PACKAGE WITH TAMPER EVIDENT CLOSURE, AND METHODS

Abstract

A reclosable package having a zipper closure that includes areas of weakness that, upon opening of the zipper closure, permanently damage at least one of the closure members that form the zipper closure. The package user can readily discern if the zipper closure has been previously opened.

Description

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application 60/864,279 filed Nov. 3, 2006. The complete disclosure of application 60/864,279 is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to polymeric packages, and, in particular, to a package having a closure arrangement to indicate tampering with the closure, and methods of manufacturing and using the package.

BACKGROUND

Flexible polymeric packages may be used to hold a variety of products. Such products may be a variety of edible food products such as cheese, meat, crackers, sugar, powdered sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda, or non-food products such as laundry detergent, sand, medical supplies, and other products. For many products, foods in particular, it is desirable to recognize if the package has been previously opened.

Although many configurations of tamper-evident packages are known, there is always room for alternate designs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to flexible, polymeric packages having a closure arrangement with a tamper-evident feature. Once the closure arrangement has been engaged and closed, the package cannot be opened to gain access to the interior without physically altering the closure arrangement thus providing indication or evidence of tampering. The indication or evident of tampering includes a broken, damaged, or generally unuseable closure arrangement. In some embodiments, a color or lack of a color change indicates tampering.

In one particular aspect, the disclosure is to a polymeric package that has a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, which together forming an interior. A first closure member and a second closure member are on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge. The first closure member includes a plurality of weakness regions. Upon disengagement of the first closure member from the second closure member, the weakness regions deform the first closure member, typically being removed from the first closure member.

In another particular aspect, this disclosure is to a polymeric tamper-evident package having a first closure member and a second closure member engageable with the first closure member. The first closure member includes a plurality of weakness regions along the width of the package, the weakness regions configured and arranged to be removed from the first closure member upon disengagement of the first closure member from the second closure member.

For these and other packages, the first closure member may have a base and a first closure profile extending from the base, the weakness regions being present in the first closure profile. The weakness regions can be defined by one or two cuts, in the first closure profile. These cuts may define pyramidal weakness regions.

Another particular aspect of this disclosure is a zipper closure having a first closure member having a first closure profile extending from a first base, and a second closure member having a second closure profile extending from a second base, the second closure member configured for engagement with the first closure member. The first closure member includes a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the first closure member, the weakness regions configured and arranged to deform the first closure member upon disengagement from the second closure member.

The weakness regions may be configured and arranged to deform the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member. Alternately, the weakness regions could be configured and arranged to remove a portion of the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member. The weakness regions could be slits in the first closure profile, and/or could define a pyramidal shape.

A method of making a zipper closure member includes providing a source closure member; contacting the base of the source closure member against an outer surface of a positioner; the positioner having a diverter element operably connected thereto; rotating the positioner to put the diverter into contact with the base while also moving the source closure member to engage a cutting element into the first profile; and cutting the first profile to form a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the source closure member.

A method of using a zipper closure includes mating first and second closure members together; each of the first and second closure members having a base and a profile extending from the base; and after mating, separating the first and second closure members including removing a plurality of chunks from at least one of the profiles to prevent the first and second closure members to again be mated.

Various methods for using the package, and of making the package, are also described.

These and various other features which characterize the packages of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the packages of the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a polymeric package according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a closure arrangement according to the present disclosure, the closure arrangement being from the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closure arrangement prior to forming the closure arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is schematic perspective view of a process for forming the closure arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are incremental snapshots of the process of FIG. 4 progress through four positions;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the closure arrangement of FIG. 2 with the two closure members mated; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the two closure members of FIG. 5 after having been mated and unmated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a variety of packaging arrangements, particularly, resealable packaging arrangements.

Referring now to the figures, a package according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Package 10 has a first side panel 12 and an opposite side panel 14 that are connected by side edges 15, 16, 18. For clarity herein, side edge 15 can be referred to as a bottom edge 15. Side panels 12, 14 are flexible sheets, typically polymeric film. Examples of suitable films for use as panels 12, 14 are well known, and include polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Laminated materials may also be used, which can include, but not limited to, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon or LDPE and polypropylene.

Side panels 12, 14 and side edges 15, 16, 18 define a surrounding wall 11 having an interior 13 therebetween. Interior 13 is configured for receiving a food item or other items for storage within package 10.

As provided above, side panels 12, 14 meet at bottom edge 15 and side edges 16, 18. Any or all of edges 15, 16, 18 may be seals or may be folds. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, bottom edge 15 is a fold between side panel 12 and side panel 14; that is, a sheet of material has been folded to form panels 12, 14 and bottom edge 15. Typically, in constructions having bottom edge 15 being a fold, side edges 16, 18 are sealed edges; that is, side panels 12, 14 are sealed to one another, for example by heat sealing. In other embodiments, side edge 16 is a folded edge and bottom edge 15 and side edge 18 are sealed. In yet other embodiments, both side edges 16, 18 are folded and bottom edge 15 is sealed. Still further, embodiments of package 10 could have each of edges 15, 16, 18 being sealed edges. These various edge configurations are known in the art and any of these are suitable for package 10. Additionally, other configurations of surrounding wall 11 could be used. For example, surrounding wall 11 may include side gussets or gussets in panels 12, 14 to provide increased volume in interior 13. Also for example, surrounding wall 11 may have no discernible side panels 12, 14, but rather, could be a tubular bag-shaped element. Various other configurations of surrounding walls 11 are known and are useable in accordance with the principles of this disclosure.

Package 10 has a top end 17, which is the side of package 10 opposite bottom edge 15. At top end 17, a closure arrangement 20 is present across a mouth of package 10 that provides access to interior 13. Closure arrangement 20 has first closure arrangement member 22 having a first profile 26 and a second closure arrangement member 24 having a second profile 28. First and second closure arrangement members 22, 24 are configured to be sealed (e.g., closed, engaged, mated, etc.) to inhibit access to interior 13. In the embodiment illustrated, first member 22 is connected to first side panel 12 and second member 24 is connected to second side panel 14. Closure arrangement members 22, 24 could be integral with their respective side panel 12, 14 or could be attached thereto, for example, by a heat seal or adhesive.

In some embodiments, closure arrangement members 22, 24 include a color-indicator or other visible identification to indicate when members 22, 24 are mated. That is, a portion of closure arrangement member 22 can have a first color (e.g., red) and a portion of closure arrangement member 24 can have a second color (e.g., yellow), so that upon engagement of members 22, 24 together, the resulting color of closure arrangement 20 is different than each of the first and second colors (e.g., orange).

General shapes of, and methods of making and using closure arrangement 20, closure members 22, 24 and profiles 26, 28 are well known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,002; 6,152,600; 5,839,831, and 5,252,281, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Closure member 22 differs, however, from known closure arrangements and closure members in that closure member 22 is configured to not be resealable with closure member 24 subsequent the initial engagement and disengagement.

In this disclosure, locked or engaged members 22, 24 will not disengage without physical deformation or destruction of at least closure member 22, thereby inhibiting reengagement with closure member 24 and providing positive evidence of tampering or previous access to interior 13. Thus, once engaged, closure members 22, 24 cannot be opened or unlocked without damaging closure arrangement 20. Additional details are provided below.

Referring to FIG. 2, closure profiles 22 and 24 are illustrated. As mentioned above, first closure arrangement member 22 has first profile 26 extending from a base 27, and second closure arrangement member 24 has second profile 28 extending from a base 29. First and second closure arrangement members 22, 24 are configured to be sealed (e.g., closed, engaged, mated, etc.) to inhibit access to interior 13.

The overall shape and size of profile 26 of member 22 is configured to engage with profile 28 of member 24; examples of profile members are provided above in the cited references. Profile 26 of member 22, however, includes weakness regions 30, spaced along the length of profile 26, which facilitate the destruction of profile 26 upon attempted disengagement from profile 28 of member 24. In this embodiment, weakness region 30 includes at least one slit or cut, such as a first slit 32 and a second slit 34, which are present in profile 26 and which define a chunk 38, which in this embodiment is generally pyramidal in shape. Chunk 38 could have other shapes, for example, semicircular, post-like, or irregular shapes. Generally, weakness region 30, such as slits 32, 34, does not extend into base 27 of member 22. In the illustrated embodiment, slits 32, 24 do not extend completely through profile 26, but stop short of base 27, providing a region 35 of unweakened profile 26. Region 35 is sufficiently durable to hold chunk 38 to base 27 when closure member 22 is engaged with closure member 24, but is sufficiently weak that region 35 is not strong enough to withstand the strain or pressure on it when removing profile 26 of closure member 22 from profile 28 of closure member 24. Although region 35, in this embodiment, is positioned proximate base 27, region 35 may be located in other areas of profile 26.

In some embodiments, weakness region 30 may have continuous cuts or slits, or may have perforations.

FIG. 2 illustrates closure member 22 prior to being engaged with closure member 24. FIG. 5 illustrates closure members 22, 24 locked together, mated or otherwise engaged. FIG. 6 illustrates the result when engaged closure members 22, 24 (from FIG. 5) are separated; at least one of closure members 22, 24 physically changes. In FIG. 6, resulting closure member 122 is illustrated, having profile 126 extending from base 27. Base 27 is unchanged from base 27 of closure member 22. Profile 126, however, differs from profile 26 of member 22 in that multiple chunks 38 from profile 26 are now removed from the profile, leaving volumes 128 void of profile 26, and resulting in profile 126. Volumes 128 void of profile 26 are spaced along the length of profile 26.

The original closure member 22 has physically changed, i.e., has a new configuration, with the removal of chunk 38 therefrom. In this embodiment, chunk 38 remains engaged with second profile 28, thus resulting in closure member 124. Chunk 38 may remain engaged with profile 28 of closure member 124, or, chunk 38 may loosen from or otherwise eventually disengage from profile 28.

For embodiments where closure arrangement 20 includes a color indicator, upon disengagement of closure members 22, 24, the ‘engaged’ color may remain. For example, if closure arrangement member 22 has a first color (e.g., red) and closure arrangement member 24 has a second color (e.g., yellow), upon engagement (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5), the resulting color of closure arrangement 20 is different than each of the first and second colors, usually a combination of the colors (e.g., orange). Upon separation (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6), closure member 122 has the first color (e.g., red) but closure member 124 retains the combination color (e.g., orange) due to chunks 38 remaining with profile 28. In some embodiments, the color may be present only in chunks 38, providing easy identification whether or not profile 26 has been disturbed.

With chunk 38 removed from closure member 22, thus forming member 122 and member 124, a physical change has occurred to closure member 22. A physical change has also occurred to closure member 24, which may or may not be permanent.

Due to the change in one or both closure member 22 and member 24, they can no longer be remated or resealed. A user attempting to reseal the damaged closure arrangement would not be able to do so, and thus not being able to hide or camouflage the previous opening of the closure arrangement and access to package 10.

Various specific details of package 10 have been described. It is understood, however, that the previous descriptions are not limiting to features of package 10, and alternate materials, constructions, and the like could be used to provide a package according to the present invention. For example, package 10 could include a resealable closure arrangement, also often referred to as a zipper, in addition to the unresealable closure arrangement of this disclosure. Including a resealable closure arrangement would allow the package 10 to be resealed after the initial opening and destruction of closure arrangement 20. Numerous suitable zipper closure arrangements are known, and some are provided in patents referenced above. As another example, package 10 could include a sealant stripe, such as a peel seal, which can be sealed, readily opened, and resealed, on an interior surface of panels 12, 14 in close proximity to closure arrangement 20. Examples of peel seals include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,290,393; 6,210,038, and 6,131,248, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a seal could be used to decrease the possibility of leakage through the mouth of package 10. As another example, weakness region 30 could extend the entire thickness of closure profile 26 or through only a portion thereof; weakness region 30 could extend partially into base 27. Additionally, chunk 38 may be a shape other than pyramidal, for example, cubic, rectangular, or irregular.

Package 10, and variations thereof, are particularly suited for use-applications where a packaged product is sold. The product packager, often the product manufacturer, would insert the product into interior 13 of package 10, and then mate closure member 22 with member 24, forming the zipper configuration of FIG. 5. After purchase of the product, the user would open package 10 by unmating closure member 22 from closure member 24, thus damaging closure member 22 and forming closure member 122 (FIG. 6). Any subsequent users of the package would recognize that the seal had previously been opened.

This disclosure is also directed to methods of making closure member 22 and package 10 incorporating closure member 22. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a method for providing the closure arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2 is illustrated.

FIG. 4 illustrates an overall system 100 for forming closure member 22 of FIG. 2 from a closure member 22′ (FIG. 3). Closure member 22′, the source profile for member 22, is of the same cross-sectional shape as member 22, but does not include slits 32, 34 present therein. Slits 32, 34 and the resulting chunk 38 are formed by cutting system 100. It should be understood that closure member 22′ may undergo some stretching or minor distortion in its cross-sectional shape by system 100 when being transformed into closure member 22, however this should not affect the engagement with closure member 24.

Cutting system 100 includes a positioner 110 and a cutting mechanism 120 having a cutting element 125 distanced from positioner 110.

Source closure member 22′ is fed into system 100 in the direction indicated in FIG. 4. System 100 has source closure member 22′ positioned and moving in a generally horizontal manner, however it should be understood that other orientations and directions would be acceptable. Source closure member 22′ may be provided from a spool or a reservoir of long sections to cutting system 100. In some embodiments, source closure member 22′ is formed (e.g., extruded) in-line and upstream of cutting system 100.

Referring to FIG. 4 and to FIGS. 4A through 4D, source closure member 22′ is fed with its base 27 contacting and preferably pressed against an outer surface 112 of positioner 110. In the illustrated embodiment, positioner 110 is a cylindrical or drum-like element, so that outer surface 112 is a circumferential surface of positioner 110. Positioner 110 is configured to axially rotate about an eccentric axis 110C. As positioner 110 rotates, outer surface 112 moves in an eccentric path, as does a diverter element 115 operably connected to positioner 110. Diverter 115 moves in a path having a vertical vector and a horizontal vector.

Eccentric axis 110C is positioned in fixed relation to cutting element 125, so that as positioner 110 rotates around eccentric axis 110C, the distance between axis 110C and cutting element 125 remains the same, however, the distance between cutting element 125 and outer surface 112 of positioner 110 varies.

FIG. 4A shows positioner 110 in a first position, with diverter 115 opposite from base 27 of source closure member 22′ a distance S, measured from a center of diverter 115 to base 27. Additionally, the distance between eccentric axis 110C and base 27 is a distance W. As positioner 110 rotates 90 degrees, e.g., counter clockwise, the distance between diverter 115 and base 27 decreases to distance T, which is the same distance as distance X between eccentric axis 110C and base 27, in FIG. 4B. As positioner 110 continues to rotate 90 degrees as in FIG. 4C, to be 180 degrees from the orientation of FIG. 4A, diverter 115 is generally in contact with or close to base 27; the distance between eccentric axis 110C and base 27 is distance Y. In FIG. 4D, the distance between diverter 115 and base 27 increases to distance V, which is the same distance as distance Z between eccentric axis 110C and base 27. At all positions, the distance between eccentric axis 110C and cutting element 125 is R; that is, the distance between eccentric axis 110C and cutting element 125 does not vary. Due to the eccentric movement, the vertical distance between cutting element 125 and outer surface 112 varies.

In operation of system 100, source closure profile 26′ moves laterally in relation to cutting element 125 due to horizontal (or lateral) movement of source closure member 22′. As positioner 110 rotates in contact with base 27 of source closure member 22′, the distance between base 27 and cutting element 125 varies. Combining the two movements, as source closure profile 22′ moves and positioner 110 rotates, cutting element 125 engages with source closure profile 26′ and moves with a vertical vector and a horizontal vector. Where cutting element 125 engages source closure profile 26′, a cut, slit, slice, or other weakness region 30 is formed, preferably through source closure profile 26′ and preferably not into base 27. See FIGS. 4C and 4D, where weakness region 30, particularly slits 32, 34, are illustrated in closure profile 26′.

Diverter 115 is present to inhibit continuous cutting, slitting, slicing, etc. of source closure profile 26′; in other words, diverter 115 forms a guard or bumper to inhibit cutting element 125 from forming a continuous cut, slit, slice, or other damaged area or line in source closure profile 26′. In FIG. 4D, source closure profile 26′, includes region 35 free of slits 32, 34. As the source closure member 22′ progresses past cutting element 125 and positioned by positioner 110, multiple slits 32, 34 and regions 35 are formed, resulting in closure member 22 of FIG. 2.

Package 10 may be made by generally any suitable process. For example, package 10 may be made by a horizontal process (e.g., where the film forming side panels 12, 14 moves in a generally horizontal direction) or a vertical process (e.g., where the film forming side panels 12, 14 moves in a generally vertical direction). As mentioned above, any or all of edges 15, 16, 18 may be folds or seals between side panels 12, 14. If not integral with side panels 12, 14, closure arrangement members 22, 24 may be attached to one or both of side panels 12, 14 before or after bottom edge 15 is formed.

The above specification and examples are believed to provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident polymeric package, comprising:

(a) a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, together forming an interior;

(b) a first closure member and a second closure member engageable with the first closure member on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge and extending laterally between the first side edge and the second side edge of the surrounding wall, the first closure member comprising a plurality of weakness regions positioned laterally along the first closure member and configured and arranged to be removed from the first closure member upon disengagement from the second closure profile

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the first closure member comprises a base and a first closure profile extending from the base, the weakness regions being present in the first closure profile.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the weakness regions are defined by at least one cut in the first closure profile.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the weakness regions are defined by two cuts in the first closure profile.

5. The package of claim 3, wherein the weakness regions are pyramidal.

6. The package of claim 3, wherein the weakness regions comprise a color different than a color of the second closure profile.

7. A zipper closure comprising:

(a) a first closure member having a first closure profile extending from a first base;

(b) a second closure member having a second closure profile extending from a second base, the second closure member configured for engagement with the first closure member; and

(c) the first closure member having a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the first closure member, the weakness regions configured and arranged to deform the first closure member upon disengagement from the second closure member.

8. The zipper of claim 7, wherein the weakness regions are configured and arranged to deform the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member.

9. The zipper of claim 8, wherein the weakness regions are configured and arranged to remove a portion of the first closure profile upon disengagement from the second closure member.

10. The zipper of claim 7, wherein the weakness regions comprise at least one slit in the first closure profile.

11. The zipper of claim 10, wherein the weakness regions comprise slits in the first closure profile.

12. The zipper of claim 10, wherein the at least one slit defines a pyramidal shape.

13. The zipper of claim 7, wherein the weakness regions comprise a color different than a color of the second closure profile.

14. A tamper-evident package comprising:

(a) a surrounding wall having first and second side edges and a bottom edge, together forming an interior, the package having a width extending form the first side edge to the second side edge;

(b) a first closure member and a second closure member engageable with the first closure member on the surrounding wall opposite the bottom edge, the first closure member comprising a plurality of weakness regions along the width of the package, the weakness regions configured and arranged to be removed from the first closure member upon disengagement of the first closure profile from the second closure profile.

15. A tamper-evident package according to claim 14 wherein:

(a) the first closure member comprises a base and a first closure profile extending from the base, the weakness regions being present in the first closure profile.

16. A tamper-evident package according to claim 14 wherein:

(a) the weakness regions are defined by at least one cut in the first closure profile.

17. A tamper-evident package according to claim 14 wherein:

(a) the weakness regions are pyramidal.

18. A method of making a zipper closure member; the method comprising:

(a) providing a source closure member; the source closure member including a first profile extending from a base;

(b) contacting the base against an outer surface of a positioner; the positioner having a diverter element operably connected thereto;

(c) rotating the positioner to put the diverter into contact with the base while also moving the source closure member to engage a cutting element into the first profile; and

(d) cutting the first profile to form a plurality of weakness regions positioned along a length of the source closure member.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein:

(a) the step of providing includes feeding the source closure member from a spool into a cutting system.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein:

(a) the step of rotating the positioner includes rotating the positioner about an eccentric axis to move the outer surface in an eccentric path.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein:

(a) the step of cutting the first profile includes forming the weakness regions in pyramidal shapes.

22. A method of using a zipper closure; the method comprising:

(a) mating first and second closure members together; each of the first and second closure members having a base and a profile extending from the base; and

(b) after mating, separating the first and second closure members including removing a plurality of chunks from at least one of the profiles to prevent the first and second closure members to again be mated.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein:

(a) the step of separating includes removing a plurality of chunks to leave volumes void of profile spaced along a length of the profile.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein:

(a) the step of separating includes removing chunks having a pyramidal shape.

25. A method according to claim 22 wherein:

(a) the step of mating includes causing a color change in the first and second closure members.