Perforation wheels 50 and 52 may be positioned to cut or otherwise form perforations “P” between each adjacent closure device on the sheet 12b as seen in FIG. 1. Lastly, a cutting device 54 may be provided to separate the continuous material product into individual sheets 12b of the desired length. If desired, a printer “P” may be provided to print indicia “I” on the outwardly facing surface of the second strip 18 and optionally also the release paper RP.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a bag closure device which may be used by a consumer on most any bag, that will not become separated from the bag, and which is extremely simple to use and low in cost. While the invention has been described herein with regard to exemplary and preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that variations may be made thereto without departing from the full spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A bag closure device comprising:

a) a first elongated strip of flexible material having first and second opposing surfaces, said second surface having an adhesive thereon;

b) a bendable wire affixed to said first surface and traversing substantially the entire length of said first strip;

c) a second strip of flexible material affixed to said first strip of flexible material over said wire and in covering relation to said first surface; and

d) an elongated strip of release paper removably applied to said second surface of said first strip and traversing substantially the entire length thereof.

2. The bag closure device of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of said closure devices formed as a sheet with each of said closure devices positioned in parallel relationship, and wherein said sheet includes perforations formed between each individual closure device such that individual closure devices may be separated from said sheet by tearing along said perforations.

3. The bag closure device of claim 1, and further comprising a bag having opposite open and closed ends, and wherein upon removing said release paper, said adhesive second surface of said first strip is affixed to said bag in traversing relationship and extending between said open and closed ends of said bag.

4. The bag closure device of claim 1 wherein said second strip of material is paper having optional indicia applied to the surface thereof opposite said wire.

5. A method of applying the closure device of claim 1 to a bag, said method comprising the steps of:

a) removing said release paper from said adhesive second surface of said first strip; and

b) affixing said adhesive second surface of said first strip to said bag.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said closure device is a first closure device, and further comprising the step of removing said release paper from a second closure device and affixing said second closure device adhesive second surface to said bag in a location on said bag opposite said first closure device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said bag in elongated and includes opposite open and closed ends, and wherein said first and second closure devices are affixed to said bag in traversing relationship thereto and extending between said open and closed ends thereof.

8. A machine for making the closure device of claim 1, said machine comprising:

a) a frame;

b) a first spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a first roll of said first strip of material;

c) a second spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a second roll of said bendable wire; and

d) a third spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a third roll of said second strip of material; and

e) a plurality of auxiliary rollers mounted to said frame, said auxiliary rollers and said spindles being arranged to direct said bendable wire onto said adhesive surface of said first strip of material and subsequently direct said second strip of material onto said bendable wire and said adhesive surface of said first strip of material.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein said second spindle is adapted to hold a plurality of individual rolls of said bendable wire loaded in longitudinally spaced relationship on said second spindle and used to form a respective plurality of parallel and connected closure devices in sheet form.

10. The machine of claim 9 and further comprising a perforation wheel positioned to form perforations between each adjacent closure device on said sheet.

11. The machine of claim 10 and further comprising a printer operable to print indicia on said second strip.

12. The machine of claim 8 wherein said second strip of material is paper.